Going With The Flow

AM - 3 miles around the block with Jake. Today is my designated cross training day with minimal running! :) I'm trying to do this at least once every two weeks to give the legs and back a break from the pounding of running.

PM - Headed up to Alta for some ski fun. Skinned to the top of Wildcat chairlift then bootpacked up one of the east chutes of Mt. Baldy. Skied a really fun run - perfect spring conditions!

Happy Mother's Day!!

AM - Just a super short shake-out run. I was going to do 2 miles but got frustrated because the Garmin was off by 0.2 miles this morning (doesn't take much, huh?). I think someone in our neighborhood has some kind of electronic device that messes up the signal because both Jake and I have had this problem. This run was just bonus miles anyway because I have a hard 8 mile tempo run this afternoon.

PM - I decided to do my workout during lunch, thinking that it might be a little cooler than this afternoon. It was hot - 80 degrees with the sun high in the sky. The Jordan River Parkway down in Sandy (9000S) is much different than that around 3300S - it has no shade at all! 2 mile warmup then I started out the tempo, planning to do a progression from 6:35 to 6:00. It was just not happening. I started telling myself at 4 miles "just stay around 6:30". Ran the 8 mile tempo in 51:40, 6:28 average (6:33, 6:25, 6:23, 6:25, 6:28, 6:27, 6:35, 6:25). There was a bit of a headwind on the way back. As soon as I finished, I chugged a 32 oz drink in about 30 seconds :) Although the workout wasn't quite what I wanted, it was a great marathon pace tempo and longest I have done in a long time! Can't be upset about that :)

AM - 4.5 miles, a couple of those with Jake. Felt surprisingly good this morning after the workout yesterday except for my new sunburn!

PM - 5 miles in the Sugarhouse area. 

Interesting info. about how much pro runners make - pretty sad, in my opinion.

- There is wide variation across each event and within the highest rankings. In aggregate though, combining all T&F events:

• Approximately 50% of our athletes who rank in the top 10 in the USA in their event make less than $15,000 annually from the sport (sponsorship, grants, prize money, etc.) and
• Approximately 20% of our athletes in top 10 in the USA in their event make more than $50,000 annually.
• Athletes outside of a top 10 USA ranking, other than some sprinters, milers, and distance runners, can expect to face very limited (if any) income support.

AM - Wednesday Workout, JAJAK style with MarkP and friends. 1.75 mile warmup then 6x800m w/ 400m recovery + 2x400m. Goal was 5-10k pace (targeting 2:47). I ran the 800s in avg 2:46.5 and 400s in avg 1:23. I felt great today - the weather was perfect (except for the sprinklers watering lanes 1-6 of the track) and I felt very strong through six 800s. It's amazing the difference between 200m recovery jog (which I've been doing for repeats) and 400m recovery jog.  I decided to run 8 reps after the 6th, but my hamstring twinged and I stopped on the 7th rep at 400m. Took a 30 second break to stretch then joined Allie on her last rep for another 400m. Cooldown around the track watching the guys do strides and Allie almost kill herself going over a hurdle, then more sprinkler madness around Sugarhouse Park. Felt like I had a lot left in the tank which is a good sign :)

The hamstring twinge seems to only happen on the track when I'm running faster than half marathon pace. It's my right leg, so I'm wondering if it's just a little too tight and the extra push-off on the turns is triggering the twinge.

PM - 1.8 miles. Distal hamstring attachment not happy.

AM - 10 mile Holladay loop with Jake, 7:45 pace. 

Heading to the Dick's Sporting Goods in Layton and SLC this afternoon to teach the employees about Saucony shoes and how awesome they are.

AM - 4.6 miles up to Sugarhouse with Jake and back. 

PM - 5.3 miles, ran 4x200m in 37.5s. Hamstring not quite ready for 200s - not my brightest moment!

FYI - Jeremy Ranch run again this Saturday - meet here at 8:00am. We'll run b/w 15-18 miles again, then refuel at Ruth's. If you just want to eat brunch, we'll meet at Ruth's at 11am.

AM - 16.6 miles at Jeremy Ranch Road with Jake, Kevin, Allie, James, and MarkP. A little chilly at first but warmed up nicely. My upper right leg struggled today - maybe muscle compensation for the hamstring tendon issues (or something). It was very sore and tired while the left leg felt fine. Trying to decide what to do and if this is turning into something serious. Easy day tomorrow so will re-evaluate then.

Hung out at Ruth's after the run. That place is awesome - I love relaxing out on the patio after a long run with a huge plate of food.