The saint george half marathon course started and finished at the Dixie Convention Center. We headed northeast along East Riverside Drive and ran past the Red Cliffs Mall and Fossil Ridge Intermediate School. The veiws were awesome of the red bluffs overlooking the northern part of the city as well as the edge of the Mojave Desert to the south and Zion National Park off in the distance, as well as the peaks of the nearby Pine Valley Mountains. The second half of the race keeps runners close to the river, up and back along neighborhood streets before heading back to the convention center. I loved the paved trails that winded through the river valley near the end of the race.
But most of all it was nice to be out of the salt lake inversion!
I was a little nervous about this race. I really wanted to improve my time from last year. I wasn't sure if it would happen with my training though. The week before I had a 12 mile long run. On Monday 800 repeats. On Wednesday I ran 4 miles at 7minute mile pace, needless to say my legs were not fresh. I took an ice bath the night before the race, hoping it would help me recover for the race. I think it helped even though all my nurse friends thought I was crazy.
What to wear was a big concern. The race started at 9am, so i was hoping it would warm up. However, it was still cold. Finally decided on a longleeeve shirt, wool socks, shorts, gloves, and an ear warmer. I ended up striping down to my tshirt and shorts by the end of the race. I love 9 am starts. So nice to sleep a little longer. I woke up at 6 am to eat a banana and some toast, and to hydrate.
I found my good friend Kim at the start of the race and found Emily who I was hoping to keep up with. The gun went off and all the adrenaline kicked in, I tried to hold myself back, I tend to start out my half marathons too fast. My Coach wanted me to start slow at a 7 minute mile and progressively pick up the pace. This year I believe I ran a smarter race even though time was about the same as last year. I felt better after the race, and went for a ride afterwards. Don't get me wrong I was definately tired. Made it through the race without any GI issues, but after the race-my stomach went crazy!
2013 time 1:27:34 (6:40 average)
Mile Splits
1-6:37 2-6:50 3-6:49 4-6:46 5-6:52 6-6:54 7-6:49
8-6:26 9-6:28 10-6:34 11-6:39 12-6:29 13-6:36
My last 6 miles were all under a 6:40!
2012 time 1:27:46 (6:45 average)
Mile splits
1-6:31 2-6:40 3-6:33 4-6:31 5-6:46 6-7:02 7-6:54
8-6:24 9-6:50 10-6:53 11-7:00 12-6:58 13-6:41
There is my freind Emily in pink, probably the main reason I had a good race!
Most running pictures I really do not like, but this running picture didn't turn out too bad, especially considering it is the end of the race. I always feel like I am smiling when I see the photographers, but somehow it just doesn't show. I decided it is okay, inside I am smiling...
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