2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon Race Recap - Salt Lake City, UT

Official Time: 1:53:47
Placement: 14th in age group
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 40's, cloudy
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2018] [2017]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:40	Some rolling hills here but easing into the race.
2	9:27	Bathroom break - felt like I was working too hard
3	7:57	Really nice downhill
4	8:18	Love this part of the course. Can just coast
5	8:02
6	8:54	Long grinding stretch of a hill. Surprised my pace wasn't slower.
7	8:21	Recovery mile here
8	9:04	Another round of uphill. Felt like the race was slipping away
9	8:31	Was about to rebound. Definitely working here though
10	8:36
11	8:19	Somehow got a bit of a second wind
12	8:45
13	8:41	Grind to the finish
13.26	2:07	Course felt extraordinary long.  Was pretty gassed but pushed it to the finish.
	Total Miles: 13.26 - 1:53:49

Introduction

So for the past 2 years or so, I've had the Salt Lake City Half Marathon race entry sitting in my back pocket.  I had registered after the 2021 virtual one at a nice price but couldn't do the race in 2022 due to a back injury.

So it finally came due and I had to use it or lose it.  

I really enjoy this race -- it is one of the premier races that run in the downtown area of Salt Lake City and it is well attended and very competitive. It isn't on par with a marathon major, but this race definitely draws a crowd.

Packet pick up is on the Friday before the race at the downtown convention center.  They have a mini-expo as well.  It was easy and well organized.  I spent about 15 minutes there before heading back to work.

The race also offer free public transportation to the race site.  Your bib is good for the light rail system and it drops you off right at the door step of the starting line.  For a big race, the logistics are really easy.

The Race

I thought I had given myself plenty of time to get to the race start -- getting on the local train at 5:30 AM for the 7:00 AM start.  The trains just seemed slow.  I remember in years past arriving with about an hour to spare but this time, I arrived with less than 25 minutes.  Note to self:  get on an earlier train and take the red line.

I managed to use the rest room, ditch my warm-up clothes and before I knew it, it was time to line up and hear the national anthem.

It was cool out but not cold and I wisely selected a baseball cap, light gloves, shorts and my neon pink shirt (much easier to find myself in post race photos).  

It took about 4 minutes for me to get started on the race but once I did I realized I should've cycled through the porta-potties one more time.  I had to go.

Miles 1 through 3

The race starts at the university and the first mile or two is through a very well-to-do neighborhood.  There are some hills here, some take a bit of effort to get up.  It is also here that you are at the highest elevation of the course -- just shy of 5000 feet.  I hadn't done much of a warm-up and it took a while to get my breathing under control but I was feeling fresh.

Around mile 2 I made the decision I had to use the bathroom. My bladder was definitely full.  Fortunately there were a bank of restrooms at the first water stop and they weren't heavily in use.  I was able to get in and out of one in 30 seconds.  More time than I'd like, but I got it done.  I felt a little bad about it, but it was necessary.

Eventually the expensive houses (and views of the downtown area) gave way to a canyon drive.  This is probably everyone's favorite section as you are treated to a nature paradise and here you get the biggest drop.

Miles 4 through 6

My pace definitely quickened and it suddenly became a joy and less laborious to run.  I was surrounded by people and I was feeling good. It didn't take much effort to hold onto a very low 8 minute per mile pace.

The road had been damaged by a lot of the snow we had had this winter and you could hear the water running at a quick pace.  It was just a pretty experience.

Finally, the canyon gave way to the section of town called the Avenues.  There are a lot of really old, stately buildings along the route.  It is here that it comes due to pay the piper for the downhill section.  There is about a mile of a slow grind, culminating with an even steeper climb.  

Also, if you know the city, you know you are pretty close to the finish line, but you still have 7 more miles to run.  As the hill took its toll a part of me wanted to jump off the course and find my way there and call it a day.  Mile 6 was one of my slower miles.

Miles 7 through 9

This isn't a very scenic part of the course but you run down some usually busy roads lined with older, smaller houses.  The crowds here are also fairly supportive.

There were some sections of the course that involved a bit of hill climbing but nothing serious.  They did take their toll though as the fatigue was building up in my legs.  I had a feeling that the race might go poorly at this point.  I just wasn't feeling "fast" despite wearing the Saucony Pros.  Every time I glanced down at my watch at a mile marker, I was surprised though that my pace was still -- darn good.

It was also at this point that I started to get down a caffeinated gel.  I figured it couldn't hurt and in fact it did give me a bit of a boost.

Miles 10 to 13

After rounding the curve at the southernmost part of the course, I knew I was going to have a decent race.  The gel gave me a boost and I knew that I could still run a decent 5K at half marathon pace.  The course became slightly familiar as I went through even older section of town.  It was also at this point that we ran along the perimeter of stately Liberty Park.  

The course had leveled out for the most part and my pace was finally consistent.  I was hurting but I still felt I was going to be able to go sub 1:55, which was my goal for the race.

From previous experience and reports, I knew my Garmin wasn't going to be reliable.  One year I did it, my Garmin was correct but this year, the mile markers were consistently off from my watch.  At first it wasn't very noticeable but as the race went on, it was off by .03, .08 and finally nearly .2.  The course is certified and I knew that the likely the run down the canyon had probably caused an issue.

After exiting the park, I could almost smell the finish line. There was a mile left and my legs didn't have very much pep.  My pace had slowed down but was still solid for the time I was shooting for.

My watch flashed 1:52:30 or so upon hitting 13.10 and my final time for the course was 1:53:49 -- including roughly a 30 second bathroom break.

Conclusion

Overall, I was pleased with my performance.  I had set out a goal of hitting sub 1:55.  I knew I was capable of that.  The course definitely can be a speedy one, but there are places on the course were it keeps you honest, with some fairly intense, long grinding hills.

I wouldn't describe the course as "fast" but it isn't a back breaker.

I was also happy that I felt good at the end.  I wasn't dying of thirst and I was able to socialize a bit, grab a medal, and take some photos of the finish area -- which was near the downtown courthouse.

I had wrapped my phone in a fairly large bag in case it rained and I was able to use it to snag some food at the end.  If you were willing to wait, they had made to order pancakes by Kodiak.  They had chips, fruit, granola bars, a variety of drinks and product samples.  If you are so inclined, they had a beer garden and entertainment.

My ride had arrived though, so I didn't stick around too long.  I did manage to get my drop bag fairly quickly.

Overall, we had great weather.  All winter we've had rainy, unseasonably cold weather.  I think everyone was worried that this race could've been a mess (especially considering last year's downpour).  But fortunately, the weather was pretty much picture perfect for half marathon running.

Timewise, this was my best half marathon so far this year.  My time was better than Las Vegas's race but I didn't get the massive second wind that I felt I got in Las Vegas.  I was kicking myself for having to use the rest room as well -- mile second mile should've been in the upper 8's at the worst.

I felt I paced the race really well and while I had my doubts as to whether it was going to end disastrously, I didn't give in.

I was happy with the race experience.  If you register for the race early, it is a well worth the price for admission.  If you wait too long, however, it does get expensive.

I am signed up for 2024, so I am looking forward to toeing the line next year.

Upcoming Races

04/29: 2023 Blossom Run 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

06/03: 2023 Utah Valley 10K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

06/24: 2023 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

06/24: 2023 Timp 10K - American Fork, UT (Confirmed)

08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

09/23: 2023 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/21: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/28: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

03/03: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

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

2023 Eggs Legs 10K Race Recap - West Jordan, UT

Official Time: 49:40
Placement: 9th overall, 1st in the 50-54 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Upper 40's, breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: Previous Years: [2022] [2021]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:04	A little congested at the start, and some headwind
2	8:03	Running solo here. Headwind but just holding steady
3	7:59	A little shelter from the wind. Picked up the pace slightly
4	7:59	A bit of tailwind now. Fatiguing a little
5	7:55	Grinding it out. Passed a few half marathoners
6	8:02	Running solo.
6.20	1:35	Lots of turns in the final push.
	Total Miles: 6.20 - 49:40

Introduction

One of my Easter weekend traditions, of late, is to run the Eggs Legs races at Gardner Village.  It is a local race put on by OnHillEvents.  Gardner Village is also conveniently located a few miles from my house.  

The race is held along the Jordan River Bike Trail.  It is a paved trail and one that I know very well: I train on it quite frequently.  The race offers 3 distances: a 5K, 10K and half marathon.  I opted in for the 10K when they had their Black Friday sale last year.

The race weather looked extremely iffy: we had a series of snow storms in early during the week and I think everyone was worried about residual snow / water on the course.  We were fortunate though that warmer weather arrived in the Salt Lake valley to melt it.  In fact, race day weather was near perfect.

The Race

I arrived at the race about 40 minutes before the race start and managed to get my bib.  I spent a good 15 minutes taking pictures of the shopping area and socializing with a few of the course marshals, who had started the half marathoners about 80 minutes prior to my arrival.  I got a sense of what I would wear: short shorts, a tech t-shirt and thin gloves.

I also did my warm-up -- about a half mile of super easy running, a stride or two and some drills.  I felt a bit sluggish and began to question if my head was in the game.  My legs didn't have the pop and I felt a little worn down.

The race started promptly at 8 AM.  There were about 100 10K runners (the bulk of the race consisted of 5K runners, who would start at 9 AM).  At the start I surveyed my competition and got an idea of who was in my age group. I suspect a few of them were doing the same.

The first tenth of a mile was run through the shopping center.  Fortunately, the shops weren't open yet to shoppers and the initial start was congested.  It wasn't too bad though and since I had lined up fairly close to the start I managed to circumnavigate some of the runners and jockey myself into a decent spot.

About the only hilly section of the race is the start. You can see how much of a hill it is by the photo above and below -- it isn't much.  But it always tends to give me pause.  Any bump while pushing 10K race pace will slow me up a bit.

I didn't really look at my watch for the first mile.  I roughly knew how far I had run -- having trained and run on the course many times.  I was working on controlling a steady pace and not going out too fast.  The lead pack clearly were putting ground on me and the suspects that were probably in my age group, I had passed in the first half mile.  I was working with a woman about my age group but even she put ground on me.  I was more or less running solo for the entire race.

I was telling myself to be patient -- I wanted to run a solid race, but with a decent headwind I merely needed to hold my pace and not blow up.  My breathing felt in control and while I was fatiguing, I didn't feel like I was going to come to a screeching halt.

I was still running strong when I flew by the 5K turnaround.  In a way, I regretted not running the 5K but I wasn't exactly running 5K pace.  I was holding back a bit.

It gave me confidence to know I had put in some tough speed sessions and that I could tolerate the pace I was holding.  I kept breaking down the race and I knew where the turn around was.  My pace was holding steady at 8 minutes per mile.

Around mile 2 I started to run into the lead back of the half marathoners, who had started an hour earlier.  I got a bit of encouragement seeing them zip along.

Finally the turn around hit and I reached it at 3.10 miles. This was going to be a legitimate 10K course.  In the past, the course has come in a smidge short.

I also got to run with some of the half marathoners as well, who were holding my pace.  

Also, on the out and back, I got an idea of what my age group competition were doing.  I was safe in my positioning and all I had to do was hang on.

I got a boost of energy as a result of the tailwind and I felt my pace quicken a bit.  I also got a few shout outs from the 10K runners who were behind me.  Despite my suffering, I tried to put on a brave face.

I wound up passing a few half marathoners and I was starting to reel in another 10K runner but I ran out of real estate.  Despite the difficulty of holding the steady pace, I had the tailwind.

The last quarter mile was a challenge.  No one to chase down, and I had a series of turns.  Also the micro hills were back.  I still managed to speed through the OnHillEvents finish line in under 50 minutes.

Conclusion

Overall I am pleased with my race. I accomplished one of my 2023 goals: run sub 50 minutes on a flat, 6.2 mile course.  I figured it was going to happen fairly soon given the direction my running has been headed.  

I've been doing a lot of work dialing in my 10K race pace and it all came together nicely on Saturday morning.  The pace was right where I wanted it to be and I was able to hang on for the duration of the race.

I wound up winning my age group -- which wasn't too hard given that there were only 2 of us in the 50 - 5 age division.  I was also 9th overall - but there were only about a hundred runners in the 10K.  

I had registered for the race on a discount, so it was budget friendly.  The medals were awesome. They were Easter themed and heavy.  Definitely a quality award.  The t-shirt -- sort of ho hum.  I like the 100% polyester ones.

The course was spot on accurate for both the 5K and 10K.  They had a pair of aid stations (one we hit twice).  Fortunately the weather didn't warrant much extra hydration.  Post race food consisted of a little bit of candy, granola bars, sports drink, cheese sticks and fruit.  Of course, they had the Fat Boy brand ice cream sandwiches at the end as well.

Overall, I am walking away from this race with a smile on my face. I ran well, was rewarded for my work and it was also great seeing so many of my friends who were also running the various events.  Looking forward to this race for next year.

Upcoming Races

04/22: 2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

04/29: 2023 Blossom Run 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

06/03: 2023 Utah Valley 10K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

06/24: 2023 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

06/24: 2023 Timp 10K - American Fork, UT (Confirmed)

08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

09/23: 2023 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/21: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/28: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

03/03: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

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

2023 Riverton Fit For Life Half Marathon Race Recap - Riverton, UT

Official Time: 1:58:02
Placement: 4th in age group, 82nd overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 30's, 15 mph wind from the west.
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2022] [2021] [2018] [2015] [2014]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:37	Solid start. Traction at the start wasn't good but settling in
2	8:40	Nice and consistent - on the bike trail
3	8:46	Had to climb about .20 of a mile -- 80 feet climb
4	10:46	Hilly stretch here. Pulled off the course for a wardrobe change.
5	8:21	Time to play catch-up.
6	8:26	Nice downhill stretch
7	8:36	Setting back in
8	8:41
9	8:40	The miles are settling in. Happy with my pace
10	9:07	Big hill. Fortunately get the downhill.  Surging a bit in spots though.
11	8:49
12	8:50
13	8:55	Some hills and mud
13.32	2:44	Final push to the finish. Last 100 yards or so were in snow.
	Total Miles: 13.32 - 1:58:02

Introduction

Well another March racing season comes in and I find myself signed up for the Riverton Half Marathon.

Around New Years I always get the bug to sign up for this race.  It is usually pretty -- less than half of a normal half marathon.  So it is a pretty easy race to say yes to.  In addition, it is fairly close by and not a lot of fuss to participate. 

They offer a 5K and a half marathon.  I always sign up for the half and if I can't do the half, it is easy to drop to the 5K.

I've done the race several times and for a while they course kept changing.  It always started near the Riverton City Park, but due to construction issues, the course would wind its way through South Jordan, Bluffdale and Riverton in a slightly different way.  The last few years, however, the course has settled in with the same one: starting at the park, dipping on the Jordan River Bike Trail, back into a subdivision, back to the trail and finally a hilly uphill route back to the starting line.

The other thing about this race is that the weather is always a wild card. This year would definitely be one for the books as well.

The Race

I had had someone get my bib prior to the race, so I got to the race site around 8:30 AM for the 9 AM start.  There  is plenty of parking so it was pretty easy to kill the time prior to the race.

I did take a bathroom break to get a sense of the weather conditions and it was cold and windy. All week, the Salt Lake area had been experiencing squalls:  quick microbursts of snow and wind.  The snow accumulations were about 1 - 2 inches (which would soon disappear).  I was really worried that one of these squalls would come and make running miserable.

So upon returning to my car, I put on a pair of tights and tossed on my windbreaker.  I had been planning on just going with 2 t-shirts, shorts, a skullcap and heavy gloves.

The race started promptly at 9 AM and we were off and running.  The starting line, fortunately, didn't match the rest of the course.  Despite all the snow we had had during the week, the course was mostly clear throughout.  There were an occasional puddle or bit of ice, but 99.9% of the course you could run without much fear of slipping.

So the first 100 - 200 yards were a grind but it was smooth sailing as soon as we hit the pavement.

My goal was to run the first 3 miles at very conservative split.  I knew what I was in for, having run this course a few times in the past (including bits and pieces from other times I had run it). 

This course is not flat (for the most part). There are several really fun downhills and some uphills.  I was feeling good for the first 5K until I realized that my decision to wear tights was not in my best interest.

I was really warm and every few minutes I had to reach around and pull them up.  Even my jacket felt warm, but at least that was tolerable.  I kept hoping it would get better but eventually I made the decision that at a good opportunity, I'd pull off the course, ditch the tights.  This would involve unknotting my shoes, taking off said tights (which were tight ones), and reattaching my shoes.

I made the decision around mile 4 and it cost me a solid 100 seconds.

I had been running with the 1:55 pacer and he had completely disappeared.  The 2 hour pacer had also come and gone (who I felt was running closer to 1:55 pace).

I made it a point to at least catch up to the 2 hour pacer.

I had done the initial set of hills and now I got a bit of paycheck as I sped down 1300 West.  The wind was a mild factor and I had company.  The 100 second rest actually had helped me a bit, as I had had a chance to clear some of the lactate that had been building up. I found that the downhill and the threat of not finish under 2 hours gave me encouragement and my pace quickened.

Soon the 2 hour pacer came into view.  I knew I was eventually going to catch him.  I continued to make gains with a bit of tailwind, but the faster than usual pace was taking a toll.  Right before the final set of hills I did catch a glimpse of the 1:55 pacer, which was my goal for the race.

I was also running out running buddies.  A large group had been surrounding the 1:55 pacer and now I was sort of in no man's land.  There were a group of 2 hour runners behind me and a group of 1:55's and a smattering of runners in between.  I was still passing a number of people and I was counting down the time until we got off of the Jordan River Bike Trail and back into the Riverton subdivisions.  I still had over 3 miles to go but mentally it was a "change" and it would mark the final hurdle of the race.

My pace had dropped off and while I had had a gel, my legs were tired and I was still feeling warm.  And I knew we still had a few more hills to go: the final 2 miles involve some hills -- and soon I'd find out a dirt road.

With all the rain and snow we had had, Lover's Lane -- normally a very dry quarter mile of dirt road -- was a near quagmire.  My almost new Endorphin Pro's were soon splattered with cold mud.  A few times, I had to slow down in order to not lose my balance.

I knew the race wasn't going to be what I wanted.  I certainly wasn't going to catch up to the 1:55 pacer. I was kicking myself for having worn the tights -- in fact, all through the race was cursing my bad decision.

I tried to remain positive and hoped to turn in a final fast mile, but despite the gentle downhill, I was running into a headwind.  I tried valiantly to double down on my pace but the final insult to injury was coming back under the finish line -- with the final 100 yards in 1 - 2 inches of snow.  I was warm, tired and just nothing left. 

But I did finish, in 1:58!

Conclusion

So I have very mixed feelings about my race performance on this:

1) I lost about 100 seconds in ditching my tights.  This cost me in overall time.

2) The course was long -- about .22 miles on most people's Garmin's.  So I probably took up an extra 2 minutes.  Looking at previous editions of the same course, it would appear we were misdirected down a road and there was a mini out-and-back around mile 10.75 that wasn't there last year.  This would definitely account for the additional quarter mile.

3) I ran fairly consistently. Yes, my pace slowed up at the end, but overall, it was a fairly even effort with no massive death march at the end.

So on paper, my time is "blah".  But if I presume the course was 13.1 miles and I crossed 13.1 miles at 1:56:20, I take off 100 seconds my time actually becomes a little different (dare I say 1:54-ish?).  I know I am trying to rationalize my experience, but given the hilly nature of the course, the wind factors and higher elevation, my race actually went really well.  About on par (or even better) with the other half marathons I've done recently.

I was feeling pretty good when I finished and managed to get to the car for warmer clothes in quick order.  I also was able to go back to the starting line and get some photos and food, which consisted of bananas, orange juice, chocolate milk, muffins and Cliff Bars.  All in all, a pretty decent spread of food for a low budget race.

The medal was nice and the age group prizes (which I didn't win) also were nice.  I like the shirt design but it is a hybrid cotton one.  I like the 100% polyester ones, but this year's shirt will see some lighter running in.

Again, my overall time wasn't the greatest, but I felt strong throughout the race.  The last 2 miles were a grind, but that was to be expected with the gradual uphill and dirt roads.  I was still passing people at the end and not many were over taking me.  I just wish I had gone with a lighter outfit from the get-go.

The Saucony Endorphin Pro Speeds 2.0 are an incredible shoe with the energy return and spring that they offer.  They are a huge confidence boost when I lace them up.

You'll probably find me at this race next year.  The course is enjoyable, well organized, and budget friendly.

Upcoming Races

04/08: 2023 Eggs Legs 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

04/22: 2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

04/29: 2023 Blossom Run 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

06/03: 2023 Utah Valley 10K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

06/24: 2023 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

07/29: 2023 Timp 10K - American Fork, UT (Confirmed)

08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

09/23: 2023 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/21: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/28: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

03/03: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2023 Vineyard Gold Rush 5K Race Recap - Vineyard, UT

Official Time: 23:31
Placement: 2nd in the 50 - 65, 13th overall
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: 28F - breeze from the east
Course Map / Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First year for me

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:32	Off to a good start. Feeling comfortable
2	7:55	What seemed like gale force winds coming from the east. Felt like I was going slower
3	7:43	Regrouped and got a bit of a tailwind
3.05	0:17	Sprint to the finish - which seemed to come super quickly.
	Total Miles: 3.05- 23.31

Introduction

I normally do the Lucky 13 Races each March on this weekend.  I needed something a little new to do, so I opted to give the Vineyard Gold Rush 5K race a shot.  They also have a 10K.  The race's course is identical to their November race, The Vineyard Blizzard Race, which I have run for the past 2 years.

The race was priced reasonably -- about $20 or $25, with no t-shirt and while it was a bit of a drive, it just offered a little variety to my spring race schedule.  I was tempted to sign up for the 10K, but with the plethora of 10K and half marathon races I have lined up, I felt that a shorter distance would be best.

The Race 

The race is held at the Vineyard Grove Park -- a community park that has summer water activities, and a skate board area, etc.  There is also a pavilion, bathrooms, and ample parking for the race.

The race course is a community run.  It was well marked and makes a figure 8 around the Vineyard community, which is mostly new construction houses.  It isn't the most exciting course, but it is flat and fast.

I got in just shy of 7:45 for the 8:30 AM start.  Packet pickup was a snap.  I got an opportunity to take some photos of the 10K start, which started about 15 minutes prior to the 5K. I got in a decent warmup despite the 28F degree weather.  It was slightly windy but didn't feel like it was going to be much of a factor.  I tossed aside my warm-up gear at 8:25 and lined up under the arches for the start.

The race started promptly at 8:30 and it starts off running west.  I felt like I was going to be one of the faster ones at the race, but I quickly was put in my place as about a dozen runners sped past me.  It is easy to get caught up with a fast start in a 5K and I find that I am usually running faster than I think I am, so I told myself to be patient.

I wound up passing a few of the fast starters and my confidence grew that I was on target for a decent race.  I could hear the wind swirling around me, but so far, it wasn't really a factor.  I knew the course, so I knew where to turn and when, which again, helped me determine where to put the hammer down.

I was shocked -- and a little worried -- after seeing the first mile's split: 7:32.  I was still breathing well and I had put in some solid efforts, so I felt like today may be my day.

Reality hit me as soon as I made the first east bound turn.  Strong winds hit me in the face. Where did this come from?  It seemed like I was running in a wind tunnel.  My pace dropped off considerably and my heart rate climbed.  

I tried to find someone to draft off of, but this was a fairly lightly attended race.  I was picking off another runner or two but I got swallowed up by some of the faster runners.  I just couldn't find anyone who was running my pace.

My 2nd mile was my slowest, hitting a 7:55.  I was expecting to see an 8-something. I could see in the distance the turn off where we'd hook around a small park and make our way back to the finish line -- and at that point I knew I'd be able to finish with a nice tailwind.

From previous versions of this run, I knew that the age group awards were limited.  In fact, only the first place runner would receive a medal in their age group.  I had scouted out my competition prior to the race and I figured that the runner directly ahead of me was my competition.  I had been chasing him most of the race and early on in the race, I had given up hope that I could catch him.

By mile 2.5, we were running side by side and a little further on, I had put a few yards on him.  I was speeding along and with the tailwind, I felt really solid.  Could I salvage the race after a slowish second mile?

As the finish line came into closer view, the runner behind me started his sprint.  I just couldn't respond.  The finish line was still far enough away that I could just gut it out.  Had I been within a 100 yards, maybe I could've given him a run for the money.  But I just couldn't find that second gear.  I think this was mostly mental, as he was clearly sprinting fast.

I crossed the finish line in 23:31.

Conclusion

So my watch measured the course short.  I've run this course 2 other times, coming at 3.09 and 3.05.  This race came in at 3.05.  I used MapMyRun and it came in over 3.10.  So I am not sure exactly what I ran.

Either way, 23:31 is a fantastic time.  I ran the Thanksgiving race in 2021 in 24:30, and last November I ran the same course in 24:05.  So definitely signs of improvement.

The race had a wonderful spread of post race food.  Lots of pre-packaged food: bananas, oranges, granola bars, fruit gummies, etc.  They had water and energy drinks to rehydrate with.

I think there were two water stops as well on the course. Neither of which were needed for me. I could see them being a little useful for the 10K.  

The course was well marshaled with route arrows and volunteers at important corners.  

So I should be really happy with my time. I've put in a ton of work, I ran well, and I confident coming into the race.  For a flat course, I didn't benefit from any big hills and the wind didn't really benefit me very much.  But was this a legit 5K?  Hard to say.  Either way, even if it was .05 short, I could simply add on another 20 - 30 seconds, which would still put me just under 24 minutes.  But what if this was 3.10 miles?  Is this a bigger sign that I am making really nice gains?

Either way, I was happy with my experience despite losing out to the guy who flew by me.  The race is budget friendly and it harkens back to the day when 5Ks were simple.

I didn't really have any mementos from the race, other than the bib and a $1 dollar coin.  I didn't win anything in the raffle.  So I sort of felt deflated after the race.  But I am happy with my time and the improvement I am seeing each time I run this course.

Upcoming Races

03/25: 2023 Riverton Half Marathon - Riverton, UT (Confirmed)

04/08: 2023 Eggs Legs 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

04/22: 2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

04/29: 2023 Blossom Run 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

06/03: 2023 Utah Valley 10K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

06/24: 2023 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

07/29: 2023 Timp 10K - American Fork, UT (Confirmed)

08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

09/23: 2023 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/21: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/28: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

2023 March Madness 10K Race Recap - North Salt Lake, UT

Official Time: 49:59
Placement: 10th overall, 2nd in the 41-99 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 30's, 14 mph wind from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2022] [2021] [2020] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:02	Off to a decent start. Holding back, feeling comfortable
2	8:07	Fatigue setting in. Wind seemed to be holding me back.
3	8:04	Trying to save it for the second half
4	8:07	I realize now the first half had a tailwind, now into the headwind
5	8:12	I knew I was slowing down. Seemed to be a bit of uphill here
6	8:20	Struggling at this point
6.15	1:07	All out in the final push.
	Total Miles: 6.15 - 50:01

Introduction

For the past few years I've done the March Madness races.  They are a low-budget race benefiting the Bountiful Food Bank.  They offer a 5K, 10K, and half marathon distance.  If you register early enough, you can generally get in for under $25 for any of the distances.

The race is pretty low key and is held on the Legacy Bike Trail -- Davis County's answer to the Jordan River Bike Trail.  It is a fairly flat, multiuse paved bike trail that borders the Legacy Freeway.  It isn't the most exciting course, but it is an honest course.

The Race

I got the race start with plenty of time to spare for the 9 AM start.  It gave me an opportunity to snap some photos.  It also enabled me to do a solid warm-up -- going about a mile and some drills.

Knowing that I have a full schedule for March, I opted to do the 10K.  With last week's half marathon still fresh in my memory, I was going into the race in a fatigued state.  I was almost tempted to switch to the 5K. But the longer I warmed up, the better I felt.

There was a bit of wind -- turning what should've been a mild morning into one that was chilly.  I had dressed pretty heavily for my warm-up but ditched most of my clothing once the race started.  I wound up going with 2 shirts, short-shorts, a beanie and thin gloves.  I was completely comfortable for the entire race.

As stated above, I was coming in fairly tired.  I had a big question mark in my mind wondering how long I could hold 10K pace.  And I knew the wind was going to be a factor.

The half marathoners started at 9 AM and the 10K runners started 5 minutes later.  I felt comfortable as I slipped into a strong but not all out pace.  I didn't even check my watch very much in the first mile and was pleased to see an 8:02 flash after the first mile.  Exactly where I wanted to be.

Stretch of the Legacy Bike Trail looking north

There were only about 80 runners in the 10K and I wound up chasing 2 guys in front of me for most of the race.  At the turn around I was able to pass one of them but the other one eventually put some distance on me.  There really wasn't anyone chasing me down either.  

I got a sense the wind was blowing in my face on the way out.  Boy, was I wrong.  I was sort of holding back in the first 3 miles on account that I was just trying to get the miles in and work through the wind and I'd get the boost on the way back.  At this point, the wind wasn't terrible but I could hear it rushing by my ears.

Flying through the 5K half way point, I knew I was hurting.  Too early!  I was still holding onto a decent pace but not being 100% fresh was starting to catch up with me.  I tried to stay relaxed, surging at times as I picked off some of the slower half marathoners.  Mile 2 saw another low 8 minute mile.  Right on target!

As mile 2 wore on, I saw some of the leaders of the 10K returning.  I knew I was getting close to the turn around.  Mentally, it is always a relief to hit that point.  I was still running low 8's but I knew I was going to run into problems, especially if the wind was going to be worse on the way back.  The turn around cones were just shy of 3.10 miles (on my Garmin).  

As soon as I started to run south, the wind doubled down.  I had been in fact running with a tailwind, despite the feeling that it was hitting me.  Rats!

Mile 3 to 4 still saw me turn in a decent split.  I was hitting low 8 minute miles, could I turn in a sub 50 minute 10K?  There was hope but with the wind, I had my doubts.

At this point I had passed one of the guys I was chasing and the other guy clearly had been holding back.  He became more and more of a small dot in the distance.

4 to 5 saw my pace drop a bit.  I felt like I was running on fumes and at times my steady pace would come to a halt, and I'd have to regroup a bit.  I was still doing okay, with another 8:12 but I had been hoping to negative split this race.

I was dragging at the end.  I knew sub 50 minutes was within my reach but the wind had clearly doubled down.  And when the finish line came into view over the crest of a hill and I thought I'd have a fast finish, the wind hit me like a hurricane. Where did this come from?

As I got closer and closer to the finish line, I realized that sub 50 was within my reach.  When my watch buzzed 6 miles, I gave it everything I had.  And I crossed in 49:59!

Conclusion

So I was thrilled to get under 50 minutes.  It has been a goal of mine since 2022.  I probably would've gotten there had I not gotten sick and had a back injury.  

The course, for me, came in a little short.  6.15.  I saw another runner on Strava complete it in 6.16 and another in 6.22.  Every year that I've done this one, it has been accurate.  This year's course was different from the previous years (it seems to be held at a different park along the Legacy Park trail every year).

The race is budget friendly.  So there are no t-shirts, just a finisher's medal, and if you are lucky, an age group award.  They do have a great post race spread of food.  They had pizza, bananas, cookies, granola bars, water, and a few other snacks.  

They do have a drawing / raffle.  For each can of food you bring for the food pantry, you get an entry.  I won the best prize: a handmade St Patrick's Day wreath.  It was made by the race director's wife and it now rests proudly on my front door.  Absolutely a great prize.  

Overall, it was a tough race.  It's probably why I don't feel overjoyed about my time.  It wasn't a smooth race at all and the wind really punished me.  Also given my fatigued state, I should be happy.  Again, I wasn't fully committed to "racing" this race.  I was just giving as much effort as I could but I was okay with holding back a little.

I love this race and would like to continue doing it.  Although I suspect next year, the Las Vegas Marathon is going to conflict with it.  

Upcoming Races

03/18: 2023 Vineyard City Gold Rush 5K - Vineyard, UT (Confirmed)

03/25: 2023 Riverton Half Marathon - Riverton, UT (Confirmed)

04/08: 2023 Eggs Legs 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

04/22: 2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

04/29: 2023 Blossom Run 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

06/03: 2023 Utah Valley 10K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

06/24: 2023 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

07/29: 2023 Timp 10K - American Fork, UT (Confirmed)

08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

09/23: 2023 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/21: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/28: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

03/03: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)