Fridays with Frank: Do Something Crazy at least once in your Running Life

The years 2008 and 2009 were my best years, things went pretty well.

The 2008 and 2009 Provo River marathons started up in Provo canyon and ended at Utah Lake State Park. I set my lifetime PR at the 2008 Provo River marathon. This one is a very small race, the entire group going up in 2009 fit onto one bus, although it was crowded.

At the start I realized that in my life I had never led a marathon. I ran out of the start gate at a very fast pace, beyond my ability to maintain, and passed everyone in front of me. Then I realized I was leading the entire race.

Wow!

My first mile time was 5:52, I was still in shock that no one had passed me yet. Miles 2 – 6 were very memorable for me, with an excitement I will never forget. The excitement was combined with feelings of panic, being afraid that I had gotten off of the course somehow because no one had passed me yet. But then another mile marker would pass, and things would be OK again.

At mile 6 I “ended the madness”, and slowed back to a pace I could maintain, and someone went past me about a half mile later. Then as always happens to some, “Porta Potty time”. The person who had passed me went into another one, and when we came out he got confused and ran back up the course in the wrong direction. I ran after him and got him turned around, then settled in for the rest of the race.

Later I figured out that a time which was only 10 minutes behind my PR from the previous year was in reach, so I pushed for that.

Here’s an idea: At the end of the race, turn into the park.

I missed that last turn off, and spent two minutes running past the park in the wrong direction until someone told me I had missed the turn. I missed my ten minute event by four minutes, two minutes spent running past the park, then two minutes running back.

#FridayswithFrank #DusktoDawnRelay #SeizetheNight

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Frank has run 103 marathons and 3 ultras. He considers any exercise that is not running to be a waste of time. His running music of choice is Nightwish, though he is also a huge fan of Cher. Frank currently lives with his wife in West Jordan, Utah.

Race Directors Note: Frank is a good personal friend that I have known for many years. We currently run together on a weekly basis, and I have run several marathons with him. Through these many interactions I have heard many of the stories that we are sharing on this blog, and I thought it was about time for the rest of the world to hear them. So I hope you all enjoy Fridays with Frank.

-Andrew

FOMO: Salt Flats photos to make your friends jealous

Updated 2/18/2021

If you've never been to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah's west desert, set aside a weekend to go (come out on September 3-4, 2021 for the Dusk to Dawn Relay Race!)

The Salt Flats is known for its uncharacteristically white, salty expanse. Movies such as Independence Day and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End staged several scenes at the Salt Flats to capture an other-worldly backdrop.

And that's just during the day - you should check it out at night! Stacey Marble photographed the inaugural Dusk to Dawn Relay Race at dusk and captured the beauty of the Salt Flats.

Check out this blog post by Stacey Marble Photography about her experience taking pictures at the inaugural Dusk to Dawn Relay Race. People raved about the awesome silhouette shots on the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats! With an unnaturally desolate background, these photos are sure to invoke a sense of FOMO in all your friends on social media 😉

Here's just a teaser of the pictures on Stacey's blog post:

Come experience the beauty of the Bonneville Salt Flats for yourself! Whether it's been on your bucket list for years or you just learned about it, it's one of those places you just have to visit.

And why not come party while you're at it?? Even if you don't like running, there's still a place for you at the Dusk to Dawn Relay Race. From dance parties to giveaways, glowsticks to games, and photo ops to pancake breakfasts, there's a place for everyone! Dusk to Dawn Relay's website outlines some of the fun you can expect that night.

What is it like running on the Salt Flats at night? Dusk to Dawn Relay Race reviews

Want to hear how the inaugural Dusk to Dawn Relay Race straight from the mouths of those who ran it?

Here you go!

"This was so much fun! Running on the salt was really otherworldly - it felt unique and different from other races." -Jana

"I LOVED the lap I ran while the lights and music were off. Something about being out there with nothing but the crunch of my feet on the salt and the milky way wheeling above me. It was down-right transcendent! Super cool experience all around." -Shanalee

"Like running on the moon." -Anonymous

"Very unique running on the Salt Flats. The Organizers seemed very organized and engaged especially for the 1st race." -Jeremy

"We will definitely return. Everyone on the team absolutely loved it! Some of us have never been out at the Salt Flats before, the pictures turned out amazing!" -Tess

"I have participated in a lot of races but this one was a new experience for sure. The backdrop was spectacular. My favorite was when all the lights were turned off." -Marsha

"I loved this race. I was nervous beforehand, having never done a relay like this, that it would be a bit torturous running through the night, but it was such a neat and unique experience and I loved sharing it with a team of friends. Definitely been telling my friends and family about it so we can have a couple of teams for next year." -Laurel

"I have never seen the Milky Way as bright as when I was making my loops during the dark hours. Running beneath those clusters of light and the tails of shooting stars is an experience I will long remember."

Next race scheduled for August 21-22, 2020.

Don't miss out! Register here.