Craig Hudman - Simply Live

AM - 10.5 Pushed a few miles down to MP. My legs and feet felt real heavy today. Overall pace was decent. Effort was a touch hard.

So here's the story. Sunday I was jumping on the trampoline with my daughter working on backflips with her and I ended up backflipping off of the tramp and putting my left leg through the springs. I ended up jacking up my shin pretty bad and it has hurt pretty much non stop. I have two gashes and the bruising is just starting to show. It was also swollen today. I'm wondering if racing on Saturday is a good idea. I may or may not run until then. I've woken up the past two mornings with it throbbing and having zero desire to put any weight on it. My wife has been giving my a pretty hard time and been asking me how old I am. I think that age shouldn't put limits on my trampoline tricks ability, especially when doing them with my 10 year old.

Hike up to Lower Palisades Lake with the kids. I either had one on my back or was running down the trail trying to keep up on the decent.

Just trying to figure out how the leg is going to feel tomorrow and if today is a good indicator, I probably shouldn't be running the race. Felt ok while running but after I was done it hurt and is now swollen.

Idaho Falls Half Marathon

Wasn't real sure how this race would go off for me. I was really questioning what type of fitness I have right now. I ended up finishing right about were I thought I was.

Got up this morning and my wife's friend picked me up and head up to the start. At the starting line I saw a ton of people I knew. So it was great to talk with them and just enjoy this local race.

Start time was 6:30 on the nose. Last year they started late and vowed to start on time this and they lived up to their word whether people were ready or not. I went out much more conservative than last at a 5:30 pace and no one came with me. The first 6 miles were down hill and all were sub 6 so I felt I was doing well. I also knew I had a huge lead at this point in time so I wasn't willing to push too hard in the flat section of the course. miles 7-13 were all in the 6:20-6:35 range. Running alone like that for the whole way really screws with my head and I can't force myself to push to my limits. At one point I figured that I'd be ok with a 1:21 or so but then I picked up the pace and started to focus a bit on my knee drive. Around mile 12 I hit Tauphus Park and saw my family yelling for me and it gave me a good finishing boost. I looked down at my watch and thought if I run decent for the next 5-6 minutes I'll come in under 1:20. With a bout a 1/4 mile to go my 10 year old daughter was waiting for me to bring me in. I was so happy I could share the victory with her. She kicked me back down to a sub 5:30 pace, I just kept telling her to go faster and she stayed just ahead of me, and I finished just under a 1:20.

Overall I'm happy with the win. I figured I had a good shot at winning. My time was decent I know I could've run faster with more motivation but I got what I thought I could run if I wasn't pushed. I was really surprised  at how non competitive it turned out to be this year, second place came in around 1:32-1:33. My jacked up leg didn't bother me too much and I think wearing the calf sleeve turned out to be a good choice. This is the first time I've worn compression shorts in a race and I liked the support in my hips and thighs.

The best part of the run was with my daughter Chloe who continues to amaze me at how fast she is getting. I think she'll be able to throw down with me in a few years. It was special to let her share that feeling.

Huge Smile the Best Trophy EVER!!!