2022 March Madness 10K Race Recap - Woods Cross, UT

Official Time: 50:34
Placement: 3rd overall, 1st in the 50 - 54
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 40's, slight wind from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2021] [2020] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:59	A little fast but had a slight downhill
2	7:59	Settling into the race. Still feeling good
3	8:06	Finally the turn around -- let off the gas a little
4	8:06	Still fairly consistent but I am definitely hurting
5	8:17
6	8:36	Slight incline. No one to work with.
6.20	1:29	Push to the finish
	Total Miles: 6.20 - 50:34

Introduction

For the last half dozen years I've done the March Madness race in Bountiful - about 25 minutes north of where I live.  The location almost always changes every year (to some degree or another) but the race is the same -- a 5K, 10K or half marathon for a bargain basement price -- generally less than $30 for the half and about $20 for the 5K / 10K.

The race also supports the Bountiful Food Pantry, so the money raised supports that organization.

This year, the race was held at West Bountiful Park.  A few years ago, this was the race's headquarters and it moved a time or two to other locations near the Legacy Bike Trail. So large swatches of it remain consistently the same I've run the course (or variations of it) many times over the years in various weather conditions: from rain, gale force winds, to generally mild March weather.

The Race

I arrived at the park about an hour before the race and quickly grabbed my bib.  I made a few trips to the bathroom, did a short warm-up and declared myself ready to race.

I am in green under the arch.

Going into the race, I told myself I was racing it but definitely not all out,  My legs were still beat up from last weekend's half marathon and I definitely didn't feel 100% as far as racing went.  I still suited up for the event -- wearing my racing shoes (Saucony FastTwitches), light gloves, shorts and a t-shirt.  For appearances sake, I was in race mode.

The race started promptly at 9 AM and I lined up about 10 people behind the lead back and started running.

The race had about 200 people (the park's limit) and the participants were running one of three races: the 5K, 10K or half marathon.  It was hard to tell who was running what race but I just worked on keep a low 8 minute per mile pace as I made my way west towards the Legacy Bike Trail.

It took a little over a mile to reach the bike trail and I was hitting what I wanted to.  Despite my reluctance to run really hard, I felt it was easy to hit slightly above my target pace.  The first two miles went well -- 7:59s.  But could I hold onto this pace?

Stretch of Legacy Bile Trail -- approximately mile 1.33

The speedier 5K runners were already headed back and now I was running with the half marathoners and faster 10K runners.  As I got deeper into the 10K I saw a few lead runners heading back.  I don't think I made much of a mental note of how many of them that there were but there weren't that many.  It just looked like I was the only one over 40.

Leaving the Trail and heading back to the park

I reached the turn around point after hitting an 8:06 mile (I was slowing down a bit).  I looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me back towards the start line, only to discover that I was running solo.  I could barely make out another 10K runner ahead of me and I didn't see anyone behind me.  Was this it?

I was still feeling pretty strong but I had my doubts that I could hold the pace that I was running. Usually after the turn around is where the pain sets in and you know it is going to get worse.  It takes a lot of focus to maintain the pace.  But at the same time, with no competition, I let myself drop my pace a bit. 

As I made my way back, I was given words of encouragement from those behind me.  I felt like an elite athlete as I powered through another 8:06 mile despite the head wind.  While I was grateful, no one was behind me, I think I needed someone to scare me to not let up.

One of the spectators along the course.

I definitely had to dig deep from mile 4 to 5.  I kept willing myself forward.  If only I could get off the bike trail and onto the neighborhood streets again, I'd be so close (yet, I still had another mile to go once I hit that point)  The bike trail is mostly flat, but it isn't super scenic as traffic from the Legacy Freeway whizzed by me and all I wanted to do was see Pages Lane again -- at least then I'd know I was getting close.

The last mile is a bit uphill.  I knew it would be and it isn't anything substantial, but it wears you down.  Mile 5 is always the toughest of a 10K and I was still shocked that I couldn't see anyone behind me and once in a while I could make out another runner well into the distance ahead of me.  I still had no idea where I was in overall placement, but I figured I had my age group pretty well sealed.

Some of the spectators along the course.

Occasionally I passed some 5K walkers, which was motivating but again, I was running solo  I was dismayed and not entirely surprised to see an 8:30 mile come up on my watch as I lumbered towards the final quarter mile.

Despite not having any competition, I really pushed hard the last 90 seconds.  If anything, I could impress myself with a sprint-to-the-finish photo at the end.  I think I closed the final .2 of a mile at 5K pace.  It turns out I did have a bit more in me than I thought I did.

Crossing the finish line.

Conclusion

I crossed the finish line in a hair above 50:30.  The course was certified and measured 6.20 miles on my watch - so definitely a legitimate time.  Despite feeling pretty beat up before the race, I ran extremely well.  I had predicted I would finish in the 51's, so finishing nearly a minute faster felt good.

I was immediately handed a glass 3rd plate overall.  I knew they gave out prizes almost immediately upon crossing the finish line, but I was pleasant surprised to get this even cooler award (in the past they've given out mugs).  I also didn't think I would be recognized for 3rd overall -- I knew I had the age group win in hand though.  So definitely a bonus.

Plate, medal and smiling runner

The race had some snacks and I wound up socializing for a bit afterwards.  They had predicted some dire weather forecasts for the day, but all in all, it turned out to be a great day for running.  Mid 40's for temperature and only a slight breeze.  I know in the past I've run this race in gale force winds.

This race continues to be a bargain and one that I always put on my calendar each March.  It is cheap, well supported and professionally done.  The stakes are pretty low but I still enjoy it and it makes for a great test of fitness.  It is also a wonderful social event in that many runners of all abilities are able to participate and have fun.

Plate and finisher's medal.

2022 Las Vegas Half Marathon Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

Official Time: 1:57:31
Placement: 1759th overall, 124th in 50-54 age division
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 50's at the start, upper 40's at finish.
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013] [2012] [2011] [2010] [2009]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:10	Off to a decent start. Crowded but just working away it
2	9:22	Quick bathroom break. Holding back at this point
3	8:53	Heading back towards the starting line.  This mile went too fast.
4	8:57
5	8:56
6	8:40	Pretty much leaving the crowds.
7	8:55
8	8:54	Very consistent miles here. Feeling really good
9	8:48	I knew at this point I had this.
10	8:43
11	8:43
12	9:04	Now the struggle hits -- but I was still doing well.
13	8:57	Consistent
13.17	1:26	Cruise to the finish
Total Miles: 13.17 1:57:34

Introduction

Every year since its inception, I've done the Las Vegas Marathon (from 2009).  I am one of a handful of legacy runners who shows up each year and participates in this event.  Way back when, this was the site of my first marathon and the race was a morning race in December.

Over the years the race has changed a bit.  It became a night run in 2011 and as of this year, the marathon appears to be forgotten (it was never very well received).

I'll be honest, most of the years (if not all), I run a race that I was hoping for.  Either I haven't prepared properly, I go out too fast, I have stomach issues, the weather doesn't cooperate -- something invariably goes wrong. I usually have more bad experiences then good when it comes to running this race.

Leading up to the race, I was filled with woe.  What would go wrong? Why do I put myself through this?

So I started to reframe the race -- I get to participate in this.  I should have fun and enjoy the experience of running down the Las Vegas Strip -- at night.  Not everyone gets to do this and you've trained hard to be here.

So I set out with 3 goals for the day:

1. Enjoy the race -- and run as evenly as possible. No blow ups.
2. Run sub 2 hours
3. Run sub 1:55

The Race

Packet pickup this year was held at Resorts World.  They had free parking and an easy-to-access area to pick up the bib.  It was crowded by the time I got there -- around 1 PM.  Fortunately, it was very easy to get my bib, circle around the expo.  I took a quick tour of Las Vegas's newest casino on the block.

I then basically had to lay low for the next 24 hours until the race started.  Las Vegas is walking town and distances are deceptively longer than they look.  That casino across the street looks like it is a 2 minute walk away, but sometimes the jaunt takes closer to 20.

The race starting village was located behind the Planet Hollywood -- much like the 2019 edition.  With the race starting at 4:30 and my loading time beginning at 3:45 PM, I headed over there a hair after 3 PM and found myself waiting in a large parking lot along with thousands of other runners.  They had some entertainment and more Porta Potties then I've ever seen before.  I managed to kill the time in short order before entering the first loading zone and then eventually making my way to the starting line, where I had to wait another 30 minutes before the race start.

In years past, the race started and it usually took a good 20 to 30 minutes before I started running.  It just took quite a bit time for each group to start running.  This year, I had jockeyed myself into a pretty good position and they also had a metered output of runners -- so more runners could start running sooner.  It seemed to work and within about 5 minutes of the race officially starting, I was running.

With my goal in mind of running consistent splits, I started off fairly conservatively.  People were passing me but I just maintained a fairly even pace.  I tried not to let the excitement of the race push me and I felt like I was doing a easy paced miles.  My heart rate felt easy and I definitely wasn't pushing it.  

I felt like 9:30 for the first 3 miles would set me up to pick up the pace.  Unfortunately, that didn't really go to plan.  I was a little dismayed to run 9:10.  

Midway through the start of the second mile I felt like my bladder was full.  I had probably peed a dozen times in the past 90 minutes but I think the nerves got the best of me.  I saw a set of bathrooms at the first water stop.  I decided to duck in and take care of business. I was actually shocked at how badly I had to go.  It probably set me back 20 seconds.

Having run this edition of the course several times now, I was relieved to make the first turn and start heading back towards the iconic Strip.  There aren't many turns in this race but mentally it was a dividing point for me.

It was warm and I was working up a good sweat.  I am not really trained for running in the heat but that would all change after the sun set.  But in the first few miles of the race I did wind up splashing some water over my head to keep cool.

I hit the pace I wanted to for the first 5K -- a hair over 27 minutes.  I was still feeling good, but experience told me that could change.  It was still early to push the pace and start racing.  Again: goal #1 was to finish strong no death marches.  My heart rate was still in the zone I wanted.

The problem was the crowd and cheering did start to work their magic.  Deceptively my pace quickened. I felt like I was running the same pace but I was stunned to see 8:45's show up on my watch.  Every now and then I dialed it back, but it was hard to contain as I was cheered on by random strangers.

I made my way north and eventually the crowds thinned out and the running got a bit more lonely.  Instead of crowds of people, I was now greeted by wanderers along the sidewalks and the occasional police man.  I was never really alone -- there were plenty of runners around me but the revelry of the strip got more gritty.  At the 10K point, it was definitely night time as well.

I was still holding the pace I wanted and in all honesty, I felt fantastic.  My splits were consistent and I felt like I could hold the pace indefinitely.  Always a good sign.

I was tempted to start "racing" at mile 7, but I decided to hold off a bit more.  Once I made the lollipop loop at the north end of the course and started my way back on Las Vegas Blvd I would up the pace a bit.

We finally made it container park and I witnessed the heat-inducing bursts of hot air from a mechanical cricket before making the final turn back to the Strip.  I felt great.  With 4 miles to go, I kicked it into a little faster gear.  I had this!  I visualized my normal 4 miles at home and how many times I had done 4 miles.  

I started passing people. Could I actually be having a great race?

I didn't really know -- at times -- what my pace was.  It had gotten darker and as I've gotten older I can no longer read my Garmin at night.  Occasionally if I passed under a well lit section of street I could catch a glimpse, but I could no longer really monitor my progress.  But I felt fast.

I lost a bit of energy on mile 11 through 12.  I've always struggled with this mile.  And in all honesty, I felt like I had run it a lot faster than 9 minutes.  I was hurting but still making ground and passing a few others that had gone out too quickly.  I could see the Treasure Island tower in the distance, and it seemed so close -- yet so far away.

Once my watch hit mile 12 I gave whatever I had left.  I still didn't have a good sense of what my overall time was (and to be honest I didn't care) but I wanted to finish strong.  That was priority #1 for me.  My watch was off by at least .05 of a mile (probably from zig zagging) and I took it a quarter mile of a time.

I could see the neon and pulsating lights in the distance.  The music grew louder and those around me also sensed the finish line getting closer.  The crowds had returned and I received more cheers from people.  I gave it all I had once I heard the familiar announcer's voice cheering people on.  

I cross the finished line, arms held high.  I did it!  I had what I would deem a "good" race.

Conclusion

I was ecstatic to see a 1:57:30 on my watch.  Definitely not my fastest half marathon time, but a decent one for the first one of the year for 2022.  I finished with a smile on my face, unlike the last few I've done where I've suffered the last few miles.  I had accomplished 2 of my 3 goals.

I took a few pictures of the finish line area and began my long walk out of the chute.  The finisher's area is no joke.  It is a solid half mile walk before you can exit the area.  

They had plenty of refreshments: chips, water, Gatorade, bananas, fruit snacks, etc.  One thing that was missing -- and it happened in 2019 -- no bathrooms.  Fortunately, I didn't have an emergency this year, but I could've / would've like to have gone.

So the race this year was done well.  The starting zone was done correctly, I was able to hit my paces early on and everything was just well staged.  I was miffed about no bathrooms at the end, but all things considered, this race was executed well.  

For me, I ran perfectly.  No, this wasn't a personal record -- not by any means -- but it was a huge confidence boost.  I was in shape to run a decent half marathon and I paced it perfectly and the last 3 miles weren't awful.  

I registered for this race way back in 2019 at the Expo.  It's been sitting in my back pocket for a while.  It is a pricey race, but all things considered, a value.  Given the logistics of this type of race, I was happy with my experience and price paid.

I was happy with the shirt and I got a new shirt when I registered for the 2023 edition.  The medal -- I'll be honest -- was a little smaller. It was heavy and it you can split the medal revealing 2 cards, so it was more than just a simple medal.  It probably won't go down as my favorite though.

Once again, I was buzzing over my race experience for several days after the race.  The joy of it was a bit diminished to see that over a hundred other men in my age division finished ahead of me, but I had done well.

Normally after racing this race, I am left wondering if I want to do the race next year -- or if it'll be my last one, but now, I can't wait!

2022 South Davis Recreation Center Sweethearts 5K Race Recap - Bountiful, UT

Official Time: 24:10
Placement: 1st in the 50 - 54
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: low to mid 40's slight wind from the north
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2021] [2020] [2019] [2018] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:24	Fast downhill start.  Felt good. Wish the whole race was like this.
2	7:58	Okay, a bit of work going on a slight uphill.
3	8:15	This mile is always the toughest. A grind uphill.
3.09	0:33	Smash the final quarter mile.
	Total Miles: 3.09- 24.10

Introduction

So every year since 2013 I've done the South Davis Recreation Center (I missed out on the 2017 edition for some reason).  It is one of my favorite races and a good setup for the spring season.  The course is very consistent from year to year so you can see where your fitness is at.

Also, the race is pretty well organized and situated.  It is held at the Bountiful Recreation Center, so you have a place to keep warm, use clean toilets, etc.  Also, the race -- if you register in advance -- is affordable and you do get a lot for your money.

So it was pretty much a no-brainer decision for me to sign up for this race and make the trek north about 25 minutes to Bountiful.

The Race 

I rolled into the race's headquarters just after 8 AM.  The race, this year, was lightly attended, so it was an easy in and out as far as getting this year's t-shirt and swag bag.  I did about a mile warm-up and some dynamic drills and was ready to go.

After receiving some course instructions, the race started promptly at 9 AM and we were off.

If you've read my blog before, you know I've run this route many times.  They use the same course for their spring, summer and fall races.  It is an entirely residential run making a rectangle around the streets of Bountiful Utah.

It definitely isn't the most scenic course, but it is an honest course.  It starts off quickly with a fast decline (with about 70 feet of decline), and after about 1.25 miles, makes a right hand turn where you begin to pay for the fast first mile -- with 70 feet of incline.  The final push -- at about mile 2.25 to 2.75 is a hill where your dreams of a PR 5K are dashed as this is the steepest section.  Again, this course doesn't have a crushing hill where you are running 9+ minute miles, but it does take you down to 10K pace.

I don't remember a race on this course where I was cursing the final mile -- and I've done this course at least 20 times in my running career now.

I got off to a good start.  I was torn between going all out versus saving something for the final mile in hopes that I could beat Bountiful's Heartbreak Hill.  After initially getting hemmed in, I opted to push the pace -- but do it controlled.  

I passed a number of people on my way to a 7:24 mile.  Awesome!  But I knew that the hardest part of the course was coming up.

At this point, I think this course has gotten into my head.  I've run it too many times so maybe I play a script out.  Instead of telling myself "I am going to power up the hills" -- I tell myself "The hills are gonna hurt -- slow down".  And to some extent that is what I did.  

I passed the water station at the half way point and I could see the looming hill ahead.  It isn't a terrible hill -- a mere 70 feet of incline over the next 1.25 miles, but it is a slow grind.  

There weren't any runners behind me but I could slowly pick off a few of the runners ahead of me.  However, the latter half of the race I didn't really have anyone to work off of.  The runners who were ahead of me, were well ahead and there wasn't a soul behind me.

I occasionally got some cheering support though from well wishers who had stationed themselves in the final half mile (near the finish line), which definitely helped.

Having run the course many times before, I knew exactly what was coming and how much further I had to go.  It is a slight downhill (or so it seems) in the final stretch and even though no one was around me, I had a feeling I had a shot of going sub 24 minutes, so I redlined it as best as I could for the final push.

Could I crack 24 two weeks in a row?

Conclusion

So the short answer is no, but it was close.  I ran the exact same time as I ran on 2021 -- not too bad but not exactly what I was hoping for.  Once again, the hill got the best of me.

I felt good enough to shuffle back to the starting line (about a quarter mile) and grabbed my warm-up jacket that I had ditched behind a transformer.  The weather was pleasant for a February -- and I had run in a long-sleeved shirt, shorts and thin gloves. However, I knew I'd chill off pretty quickly.

Post-race refreshments

As usual, the race organizers outdid themselves with post race refreshments.  I had brought my own drink but I was able to grab some instant oatmeal, bananas, and a high-end donut, which I greedily ate.

Awards

I checked (and rechecked) the results, and I had won my age division.  I was really happy with that as they have Teddy Bears that they give out.  Larger ones for the first place winners and a bit smaller after that.  Over the years I've collected a few of these guys.  It's just a nice prize.  It did take a while before awards were handed out but it was worth the wait and the weather was pleasant.

Finishers Medal and Age Group Award and t-shirt

Overall, I paid about $28 for the race.  Quite a bargain (especially compared to last week's race).  I got a timed race, finisher's medal, a Valentine's Day t-shirt and an age group award.  South Davis continues to outdo themselves and that's why I keep going back.

I am pretty happy with my result. I would've been even happier had I smashed last year's time. I am just happy to have a solid result and the spring season continues to go off at a solid clip.

2022 Run SLC 5K Race Recap - Salt Lake City, UT

Official Time: 23:50
Placement: 5th in the 50 - 54
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: 22 degrees. Slight wind from the south.
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2021]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:33	Solid start. I was shocked at the pace of this one.
2	7:43	Still feeling pretty good. Felt like I was going slightly up hill here.
3	7:50	Digging deep
3.10	0:43	Sprint to the finish
	Total Miles: 3.10- 23.50

Introduction

So last year I ran the Run SLC (Salt Lake City) 5K.  It is the first race in a 3-part series that runs in the Salt Lake Area.  It is a pretty nice bargain to run the entire series, but due to conflicts, I am only able to do the 5K.

Last year the race was held at Liberty Park, a large park in the east-central part of the city.  This year, the race was back to its original setting -- the Salt Lake Running store -- about 2 miles south of the park in a quaint, older part of town near 700 east.

There weren't many races going on this weekend, so it was an easy choice to sign up for this one.  Plus I knew it would be competitive and a legitimate 5K that I could use to base future race predictions off of.  With some luck, I figured, maybe I could place in my age group.

The Race

The race started at 8 AM and I arrived at the race site just shy of 7:15.  It was a bit of an adventure finding a parking spot in the neighborhood around the store, but once I got my bearings, I found one.  I had picked up my bib the day before and so I managed to get in a very quick warm-up and get loosened up.

It was chilly but fortunately no wind.  I did a mile warm-up, some dynamic drills and deemed myself ready to go.  I ditched my warm-up sweats and jacket and opted for double shirt, shorts and a good set of gloves -- this turned into a winning combination.  The less clothes you can get away with -- particularly in a 5K, the better.

The race was gracious enough to do a staggered start (Covid precautions). There were over 600 runners at the event -- a good turnout for a 5K.  The race started promptly but I had the option of starting at any time up to 8:10.

So after most of the runners had taken off (a good 3 minutes), I stepped behind the line, took a deep breath and started off after the walkers.  Let the race begin!

So there was the initial sense of panic that I had started way too late and I would be hemmed in by throngs of walkers.  But this road race sported a wide road and to be honest, I don't remember being hemmed in much at all. I wasn't zig-zagging much either.  I just settled into a pace and worked on getting up to speed and navigated my way north towards Liberty Park..

Slowly I began to reel in walkers and runners alike.  To be honest, it felt empowering.  Instead of getting passed I was doing the passing.  It was a huge mental boost.

The course felt like I was slowly climbing on both the out and the back.  I am not sure why it felt that way and the amount of elevation gain I had was fairly minimal.  The course was a straight out and back along an older neighborhood road after a quick dash down a connector road.  I could smell people cooking breakfast in their houses and there were a few spectators along the street.  I could only wonder what these people thought as hundreds of runners sped up and down their street.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a 7:33 come up for my first mile.  Solid! I still felt pretty good.  

As I made my way north I kept peering into the distance to see how much further I had until the turn-around.  I hadn't ever run this part of the course but I think I recognized parts of it from the Salt Lake Half Marathon.  The lead back was already heading back to the store.  It was fascinating to see how much further I had to go and where they were at in their race.  I had settled in with a group that was more or less running my own pace.  However, I still was doing a large amount of passing.  Plenty of gas in the tank for me.

Just as expected, the turn-around was at 1.55 miles.  If I could only hold onto my pace for the back half.  I didn't really glance at my watch at any point during the race except the last mile but again, I was happy to hit a sub 8 minute mile for the next stretch.  

The last mile I was still running strong.  I kept looking for the I-80 underpass, where I had parked my car.  I know from there it was about a quarter mile to the finish line.  It looked so far in the distance and I kept glancing at my Garmin. Am I there yet?

As soon as I turned the corner and saw the 3 mile marker, I turned on the jets.  I still didn't know what my overall time was going to be, but I suspected I had a shot at a really good race.  I went all out, passing a few more stragglers and sped across the finish time.

Conclusion

So I was rewarded with a fantastic to me time of: 23:50.  I've been wanting to run sub 24 minutes (on a non downhill course) for a while now and I finally got my time.  This bodes well for a strong spring season.  And, the course was an honest 3.10 miles -- a real 5K according to my Garmin (and several other runners on Strava).

I was really chuffed with my time.  It felt rewarding to see a culmination of a lot of work come together on race day.

Overall, I finished 5th in my age group.  The first two people in my age group were sub 20 minutes.  Definitely a stacked field.

I had paid nearly $50 for the race -- about two weeks before the race. Definitely not one of the best bargains in town.  The series, if you register early enough, is a decent price (a little over $100 for a 5K / 10K and 15K).  I received a metallic mug / cup and a timed race.  There were pre and post race refreshments and the start line area was very festive.  I also imagine that closing down the race course to traffic was costly too.  But this race (like last year's) was expensive.

This race may go down as the race of the year for me (the year is still young though) but I felt really motivated by my performance.  This is also the second race where I've intentionally started last or behind everyone -- only to come away with a great race performance.  There may be something to this strategy.

I am looking forward to seeing what the next 5K brings as I slowly regain my 5K fitness!

2022 SoJo Break the Freeze 5K - South Jordan, UT

Official Time: 24:12
Placement: 1st in the 50 - 59, 10th out of 116 runners
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: 29 degrees, slight wind from the north
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: Inaugural Race

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:13	Hilly start.  About half mile in had a hill that took me by surprise
2	8:07	Few more hills here but got some downhill as well. Hanging in there.
3	7:38	Got a bit of a break with a downhill.
3.05	0:18	Push to the finish
	Total Miles: 3.05- 24.18

Introduction

In early winter I got a special deal from the City of South Jordan recreation department for a package deal of 5K races --  basically a weekly virtual one (mostly for participation points) and for a brand spanking new December and January race.  For $35, I was able to register for this race and the Santa Run.

It was a pretty nice deal all things considered: 2 t-shirts, 3 medals, and 2 races.  Plus the races were two cities south of me.  How could a self-described race junkie pass this up?

I knew going in that the races were fairly low frills.  For the price I was paying I wasn't expecting a lot -- especially considering all that I was getting.  But these would definitely keep me occupied this winter and I could use these as tune up events for the big spring season.

The Race

I woke up to a chilly Sunday morning.  It was about 29F degrees when I reached the South Jordan fishing ponds.  There wasn't much of a breeze but it was definitely cold.  Fortunately, this race starts at 10 AM so we had already passed through the coldest part of the morning.  Also, the snow has melted and the Jordan River Parkway -- where the race was held -- was clear of snow and ice.

I got there a little later than I had wanted but I managed to get my bib, lace up and get in a warm-up.  I expected it to be cold but once I warmed up, I went with heavy gloves, t-shirt, skullcap hat, and shorts.  This turned out to be the best decision for me and I was completely comfortable for the race.

The race started at 10 AM and about a 100 runners took off south along the parkway.  The start line was congested but I was able to get around the people that had lined up in the front and settled into a comfortable pace.

I had studied the course a little before hand and knew that in the first mile or so we'd have a decent hill, so I didn't want to go out too fast.  Also, I was kicking myself for not getting in a longer warm-up.  I felt good but I felt like my heart rate rocketed from resting to race pace too quickly.

It was hard to gauge my pace.  The sun was in my eyes and I had a difficult time reading my Garmin but I was working with a pack of runners that were running the same pace as I was.  

We cross over the bridge and onto the east side of the Jordan River before heading (briefly) south and jumping into a well to do neighborhood.  Rounding a corner, I spotted the dreaded first mile hill.  It was a doozy too.

My speedy case suddenly become a bit of a shuffle.  I maintained my form and I made my way up the hill.  What was likely to be a 7:45-ish first mile turned into an 8:15.  

The neighborhood running route was interesting.  I hadn't really looked at much of the details of this part of the race and in hindsight I should've.  It would've helped me prepare for some of the turns and a better sense of where I needed to go.

Fortunately, most of the turns were obvious:  they either had a volunteer pointing you to turn or race arrows.

The 4 of us were working together and taking turns passing each other.  It was reassuring when I could use them to figure out where the next turn was.  Eventually I passed 2 of them as we settled into mile 2.

I still felt good but the hills were taking their toll on me.  We'd get some nice downhill stretches, only to be following by an uphill.  Other than the first mile hill, though, these weren't too awful.

I really got discouraged though when I made a wrong turn.  The general presumption is to never turn unless told to.  We were running on a straight away and we knew we'd have to run south at some point and a road was leading south - but there were no arrows or volunteers telling us to turn.  The road ahead veered south so I made the presumption that we were to continue running straight.

It was uphill and I figured this would be it of the hills and we'd get the sweet downhills back to the finish line. Unfortunately about half way up the hill, me and the lead runner saw that the "straight" road led to a cul-de-sac where it dead ended.  Damn!

I got a little flustered here.  I didn't really lose much of a position in the race but I had expended a lot of energy to climb at least a bit of this hill.  While this race wasn't an "A" level race for me, it was an event and I was trying hard.  I'd have to admit that I sort of checked out -- at least a little.

Fortunately we got back on track and crossing mile 2, I saw a 8:07 flash on my Garmin.  Still not where I wanted to be, but given the up and down nature of the run, I was kind of okay with it.

The third mile had us return back to the bike trail.  I had run a bit of this route before the race so I knew where to turn and we could see the finish line from time to time.  We just had to make a big loop around it.  It was so hard running along the sidewalk and looking over your right shoulder and seeing the finish line waiting there.

Finally the final turns reached us (I think collectively we were worried if they had forgotten to put the race arrows or a volunteer at the proper turning point).   It was obvious -- a pink race arrow pointed us back to the main bike trail and towards the finish line.

I was pretty dead at this point and I figured with the wrong turn and the hills that my time would be fairly ordinary.  The other 3 runners I was working with had put some ground on me and there wasn't a soul behind me.

Conclusion

I crossed the finish line in 24:18 on my Garmin and to be honest, I was pretty happy with it.  The Garmin did measure the course a bit short, but MapMyRun had it at 3.15 and a few other Strava users had it range from 3.09 to 3.01.  

I felt I had run pretty well though.  This was a fairly challenging course in that it was hilly -- with over 125 feet of elevation climb.  It doesn't sound like much but over 3 simple miles, it added up.  I also managed to negative split the race, pulling in a very fast final mile.

The race was a bargain. I got a nice shirt and the medal is also very nice.  It is heavy and nicely designed.  The shirt isn't polyester but is a sport blend and something that I'd wear for training runs.  There is definitely something different about it over the polyester / cotton blends.

I liked the course actually.  It was a nice mix of residential and bike trail running.  While it wasn't the most scenic 5K I've ever run; it was enjoyable.

Post race refreshments were simply water.  And I think only the first place overall runners got an award.  I wish there had been an age group thing but a race this cheap and this lightly attended -- I wasn't expecting much.

There aren't many races in January but I had a lot of fun at this one.  I'd likely do it again if the same deal is presented next year.  Also, I'll definitely remember that missed turn -- which probably cost me 10 - 20 seconds.