In search of old age PRs

Running of the Leopards 5K

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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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Race: Running of the Leopards 5K (3.1 Miles) 00:17:14, Place overall: 23, Place in age division: 2
Total Distance
7.00

Fun race and well organized.  This little High School 5K was stacked with some of Utah’s best runners.  I knew the race was offering money to the top 3, but I was surprised by the talent that turned out (Teren, Emily, Hobie, Seth 1 & 2, Mary Ann, Thatcher, Fiddy, etc…).

It was cold at the start and windy.  The wind became a tail wind at the start and it was a big aide (along with the 300 feet of elevation drop).  There were 3 little hills, but nothing major.  I warmed up with the group for about 4 miles and then it was race time.

Mile 1: 5:28.  Elevation drop of 48 feet with the largest hill/climb at the start.  I saw 51 year old George at the start and decided I would try to hang with him as long as I could.  Lots of people in front of me, but they begin to slow down about 0.75 into the race. 

Mile 2: 5:36.  Flat area before Wakara and on Foothill, but still good drops on Wakara and Sunnyside.  Elevation drop of 137 feet.  I begin to lose contact with George.  He is starting to speed up and pour it on.  I try to find a new running partner.  I was able to pass a few more people and can see one of my running buddies (Craig).  I decide to try to keep “visual” contact with him.  There are several fast women in front of me and I could watch them race.

Mile 3: 5:32.  Drop down Sunnyside then on to East High track for ¾ lap.  Elevation drop of 126 feet.  I can still see Craig, but get passed by two women who were flying.  I was actually running fast, but still getting passed.  I really need to do more speed work.

Mile 0.1: 5:30/mile pace.  This was run on the track so no elevation changes.  I was able to see Craig about 200 meters in front of me finish.  I could not muster up a kick to try and pass two close competitors.  I could see the clock on the track and saw I was way under PR, so this influenced my effort.  I was all smiles on the track. 

I finished feeling great and PR pretty easily (previous best 18:29-flat course last Fall).  It was fun to meet Mary Ann and some of the other bloggers.  Elizabeth and Lucas were at the finish to cheer me in.  We let Lucas (2 years old) run on the track after most of the runners had come in.  He loved it.   

Comments
From Tracy1 on Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 14:22:35 from 63.230.18.211

PR Mark? AWESOME!! That was a fun little race!

From Thatcher on Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 14:26:51 from 98.202.35.200

Nice race. That's a huge PR.

From Andy on Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 14:48:50 from 199.190.170.22

Congrats on the PR. Incredibly consistent splits.

From MarkP on Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 16:16:47 from 98.202.199.48

Thanks guys. You gotta love elevation drop races.

From Burt on Sun, Mar 29, 2009 at 01:12:47 from 98.167.151.26

Great race. Sounds like fun. Good report, too.

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