Fly on the Wall

Wahsatch Steeplechase- No. Dude Peak Derby- Yes.

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Location:

Salt Lake City,UT,

Member Since:

Nov 14, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

50k:  4:59 at Buffalo Run in 2010  (32 miles)

Marathon:  3:01 at St. George in 2009!

Half:  1:29 at Painter's/ St. George in 2009.  1:27 at Salt Lake in 2009 (aided course)

10k: 40:53 Greek Festival 10k at Sugar House park in 2010.

5miles: 32:10 Dam 2 Dam in 2009.  Master's winner.

5k: 20:00:00  19:54 in May 2010.

2008:  Ran the Slam + Boston

I need to update this!

Short-Term Running Goals:

Carpe Diem.

Don't trip over my own feet.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep running.

Personal:

1 wife

1 girl child

1 boy child

1 big dog

1 little dog

I'm a geologist for my day job.

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Race: Wahsatch Steeplechase- No. Dude Peak Derby- Yes. (14 Miles) 02:25:17, Place overall: 34, Place in age division: 4
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
1.0014.000.000.0015.00

If I had to choose, I’d probably choose the Wahsatch Steeplechase as my favorite race.  Boston has the cheering crowds.  St. George is fast and friendly.  But the Wahsatch Steeplechase is fun, fun, fun.  I wish I could talk some of you into running it.  This race is not just for faster runners.  There are plenty of 4, 5, 6, and even 7 hour finishers (the cut off is 6 hours).  Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?”  “Class? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?…” 

 

There was still too much snow to run the course, so for the second time in some 30 years an alternate was used.  Not to fear, the alternate, while not as adventuresome as the original, was still great with 14 miles and 7,200 feet (elevation gain + loss) of beautiful views and fun trails.  We ran an out and back/loop from Memory Grove up to Dude Peak on the northwest side of City Creek Canyon.  The final mile or so to and from Dude Peak is plagued with loose marble to softball sized rocks, making for some careful, attentive running.  Luckily I only rolled each ankle once, on the way up, and not very badly.  The course included a steep decent back into City Creek Canyon with a drop of >1,100 feet in about a mile. 

 

Last year a friend beat me by less than a minute, the year before I beat him by 7 minutes.  This year could have been a rematch but he ran with his 11 year old son!  This coupled with the alternate course took the pressure off.  This means less recovery time before I can get back to training for St. George.

 

While my finish time was not spectacular, my finish sort of was.  With about a mile to go I was having a conversation with someone who was passing me.  We decided it was too late in the race to be at conversation pace, so he picked up the pace and I tried to follow.  We started picking off runners, while he eventually left me behind.  As I neared the finish I had one more guy in my sights and I figured I could just pass him at the line by maintaining my pace.  A few yards before the line I was just off his right shoulder when he finally saw me coming.  The guy took a flying leap and beat me.  In doing so he tumbled down a grassy incline after the finish with me close in tow.  We crashed, skidded, and rolled. 

 

Slowest mile:  mile 7 @ 16:09 (included a quick pit stop)

Fastest mile:  mile 14 @<6:34 (last mile, I forgot to stop my Garmin)

 

2:25:17.  34th of  249.

 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92178674

Comments
From Andy on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 20:39:13 from 174.52.172.236

Awesome race. We need to see video of the spectacular finish. I would consider it if I weren't such a lousy trail runner.

From DaleG on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 20:55:21 from 152.216.7.5

I'm a lousy runner, period, but I will do it next year. Just remind me early next year. Sounds like a blast.

From fly on the Wall on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 09:50:33 from 204.113.19.47

I wish there was video of my finish line crash.

Excellent Dale!!

From Kathie on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 10:15:36 from 174.23.128.205

"Luckily I only rolled each ankle once, on the way up, and not very badly."

I think descriptions like this is the reason you can't get anyone else to run it! And this is not even your fantastic finish!

From fly on the Wall on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 10:21:28 from 204.113.19.47

Dale, You are not a lousy runner. I don't think there is such thing as a lousy runner.

Kathy, My ankles are like over-cooked noodles and should not scare anyone away from this race.

From Teena Marie on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 10:35:05 from 67.2.101.26

Did you two laugh and hug after the fall? For whatever reason I have this Sound of Musicesque type footage playing in my mind!!! :)

Awesome job, Fly. You ALMOST have me convinced to give it a roll! :)

From fly on the Wall on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 11:49:26 from 204.113.19.47

more like handshakes and hi-fives.

From Smooth on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 01:30:51 from 67.2.124.123

WOW!!! What a BIFFY finish! Crashed, skidded and rolled!!! You are NUTS, in a good way of course!!! I'd have to wear one of those inflated sumo wrestler suit!!!

Seriously you are KING of vertical trails! AWESOMELY FUN race (err derby!) :) :) :)

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