In search of old age PRs

Canyonland Half Marathon-Moab

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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: Canyonland Half Marathon-Moab (13.1 Miles) 01:24:16, Place overall: 36, Place in age division: 6
Total Distance
15.25

It was a nice day for a race.  I stayed in Castle Valley which is above the start of the race.  The Inn ran a shuttle to the start at 9:00 AM, so it was a leisurely morning.  I highly recommend staying above the start line before this race. 

It was unusually warm at the start, so it was going to be hot at the finish.   I did a 2 mile warm up before the race and decided to lower my goal from 1:30 to 1:25.  Below are my splits:

Mile 1: 6:17—I watched a lot of people take off and pass me.  There must have been 20 girls in front of me.  I knew the majority of the pack would have a rough time once the actual race course flattened out.

Mile 2: 6:25—Found a nice rhythm

Mile3: 6:23—Began to look for targets as I move up

Mile 4: 6:23—Passed by a shirtless guy.  I decided to follow him

Mile 5: 6:20—Stayed on the shirtless guys heals even when he surged

Mile 6: 6:17—Moving good through the aid stations.  I was making good time on people while they slowed to drink.  I kept my stride and would try to take one big sip without slowing

Mile7: 6:21—Shirtless guy is starting to slow.  I decide he is done and began to look for a new running partner

Mile 8: 6:23—I did not wear my music for this run and it was starting to pay off.  I can hear most of the runners laboring to breath, so I could find/hear a good steady runner

Mile 9: 6:17—Big hill coming up.  I skipped my plan to take GUI here.  I thought it would slow me down and my legs were feeling fresh

Mile 10: 6:30—Up the hill.  Past most of the girls I could see by now.  There would be one more out of the canyon, but I never had a chance on the other 2 female finishers

Mile 11: 6:28—Two people pass me as we run on Main Street.  I always have a hard time finishing on this section

Mile 12: 6:36—Main street is dragging on, but no more people passing me

Mile 13:6:34—Nice to see the finish line.

Mile 13.1--:39 seconds…Garmin time of 1:23:59, but not finish--came through at 1:24:16.  I was able to talk, walk, eat and run after finishing so I know I left some extra time on the course.  Overall, I’m happy with the race.  The winter maintenance program appears to have worked.  I am looking forward to the summer race.  I will leave the MP3 at home for races now.

Comments
From Tracy1 on Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 23:19:04 from 71.213.38.7

Congrats Mark, you are awesome!! Was the winter maintenance called "Runamoks?!"

That is a good suggestion to stay at Castle Valley! Its so pretty in that area, I ran there the first year Moab put on the marathon.. It was a gorgeous route! (2004)

Yeah, Coach says to leave the music, cause you can concentrate on your race.... Again-Congrats!

From Mark P on Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 13:53:28 from 98.202.199.48

Thanks Tracy. We missed you guys in Moab.

From Kelli on Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 21:36:27 from 71.219.76.202

Great race and your blog picture just gave me a BIG LAUGH. Thanks!

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