2019 West Jordan City's The Great Gobbler 5K Race Recap - West Jordan UT

Official Time: 25:05
Placement: 3rd in age group (40-49)
Results: Soon
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid 30's, no wind
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:49	Faster than expected start, but felt like I was paying for it.
2	8:17	Exactly what I expected to run on the second mile.
3	8:35	Hurting bad here.  Working off of another runner
3.06	0:22	Push it hard to the finish
	Total Miles: 3.06 - 25:05

Introduction

It's been a long time since I've gotten a great deal on a race.  And I've been at it for a long time.  But I was looking for a race to do this weekend and was asking around.  A friend of mine sent me a link to a $10 race!!! With races costing upwards of $25 - $30, I began to wonder if this was too good to be true.

Or worse, a poorly run race with little to no support.  

Either way, I was looking for a race and this was pretty much the only gig in town.  Plus, it was less than 4 miles away from home.

The Race

The race started at 9 AM and I rolling in just after 8.  I was expecting a fiasco grabbing my bib, but again, easy peasy and well run.  

To top things off the race was headquartered at the Gene Fullmer Recreation Center, so we had some place warm to hang out before the race -- as well as clean bathrooms.

It was a nice recreation center, with a pool, weight room, etc.  Certainly one I'd consider joining.

Around 8:30 I did my warm-up and tried to figure out the course.  I had studied the course the day before and was a little worried on account that it had a TON of turns.  Would a $10 5K send me wandering the streets of West Jordan?  I would hope not.

I discovered that the course, to some extent, was similar to the West Jordan Green Eggs and Ham 5K I ran last summer.  I actually kind of knew the course!  

The race started around 9 AM -- again, unexpected.  These cheaper 5Ks, can sort of drift later and we were off.

I had warmed up but getting that first mile in felt like I was revving up a cold engine.  It has been a while since I had pushed the pace and I was really hurting.

The first mile took us into the West Jordan park and I was immediately reminded of memories of having done the Green Eggs race last summer.  I knew exactly where I was going -- and I wasn't in the lead, so I just followed the lead group.

I am happy to report I didn't get detoured or lost at all.  The had a police motorcycle leading the way and volunteers were at appropriate junctions.

That first mile seemed to take forever and I was sort of stunned to see a 7:45 roll up on my Garmin.  Not too bad.  Could I push it for the second mile?

When I normally run a 7:45, my next mile is almost always 8:10 - 8:20.  Again, I wasn't surprised to see a 8:17 flash on my Garmin upon crossing mile 2.

The course's miles weren't marked in any way and part of me wondered if the course would wind up short or long.  We had pretty much finished with the park at that point and were soon on a quiet service road of some sort behind the recreation center.  There was no one behind me and one lone runner in front of me.

My goal was to keep up with him, as he appeared to maybe be in my age group.

I steadfastly dogged him as we ran in stride.  I'd make some ground on him and he'd sniff me out and push on his accelerator and I'd dial it back.  He did appear to be in my age group and with 10 year age increments for awards, I wanted to stay close.

We eventually turned a corner and were on a rough gravely road.  Footing wasn't bad by any means but I wasn't getting any pounce.  I was anywhere from 5 to 10 yards behind my target.  I could tell both of us were hurting.

I checked my Garmin and while I could see the recreation center, I sort of sensed that the course might be long.  It just seemed we were so far away with less than a third of a mile to go.

Finally we exited the dirt road and jumped onto the unforgiving concrete.  Every time I gained ground, he met my advance and pushed it forward.  Looks like it was gonna be a sprint.

We finally turned the final corner and had less than 50 yards to go to the finish line.  Here was my chance and I broke into a sprint.  This guy clearly had another gear and despite my frantic efforts I couldn't catch him.  There was a chance I might've but I just didn't have the guts to go crashing through the finish line.

Conclusion

They haven't posted the results as of yet, but I figure I was 2 - 3 seconds behind the other runner.  And you know what?  He was in my age group.  I was 3rd -- he 2nd.  The race wasn't chip timed so hard to tell exactly how much apart we were either.

I walked off the efforts of the run and socialized a bit, taking a sip of water I had brought.  They had bananas, bagels, and water to drink.  Pretty standard fare for a low budget 5K.

Awards were done promptly as well.  The race directors really had their stuff together on this one -- from start to finish.

I was super happy to win 3rd in my age group and nab a medal as well as some pasta and sauce.  They had a lot of prizes to pick from, all under $5 or so.

Performance-wise, I did okay.  25:ish has roughly been my times for a 5K of a late, so again, just average.  I did talk to some people who's Garmin's measured the race at 3.11.  So I suspect it was a legit 5K.  

I did enjoy myself.  I was surprised from start to finish with everything.  For $10, got a timed 5K race (with police escort), an age group award and prize, a swag bag and a cool t-shirt (albeit it is cotton). I'd definitely do this race again next year.

2018 South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving Day Race 5K Race Recap - Bountiful Utah

Official Time: 24:53
Placement: 2nd in the 45-49, 60th overall, 51st male
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid 40's, slight wind from the west and then to the east
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013] [2012]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:45	Right on target.  Good start here although hampered early on
2	8:17	Back to reality.  A little bit of climbing here
3	8:33	About 75% of this mile is a grind uphill.
3.05	0:17	Crush the last bit
	Total Miles: 3.05- 24:54

Introduction

Every year since I've been in Utah, I've done the South Davis Recreation Center's 5K race on Thanksgiving morning.  They hold a series of races throughout the year and they are usually very affordable and professionally run.  There are a ton of choices in the Salt Lake Area for Turkey Trots, and this one is one I will continue to do. 

I've run this course a bunch of times.  They use it for the Valentine's Day run, their Handcart 5K and their half marathon in the summer finishes along the back end of it.  It is run along the city streets of Bountiful.  It isn't too scenic but the course really doesn't need to be.  It is a short and quick race.

The Race

I rolled into the race about 45 minutes before the start.  Getting their early is always a smart thing because the parking lot fills up.  There's plenty of parking though but you can always spot the newbies as they scramble to find a spot to park.

Packet pickup was located in the gym.  They have it down to an art form there and I had my bib, shirt, goodie bag and a validation that my chip was working in under a minute.  As usual, I got a nice shirt and cloth bag filled with promotional items.

The forecast was for rain but other than some dampness on the ground it was smooth sailing.  In fact, as the morning progressed the weather got better.

I wound up stretching, using the restroom a few times and getting warmed up for the next 45 minutes.

A lot of people were really bundled up for the race.  I was in shorts, t-shirt, and throw away gloves (I hate cold hands).  I was perfectly happy with my setup.

One of my complaints in the past is that this race starts late.  Like 10 - 15 minutes late.  The last few times, though, they've started on time.  And this time -- they started on time.  Thank you!  I time my warm-ups, nutrition, etc down to the second on when the race starts.

As usual, a lot of walkers / kids were in front but I only lost a few seconds overall I figure before jumping out onto the street.  I was quickly able to get up to speed.

The first mile or so is a delicious downhill.  It is really easy to get off to a good start and while I held back a little, I was pretty pleased to see the first mile go off at 7:45.

I was still feeling pretty good but I knew I had to stay strong as the race gets progressively harder.  After about 1.25 miles you turn on a side road.  There is a small hill here and it always seems to take the starch out of everyone's stride.  It isn't a bad hill, but it just looks steep.  This is usually where reality sets in for me.

I blew through the water stop and made another right to begin the journey to the back entrance of the recreation center.  This is another gut check because it is just a straight line for the next mile and you can see a distant street light at the top of a hill.  It is tough running here.

This is also a busy street but it is early in the morning and the course marshals did a great job of dealing with traffic.

I hit the 2 mile mark at 8:15.  I figured I was going a little slower so I was reasonably happy with that.

I kept working up the hill and while I wasn't in a death march, I was definitely hurting.  Before the race, another guy in my age division said he was going to be watching for me.  I saw him ahead and I really wanted to catch him.  I could see his knee high socks and brilliant orange shirt.  Every now and then I'd gain on him but I'd fatigue and he'd pull ahead (I think he wound up beating me by about 30 seconds).

I had done a lot of passing in the early miles but on mile 3 I was starting to get passed a bit.  I am a fast starter and I tend to fade at the end.  But it wasn't like millions of people were passing me, but those with a kick at the end were moving past me.

The nice thing about a 5K is that it is over pretty quick.  The final mile blew by and as I crested the hill, I really dug deep.  I wasn't going to set any personal records, but I certainly wanted the best time I could possibly get.

I hauled it to the finish and saw the clock starting to hit 25 minutes.  A good time for me these days is under 25 minutes and for a minute I was bummed.  Then I looked at my Garmin and realized that I had about a 10 second cushion as that is how long it took me to cross the starting line.

I was thrilled to see a 24:54 on my watch.

Conclusion

As stated above, I was pretty happy with my time.  And it turns out I came in 2nd in my age group. 

I didn't have a lot planned for the day but I sort of didn't want to hang around for awards.  I wound up socializing and the time went by quickly enough.  By the time I was starting to think about leaving they started up with the awards.  They were quick about announcing them this year and I managed to snag a cherry pie for my hard work.

For the $25 I spent for this race, I got a fully supported race, a nice shirt, finisher's medal, swag bag, and post race refreshments (your standard post race fare).  I also got to see a bunch of friends too so it was just a nice way to spend Thanksgiving morning.

I plan on being there next year.... and this was a nice race to tie in with Thanksgiving.

Age group award plus ribbon

2017 South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving Day 5K Race Recap - Bountiful UT

Official Time: 25:20
Placement: 44th male, 1st in the 45 - 49, 59th overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: 40's and comfortable
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2013] [2014] [2015] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:59	First mile down hill
2	8:18	Some up hill here but bearing down.
3	8:35	Most of this mile is a gentle uphill. It isn't much but it looks tough
3.07	0:27
Total Miles: 3.07 - 25:20

Introduction

Since 2012, the South Davis Recreation Center located in the heart of Bountiful Utah is my first stop on Thanksgiving Day.  It is a short drive from my house and a dirt cheap race.  If you register before the dead line you pay around $20 and get way more than you deserve.

This race is also well attended, so you feel like you are part of something.

There are some fast runners there so the race is competitive and family-orientated.

The Race

I rolled in around 7 AM and grabbed my parking spot (which people would be fighting for in another 30 minuets) and my bib / shirt.  I was really excited to see that I got a nifty personal "massager" stick.  I was totally going to buy one and now I was getting one for free!

It was easy and well organized.  Soon I was stashing my stuff in my car and using the indoor, clean bathrooms at the recreation center.

I did about a mile warm-up and I wasn't feeling particularly fast.  My legs just didn't seem to have much spring to them.  Pre-race nerves?  One can only hope.

The race started (as usual) a few minutes late.  There wasn't a whole lot of corral management as there were walkers and slower runners in the front (it was chip timed) but the hold-up probably amounted to all of 15 seconds or so.  By the time the first quarter of a mile was done, I was in my groove and able to run the pace I wanted to.

The first mile is most downhill -- not canyon cruising downhill, but definitely a fast mile.  At about .75 of a mile the 10K runners drift left while we continue down the main drag for about another half mile.

At this point the course gets tough.  You no longer have the downhill and you have to make up all the downhill you got initially and then some.

I know the course well, having run this race and their sister Valentine's Day race many times.  I was hoping to hit the 2 mile marker at 16 minutes but went through in around 16:15.  The lack of speed work I have done was costing me.

The final mile is along Main Street.  It is a commercial corridor with some houses, banks and apartments.  The race organizers do a pretty good maintaining this section so that you can run through the intersections.  Also given that the race starts at 8 AM there isn't much traffic.

Also you have to crest a bit of a hill.  It just looms in the distance.  Looking at the elevation profile it isn't too bad but mentally it is a hurdle.

I kept on running as fast as I could and the finish line came into view as soon as I rounded the final corner.

Conclusion

I was somewhat happy with my time (show me a runner who is happy with his time and I'll show you a liar).  I haven't done much speed work as I have been battling a knee injury.

I ran last year's race about 20 seconds faster.  I thought I had finished in about the same amount of time.

All 5K and 10K runners get this cool medal

I grabbed my finisher's medal (which competes with some of the marathons I've done) and grabbed something to drink.  From previous runs I knew the line for refreshments would get long (and it got really long later). They had the typical food offerings: oranges, bananas, bagels and water and Gatorade.

I sauntered back to the results area and was delighted to see that I had finished first in my age group.  I did NOT expect that at all.

The race is really slow for getting out awards.  I was done a little after 8:30 and it took them until almost 9:45 to start doling out the awards. My patience was rewarded with a HUGE pumpkin pie. I am not a pumpkin pie fan but I will be by the time I finish this one I will be.

As always this race is a bargain and it will continue to be a Thanksgiving tradition for me.

2016 South Davis Recreation Center 5K Race Recap - Bountiful Utah

Official Time: 24:56
Placement: 2nd in age group
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Upper 30's, no wind
Garmin Dump: Here

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:47	Gentle downhill here. Hemmed in at the start
2	8:08	A bit of climbing
3	8:31	A grind up a slow hill. End can't come fast enough.
3.07	0:29	Sprint to the finish
Total Miles: 3.07 -  24:56

Introduction

One of my annual traditions, each Thanksgiving is to do the South Davis Recreation Center's 5K, located in Bountiful.  They continue to put on a good race that is high on payoffs and low on price.  For $20 you basically get a finisher's medal, an accurate course with professional timing, a t-shirt and usually a bunch of stuff in your swag bag.  They also have your typical post race refreshments.

The biggest treat for me is that the 5K tends to be not super competitive (most runners do the 10K) and I can easily snag a Thanksgiving pie.

The Race 

I rolled into the race just after 7 AM and grabbed my shirt.  It was easy in and easy out -- well organized on all fronts.  I wound up sitting around for a bit, attaching my bib and using the restroom.

Around 7:30 AM I decided to do my warm up.  I felt super sluggish and I had a bit of panic: was this going to be a bad race?

Pre-race photo of mile #1

After a mile warmup I returned back to the warm confines of the recreation center and used the bathroom a final time.

The race started a little late -- as usual.  Generally, this race does start a few minutes late and I had toyed with the idea of wearing a light running jacket to keep warm, but I decided to tough it out.  I went in shorts, throw-away gloves and a long sleeved shirt.  Turns out that was a fantastic choice.

The first mile was congested -- well at least the first 1/4 of a mile.  The race starts off in the parking lot and it is fairly narrow path.  Also add in a bunch of kids and slower runners who weren't instructed to line up according to pace and you have an accident sort of waiting to happen.  However, after about a 100 yards the race opens up.

The first mile is also a gentle downhill, which helped me get what felt like a fairly easy 7:47.

After the 1st mile marker, the race goes uphill slightly and at that point it always gets hard.  The hill that is usually around 1.33 didn't seem to materialize for me and I was still running what I felt like was strong.  I was happy to see mile 2 come in at 8:10ish.

The last mile is a grind.  It is a gentle climb.  It is also at this point that you are running along a fairly busy road.  Luckily there isn't much traffic but you do have to pay attention to some of the traffic lights.

I was still holding my pace pretty well but as usual working the hill got the best of me.

I still had plenty of gas left at the end but my top speed definitely wasn't there.

Conclusion

After the race, I wound up grabbing a drink and grabbing warmer clothes from my car (it is so nice to have a low stress 5K).  I made my way back and waited (quite a while) for the awards.  They had self-serve kiosks, so I was pretty happy to see I had placed 2nd in my age group.

I grabbed some food and wound up socializing a bit with some runners I knew.  The 10K was very competitive so I am glad I opted for the 5K.  I wound up snagging a cherry pie, a ribbon and of course a pretty sweet finisher's medal.

Overall, I felt like my time should've been better.  I felt like my time was going to be slightly faster than last year's (24:30-ish), but alas it wasn't.  Time for me to focus on dropping some weight and working on my speed work again.

All in all, I had a good time and definitely worth the $20.

Happy Thanksgiving!

South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving 5K Race Recap - Bountiful Utah

Official Time: 24:32
Placement: 3rd in age group, top 40 finish
Results: Soon
Race Website:Here
Weather: Lower 30's with 20 mph eastern wind
Garmin Dump: Here

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:47	Hemmed in at the start. Saving energy for the last half. Downhill though
2	8:06	Turn a corner and go into the wind. Ugh. Uphills start too
3	8:06	I was actually running quite well here. Did not die
3.08	0:31	Push to the finish
Total Miles: 3.08 - 24:32

Introduction

Every year I make it a tradition to run the South Davis Recreation Center's 5K.  There are other races closer to me but I really enjoy this race.  They give you a really nice experience for a whopping $20 and is probably the best bargain there is when it comes to Thanksgiving races.  I also know the course like the back of my hand, having run it at least half a dozen times.

The Race

I didn't have too many expectations for this race.  I felt good but I knew it was going to be sort of tough on account there was a strong wind coming from the mountains to the east.  At times, throughout the course, it seemed to be in your face and at other times it was at your back.  Most of the time, though, it was blowing you to the side.

It was also pretty cold.  I wound up wearing shorts, a t-shirt and my wind breaker.  I sort of wished I had brought a hat but in my haste in leaving I had forgotten it.

I rolled in around 8 AM and got my shirt and swag bag.  As usual, it was pretty easy and it was filled with lots of goodies, including a nice tech shirt.

Nice long sleeve shirt

I wound up making small talk with people until 8:45.  I did a warmup and changed into my running gear.  I was in the chutes by 9AM.

Unfortunately the race didn't start until 9:10.  They are almost always late at this race for starts and whatever warm up I did was pretty much for naught.  By the time the race actually started my quads felt so stiff and it took a good quarter mile to loosen up.

My goal in this race was to coast the first mile and dig deep the subsequent miles.  Starting at about mile 1.25, the race goes uphill.  They aren't back breaking hills but it is a gentle rise.

When the wind was blowing in my face, I managed to tuck behind someone.  I still had a lot of power left for the final mile.  Normally I have to grind on this but I was actually passing people and for the first time I ran mile 3 the same as mile 2.  I probably should've pushed it a little harder in the middle miles.

I didn't really know what I was running despite my Garmin.  I was just really focused on running as fast as I could and not get too hung up on time.

Finish

I crossed the finish line in 24:32.  I thought for sure I was going to break 24 as my pace seemed really solid.  Again, I had really been studying my pace throughout the race though other than peaking at mile 2 and mile 3 pace.

I was one of the first to finish (there were lots of kids and families running the 5K) and I had a chance to get my results.  Initially it said I was in fourth for my age group, which would've knocked me out of contention for a prize.  However, in the past, I've been burned before and if someone in my age group finished in the top 3, I would be bumped up.

Finisher's Medal

It was a LONG wait -- over an hour before they posted the results on a wall and sure enough I had been pushed to 3rd place.  I had to wait a bit more, while huddled under a gas lamp with 30 other runners until they called my name to get my pie.  They really need to get awards handed out sooner.  Lots of people hadn't dressed for the elements (I had had time to go back to my car and get fresh clothes and a heavy jacket on).

Other than the organizational snafus (a late start and lengthy wait for awards) this race is one I'll likely continue to do.  Again, for $20 it is a super nice 5K.  They had fruit, Gatorade and Corner Bakery came out and had muffins for everyone.  I really like the finisher's medal too... nice touch.

I am disappointed with my time -- as usual.  It isn't out of line considering my other 5K times of late and being I've done so little speed work.  Also, I think I held back a little too much at the start.  Looking at my previous results on the same course, I think I took it too easy.  I also have to account a bit for the strong winds.  Most people felt they hindered more than helped.

I am happy to finish in the money though and the pie should be the trouble I went through in waiting to get it.

Happy Thanksgiving!