Going to Emery County is like going back in time to the 1980s. Spent the night before the race in Huntington, in a $50 hotel room that was probably a bit overpriced.
I ran this race last year as a test to see where my fitness was before the SG marathon in Oct. I had one free weekend where we didn't have an XC race in Sept and this seemed like the most honest half out of the races being run. I ran it and liked it last year---got into a pack of 5 guys for most of the race and ran 1:31:30---a time I was happy with because I thought it would translate into a sub 3:10 time at SG.
The course is all on dirt roads. The first 3 miles are basically flat and then you head down "the little grand canyon". The canyon gradually gets deeper and deeper, which is nice because it keeps you in the shade nearly the whole time despite the race not starting until 7:15 or so. Total elevation loss for the race is 500 feet, so its downhill but much of it isn't that noticeable and the dirt roads aren't perfect so that slows you down just a bit.
I lined up near the front and got out. Ran the first .25 or so with two other guys out fron feeling comfortable, checked my watch and it was 6:20 pace--which I knew was overly aggresive so I made a conscious effort to slow down and relax. From mile 1 on I was basically solo........nobody behind me and well behind the two guys in front of me.
1--7:06
2--7:07
3--7:08
At mile 3 the course makes a sharp right turn down towards the canyon. I timed the gap between myself and 2nd place and found he had 1:32 on me.
4--6:55 The canyon starts.
5--6:49
6--6:36
7--6:47 The gap is now 47 seconds
8--6:45
9--6:40 I caught him at the end of this mile and tried to surge a bit. Figured he was gone.
10--6:33 The guy re-emerges and passes me back. I stayed right behind him until he started making loud breathing noises and turned around and told me to pass him.
11--6:32 Keep applying some pressure hoping he would break contact.
12--6:43
13--6:39 Starting to hurt, look back and the guy is there but not really within striking distance.
Walked away feeling good about this race. Bottom-line took a couple of minutes off last year's time which makes me think sub 3 at St George is realistic again this year even with conditions that are likely to be a bit less favorable.
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