Clyde's Comeback!

8 mile morning run. Up to powerline and around a part of GS. Felt good and dipped down to 6 min pace for around a mile and a half.

4.7 miles tonight. I ran from home down through town and up to Steve running store. I just wanted to get a short workout in and go over and see him- so the two birds with one stone thing. Then I had my wife come pick me up. Felt good and did the run at around 6:15 pace.

6.5 miles this morning. I wanted to get in one more little speed workout to get the legs moving. So I did some 800's out on the road through my run.

Three warm-up miles.

1. 2:19- Some flat and mild downhill/ breeze in face. Pace felt pretty quick but doable for the workout.

2. 2:19- Mostly all mild downhill with no breeze in the face. This one should have been the fastest but I slowed down at the end looking at my watch like five times to see if I had gone far enough.

3. 2:24- Half uphill, half downhill. Maybe the best effort of all three. I knew from the start where the ending point was so I could push this one out without trying to watch the garmin.

Some cool down and recovery stuff too. Glad to get out and push the body a little. I shouldn't feel any after shocks from it and should be just fine on my next run.

4 miles this evening. Up to the church and back. No watch- just out rolling around.

6.8 mile run this afternoon. I ran from my house down through town and over to Snow Canyon High School to watch the cross country meet. But they had moved it up one hour so we missed everything.

Anyways my run was o.k. I don't know how I feel right now- everything feels just a little crazy. It must be the nerves. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone or something. Man I hope this race turns out good.

Meet up with the STG Running club and helped Steve get some of his stuff to the expo. Then Dave, Dustin and I ran down to Bloomington and back. Pace was whatever but I felt pretty good.

Paul and I drove up to the starting line of the marathon this morning and then ran out and back 1.5 miles. We had a bad headwind so hope it will not be there tomorrow.

We hit the expo and then got some Samari 21 for lunch. Now it's time for a little rest before the bash tonight at the pasta party. I think Sasha is going to show off his dancing skills.

Well to start off I need to give some thanks. To my wife for always being a trooper. To family and friends for supporting my wife and I. Also to The St. George Running Center for the support they have given me through the year, and to Sasha and the FastRunningBlog for helping all of us improve soo much. I really feel like today I was blessed to run out of my league and without the help from everyone else I wouldn’t have made it.

We were honored to have Paul and Stacy stay with us for the weekend. So I had Paul to get ready with on Saturday morning and then we headed over to the park to pick up Dave.

Paul, Dave and I jumped on a bus that was leaving right at 5 a.m. We got up to the start and had plenty of time to talk, stretch, and go to the porta potty 4 times- well I did anyways.

The race started and Logan, Dave and I were planning on sticking together and getting to the half by no faster than 1:13 and no slower than 1:15. We ended up just being right with the second group who were going for a “B” qualifier.

Unlike other marathons I’ve run this year the miles just flew by. It was like the race started at Veyo. I couldn’t believe how soon we were there. A little ahead of schedule for my plans but I though this will allow me to run the hills easy and give me some breathing room.

That’s pretty much what happened. As we started our assent up Veyo and then up through Dammeron Valley I just tried to relax and not push it. In doing so I got dropped by everyone we were running with. Oh well I thought- As I checked my watch I was still way ahead of my sub 2:30 goal.

I hit the half at 1:13:40 and everyone was long gone although I did pick off a couple runners I didn’t know right before the half.

Back about mile 9 I got this double side ache/ stomach cramp that pretty much limited me to run no faster than 5:30 pace this went on until around 14 or 15. So during these miles I just tried to run within myself and focus on breathing and a very efficient stride. I was loosing ground on everyone ahead of me by the second. Then by 15 or so the discomfort had passed and I jumped back on the bus and was trying to hunt down a few guys. I caught the lead Japanese guy around 16, and two more guys I don’t know by the Winchester Hill. At the top of the hill I had a drink at the aid station and was very hesitant to down much of it because of the issues I’d had with my stomach a few miles back. So I took about a forth of a GU and one sip of my water bottle mix and chucked it. Now down into miles 20, 21, 22 I catch and pass one other guy who I don’t know and as I get to the big turn around the 22nd mile I can see that I’m coming up on Dave H. and Steve A. As they rounded the corner I could see Steve drafting off Dave and then I myself hit the headwind that they were fighting. I made my way up that little hill and caught both of them as it flattens off before it starts to drop off again. By this time I was hurting and knew that my time was slim- I said a few words to Dave but I couldn’t break my stride of I would have been done- kind of a use it or loose it type thing. Steve A. took off as soon as I got to him and I just tried to manage my pace down into town and through all the turns to the finish.

All summer I’ve thought about what the time would be when I got there- on the clock that is at the one mile to go mark. I always though “man that would be so nice to get there and see it at 2:20.” That way I’d for sure break 2:30 only having to run just under a10 min/ mile for the last one. Well when I saw the clock it was 2:19:30 or so. I was so happy. I refocused and though I’d push this as hard as I could and run a 2:25 something….I just made it 2:25:50.

What a great day and race. I honestly just wanted to break 2:30 and next year try running a 2:25. So now I’m not sure what I want to run next year. Oh well for now it doesn’t matter. I’m just floored that I ran it that fast and feel so blessed to have been able to train so hard all year and stay healthy and have the support of my family.

As I said earlier the miles just seemed to fly by so my mile –to-mile memory is very blurry.

First half- 1:13:40

Second half- 1:12:10

1. 5:29

2. 5:32

3. 5:21- Everything going as planned through here but I don’t look at time until mile five

4. 5:19

5: 5:25-Cruising along with the pack

6. 5:20

7. 5:22- Are we really in Veyo already?

8. 6:13- Time to back off and relax up the hills

9. 5:55- Stomach pains start until about 14- so no I’m in survival mode

10. 5:49

11. 6:02

12. 5:47- It seemed these hills would never end today and I’m soo glad to be done

13. 5:30- At the half I’m ahead of schedule so I’m smiling

14. 5:32- Start feeling better and time to push this downhill

15. 5:22

16. 5:19

17. 5:23

18. 5:21- Rolling along

19. 5:42- Winchester uphill

20. 5:25- 1:51:10 at mile 20- A new 20 mile PR!

21. 5:14- This kind of mile in a Marathon? Who is this guy?

22. 5:37

23. 5:32

24. 5:38

25. 5:38- Coming through town I’m hanging by a thread but there will be no Wall today!

26. 5:49- Sub 2:30 is going to happen today and I’m starting to get emotional

I forgot to turn my watch off so the last .2 miles split was all messed up.

After finishing up I couldn’t fight off the tears. I had broken 2:30 and the months of hard training since the end of February had paid off. Between my emotions and the cool air at the finish my body went into a small shock. For the next hour or so I was aided by others, some wanting to put an (iv in me). That wasn’t happening.

My wife and I did two little walks today around the area. Both added up to around 2.5 miles. It hurt!

Last year on the Monday after I ran 2.5 miles. Not happening today. I'm just trashed. The lower half of my body needs a transplant. Everything hurts pretty bad. I'm not in a hurry to get back to running. I may get some miles in later in the week but I've been planning on just letting things rest and heal.

Here is my rundown of food and stuff for Friday and Saturday.

Friday morning Paul and I got up and drove the course and did a three mile run.

I ate a bananna before leaving

Then a powerade after the run in the car on the way back

For breakfast at home I had a bowl of Granola with Soy Milk

Went to the Expo at noon and tryed a few sample bars and such

Lunch at Samari 21 at 1 p.m. Same thing as last year. Chicken noodle bowl, some salad, tofo soup, and California roll sushi. With water to drink.

Dinner was the pasta party. I had a pretty good size plate of noodles with just a little meat sauce and the rest just plain sauce.

Also a couple slices of bread and snacked on vegies.

1 pudding cup too

Saturday morning- checked my weight and was 154 in the morning. A couple pounds bigger than I'd planned to be but nothing too crazy. It was all the Carb loading.

Up at 3:40 and ate bowl of granola with Soy milk

Mixed a bottle of cytomax with some extra carbo powder added

At the bus at five and ate a bananna and drank the Cytomax drink on the way up

Cytomax drinks and GU's at miles 7,11,19

This isn't as detailed as last years but it seemed to work out pretty good.

My legs played a trick on me today. I got up and still felt trashed and then a couple hours later I felt really good. So I went out to do a short little run. Oh man what did I do? It was so painful. Not like something was injured painful, more like baseball bat to the legs until they are black and blue, but functional painful. I'm sure this is the worst I've ever been after a race. But it's kind of fun in a way. Because I'm not trying to rush back into things for any reason, and I know that I just ran to this date the best race of my life. So it's way worth the pain.

I've been going to take our little dog Zoe out running and thought now's a perfect time with me running slow with the post marathon issues. So I got her all ready and we hit the street. She started out doing very good and I had planned on doing a 3 mile run with her. Well just before the half mile mark she was showing signs of or weakness. So I decieded we'd just do an out and back mile. By the time we turned around and headed home her run had turned into a fast walk with her toung hanging to the ground.

I learned two things on that run. 1. was that shorter runs will work better for her and that she may never be a good running budy (legs are very short). 2. I found out on that run that I was feeling a lot better than I thought I was. So after bringing Zoe back home I went back out for the five mile loop. It felt pretty good until the last half mile or so I got a little sore. Overall I'm slowly getting it back.

I did the powerline/GS loop today. I went out at around 4 p.m. and had to hurry because we had things going on tonight. So my pace was as fast or faster then any other time I've ran that loop over the summer in normal training. By the time I finished it proved to have been a little more than I was ready for. I felt very tierd at the end and the rest of the night. My body is just drained. I'm still fighting off getting a cold that could come any day or maybe I can fight it off for good. In any case today wasn't good for me on not getting sick. Anyways yoiu live and learn. I'll take it a little easier Friday and maybe get a good run in on Saturday with the club.

Didn't go out today. My cold started getting worse so I just took a hot bath and went to bed before we had to go to a wedding reception in the evening.

Felt kind of better than last night so I just got ready and went out. Really enjoyed the run until around 7.5 and then my calves got really tight. By then end of the run they were hard as a rock. Now hours later I am limping around like I was last week after the marathon. So I guess I'm not recovered yet. As soon as I get brave enough I'll use "The Stick" and try rolling my calves a little, but it's going to hurt.

Green Spring loop this morning. Nice morning for a run the air is crisp and clean. I'm moving very slow on this recovery thing. Well at least my calves are. Four miles into the run they got very tight and pace slowed. I'll try it again tonight and see if I start to come around.

No real weekly goals. Just try and get out a couple times a day. I'm guessing I'll end up around 65-75 this week.

7.8 mile run tonight. Ran from my house up the trail to the T'bone trail and over it to Skyline Dr. then down to The St.George running center to go bug Steve. Finally started to feel like I could run. Calves felt around 90% wich is a big jump from the 60% or so they have been at. For better or worse on the last 1.25 miles I ran the downhill at 5:35 pace.

Powerline/ Twin Lakes loop. Took it slow and tried to work on a smooth form. Since the marathon I've felt like my form is all over the place and I'd like to get it back asap.

3 miles tonight. I didn't have much time or energy. Spent the afternoon fishing with Rocky. He should be signing up for the blog soon I'd guess.

Anyways just went out and did enough to get to ten for the day. The beauty of running now and all winter is that I don't have to hit big mileage goals every week. Kind of a off season that my body really needs. I think it's hard to have a good "on season" when you never let you body have an off season to heal and rest.

6.5 mile GS loop early. It was cool out. Gloves and long shirt.

7.2 mile powerline/GS loop this evening.

With the way I was feeling on both these runs I'd say full recovery and racing are a good month or more out. I guess I'll just play it by ear if I'm going to run the new Snow Canyon half marathon down here in November.

5 miles this morning. I used the stick last night and felt better this morning.

9.4 miles tonight on the club run. Dave and I hit the first mile in 6:54 and looked back and the other guys were gone. I hope everything went ok guys. We didn't try and ditch you. Anyhow Dave and I did the Entrada loop and chatted the whole run. This was the best I've felt since the marathon. We never pounded anything- just ran a easy and comfortable pace. Good run to get under the belt. Hopefully I'm snapping out of it and can move on with my life.

I finished up with work and things around noon and it was beautiful out. 75-80 with no wind and blue skies. What a good day to run. I saw some runners on this trail early this morning and it was one I'd never used. So I checked it out on Google earth and then went to investigate. Wow! I found a new cool run right here in town. St. George guys eat your heart out. I'll have to take everyone on this one. It's pretty cool. But I want to keep it a suprise so no more about that. I guess one more hint... I left from the running store. Steve you can't give it away. Besides he only know just a portion.

The body felt good on the run so I still seem to be recovering. Slow, very slow.

Good morning club run. We took a trail that runs south out of Diamond Valley and hooks up with the turkey farm road. Then back over the T'bone trail and down to the running store.

Good run and a great morning. Weather was amazing as the sun came up. Pace was nice and easy on the rocky trail, then we were doing around 6:20 pace for a few miles on the turkey farm road. Anyways glad to get out.

7.2 mile morning run up into GS and up the Powerline trail then down into Middleton. When I left the house it was 45 degrees outside. Crazy to think that in July I had mornings where it would be 90 when I left the house. Once I got out and got going it felt perfect this morning, and my legs felt pretty good too, although I didn't push the pace at all.

9.2 miles this afternoon. Up to the powerline and down around GS and the long way back around Middleton. After I got to the houses in GS I started to work into a mini tempo type workout to test the system out. 6:20 pace felt good from a mile, then 6:00 min pace felt good for a couple. Did the last mile and a half on flat ground at around 5:40 pace. It was doable but I was ready for the temp to be done.

I'm not sure what this week will bring so I'm just going to "do what I can do when I can do it."

7 mile morning loop up to powerline and on to the watertank then down off the hill past Twin Lakes to the house. No watch just ran what felt good.

9.2 mile loop this afternoon. Did the new overpass loop down through Washington. Great afternoon to be out running. For some reason again I felt like running a little faster than just nice and easy. Hit the nine mile mark at 59:17 or 6:35 min mile pace. I wasn't in the fastest feeling shoes but just tried to run with good form and make the most of it. Never did feel like I was laboring to maintain pace. Good run. Hope to take the next couple days easier.

6.5 mile morning loop through GS. Feeling a little tierd and soreish from the last couple days. I knew it would happen.

8.2 miles tonight. Up through the industrial park to the watertank. That is a good climb. Then down the trail back to the house. I just took it easy and never pushed the pace at all. But still ran that 8.2 miles under an hour, and that is not a fast run at all.

6.5 mile morning loop in GS. Finally had a good run for the week. Everything has seemed hard all week and I've been sore and tierd. This morning I just got into a easy pace and the body felt good. Finally.

9 miles tonigh with the club. We ran the same run that I did last Friday on the black hill. Dustin and Bill dropped off at seven miles and Steve and I went up on the Mesa then back down. The hill is a little steep in some spots and rocky... but overall I like the run.

5 mile loop this morning in GS. Pretty tierd this morning. I'm ready for this week to be over.

8 miles tonight out and back on the powerline trail. I had to drag myself out... it wasn't easy or fun tonight.

13.6 mile run with the club this morning. We went from the store down through Santa Clara and into Ivans- then on the main road back to the store. I forgot my garmin this morning so I'm not sure on pace but we held it pretty steady most of the way.

Once I got back to the store I had to do a .7 mile parking lot extention to get to 90 miles for the week. Anyways good run this morning. I'm glad there is no race for a while... It's one thing to go out and run the miles but another to go out and try and push the pace at all.

After my run I drove across town to go watch Mik'L do her 10k. She did great and totally got her goal of running a sub 60 min time... She ran a blistering 52:23. You can read more about it on her blog. The dogs had fun too watching everyone come in, and rolling around in the dirt.

6.5 mile run on the GS loop. After a weekend of gluttony and sloth I was happy to get out and run off all the trash in my system. My left hamstring has been sore since the run on Saturday. I've been trying to rub it out but it's still pretty sore. Hope it's nothing too serious.

7.2 miles tonight up through GS and over the Powerline trail down to Middleton. The legs are pretty sore. I'm not sure why. Just hearing people talk about a race makes me feel it in the legs. It's time for nothing more than slow easy miles.

6.5 mile GS loop. It is suprisingly warm in the morning. At 6:30 it's dark and you'd expect it to be cold. Today it was 59 degrees before I went out. Just shorts and a T' shirt. I'm loving it. The weather man says it will cool off later this week. Bummer!

10.3 mile trail run tonight. I went out exploring some new trails tonight so when I started I didn't know if it would be 6 or 15 miles... The map calls this trail the Black Knolls trail. It shows it comming off the turkey farm road south east until it hit the powerline trail. Well I went out and ran up the powerline trail to the watertank and then up the turkey farm road a little more than a mile and a half past the watertank to where the trail head takes off. I followed the trail the best I could but it kind of vanishes into the rock and dirt. So I just made up the rest of the trail down to the powerline trail and back home.

I'll have to run it again and find where it really comes down. The way I came off the hill requiered some free climbing off the lava flow. Beautiful fall evening for a run.

6.5 mile GS loop. I try doing this loop both way as to not get sick of it. Most of the time it's in the dark so it really doesn' matter.

8 miles. My Halloween run. Today I decided to dress up for my afternoon run just to show a little Halloween spirit. I decided to go as an Olympic Trials runner and I would call myself Paul Fielding (for no reason other than this sounded like a fast running name). I just wore a short pair of running shorts and instead of the sponsored running singlet and number across my chest- the no shirt look sounded good today since the skies were blue, there was no wind and my race day temperature was hovering right around a lovable 80 degrees.

I made my way up through the desert reserve to the power line trail and then connected to the GS loop. As I made my way through the neighborhoods around the golf course little children were already out dressed as Spiderman and pirates. They would say “look mommy that guys is going to run in the American Olympic Marathon Trials on Saturday with Meb, Ryan, and all the other running Gods.” I just chuckled and said “no- not me boys. I have a couple friends who will be there and they are amazing.”

Anyways it was a great run and I came home to my own little fast running Kellers making pumpkin cookies and blasting here new I-pod music through our house… Now to give out candy for the rest of the evening. I thought about giving Cliff bars instead but didn’t have time to get to Costco. So it’s Kit Kat, Peanut Butter cups, and other sugar junk Kellers likes to buy.

I finished off October with right at 300 miles. Maybe a few too many for the month after STGM. I'm looking forward to mid December and January when I can cut things back and rest the system to get ready for next year.