A Balance, Redefined

Overall a good weekend. Got up a bit early to get some work done before church while Sandra ran. Did have to work another 2 hr after church but then in the evening did a long run. After last Sunday's accidental 18 miles I felt that I am on track for a fall marathon and want to keep up one long run each week. Headed out when it was still a little too warm and met up with John at mile 8. Then it started to ran and I had the next 9 miles in the rain which was very nice. Did 7 of those with John and the last 2 on my own. 

Avg. 8:09 HR 142 Ascent 2789ft Descent 2809ft

Note that miles 15 and 16 had 476 ft of ascent! Mile 9 had 330 ft by itself!

I presented at our lab meeting this morning and then had a day full of busyness but not necessarily business... Days like that are sometimes frustrating. Then an evening shakeout with John.

SugarHouse loop

Avg. 8:01 HR 131

Where to start? Obviously a few others have voiced their disappointment in the organization of the course this year. Racers really are just lemmings and if you point us toward a cliff, Look Out!

Got up before my alarm 4:45am and did the prerace ritual. Then ran to the start.

2.4 mi Avg. 9:00 HR 150, it is amazing how my heart gets moving on race days…

Was able to talk with Ben V for a little before the race. Lined up a row or two back so as not to get pulled out with the high schoolers. My mileage and running have been good the last couple weeks but the lack of consistent training always has me weary of making any predictions.

They had a 10 countdown for the start and we were off. About 100 m in a kid takes a spill two people ahead of me but everyone manages to not trample the guy.

I was running very relaxed and felt great with the effort. I was amazed to see my split. I know these miles are fast but I really felt like I was going 5:30ish. The rest of the race more or less went like this. I was completely oblivious to those around me and really just felt in the zone. I was consistently picking off some of the people that went out to hard and only 1 or 2 passed me after mi 2. A little after mi 5 I noticed something was wrong with where we were running. Someone had mentioned that the course finish was changed but it didn’t seem like we had enough room left. I was correct. Hit the finish line in 5.89 mi, about a quarter mile short. This is a real bummer. I was on pace for a decent time. Not a PR but still better than last year.

Overall, I was happy with the effort and the race. Just wish it would have been accurate and that I wouldn’t have “cut” for placing…

Afterward spoke to a few of the bloggers. Was surprised to see Josh S at the finish I guess he hadn’t moved yet. Safe travels on Friday. Then headed back home via the course to cheer on a few of the marathoners. Saw James and Allie.

3.29 mi Avg. 8:59 HR 149

Got the family and back down to the parade route. I wasn’t planning on going but we have been here for 7 Julys and have never made it so why not. It was good and we got prime seats right were the marathon course joined the parade route so we were able to watch both.

Mi 1: 5:06.15 HR 175 Net -101ft

Mi 2: 5:08.39 HR 185 Net -190ft

Mi 3: 5:32.89 HR 188 Net -89ft

Mi 4: 5:33.60 HR 186 Net -58ft

Mi 5: 5:44.01 HR 188 Net -136ft

Mi 0.89: 5:14.85 (5:53 pace) HR 189 Net -24ft

TOTAL 32:19.89 HR 185

Busy work day after the holiday. Commute run in. Feel pretty good after the race yesterday. Only problem is a major blister.

Avg. 10:21 HR 132

Managed to sleep in today. Then had a very productive day editing a manuscript for a collaborator and revising a manuscript for myself. In the late evening (although still over 90F) did an extended Suicide Loop. 

Avg. 8:16 HR 143

Did some work from home and then got dropped off. Hard to run with a computer on your back :)

After cleaning up after someone headed out the door. Perfect timing to hit my run. It started raining about 200 m into it. It felt nice. Thought about doing a mini-workout but my legs are trashed. Overall this has been a very productive week but with running and work. Did the run out to the Memory Grove overlook and back. 

Avg. 8:44 HR 141

Now I know this seems stupid. But this week was my highest mileage week since the week of January 17th 2010, when I had 80 mi. It is mostly because of scheduling conflicts and I am switching my long run from Sunday to today so this week has two long runs. It is also because for the most part my body is putting up with it. Not sure what the foot thing was a couple months ago but it is more or less gone. In any case here is how today's run went. Was very glad to hear from Jake and get the group run in a little later in the AM. I still woke up earlier than I should but it is sometimes hard to sleep in when you are so used to a routine.

The run was out at Jeremy Ranch. Jake, Rob and Kevin. It was my first time meeting Kevin and only second or third time meeting Rob so it was good to get to know those two better. I felt so inexperienced though. I had to pit stops and had my shoes come untied. I really need to get down my long run routine again if I want to get in a fall marathon.

Overall the run was good. None of the cows we saw charged us and I survived the distance, even though we had to pass the cars to add on the last mile or so. I was hurting but at the same time it felt so good. This was just an amazing week all around. Got tons of work, running and family stuff in and am still moving :)

Avg. 7:30 HR 160