In search of old age PRs

Provo River Half Marathon

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Location:

Salt Lake City,UT,USA

Member Since:

Sep 25, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

All running accomplishments are Post Teenage Years:

17:06 5K--Murray 2014

16:58 5K (aided)--Running of the Leopards 2010

34:41--10K Deseret News 2018 (aided)

1:16--(aided) Hobble Creek Half 2009

2:43--St. George Marathon 2012

Short-Term Running Goals:

Sub 2:50 Ogden Marathon

Sub 17:00 at Draper 5K

Long-Term Running Goals:

Sub 2:40 Marathon

 

Personal:

Married to Elizabeth (she got me running in 2003). We have three boys, Lucas (12) , Sam (8) and Ollie (5).

Many years ago, I read that the AVERAGE male is capable of a 2:40 marathon.  I decided to test that theory.  I began running in 2003 with Top of Utah as my first marathon (4:24).  I need 3 more minutes.

"Life is short...running makes it seem longer."--Baron Hansen

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Total Distance
38.00
Total Distance
7.00

Trail run in Fort Collins

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Total Distance
8.00

Evening run on the Poudre trail in Fort Collins

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Total Distance
8.00

Sugar house park loop.  Decided to run Provo Half on Saturday for sure.

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Race: Provo River Half Marathon (13.11 Miles) 01:18:28, Place overall: 4
Total Distance
15.00

I've run this race a few times and really enjoy the race director's approach (at the start he yelled, "GO" then jumped in to his van and took off down the canyon while all the runners stared at each other--we eventually figured it out).  I think Curt must sleep on the course the week before the race.

My distance was 13.2 today, so showed a little long.  I made a real effort to run the tangents, so I'm not sure where the discrepancy was this year (could be my Garmin).  Anyway, good race for me and I think the 2:45 St. George goal is in reach.  My splits were right to plan with last one being one of my fastest (plan was to stay sub 6:00 minus the big hill).

Mile 1: 5:48.  Steep downhill, but trying to conserve for the second half of the race.

Mile 2: 5:48.  I'm in about 10th place, but this race attracts a ton of bandits, so it’s hard to tell where you are against paid competitors.

Mile 3:  6:00.  A little slow, but this included a water station.  I also settled in with 2 other runners (JeffL from the blog and someone else)

Mile 4: 5:49.  I had to leave our small group and pick up the pace a little.  I was able to pass a couple more people. 

Mile 5: 5:59.  You are now on the main trail which means more bikers and Saturday runners/walkers.  It makes running the tangents more difficult.  A guy I passed at mile 4 stays right behind me.

Mile 6: 5:57.  Trying to conserve and have a strategy about the large climb coming up.

Mile 7: 6:18.  The hill and the head wind begin as we turn and run up the canyon.  I lead about 1/2 mile up then practically stop, so the guy behind me can lead for awhile.  I get behind him for about another 1/4 of a mile then he has had enough and cranks up to another gear.  He was really holding back up to this point (he finished 3rd overall and I lost sight of him after mile 9.

Mile 8: 6:21.  Running up the rest of the hill alone, but on the return you can see the field and where you stand (although it’s hard to figure out your place with the bandits).

Mile 9: 5:52.  Said hello to friends still climbing and was able to get the legs moving again which is difficult to do on this course.  Traditionally, this is a very tough section for me and spells gloom and doom if you can't get your pace going again.

Mile 10: 5:58.  Feeling pretty comfortable and can see a runner ahead of me about 300 yards away.

Mile 11: 6:00.  I was hoping to stay sub-6:00 for the entire bottom portion.  This was a little bit of a wake-up call and began trying harder.  I recognized the runner ahead of me from the starting line and try to pull him in.

Mile 12: 5:58.  Good effort as the trail begins to flatten out.  The guy I'm trying to catch is about 50 yards out.  This section/mile has been very challenging for me in the past and my time really falls apart; however, still feeling good.

Mile 13: 5:49.  Nice pace to catch the only runner I can see. 

Mile 0.11: Pace 4:59.  Had a fun, fast finish with runner I caught up to; then, he pulled off to the side at the finish line (bandit).  I'm glad he was there to force me to pick up the pace.

I was sub 1:18:00 at 13.11, but with the additional I was probably closer to 1:18:20.  I'm not exactly sure, but I will be looking for the official results on-line when they are posted.  My training partner, Tiffnay took 2nd women's overall!  Also, Coach Bill Schmidt had an excellent race.  A couple of other training friends did well (Dave and Tracy).

One more thing: Ugliest shirt I have ever received for a race--Awesome!

Comments(3)
Total Distance
38.00
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