What a coincidence…
By kilax, February 6, 2013 6:25 am
I happen to be in Salt Lake City the same weekend as the 5K/half marathon/full marathon this year! Which race should I do?
Let’s look at the facts:
- Elevation difference between Chicago and Salt Lake City = 3640′. Less oxygen at higher altitudes = less oxygen delivered to exercising muscles. Acclimatization to altitude can take two weeks to several months. Although, I did read that a loss of air resistance can overcome the effect of reduced oxygen in wind-resisted activities like running. Hmm, do you think there is any truth in that?
- The race is Saturday morning and I arrive Thursday night.
- The courses (images from here):
- I’ve bonked all 5 marathons I’ve run.
Epic bonk at Veterans, but Bobbi and I had fun (which is all that matters)!
- Race starts at 7:00 am mountain time – a little more sleep since I am coming from central time? HOWEVER, I will have shared a bed the night before – who knows how much sleep I’ll have gotten!
- As is typical with traveling for races, my eating and drinking may be a bit off.
- The race is near the end of April. I think it was warm (80s?) last year and cool the year before.
- I won’t have any spectators (that I know) on course.
- I have a running base that would allow me to train for any distance at this event.
- I will probably spend the day before the race hiking.
So, what should I do?
Loading ...I am actually quite excited that the weekend I had the opportunity to go to Utah is the same weekend as the race. What a coincidence! I am sure I would have been looking for a race no matter what, but the fact that it is their marathon/half/5K is really fun!
Themocracy
Do the half. long enough to feel accomplished, but won’t kill you!
EPIC BONK! But tons of fun 🙂
I say go big or go home. But that’s how I roll…
You are bad. Very bad 😛
Yup! I know 🙂
The half marathon elevation chart looks very tempting!!!! Would be hard to say no to that. 🙂
It kind of looks like you would just fly down!
It also looks killer on your quads! But still awesome.
hmmm..i haven’t voted yet because I’m still thinking. I WANT you to do the full because I think you definitely CAN! But, I also want you to really enjoy it and your weekend without being stressed over anything!
Ok. I voted.
Marathon.
😀
So far… you are in the minority with your vote! 😛
Hmmm….. I would die if I ran at higher elevation so I would do the half marathon! However if you want the challenge go for the full monty. 🙂
I vote for the half – I think there are a lot of iffy factors on the whole, but the half looks awesome and it’s just a really fun distance. You COULD do the marathon, I’ve no doubt, but I think with other factors you’re more likely to have a great race in the half. Good luck 😀
I vote half. Elevation is no joke – I had a terrible but spectacular time running in Boulder. I also agree that it’s long enough to feel accomplished without causing undo stress.
If you want to really take the time to enjoy the race, I’d say do the half, but if you’re really itching to run the full, then maybe strategies like taking walk breaks would help you.
I voted half, simply because a full at altitude sounds nasty. But I think you could do it if you wanted to… I know I’d be tempted!
Ha ha ha. It is all about the temptation on this one. The half is so much smarter 😉
I’ve learned that 5K’s area actually really fun!! No stress just a fun 3.1 miles-go for the 5K!!
Have I told you lately, that I LOVE you?! (sung, of course)
Half marathon 🙂 don’t let the race (or 26.2) rule the time you have there 🙂
Have you ever been at high altitude? I have … once in my life. I was in the Rocky Mountains with my family. Even just WALKING was hard. And we went about a month after my soccer season ended, so I was in relatively good shape. Granted we were probably over 10,000 ft elevation, so significantly higher than you’ll be, but enough to make me know that it is legit harder to breathe up there. And given the fact that you won’t have spectators (and I’m guessing no one to run with you), I recommend playing it safe and going for the 5K. What other stuff do you have going on during your trip? I also vote 5K because it will take up less time.
I have only skied at altitude, for a few days.
I am basically out there by myself until the evenings each day, so it’s okay if a race takes up more time 😉 And you don’t get a medal for a 5K, lol!
Well then there’s that.
Go the half. Mid April, the air is still pretty thin here and with the cold temps (it’s barely 50 that weekend) and the altitude, the half should be plenty challenging.
Granted, this course is all in the valley and rarely gets far into any of the east bench areas, but if you’ve not run in a higher altitude in some time, it’s got it’s set of challenges.
Will be great to finally meet up with you.
Since you are a local, I will do what you say 🙂 You are going to come spectate on your scooter… right? Special edition of Scooter Sunday?! 😛
So excited to meet up!
Yes, I need to join the sidelines and cheer you on from my scooter… It will make a great episode of Scooter Sunday (since I will be really close to having the first episode of Season 5 done)
YES! That would be super amazing! 🙂
I’d choose half due to altitude and lack of support (spectators/pacer/etc). I don’t know what being at altitude feels like though so I’d be extra worried about that.
Okay, I know you could finish 26.2 miles, but if you bonk do you really want that hanging over you the entire trip? Cause you know it will be a pall over at least part of your day.
Plus, there is the elevation to consider. Granted, I’ve run at 7000 feet which is more than the almost 5000 of SLC, but it was BRUTAL. Skiing was actually easier than running at that elevation!
Yeah, I don’t want to feel crappy Saturday night. I gotta party it up. I told my mom we weren’t even sleeping Saturday night. LOL. I will def do the half 😉 Just wanted to see how crazy everyone else thought I was. Ha!
Go for the half, especially if you are going to be hiking the day before. You’ll enjoy yourself so much more if you don’t go out and try to kill yourself!
We were in Salt Lake City last summer for just a day and we thought it was really nice – wished we would have had more time to explore.
Ooo, what did you do while you were there? Any recs for me? 🙂
I think since you will be doing activities the day before you should just do the half. You can still enjoy your race and feel accomplished, but not be wiped for the rest of your trip!
It was pretty tempting not to go for the last option on the survey.
Ha ha ha ha. I am surprised more people did not select that option.
Do the half! How can you not? I raced twice in CO which is 6,000 ft and one of the races started high up in the Mountains and we ran down to 7000 feet. Yes, I felt like I couldn’t get air and yes i felt like I was exerting more than my pace indicated but it’s doable! And fun! Even if it’s hot the air is dry. And here’s the best part: when you come back to sea level you will be super speedy because your body will acclimate. It’s a must-run IMO. : )
Thanks for your input! I was hoping you would comment since you have been in similar situations 🙂
Half marathon all the way, baby!!! Long enough for it to be meaningful, but not so long that it’ll require a concerted effort to be ready for it (although I know you don’t require nearly as much effort to prepare for a marathon as most people. =) ) 5Ks are fun and all, but they are over in the blink of an eye!!!
I voted for the half – even thought there is elevation loss, altitude can be a bitch. It will probably be beautiful – major bonus there!
What race do you want to run? I’d go with that one. 😉
Did you decide yet? I officially voted for the half! I think it’d be really fun for you and c’mon, if I can run in altitude, you can! 🙂
I am going to sign up for the half 🙂
I voted for the half. The elevation profile looks quite favorable! You might be able to PR, too 🙂 I feel like the 5k is so short, and the full could leave you hobbling for the rest of the trip (maybe?!?), plus, half marathons are just awesome in general. If I could, I would run it!
Wouldn’t it be awesome to PR with that nice downhill? Sigh 🙂
Have you run in higher altitudes? 🙂
When I was in Colorado last summer I ran while there a few times. We did a lot of hiking, too. On Saturday morning we hiked Mt. Garfield, which is two miles to the top. I was warned that the first mile was incredibly challenging, but didn’t think much of it. I was wrong! I was huffing and puffing so much..like I had never exercised in my life. But, it was awesome to see the view at the top. When we returned later that day I decided it would be a perfect time for a run. …with no hills involved. It was a great run, and the elevation didn’t bother me.
Does that race count as a BQ race for the full? If I am remembering correctly, I read once about a race that had a serious elevation drop that the one you are dong and they said it didn’t count as a BQ because of it.
I think I may have read that you can BQ this course, although I was also surprised because of the drop.
Holy cow, a two mile climb?! No wonder you felt like you had never exercised before 🙂 Elevation training must be very humbling for us midlanders 😉
It will be sooo pretty there! I’m so excited for you! I think you WILL do the half, but I would be EXTRA proud of you if you went for the full!!!!
i voted 5k – its short and if you don’t get a lot of sleep the night before it wont really cause a huge race problem.