faster with age

     This morning I decided to run some hills so I ran out to the highway hill which is exactly 1 mile. Then I ran the 1 mile to the bottom then back up 3 times. I tried to keep the pace fairly easy with the first 2 downhills  in about 7:15 each and the 3rd in 6:44. The 3 uphill miles averaged about 8:56 and were a bit more effort than the down miles. My hamstring didn't give me any trouble. Hopefully I can get back to normal training this week after missing 7 planned running days over the last 2 weeks with 3 different injuries coming on. Luckily each one got nipped in the bud and seem to be feeling better now. 8:04/mile for 8 miles.

     The bowhunt here in Idaho opened this morning and I headed into the hills here near home. I had 3 1/2 miles to hike on a trail back into the area I wanted to hunt. I got away a little late so I was in a hurry to get where I wanted before it got light. I was running when I could and power hiking when it was to steep. I was wearing a 28 pound pack and carrying my bow which made it tough. The trail climbs 1600 ft over that distance up to about 9,000 ft. elevation. Most of the climb about 900 ft is in 1 mile stretch and my calves were really burning by the time I topped out on that part. It took a little over 50 minutes going up about 14:30 pace. I left the trail and hiked down into some basins than I wanted to hunt. I ended up dropping another 700 ft and covering another mile over the next couple of hours while hunting before climbing back up to the trail. I ran the 3 1/2 miles back to the trail head in about 30 minutes [8:40 pace]. It was pretty tough running the steep downhills with the extra weight. I went about 9 miles total but just counted the 7 on the trail. I probably should count the mile hiking back up to the trail. I was hustling up that steep hill and breathing as hard as a 7:30/mile pace. I did come close to getting opportunities at 2 different big bucks but couldn't quite get close enough for a shot.

     Ran 8 miles this morning. My legs felt pretty beat up from yesterday. I think that steep downhill with the extra 30 pounds was something my legs weren't used to. A lot of it was steep enough that I had to run with a galloping type stride. Quads were sore. I kept the pace today pretty slow at 9:20.

     I was planning to do a 20 miler either yesterday or today but I've still been feeling a bit beat up from Tuesday. My quads are still a little sore and the main thing that's got me a little spooked about doing a longer run is a little soreness in my hip flexor. I probably won't try it tomorrow either until it feels 100%. It's not worth the risk getting this close to St George. So I just went out and ran another easy 8 miles at 8:35 pace.

     My hip flexor felt good today but I decided not to run anyway and do a bike ride. Hoping to get in a long run tomorrow. 20 miles mt bike.

     Went out hunting again this morning but this time I didn't do much hiking and made sure I didn't run down any big hills with a backpack on. I didn't get out to run until about 4 pm. It was about 80 deg. I was hoping to get in a long run but not sure how the hip would react. I started out not knowing how far I would go and just decided to see how it felt and play it by ear. I ended up going 11 miles and when I got back home everything felt good. I was home for about 10 min. I drank a bunch of water ate a banana and headed back out. At 14 and 15 miles I felt great so I kept going to the same 11 mile turn around. I was surprised how good I still felt at 20 miles. Not to say I felt great, but much better than normal. At 21 I still felt pretty good but during the last mile I felt the normal end of a 20 miler feeling. Ended up with 22 miles total. 8:06 pace first 1/2 and 7:53 pace 2nd half. 7:59 overall.