LAYTON CLASSIC 10K
My only goal for this race was to win. I wasn't worried about time this morning and I was still undecided on if I was going to race Alta Downhill Dash tonight or just jog it, so I just wanted a "comfortable" win. At the start it was pretty clear that Ben, Dave, James, and I were going to be the front runners this morning. The race started and I just went out nice and relaxed. I ran with Ben for the first mile and we split a 5:08. The course really climbs a lot in miles two and three. I just tried to keep the pace/effort at MP and ran these miles in 5:21 and 5:33. At the halfway point the course starts to drop and you have some fast downhill miles. My lead was pretty good so I didn't push these miles too much. Miles four and five were 5:06 and 4:57. Right after mile five my watch lost satellite reception (a bad habit my watch is forming - losing reception with a mile to go. The same thing happened at TOU Half with a mile to go...weird). So I only have the split for the last 1.21 which was 5:51, which is 4:50 pace (which seems about right - I had 5k runners to pass and I think I ran the last mile the fastest). Final time of 31:54.
After I cooled down two miles and then immediately jetted out of there to get ready to head to West Jordan for a baptism. After the baptism I ate a lot of food. I did this on purpose to help make the decision not to race Alta easier. I really don't want a setback in my marathon training next week due to sore legs. So, I decided to just take Alta extremely easy. So I wore trainers and I ran with my brother Jared and his girlfriend Delia. It was enjoyable to run a bit easier and to take in the views of that beautiful canyon. I am sad that race is ending, it's the best value you can get. You get a great meal afterward and the prizes, even age group prizes are fantastic. I won first in my age group with a 35-minute downhill 8k...haha. I guess it helps when you're the only person in the race in your age group! All in all a great day.
Standard Examiner article on the Classic Race http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/09/07/runners-hit-classic-heart-health
And a few photos from the Standard:
 
And this last one was taken by Andrea and posted online by Jake. Thanks guys:
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