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Elizabeth Evans
2016 REVEL Big Cottonwood Half Marathon
Published: Sept. 11, 2016, 11:29 a.m. 
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Overall Rating
5/5 Stars
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Describe your race day.
I'm so glad this was my first half as the course was beautiful, the volunteers were so positive and supportive, and instructions to runners prior to the race were clear. I was very nervous at first because I felt I had undertrained with overall running mileage. The bus ride up the canyon seemed so slow and then I thought "I have to run all of this way BACK???" It was cold at the top so I'm glad I brought a sweatshirt and hat plus the gloves/space blanket in the goodie bag. The start was a little confusing with long lines at the porta potty and no announcements to get in line, etc. I didn't hear the gun go off. But once I was running, the runner's high immediately kicked in and I let myself enjoy every part of it. At mile 10, I knew I was going to be able to finish it so I was overcome with emotion, especially when I saw my pacing stats. When the volunteer placed the surprisingly heavy metal over my head, I was a feeling like none other!
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Did you PR?
This was my first half so I don't have anything for comparison. My usual pace is between 10:30-11:30 min/mil and I finished with an overall pace of 9:11 min/mil! I was anticipating to finish between 2 hrs 20 min to 2 hrs 30 min and was shocked to finish at 2:00:20:71.
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How would you describe the course?
I live in the area and am familiar with the windy turns and steepness of the canyon. It's very different experiencing it on foot rather than in a car. The first 9-10 miles were almost magical - seeing a moose shortly after the start, the sound of the babbling creek, the beauty of trees with colors already changing, etc.! It made it easy to forget about the work going into the race. After exiting the canyon, it became more challenging as the course became more flat and the shade of the canyon was replaced with direct sun. Since I had never done a run longer than 9 miles, I knew it was going to be a challenge for me. I was fighting physical exhaustion and didn't enjoy the narrower running lane with traffic on both sides. I was motivated by friendly police monitoring traffic and countless volunteers and people cheering us on. I had been given advice to push myself hard at the end so I would "run the gas out of the tank" by the finish. I feel like I accomplished that goal and felt physically spent after crossing the finish line.
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Tell us about your training.
Most of my training was cross training with Pilates and Orange Theory Fitness 3-4 times per week so my actual running mileage per week was only about 20-25 miles (longest training run was only slightly over 9 miles because it was so hot this summer). My running was usually on local hilly trails/courses which was a HUGE help to train both uphill and downhill. Twice a month I'd run up and then down City Creek Canyon so the steep downhill of Big Cottonwood wasn't a problem.
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What advice would you give future runners?
Train both uphill and downhill at least twice a week. I did the REVEL online coaching and found it to be very helpful. Run as close to the yellow line in the middle of the road so you aren't dealing with both the steepness of the route and sharp banking of the curves of the road (avoid IT band issues that way). Drink lots of Powerade or do gels early at aid stations to give fuel for the last half which will be much harder when it is flatter and hotter in the direct sun.,
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What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?
Went home and took a nap!
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