Andrew Unker

Haha this was a pretty funnny run. I ran what felt to me fairly quick but a controlled pace. When I finished and checked my Garmin, it told me I averaged 6:31 pace for 5.05 miles. No way did I run that fast, so I started looking back at my mile splits and apparently I dropped my second mile in 3:53....yep my first sub 4 mile haha. I think it's obviously time to get a new watch. I've had multiple problems with my Garmin and it doesn't keep a smooth pace, it jumps around everywhere. I'm eyeing the Soleus 1.0 gps watch.

5.65 miles 45:06, 7:59/mi

I was a little tired tonight. Tuesday nights I run with whoever shows up at our group runs. I work at RunGr8 Running Center. Tonight I ran with Blake and the other Andrew. We ran from the store to the Riverton Fishing Pond, did a loop around that, and came back to the store. Also decided on a whim to sign up for the Porters 10k this saturday.

This entry will be epic. So somehow I let Brandon Clark, who runs for Bingham, talk me into going up with the team to Alta ski resort to do a hard run. I remembered how much I disliked this workout. We drive all the way up to the resort park the cars at the top of the road where it turns to a dirt road. From there, we run up to the camp ground make a loop around that and come back down. Not only are you starting out at 8000ft in elevation, you gain 1000 ft in elevation over the 3 miles uphill. That should give you an idea of how steep this beast is. It was fun to do the workout again. I went up with Brandons brother Logan who ran with me in High school. He is a stud! I had to go to the bathroom twice but finished the run. (No pun intended)

5.73 miles  45:33, 7:57/mi

So Logan called me last night and asked if I wanted to do an easy 6 or 7 miles. I was a little hesitant after having run alta and my legs were feeling pretty tired but I agreed to it. In my mind I was thinking a pace of 8:30 to 9:00/mi. Of course Logans fitness level is far superior to mine ha. We ended up doing 6.4 miles in 50:46, 7:56/mi. I won't lie I was pretty tired toward the last 2 miles. We ran on the SoJo Half marathon course that comes in front of the Oquirrh Mtn. Temple. I feel fine now. The goal is to not run with Logan tomorrow haha. I plan on doing like 3 or 4 miles at a "real" easy pace. Excited for the race on saturday.

Again my lousy Garmin fails me. Today was a little crazy. So originally I had planned to go check out the end of the 10k course early this morning and run about 4 miles. Well I ended up having to go to work the morning shift instead of the afternoon shift which was no big deal. I left the store and got to the course at about 440 and set out for the run. I charge my Garmin yesterday and it was already dead today...you're probably thinking what an idiot, he probably left it on. Well this isn't the first time. My Garmin has done this multiple times so either Im realllllyyy stupid haha or the garmin is trash. Anyways I had no way of knowing how fard I was running or pace. According to mapmyrun I ran a little under 5miles so I guess I judged well. I got back to the car grabbed some stuff to give the race director and picked up my bag for the race. Im excited for the race tomorrow. It will be fun. I guess I should throw a goal out there...uhhhh hmmm....welll going sub 40 would be grand. Ill just be happy with a pr so anything sub 43!

I met blake at the store this morning at 530 to get together all our stuff to put up at the race. We got there and I jumped onto a bus from Draper Park at like 620. The 10k had a start time of 715. When the bus dropped us off at the start line, I waited around a little bit and planned my warming up/stretching accordingly so I could be ready for a 715 start. Well apparently there was a late bus, so they pushed the start time back to 730 which wasn't a big issue, I just sat and waited haha. For some reason, I've noticed in every race I have participated in, post mission, I focus really hard on not going out super fast just right at the beginning. It was kinda hard this time. The start was litterally on the top of this hill going down. I decided to try to start out just at a comfortable jog. That put me in like 3rd place. I don't think anyone knew the course and thus nobody wanted to lead. I saw the guy in first and he kept looking back at us like, you seriously want me to lead?? So I just decided to pass him about 50 meters into the race. From there, I didn't see anyone again until about 4 mins after I finished. It was a fun race, obviously Ill say that because I won but I really thought they did a good job of marking the course. My only complaint is that most of the course was on a paved trail. I just hate running on the paved trail. I ran a lot of miles in high school on the Jordan Parkway trail and I just think it is boring. I finished in 37:37 which was rad. I am happy with that time. I also won a bunch of sweet swag at the finish and nice trophy. I have the course record too ha. That's weird to say. I have had diarrhea all day since the race but other than that haha I feel alright. My upper legs are a little tired but its not terrible. I'll probably look to take it pretty easy over the first few days of this upcoming week.

I was planning on running with Greg (Coach Shaw/Herriman High School) after their time trials, but it ended fairly late and he was pretty busy. The team looks awesome this year. It will be interesting to see how the season unfolds. It made me miss high school xc/track really bad ha. My hip flexor was pretty sore sunday but today it's feeling alright.

8miles in 1:00:22 (7:33/mi)

Today we had our group run from the store. I ran with Andrew (friend of Eric Griffins) and he wanted to do 8 miles. Its my farthest run post mission. It felt good. Not exactly what I had been planning for this week after the race on saturday, but whatever you role with the punches right? I wanted to run easy yesterday and today but I ended up not running at all yesterday and running 8 miles today at 7:30 pace hahaha. It was definitely quick. My hamstring felt a little tight and after we got back to the store and stretched my hip flexor starting hurting again. I iced it when I got home and have on my compression sleeves as I type so I guess we'll see how I feel tomorrow. I start back at school tomorrow again (SLCC) so now I guess Ill be running in the mornings now instead of my night runs Ive been doing. I have to say, Im stoked for this fall weather coming. Summer was just too dang hot!

3.25miles in 27:27 (8:28)

Wow my hamstring was really tight this morning. So I woke up at 630, grabbed the heating pad, and put on my hip flexor and went back to sleep. I woke back up at 7 and was planning on doing 4 miles easy. The good news is my hip flexor wasn't hurting really at all. My right hamstring is so tight though! I thought it would loosen up a lot in the run but by the time I came back it was still super tight. I iced the hip flexor for precautionary reasons and stretched really well. I thought maybe a hot bath might help my hamstring...eh it feels a little better but hopefully this isn't anything that is going to stick around for a while. I'm kinda dreading Saturday, I have to lead everyone who shows up for the SoJo Marathon training. It should be fun though.

9.5 miles in 1:23:18 (8:46/mi)

Ive been super sluggish this week, not sure why. I think I was pretty tired after tuesdays run with Andrew and with school having started wednesday, I've just been occupied with other stuff.....haha excuses. I haven't run in two days. Last night I checked out the Highland Invitational. The races were awesome! Utah has got some good teams. Good job to Riverton, Herriman, and Bingham! It was nice to run today. I was a little tight, especially because I haven't run in a couple of days. I got up nice and early and had to go out to day break to lead a training run for the sojo marathon. I got there at 6am and starting setting up stuff and waited for people to show up and I started running after the last person showed up just after 7. 9.5 miles is my farthest run Ive done post mission. It felt great honestly. I was a little tired in my legs but it felt like we were just on cruise control. I ran with Andrew and Erik this morning. We'll see how everything feels tomorrow.

4.77 miles in 33:35 (7:03/mi)

Ran after I got home from work. Blake help put together a training plan for me for the next couple of months. So far so good, I'm really thankful that I haven't had any major issues since my hip flexor strain in May that laid me out for about 6 weeks. I don't recommend it, it's terrible. Anyways...talked to coach shaw today at the store, planning on running 7 with him tomorrow afternoon. I'm also looking for a race to do in Sept!

7.61 miles in 54:47 (7:12/mile)

Tonight I met up at the store for a group run. We had a lot fewer people than normal, but it was still fun. It was me, Coach Shaw (Herriman), Blake, and Andrew. We met on the Jordan Parkway trailhead just off of 12600 South. We ran south to the Springview Farms community and back. It felt really smooth. I was thinking that it would be a lot slower but everything felt good. Greg and I pulled away a bit from Blake and Andrew...but they did also go a little farther ha. I think Andrew ended up doing 8 and Blake did 10. I'm so glad the heat is finally starting to cool down a little bit. Tomorrow Ill probably go for 4 or 5 at a slower pace. Oh I also got a Herriman XC shirt now so you guys dont have to hassel me anymore haha.

3.96 miles in 31:37 (8:00/mi)

My legs were feeling super tight from the last two days. I realized too that last night I didn't even stretch my hamstrings haha, how do you forget that right? I ran around by Daybreak lake tonight. I forgot how nice it is out there...and how freaking windy it is! It really is pretty out there though. I kept looking down at my watch trying to keep it at 8 min pace and keep it just by feel. I am terrible at pacing. I'm pumped for the Half marathon. I'm just excited to run that distance. I'm already planning out my strategy..well not really. I'm just going to try to negative split it. So I have been trying all the gu's and stuff and I think it works really well, but it's pretty hard on my stomach! Anyone have any other suggestions? The shotbloks aren't too bad.

7.31 miles in 54:02 (7:24)

 Missed two days of running...no excuse really. This morning we took the bus up with a handful of people up to Copperton where the Marathon starts. Ran down to Daybreak. It was super smooth. Im always worried when I run again after missing a couple of days because my hip flexor tightens up so much...really annoying. I guess its now the best excuse TO make me run. This mornings run was in perfect weather though and even though we ran faster than I had originally planned, it felt like we were just on cruise control so can't complain. I did try the new peanut butter gu....not a fan. I really need to find a different form of nutrition because the gu's are just too hard on my stomach for some reason. Ill keep trying stuff from the store. BTW if you read this we are having a huge sale on Labor Day!! Come in to RunGr8!

p.s. I wish I was faster ha.

6.47 miles in 50:27 (7:48/mi)

Had our group run at Daybreak lake tonight. I ran with Andrew, Erik, and Blake. It was a good run. Erik took us on his 6 mile loop dodging cars and lots of bugs.

5.59 miles in 43:04 (7:42/mi)

Pretty much my first time this year running at night. It wasn't that enjoyable, anyone else feel like it was really humid? I have so much homework due tomorrow, glad I got my run in though! Going to check out Herrimans course tomorrow with blake and greg. Hopefully Ill be able to go to the invite.

7 miles in the morning then I ran the Herriman Xc course with greg and blake. Hahaha what an awesome course...I can't wait to watch the kids on that course. Not that enjoyable.

3.3 miles in 25:15 (7:39/mile)

Took a couple days off and today I just ran an easy 3 around South Jordan.

8 miles in 56:52, (7:06/mile)

First 4 miles in 29:33 (7:23/mile)
Last 4 miles in 27:19 (6:49/mile)

Met up at the store for our group run. The first 4 miles we ran fairly easy. Ran with Andrew and Blake. When we made the second loop I felt like Blake started to push it a little bit so then I started to push it and the rest of the way I just tried to maintain pace haha. Good run though, felt good.

5.44 miles in 41:16, (7:35/mi)

Yay it is starting to get cooler and its perfect running weather!

2mile warm up
3 miles in 18:52 (6:17/mile)
2mile cool down

The best part about todays run was that I was able to negative split all 3 miles. My splits went 6:28, 6:19, 6:05. Everything felt great. I ran on the Riverton 5k course where I ran my first post mission race in 20:53...so at least I can tell theres been improvement from April hahaha. Im slowly getting back into shape, hopefully next summer I can run into the 17's for 5k and 36's for 10k, although I must say 5ks just don't excite me anymore.

I had no idea what to expect from this race and I kinda jumped into it last minute. Thursday I ran pretty hard and didn't run friday so I wasn't expecting any sort of special time from this race. It also ended up being quite a bit harder than I thought it would be. We went out in a small pack in the front and for some reason I honestly felt like we were going a little slow...I kinda picked it up and jumped out to the front and ran along side Dennis Simonaitis, he is really tall haha he towered over me. Well needless to say for me I should not have tried to run with him. My first mile was 5:59, way too fast for me at this point in time. I know I can do that but Im just not in that kind of shape right now. I should look at it positively though because it was fun to run that fast. I faded quite a bit with the hills and finishing into the wind is never enjoyable. Many were complaining about how hard the course was. Yep I agree. It was fun to meet fellow blogger prestonmadera, hes a stud. I also talk with the 5k winner, David Rasmussen, he also ran at Bingham. Ive met him a few times but haven't talked to him since before my mission. Best part about saturday was Utahs win :)

5.13 miles in 41:16 (8:03/mi)

Group run. Ran with Blake and Andrew.

2.76 miles in 22:55 (8:18/mi)

Ran with my friend Quinton, he just got home from basic training and we went for a small run, then ended up running by Bingham to say hi to the coaches and got some free shirts from arb and a jersey for the store.

5.6 miles in 40:39 (7:16/mi)

 I can't remember this run for some reason...haha Im blogging the last week right now (sept26) and I can't remember all of these runs, just looking at my watch.

4.63 miles in 34:24 (7:26/mi)

Haven't ran for a few days but felt alright. I have really been slacking on the training, my first half is coming up fast and I probably won't perform to what i could have done had I really focused a little more but it's okay it will leave me with some motivation for the next.

4.94 miles in 34:32 (6:59/mi)
(7:47, 7:22, 6:41, 6:33, 6:07)

Had our group run tonight. I ran with Blake and Andrew, Erik and Sonya ran together. Its getting darker a lot earlier, I think Im going to buy a headlight. I couldn't see anything on the canal road coming back haha and the ducks kind of freaked me out. We ran Fish Hook tonight and it felt great. I am definitely at fault for pushing the pace after the first two miles but I felt good and wanted to push it.

8 miles in 55:40 (6:58/mile)

I ran on the Jordan parkway trail down to springview farms and back, good run I had a terrible farmers blow, execution was great, there was just a lot of snot haha. Good run. Ill take it easy next two days and then long run saturday.

4.29 miles in 33:29 (7:48/mi)

Got a quick 4 miles in before we went out to dinner for my birthday. I turned 23! What am I going to do with my birthday money? I'm probably going to buy some school suppli.....haha I'm getting new shoes and a soleus gps watch!! So excited :)

oh p.s. We went to Texas Roadhouse yum!!!

7.86 miles in 57:32 (7:24/mile)

Good run tonight. We had myself, Blake, Andrew, Erik, Sonya, Nick, and Heidi. Andrew, Nick, and I ran 7.86 while the others did 4. It was fun to have a good showing tonight, more is always merrier in my opinion. Good times. I love my soleus gps watch, its awesome.