I decided to run in the Salt Lake 5k even though I'd missed my last couple training runs. I warmed up for about a mile, then went looking for the POPs, couldn't find them (#!@#!), so ran off 3-4 blocks to find a place and then ran back (add another 1/2 mile warmup!). By then the starting chute was way crowded (this was a big 5K). Normally I don't start way up front because I'm not that fast and don't want to hinder faster runners, but I don't like starting at the very back either! I found some gaps between people and eased my way up a bit anyway. It still took about 3 1/2 minutes to get to the starting line once the gun went off! First 1/2 mile I had to do a lot of weaving to get past people, and was probably running a titch harder than was smart. Finally got past the worst of the crowd and didn't have to zig zag as much. I was in a good 2-1 breathing pattern and tried to hold on. The course started fairly flat, then had a 3-4 block down hill section towards the turn around. Then had to go back uphill for 3-4 long blocks, before a fairly flat last mile to the finish. It seemed to take forever to get to the finish line; I don't think I slowed down any, but didn't have much kick left in me either. I was pretty dismayed at this point because my watch showed me going a good 1-2 minutes slower than I thought I would be going. Finished in 30:17, which is a lot slower than I had expected. I saw a friend who finished around 22 minutes, and he was dismayed by his time as well because he felt he was running really well. Someone with a Garmin told us the course was long - that their Garmin measured 3.23 miles. So, anyway who knows. Then I walked down a few blocks and watched some of the 1/2 marathoners coming in. Then I saw the first place marathoner come in with a police escort, and . . . it ended up being someone named Fritz from the FRB!!!!! I went home still feeling somewhat demoralized over my time and then ran a ways up City Creek canyon to get a few more miles in. It was an absolutely gorgeous day for running! And I discovered that the water fountains have been turned on up in City Creek Canyon - YEA!! Just checked the internet, and found the results posted for the 5K (3.23 miles?). By chip time I was 3rd in my age division out of 63 other people. I missed 2nd place by only 1 second! The 2nd place lady started 8 seconds back from the starting line, whereas I started over 3 minutes back - ow!!! The 1st place finisher in our division waxed us both by a good 3 minutes! (I still wish I had a faster chip time, but am happy I placed because I usually finish about a 1/3 of the way back in my age group.) Anyway, I hope everyone has had a good Saturday, with good running weather. And good luck all you Boston bound folks!!
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