Drove back from California Thursday morning and turned around and drove back to St. George Friday afternoon. Let me tell you if you have not done this race I highly recommend it! I loved it! Not only was it great competition but no buses, no drop off bags start and finish at the same place and the course was awesome!
Course- up and down. You were rewarded for every climb and it had a good climb at mile 6 but had a great drop at mile 7. Finish chute was pretty short which I think is a plus unlike TOU half which feels forever away.
Warmed up 2 miles with Amy Cook and did some strides.
Ran the first 6.5 miles with Kassi Harmon...well she waited for me until then....she is so nice.=) Not only did she do that but she knew I was going to get gatoraid and kindly moved out of the way so I could grab one. After she got so far ahead I never got any further behind and every effort I made to catch her she matched...unknowingly of course being ahead at that point...so I never caught up to her again. I took 2nd with 1:19:22 which put me 27 seconds behind. I feel good about this time due to the fact I had to taper so early with being sick and trying not to make running a priority while visiting family. I feel bad that I couldn't have been better competition for Kassi but hopefully next time I will. I love running with her in races.=)
Conclusion: Highly recommend this one if you have not done it yet and when you hear St. George complain about weather just know everyone from up north-minus Kassi wore short and tanks-thats how warm it is down there.
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