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"The Other Half" - Run


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Moab, Utah
United States
35F / 2C
Overcast
Total Time = 1h 21m 13s
Overall Rank = 7/1500
Age Group = 40-49
Age Group Rank = 1/
Pre-race routine:

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WARNING! This race report is totally self-indulgent and long... Don't read it!

In life we all have demons to face. For some lame reason I decided to face one in Moab. Earlier this year Lilia and I came here to run The Canyonlands Half Marathon. We both had personal bests (1:22:23 for Dime and 1:32:09 for Lilia)...
Emotionally, I felt like I made a huge mistake… I was so sad. Everything was different. On the drive in to Moab, as the rain fell in buckets, I questioned everything about my life. What the hell was I thinking? The weather was sucky, I was alone, and I did not feel at all inspired to race. Damn! Back in March I was completely happy – not only in my relationship with Lilia–but in life. How quickly these things can change…

I got to the expo a little late and had to choose between either a man's XXL or a women's XL. I chose the women's (so much for the nice tech shirt). Now a tad surly, I snaked my way into the pasta dinner (I did not pre-pay). I'm glad it was “free”, because it was nasty!

I felt like a grumpy old man and that I should just drive back to Denver. I can’t figure out why I’m doing this race and I can’t enjoy my own company.
I settle into my hotel room and I quickly get through most of my sixer of Busch Beer.

As for the race, who knows? I noticed that the top 3 finishers from last year are entered. To beat last year’s 3rd place guy, I'd have to PB by over a minute - unlikely.

Lying in bed, just a little drunk, I spill my sixth beer all over me! I guess having two beds for one clumsy drunk is a good idea. I strip, change undies, switch beds and cannot find a damn thing worth watching on the TV.
I’m asleep by 10.

I wake up at 3:30. I had called the front desk for a 4:15 wake-up, but I felt restless so I decide to make the complimentary coffee and take my traditional pre-race shower...

After my shower, I step outside my room to check the weather and I lock myself out... When I get to the front desk to ask for assistance in nothing but my devil print boxer's, the front desk lady looked a little bit more than surprised! So anyway, it is cold and windy out with showers predicted. Perfect!

The bus ride to the start was uneventful, but the cold, wind and rain had me pretty nervous. They had multiple fire pits at the staging area to keep the people warm. The rain stopped, but it was cold and wind remained. Bernie Boettcher and Erik Packard, the two who have finished 1st and 2nd in each of the past 3 years were changing into race gear… Dime decided dress as they did. Smart move.

Oh, and I forgot to eat anything. My coffee and Gatorade was going to have to work. So it goes.

Event warmup:

I went pee a lot. I chose the woods over the long potty lines. Did a few strides on the Dewey Bridge above the Colorado River and even did a few anxiety stretches.
Run
  • 1h 21m 13s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 06m 12s  min/mile
Comments:

I started out at the front of the pack with Bernie Boettcher and Erik Packard and the eventual winner and new course record holder Ewen North from Boulder and two fast looking guys from Wasatch Running . I fell in behind this front group and through the first mile and a half stayed with them fairly comfortably. They were chit-chatting at a sub-6 minute pace and I decided to back off just a bit. I noticed that Erik Packard (2nd place last year) was running along side of me… and he said, “Well, it looks like I won’t be winning this thing this year.” About then I notice this guy, Ewen North, take off dropping Bernie Beottcher… WOW!
The head winds were pretty fierce for the first 3 or 4 miles… Pretty much the finishing places have all been determined at this point save for the battle between me and Erik. I’m running pretty comfortable but I’m battling a bad side stitch. I’m hoping to manage the pain and to maintain my pace. I decide to back off just a little bit more… At about mile 5 or so, I hear the breathing of Erik getting louder and more erratic… I slightly pick up the pace because I knew that mile 7 through 8 had a big uphill and I would lose some time there. Also, if I was going to drop Erik, the hill would be where I would do it. As I get to the steepest part of the hill, the 6th place guy is taking a dump on the shoulder of the road! I had been gaining on him for a while now and thought about reeling him in. YUK! He had success… stinky poo…
By mile 10, Erik was toast and I continued to try and catch Mr. Stinky. I never did. Even with my surge on mile 13 (ran it in 5:49) I could not catch him. He ended up beating me by 20 seconds or so. Luckily, he was only 34 and not in my age group!

What would you do differently?:

I don't know, I ran a great race... My first mile was 5:52, my 9th mile was 5:59 and my 13th mile was 5:49. This was a personal best at the distance, so I don't think should complain here.
Post race
Warm down:

5 or 6 beers, changed clothes, hung out and talked to Bernie and some other racers... Enjoyed the warming sun as it came up.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Well, who knows? could I have run faster? Maybe. I probably drank a few too many beers the night before, I did not eat anything and emotionally, I was totally spent.

Still, I ran an amazing race, so again, who knows?

Event comments:

This was a great race for me. I was a mess but doing well here and having a new experience probably is a good thing. I didn't hang out after the race. I Had some pasta at Pasta Jay's and then drove back to Denver. I don't know if coming here was a good thing or not, but I do know that I had a great race and I got through the emotional garbage pretty much unscathed.

Plus I won this nifty trophy!

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Last updated: 2007-10-15 12:00 AM
Running
01:21:13 | 13.1 miles | 06m 12s  min/mile
Age Group: 1/
Overall: 7/1500
Performance: Good
Mile 1: 5:52 Avg HR 151 Max HR 178 Mile 2: 6:05 Avg HR 159 Max HR 188 Mile 3: 6:06 Avg HR 159 Max HR 161 Mile 4: 6:15 Avg HR 159 Max HR 161 Mile 5: 6:20 Avg HR 159 Max HR 163 Mile 6: 6:17 Avg HR 158 Max HR 161 Mile 7: 6:14 Avg HR 159 Max HR 167 Mile 8: 6:55 AVG HR 161 Max HR 165 Mile 9: 5:59 Avg HR 157 Max HR 168 Mile 10 6:21 Avg HR 158 Max HR 168 Mile 11 6:06 Avg HR 157 Max HR 167 Mile 12 6:15 Avg HR 158 Max HR 171 Mile 13 5:49 Avg HR 162 Max HR 195 (might be a spike) Last tenth of a mile: :33 Avg HR 163 Max HR 164
Course: Rolling hills with a large hill at mile 8 and a smaller hill at mile 12. This was an honest course with about 440 feet of ascent.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2007-10-22 12:34 PM

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Expert
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500100
Conifer, Colorado
Subject: "The Other Half"


2007-10-22 3:28 PM
in reply to: #1018725

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Expert
683
500100252525
Denver
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"

Great job with the race! Looks like running as your outlet served you well.

2007-10-22 3:40 PM
in reply to: #1018725

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Buttercup
14334
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Subject: RE: "The Other Half"
Now that is a great race report. Congrats on the podium and thanks for baring some soul.
2007-10-22 4:48 PM
in reply to: #1019111

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Master
2249
200010010025
Colorado
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"
That is a kick-a$$ trophy.  Great race!  Glad things were a bit happier at the end of the weekend for you.  The Dime is becoming legendary....

Edited by regimom 2007-10-22 4:49 PM
2007-10-22 5:06 PM
in reply to: #1018725

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Colorado Springs
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"

Brilliant job mate!  Wish I could've been there with ya.  Next time tho'

2007-10-22 9:21 PM
in reply to: #1018725

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Regular
82
252525
Madison, CT
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"
You drove all that way and ran that hard for that trophy?  JK  You did awesome!  You ran a great race.  Did the guy that stopped to take a dump really still beat you though?  That is hard to believe.


2007-10-23 1:16 AM
in reply to: #1019674

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Master
1924
1000500100100100100
Denver
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"
You were meant to be there DD! You showed your true strength, going out there alone, and then kicking AZZZ from Moab to infinity and beyond ! Don't doubt yourself for a second.

Edited by Z-dog 2007-10-23 1:16 AM
2007-10-23 4:09 PM
in reply to: #1018725

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Expert
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Subject: RE: "The Other Half"
Fantastic race Dime!!!!  Facing demons seems to help your running.  Nice work all around, bud.
2007-10-24 9:36 AM
in reply to: #1018725

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Elite
2515
2000500
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"

Awesome race, Dime! Interesting how fast one can race when tackling demons. Congrats on your PR, AG win and Top 10. Pretty freakin' amazing all around!

Cheers!

Tom

2007-10-24 2:12 PM
in reply to: #1018725

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Official BT Coach
2210
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Englewood, CO
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"
Great report!  You are fast for an old guy!
2007-10-24 2:44 PM
in reply to: #1018725

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Master
2479
2000100100100100252525
Atlanta, Georgia
Gold member
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"
You are just plain fast. And a terrific author as well.

c


2007-10-25 4:23 PM
in reply to: #1018725

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Pro
4277
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Parker, CO
Subject: RE: "The Other Half"
I didn't know that Moab had a fall 1/2.  Anyway, fast race!  And to think you're in the >40 AG and got drunk the night before.  Congrats on winning your AG!
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