 posted Aug-25-2007 04:15 PM
   
For busy people:1:35:54, a 2½ minute PR
24 of 66 in AG
98 of ~620 men For the rest of us with copious discretionary time: This race bills itself as Utah's premiere half marathon event. The course runs down Hobble Creek Canyon into the small town of Mapleton and finishes at the city park. It is mostly rolling downhill, with some flat stretches and a couple small uphills. The course is all on pavement except for about 100 yards on grass at the end. Registration was originally limited to 1000 runners, but later this was increased to 1200. One consequence of this was that there were not enough buses to get everyone to the start of the race on time. We started 35 minutes late, robbing us of the coolest part of the morning and negating everyone's warmup.  An announcement would have been nice, but we were all left waiting at the start without knowing what was happening. A premiere event should do better. Weather report for Rose: clear skies, a light breeze, about 55 F at the start, and 75 F by the end. My goal (inspired by Sans Souci) was to run sub-1:35 (7:15/mi), which would be a 3½ minute PR. I made a pace band to help keep me on track. Mile 1 - 7:39 @ 158 bpm It took me 25 seconds to reach the starting line (which time I did not count  ), and about half of the first mile to get past everyone who started too far up in the pack.  Mile 2 - 7:09 @ 170
Mile 3 - 6:56 @ 171
Mile 4 - 6:50 @ 172
Mile 5 - 6:58 @ 173
Mile 6 - 6:54 @ 173 This is the fastest part of the course, and my effort felt about right. I had earned back the time I lost in the first mile and was now about a minute ahead of my goal. For the first five miles, I was passing runners who went out too fast. Mile 7 - 7:14 @ 173
Mile 8 - 7:31 @ 173
Mile 9 - 7:39 @ 172
Mile 10 - 7:33 @ 174 This part of the course was flatter, and the only real uphill is in mile 8. I watched for someone to pace off of, but everyone around me seemed to be surging and fading. By the ten-mile mark, I was still ahead of my goal, but just barely. I increased my effort, but I was dealing with the heat now. Mile 11 - 7:45 @ 173
Mile 12 - 7:39 @ 174
Mile 13 - 7:23 @ 178
The rest - 0:44 @ 182 Finish - 1:35:54 (7:19 pace), a 2½ minute PR.
Splits - 46:24/49:30 During the last mile I started picking off runners, and passed five or six. This was great fun and helped me keep my effort strong. I was the 98th he-bear to finish, so I got a nifty "elite 100" medal. Without the push during the final mile, I would have finished 102nd. I ran my previous HM PR just five weeks ago on a similar course, so I was thrilled to run faster today. I believe I am capable of even faster times. I appreciate the encouragement from you fine people. In particular, thanks to Sans Souci, TheProFromDover, mcsolar99, and SkipAZ for their help. You guys & gals are the best.
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