Clyde's Comeback!

A.M. B-hills/River loop. It was crisp and cool this morning after a little rain and a colder night. But the blue skies still made it feel like spring. The legs and body were both pretty drained. I kept trying to cut the run short in my mind. But in the end decided to go the full distance so if the wether is crappy this afternoon I could bail on it. But I'm still planning on going to club.  

P.M. Club run from the DC. There was a good group tonight so we did something different. Ran up the Green Valley road to where it goes past the spa and drops down into the trails. Then ran the dirt roads south and dropped down by the new intermediate school. Steve was pushing the pace all night and wanted to loop into Bloomington then back up the river trail. So we did that too. It turned out to be a little longer than I wanted but I never pushed the pace at all. So hopefully I can just cut back a little more tomorrow from what I was going to run. Legs felt pretty good... in general I'm just pretty tired.  

A pathetic run around the B-hills loop. I pushed Myler and I'd dead so the combo was almost too much for the little engine that could. I need my second wind for the week to finish things off and run that race. Hope to do another shorter run today and then rest up for tomorrow.  

6.6 miles this afternoon around the upper B-hills loop. Felt a lot better than a few hours earlier but still ready for a rest this evening. Hope to use the "stick" and roll the legs out good so I can get some turnover out of them tomorrow.  

3.6 mile warm up

4 mile leg of the relay 

1.7 mile cool down

Did this relay this morning with Paul and Sarah Harmer. We won the relay which was fabulous and really put a beating on the 2nd place team... the downer was that there was only 3 total relay teams. But the race was held along with a 5k and a 10 mile open race. So we were running a long with all the other runners.

All the leg were very hilly. Usually in a relay someone gets a sweet, fast leg. Not the case here. Each leg has some solid climbs. Sarah ran the first leg and did a great job already putting us in 1st place for the relay and putting us in about 10th overall place ( a great effort because she was at the end of her first 60 mile week and had some stale legs). With her increased mileage and tough hills she still finished just over 7 min miles. Then Paul ran a solid leg (he did a 60 mile bike ride yesterday) and extended our relay lead also putting us in 5th overall place.

My leg started with a not to bad .5 mile climb then back down it. Then flat and rolling for about a mile followed with a 1.9 mile climb to the finish. I don't have my splits with me but was pleased with the 5:38 avg. I'm not a great hill runner and am at the end of a solid week so the results are satisfying. I would have liked to catch the 2nd and 1st place overall guys. But they had too big of lead to start with.  The winner ran a great race in 57:50ish. For this course thats a A+. I didn't get his name but he was accompanied by several other latino runners (looked like a club). I'm guessing they may be out of Vegas.

Anyways kind of a fun little event. The race crew did an amazing job with traffic/ volunteers ect. An all out job by that gang. The weather was nice and I was home by 10:30 a.m to spend the rest of the day with the family on this Easter weekend. Thanks Paul and Sarah for letting me join your championship team... and for the chickens.   

A.M. Bloomington loop + a little. Had an ok run this morning. But it was windy and the wind really started to bug. By the time I got over to the freeway I had to do a bathroom stop so I ran over into Flying J. Then going down the south part of Sugar Leo I was just doing easy pace but the wind was pounding me. This was part of the same loop I did the other day as tempo. But the wind was blowing worse that day and I was trying to run harder. So it made me feel a little better about last weeks workout. Nonetheless I was happy to turn north for a few back up into B-hills. But then one I hit River Road back to the house the wind just thumped me. O how I do hate it.  

4.7 miles on the treadmill this evening. I wasn't going out in the rain and wind. It made me really glad I got a longish run in this morning so I didn't have to do as many on the machine. Did some air guitar while running and listening to some Zeppelin and just about fell off the sucker.  

B-hills/ river loop. Kind of chilly out this morning. 35F for the overnight low and frosty. Hopefully it didn't kill any of my veggies in the garden or the pretty pink tulips in the yard. Anyways the run was o.k. I wore some new Brooks Sumons shoes. Hated them. Felt way too flat and had no forward roll. I love the new Launch and Defyance but the Sumons is for someones else. 

P.M. Same loop as this morning. Kind of windy kind of sunny. I used the shovel way too long today and so I was dead on the run.  

Was going to do 20 this morning but just felt trashed. Ran this afternoon. Out and back in to B-hills. Kept the pace fairly quick because I was short on time. Not a full tempo but a solid push. Need to finish the week stronger and try and race on Saturday. 

A.M. B-hills/ River loop. Finally a nice (no wind) morning. I didn't wear gloves and paid the price because the hands were chilly but other than that the run was great. Legs were a little sleepy through 4 miles but then they woke up and I felt very good through the finish. 

P.M. Club run at the DC. We just did the standard Bloomington loop. We took it out fairly chill and then the pace kind of just kept creeping up. I felt good and never felt labored so I didn't think much of it. About a mile before we finished my lunch had to come out... so I hit a potty stop up in the rocks. So much fun! Then I just jogged in after that. Ended up with a 6:49 avg for the run.  

B-hills/ River loop. Nothing really to report. I felt kind of dead. Most likely I won't run later today so I can try and race tomorrow.... we'll see how that goes. I just want to get a solid push out of the body and legs to kind of see where I'm at. 

2.8 mile warm up

6.2 race miles

6.4 mile cool down

Well the goal for the race today was to just go out and have a positive experience and to see where I'm at. That simple. I got a semi ok warm up in and hit the potty 3 times and the weather was basically perfect. So how did it all boil down? Pretty good I guess. I got beat by around 15 seconds by the winner (Kyle who's last name escapes me) but I PR'd (on this course) and got some solid race miles in. Now the PR thing is kind of jaded because last time I ran the course in 2008 I was at the end of a 120 mile week and we ran the entire course as a warm up that day. So kind of not apples to apples but a PR nonetheless.

Splits-

1. 5:21- pretty solid first mile. I just kind of hung back for the first little while and then pushed the uphill.

2. 5:11- Me and Kyle are out in front now. The course kind of rolls through housing development. Split is kind of quick...

3. 5:30- This mile actually drops the most but I must have finally got control of my brain and settled into a wiser pace.

4. 5:40- From mile 4 to 6 is basically a long climb. So this mile is a pretty good effort on the fist part of the long hill. At this point Kyle kind of goes around me and gets up about 10 seconds on me. 

5. 6:14- Hill gets steeper here and I get more wore down. Kyle still up I want to go get him but I'm to weak mentally to do it. (that's what not racing for a year and a half does to a guy) Makes him weak.   

6. 5:55- Finish off the hill and then a level section back over to where the finish is. I still really feel like I could kick and catch up to Kyle but instead I just don't.

5:23 pace for the last portion of the race where it drops down to the parking lot. I feel pretty good and finally caught my breath from the uphill. 

2008 splits- 5:16, 5:07, 5:30, 5:45, 6:14, 5:49 (total of 34:29) Interesting that 5th mile was an identical time:)

 So I'm pretty happy about getting in some solid race miles. I hit an ok week mileage wise. Like I said the PR is kind of skewed. I mean do I feel like I'm in lifetime PR shape... NO. I was in way better overall shape back in '08 but this is a positive after not racing for so long. I'm heading in the right direction and looking forward to a little different type of training than I did way back then too. 

Lots of friends out this morning and that always makes for a fun time. Good job everyone! 

A.M. B-hills/River loop. Kind of windy out this morning but temps were nice. My gut was loaded with junk from the weekend so that part of the run was "chunky". Calves were a little sore form Saturday but not much more than the general Monday soreness. 

I'll try to go big on the miles this week. It's my bday week and I've been doing the Birthday Challenge for the last few years now. Basically to run you age on you birthday. So with that on Friday I'll try to hold the rest of the week pretty solid too and maybe top out at 100 for the first time in ages.  

8 miles this evening. Windy and kind of rainy as I finished. Even though the wind was pounding I still felt pretty smooth and strong. I wasn't trying to hold any kind of pace but the wind wasn't beating me up mentally like it has been doing.  

A.M. Pushed Myler out and back into B-hills this morning. I didn't get out of bed in time to do the run before Mik'L went to work so I had to bring Jr. It wasn't too bad though. I just took things nice and easy while he jabbered and told me a million different stories. We are having some stone work done on the front of the house so I'm going to try and help and learn how... so maybe I can do some on the back of the house eventually. 

8.1 miles tonight around the River loop. I'm changing the name of this run. Formerly know as the B-hills/River loop. River loop is easier. Anywho I was pretty dead tonight but just focused on solid form and running on tired legs. Came home and downed 75% of a large chicken bbq pizza from Papa John's.  

Out 5 in to B-hills then back with 4 miles at LT tempo. I warmed up for 5 miles over through the hills to where the trail starts up above the river. Then stretched a little before starting the tempo. I just wanted a few quicker miles to help the workout go a little faster but not enough to zap my legs as I have a long way to go still in the week. Anyways I took off and held around a 5:40-5:45 pace effort back to the park at the Knolls. Then from there I did a short mile cool down. Pace felt pretty good but I was glad it was only for 4 miles. 

5 EZ miles out in Hurricane with my uncle. The weather was nice. No wind is always a winning number here.  

Bloomington loop. My stomach was jacked from more cookies and pizza. The result was 2 horrible bathroom stops. That's about all I can remember from the run. 

Ran my annual Birthday Challenge run. 31 years old today- every year this gets a little harder:) So my plan was to do this run out on the Little Black Mt loop. I got out there and got running just before 7 a.m. Wanted to finish the workout as a first priority. Up next I wanted to try and hit Tinmanish tempo on the middle 10 and the last goal was to feel strong throughout. 

 I did the first mile as a pre-warmup in (8:26) north of the truck. I saw a badger on this part (way cool to see) I wanted to keep all 3 ten mile loops to themselves.

10 mile warm up in 1:14:58 or 7:31 avg. Just tried to relax and not work or think about the distance during this part. This section seemed to go on forever and was harder than the next two loops combined.

10 mile tempo in 1:03:58 or 6:26 avg. A pretty solid effort here. The whole loop is on dirt roads or trails. You basically climb for the first 5.3 and then gradually drop back around. I hit straight 6 min pace on the flat sections, sub 6 on the downhill and over 6 on the uphill? Anyways I was way happy about the time for a workout done solo.

10 mile cool down in 1:09:21. Felt strong all the way to the finish and never felt a "wall" coming. That is good for a longish distance like this. This loop was the most enjoyable. Just an amazing morning out- slight overcast, no wind, nice smell of the desert in full bloom!

I took note of where I was at the 26.2 mile mark (3:02 and some change). So I missed a sub 3 hour marathon this morning but still got my BQ to keep it respectable. Had a good time and wished my running buddies would have had the day off too to come run.  

Met up with Logan at the DC this afternoon. The high today high today was 87 F so it was fairly warm. We did an out and back down to SunRiver and back in 1:09:07 or 6:56 mile mile pace. Pretty solid with the warm wether and after the run yesterday. The legs had zero soreness and were like the rest of my body just generally tired. But Logan pushed the pace and keep things honest. Other wise I think I would have slacked of. 

A.M. River loop. I was just slow and easy. Didn't have any spunk this morning. But there was no soreness in the legs from last weeks mileage so I'm happy about that and maybe I'll get in a solid tempo run tomorrow. 

P.M. Out and back into B-hills. Wasn't really into the run... at all. Feet felt like anvils hitting the road instead of the light feather feeling that I like to have. Hammy was a touch sore too. I'll have to take some IB's and have Mik'L roll it out with the stick.  

A.M. River loop extended back around the Knolls with Logan. He met up at my house at 6 a.m and we had a very nice morning run. Perfect temps and a beautiful spring, still morning. My legs felt a sleep and didn't want to wake up. Luck for them the plan was to just go EZ. 

P.M. River loop early in the dark and rain. I had planned to do a 8 mile tempo with all the trimings but when I went outside the rain was pounding and it was fairly windy. So I scrapped the tempo plans and just did the normal loop. Legs felt fairly fresh and ready because I didn't run last night. Maybe I'll do it tomorrow morning, maybe not.

8.1 This afternoon on the River loop. Wow the river was full! All winter long we had rain, rain, rain and it never looked as full as it was tonight. I'm guessing the runoff along with the rain the last couple days is to blame. It was a pretty impressive sight as I could see pretty large logs and other junk floating down to Mesquite. Anyways that was the highlight of the run everything else was kind of blah.

Logan came over again early and we did a out and back into B-hills. It looked like the storm could come down on us pretty heavy but it stayed calm... with little to no wind even. So that being the case the run was good. It seemed like longer that 10 mile this morning and my hammy kind of twingled a little around the 7th mile. But then never bothered me again.

Club run tonight from the DC. We ran one mile up to the corner and back while waiting for others to join but no one did. So then Billy, Logan and I did the Bloomington loop with a little added at the end to hit an even 8.5 for the evening. Felt good and hit the last couple at around 6:30 pace and it felt effortless and we were pushing a headwind.

Pushed Myler out and back into B-hills this morning. It was sassy cold at 39F and we had to wait until around 10 before I thought it would be warm enough for the boy. Legs felt better than they have all week but the run was EZ and short. Now I'll chill for the rest of the day and tank up on food.

20 miles down the STG marathon course. Started about 3 miles above Veyo and ended at the church right when you enter town. Then 1 mile cool down. 

First 10 miles in 1:08:55 or 6:53 avg min mile pace. We started with Bill, James, Logan and myself. By Veyo Logan and I were running a little faster than James and Billy boy so we ended up splitting up. We didn't push the pace but ran nice and honest keeping things rolling along. I decided to do a little "mapping" if you will. I measured all the uphill sections from where we started to where we finished. This is basically the meat and potato's of the course. There is a little hill right around the start and I'm guessing it's around .5 from start to crest. But then there isn't anything with any up hill grade past the church to the finish. So the big one's are of course Veyo at 1.05, Dameron isn't as steep but much more pesky at 2.65 miles, Winchester Hill is longer than I ever realize at .90 and then a bunch of other shorter stuff to make a total of 5.65 miles of up hill grade- with the hill in the first mile of the course that is well over 6 miles of up hill and most of it isn't easy 1%. Anyways I'll post this and more on the discussion board we are having about UV and it's comparison to STG.

Second 10 miles I wanted to push the pace but not kill my legs. 57:00 and around 5:43 min mile avg. I felt good and had the best run of the week or since last Fridays 31 miler. I never tried to hammer it but more so just kept a solid, smooth, forward stride rolling along. Nothing to make a movie about but a solid workout for mid April. I should be in ok shape for UV and by Oct I hope to be ready for a good race.

Nice morning out- sunny blue skies with a little tailwind on the first 7 or so and then a little headwind for the remaining 13ish.  

Sick day. Boo. Allergies have been off the hook and ended up causing ears, nose and head cold. So sick of getting sick.

No running again today because of the sickness. So I guess I'm going to get a good taper in for my vacation where I also wont get much running in. So in about two weeks I'll be officially out of shape.

Felt a little better today but still was packin a sore throat, slight temp, and some dizzyness- along with the runny nose and ichy eyes that allergies bring. What a waste of a week. Now I'm just hoping to be healthy before we fly out on Friday morning.

Finally got out for a run this week. When I left the house I was nervous about how it would turn out as I still felt somewhat sick. In the end I made ti through but felt dizzy and then legs said they didn't want to be running. Oh man I sure have blown it on training this week. Guess theres not much I can do about it.

Long day of flying. Got up at 5 a.m (utah) to catch the first flight out of STG to SLC. Then a flight to Atlanta and finally or last flight got us to San Juan, PR at around 9:30 p.m local time.

Can I log any of this as mileage?