RACE RECAP: The Haunted Half: Provo
I am not going to lie, it’s hard to believe that my last half marathon was over a month ago. Six weeks ago if we’re being exact. My last half marathon was the Revel Big Cottonwood Half Marathon — which feels like a long, long, long (GASP) long, long time ago.
Sure, I did the Ragnar Sunset Relay earlier this month, but that was only 6.5 miles (psst … only). That was brutal. And, part of the reason why I didn’t have a race until now. I awkwardly rolled my ankle — the one that’s hated me since last April — on a rock during the race. It was nothing major, but it’s been sore for the past couple of weeks so I’ve kept my mileage low as a precaution.
You know “playing it safe” — or whatever the kids call it these days.
So, I decided to defer last weekend’s The Haunted Half in Salt Lake and just focus on this race. Which I did not really race — I swept it. I probably would have deferred this race as well, but pacing the 3:15 final pacer spot was something I felt comfortable with even on a slightly questionable ankle. Plus, I wanted to earn my Trilogy Medal from Runtastic Events — which I got for finishing this race.
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Since this is a Halloween race I also decided to dress up. In the past I’ve dressed up as a banana, sweeper and even myself (meaning I was too lazy to come up with anything creative), but this year I wanted to put some more effort into my costume. And, luckily inspiration struck me months ago and not the night before the race.
I found a foot costume on Amazon and knew right away that I wanted to go as my foot. Since this was the foot that has given grief the past 18 months. Whether it was the chronic sprained ankle, rotating toenails or my BIG black toenail that I finally lost last month — it needed to be memorialized … in a costume form.
After I ordered the costume I decided to color some of the toenails black, then I added some “blood” on some of them along with a paper stock toenail I colored black and duct taped to the big toenail so it was just hanging there. Once I climbed into the costume I wrapped myself in an ace bandage for ankle support.
It was horrific perfection.
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I entered the costume contest before the race and ended up winning the men’s costume contest! (Shout out to Heather who won the women’s contest with her Rainbow Brite costume!) There were a lot of awesome costumes, but I guess I gained the edge because all the runners could relate to my foot — and it helped rile up the crowd when I ripped off my toenail and threw it into the crowd.
I felt like somewhat of a celebrity when I had a few strangers come up and get with me. Not only that, but I caught a few taking selfies aiming for me in the background. That made me laugh. It was a fun environment — the starting line of every Haunted Half is fun — and this year’s race was no exception.
At 8:30am the clock started and the mass of runners made their way under the inflatable orange pumpkin arch — probably my favorite starting arch for any of the local races. Since I was sweeping with Cevan Skinner we stayed back until the majority of the runners crossed before us. Before we knew it, we were off as well.
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I love running in Provo Canyon, especially along the South Fork Road toward Vivian Park before we turn onto the River Trail. It’s one reason why I love running the Provo City Half along with this race — it’s just pretty in spring or fall. Plus, you get some great views of Mt. Timp along the descent.
I’ve been sweeping at least one of The Haunted Half races since 2014 and I love doing so because I always help myself to the discarded gloves and whatever else the faster runners leave behind. I’ve scored some pretty decent jackets and coats along with numberless amount of gloves. I like to joke that it’s like Trick-or-Treating for runners.
This year was no different.
I picked up a nice fluffy jacket at mile three, a tutu that I added to my costume at mile four and grabbed over 50 pairs of running gloves (52 actually — I counted this year). I use the gloves throughout the year at other races where I’ll discard them guilt free (because I have another 50 billion back at home). So, if you ever need more gloves just come sweep one of The Haunted Half races — you’ll get hooked up.
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Since I was sweeping alongside Cevan I knew it was going to be a guaranteed fun time — which it was. Not only constant laughing between us two, but a few of the runners that we were pacing along the course. We were keeping around a 3:15-3:30 pace for most of the race, which we knew might slow down some depending on what runners we found in the last couple of miles.
Around Mile 11-12 Cevan ran ahead of me to stay on pace while I stayed behind and ran with a runner that was having sciatic nerve issues. I staid with her until the last 0.1 when her sister and friend (who ran ahead with Cevan) came back to run in with her. I finished somewhere around 3:40ish — not bad considering the last couple of miles were a nice slow jaunt. But, sweeping isn’t always about time.
Once I finished I got my race medal from Lizz before heading over to the info booth to grab my Trilogy Medal — AND — my first place medal for winning the costume contest. I then plopped myself down to unload my race gloves that I stored in the big toe of my costume, got myself a chiropractic adjustment and downed a couple of waters.
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But, I absolutely had a blast — from the costume contest, to mingling with friends, meeting new friends and pacing with Cevan. My race season pretty much has ended. I have a couple of 5Ks, a Thanksgiving 10K and the Bakers Dozen Half Marathon left on the schedule. But, most of my training won’t be focused on speed and will be more cross training based before I jump start the mileage training again in January.
I am looking forward to the needed rest for my ankle, because I have a couple ambitious goals for 2019. Not only do I want to get faster, but I want to get another marathon and 50 miler under my built next year so I can refocus my 100 miler efforts for 2020. But, this is all a post for another day.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL Y’ALL!
The Haunted Half: Provo Race Times
2014 – Swept (65)
2015 – Swept (91)
2016 – Swept (107)
2017 – 3:14:53 (135)
2018 – Swept (153)
Holiday Hero 5K; November 3
Spectrum Turkey Trot 5K; November 10
South Davis Turkey 10K; November 22
The Bakers Dozen Half Marathon; December 1
New Year’s Revolution Run; January 1
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RACE RECAP: The Haunted Half: Provo was originally published on PhatJosh | My Life Running.