Striders Half Marathon. I knew this would be the most competitive of these winter series races to date, and appearances by Teren and Aleksander only confirmed that suspicion. Plus Logan and Clyde and Ashbaker, Walter were there, so it made for a really strong turnout. The race is well timed for those running Salt Lake, Ogden, Boston ... basically any spring marathon.
I arrived at the start and got off the bus with only 20 minutes to go before the start. I got in a warm up of just under two miles. At the start, I was hanging with Cody and Ben and another guy named Mike, who is an air force lieutenant stationed at Hill Field. We stuck together for about 4-5 miles and then started to separate. I was running alone behind Walter most of the race, usually within about 50m or so, though that lead fluctuated. I just couldn't make up the ground. Anyway, I was basically on my own for the second half of the race except when Lt. Mike came up and caught a ride. We ran together at about 9.5-11.5 and then he pulled away a bit. Others have documented the wind factor and it was significant. I had just one mile under 6 minutes in the last five miles. The wind probably cost a minute overall when it's all said and done. It was also cold, though I didn't notice that too much (headband and gloves go a long way when you're wearing just a singlet and shorts).
The course was interesting, nice grade for the first 10km or so, and then it starts to roll for several miles. In fact, once the wind started, it felt like it never really stopped rolling. No big climbs, just some terrain change.
So here are the splits:
1) 5:31
2) 5:44
3) 5:39
4) 5:38
5) 5:38
6) 5:42
7) 5:45
8) 5:52
9) 6:03
10) 6:00
11) 6:04
12) 5:53
13) 6:08
.1) 33.39
Overall, I'm actually pretty content with the race. I always want to push more in the final few miles. At about mile 12, I asked myself whether I was really pushing as hard as I could at that point, and I was pretty close. I didn't have a big surge in me at the end today, but one of these days I'm going to find that other gear. It just requires a more complete acceptance of some temporary pain.
After the run, cool down for two miles with bloggers. Then a 3 mile cooldown with Bill Cobler. Then standing around in the cold for awards. Good job to all the bloggers today in tough conditions. | 