Clyde's Comeback!

Did my Birthday Challenge today. Yes I turned 33 so that means a 33 mile run. I wasn't feeling like doing it this year but pitched the idea to the guys and didn't think they'd be down... but they were like "yeah, I'm there". Had they not been on board I'd have skipped it. 

So when great minds start working together great ideas are formed: "Let's meet at 12:00 a.m on your Birthday". Oh yes we did! Started the run at midnight April 16, 2012. The Circle of Trust and Stephen. Steve joined us for the first 2 loops or first 23 miles. 

First loop was our summer tempo loop out through the fields, down the river trail and back up River Road.

Next 2 loops were my DC loop although we ran in reverse of our normal direction. I felt pretty good the entire run. Got a little trashed around mile 21 but took a GU at mile 23 (our second aid stop at my house). Then felt surprisingly fresh on the third lap. Pace was just chill the whole morning as we didn't want to do anything but run the distance. Weather was picture perfect. Started out at around 50 F and dropped to about 42 F by the end. No wind calm and clear.

We made some fun memories on pretty much our craziest run ever... so far. 4:10:28 total running time. Fun way to start my Bday. Came home and laid down for an hour or so but couldn't sleep. So I got up and went out to do some chores in the yard. Came back in and watched a wicked HOT Boston marathon. I've had a wicked nasty headwind Boston before and this made me really happy I didn't go this year. 2 bad races there both on my Bday would have drove me to retirement.

Good job to all the bloggers for gutting it out!

Middle B-hills loop extended home via the secret street. I planned on only running today if I felt great. I woke up and felt really good. My head was heavy and I could have slept for 10 more hours but legs and system wanted a run. Had to fight off the urge to go longer. I need to save something in the legs for the paintball match today with our young men and some of the Little Valley 7th ward priests and leaders. It's on like Donkey Kong. 

Normal Wednesday morning loop with the Circle of Trust. Peaceful morning and warmish at 53 F. Just a EZ and chatty loop. Still feel pretty sleep deprived but legs seem to be feeling pretty good. 

5.2 more miles this afternoon/ evening. Tonight was supposed to be different. Dave and Logan decided to hold a open mile at the track meet and we were going to run it. It sounded horrific but for some reason I showed up. I'd eaten lunch only 1.5 hours prior and it wasn't setting too well. But I still was game to run. However once I got out and started warming up and running some miles there was bigger issues than food and stomach. I just felt tight, sore, and super tired. I ran a little over a mile at the school around the football field then went up around the mall and back to the school. By the time I got back I realized there was no way I should or could run an all out mile. Just didn't want to force it. Glad I didn't. 

Club run at the DC. It was 88 F and with the heat and my previous "jacked" feeling state- this run felt hard. 6:37 avg. I feel more worn down and trashed than I've been since last summer. My goal was to stay on top of it and never bottom out. Hoping to rebound and get some MOJO back. 

DC loop this morning. Mik'L went out at 6:45 and I spent the next hour trying to decide if I was going or not. By the time she got home I was dressed and waiting in the driveway. Just overall flat and tired. Could use some solid rest... but I haven't been sleeping very good. I think it's the warmer nights. I finally had to turn the AC on for the first time this spring. Sucks because it's a long season before she'll get shut off again. 

.6 mile warm up- not really to warm up but to keep from shivering. It felt cold up at the start.... but then .5 miles down the road warm air moved in and we all felt it get really hot. 

It was called a 30k but the distance ended up being 17.84 so... a little short of the 18.64 official 30 k distance. I didn't care. I didn't go to this race to race or do anything official. Just a good excuse to get a long run in with some faster miles mixed. The plan was to warm up for the first 5 miles or so then try and do some kind of tempo to the finish.

The plan worked for 2ish miles hitting 6:17, 6:12 on the first two. But then Steven kept pushing the gas and we  hit the 3rd mile in 5:48 and it started a rush of faster miles for me all the way to the end. Finished the 17.84 miles in a 5:46 avg. So a pretty good marathon pace workout when I really have felt trashed all week. TRASHED. Never felt super but never felt horrible today- just an even effort across the board. The course has a good elevation drop as it starts above the town of Gunlock and drops to Ivans but there are several solid uphills throughout the entire length. Including 2 in the last 4 miles that really make you work. Plus by then it was full sun and over 80.

1.25 cool down- felt like I worked but didn't trash anything along the way.

Overall I'm pretty pumped about the results of the workout. Can't really call it a race. But at the end of a bigger week which included a 33 mile run on Monday. I'll take it and smile.