Go slow to go fast.

I tried to run in the shoes I was wearing to the gym tonight to try to remember what all the shoe hype was about. After 2 laps around the track I had to kick them off and go in my socks...ahhhhh, that was better. My knee was already getting annoyed after 2 laps with those shoes, even though I was trying to run just like if I was barefoot. If I ever feel the need to run in shoes, they are going to have to be light, flat, flexible and have little to no padding I think.

I just did 3 miles super easy tonight at about 8:15 pace to loosen up my legs and feet.

They're feeling almost totally recovered from Saturday's beatdown, tomorrow I think I'll feel like going for a little longer again.

I also lifted light weights for 30 minutes tonight.

Now I'm just about done with a 30 minute spin on the bike in the gym that went by almost instantly since I was reading people's blog entries the whole time.

By the way...anyone in salt lake on new years should come finish 2009 running with Nan and I and do the new years eve sugarhouse 5K. I'm working up the guts to run it in my shorts only. I'm not worried about my feet getting cold, but my hands...I don't know if I'll wuss out and wear gloves or not...you'll have to come do it to find out.

Merry Christmas! 

What a great day.  I love Christmas at home.  The kids woke us up at about 6 am and I guess I didn't explain the rules all that great to Abe because by the time we were out of bed there was already wrapping paper all over the floor and he had opened 3 or 4 presents already.  It was pretty funny actually.  I guess it was reasonable logic for him: it was Christmas, they had his name on them, so he might as well go for it!  Next year hopefully I'll remember to explain the rules of waiting for everyone in order to prolong his agony and suspense.

 After eating candy, playing games, eating lunch, playing more games with the kids, and taking a nap, I went for a run.  I felt really well rested since I only had run 3 super easy miles since last Saturday.  But I felt really good that I took the time off, because my legs and feet really appreciated the rest.  

Today I must have been itching to move though, because I felt great and I kept getting faster the whole run.  It felt so smooth to run today, I was loving it.  Mile 4.5-5.5 was a 120 ft steady hill climb and I just hammered up it feeling awesome.  By the top of the hill my HR was at 173 and when I crested it and started going down I felt an awesome rush of endorphins or something.  It was awesome!  I don't even know how to describe the feeling, but it was really cool.  I thought it felt like winning a big race or something.  Not that I would know, because the biggest races I have actually won were podunk town 40 person triathlons with no competition.  Anyway, it was a fantastic feeling, and was one of those many things that make me love running.

I ended up going out for 3.1 miles and then back for 3.1 miles.

1st 5K - 23:46 - 7:40/mile - First 1.5 miles were pretty slow warming up and running over snow and ice, then I started running 6:30-7/pace as I was on the dry street.  It was a lot of down hill.  HR:  152 avg - Ascent: 161ft Descent 280ft

2nd 5K - 23:00 - 7:25/mile - HR: 162 avg - Ascent: 257ft - Descent: 135ft - most of the run back was fast and clear road, except the last 1/4 mile of snow/ice that was a nice cool down anyway.

What a great day!  I love days like this.  Playing with my family.  Working out.  Resting.  Relaxing.  Life is good.