Sapper Joe 30K Trail Race
The Sapper Joe is a 30K trail race in the Quirrh Mountains of Utah. The course is completely contained to Camp Williams, which is an army reserve base. I asked someone why it was called Sapper Joe and I don’t think they really knew, I remember some vague reference to something I can’t even remember now.
30K is 18.6 miles for those you (like myself) who don’t measure distances in kilometers. According to my Garmin (GPS watch) I actually ran just under 20 miles so…that’s unfortunate that I didn’t pick the shortest path but, oh well.
I almost didn’t run the race due to an injury that I was worried about, but I decided to go forward with it the day before the race. And it turned out fine.
The highlight of the race was the end. I had been chasing two guys (that happened to be brothers) up until the last water station where I quickly downed a energy gel, two slices of watermelon and a cup of water and was off. I had 4 miles to the end and I was now about 200 meters in front of the brothers and remained that way until about a mile and half before the finish. I could hear one them right behind me, it sounded like about ten feet behind me, I didn’t dare look back. I just kept up my pace, “slow and steady” is what I kept telling myself. He never passed me and before long I could hear him dropping back. About a half mile from the finish I looked back and he was again about 200 meters or more back. But out of nowhere there was this guy in a teal shirt that was closing fast.
Again I told myself to hold steady and if he was coming up that fast he must be really tired. So I kept my pace and then picked it up with about 200 meters to go. I was poised to match his acceration should he make one and I slowly dialed up my speed as I covered the final meters to the finish line, which, after crossing it, I promptly collapsed onto all fours and panted and then flipped over on my back and laid there trying to regain my breath. My competition never caught me and soon after came by and slapped hands with me remarking that it was good to finish strong. I agreed and later wondered if he had given me the race because he was much less winded than I was. But I don’t think he did, I don’t know why he would have.
All in all, it was a really great race and I surprised myself by placing 14th out of 54. :)
And yet all I can think is… “nice gloves”. :) Good job man.
Ha, ha. This girl at packet pick-up told me it was a good idea to wear cycling gloves if you were new to trail running, in the event you trip and fall, which apparently happens a lot to newbies. It didn’t happen to me, but I did’t mind wearing them actually. I’m pretty sure I beat that girl as well. :)