Race Report: Desert Classic 30K

Arizona Road Racers' last event of the year, the Desert Classic, was held on December 18th. The event consisted of a 30K, 5K, and 30K Relay. It was also the last event in the ARR 2011 Grand Prix series. This year, the run was held at a new location: Rio Vista Park in Peoria, Arizona.

Start / Finish

The 30K course starts at Rio Vista Park and meanders into Phoenix where it turns around and returns to the start. The path utilizes the suburban multi-use trail system (asphalt and sidewalk) through various parks before it joins the path next to part of the Phoenix water canal system. The route utilizes a few tunnels along the way.

Course Map

I chose to participate in the 30K as my time targeted long run of the week. It's been tough getting motivated to get out there after my acute illness, so I knew I needed all the motivation I could get. A supported local timed event with other runners proved to be the ticket.

Part of the Course

If there were to be a elevation description for the course, I can imagine that the course could be described as containing "gentle rolling hills." You've probably encountered the kind. These are the type of relatively short ups and downs that look fun at the beginning of a long run, but would become the target of under-the-breath muttering by the end of the run. In fact, these ups and downs ended up looking just about non-existent on my Garmin profile, even though I swear they were there!

Garmin Elevation Profile

Goal...
My training plan called for long run with a "fast finish" on fatigued legs.
Target pace for the first 14 miles steady around 10:30. Target pace for the last 4 miles around 9:30.


Reality....
Mile 1: 9:34
Miles 2-14: 10:04 / 10:23/ 10:26/ 10:30/10:26 / 10:23/ 10:02/ 10:05/ 10:16/ 1023/ 10:10/ 10:24/ 10:37
Now it was time to kick it! Only problem was... I couldn't!
Mile 15: 10:56
I picked up the pace, but not quite as much as my coach wanted me to.
Miles 16-18.77: 10:47/ 10:26/ 10:29

"The Bridge" = near the finish line

Although I still have some work to do before next month's marathon, I was happy with this run. Thanks, ARR, for another well organized event with terrific volunteers!