Runnin Bubbas

AM:  4.5 easy miles with some pickup in the middle and end...

Lunch:  7.25 in Provo Canyon on the River Trail.  Had some patches of bad ice and snow but overall not bad at all for Feb.  I wanted to go 10 but the trail had too much snow.  I wanted to go out at just over 7 min pace and then on the way back be at just above (so comfortable) HMP.  Splits were 7:05, 7:02, 7:24, 7:02, 6:17, 6:15, 6:45 and 7:10 pace for the last quarter.  I had just eaten so my stomach felt a little off and heavy. Legs feel good but just tired.  I need to work better on when I go to bed and wake up.  My recovery needs to be a lot better.  I thought it was a good wo.

Late AM:  Could not resist to do a late start knowing the weather was going to be fantastic.  48 degrees when I started.  That is hot for what I have been seeing and running in.  Kind of a good test though knowing this will be the median temp for PHX.  I knew I needed to simulate some tempo again.  Didn't feel like I did enough yesterday as a tune up so I decided to do a fartlik.  My legs felt ok at the start, but I purposely went out at loaf pace to feel loosened up for the workout.  I hit the mile mark at 8:32...just flying :) I am putting all this dialogue in to evaluate where I am at 3 mos, 6 mos, and 12 mos from now.  It should be really good info and feedback for later down the road.  I did about 5 miles at least of 6:15-6:30 pace during this fartlik.  I varied the speeds and distances of when and where I pushed from mile 2 to mile 9.  My recovery run during this workout was way slow almost a little ridiculous slow, but the 20-25 mph head winds and cross winds made this wo even more rahtard.  It was a little more laboring then it should have been.  I guess I am just tired from the training I have done the last 3 mos.  Don't really know what to think but I feel ready some days and like crap on others.  Feels like more mental toughness I need to work on, but who doesn't need to work on this factor of running.  Overall I feel it was a good deposit for PHX and probably the last real tune up before PHX.  I will consult the Terminator on more tune up and workouts for taper mode.  

AM:  Easy miles around Lehi/Highland with Mike, Scott and Toni.  So nice to run with such awesome studs.  Some parts of the run felt a little tougher than easy but overall a very smooth group run.  Gotta a lot of good advice from them on the run for the marathon.  Scott gave me a really good reality check with what he thought was realistic or not for me.  He said my goal should be sub 3 and go from there.  I loved the advice on the first half should feel like "hey, I have only run 13 miles and there is no way I should be intimidated by 13 more".  This sticks out to me as go out conservative and then build from there.  So I am going to do this exact advice.  I don't want loneliness and disappointment come to me by mile 18, 20 or 22.  I just need to run within.  Excited to taper now and enjoy fresh legs come next week.  My legs are tired and its obvious the training and mileage has come full effect.  I wish my weight was lower, but I feel lighter and that is all that matters right now.  Onward and Upward from here. PHX... Make It Happen...

AM:  Some easy miles on the road here in Idaho.  Snowed all night.  Normally I would be on a TM with the horrible road conditions.  I am surprised I did not fall :)  Went somewhere between 6.5 and 7 easy.  I was very tired this morning but felt better after 4 miles.  Most likely a good shake out was needed.  Excited for the recovery/taper phase.  

AM:  4 easy miles through downtown Idaho Falls.  No snow that was cool.  I took it easy for the first couple miles and then felt a pep in my legs so I picked it up the last 2 miles.  I felt great.  Feels great to feel fresh!  Loving this...

AM:  ok...so everyone collects running stories over time but today is a story I am not really excited about.  I set out to do 14 miles easy here in remote Idaho.  The conditions were beyond horrendous.  20-40 mph head and cross winds.  Got a tail wind for like a mile which felt heavenly but it was constantly changing.  The snow was wet and plenty.  I knew I just had to keep a positive attitude and get the run done. 

About 2 and half miles into the run, I was running on this 5 lane road to get to a better area to run.  I could not see the sidewalk because of all the snow.  Normally I would do TM when conditions are this bad, but that was not an option.  The road was my only option.  Anyways, this truck at the 2.5 mark was behind me and started honking for me to get off the road.  I waved to him to go around me.  He continues to honk at me to get out of the way.  Keep in mind there are 2 cars behind him. He can easily go around me and he continues to honk for me to get out of his way.  After the 3rd honk I turn around and waved go left around me.  He drives up next to me and I hop to my right away from him.  I am running about 7-8 mph and he is driving about the same.  The next thing I know he is a couple of inches away from me and then proceeds to purposely drive into me.  His truck knocks me to the ground instantly.  I am in shock.  My left knee starts to hurt, but I am so pissed at this idiot that I jump up and immediately start running after him.  The car behind him sees what happens and they yelled at me "Dude, are you ok?",  I am so pissed that I just yell explicit words towards the direction of the truck that hit me.  I tried to get the liscence plate number but could not see a thing in the snow.  The truck never stopped.  He did it on purpose and didn't think twice to see if I was ok.  I had so much adrenaline going through my body that I did not feel my left knee.  I continued through the weather conditions and by mile 8 I was skating.  The last 6 miles were more like skating then running.  It was tough to manage the run.  I got the run done though and now I have this stupid story for the record.  I know I could have been on the sidewalk but the snow covered everything and I did not want to risk a slippery side walk slope and get injured.  I would have never thought someone would hit me on purpose.  Stupid Idiot...