2024 March Madness 10KM Race Recap - North Salt Lake, UT

Official Time: 53:33
Placement: 10th overall, 1st in the 50-59 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 50's, 30mph winds from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2023] [2022] [2021] [2020] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:55	Strong start. Feeling really good
2	7:42	Enjoying the wind at my back.
3	7:46	Last of the fast miles
4	9:18	Reality setting in.  So difficult
5	9:55	Wind would make my pace turn into a slog.
6	9:22	Just trying to close out the race
6.17	1:34	Just shuffle in and cross the finish line
	Total Miles: 6.17 - 53:38

Introduction

One of my spring traditions is to run the March Madness races held in the Bountiful area each March (about 15 minutes north of Salt Lake).  The race offers a variety of distances: 5K, 10K and a half marathon.  

The race is run along the Legacy Bike trails and supports the local food bank.  Over the years the race has changed locations a few times, but for the last few it has settled in at the Foxboro North Regional Park.

Usually around Thanksgiving timeframe they offer an incredible deal on their race.  If you sign up it is basically $20 to $25 for their races.  Granted, there aren't a lot of frills (i.e. no t-shirt) but it is a fully supported race, professional timed, offers finisher awards and there is food at the end.

The one gotcha with the race is that the weather conditions are always a wildcard -- hence the monitor "March Madness".  Most of the time, wind is a factor and like past years, it came into play this year.

The Race

I made the trip to the park and arrived around 8:15 AM for the 9:00 AM start.  I was able to quickly get my bib.  I had plenty of time to kill and I wound up kicking back in the car for a bit.  I was trying to get an idea of how much of a factor that the raging wind was going to play in today's race.  

I was also feeling a bit fatigued and still had some soreness from Sunday's Half Marathon in Las Vegas.  I knew this wasn't going to be an "A-race" given the weather conditions and my condition.  The plan was to start running and if I felt good, push it, if not, just bank a solid effort.  

I wound up doing a very short 15-minute warm-up pre-race.  Mostly drills.  I knew I needed to save my energy for the return trip of this out-and-back 10KM race.  

There was a roaring wind blowing from the south and with the race starting us heading north, I knew I was going to get off to a decent time and then crash and burn on the way back.  On the plus side, the weather was warm-ish despite the wind: sitting at about 50F.  Lots of people were bundled up and I felt out of place as I waited for the race to start dressed in my Chicken Legs short-shorts, a short-sleeved t-shirt and thin gloves.  I was in race mode with my Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 shoes.

There were about 50 of us in this race and with little fanfare, we started off over the archless start line (too much wind for inflatable arches).  

It felt effortless to run north with the constant push at my back thanks to the wind.  The lead back quickly took off (mostly younger folks). I found myself running with the 2nd place woman and another guy.  For the first mile we were constantly trading spots and eventually I managed to drop the other guy and I was running side-by-side with the woman.

The race is held on the Legacy bike trail.  On your left is the Legacy freeway (which is basically a bypass for the I-15) and on your right suburbia-like houses.  It isn't the most glamorous of courses, but it is flat and well maintained.

The first two and half miles went by in a blink of an eye.  I banked 7:55 and 7:44 splits and while I felt the pace was intense, it wasn't killing me, again thanks to the tailwind.  

I've run the course many times and the same course is also used for several other races throughout the year.  So it was all very familiar territory.  

The course was marked well and the mile markers were marked just about matching my Garmin's output (I was ahead of it by about .02 of a mile).  I started to encounter some of the faster 10KM runners at about mile 2.5. It was nice to give them some encouragement.

I smashed through the 3rd mile in 7:46 and I knew that was about the last of the "fun" miles.  It was definitely going to be work heading back.

I was still running with the 2nd place woman but she had pulled ahead of me and I was trailing her by about 15 yards.

Sure enough, at the turn around my pace dropped off a cliff as I was blasted by dirt / dust and sand infused wind.  I tried to tell myself it wasn't bad -- but it was bad.

Oddly enough, the 2nd place woman wound up making a turn and exited the course.  I could've sworn she was lined up with us at the start of the race but I think she was just out for a training run.  I suddenly found myself running solo -- no one in front of me and tiny specs of people behind me.  I hadn't seen anyone close to resembling my age group on those who were making the return to the start line and the nearest person behind me was probably a quarter mile away.

I still wanted to solidify my position, so I soldiered on despite the roaring winds.  

I knew my pace was going to be terrible and I was too surprised to see 9:XX come up.  There were moments when the wind ceased and I could generate a bit of energy to push the pace, but occasionally I'd pass by an open field with absolutely nothing to break the wind and my pace would drop to a shuffle.  I didn't get too worked up about it.  Fortunately no one was near me, this race was a run hard type of effort and mentally I was ready for this.  Just keep pushing forward and eventually I'd finish.

Despite my clothing choices (or lack thereof), I was comfortable and was never cold or too hot.  I eventually encountered some of the 5K runners who offered words of encouragement.  I knew I wasn't running great but it felt like I was since I was "an older guy" in the top placement.  Granted the race was small as well.  But it was the mental image of myself that really helped.

I tried not to look at my watch at all during the final 5K.  I didn't want to get frustrated with my pace.  The mile markers were still off by about .02 but they seemed to come up quickly and I knew the race was going to be done.

The winds got their worst with about a quarter mile to go.  With the finish line at the south end of a field, I was blasted by the winds.  I had been watching behind me -- I didn't want to get overtaken -- and someone was gaining on me but I had just enough time to push it the final bit and cross the finish line.

Conclusion

I finished in 53:33.  Definitely my slowest 10KM time in a very long time.  I honestly expected to be around 55 given the wind conditions and the general soreness / fatigue I had leading into the race.  So on one hand I was happy with the results, but at the same time, disappointed.  This race wasn't conducive to a fast time though -- with the wind conditions.  I think a bunch of us commiserated that it would be awesome to have the race start where it did -- you run 6.2 miles north and then have a bus take you back.  I think I would've easily broken 50 minutes.

I wound up winning my age group, so I netted two medals for a morning's work.  I wasn't surprised about it given the small race size and not seeing anyone close to my age running the race.

Post race refreshments included oranges, bananas, cookies, pizza and chocolate milk.  

They do collect food for the panty and I donated some.  I also won an outdoor folding chair type of thing.  Should come in handy for outdoor activities.

This race is quite simply "a race".  It is bargain priced, the course is well marshalled and marked and it offers a great opportunity to try for a personal record, without having to contend with a large field or overcrowding.  It is well done and simple.

I hope to do this race next year. But this race will go down in my books as one of the windiest races I've ever done (and grittiest with all the dust).

Upcoming Races

03/16: 2024 Vineyard City Gold Rush 5K - Vineyard, UT (Confirmed)

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)

2024 Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

Official Time: 1:57:08
Placement: 1745th overall, 1344 male, 134th in my age group
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 60s.  Slight breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2023] [2022] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013] [2012] [2011] [2010] [2009]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:08	Off to a conservative start. Easing my way into the race
2	9:03	Still timid and holding back
3	8:55	Heading north now. A bit of a tailwind but didn't really feel it.
4	8:52	Felt like I could take off but still too early
5	8:44	Consistency still holding back
6	8:48	Have left the main area, not as much crowd support but feeling good
7	8:44	Should I go now?
8	8:44	Holding steady
9	8:47	Upon completing this mile I told myself -- let's go
10	8:42	Short lived effort to "go".  Just didn't feel it and I didn't want to blow up
11	8:53	Holding steady
12	9:03	My head was like let's go -- but my body wasn't ready
13	9:12	Fished out my phone at some point to film a really crappy ending.
13.19	1:32	Cross the finish -- finally!
Total Miles: 13.19 1:57:13

Me at the Expo

Introduction

Every year, I am pretty much locked into the Las Vegas races.  I got into this race in 2009 when I ran my very first marathon (3:41 I believe).  At the time, I was infatuated with Las Vegas.  I had heard there was a marathon there (that got very lukewarm reviews). I was training with a marathon group and had visions of running a full marathon and weeks before the race, I wound up booking a flight from Chicago to Las Vegas and registered for the race.

I struggled during that race but it soon became a yearly tradition: train with the Chicago marathon people and hold onto my fitness for a bit longer and do the marathon.  I never ran particularly well in Las Vegas but for some reason I kept coming back.

This year was like all the others: I had to come back. If nothing more than to keep the streak alive of having run this year every year it has been available since 2009.  There have been lots of changes over the years: it is now a night race, it has changed hands a few times, and the marathon is now gone and in its place is a 10K.  But the same thing still remains: they close down the famous "Las Vegas Strip" and over ten thousand runners get to "own" it.

Pre-Race

I arrived in Las Vegas via a 5.5 hour drive down I-15 from Salt Lake City on Saturday for the Sunday night race.  Packet pickup was at the Resorts World Hotel and Casino on the north end of the Strip.  I was staying at the New York Casino, which is where the race start was and is also located on the south side.

I managed to snag my room, get my luggage situation before making what I thought was a fairly quick walk to the north end.  I figure it might be 3 miles round trip.  Suffice to say I woefully underestimated the journey:  it wound up being close to 7 by the time I got to the race headquarters.

What's left of the Mirage's Volcano

It was an enjoyable walk, but current I suffer from sciatica and walking and standing for long periods of time aggravate it.  By the time I had got my bib, took some photos, circled through the expo and made my way back to the hotel, I was wiped out and my hip was aching.

Packet pickup was a snap and while I was there for the mid afternoon rush, it wasn't terribly crowded like I've seen it before.  I didn't spend much time at the expo, other than to get some samples of Biofreeze and check out some of the exhibitors.  There really wasn't too much I haven't seen before though, so for the most part it was a very quick in and out.

I wound up walking a bit more even after getting back to the hotel and my hip was definitely not happy (the hip is the source of the sciatica / nerve pain I am experiencing).  It has never bothered me, but tonight it was off the charts bad.

I wound up getting a decent night's sleep though after eating dinner and gambling a bit.

In the morning, my extremities were tingling a bit -- against more nerve issues and just pre-race nerves.  Even sitting at the America Café in the New York hotel, I could feel my hip telling me I had walked too much the day before.  From experience with this race, I knew I had to eat a fair breakfast but I didn't need to gorge.  I went with last year's breakfast: a basic omelet and the traditional sides.

I gambled -- and lost some more money -- before retreating to the room and dosing up on Aleve.  My nerves -- both mental and physical were on edge.  I definitely knew I had it in me to run well, I wanted to run well but my body was -- I think -- telling me to sit this one out.  Again, I think it was anxiety but I couldn't discount the typical nerve pain I've been dealing with for the past 6 months.

I wound up relaxing, watching basketball on a non-HD TV and eventually diving into my tried-and-true lunch of fruit, cold cereal, pudding cups and a few bland cookies.  I've used this "lunch" for the past two years with great success... it suffices for energy, it is easily digestible.  I was basically following the same pattern I have used for the past 2 years, which again, has served me well.

With a race start of 4:30 PM and a loading time of 3:45, I wound up heading to the "Park" area between the Park Hotel and New York, New York around 3:15.

Getting ready to race

The Race

I wound up waiting for about 15 - 20 minutes in the area near where my blue loading zone would be.  I was fortunately in corral #1, which meant I'd be in the first wave of runners to start.

The loading process was fairly chaotic and it took a solid 15 - 20 minutes of shoulder to shoulder people before I could enter the "secure" area / loading area for corral #1.  I quickly jumped into the bathroom, which I managed to just in a nick of time.  With 5 minutes to spare, I shouldered my way to a respectable distance from the start and waited for the run to start.

Despite nearly 45 minutes of standing my hip and back were not bothering me.  I think thanks to a healthy dose of ibuprofen and acetaminophen.  In fact, I was surprised as my nerves settled down a bit.  I had a bit of tingling in my left foot but I was fully operational.

At 4:30 the race started and I, along with about 3000 corral #1 runners who were running the half marathon or 10K proceeded forward.  In fact, I think this year was the quickest I went from waiting to running in terms of when the gun went off.

My goal for this race -- like the others I've done recently, was to go out at about 2 hour pace but slow bump up the pace as the race progressed -- and how I was feeling.  It was warm -- about 60F but there was only a light breeze.  I knew it was going to get cooler as the race went on and the sun set, but for now, it did feel warm.  A big change from the 30F-40F weather I am used to.

I was wearing nothing but shorts and a thin tech t-shirt.  I was running in my Saucony Endorphin Pro 2's.  I was wearing a tried and true kit -- even my shirt has been lucky for me.  I was armed with two gels as well, one caffeinated, one not, which I was planning on using around mile 6.

I started off conservatively, nailed my first 5K spot on.  I have run every inch of this course many times before so not a lot was new.  We did head south until we passed the airport and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign before making a U-turn and heading back towards the strip.

It was congested running, but I never really felt hemmed in for very long.  I was just working to settle into the race and see how my body was going to relax with the nerve issues I was dealing with.

I was concerned in that it felt warm and my mouth felt a little dry.  I wound up using just about every aid station on the course, taking a bit of the Mortal sports drink they were serving and once in a while throwing water over my head.

Around the 4 mile mark we were heading north, the sun was setting and the crowds were jubilant and offered a wealth of support.  I would probably argue that this race is the most fun to run in regards to interactions with the throngs of people.  Sure, some are drunk or carrying on but there were plenty that were offering eye-to-eye acknowledgement with an encouraging word.

I felt my pace increase ever so slightly here as I was buoyed by their support.  In fact, I had to reign it in a bit.  It was a little early to be pushing the pace -- but I was clearly running exactly what I had hoped for.

I wound up tearing into a Tutti Frutti Roctane GU.  I needed the jolt of caffeine despite it being a late night race.  I hoped I wouldn't regret it with having problems sleeping later (I didn't).

The race did get a bit lonely as we sped down the strip towards Fremont Street and the older part of town.  The crowd support diminished and those that were around were less vocal.  It was also dark at this point.  The road was still well lit and I was never concerned about tripping and falling.  I still felt strong as the music got more interesting.  I was overtaking a number of runners.  I felt like I might want to really bump it up a notch, but I still wasn't feeling ready.  I still had around 5 miles and I felt like the pace I was running was okay.  I decided mile 9 would be my "go" mile.

I knew that I needed to pick up the pace to get the time I wanted but I also needed to temper it with that I didn't want a death march 5K at the end.  The last two half marathons I was able to smash the final 4 miles but there was some doubt in my mind.  Was it too hot? Had I not hydrated enough?

We were thoroughly in the downtown area and I saw the second turn of the race.  You basically hang a right and run a lap around a downtown area before coming back onto the strip and heading back to the finish line.  For me, this signaled that I was getting close -- despite having about 4 miles to go.

My Garmin beeped 9 miles -- time to go!

I kicked up the pace - just a bit more and wound up getting a pretty good surge.  But for the most part, it was short lived.  I think about half a mile later I was back to running what I was running before -- about 8:45's.  I felt like I was running 8:30, but the effort started to weigh in on me.  Again, it was warm, I felt a bit dehydrated, I had a bit of headwind and it just wasn't there.  Mentally, I was like "Go!" but my body wasn't having any of it.

I made peace with the situation.  I told myself there'd be a chance that it just wasn't going to be there, despite being well tapered for this event.  I just didn't want a slogfest for the final 5K.  8:45's it would have to be.

The other racers were on the other side of the boulevard and it was nice to get encouragement from them.  There were still some spectators but overall it was quiet running, pot smoke, and shadowy running.  Fortunately, I knew how much longer I needed to run and I kept picking out landmarks ahead -- knowing I just needed to get to the Bellagio to call it a day.

I was still overtaking other runners, which was empowering, but my pace was slowing up.  Again, mentally I willed myself forward and I wasn't exactly hurting, but the power just wasn't there.  I think I had settled into that 8:45 pace for so long that I couldn't find that next gear to get me out of it.  Also, the 8:45's seemed harder to hold as my heart rate increased and the exertion level reached higher levels.  Perhaps I was dehydrated.

I wound up pulling out my phone out of my FlipBelt in hopes of getting a few photos and video of the finish.  Suffice to say, I love to watch YouTube, but I am definitely not adept at filming anything.

This wound up costing me a bit of time as I slowed down to fool around with the camera, but overall it was only a minor distraction in the grand scheme of things.

I kept knocking off landmarks: Circus Circus, Resorts World, The Fashion Mall, Treasure Island, The Wynn, The Mirage.  Finally, Caesar's Palace came into view and I knew I just needed to run past that and the finish line would await (in previous years the finish line was at the Mirage but during to the starting location change, this year the finish line was at the north end of the Bellagio).

I pushed it hard the last quarter mile.  At this point, I didn't really care what my time was -- it wasn't what I wanted but I wanted to be done.

It's always a massive party when you finish and this one was no exception.  With all the neon, the Bellagio fountains exploding to the side and thousands of people cheering you in; it is just a wonderful experience.

Conclusion

Upon finishing, I grabbed a medal and a bottle of water. We had timed it just about right in that we were treated to the Bellagio fountains.  It was almost a perfect finishing setting -- exploding jets of water, music, flashing lights and cheers from spectators.  This is why I do this race!

I wasn't in terrible shape after the race.  There have been a few in the last 12 months where I simply collapsed at the end and sulked for a while.  But this one, I was able to keep moving, take some photos and share the experience with everyone else.  I actually felt pretty darn good.

I was given a bag, which contained post race refreshments: a banana, gummi fruit, a granola bar and some chips.  There were some photo opportunity spots as I made my way south towards the exit. 

I hadn't checked any gear, but it looked like a pretty easy process to collect whatever you had dropped off.  It took a good quarter mile (or so) to finally find a very small gap in the protective barriers to make my way out of the race pen.

I wound up cutting through most of the Cosmopolitan hotel before finding ample space to walk back to my hotel -- about another half mile walk or so.  My hip was silent despite walking.

The Exit area of the finish chute.

I sort of wish I had had another bottle of water though and I was certainly missing the chocolate milk or at least some Gatorade.  With the sponsor being Mortal Drinks, they didn't really have an electrolyte-based drink that I really felt I needed.  I was a little worried about getting woozy. I probably should've grabbed another bottle of water, but when I had been given the water, I figured there'd be another hydration spot (other than beer or wine, I never found it).

With a time of 1:57:08, I was a little unhappy with it.  It wasn't terrible and I've definitely done worse but I was shooting for something in the 1:53's.  I just didn't have the confidence that night to close the deal.  Perhaps it was not enough hydration, the heat or maybe just the sciatica issues I was dealing with, but I think confidence-wise I didn't think I had it.  Perhaps all the times I've not run well at this race weighed in on me as well.

The medal was nicely designed and a bit different from the other ones we've been handed out to over the years.  Definitely lighter feeling but this one was a bit bigger. I liked the t-shirt and it is one I'll wear.  I also got another (cotton-based) one for registering early for 2025 (see ya next year Las Vegas!)

The race support was fantastic. The volunteers crewing the aid stations were simply fantastic.  The corral loading process was better than last year, but still kind of a mess (not sure how to do it better but there could be better ways I suppose). The expo was definitely energizing but for me, there really wasn't much to see or do.  It used to be significantly bigger with more independent race organizations showcasing their races, but it just seemed less interesting and less runner related in some cases.

Post race refreshments were standard issue.  I had registered for the race a year in advance -- paying $99 plus the service fee to participate.  Well worth it given the environment and nature of the event.

Despite my fears and anxieties about even finishing, I did complete the race and by all accounts, I do think I paced it very well.  No death marches, no "gosh why do I put myself through this" moments and I had fun.  This race, unfortunately, won't make my top 3 yearly race performances (races where I ran well) but it definitely won't go down as my worst.

I am really looking forward to year #15 in 2025!

Upcoming Races

03/02: 2024 March Madness 10K - West Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

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)

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)

2024 South Davis Recreation Center Sweethearts 5K Race Recap - Bountiful, UT

Timers setting up for the race

Official Time: 24:52
Placement: 2nd in the 50 - 54
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: 29F no wind.
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2023] [2022] [2021] [2020] [2019] [2018] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:38	Gentle downhill at the start. Slightly congested, holding back a little
2	8:09	Felt like I was running faster
3	8:27	Always tough to run the final stretch here. Hilly
3.10	0:55	Didn't press stop on the watch.
	Total Miles: 3.10- 25.11

Chilly Morning with Snow Capped Mountains

Introduction

One of my annual traditions is to run the South Davis Recreation Center Sweethearts 5K - a Valentine's Day themed race.  I've done the race over 10 times now and it is an annual tradition for me.  

There aren't many races in the winter months in the Salt Lake area but this one always falls on my radar.  It is cheap, well run and I know the course.  I use it to test my fitness at the start of the year to see where I am at.

This year, I got a nice deal on the race and once again showed up in Bountiful, about 30 minutes north of where I live, to toe the line for yet another winter 5K.

Calm before the race

The Race 

The race is held at the local recreation center. I showed up at 8 AM for the 9 AM start and quickly snagged my bib.  I used the restrooms, socialized a bit, before commencing on a 1 mile warm-up prefaced with some drills.  

Packet Pickup

My 5K fitness has been in question -- I haven't felt particularly fast and while my half marathon races have been fabulous so far this year, I had sincere doubts about pushing a fast 5K.  My goal was to run pretty close to last year's time (24:13).  My suspicion was that I was going to get close to it, but probably not surpass it.

The race started just a hair after 9 AM and I quickly took off.  It was congested, as usual, but it thinned out pretty quickly.  Despite, the cold, I was completely comfortable in short shorts, thin gloves and a short-sleeved t-shirt.  I had ditched my hat and thin warm-up jacket moments before the race.

The first mile is mostly downhill. It isn't a screamer, but everyone hits that one fast.  It went by fast and it was effortless -- if only the entire race was like this.  I ran it in 7:38, a little slower than I felt like I was running, but I felt like I was conserving energy for the second half of the race.

Gentle downhill to the start

Around mile 1.25, the races veers east and that is more or less where the fun / easiness comes to an end.  It is a gradual climb for the next mile that only gets worse throughout the race.  My legs suddenly felt like leg as I saw the gradual climb.  I knew it was coming, though, so it wasn't a surprise.

I felt like I was running strong and zipped through the aid station at the half way point.  I wound up passing a few runners and despite the fatigue, I felt like I was having a good race.  I didn't want to discourage myself by glancing at my watch every 30 seconds.

On my cool down, but the gentle uphill is like this.

Mile 2 rang up in 8:08.  Not where I wanted to be, but by all measures, about where I expected to be.  The problem was though, the final mile is always the toughest.  The hill summits up Main Street and it is just a slow steady grind.

I was working with a few other runners and I managed to pass by yet a few other ones.  I didn't see anyone in my age group, but with a fairly large start, I figured there had to be someone in my age group ahead of me.

The grind to the top

I kept pressing on and when I finally jumped on the sidewalk to make my way onto the final quarter mile, I told myself to push -- hard.

There wasn't much left and I looked over my shoulder and there wasn't a soul that I could see.  And there wasn't anyone in front of me that I felt I could catch.

Last 100 meters or so to the finish.

I did tear into the final tenth of a mile and flew under the finish line.  Before finishing though, I looked up at the time -- knowing it had probably taken me 5 seconds to start -- and saw a 24:4x.  What? Could I have been mistaken?  I had no idea what I had run but I suspected it was around 24:30.

Post race photo

Conclusion

So my disappointment reigned supreme at the end.  24:52 was my official time -- a full 40 seconds slower than Thanksgiving and last year.  

I got my medal and congratulated those around me.  I managed to quickly recover though and despite the freezing temperature, I was completely comfortable for some time.

I sauntered over to the refreshment area and grabbed a hot chocolate (which I must admit wasn't too smart after a 5K)  I found a QR results scanner and found myself solidly in 2nd place.  The first place runner in my age group is a local legend and managed to run a speedy 18:15 (or so).  

I did a cooldown and grabbed some photos of the course.  Part of me was happy that I had placed and placed reasonably well overall, but at the same time, I wasn't happy because I didn't hit my goal.  I quickly got over it as I enjoyed the cool morning air.

Awards were dolled out in reasonable order. I grabbed an overly green banana before leaving.  For post refreshments they did have water / sports drink, fruit (bananas and oranges) and some baked good.  For the price I paid for the race -- about $25, I was happy with my experience.

For age group awards, they had the traditional Teddy Bears.  I love them and have a small collection of them.

I liked the shirt and medal -- both high-quality and the vibe of the event was fun and low key.  Despite the cold in the air, the weather was actually quite enjoyable.  The course, while open to traffic (and a fair amount of it) was marshalled well and there was on aid station on the course.   

Being that this is an annual tradition for me, I'll be back next year.  The price is right and the timing of the event is perfect for me.  I just hope to turn in a better time.

Upcoming Races

02/25: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/02: 2024 March Madness 10K - West Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

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)

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)