A clydesdale no more!

Just plugging along.  Trying to really get it going again (how many times have I said that?).  September was my worst month of running in 8 1/2 years.  I know what I want to feel like but am having a hard time convincing myself to put the work in.  Have to find the right carrot to put at the end of my running string.

Hey, look at that.  I actually ran more than 5 miles.  Wasn't sure it was still possible.  Even included a little elevation gain as I ran from home to St. Olaf's and back again.  First mile was painful.  I forgot how much havoc the weather change creates for my ankles.  Felt good once I got warmed up.

Decent run.  Focused on re-building a base.  Have to get consistent mileage during the week and a decent long run on the weekend.  The lack of long runs over the past month has really hurt me.  Both fitness and weight wise.

First run in the double digits in a few weeks.  Felt decent, although my legs didn't seem to enjoy the process.  It was cold enough to see my breath.  Perfect running temperature.

Feel like I have lost all fitness. 

Forced myself out the door for a few miles.

Who ever thought a 15 mile run could be so tough.  Makes me appreciate what I used to think were tough runs.  I'm supposed to run the Haunted Half next weekend.  That is very much in doubt right now.  It amazes me how quickly one can get out of shape. 

Felt a little better.  I just have to be patient with the comeback.  Patience is not one of my strengths. 

It's getting chilly.

Won an entry into the Haunted Half from Utah Running Guide.  Probably the only reason why I ran this morning.  Knowing my fitness is way off, I decided to run the first couple of miles faster then hang back with Becky for the rest of the run.  Was just behind Tara for the first 2 miles (she was pacing 1:30).  Slowed down and let the 1:35 pacers catch up.  Becky was running with them.  She started to slow and once we hit the uphill section through the U, her knee started causing problems.  She walked the hills and I ran with Bill (1:50 pacer).  At the top of each hill, I wiould stop and wait for her.  Once all of the uphills were done, she was fine and was able to finish well.  I had to make a pit stop at mile 11.5 and really had to work to catch back up to her.  We crossed the finish line at the exact same time (despite her sprint at the end trying to beat me). 

Lower legs are extra sore.  The pace was slow but at least it was running.  I think that I saw a little snow mixed in with the rain this morning.  

Snowy, wet and windy.  I resisted the urge to skip running.  I figure that forcing myself out on days like this will help rebuild the habit. 

Paced the 4:30 group at the Halloween Full.  I am certainly not in marathon shape but thought running 10:18/mile would be manageable.  Should have paid more attention to the course.  It was tough.  Almost as hard as Sogo.  Started at Sundance and after 3 screaming downhill miles we headed up to Deer Creek.  Lots of fun climbing.  After the turnaround at Deer Creek, we headed back down the canyon to South Fork canyon.  Headed up that for 3 miles.  That was absolutely a killer.  We gave back most of the 1:30 cushion we had built.  The pacing became very difficult from here to the end because the mile markers were either non-existent or placed at strange places.  I don't like to rely on my Garmin while pacing because the mileage isn't reliable, especially in the canyon.  When there were mile markers, we were either 2 minutes ahead or 1 minute behind schedule.  I wasn't sure what to do.  Just maintained our goal pace.  At mile 20 when we went up towards Bridal Veil falls, my pacing buddy started to drop back and I had to let her go.  In hindsight, I ran too slow going up this section.  I locked in 10:18 until mile 24 when I realized that my Garmin was going to measure very long and I was over 1 minute behind.  Made up 20 seconds during mile 24 then pushed as hard as I could the last mile to make up the rest.  Saw Becky and the kids with 0.1 to go and they ran in with me.  Ended up being 17 seconds late but I can live with it considering the mile marker issue.  I'm going to guess that the marathon option will not be offered in the future.  I can't see any benefit to the race director to offer it.  There were only 50 people registered so it was a pretty lonely pacing job.  I was absolutely wiped out at the end.  In more pain than I thought was possible.  Probably couldn't have run much faster if I wanted to.