Race recap: 2019 Swiss Days 10K
Another race in the books! This year I chose a race I haven’t done before, the Swiss Days 10K in Midway, Utah. It’s a smaller race (256 total participants) with participant ribbons instead of medals. On the plus side, it takes place later in the summer, so I was able to push training out until after our family trip to Mexico, and it is close to Hawkes Landing, so we were able to make a cabin weekend out of the event.
I was a little worried about the terrain. The race starts out with an uphill stretch of more than two miles—not my favorite—and Midway is at an elevation of 5,584 feet, which doesn’t make running any easier. Of course, being the serious (not) runner that I am, I didn’t switch up my training at all to compensate for these challenges. I just adjusted my goal for the race to be anything under 12 minute miles and to not collapse in the fetal position somewhere along the route.
Thursday evening, Larry and I headed up to Hawkes Landing and got settled in, so I could have my traditional rest day before the race. I worked on a jigsaw puzzle,
played Yahtzee with Larry,
sat out on the deck admiring the view,
and generally laid back with my feet up. There was no packet pick up the night before, so we never even left Hawkes Landing.
I did, of course, have my pre-race meal of spaghetti and Swedish fish. I’m pretty sure those sweet little fish have magic powers.
Then it was 9:30 lights out. I didn’t sleep much. I never do the night before a race. I wasn’t feeling nervous, but there was lots of adrenaline. Anyway, I’ve learned to make sure I get a good night’s sleep two nights before race day in anticipation of a lack of sleep the night before. In any case, I was already awake when the alarm went off at 5:05 a.m. and was happy to get up and get going. I had my usual greek yogurt, banana, and coffee as a pre-race meal.
There was no need for a bus for this race. Larry drove us straight to the starting point. We were lucky to find a close parking spot and arrived in plenty of time to pick up my racing bib (#2) and use the porta-potty. There wasn’t even a line—another benefit of a smaller race.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as far as organization goes with a small community race like this, but the whistle blew at 7.am. sharp, and we were off.
The first mile was only a slight incline, and with the adrenaline rush, I ran at a 10’46” pace. Then the dreaded two miles straight uphill got me and I walked a good portion (12’56” and 12’20”). From there, it was gentle downhill with some short stretches of level or slight uphill. I settled in right around 11’30”. Because I had walked so much during the first couple of miles, and I was feeling good on the downhill portion, I didn’t take my usual walk breaks every mile.
Overall, I felt good. No muscle cramps, no side aches, and no mental fatigue like I have sometimes experienced. The weather was perfect. We started at about 53 degrees Fahrenheit and finished up in the low 60s. It was sunny and dry with a slight breeze. The scenery was beautiful, and the finish line came up almost before I knew it.
As far as results, my goal was to run under 12-minute miles. Mission accomplished. My average pace was 11’26”. I was in the top half of finishers for my age group—barely (6 of 12). This race gives awards for the top five finishers in each age group, so once again, I was one place out of the awards.
Still I am pleased with my time and the joyful experience I had on race day. Time to start planning for next year!
Your turn
- What did you do this weekend?
- Are you working on a fitness goal?
- Do you have recommendations for next year’s 10K?
- What’s on your mind?
Yay, you did it!! I like your day of resting before the run at your cabin! Good place to do a puzzle too!
I enjoy the pre-race ritual almost as much as the race day, Dee. I finished that puzzle during our stay at the cabin. Lots of fun!
Visiting again to say thanks so much for linking up and co-hosting at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 41.
well done Christie! Lovely photos too. Re working on a fitness goal, the answer is yes. My husband and I each want to lose 4 kg; it started today! I said no to lemon cheesecake ..
Wow–no to lemon cheesecake! That’s serious. Good luck on your fitness goals.
Great job, Christie! I think it was the Swedish fish that was the biggest help…one of our family favorites. No running for me over the weekend, just my usual walking workouts. And, I took my 4 yr old granddaughter to the Farmer’s Market and playground on Saturday morning, our first ‘date’. We had a great time!
I love those little fish. We don’t buy them often, because I know they’re not good for me, but once in awhile for a treat. Your weekend with your granddaughter sounds perfect.
Great job. So very nice. I am just trying to get better shape by walking. MLSTL
Thank you Patrick. Walking is a great way to improve fitness. Good luck with your goals.
Congratulations, Christie. This is an awesome accomplishment!
I agree – the fish must have helped – how could they not have? 🙂
Thank you Donna! It felt good.
Congratulations! I’m adding some distance & hills to my daily walks as hubby & I are looking to do a hiking holiday in the UK next year. #MLSTL
Thanks Jo. A hiking holiday sounds lovely. I’m looking forward to lots of pics!
Christie you runners always amaze me – the idea of actually enjoying running just does my head in! I’ll stick to walking and live vicariously through your pictures (and Sue’s!) Good on you for doing so well and I’m glad it was good weather and an enjoyable event.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
For pure enjoyment, Leanne, I actually do enjoy walking the most. I like the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a run. And of course the medals and running shirts are fun. 🙂
Congratulations and well done, Christie! Isn’t it a great feeling when you come over the finish line, tired but pumped because you have finished! I love the sense of accomplishment and also my finisher’s medal 🙂 What is your next goal? thanks for sharing your running experience with us at #MLSTL and have a lovely week. xx
Thank you Sue. It really is a great feeling. My next fitness goal will be the Orangetheory Fitness Transformation Challenge, which begins at the end of this month. October (my birthday month) is typically a slide into less healthy eating habits through the holidays. I am hoping this challenge will keep me on track (or closer to it) going into the holidays. I hope you are having a lovely trip. Thanks for keeping #MLSTL going in your absence.
Congratulations Christie! Great job! Glad the weather was nice! Its almost a 100 here in TX and I am having a hard time even walking to the car in this heat! Thanks for co-hosting and linking up with us at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 41
Thank you Sylvia. It’s been warm here too, but luckily at the higher elevation of the race, and that early in the morning, it was a comfortable running temp. I’m ready for fall temperatures.
Christie, I am very impressed with your 10k run! When I stopped playing soccer in my mid-fifties because of bad knees, I also stopped running. I do lots of walking and hiking, though, and some cycling and swimming. In the winter, I ski, skate, and cross-country ski. (I’m not really supposed to ski, but I do anyways because I love it so much.)
Jude
Thank you Jude. I’ve been babying my knees hoping I can keep running for a long time to come–so far no real problems. It sounds like you enjoy a nice variety of physical activities–fun and good for you!
Congratulations. It makes you feel good just to accomplish your goal. I plan on doing my bike race again next year and my goal is to not be last. lol
Thank you Victoria. It does feel good to accomplish a goal. Good luck on your bike race next year. Your last sentence made me laugh, because I said those exact words to my husband, “I just hope I’m not last!” I like the saying, “Finished last is better than did not finish, and did not finish is better than did not start.” 🙂
Look at your toned runner’s legs!! Wow! They look terrific. So proud of you to have completed this race. Need to remember that little hint about Swedish fish! Who knew? Wish you could come over and help me with my jigsaw puzzle that PC is ignoring. I think they are such fun to work and he would rather play some dragon killing game on his phone. Boo!! Proud of you, girl!
Thank you Leslie. I’d love to help you with your jigsaw puzzle, if you’d help me with my Halloween one from last year, which I still haven’t completed!
Great job, Christie! That IS perfect running weather! And I remember that adrenaline rush at the beginning of organized runs. It really does boost your normal time some. Yay!
Thanks Gale. It was a lovely day.