I got to the Tabernacle with 30 minutes til start time, but the race started late because of some logistical issues. I warmed up for about 2 miles, with two stops at the Provo Marriott for their bathrooms (the race organizers only had about 5 portapotties and there were probably 900 participants between all the events). I saw an old running buddy from BYU who is a really good runner, so I knew I had to kiss the prize money goodby unless she happened to be in bad shape. Turns out she was in great shape and I never saw her after the first mile. I was feeling pretty good before the race, and the temperature was about 44F, so I was able to wear only shorts and a shortsleeve shirt.
So here's how the race went: 1 - 6:37 - the race started out pretty fast and I was headed toward a 6:20, and still behind the leading lady, but I backed off anyway until I felt comfortable, remembering Ted's advice that the first mile is supposed to feel easy. The mile was still faster than my goal of around 6:45 the first mile. 2 - 6:36 - plugging along, trying to draft because there was already a headwind 3 - 6:27 - I start running with a pack of guys and we form an alliance against the wind. We didn't have strict rules on when a person took a turn in the lead, but we each took turns drafting. 4 - 6:39 - The wind is wearing me down, I will feel good for a while then yucky for a while, I tried slow down but was harrassed by my pack of guys I didn't know into pulling back up to them 5 - 6:25 - The wind was hideous at this point, but our pack keeps a good pace, I don't want to slow down because I need their help. 6 - this miles split got messed up, my gps lost its service, my watch says it was a mile at 5:59 but it also says the race is 13.4 at the end, so I think part of the problem is this mile split, this mile had the turnaround so the wind should have been toward our backs but it seemed to still hit our fronts somehow. 7 - 5:33, --just kidding, yeah this mile was obviously short too, I was probably around 6:45, we caught up with a guy and he and a couple of our pack members got chatty so the pace slowed.
8 - 6:54 - pace continued to be off. At about 8 miles I broke from the chatters. My comment,
"Less chat, more race" didn't phase them. One said, "You are girl number 2 but I am the 30th guy." Well actually he was probably more like 20th overall. Orange shirt from my pack had already broken away, but red shirt and I pick up the pace again for mile 9 9 - 6:30 - I am feeling like I can actually finish the race without crashing and burning 10 - 6:35 - I alternate feeling good and feeling bad. Red shirt is still with me and he motivates me at times, then I give him encouragement. 11 - 6:46 - uh, yeah, slight uphill and starting to fade 12 - 6:38 13 - 6:57, suckiest mile. The only uphill in the race was a big overpass over railroad. I don't think I would have broken 7:00 if Ted hadn't seen me and gave me a good yell, then he turned around and harassed me for the rest of the race (Thanks Ted! And I'm not being sarcastic either :) ). .4 - 5:58 pace, this is the last .4 of the race, even though I don't think the race was long. I was able to increase the pace. I don't think it was a true kick but I am glad I was able to hold sub-6 at the end of the race for that long. The timing was off and the clock said 1:28:25 or so when I came in, but Ted gave me the good news that my time was actually faster. My watch showed 1:27:09 and that was what the posted results showed too. The winner got $250, a gold watch, and guaranteed (and I think free) entrance into St. George. 2nd place got a $60 gc. The winning lady was 1:21:39, way far ahead of me so I didn't have a prayer. At least I didn't go home empty handed. I think I could have pushed it a little more, but I was pleased with the evenness of my effort and that I am starting my post tax season training in pretty good shape. Races are good because the tell you exactly where you are. I am in worse shape than Jan 2008, but I am in better shape than Oct 2007. I have 1 week and two days of tax season to go!
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