This half marathon was run on the foothills above Orem on trails that I train on very regularly. All of which are extremely fun, usually. It had rained all night Friday and Saturday morning right up until the race started at 8am. I was sponsored into this race by Get Fit in Highland. Since I did a 10 mile training run on these trails several weeks ago, I figured I would be able to do a sub 2 on this course. I lined up at the front of the pack, due to not enjoying running behind people on dirt, I like to have as much a view as possible so I have more warning due to road hazards, rocks etc. As the race started up a gravel road leaving Timp park in provo canyon I kept up a good 8:00 pace up the first mile. I was closely followed by a group of four young runners from the Orem High track team, the eventual winner Kevin Tuck and Chris. Kevin made some comments about how he could use some of my energy, which I soon found out he certainly didn't need. The High school kids and Chris were bandit running the course. After several miles of antics from the young runners, such as running through every puddle they could find, running on top of the large water pipe, and blocking the entire road, I surged past them and stayed there for several miles. The course had been changed the night before to go through a nice valley above Canyon glen on a trail I didn't know was there, which was a cool trail to run up on. About half way up the trail Kevin asked to go by me and he just took off like I was standing still and I never saw him again. I guess he found his energy.
The fire road/Bonneville shoreline trail, was a good 4-6 inches of mud and made for some slow, unsteady running, which contributed to a lot of people taking some good spills. I carried my camelpak, with me, love having constant water, and haven't gotten used to a hand held yet, even though it is an extra five pounds or so. Chris went past me going down the staircase to the first aid station located at the gun range. I stopped to try to take rocks out of my shoes, but then 3 seconds later realized how futile this was going to be, and then realized I should probably get some gaitors. Continued along to Dry Canyon where I did my slowest miles, ended up walking up the staircase, as well as some other steep hills which I would normally power up, but didn't want to burn up my calfs. The high schoolers caught me at the top end of dry canyon just before the 2nd aid station. The snow began here as well as being in the fog/clouds. The trail didn't have snow on it, just more mud. From the 2nd aid station the course caught trail 51, switched to trail 33 until the rock pile then went back onto 51 back to the fire road. The trail markings had been removed around the rock pile which caused some confusion with a lot of people. The race did another mile on the road, which was in even worse conditions than the 1st time down that stretch. I finished in a great time, considering the muddy conditions, and wonder if I would have been able to keep up with Kevin better, or if his lead would have just been that much greater. Not sure who was more hindered. I'm guess me due to size/weight. It was a fantastic race and course even with the mud and has put a big itch into doing sapper joe 30k next weekend.
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