my intermittent blog about training and racing

TOU half

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Member Since:

Feb 02, 2014

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

Childhood: I tagged along with my Dad and older brothers to many local fun runs. Did the SLC Winter series (when it was in South Jordan) a few times. Won the Governer's Cup (1 mile kids run) one time. Niavely thought I was the fastest kid in the state.

Jr High: I realized I was far from the fasted kid in the state or even my school. Ran Track and XC every year but had a love/hate relationship with running.

High School: I was hugely inspired by the top runners at Taylorsville HS, Adam Stark and Teren Jamesen, who were both top runners in the state and recieved scholarships to run at the U of U (before the men's program was cut...thanks title 9). As a Junior, my love/hate relationship with running turned to pure love as I discovered what it really meant to train consistently and see myself improve.

HS PRs

State XC course at sugarhouse 16:10 (35th overall--with Bingham as the #1 high school in the nation, there was tons of depth in 1996).

1600-4:46 

3200-10:15

Adult Running:

I was not fast enough to recieve any scholarships, so I didn't run competetively in college. Also, I had a naggin hamstring injury for several years after High School which prevented me from real training. I just did basic 20-35 mpw. Eventually, if figured out how to rehab my hamstring, and started training again. My first really good race was the Salt Lake Classic 10k in 2004. I ran in 33:33 and outkicked Sasha (this is probably the reason Sasha thinks I have a good kick. Based on all the times I have been out-kicked, I'm not so sure).

PRs:

Mile--4:43--as a lone time trial on UNLV track while on vacation in 2006. (I haven't done a 1-mile race since High School).

5K--15:17--DaperDays 2012

10k--30:58 (aided)--DesNews 2009

1/2 M--1:09:16--Salt Lake Marathon and Half M. 2009

Marathon--2:27:30--Chicago 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

I have been in an injury cycle for about 18 months. I want to finally have the PATIENCE to SLOWLY build up my training, so that when I get to decent mileage, I won't be injured.

Since I am now 35, I think I will be satisfied just to not slow down. Although, if my training went perfectly, I know I am capable of more PR's, but getting perfect training is not always possible.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Continue to be a local competetive runner for as long as I can. Continue to find enjoyement in training and racinge even when my PRs are a distant memory.
 

Personal:

I run for the Wasatch Running Center team. They have gratiously supported me with free gear and store discounts for many years. They Rock!

I have been married since the end of 2004. I have two children. We may have more kids in several years if/when life gets a little less hectic.

I am a big fan and follower of professional running. Our sport has a phenomenal level of participation right now. I think the quality of our sport could be improved if the average runner was more aware of the professional sport of athletics/running.

My favorite professional runner is Kenenesia Bekele. I hope he can return to form and dominate the roads during his 30's. I daydream about him also returning to the track just once or twice to beat a particularly overated sit and kick runner. My other favorite runner is Chris Solinsky. He and I are about the same size, so I was super happy when he was the first non-African born runner to break 27 minutes for 10K. I hope he also can salvage the remaining years of his career.

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Race: TOU half (13.1 Miles) 01:10:04, Place overall: 6

I woke up at 3:40 to drive up to Logan in time to catch the bus. My little sister Leah is in town this week, so she came with me. Before hand, I asked her twice if she was sure she really wanted to wake up so early just to see me race. She insisted on coming and it was nice to have someone to talk with on the drive there and back, and to have her cheer me on at mile 7 and 10. Thanks Leah!

Before the race, I just did 2 miles of wam up and talked a little bit with Mel, and Ben

I haven't been able to run a half under 1:11:00 since 2010, so I have learned to be cautious about how fast I start. So my plan was to run by feel within the 5:20 to 5:30 pace range. I for sure did not want to make the mistake I've done in the past, and run below 5:10 the first mile (which is suprisingly easy to do in a down hill start) and ruin my legs for the latter miles. I let the lead group of speedsters go, and hit my first mile in 5:19, so I just tried to duplicate what that mile felt like for the rest of the canyon. For several miles I ran with Albert and Jon (I actually tucked behind them and selfishly drafted for 4 miles). We were running 5:20 pace for all but one of those miles, so I saw no need to move ahead of them. I started leading Jon at about mile 6 and talked with him for a bit. When we exited the canyon (mile 7) I started to increas my effort in order to keep the 5:20 pace on flatter ground. Luckily for me, "sketchers" John passed me and gapped me, but gave me a good target to try to stay with. I kept waiting for the usual "heavy leg" sensation to hit, but it never did. By mile 10, I felt better than I ever have at that point in a half. I realized that I was just a little behind 1:10:00 pace, so I really started to push the last 3 miles. I re-passed John at mile 11.5, which gave me stronger motivation to keep pushing the pace. At mile 12, I figured I needed to run about 5:05 pace to break 1:10:00. I kinda thought that it was beyond reach, but still tried to run fast. I think I gained some ground on Ben (who seemed to have run the whole race by himself in no-man's land). But then Ben speed up the last bit and beat me handily. The last 2 miles felt much more like the end of a 10K rather that a Half. I was more cardiovascularly limited rather than having painfull dead legs. I finished a lot closer to 1:10 than I thought I would and was pretty happy with my result. I think I sort of stumbled on the perfect pacing strategy for me on this course. I will try to remeber it in future years. I actually beat my course PR by about 30 seconds which was from 2009. That was the same year I ran my marathon PR, so I'm really happy with where my endurance is right now. I talked a little with Steve after the race and drank some chocolate milk. My legs felt well enough (which is not usually the case after a half) to run a few miles cool down with my sister. Then I grabbed more milk and food and drove home.

All told, it was a very enjoyable morning and it was good to talk to a few guys before and after the race. Good times:)

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