Have a little faith

Went up Oakridge to top of Gilead, back down and over to Neff's, then home by way of MCC. 53min 30 sec. Not too bad for climbing up about 800 feet.

23 minutes around the loop, trying on the lunaracers which i've not worn since st. george. Felt blister rising on the same right foot instep. Imagination? Do i run in these saturday?

Up around the fee station and back, 18:45. The blister area feels good. Maybe imagined it yesterday. Would like to run in lunaracers, but may opt for the 2140's. I'm not going to stress about this run Saturday. I'm just going to go out and enjoy the course, the weather, scenery, volunteers, and the other runners. I'd only like to get in around 3:35. Not easy on this course. Hoping my last long run of three weeks ago wasn't too long ago.

Drove from SL to Las Vegas, 435 miles and was stiff and tired. Had to run around the parking lot to help loosen up my sore legs. Was feeling a bit nervous from the long rest.

It doesn't get any easier, even after 3 times. Red Rock Canyon marathon climbs 3223 feet in its out-and-back course. My time was 3:39:35. I wanted to beat 3:45, but should have gotten 3:35. My problems were not having enough carbo load dinner. Larry and I took too long looking for eats, wasting the late hour at Appleby's on French Dip and Fish & Chips. I had a bagle with cheese at 4:15, but started getting hungary around mile 11. It wasn't until about mile 17 or more that I had a gel. By the time I hit 21, I was looking for something. One aid station had a power bar, the only one left. Then at mile 22 I ate some cookies, which got me down the mountain.  So 3:39:35 compares with my first time of 3:37++, and last year of 3:42++. Weather was good. At mile 17 there were some wild burrows right next to the road.  Joyce Forierer the race director had the Salvation Army fixing up pancakes and scrambled eggs with hot chocolate. It gets a little crowded though with the 700 half marathoners mingling in and around the 150 marathoners. But it worked out. I'm committed to this race. It's a nice time of year to run in the warm desert sun. 

Three miles slow (very slow) around the block, then later I went 2.3 up to Neff's canyon on my bike, which equates to a run. Especially when it takes 19 minutes on my bike, and 21 when I run. I needed that cross train after the marathon. It's been cold this week. Having run in Vegas, my blood thinned out and I've been sensitive to the cold weather. So, I decided to take it easy and not feel too guilty about sleeping in. I missed both the Tuesday speed work and the Thursday run. Both were cold. I actually drove to the Thursday group, but wasn't dressed warmly enough and turned around.  Wednesday Craig and I were going to run. As I dressed and was waiting in my shoes to head out, he texted me that he wasn't feeling well. So I went back to bed and was not too disappointed.

I went up MCC to Elbow Fork, the last 1.5 mile on icey snow. It was slippery which slowed me down, though I didn't fret about that since I was hurting anyway. I made it to the top in 1:09, and back home in 1:08. That time compares with last year one week after Red Rock marathon. I talked with Ostler for a minute or two as we passed, he comming down while I was running up. Then it started snowing on my way down and the wind blew hard. I was glad to have gotten out running when I did, as I was contemplating going out later this afternoon. Good thing, since it has not stopped snowing since about 11:00 today.

Eastwood loop in 54:30. Felt right. Could have doubled down.

Early morning, up to Elbow Fork. 3 miles on snow. Pulled in just at 2:00:30

Eastwoood loop through Tanner dog park, and up the trails on the foothills.  Late afternoon after a milkshake, does not a good run make.  St. Pat's day. 62 degrees. Took off shirt.

Haven't had the best training over the last two weeks, but I wanted to get at least a 40 miler week, so I went out for the last 11 miles tonight, up millcreek canyon at 10:00. It was great, crescent moon, full sky of stars, cool temps.

Reached top of Gilead in 26:00. Top of Neffs at 34:40.  Home in 51:47  Avg pace ~ 8.6 min/mile.  Started to rain. Temp dropped.

It was a little cooler this morning, as I went out at 6:30 around the loop behind eastwood, and water tanks. I worn leggins, which I didn't really need, and two long sleeve shirts. My time was respectable, considering the clothes, 56:47, or ~ 8:10 min/mile.  Since I can't run Buffalo this Saturday, not with the NCAA sweet 16 games, I've got to plan another long run and go out early.  

I should record this as a RACE, though it wasn't. I entered the Antelope Island 50K, but the time conflicted with my tickets to the Elite 8 basketball NCAA, so I had to make up my own race. My route went up and back Millcreek canyon 3 times to the snow gate, which is 11 miles round, so I cut back my middle loop a mile to make it 31. I had to hide my aid bag, which some dog got into and ate my cookies. Starting out at 5:02 AM, I finished at 10:33 - running clock, for a total 5 hrs 31 min. It was slow, but it included about 20 minutes for changing socks, shedding some clothes (it warmed up from 30 degrees to 40 when the sun came out), and refueling. My route climbed 3,850', compared with 2,500' for Buffalo. The trail is probably a little slower than the road, but the road beats up the legs more. I also don't have the advantage of running along others who help motivate. I had to be my own support. Rosalie was silently encouraging me. She told clients this week why I couldn't work this Saturday, because I was running 31 miles. So I had to do it. I sure started out slow. Not running for three days, and having to fast yesterday for a physical exam cost me a little energy.

This is an equivalent run of 3 miles. Todd and I biked up behind the water  towers, steep climb, accelerated heart rate. In six miles we climbed 600 feet. So 3 miles equivalent is justified.

Eastwood loop, hit the trail to stretch it out. Was stiff from Saturday's 31 miler. Wanted to walk and rest but pushed through it. Finished respectably in 58:30.