Clyde's Comeback!

First off I'm really happy about this race. Today went much better than it could have due to the circumstances. I was pretty sick on Thursday and Friday and considered not running the race. But this would make my 7th STG marathon in a row and I just had to do it. And I decided that if I ran I'd just do my best and not just jog through the distance. Then we had some cloud cover last night and it's been really hot so this morning when I got up and left my house at 4:30 a.m it was 76 F!!! Good night but it hasn't been that hot most of the summer and I'd hoped to only have to run a couple mile with temps over 70 F. It was cooler up at the start but today was the hottest STG (yes worse than last year) I've ever ran. Oh and my normal optimum racing weight is 152 lbs... I weighed 160 lbs last night and 157 this morning before breakfast. For some reason I was packing on the weight and not feeling light, fast and efficient. So long story short this race could have been a disaster for me. But I told myself I'd have to run a very smart race to get in the Top 10 and to not even think about hitting a time goal. I took steps to help my chances. 1st don't go out hard at all. Didn't care what time I got to the half in as long as I stayed loose and kept everyone in semi close range. 2nd I put water bottles at all the elite aid station to dump on my head. Plus I got water at all the other aid stations and dumped it on me as well. This really helped cool me off every other mile or so but created some chaffing  and blister issues later on (mostly after the race) because I was so wet. 3rd I had to prepare myself to be super uncomfortable and know conditions were going to be less than ideal. 

  I ran a half mile or so at my house before driving over to the buses to meet the guys around 5 a.m. Once up there Dave and I found a "secret potty" down the road so we ran down there and back to finish off my not really warm up. Figured I'd just warm up for real in the first few miles of the race. Went big boy potty 4 times for the morning and after some stretching the race started on time basically.

A lot of the lads in the race didn't run last year or haven't had a lot of marathon experience so they took it out hard (many... almost all paid the piper later) After the craziness of the first 2 miles were over I was sitting in a big pack somewhere around 12-15th pale overall.  We had a nice group of guys (at least 6-7) Ben V, Dave H, Joe F, and several others I'm too lazy to name. But we got dropped hard by the leaders and a few other guys like Dave Danely and the first Japanese runner who were in the mix for the fist 13-20 miles.

My garmin kept splits but didn't show me anything but the current time (the 405 is a pile of junk). So after about mile 10 I totally lost my pace and feel for where I really was. Finally at mile 20 I did the math on a clock to see how I was really doing but I'm not even sure what I hit the half in and I'm not going to do the math and add it up.

1. 5:49- Smooth EZ mile in the darkness and trying to get a feel for the day

2. 5:52

3. 5:38- Water bottle to dump on the head. This one felt cold as it was still basically dark.

4. 5:27

5. 5:40

6. 5:25- A little fast but not for the grade coming into the town.

7. 5:27- Take my first GU and prepare for Veyo Hill on mile 8.

8. 6:13- Took Veyo pretty EZ and this split is faster than I'd have guessed it would be.

9. 6:02- Up  the Dammeron Hills... Oh how I hate them. I get dropped here by eveyone.

10. 5:58- The pack I'm in move about one delineator post distance way from me.

11. 6:14- Can't believe I ran slower on this mile than up Veyo. Maybe too relaxed.

12. 6:06- Relaxed but the sun is out in full force now and temps are coming up fast!

13. 5:36- I wish I had a exact split time... I think it was around 1:15:30 but I'm not sure.

14. 5:47- Catch and pass Dave Danely. He looks pretty trashed.

15. 5:32- Wanted to start bringing the avg pace down on all the miles that were aided. Also made a goal on this mile that from here in I wouldn't get passed from anyone from behind and that I'd start to reel in as many in front of me as possible. Also had a GU and gatorade at this aid station.

16. 5:20- Not as fast as some years but today was a different day with different HEAT!

17. 5:39- fuzzy

18. 5:34- memory here...

19. 6:03- Up Winchester hill and got my last GU with water bottle.

20. 5:50- Really slow for this mile but I'm starting to close on the lead Japanese guy and a couple others. I see Mike Shram here spectating on the side of the road. He tells me I'm in 12th and I feel that I can dig deep enough to go get somebody to slip into the Top 10.

21. 5:32- Grabbed 4 water cups from this aid station all full stride. Maybe a PR there for my record books. Got some warm cross/ headwind that starts to bug for a couple miles.

22. 5:57- Around the horseshoe and up that little hill and now it's really hot with that wind in my face. Am I going to fall completely apart?

23. 5:44- First mile coming into STG. Passed a couple guys I think through here and can see Dave H up about a block starting to slow.

24. 5:49- Past Red Hills golf course and by Fabulous Freddies gas station. I'm wondering just how slow I'm going but with no watch splits showing I just don't know.

25. 5:59- Down Diagonal St. Catch a Struggling Holt here. Say a few words to try and get him to come with me but I'm loosing it myself. Quads were starting to freeze up.

26. 6:11- As I round the corner with a mile to go I see Dustin Bybee... Wow! If I can close about a 2 block gap in one mile and pass him I'll win the Silver Shoe. This was so hard to do and it was more him struggling than me closing the gap that did it. But with about .4 left in the race I pass him. I went by strong as to say "don't try and go with me". Dustin was struggling and didn't bother. However Tracy Fifield former 2x STG winner and 2:16 marathon guy who's now 49 years old does catch me from behind... and passes me with around .3 left in the race. Dang... 1,000 thoughts go through my head in about 5 seconds. I finally decide to dig it out and not get out kicked in front of all the screaming spectators that line the finishing area by a guy who's 17 years older than me. I looked pathetic trying to push out any turnover but it worked and I re-passed him to finish 9th overall and win my second Silver Shoe (fastest local finisher award).

So like I said in the beginning. Today turned out A LOT better than it could have. No I didn't PR (which a couple weeks ago I really thought possible). But today wasn't a PR day. Look at the winning time. 2:24 and the kid ran that time at Desnews. Some did PR today... someone always does. But across the board they were few. Later that day anyone who went to the awards set through a very hot, sweaty and fly infested ordeal. On a good year at the awards we wear jackets. Today I wish I would have been naked in a swimming pool. 

Made some Memories today!

Didn't run today. All-n-all I'm pretty jacked or trashed... However you want to put it the legs need some rest. But I did eat a big hot dog, some pizza and a coke at Costco for lunch. Then on the way home I bought some raspberry filled doughnuts (it's been years and they tasted great) at the gas station and ate 3. Did some laundry and other chores around the house then made some batter and used a oil cooker to cook up some of the halibut I caught in Alaska. It was most EXCELLENT.  As you can see I'm a little bit of a fanatic about my diet:)

Another nice day off from running. The cool weather was just a few days late in getting here. It's turned rainy and cool outside and far cry from last weeks upper 90's. Sigh... Hoping next years race (which falls on Oct 6 and later in the month) will be a cold one. 

Went to wrestling practice at Dixie State College. I'm going to be one of the coaches for their new club program. There is a new wrestling/ weight room building and we're just in the ground work for starting a real wrestling program here at DSC. There are about 12 kids out to practice so we'll see how it goes. It will be a good reason for me to work on core stuff and flexibility along with exposing Myler to wrestling at a very early age. 

Out and back into B-hills. 55 F this morning and it looks like it wont get much warmer than 60 F all day. Would have been a good day for the race:) 

My legs felt ok. Quads are still really sore, hammies are fairly sore and calves aren't sore at all. I didn't need to run today for fitness or the legs but more to help with my stomach and regularity. If I don't run each day I get really "off" schedule. 

Same out and back as yesterday. Almost cold this morning. The high today was 63 F. Not sure how it got so cold so fast. Last weeks avg high was like 96 F. Legs are still pretty sore but starting to run their course. This happens when the soreness moves through the legs. It's gone from the quads (but their still sore too) to the hammies and kind of into the calves. Although calves are pretty good. 

Just didn't get a run in today. But it was 39 F this morning as the overnight low. Dang that's actually cold. It could be that any day in December or January here. Had a massive dinner at KFC. Hadn't eaten there in years and it was greasy but tasty too. 

Around the B-hills loop and extended up behind St. James to River Road. It was a beautiful running morning. The low this morning was 41 F here in the valley and with a long sleeve running shirt and gloves it was just peachy. Would have been a awesome day for a race:)

Legs are still kind of doughy. Got through the run but there is no spunk what so ever. It always takes time after STG. 

Down River Road to  the inner trail then down to the bottom and through B-hills back around the park and home. Same loop as last Saturday but in reverse. Legs felt pretty good and other than the normal "Monday" stuff I felt ready to go. Still want to keep this week and maybe next semi EZ and low in miles. I just need a "reset" before jumping back into some kind of training routine. Unless something else jumps up out of the blue I'll most likely plan on doing the STG half  in January as my next big race. I'd like to really be able to focus on some faster stuff between now and then and see if I can put together a solid semi fast half. 

DC loop but I took my car up to the top of the gas station hill and parked it to try and sell it ( I'm in the market for a truck to pull our boat with or maybe a H3 Hummer). Then ran around the rest of the loop. Legs felt really good this morning and I could have tempoed it I think. Glad I didn't have to but I think things are progressing rather nicely since the marathon. When I got down by the DC they had a fence blocking the bridge so I had to climb it and I think the construction workers were yelling at me but I played like I couldn't hear them and just took off down the trail. What are ya gonna do? 

River Road/ B-hills loop. Kind of dragging along today. Not really motivated and surprised that I went for the full loop. Almost bailed off short and maybe should have. 

Middle B-hills loop. Just had no desire to go any longer this morning. I'm not sore anymore from the marathon but I just feel spent... all the time. Plus I'm just achy. Not soreness but like the old bones hurt. Also I've been eating way more than normal and don't even dare get on the scale... actually I won't for a week sore so to let things kind of simmer down a little. 

Middle B-hills loop then extended around Jedora at the end. For some reason I (and I feel trashed) wanted/ needed to go running. It was just a perfect 80 F at 5 p.m with no wind and the road was calling... Didn't push the pace but ran uptempo in some Type A's that always feel a little racey. I'm battling off some of the sickness that's been with me for a couple weeks. Sore throat, achy body, sinus crap... anyways none of the symptoms are full blown but all of them are dragging me down. Through it all the run was good and I'm glad I got it in. 

I drove over to Logan's this morning to catch a little run. We went to the HS football game last night and decided to do a run. It worked out for me because Myler is with Grammy up in Torrey so I kind of had a free morning. 

We ran from Logan's house up to Snow Canyon parkway and over by the old running store which put us out 6 miles then turned and came back. The course is pretty and it was a beautiful morning but there are lots of rollers both ways. Pace was most likely pretty slow but we didn't care. We even ran into Mike out getting a run in and starting his Boston prep. Good to see him out. Good run just a little harder on the old body than a 12 miler should be:)

B-hills extended to River Road. Nothing special this morning. We were going up to Torrey but shot that down yesterday. So Myler is up there and we are home without child for  a few days. Just kind of got up and did a lazy run. Still very achy. I'm going to have Mik'L give me a good deep roll out on the hammies, quads and calves tonight and see if that helps my body move on. 

DC loop. Last week the trail was blocked over by the DC and they were doing some work on the trail. It was all finished today. The trail it's self is all done over there... the park andn restrooms are a different story- it'll be a while on that one. 

The run felt good. Better than any last week. I think the sickness is basically worked it's way out (crossing my fingers and toes). It's always nice to just be regular old healthy and not be bound by a bug. 

Freeway loop. One lap on my 20 mile course. Hadn't ran this loop in a while and it was a good change up. Felt pretty good overall. Beautiful morning of 47 F. I had to take my gloves off after 2 miles.

Freeway loop again this morning. This time in reverse. It seems harder this direction and I'd hate to try it this way at tempo pace. With all the rollers on this loop they come at bad times and places going this direction. Run felt good... a little better than the day before. I picked it up for a couple miles but wasn't wearing a watch so I'm not sure how fast.

Out and back run into B-hills this afternoon. I just didn't feel like running this morning and Mik'L had to leave early so it got pushed back. I was waiting for a phone call so I took my phone with me. Thought it would be worse than it was- but packing it a long wasn't too bad. The run seemed to go by fast as I keep waiting for the phone to ring- the call didn't come until mile 8. It was someone who was coming to look at the car and then they still didn't show up. Anyways I'm tight in the hammies and a few other places.

Middle B-hills loop then extended around Little Valley once I got over here. Left hammy and knee or behind the knee or something is really tight. But I felt good once I got going and would have gone longer if I had time. Mik'L ran 8 miles this morning and was already running a little late getting to work. 

I didn't know what time I'd be able to run or want to run today so I skipped running with the guys. However I woke at 6 a.m and couldn't sleep so was running by 6:20ish. Most likely should have just gone with them- but they were doing 20 and I'm not going longer until at least November 1. Anywho a lot of my run was in the darkness so it went by fast and temps were cool but I wished I'd wore a short sleeve rather than the long one. Felt pretty steady through about 11 miles but then started to feel wore out the last couple. Did the Stone Cliff/ DC loop extended around the park for a half marathon distance. Blah blah blah 

DC loop in reverse. Felt really good this morning- really good for a Monday. I had Mik'L roll my hammies out very hard Saturday and that with the day off yesterday really helped. Plus it's been a full 3+ weeks since the marathon and I'm starting to feel like running again. Overall economy/efficient running is coming back. Now 10 miles is feeling about as easy as 6.5-7 felt a couple weeks ago. So I guess life is on the up and ups:)

Same run as yesterday morning. Felt good again so maybe I'm not cursed because that's two good runs in a row. 57 F this morning and a little warm by the time I finished up. Could have pulled the shirt off but didn't want to look like a tuff guy. Nice morning and good run- I'm pretty happy doing not very much right now. 

Same loop as Monday and Tuesday but a little extension around Little Valley at the end. I couldn't sleep around 5:30 so I got up and did my run before Mik'L did her's today. Had a long sleeve and shorts on but after a mile wished I only had a short sleeve. It was 57 F when I left the house at 6 a.m and I should have trusted what the temp said to wear. It just looked like it could be colder because it was soo dark. Felt really good this morning other than the two porta potty stops (one at 4.5 miles and one at 7.5). I had a lot of pizza last night. But other than that the legs wanted more mileage and actually wanted to run hard. I keep them at bay other than picking it up between miles 8-9.5 to catch some road kill runners who were up ahead in the distance. Once I got going the legs still wanted to roll. October is almost over so maybe next month I'll look into some longer runs and some kind of workouts.

Same run as I've been doing all week. Kind of stuck in a groove. A little cooler and I had to use ear warmers and gloves for the first time of the season. 36 F out so I guess I better go get the boat winterized instead of dreaming about using it again one last time. 

Same ol' Situation

Up early and did this one in the dark. Kind o' chilly as the temps were below 40 but once I was moving it just about felt perfect with gloves and ear warms on. Hit the Stone Cliff/ DC loop. Felt pretty good but just kind of strolled along this morning. Stomach was semi jacked. We had mexican food for lunch and then Red Lobster for dinner- and more than anything I was just full of stuff... So the porta potty was a big blessing along the route. Mik'L had a little 5k race this morning so again I didn't get out with the lads. 

Freeway loop this morning. If seemed cold but wasn't much worse than it's been the last week or so. Maybe a little more humid today. I slept out on the lawn in a tent with Myler and was warm all night but we got out around 6:40 a.m in the darkness and in my PJ's it kind of set a chill in- then got dressed for the run and went out and was chilly for the first 5. Never really felt great today and realistically the legs felt way too heavy. Almost post workout or race heavy. But this 10 mile loop is much more hilly than the loop I did all last week so that could have had something to do with it. 

5.6 miles tonight around the B-hills inner loop. I wasn't going to run any doubles through the month of October but today is the 31st and I looked at my monthly mileage as needed 15 today to hit a lousy 250 mile for the month. So I got out and as usual on Halloween it was a perfect nice day for  a run. 5 p.m shorts and a running singlet (could have gone shirtless). Felt pretty good too.