Go, you chicken fat, go away!

Congratulations to all the participants in yesterday's St. George Marathon.  I found these pictures of a couple of the bloggers as they came in to the finish.

Walter Brown took a wrong turn but luckily found his way back on course for an 11th place finish.

Jeff McClellan came in 2nd place overall.  Here he is sharing a tender moment with his pet parrot, Paulie, who provided some much needed inspiration.

Zippedy doo da!  I finally got a run in.  My calf has been feeling better, but I wanted to wait until today, just to be safe.  I did 50 sit-ups, 10 push-ups, a few jumping jacks, and hopped on the stationary bike just to loosen up.  Then I went and stretched outside while my Garmin was syncing up.  I felt good.  Then I started to run, and it felt a little tight.  I got worried, but went on anyway.  After a while it seemed to loosen up, but my ankles felt more and more tender as I went.

It was nice to be outside again.  I've been seeing more and more people out because of how cool it's been getting.  My how I've wanted to join them.  Today Never-Look-at-Me lady didn't even say good morning to me.  In fact, she stayed to the left (her left) as I ran by her.  This isn't England!  We drive in the right lane!  I also saw another new lady twice as she was pushing her stroller, and we were going opposite ways around the loop.  Ooh, and then there was this new gorgeous looking blonde that was walking with her Ipod.  But since I like older ladies, there's not much to say about her.

Time - 25:23 (avg. pace 8:28) - right where I wanted to be.

Splits - 8:18, 8:37, 8:29

Temp - 63 - beautiful

I got all decked out in my all-blue outfit; blue shoes, blue shorts, blue body armor shirt, blue Ragnar long-sleeved technical T, and blue Garmin.  I was looking pretty cute.  I wanted to do another nice and easy 3 mile run.  However, I was approaching East Village Loop North, and I saw this lady about 200 yards ahead of me.  I would have none of that.  So I picked it up a tad.  I was hoping I would catch her by East Village Loop South, but I couldn't tell if I was closing the gap or not.  She looked pretty strong.  Then she turned on 222nd St.  Oh well.  

I figure once I've seen people more than once, I can dub them a name.  So I saw Single-Stroller lady again twice today.  But this time she was running behind me on East Village Loop North, and then opposite me on East Village Loop South.  Weird.  She was wearing her Pat Tillman race shirt.  I told her I have that same shirt, but I don't think she heard me.  I also saw Interracial Couple.  (Not that there's anything wrong with that, Lyns, I'm just calling it as I see it.)  Actually I don't know if they're interracial.  From a distance the lady looks like she's Native American and the man black.  But as you get close, they look maybe Puerto Rican.  Anyway, that's the name I've chosen for them, and that's what I'll stick with.

Time - 23:16 (avg. pace 7:46)

Splits - 7:54, 7:38, 7:44

Temp - 56

Apparently I ran too hard yesterday, because I woke up pretty sore this morning.  I did some push-ups differently this morning, but it's too hard to describe and I'm sure no one cares, so I won't, 50 sit-ups, and stretched out.  While I was stretching I was thinking my calf felt 100%.  I resolved not too run as fast today.  I started to go and right away my calf felt a little stiff.  But it loosened up, and I think it's going to be okay.  Everything is going to be okay.

I didn't see any of the regulars this morning.  I'm pretty sure I saw Sis. Yarn and her daughter roller blading.  I said, "Good morning Sister Yarn." halfway under my breath just in case it wasn't her.  I saw a new gal that looked like she could out run the girl I saw yesterday.  Where are all these speedy girls coming from?

Time - 24:58 (avg. pace 8:20)

Splits - 8:31, 8:22, 8:07

Temp - 62

 On the way to work I saw Double-Stroller Lady again.  I guess she's running later in the morning now so maybe I won't see her as often.  I also saw a rainbow.  It's barely visible in this picture, but it's there.  Whenever I see a rainbow and it's not actually raining or there's no threat of rain, I get real sad.  You see, the Mormon missionaries came to our house when I was a wee lad and showed that old Church slide show I'll Build You a Rainbow.  It's about a young boy named Jamie.  His mother is about to die.  Right before she does she tells him that families are forever and she'll always be there watching over him.  He says, "How will I know?"  She say, "I'll build you a rainbow."

I found this picture of Riverton Paul who just had an incredible PR in the Saint George Marathon.  Most people wait a few days and do a recovery run.  This is what Paul likes to do.

Put your hips into it, Paul!

******************************************************************************

I'm pretty sure I saw the blonde lady I couldn't catch from a couple of days ago.  This time she was running opposite me.  I think she might be my neighbor.  My daughter's kindergarten teacher lives about 5 houses down the road.  Apparently she was a state champ track star in hurdles back in the day.  How sad is it that I really don't know my neighbors well enough to recognize them when I see them?

Time - 46:43 (avg. pace 8:21)

Splits - 8:19, 8:16, 8:17, 8:31, 8:24, 4:56 (8:14 pace for 0.6)

Temp - 63

Dear Nan,

Today I wanted to run 10 miles, but I had to help a widow lady in our ward move at 8am, and I got out at 6:30am, so I only ran 7.

Sincerely,

Burt

P.S.  I saw Surgical-Mask Lady today.  I yelled, "On your left!", and she dramatically turned around and almost tripped over herself.  It was awesome.