2024 Fit for Life Riverton Half Marathon Race Recap - Riverton, UT

Official Time: 1:58:48
Placement: 4th in age group, 72nd overall
Results: Here (YouTube video of me finishing).
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 50's, 15 - 20 mph from the south / south east
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2023] [2022] [2021] [2018] [2015] [2014]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:41	Solid start. Conserving energy.
2	8:35	Little bit of a tailwind and flat.
3	9:02	Into the neighborhoods. Hilly and at times a little windy
4	9:41	Decent climb here.  Usually into the wind too.
5	8:48	Nice tailwind here
6	8:34	Smashed a downhill
7	8:48	Now into the wind. Fortunately got a decent half mile in before hitting the wind.
8	9:04	Really strong winds here. Just trying to keep a decent pace when I can but not succeeding
9	9:21	The miles are settling in. Happy with my pace
10	9:44	Big hill -- into the wind. So frustrated
11	9:18	Done with the wind but a few hills left.
12	9:42	Just out of gas. Fortunately a tailwind but hilly little mile here
13	9:04	Some hills and mud
13.05	0:20	Trying to catch a guy in front of me and just making sure I break 2 hours.
	Total Miles: 13.05 - 1:58:49

Introduction

Another one of my usual spring routines is doing the Riverton Half Marathon.  The race is in the middle of bunch of other races that I do and I was thinking about sitting this one out this year.  It is a popular race and they generally get a decent turnout (over 500 runners) for their 5K, 10K (new this year) and half marathon.

Normally I register pre-Christmas to snag an awesome price, but this year I waited.  I wanted to race a little less in 2024 and this one was on the bubble list.  I kept in my back pocket and last week I decided to plunk down the late registrant price (I think about $65) for the half marathon and make a go of it.  The weather looked reasonable (no snow / rain) so I figured why not... it would be a fun way to spend Saturday morning and get a March Half Marathon in.

I picked up my bib on Friday at RunGr8 Running Store in Riverton, which saved me any race morning anxiety about lines / issues.

The Race

I got to the race about 30 minutes before the start and grabbed a few photos.  I live in Murray and in Murray it didn't seem that windy. However, in Riverton it was quite a different story.  There was a decent wind coming from the south -- which would only spell trouble for me in the race.  There is a long stretch of bike trail that runs south without a lot of cover.  In years past I've suffered along this stretch.

The air temperature was comfortable (unlike last year) and while there were threatening clouds, it wasn't supposed to rain until later in the day.  I wound up going with a ballcap, short sleeved shirt, my donut shorts, and gloves. I wound up pocketing the gloves 2 miles into the race.

The race started promptly at 9 AM and we headed east from Riverton City Park.  My goal for the first 5K was to hang loose and ease into the race.  I had a loose goal of around low 53 minutes for the first 6.2 miles.  I knew miles 6.2 through about 10 were going to be the hardest part and I figured I'd try to hold pace there (and pray it wasn't that bad) and then push it the final 5K.

The first few miles felt easy and I was going out a little fast but I was aided by downhills and a bit of a tailwind.  My heart rate seemed low.  I felt a little fatigue in my legs -- I had had a fairly large week in terms of volume and I wasn't feeling 100% fresh.

After about 2 miles we dipped into the neighborhoods.  We were greeted by some people who had decided to spend the morning cheering us on.  It was welcomed and nice.  Although, at this point the course got hilly.  

Running up hill has never been my strength and I wound up just shuffling up the hill and then quickly getting back up to race pace once I reached the summit.  The hills didn't burn me out and despite some fatigue, I felt like I could quickly resume getting back to the pace where I wanted to be.

We spent the next 3 miles or so touring the streets of South Jordan.  The wind wasn't much of a factor and despite some of the hills, I was running strong.  I recognized parts of the course from a few of the South Jordan race series I had done.  Also, all the previous editions of the Riverton race came back into memory as well -- I was on familiar ground.

Finally, we made our way back to the bike trail.  I had a glorious downhill, where I definitely picked up the pace.  After another quarter mile I was back on the bike trail, made a turn at 106th street and started to head south.

Photo from Riverton's FlickR Page

The wind was howling and I glance at my watch -- it was around mile 6.4 -- not quite halfway.

I turned to the runner next to me and said, "There goes any chance of a personal record today"  He mumbled in agreement.

I still felt pretty strong and I overtook a number of runners as I battled the headwind.  The race had thinned out at this point and any of hope of me working with or drafting behind another runner were gone.  I was going to have to do this alone.

Parts of the course I was able to avoid the wind but for the most part it was slow going.  I pushed it when I could, and just accepted it when I couldn't.  I had started to work on consuming a Cherry-Lime Roctane which helped pick me up.

Running along the Jordan River Bike Trail brought back a lot of memories of when I first moved to Utah in 2012.  I had done a fair amount of training -- and races along this section of the trail in what seems like another lifetime.  I also knew that at the end of the trail was a large hill.

I didn't really pay any attention to my watch at this point. I knew my pace was slow, I was working hard and any chances of having a fabulous time were pretty much out the window.  In reality though, my paces weren't terrible -- about low 9's -- still within range of a 2-hour half marathon.

Finally the looming hill came into view.  I really didn't have much to tackle it with and a few runners resigned themselves to a walk.  I knew if I started to work, I'd probably conserve a bit of energy, but I also knew that I'd be hard-pressed to start again.  I once again wise-cracked to the runner next to me -- "how could this get any worse -- a massive uphill in gale force headwinds?"

Finally, I crested the hill and I knew things were going to get better -- or at least should get better.

I cruised down the back side and caught back up and passed some runners that had passed me on the uphill.  Despite my flagging times, I was still overtaking people and not getting overtaken, which is always a hard pill to swallow late in the race.  Perhaps I could salvage the race.

The final 5K seemed to  be the longest part of the race.  I was totally gassed and my head was telling my body "it's time to go!" and my body responded -- but just not as quickly as I felt it should've.  

The final 5K is hilly -- and mostly up.  I was aided by the tailwind but some of the wind was blocked from the neighborhoods and such.  Occasionally, I could feel it pushing me along but it wasn't as intense as I felt it should've.

Photo From Riverton's FlickR page

Every little hill slowed my pace to a crawl.  Fortunately we didn't have to go up a dreaded twisty hill like years in the past, but we did have to go down Lover's Lane -- which was finally paved!  

I was working hard and I was emotionally buoyed by the tailwind, but my legs were just dead, I knew my heart rate was skyrocketing, and it seemed like every hill was a monster one.  I kept looking for the final one.  Fortunately it isn't long, but it was another humbling shuffle to the top.

The mile markers had been hit and miss according to my watch throughout the race.  Sometimes I'd pass through a marker ahead of schedule, sometimes behind.  Also, in 2023, I ran 13.30 miles -- how far was this edition going to be?

Photo from Riverton's FlickR Page

I was doing math at this point -- did I still have a chance at 1:57?  2:00?  It was going to be close depending upon how much further I had.

Finally I made the final turn and I could see the flashing lights of the police car who was crewing the intersection that led into the park.  My watch was on mile 12-something and I was trying to judge how much further I had to run.  I wound up picking up my pace -- I now had an ever so slight downhill and a tailwind.  I picked off another runner and I was gaining on another.  I was trying to keep myself motivated.

I made another sharp left and re-entered the park where 2 hours prior I had just left.  I could hear the announcer calling out people's names.  I was so close, yet so far away and I was dying.

I knew at this point I was going to break 2 hours and the course was going to come in a hair shy of 13.10 miles.  I dug deep and sprinted to the finish -- finishing in 1:58:48.

Conclusion

My initial reaction to finishing was: I didn't get the time I wanted.  Not even close.  I was 100% spent and I was doubled over wanting / waiting to be sick (fortunately I wasn't).  

I had to step back, and think I had actually done pretty well.  While the wind wasn't as bad as it was at  the March Madness 10K, I had to battle it for far longer and I didn't get the benefit of it much during the race as well.  Also, this race can be best described as "challenging".  I wound up texting a few people to let them know my time and I got a unanimous "that's a great time for that course". 

Plus, I had gone into the race knowing that today wasn't going to be a great time day and to run it to effort and according to the course conditions.  I eventually made peace with myself on my performance -- it wasn't great by under the circumstances, I did as well as I could.  I'd probably give myself a grade of "B" if I was hard-pressed to grade myself.

I wound up socializing with other runners who mostly said it wasn't their day either.  They had a wide assortment of refreshments at the finish: bananas, fresh pressed orange juice, milk, water, Cliff Bars and even bundt cakes from a local baker.  Despite the wind, it was comfortable to sit and enjoy the post race glow.

I wound up placing fourth in my age group.  They only give awards to the top overall finishers and first in each age group.  For this big of a race, I am not sure why they don't expand the awards just a little bit.  However, I would've need a speedy 1:31 to win my age group.

The medal was nice -- It was a little uninspired though, especially for a half marathon.  The race also used to give out fantastic t-shirts... this year's edition --  the print was flaking off and is a cotton / polyester blend.  Just not thrilled with it.

This race is definitely a HUGE bargain if you register in January for it (or even prior to that). I got a fair bargain for my money though -- it was a well executed race from start to finish, it was marshalled and marked at every turn and had plenty of aid stations (I believe 5 or 6).  

The course is interesting as well -- with a mix of residential running and the natural beauty of the bike trail.

I'll likely continue to do this race.  It is a local event, low stress, affordable and well run.  I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a challenging race.  Both the 5K and 10K races are also hilly. I could definitely see areas of improvement but it is a bit of a right of passage for spring races for me.

Upcoming Races

03/30: 2024 Eggs Legs 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

04/20: 2024 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

04/27: 2024 Apple Blossom 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

05/27: 2024 Run of Remembrance 10K - American Fork,  UT 

06/01: 2024 Utah Valley Half Marathon - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

06/29: 2024 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

07/24: 2024 Deseret News Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed

08/17: 2024 PC2PG 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)

09/07: 2024 Cedar City Half Marathon - Cedar City, UT (Confirmed)

09/28: 2024 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/05: BLOCKED OUT WEEKEND

10/19: 2024 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/26: 2024 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

02/23: 2025 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2020 Antelope Island 10K Race Recap - Syrase, UT

Official Time: 53:06
Placement: 2nd in the 50-59, 17th overall
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: 57F, sunny, 10 mph wind from the east
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2018] [2015] [2013] [2012 (Full marathon)]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:31	Hit immediately by a hill. Ouch!
2	8:40	Fairly flat and then some downhill
3	9:13	Slow grind to the turn around slowly climbing
4	8:13	Get to go down the hill. Fun mile here
5	8:57	Now have to re-ascend the downhill from mile 2.  Oof!
6	8:50	Last quarter mile was a fast downhill, but I was just so dead
6.09	0:38	Go all out towards the finish
	Total Miles: 6.09 - 53:05

Introduction

Races are at a minimum this year, thanks mostly in part to Covid-19.  Fortunately, the state of Utah does have some races and this past weekend I opted to do the Antelope Island 10K.  

Antelope Island is an island just north west of Salt Lake City and is a state park.  It is very popular with cyclists and site seers.  There are some hikes as well as nature walks in the area.  Generally it is a very popular place to go with some incredible views.  It is also home to a herd of buffalo, so one must take caution when visiting the island -- as encounters with them are real and potentially dangerous.

I've done various editions of the Antelope Island races.  It was the site of my first full marathon in Utah and I've done the half a few times.  The past few years I've stuck with doing the shorter distance races.  I just haven't felt prepared to do anything longer than a 10K.  In years past it was known as the Layton Marathon.  When it moved to be run on the island entirely, it switched names and is now called Antelope Island Marathon.

This year's race started in yet another location -- the west side of the island.  I hadn't really been to this side of the island, let alone run on it, so part of the route would be entirely new to me.

The Race

I arrived just after 8:15 AM for the 9 AM start.  Packet pickup was purposely staggered and it easy to get my bib, use the facilities (and send off the half marathoners).

It gave me plenty of time to do a shake out run and get a layout of the area.  One thing that made me realize that this was going to be a hilly race was that immediately after starting we would have to ascend up a hill -- that just looked daunting (it turned out to be slightly longer than a quarter mile).  I definitely wanted to be warmed up and ready to run when the race started.

The race started at 9 AM but with Covid restrictions, we were started in cycles of about 10 seconds.  So we lined up roughly to pace, and the race director would send off a runner.  The next person would walk up, they would record your number and off you'd go. 

I had warmed up pretty well and I surprised myself by taking on the first hill fairly aggressively.  I wound up passing a couple of runners in the immediate minutes of the race.  

The hill was short lived fortunately and I tucked the knowledge that I'd have a cruise to the finish experience on the way back (the course was out and back).

The race leveled out for a while and I hit a decent pace and felt very comfortable running.  I hit the first mile comfortably at 8:30, which was better than I figured.

Mile 2 was nice in that I got a nice, long downhill.  Part of me was worried though on account that I would have to come back up that hill at mile 5.  Usually by mile 4.5 I just want the race to be over.  But I went with it 

Mile 3 seemed like the longest.  We were now running on the main drag of the island and it was a climb that never seemed to end.  While it wasn't like the first hill, this one was just a solid grade up.  Some of the leaders of the half marathon, marathon and 10K were already coming back.  It was disheartening to see them running downhill while I was doing my best to reach the summit.

Finally I hit the turn around. I glanced down at my Garmin and saw that the course was likely going to come up short: about 3:05 miles instead of the requisite 3.10.

It was a joy to run down the hill that had taken a lot out of me and it was also energizing to get some cheers and hellos from people who were trailing me.  I knocked off one of my fastest miles as a result -- my only wish was that the rest of the race was going to be like this.

Unfortunately as soon as I turned the corner to hit the last 5K back, I hit a stone wall.  The hill that I had taken advantage of at mile 2-ish was staring me in the face.  And it seemed so daunting.

The next mile and a half or so were a blur.  I was hurting bad.  My legs felt like Jello and I couldn't wait for the finish.  I felt like by pace would hit around 10 minutes per mile, but I am happy to report that it wasn't that bad -- it just felt that bad.

Finally, the blessed downhill and finish line came into view.  The finish line and people milling about looked so tiny from my vantage point.  I looked behind me, and I couldn't really tell who was in my race (was the guy on my tail in the half or was he running the 10K).  Either way, I gave it all I got.

My legs don't really move as fast as they used to.  I have plenty of endurance, but my turnover isn't that great and the (much) younger guy flew by me in the closing seconds.  I don't think he was in my race let alone my age group but still -- it is a race... and I have my pride.

Conclusion

I crossed the finish line in a somewhat disappointing 53 minutes.  But if I take into account the hills that I had to conquer, it wasn't that bad of a race.  My Garmin is reporting about 380 feet of elevation gain throughout the 6 miles (including 380 downhill).

I really love the island and half the reason why I do this race is I get a chance to drive around and snap some pictures.  Most of the pictures from this race recap are post race pictures and not of the course.  However, a lot of the course does visit the spots I photographed.  

I wound up taking second place in my age group.  I could've walked the entire thing and gotten the same result.  There were only 2 of us in the 50 - 54 age group.  

The medal was definitely more impressive than years past.  It was heavy and beautifully designed.  The shirt had a nice design as well but it was the cotton / polyester blend, which I am not a fan of (I like 100% polyester).  Still the race shirt will work for short runs or knocking around on the weekends.

I was handed a bag with my finisher's medal and some snacks.  There was bottled water to drink.  As usual for On Hill Events there was a cooler filled with ice cream sandwiches.  Definitely a crowd pleasure and they taste great after a hard run.

I walked off my nausea and socialized a bit.  Awards are no longer a ceremony but you more or less get in line and they give you your award, if you've won one.  Much quicker and easier but with less fanfare and excitement.  I managed to safely socialize for a bit while wearing my mask before taking a drive around the island.

Overall, I ran fairly well.  I have nothing really to compare it to.  This course was brand new for me so I can't say I would've run faster in years past.  I did run a 51:09 in 2018 but the course was definitely easier than this one.  

The views on this race were great; hopefully it is evidenced with the photos I've attached.  It was an awesome Saturday morning and while the island had plenty of guests on it, it wasn't that crowded.  I did get to see some buffalo as well (including one that was a little too close to the race course during the race).

I paid about $40 for the race about a week or two before registration ended. Given I registered late in the game, it was an okay price to pay.  Fortunately, I had a coupon to help knock down the price.  But the price was fairly standard for a late registration 10K.  Plus, my bib worked as a free park pass.

If this race is around next year and I have an open slot in my calendar, I would definitely run this one again.

2020 Provo Canyon to Pleasant Grove 10K Race Recap - Lindon, UT

Official Time: 51:03
Placement: 9th overall, 1st in the 50-54 age group
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 60's 5 - 8 mph wind from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2019]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:44	Uphill to start. Forgot that the first mile is agonizingly slow
2	8:13	Downhill here. Got some time back
3	8:47	Rolling hills along here. Tough times but finally got to the turn around
4	8:38	Wind in my face or at my back -- not sure, but this was slow going here.
5	8:43	Had to work going up
6	8.30	Crush it to the finish
6.02	0.08
	Total Miles: 6:02 - 51:46

Introduction

Sometime before this whole Covid-19 mess, I signed up for the Provo Canyon to Pleasant Grove 10K Race (PC2PG).  I got a pretty sweet deal around Thanksgiving time -- I am thinking around $25.  I had run the inaugural year and felt that it was a pretty good race.  It was a place I hadn't run before and I thought the bike trail course was really nice.

In fact, last year, I won the 10K race, so I definitely wanted to defend my title (no pressure).

So to support a fledgling race I signed up for the 2020 edition and made my way down to Utah county to run the Murdock Trail once again.

The Race

I rolled in at about 7:15 for an 8:15 start.  I could tell this race's attendance was much bigger than last year's.  Definitely less parking (but it wasn't a problem to find parking).  

Packet pickup was a snap and I wound up warming up and killing some time before the race's start.  Due to Covid restrictions, we had a staggered start (we were starting with the 5K).  

Normally everyone starts at once and you jockey for position.  However, this time we had a staggered start.  We were started off in spurts of about 20 seconds.  It definitely helped to reduce close contact with others.

The first mile is definitely a gut check.  I had forgotten how hilly it was.  It isn't a massive hill but it'll definitely slow your first mile down.  I was shocked to see the first mile flash on my Garmin in 8:44.  Was I running that slow?

I doubled down on mile 2. I didn't even realize that there was a gentle downhill (I realized it on the way back, however).  I was pretty excited to see mile 2 come in significantly faster.

The race -- after a brief residential stretch, is run on the Murdock Trail.  It is a multi-use bike trail that is very wide.  It was being used by other runners, cyclists, walkers and skateboarders.  It wasn't terribly busy but with the half marathoners returning from their run as well us, it was busy.

There were 2 sections of road we had to cross over (we had to re-cross them on the way back) but other than that, we were pretty safe on the bike trail.

Mile 2 to 3 was a challenge.  The race had thinned out at that point and I was feeling pretty warm.  I was working off of a young man (probably half my age) for most of the race (he pulled ahead around mile 4) and I just didn't feel like I had endurance this time.   

There was an aid station at the 5K turn around and at the 10K turn around.  I was carrying a small flask with water in my shorts pocket -- simply to reduce my risk of covid.

The course came up short last year (6.07) and this year, my Garmin buzzed for the 3rd time right at the turn around.  I was hurting, so I didn't mind, but some people's Garmin's had 6.10.  

I kept telling myself to hang on (my hamstring has been sore and it was flaring up mid-run).  I knew I could push the final mile if I had a little bit left since it was going to be a downhill.

There were a few 2 hour half marathoners to work off of, but no one else.  There was no one chasing me down and the other 10K runners were a solid minute or two ahead of me.

I kept pushing though, mainly I wanted to beat last year's time -- which I wound up doing.  The final half mile is a fast downhill and I certainly took advantage of it.  I wanted to get in under 52 minutes and sure enough, I squeaked by!

Conclusion

Race finishes are definitely subdued these days.  I knew quite a few people and as best as I could, I said hello to them. 

They had a medal for you in a bag as well as some snacks.  I had stashed my own drink at the end.  Sometimes a bottle of water isn't enough and with restrictions in place, I might've needed more.

I was pretty worn near the end.  I had expected to run this faster but I was humbled by this course.  It was more hilly than I remembered.  I still loved the course and I've been meaning to drive down there and explore the trail some more (as well as get some photos of the course).

They were out of t-shirts for me, so at some point one will be coming.  The medal was nicely designed and I loved the lanyard.  For the price I paid, I was happy with my experience.

My performance was solid on this one.  Again, this one had some gentle hills, so my time was slower than a flat one.  Also, I am happy to report I beat last year's time -- not by much, but at least some.

I would definitely do this one next year especially if I catch a nice deal on it..  

2020 Sun Half Marathon Race Recap - Santa Clara, UT

Official Time: 1:59:13
Placement: 2nd in the 50 - 54 age group, 32nd overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 30's, sunny.
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for me

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:40	Gentle downhill - down the park road.
2	8:40
3	8:35	More downhill - very fast start. Felt easy at this point.
4	8:29
5	8:36
6	9:25	First uphill section.  Temperature starting to get warm.
7	8:24
8	9:07	More flat section here. Had a looming up hill coming
9	9:22	Mentally fatigued at this point and a hill to climb
10	8:59
11	10:03	Slow grind up a hill. Pretty gassed and not sure how much I had left.
12	9:35
13	8:58	Downhill through the residential streets.
13.26	2:18
	Total Miles: 13:26 - 1:59:15

Introduction

Last year, the Sun Marathon had come up and it was yet another race in the St George area.  This time of year, there are quite a few races that entice us northerners to come on down and enjoy the cleaner air and warmer temperatures.

Sometime during Thanksgiving, OnHillEvents sends out an email blast with their forthcoming 2020 races at pretty ridiculous prices.  Since I had missed this year's edition of the St George Half Marathon (in January) I decided to pony up for this race.  It was a 3rd annual race and a course I hadn't done before.  Also word on the street was that it was a good race.

So I decided to do it.  A new race, a chance to get warm, and a chance to test my fitness.  I usually run well in warmer temperatures and this race boasted a mostly downhill course.  Definitely a way to get my confidence up.

So I took off from work a little early on Valentine's Day and made the 3.5 hour trip to Cedar City where I'd spend the night.  Prices in St George were ridiculous so I opted to stay about an hour away the race start and save myself $70.  It would definitely be an early morning though.

The Race

The race's pick-up zone was at Gubler Park in Santa Clara.  It is a multi-use park primarily serving the community for baseball games and such.  I was one of the first ones there and managed to snag a decent parking spot and get my bib in short order.  I managed to kill about 30 minutes before loading a coach bus and heading to the starting line.

I was a little nervous for this race.  I have been plagued with some hamstring issues that get aggravated the longer I go.  They also don't like uphills.  I've also been battling some runner's knee.

To make matters worse, my training hasn't really been really solid for a half marathon.  Maybe 25 - 35 miles per week with a long run of about 9 miles.

So in my mind, it was going to be a 50-50 chance of this being a 6 mile run followed by a 7 mile limp to the finish.

We had about an hour to kill at the race start.  It went quickly as I made small talk with fellow runners.  They had a good number of runners from all over the place -- even some distant travelers.

The race started promptly at 8:30 and we were off.  

I had sort of gotten a good idea of what I was in for on the bus road to the top.  I was relieved to note that the race was downhill. It wasn't crazy downhill, but enough to give you a 15 - 20 second boost per mile.

So I wasn't too surprised to see my early miles turn in some 8:30 times.  I wasn't even trying that hard and just letting my legs flow forward and gravity take me down.

The course was warm when we were in the sun but primarily at the start we were in the shade, which made it chilly.  But after about half a mile, I reached a very comfortable running temperature.

The course first miles of the course is the best part.  There isn't a lot of traffic, there are some cows on the side of the road and you are following the Santa Clara River.  You are also surrounded by desert, red rock hills and desert scrub.  I was really enjoying this part of the course and the miles just melted away.

After a little over 5 miles you head on out to Old Highway 91.  At this point, an hour into the race, traffic is starting to get a little more pronounced.  Most drivers are headed out of town and you are running towards them on a shoulder, that at times was barely wide enough for a bike.  I didn't have any problems with drivers getting close to me but I was constantly aware of them.  

We passed by the Shivwits Reservation and had a few up hill sections at this point to contend with.  I smelled the beginning of the end with the hills and wondered if my endurance was going to hold.  Also, we had some down hill running, but at this point, it was primarily flat.  This part of course had some nice view of the Red Rock Conservation Area in the distance, but up close, there wasn't a lot to look at.

The air was definitely warmer and I was regretting wearing two shirts instead of one (I also had a hat, shorts and gloves, which I quickly pocketed).

There was plenty of hydration stops of water and Powerade.  I carried my own -- just in case.  I like to be able to take a drink willy-nilly during a half and I think having a little extra hydration and Tailwind in me helped.

Just shy of mile 10 -- with 5K to go we hung a hard left into a residential section.  It was a very slow grind up hill.  The occasional house resident in the area cheered us on, but it was sort of lonely running.  A few marathoners, who had had a 90 minute head start, passed me.  It is always humbling to be passed by a full marathoner when you are just running the half.

We were getting closer to the Red Rock area and despite the hill and not a lot of desert scenery, I enjoyed running in the residential area. 

There were only about 150 half marathoners in the race so most of the race I was running solo.  Again, occasionally a full marathoner passed me but for the most part, the nearest person was either a 100 yards behind me or ahead of me.

Finally at about mile 11 we made another turn and we were in the home stretch.  The 10 KM and 5 KM runners had started and they were headed out.  It was a little bit of a boost for me to get some encouragement from them... just as I was fading.

The last mile was more downhill.  I was a little concerned though as some of the race markers disappeared here.  Was I going the right way?  I had no idea where I was and part of me was holding back out of fear that I had missed a turn.  My watch kept getting closer to 13 miles and there was no sign or sound of the finish.  

I got word from someone walking their dog that I was almost there and that gave me encouragement I was going the right way.  Finally, I passed the last group of houses before seeing the park's entrance the finish line to my right.  Thank goodness!

I pushed it with whatever I had left and crossed the finish line in under 2 hours.

Conclusion

Post race food consisted of orange, bananas, peanut butter and bread, Powerade, Water, and of course ice cream sandwiches.  I always bring extra food for myself, but I didn't need any.  

I was surprised at how good I felt after the race.  My hamstrings had given me a few concerns about what I was asking them to do on substandard training but they had held up magnificently.  My runners knee, while having a wrap around my knee, also was feeling fantastic.

I was able to wake off the post race wooziness I feel.  In fact, I hardly felt any at all.  The weather was absolutely perfect -- maybe upper 50's by the time I finished and I loved sitting on the rocks just watching runners come in while working on my tan.

Turns out I won 2nd in my age group -- so it was double medal day.  Granted the race was small, but getting some recognition for a race is always a bonus.

My performance -- was actually outstanding all things considered.  I felt better than expected at the end.  The course measured long (about 13:26 - 13:30), according to people's watches (after my informal poll).  I believe I ran about .15 mile extra, which might be anywhere from 90 to 120 seconds of additional running.  So my time was really rock solid all things considered.

Overall, I pretty much have great things to say about this race.  I tend to run well in St George (with the lower elevation and cleaner air a major factor) and the weather was absolutely perfect.  I was "glowing" with personal satisfaction on this one and was excited about the course, running something new, and turning in a fairly decent time with fairly decent splits (considering the hills).

I would definitely do this one again and I am penciling it in for 2021.