Elite Jogging For Dummies

This morning I started running again. A week of easiness after the marathon was quite enough to give my legs and mind the break they needed. Being in BC over the weekend and lamenting that I had not brought my stuff to run, and not being able to run, made me really anxious to get back out there. 

So even though it was raining pretty steadily this morning I headed out and did the Ensign Elem loop.  Mostly easy pace, but I did pick it up in a few sections to test my leg turnover. I still have that slightly heavy, uncoordinated feeling after the marathon, but not too bad. I have also gained a few pounds since the race, which I hope not to keep.  You can't eat like you're running 80 miles a week when you're only running 15 mpw without getting a few too many calories.

The plan was to go 10, but I had some tightness in the left hip early in the run that was enough to have me back off. After a few miles, though, things loosened up well. I threw in some fartlek-style point-to-point surges (nothing longer than .5) just to see how those would feel.  Mostly, they were good. I felt like I had something resembling "fitness" this morning--but it was only a resemblance. I ran the same Ensign route as yesterday, but was four minutes faster today because of the surges.

 

Met up with Josh and Megan this morning. I got to hear all about the 5k fireworks at Magna and the speedy times galore.  I wonder what the times at that race would be like if Demetrio did it in September at the end of everyone's summer training? 

 Anyway, we ran up to 11th Ave and then to the 1 mile mark up City Creek.  A very small amount of sprinkling at the beginning, but the weather was great overall, warmer than expected. 

I still generally feel really sluggish. I have a massaged planned for tonight, and maybe that will wring out some of the staleness in my legs.

Run with the Holladay Crew this morning, from GFC at 5:45.  A few sprinkles, but overall nice conditions.  I had a massage last night from Mark and that seemed to help open things up a bit. He worked on my psoas which helped me feel better as soon as I got off the table. 

This morning I ran over to This is the Place, then I hopped up on to the Shoreline Trail and headed north.  When I hit the construction at Red Butte, I turned back west and ran home through the U and Federal Heights.

Cucina loop with a giant herd of runners. In fact, we had a group of 18 at the start! It felt less like a run than a migration.  What a great morning to be out with so many others to enjoy the big climb, the stellar views, and the speedy descents. The route goes from Cucina at 2nd Ave and Q Street up and over through the Avenues to to City Creek, to Shoreline Trail to Dry Creek with the Special Deluxe Extension to Red Butte Canyon and then back through the U to Cucina.