A clydesdale no more!

Just a nice and easy run before heading to St. George to pace the Snow Canyon half.

Paced the 1:40 group at Snow Canyon.  This is an ideal time for me because most of my runs are around theis pace and it is very natural.  Freezing while waiting at the start but the temps were perfect while we ran.  I was able to lock in 7:38 effort right from the beginning and the pace never felt forced.  Was within 10 seconds of the total elapsed time at every mile marker which was great but added a little extra stress towards the end.  I usually like to have a 30 second cushion.  We probably pushed  a little more than the runners around us wanted to on the rollers through Entrada but they all stuck with us.  A 14 year old kid ran with us from start to finish which was pretty cool.  Ended up crossing the ffinish line 4 seconds early without any slowing or speeding up the last little bit  Feel like I ran this as close to perfect as I could get. 

Becky and I decided to put in a quick run in the nice St. George weather before heading home to the snow.  We intended to go 5 miles but the trail didn't turn where we thought it did so the run ended up being 7 miles.  The big toe on my right foot is killing me.  It is probably bruised from the severe downhill in yesterday's race.  Both of Becky's ITB's are bothering her so we finished the run limping and wondering why we do this to ourselves.

Drove to the LPT just in case the group showed up.  It was snowing a little so didn't think Kam or Tara would be there but went anyway.  Waited a few minutes then started my run.  It actually wasn't bad once I started going.  The snow had stopped and the trail was only lightly covered in snow.  My motivation was low so I had a hard time getting into the run.  Ran the first 5 miles in the 7:40's then picked it up to 7:30 and 7:15 for the next 2 miles.  Decided to get at least one tempo mile in so ran the last mile in 6:45.  I picked the wrong mile to run quicker because the trail had gotten very slippery and it was hard to maintain my footing.  I am not looking forward to winter training.

All legs at Firehouse today.  The last cycle was a 6 minute run.  After 36 minutes of leg exercises, I was only able to muster 0.75 wobbly miles.  It was quite a sight.

8 miles on the LPT with Tara at 8:00/mile.  This run took 4 minutes longer than the same run on Tuesday but felt like it took half the time.  Running with others certainly makes runs seem like less of a chore.

Workout at Firehouse.  It was a pretty good total body workout.  Didn't focus on one specific area.  There were two 6 minute runs.  Made it 0.9 miles on the first and 0.8 miles on the second. 

After 3 weeks in a row of pacing half marathons it was nice to have just a long run. What little I ate yesterday was junk food so I was expecting a slow run. I felt very good as the run started so I just went with it. Ran down to the LPT and headed south. Averaged 7:30/mile for the first half and 7:20 for the second half. Was surprised at the energy that I had at the end of the run. 

Relatively light day at Firehouse.  Just your basic cross training exercises.  Nothing too crazy. There were two 6 minute runs plus a few short sprints.

Met Tara at the LPT for an 8 miler.  Started out at a comfortable pace.  The pace naturally got faster as we warmed up.  Averaged 7:45 for the run with the last mile under 7:00.  I was feeling pretty wiped out before the run but felt good once we got going. 

Workout at Firehouse.  I'm either coming down with something, need to get some serious sleep or need to stop poisoning my body with all of this sugar.  Didn't feel great but still glad I went.  Include one 6 minute run.

Eight uneventful miles.  Did my usual loop which I haven't done in a long time so maybe I shouldn't call it my usual loop. 

Workout at Firehouse.  Included 2 runs (7 minutes, 10 minutes).  I know the first run was 1 mile and am guessing on the time. The second run was 10 minutes and I am guessing on the distance. 

Becky and I met a group of pacers at Thanksgiving Point to preview the Thankful 13 course.  Kept it at an easy pace throughout the run.  We took a few wrong turns and cut out a loop in the middle because we couldn't figure out where we were supposed to go.  Becky and I were short on time so had to head back.  Turned out to be a fun run in the snow with a good group of people.

Eight miles on the LPT with the full crew (all 3 of us).  Nice and easy pace on a surprisingly warm morning. 

Not a good start to the day.  Went to Firehouse and had the urge to leave several times.  Nothing too tough, just wasn't in the mood to be there.  Have somewhat of a defeatist attitude right now which is not a good place to be.  Ran 1 super slow mile after the exercises.

Eight miles on the LPT with Tara.  Feeling a little off but need to keep at it.  I don't want to fall into the same trap I did last year. 

Ran the 10k race at the South Davis Rec Center with Gracie.  Emma ran the 5K so I ran with her for the first mile then sent her on her way where the 10K split off and waited for Gracie.  I figured it would take us about 70 minutes, assuming there would be some walking.  She ran the ntire way and finished in 62 minutes. 

Regular 7 mile loop.

Thirteen miles on the LPT.  Probably the last long run with decent weather for awhile.  I didn't drink nearly enough yesterday and I could feel it diurng the last mile.  Glad I decided to only do 13.