Blake Bennions running

Drove down to saint george with my parents before I started off on my journey home, ran on the hotels treadmill.

30 minute run in oklahoma, nice and warm.

Officially the first day of marathon training in Ohio. Ran 4.25 miles at 6:53 pace. Then increased to 6:27 for the last mile and 5:56 for the last quarter mile. Felt tough, my legs will be sore. Overall great first day, it was tough to push through the middle miles today. But it'll only get easier from here on. Well today was on the treadmill at .5 incline, so maybe not all easier. But its a good start.

Got out the door with the plan of doing 2 miles, my knee and achillles felt tight at first but felt fine within 10 mins of running. At some point I just decided to run all the way to the track. Once I was there I was feeling great so I ran 5 laps and headed back to my place. I felt like I could have gone a lot longer, it was a great run. 7:10 pace today.

Ran 4 miles and ended at the gym where I did back day with Ian. Currently walkint home. Todays pace was just under 7:00. I'm tentatively planning on running again tomorrow, should be good weather.

Went out for a run, didn't have much time today. Was going to judt do 4 easy miles but the pace got away from me and I was feeling good so I ended up doing 36 minutes at 6:44 pace.

I think my allergies or asthma must be acting up because I couldn't breathe at all today when I ran ar planet fitness. Went with Izzy which is good because then I do some core and rowing after I run.

But geez, today's run was rough. I kept the treadmill at 6:49 and lasted all 4 miles, but it was not an enjoyable run today haha. That's okay, the great part about running is that even if it sucks during it, the feeling after is nice. I also don't think I've eaten today, that might be a factor.

It was in the low 40s today, was looking forward to it all week. I wanted to run tuesday but I was just too busy. Today I didn't have too many pressing things to do between 3 and 6 so plenty of time for a quality run.

Unfortunately the wind was pretty rough, over 25 mph. But overall pretty good run. I felt pretty tired fighting against the wind starting in mile 3/4 but I pushed through well. About 7:40 average for the run.

I've got a long ways to go before being able to run 26.2 miles at 6:50 per mile. I'd say doing that 3 months from now is ptetty ambitious, especially on 3/4 runs per week. But I'll give it my best shot!

Quarter of a marathon at 6:45 pace. It's in the 20s today, so it was pretty cold. One of those days you wish you'd worn thicker underwear. Been a while since I had a good below-freezing long run just for training.

The nice thing is that as my shape improves it will get warmer outside, so the tough part is right now. I just need to get through the next 5 weeks and be able to do this pace for over half a marathon by then. I think I could have done it for 10 miles today if I'd gone for it. I felt great today outside of never really getting warm.

Plan was to run from my apartment to planet fitness, do 2.5 miles on the treadmill, and run back.

Instead I accidentally took a really long route to planet fitness, was at 3.5 miles when I got there. So I just took a shorter route home. Planning on doing 4 easy grass miles behind the track on Wednesday, maybe another short run on thursday, and then an 8-10 mile run on saturday.

4.25 easy miles at 7:30 pace on the treadmill. Treadmill miles aren't fun, but I found myself wanting to continue on for more by the end. I had to get back home to teach a recitation though, and I wanted to get to some core and rowing so I stopped where I'd planned. I'll be doing 8-10 miles this weekend. At least half of it will be at marathon pace, but maybe all. I'll see how I'm feeling the day of. If it's as cold as it's been all week, I'd lean towards all of it at marathon pace.

Been a while since I ran a 10 miler and felt fine afterwards. I feel great right now, could have easily gone on to finish 13.1 miles. Today I ran 6 miles easy and then 3.5 miles hard and cooled down around half a mile.

I decided doing a few marathon miles towards the end of the run would better train my body to run at marathon pace when it's tired. As per usual my ankles were a little sore at the beginning but feel fine now. My knees felt cold after the run today.

Even with 65% of the run at easy pace I averaged 7:11. I think my half marathon at goal pace in 2 weeks will feel good. My current training schedule is working really well for me.

Time to go get some food and do some work.

Warmed up a mile.

4 miles at 6:44, felt a little uncomfortable but not too bad.

Cooled down a quarter mile, I hate cooling down on treadmills and I don't need too much of a cooldown from 6:40 pace. I walked around a bit and then did 5 minutes of rowing.

Snowed a bunch more today, it's prepetually dark and freezing these days. I was having trouble getting motivated to go running today, been a tough and gloomy week.

Went to the gym and ran a little over 4 easy miles on the treadmill. Went home and ran through the blizzard to subway and back.

Ran just over a mile to the school gym. Did arm day with Ian for about 60-90 minutes of lifting. Ran 3 miles from the school gym to planet fitness. I ran 4.4 miles at 6:48 pace, 30 minutes on the treadmill. Then I ran to subway and got a sandwhich before finishing the run home. This morning was under 10 degrees and after wind chill and humidity it was the equivalent of -10. So today was possibly my hardest day before the marathon just because of that. Next weeks half marathon should be easier. I averaged 7:05 for the 6.3 miles I did outside. I wasn't trying to run fast for them, I feel like in this cold I felt like I would freeze in place at any slower. Put in a great day of training. Now it's time to go work on my thesis and readings.

Ran to the gym, did about 3.4 on the treadmill, ran home  ran around the apartment complex to get to 7.5.

Tried to keep it easy today. But in this weather it's tough to let yourself slow down until you're warm. I also threw in a quarter mile at14 miles per hour on the treadmill and threw in a pick up while I was on a busier road on the way to the gum. Besides that I averaged about 7:10 for the outside running and kept my treadmill pace at 7:40. Today's run was almost as cold as Saturday's but felt a lot easier.

Wednesday will be an easy 4/5 mile run and the Friday will be a 13.1 mile run in less than 90 minutes.

4.25 easy miles on the treadmill. Very busy day. Friday is going to be fun.

Body felt wrecked today before I went running, I knew it wasn't going to be a good day for a hard run. But it was a really beautiful run today. Great weather. Averaged 7:10 and took some breaks to enjoy the nice weather and views.

Snowday in bg, so all classes were cancelled.

I ran 3 miles down to a burger place and then ran another mile while they were getting the food ready. Then I ran a mile to a campus park and hung out there and ate food for a while. Finished with 3 miles back home. 7:15 average. Felt pretty good today.

Had a few cross-training workouts this week, but only 2 runs.

Today I ran to the gym, averaged my typical freezing temperature pace of just over 7:00 minutes per mile.

Got on the treadmill and ran 3 miles of .5 at 6:53 pace, .25 at 5k pace. So I ended up doing 3 miles at marathon pace and one mile at anout 5:20 pace, which is very generous for my 5k pace rn. But so is 6:53 for marathon atm. So these are more goal paces for later this year. I ran a mile at 7:30 to cool down on the treadmill and then ran home. It was demoralizing this week to have to go back to running in BG. There's over 2 feet of snow on the ground and very little room to run on the roads. So its either constantly dodge cars or treadmill, neither of which are inviting in the least. But monday I'm going to do a slow easy long run of 12-14 miles while I get my oil changed. I'll start at the car dealership and then run across town to planet fitness, do 4-6 miles there, and then run back. I think the worst of the winter is over.

Wasn't able to run monday, had time for a 10 miler while getting my oil changed befofe my recitation tonight. Averaged 7:03 for the run. I ran an extra long route from the dealership to my apartment, ended up being just over miles. It was actually somewhat warm today, like 40° so i changed into some warmer clothes ans went back out. I ran fo the track to see if it had been cleared off, it hasn't been unfortunatelt. Still bunches of snow all over. Finished up back to the dealership. I'm planning 8 miles on wednesday with a speed workout, and then a long run this weekend.

Run to the track and did 5x .2 miles in 55 seconds. I was actually really consistent getting 55 seconds per rep. The far side straight away was still covered in snow but I found a .2 mile long portion of the track that was continuously clear so that's rhe length I ran. I gave myself an entire half mile recovery around the football stadium between each rep so it was an easy workout. Just slowly getting my legs used to moving faster again. After the last .2 I did another lap on the track and ran home. 55 seconds for .2 miles is 4:35 pace, so I was pretty happy with how it felt today.

Saturday should be an easy long run, maybe I'll throw a few marathon pace miles in.

Actually had a pretty great workout today. I ran to the track and started running there. I was just going to go easy today, my first 3 miles mid-7 minutes. But then I just kept speeding up once I got on the track until. I ended up splitting a couple sub 6 miles, one 5:20s and was feeling really smooth. When I left the traci I stadted slowing down but I realized I could get a marathon pace half-marathon done today so I ran the last 5 miles at a pretty steady marathon pace, fastest was 6:46 and slowest was 6:54.

My alma mater won the Big Sky conference championship today, so congrats to them. That was really exciting to see. Crazy to think I could still be running with my old team. Love seeing SUU win.

15 mile bike ride with Izzy, kinda wet and still a little snowy but it was fun!

2 easy miles and then 4x400m @73/74. Hit consistent splits but my lungs and calves/ankles weren't having it.

Cooled down and went home. I need to get asthma medication so that I can do legitimate track workouts. I need surgery on my nose too so I can breathe better but that won't be happening until this winter probably. I'll probably avoid interval workouts until I can get medicine.

Felt kinda wrecked after the 400s. Which is weird becuase I got up to 5:20s pace for over a mile on saturday and felt great. Eh whatever. Might take friday easy and do 6-10 and then do 15 at goal pace on sunday. I need to remember to go out easy when I start racing again.

Easy run today. Felt very relaxing. Was just over 40 today. Nice to get out of my apartment.

Easy quarter of a marathon. Beautiful sunset today, it was very purple. Race shoes still aren't in, so that's too bad. I decided to do the 15 miler Tuesday because I want to do it in those shoes. Another 7 weeks of training and some super shoes could get me to a sub 3. But even if I'm feeling good and on pace I'm going to step out the second I feel a ache or possible injury starting up.  Better to dnf and take a week off than finish and lose all my fitness right afterwards.

Half marathon in the alphaflys. Awesome shoes, but I think mine have slight defects. It felt like my right foot feels kind of angled in the shoe. Maybe that's on purpose? The first 8 miles felt great but then I tanked hard at 9/10. It was really hard to keep running the last 2 miles. I walked the last mile and half barefoot after I finished to half a marathon. But anyways I barely made it to my recitation on time afterwards and now I'm getting food.

I think a big issue that I run into and need to stop doing is that I will go out too hard and that always blows up my run. I need to ease into things and my first mile should be like 7:40-8 minutes for every run.

Found a weird tender bump on my hamstring. Seems like a muscle strain maybe? Will proceed with caution. I've been considering just concentrating on running easy 4-10 mile runs a few times a week and feeling healthy. Maybe just get back into a good running rythym and try running some fast races aftee that rythym has been established for a while.

Garmin reported 5.6, but I'm pretty sure it was 5. Just an easy shake out. My legs have been pretty shredded up since the half marathon in alphas. Sending em back. But it was nice to get out again.

Jake tricked me into doing a time trial tomorrow so I did a quick pre-time trial jaunt today right before my recitation. Got there pretty sweaty and barely on time for the 2nd week in a row.

I took today pretty slow, averaged 7:44 even with 2 200ms at 42 seconds. Felt alright. Bump is still on my hamstring, but from what I've read it will just slowly go away as I run more. My legs are feeling fine, maybe just a little beaten up still.

Tomorrow I just want to do a 3 miler in under 17 minutes. I'm going to start out easy, maybe even as slow as 90 seconds for the first lap. If all goes well I'll split a 5:20 for mile 3 and go well under my goal. But the way this year has gone I could see myself running anywhere from 16:30 to DNFing or running 18 minutes if my lungs start acting up. Been an inconsistent year, I need to get back on asthma medication.

Warmed up and got onto the track for the 2nd mile. The track club showed up before I started so I asked them if there were any lanes they wouldn't be using. They said lane 8 was fine. But then when I started my 3 miler they started laying down in the lane I was in and getting in my way every lap, wouldn't get out of the way after several laps and if anything were getting more aggressive. None of them were running, just intentionally getting in my way. After 7ish laps I took the hint and got off the track.

Took a lot of self control for me not to say something like "big attitude for last place in the MAC". But it's no big deal. Just didn't really understand why they were acting like that. I would have left if they'd asked.

Speaking of college running, super proud of my alma mater and former team at SUU for taking 9th at nationals. Also watching Conner Mantz win was possibly the highlight of my year so far, what a performance!

Ran to get lunch, ended up at 4.5 miles by the time I got food. I made several wrong turns, apparantly the restaurant I was trying to get to has multiple locations. Just 2 miles to get home afterwards. Ran a pretty fast pace today at 6:52. It certainly doesn't feel like it did 3-5 years ago. But hopefully I can get back to that fitness this year.

Warmed up a mile to the psych building for a quick meeting. Continued on to the track. I threw in a couple mileish long surges. Felt pretty good, great weather.

5 miles at a strong pace, ran over to the track and ran the xc course behind it.

Sat on the steeplechase hurdle and enjoyed the day for a little before running 3 more miles a decent pace. I'm trying to teach my legs to run faster again.

Pretty good run today. Just 4 more weeks in Ohio and then the semester is over. Felt lucky to be able to get out and enjoy the warmth for a little. Semester is about to heat up.

7 miles at just under 7:30 pace. Winds were over 20 mph today so I can't say it was a particularly easy run. But outside of fighting the wind it I kept an relatively easy pace.

Planning on running again tomorrow if my legs are feeling up to it and I can get some good work done on my thesis.

Ran to the track and ran a 10x400m workout. 200m recovery between each rep with 600m after first and 2nd 4. Don't have all my splits but the first 8 were between 75-79, the last 2 were 71 and 70. The workout felt good for the most part, although the last two reps felt way too fast to be 70.

The plan for the workout was for goal may/june goal 5k pace, so I wanted to run 80 seconds or faster for the first 8 and then 75 or faster for the last 2. So I ran satsifactory times, and on fairly dead legs. I'm still sore from leg day at the gym. There's a 5k bgsu is doing this weekend so I'll either jump in that or try to do a 3 miler in mid-high 16 minute range this weekend.

I took albutoral before todays workout which helped a lot, but getting back on cingular will be life changing. So can't wait for that. I think I'll get in reasonably good shape this summer... we'll see.

Tuesday will be a nice easy run, and then Wedneaday I'm planning on am 800m workout at sub 2:40. Or maybe 6x1000 with 90 seconds rest at sub 3:20 if I'm feeling really crazy. Sub 3:25 might be a bettee goal, and that would be on pace for a sub 17 5k. Sub 16 5k is the goal for some point this year, so breaking 17 would be a kind of important step towards that.

Ran to the track and did a mile warm up. Ran 3x1000m with 90 seconds rest in between each. Was feeling like crap after the 3rd so I took an extra minute recovery and then did 2x400m in 70 and 67. 1000m reps were 3:22, 3:16, 3:35. So last one was definitely rough. I think doing a 3x1600m workout with 3-5 minutes recovery would be a good workout for next week. Maybe I'll run a mile race tomorrow to get a free t-shirt, maybe I'll jump in the local 5k this weekend after I get vaccinated tomorrow.

Between finals starting last week (they go through the rest of April) and a trip to the emergency room this weekend, I haven't been able to run. Hopefully I'll be able to go for a light jog by Friday. We'll see how my neck is holding up by then.

Neck was feeling 95% healed up today so I drove to the track and ran in the large retired golf course behind it. Got about 4 miles back in that area and then a mile on the track. Took things pretty easy today, felt good enough that I might do a 2 or 3x mile workout on sunday. I'll add on a couple 400s if I do 2. I'll aim for 5:20s.

2 miles on the track and then 3 on the golf course. Lungs felt a little crappy today, legs felt a little slow. Just 4/5 more days of finals and I'm through. Almost there.

Apparently 60 degrees and 10 mph winds are too cold. I had a big headache after a couple miles, but luckily I brought a hag to the track. Oh well, just 2 more days and then finals will be over.

Finals are over and I'm just about done with my thesis draft. I saw some fitness channel dudes do the army fitness test and decided to try it out, the perfect score is 71 pushups in 2 minutes, 78 sit ups in 2 minutes, and 2 mile run in under 13 minutes.

For push ups I got to 74 and couldn't do anymore with 10 seconds to go so I just called it. 2 minutes really isn't long to get in 78 situps but that was easier than the pushups, I got 80 there. The run was actually pretty painful for me today with a 12:53. Obviously not on my legs, but my lungs felt terrible. I guess that's what I get for letting my running go to crap when the semester really picked up.

Ran a 2 mile warm up and then did 77 pushups in 2 minutes and 90 situps in 2 minutes. Then ran 2 miles on the layton track, the astroturf just destroys my lungs and I didn't feel like I could breathe much at all after the first 3 laps. Some combination of driving 30 hours the past 2 days, losing fitness, and the astroturf resulted in a 13:30 2 miler lol. Oof. Well I'm getting back on cingular so my asthma and that will help. And my 3/4 weeks of finals are over so training should get better. Feels like I might need to get my lungs checked out on a deeper level though.

Short run with Jake, walked some steep uphill portions. Probably 4 miles with that included.

8 miles walking in wild horse canyon and then down through bells canyon (not the one in salt lake). I ran about a mile of it but I'm trying to go easy on my lungs until I can get some asthma medication.

Another mile to black dragon and back.

7 miles doen into grand gallery and then back up. Long car drive on a very bumpy dirt trail.

Can't remember which day this was, but did a 3ish mile run after a mile walk warm up.

Nice run, didn't get out too much during may.

Ran up to wasatch blvd with my Dad while he biked. Pretty tough, finally got my asthma medication so I think I'll be running more as my lungs get stronger and more resistent to crapping out.

3 miles at 7:05 pace, feeling much stronger now that I'm back on cingular. I'm going to run at least 50 miles in June and then 100 miles in July.

Ran up the hill to wasatch blvd and back with my dad. Went pretty well, I ran about 10 seconds faster per mile than last week. Had to get a good run in before watching the ncaa nationals 10k race. Excited to watch Conner race again at the olympic trials. 1500 and 5k finals will be fun to see later this week too. Good summer for track.

Warmed up running around the track and finding a good place to jump over the fence, afterwards I realized the main entrance was open.

I joined Jake for his last 1000m rep and helped him run a 3:10. Then I ran around the track some more before we went and did a mile cool down with Henry. Afterwards we got burly burger and went swimming, pretty solid day. Unfortunately didn't bring any sunscreen.

Massage gun came in yesterday. I tried it out and it seemed to do its job pretty well. No achilles pain when I got out of bed this morning, or at all so far today. I will use it again before going running today once I'm home from work. This has potential to be the cure.

Ran the gully with Coach Murphy, it was a lot of fun! Always a great time when we get to meet and catch up. My achilles didn't have any pain during the run so I think the massage gun is doing its job, I'm still going to be taking it slow, but I'll start running 3/4 times a week again. I'm going to start training for spartan next year. If I can get up to 40/50 mpw and be doing core and lifting workout most days then I think I can challenge for top 10 placements at the national series events.

Walked and then ran over to the park near my house. Did 4-5 spartan race workouts with a lap around the park in between each. Burpees are harder than I remember. All the equiptment was wet so that also made it harder. I think I will just do this every night this week from 8-9. Then pool ball on saturday.

Warmed up to the park and then did 5 spartan race workouts and 4 laps before running home. Felt pretty good, need to find a good place in bowling green to do spartan workouts.

Warmed up to the park and then did 4 spartan race workouts with a double park loop (about .75 miles) between each. Felt good. I'm going to start making my workouts less about the mileage or stats and more about just getting out and having a nice workout.

Ran a longer warm up than usual and then went to the park and did a bunch of running and spartan workouts. The ones that seem easiet are probably the most draining, army crawling and burpees take a surprising amount of energy.

5 miles of steep hiking and climbing, my achilles held up pretty well. Massage guns might be magic. Also played some pretty intense pool ball yesterday.

Calves were still kind of tight from yesterdays steep climb but I decided to go for a run anyways. Ran up to wasatch blvd while my parents biked, I ran almost 40 seconds faster per mile (6:39) than I did last time I did it a few weeks ago and felt a lot less dead. It's somewhat demoralizing how much of a difference my asthma medication (cingular) makes, but I'm grateful that I have it. I won't be going without it again in the future if it can be helped. The massage gun and asthma medication are helping me a lot, so maybe I'll be able to get back into some pretty decent shape. I might also get a nose surgery to help with my breathing issues. We'll see. Overall a great day.

Oof that workout hit me hard. I've missed a couple days of asthma medication but got back on it today. I averaged a pretty quick pace at 7:15 while doing my typical run to the park and 6 spartan workouts. I do:

Warm up to park

Side climb on the outside of the rope bridge 3 times back and forth,

two thirds of a mile,

same rope climb,

two thirds of a mile,

Monkey handles with climb up and around the end of the bars to keep off the ground and then back the other way with 7 pull ups at the end.

Longer run of about a mile.

30 burpees

Third of a mile

Army crawl

Two thirds of a mile

Monkey bars with 4 pull ups after going through to the end of the course, going backwards through the course with 3 more pull ups at the end.

Run home

Full workout of 4.2 miles and those 6 workouts took 39 minutes.

Went pretty hard rock climbing the morning after Wednesdays workout and tore up my muscles pretty good. Played some tennis and did something else active this weekend, can't remember. Anyways, my achilles was pretty sore to start this run, maybe haven't been massaging enough. Started off kind of fast with a 7:05 and then kept around that pace with a surge to end the run. Pretty solid workout, felt pretty tired from miles 2.5 to 3.5ish. Man crazy to think of guys like Hayden Hawks doing 100 milers...

Ran while my mom biked, mostly on the trail that weaves through the neighborhood and the park it leads to. That's the main route around here that avoids hills. Started with a mile in 7:12 and ran faster each lap with a 6:53, 6:39, and 6:29. Felt pretty good too. Didn't feel crapped out in the middle like I did yesterday. My arms are pretty sore so I'll probably wait until wednesday for a big spartan workout. My achilles felt great.

4.75 miles in 30 mins, averaged 6:22 for the run and started with a sub 6 mile. I just felt good today, in part because I got a new pair of brooks adrenaline. They did a great job with this model, the 21. It feels a little roomy, but based on how today felt I don't think it's bad. My feet feel secure but there's a little more room at the end of my shoe than I'm used to. My feet aren't sliding around or anything so it's probably fine. Maybe I should take them back for a pair of 12s.

I've been running in 12 and-a-halfs for 10 years and I've never had a pair that's felt this big though. I compared to them to my Omnis I've been running in and they look longer... oh well, seems to work just fine. I'll probably just keep them, it's only about a thumbwidth of space after my big toe.

Anyways, not sure what's gotten into my achilles or me but I'm feeling way better recently and I just felt like pushing it a bit today. Next time I run I'll do a spartan day though, and I'll cool the pace a bit.

Ran to the park and did a spartan workout day, arms felt kinda weak but it went alright. Then I ran up to the little area I used to run around right under wasatch boulevard and ran in that area for a while before heading back home. I tried to keep the pace nice and easy today, but I sped up a little towards the end. First 20 mile week in a few months, hopefully I'll be able get over 20 again next week.

Ran to the mouth of the canyon and back while my dad biked. Summer is going by too fast. Despite the poor air quality I felt good today, didnt realize how bad it was until a mile in or so. Better than yesterday though. I'm getting back into the kind of shape where I could run a race without embarrasing myself and I still have a month to go until Skyline though.

Solid run today, weird to actually be able to run during the day here in california. Was a bit sunny and windy but great temperature of 70°. I should explore some more routes around here.

Ran the same route as last time, went a little faster today.

Went for another run, felt pretty good. Hopefully I'll get a longer run in this weekend.

Ran while Becca biked for 6 miles. Felt good, path was a little crowded but it was perfect besides that. Really nice day for a run. Averaged 6:50 per mile. I think the Skyline half is going to be a tall order going on my current mileage. It will be fun regardless, I'd be overjoyed if I hit my time from 2018. Doesn't feel like it's been 3 years.

Solid run, averaged 6:52. I'll go slower on my next run.

8 miles averaging a little under 7:30 pace. Felt pretty good. Only 16 days until skyline, which is insane. Top 3 this year will likely be quite the struggle, but I'm just excited to race for the first time in a couple years.

Ran down to and along the beach. One of the prettiest runs I've ever done. Ran right along the water wherecthe sand is more compact. I had to climb up to the trail a few times. Ran into a couple of skynks towards the end of the run but luckily didn't get sprayed.

Warmed up 2 and a half miles and then did 1.5 miles at about 6:00 pace. Ran 2 more miles at a decent pace back home. Felt pretty good today. First two miles were really nice and easy, paces are starting to feel like I remember them as. A little bit at least, still a long ways to go.

4 miles pretty easy, hot tubbed for too long afterwards.

7 slow and draining miles. Combination of lots of sun today and hot tub and run yesterday led to me feeling pretty beat by mile 4. I'm nervous for next week, going to be pretty happy just running the whole thing at this point. Also 2 miles of walking before and after the run.

6 miles up wasatch while my Dad biked. Felt pretty strong today. Skyline is going to a lot of fun on saturday, I'm going for top 3 and within 5 minutes of my 2018 time.

Shake out with Jake, going to be a fun competitive race tomorrow.

Ran the skyline half, was humbled by the mountain. Probably wasn't a good idea to go from sea level to mountain race in 60 hours, and it didn't help that I haven't done any mountain or hill running this summer.

Started having some asthma problems like 3 minutes into the race and the 2000ft climb was pretty rough after that. The descent was okay, but I didn't to super fast since I'd already fell off the lead pack by quite a bit and didn't want to bust an ankle. Finally I got to the rolling hills and bonked out at about mile 11. Ended up dry heaving for a bit during mile 12, after that I got somewhat of a second wind and jogged it in.

Jake was doing great and leading the race for the first 7 miles before hurting his ankle and having to pull out of the race. Overall today didn't go quite as well as when we raced in 2018. Still always feels good to get out there and do a mountain race. I need to start doing pt for my achilles and training more.

Whole body was sore for a few days after the race, I finally went out for a run again and my legs and hips were pretty tight. I ran 4 miles while my dad biked, averaged 7:15 so it was a decent pace for being sore.

What an adventure getting back to bowling green, much happened during the journey- and much continues to happen. I ran 3 miles in the middle of the day heat. Pretty rough.

Warmed up a mile and then ran a 76/77 400m, then I half a mile (I think) before running a 5:38 1600m. Was just trying to get the wheels moving today. My goal was originally to run a 74 and a 5:55, but the 400m ended up being more of a primer. The 1600m felt pretty good.

I'll probably do an easy run tomorrow or tuesday and then later this week I want to do an 800m under 2:30 and then a rest before a sub 11:30 3200m.

Ran 4 miles at the track at sunset. Warm and humid, still getting used to the humidity again. Didn't keep track of my run at all, just by laps. Felt pretty good today considering how wild this week and weekend have been.

Ran 2 warm up miles- one in the field next to the track, one on the track. Then ran 2 miles with a goal of running them both under 6:00, I ran 5:56 and 5:57 so that went well. The first mile felt good, the second mile felt a little strained. I think a sub 18 5k would be about the best I could do in a race these days. I guess my goal first goal for this semester is to run a sub 18 5k, then a sub 17 3 mile. We'll see how far I am through the semester at that point. Finished with a mile cool down.

Walked for a little and then eased into running. Kept the pace slow today. Just needed a break from reading.

Nice run on the cross country course behind the track. Felt good today, I'm excited to go back and run more soon!

Good week of exercise

Monday- run and chest day

Tuesday- run

Wednesday- leg day

Thursday- raquetball

Friday- run and arms and back day

Warmed up 2 miles on the track and then did 2 miles repeats. Originally I was thinking of doing 3 mile repeats at like 5:45-5:50. The first one ended up being 5:29 according to my garmin, but I think low 5:30s is more accurate. I was pleasently surprised by that, especially because for some reason I'd mistakenly thought I was on pace for low 5:40 until I finished.

I took a 5 minute run/walk break before running another in about 5:35. I was pretty tired after that one and I was happy with the results up to that point so I just ran 2 400s in 75 and 71. Ran a bit under a mile to cool down up to 6 miles. Finished by walkint some more. Pretty nice workout!

Had time for just a quick run today, felt good though!

Got to the track late, been a busy couple weeks. I ran the cross country course in the dark for 2.5 miles and then I a bit on the track. My foot was bothering me so I called it early and walked another lap. It's strange, it feels like the skin on my foot is being stretched when I run. Kind os similar to running on a thorn. It's not very painful yet but I wanted to be careful.

Ran to the track and did a workout. My head was aching and overall I wasn't feeling great so I went home a bit early. I get headaches/head pressure whenever I run hard, but I had always assumed it was part of my asthma, but I decided to research it.

Apparently it's actually related to my nasal polyps and deviated septum, the nasal polyps are caused by asthma though so.. I was partially right. I've also had chronic sinusitis since I was a child and researching all this stuff... it seems like I will feel a lot better once I get surgery at the end of the year.

Played basketball for an hour and then went for a run. I felt drained, been a long week.

Beautiful sunset run after watching my Bengals destroy the Steelers. All is right in the universe.

Nice run on the cross country course. Foot felt a little odd towards the end, I think I need new insoles.

Also first time I've reached 500 miles in a year since 2017... back when I was on the SUU track/xc team. That's kind of sad. 2018 was apparently just 430 but I may have missed entries for a while when I was still on the team, 2019 was 260 (somehow), 2020 was 430.

Weird to think about how little I've run the past 3 years, I guess I've averaged 5-10 miles per week. Running volume is a large part of what makes a year a good one- so I need to get back on it. Even with my achilles injury there's no reason I shouldn't be able to do 15-20 miles a week and get around 1000 miles per year. 2021 should end at around 700-800 miles total, next year I want to get to 1000. Lots of big things coming next year.

Nice long (for me at the moment) run around the fields behind the track. Finished with 4 200ms. I wanted to run them between 35 and 37. The first two felt fast but turned out to be 39 and 38. The last two were better with 36 and 35. I think part of it was being tired, and another part of it was rusty legs. They all felt pretty similar.

Ran over to the gym and worked out with Ro, lots of fun today! Ran and walked home. My new running shoes feel kind of crunchy towards the front, I'm going to try new insoles but I'm worried they might just be trashed.

Nice easy run with lots of walking before, after, and in between miles. Walked about 2 miles in additional to the 4 miles of running.

I ran the first mile in just under 8 minutes, was feeling a few aches and pains but just tried to shake out. I also did a lot of dynamic stretches before and after the first mile. I walked around for a while and then ran 1.3 miles, I felt way better. Stopped and walked around some more, finished with 1.7 miles. It was a really nice and easy run. I think I should do a shakeout/drills/form mile before every run.

Warmed up a mile and then did 7 200s with 200m jogs at about 7:30 pace in between. Felt way easier than last time, 33, 34, 35, 35, 36, 36, 36. Also went to the gym right before running, so I was pleasently surprised when I saw the 33. I was going to an 8th but I was getting a pretty bad headache by then so I called it a day and cooled down. Need to get that surgery.

Walked a mile and then ran 4.25 with 2 200ms thrown in. Both were 37 so that was perfect. I think the best I can do for speed or tempo workouts without getting a headache until I get that surgery are a few 200s at a time. I can at least get my legs conditioned well.

Warmed up a bit and then started running. Ended up running the first 3 miles pretty quick, mid 6 minute range. The 4th mile I went a little easier until the last bit I did 2 200ms in 34 and 35. About the most speed I can be doing at the moment. Cooled down about a mile.

4.5 miles along the shore, one of them was pretty quick. Beautiful sunset today.

5 miles along the beach while Becca biked. Some slow and some fast, the last half mile was at about 5:30 pace I think. Really nice day!

Nice shakeout on the xc course and track. Might be the last warm day of the year here in Ohio so I had to get out and enjoy it.

Couldn't find my keys so I ran to my meeting and back.

Warm days seem to be over for the year, I need a lighter hat for this weather in the 40s and 50s. Ran pretty fast today because I was cold, head hurt a bit- especially towards the end. I closed at around 6:00 pace for the last half mile.

This year I've been averaging 12-15 miles per week pretty consistently. It isn't perfect, but it's also not bad at all for a guy just trying to maintain shape and make it through grad school. For general health purposes I always want to average at least 8 miles or an hour total per week, so at least I'm above that. AndI have stayed above that every year except for 2019 when I only averaged 5 per week. Strangely I was faster at the end of 2019 than I am now. Possibly because of my sinuses/nasal polyps.

Recently, my achilles have been feeling better than they have since 2017, and I think after my surgery I may have some great life conditions to train more all through next year. I want to be running 3-5 times most weeks next year. Maybe I'll become fast again!

Rage at the bs call that ended the Bengals-Jets game pushed me too a kind of quick (for me) 6:30 average on my run today. Being a sports team fan is an unhealthy addiction. At least Conner Mantz is looking strong heading into another national championship.

Ran from the dealership to the gym. Will probably do another short run to pick up my car tomorrow after classes.

Ran from the Oaks to Sycamore and back so I could eat with Lieman Grayson and Zach. University is providing a free meal swipe at dining halls to all faculty and we qualify apparently. Nothing gets me more excited than eating unlimited free food at a relaxed pace with some friends.

Nice run today. Will likely run again tomorrow as we've been blessed with a couple last warm days here in Ohio.

Beautiful run around the track and xc course. Perfect weather. Went to the oaks to eat after a quick shower and finished a research proposal outline while I ate. Reminded me a bit of my SUU days.

Cold dark run after prepping for the annual fantasy xc draft, very confident in pulling off the threepeat against Jake next week. Loved seeing SUU and BYU crush it at regionals today.

Easy shakeout after a mile or two of walking. Did a couple of strides too.

Ran 3 miles with Jake to celebrate Conner repeating as national champion, that was such a fun race to watch! Loved seeing BYU sweep the individual championships.

Then tried to blazin challenge at buffalo wild wings and suffered greatly. I still beat out Jake with 4 wings finished to his 3, so not a complete loss at all.

4.2 miles around my neighborhood, felt pretty good. Then played tennis with Adam. 45-50° feels a lot different in Utah than Ohio.

Ran about a quarter mile before the race. Tried to go out conservatively but I still ended up struggling pretty hard. Always fun to go race in the morning though! Ran home to cool down.

Ran to the gym to workout but Ian was still kinda sick a few other people were caughing a lot so I ran back home.

Little run up the hill and back

Surgery went pretty rough, artery was hit during initial operatio . Hopefully will start back up with 5 minute runs in a few weeks.