Cheston's Running Blog

Wow, I can't believe my last blog was last October!!  Sorry I haven't  been keeping up with this.  I'm still alive.  And no, Bill, I didn't fall off the boat.  Here's my excuse.  I've been doing tons of training (with state parks) sense I got here.  I just got back from Charleston, S.C.  I was doing some training with the United States Coast Guard at their Academy.  I've pretty much been instructing, or training sense I got here. 

Me and the misses are still having fun here at Bullfrog.  We haven't seen each other all that much lately, but I think I'll be around a little more now that I'm all trained up on boats. 

I have been exercising.  I've been running and biking all winter and spring.  I've signed up for the Utah half triathlon this August 9th and that has been my main focus on training.  I'm really excited for it, something new.  Me and my wife also signed up for the St. George Marathon.  I think I'll run it with her this year if we make the lottery.  I haven't ran with her at her pace for years, it should be fun. 

I won't even try to catch up on my blog with all my past miles.  In my training right now, I'm up to 8 mile runs 3x per week, 21 mile bike rides 3x per week and 3 to 4 40min swims per week.  I don't know much about triathlon training, but I'm learning.  I've found that the weight doesn't come off as fast doing this kind of training.  I'm building more muscle. 

I'll try and stay a little more current on my blog.

The hills out here really stink.  It's really hard to get a sense of where I'm at for speed in my training.  I don't if there's one good section in the road where I could accurately judge a mile.  It makes for some good hill training. 

I haven't been focusing on speed for awhile now.  After reading a few of the blogs for the first time sense December 2007, I really felt the need for some speed.

I couldn't judge my uphill very well, but there were a few sections in the road where it was flat with some down hill.  I pulled out a 6:43 on mile 3 and a 5:47 on mile 8.  I haven't ran that fast in a long time. 

Felt pretty good, I did a total of 8 miles.  Oh yes, the dog is still running with me.

25 miles on bike today.  Longest distance ever on bike!!!  I have a long way to go.

I invested in some real bike shorts with the pad. It really makes a difference.  I can go a lot longer in the saddle without hurting.  I also bought some gloves with tons of gel.  They seem to be keeping my hands from falling alseep.  Different sports bring different problems I'm finding out.

  I was at Utah Lake in Provo on Wednesday and Thursday at a Search and Rescue/ Navigation Class.  I think I like Lake Powell better then Utah Lake.  The water reminded me of Chocolate milk (dirty and shallow).  There were 3 foot waves both day and it snowed the whole time.  I was on the lake till 1:00 am Friday morning.  I felt like a crap fisherman off "Deadly Catch".

8 mile run this morning.  It was 85 degrees today!!!  The last mile I managed to do just under 6 minutes.  We won't talk about the other 7. 

30 mile bike ride.  This was the farthest I've ever riden my bike.  I felt pretty good.  No problems.  I have a new record of 47 mph going down one of the hills.  I don't think I can get my legs to go any faster then that.  Strong head wind today, made for a slow over all time. 

8 miles this morning.  The wind sure has been crazy the last couple of days!!  It went from 85 degrees yesterday to about 39 degrees this morning!!  I had to put the winter clothes back on.  Nothing special to report about todays run.  The dog was being punished for getting out twice yesterday, so he didn't get to go running with me today, he's pretty upset.

25 miles on the bike this morning.  Wow, what  a strong head wind.  I averaged 11mph for the first 12.5 and averaged in the high 20's on the way back.  I love a good tail wind.  I hit the 47 mph mark on the way back.  It got a little scary and I had to slow down.  Dang road crew crack sealed the road the last few miles, which makes for some bumps.

8 miles this morning.  1st miles as always straight up hill at about a 6% grade or more.  I hate this mile.  Next 3 slightly down, pretty good pace.  Turned around and ran 3 miles up hill.  Last mile I spotted a runner about 400 yards ahead of me.  I don't see runners out here very often.  Before I spotted the runner I was planning on running the last mile comfortable.  Of coarse I couldn't contain myself and sped up to a 5:30 mile for the last mile.  I had to show the other runner out there who's course he or she was on.  I passed the runner like he or she was standing still.  I noticed it was a  female.  I don't care, I'll take the victory.  She was wearing a head set and about jumped out of her shorts when I passed her, "Pay Attention!". 

Anyway, a pretty good run.  Looking forward to an easy 20 mile bike ride tomorrow, hopefully with no wind.  I'm going to go spend the day out on the lake checking fishing licenses and doing vessel inspections.  Boaters beware!!

20 miles on the bike this morning.  Pretty average ride.  Worked on trying to stay in the saddle on the uphills instead of standing up.  Pretty good leg burn.  Getting better at staying in the aero position during the duration of the ride.  Arm must be getting stronger. 

8 miles this morning.  Weather was perfect.  I pushed a few miles.  I kept getting passed by cars going up and down this dirt road, heading in and out of a camping area.  When ever a car is along side of me, I like to speed up to make everyone think I'm faster then I really am.  Who can say they don't do that?  I do it everyday.  Is that wrong of me?  I think not.  Anyway, the cars never really stopped, so I just kept pushing the pace.

Longest bike ride to date, 35 miles!  I noticed my rear tire was low before I started.  I filled it up and when I got home, it was pretty dang low.  I've got just over 1000 miles on this set of tires.  I'll rotate them tonight and fix the flat. 

Wife told me I needed to started getting up earlier.  By the time I get done with my work out it's pretty hot out here.  She does her running after mine, bless her soul. 

8 mile run this morning.  Nothing special to report.

25 mile bike ride this morning.  I rotated my tires and fixed a flat I had.  I think the bike needs a tune up.  After rotating the tires the gears don't shift right. 

20 miles on the bike.  Felt pretty good.  I sure I could go a lot further, but I'll follow the schedule.  If running has taught me anything, it's follow the schedule or your going to get hurt.  Too far too soon is foolish.

8 miles this morning.  Weather was nice for a change, no wind.  I felt pretty good.  I have a department physical fitness test coming up in about 2 weeks.  That mile and a half in 14:55 always makes me nervous (just kidding).  You wouldn't believe how many actually struggle with it.

30 miles bike

Pretty good run of 8 this morning.  Did a little speed towards the end.  There's another marathon runner that just moved here.  He just completed his first marathon at SLC in 3:15.  Anyway, I saw him running and had to show him who was boss, so I blew past him.

20 mile bike ride this morning.  I suffered two flat tires!! Not one, but two!!  Dang goat head stickers are everywhere out here.  It only takes me 10 minutes to change a flat tire.  I was impressed.