Chad's Runs

I didn't sleep well last night so I skipped this morning's run.  I did get in a run with Josh.  We ran 8, 4 min repeats.  The pace I ran each was 7:11, 6:50, 7:38, 7:49, 7:12, 7:21, 7:33.  That last one I forgot to reset so it is 8 minutes.  I haven't done any of these, opting instead to just run more miles.  This was Josh's idea and I enjoyed.  It gave the lungs a workout instead of just the legs.  Now I need to get up early tomorrow and run.  I don't do well on these night morning turnarounds, especially with only 6 hours of sleep in between so I'm just going to run an easy six tomorrow.

I put in 6 miles, starting off at a nice and slow 10 minutes or so.  I found that I felt pretty good so I picked it up and ended with a 9:24 pace.  I'm going to try for 10 more tomorrow.  I want to get 50 miles this week.  I've got a slow start so I'll need to run every day this week.

Ran through a fantastic thunderstorm this morning.  To the south and west were the biggest thunder bolts.  Then they started coming from the east.  It started raining as I was coming to the end of mile three so I turned around there not wanting to be caught far from home when a big storm hit.  There were some big bolts above me in the clouds but none ever did hit anywhere closer than 5 miles or so.  And by the end of mile 5 the rain had stopped.  So once I got back to the start I went out again to finish my 10 miles.  

Avg pace 8:56.  

I have some tightness/discomfort/pain on the inside of my left shin.  It doesn't bother me during a run, but I feel it during the day.  I hope it doesn't get any worse.

 30 more miles to go this week.  I'm going to run 5 tomorrow, 20 on Friday, and 5 on Saturday.  That will finish of my 50 mile week. 

I ran a nice slow 5 miles this morning.  I just wanted to do enough to get the blood pumping, but not anything that would hurt my 20 miles tomorrow.  I got more rain this morning.  It started to come down pretty hard toward the end of my run and I picked up the pace to avoid a possible hail storm.  We had a couple of those yesterday, one with big marble sized stones.

So, 20 tomorrow and 5 recovery miles on Saturday and I've reached 50 for the first time. 

It is now Tuesday and I'm finally writing this entry.  I had planned on running 20 miles but quit after 13.  I don't know what happened.  I had plenty of sleep.  I ate well.  I kept hydrated and took a couple of gels.  I just ran out of gas.  I guess I haven't put in this entry until now because I'm a little embarrassed.  Dead after 13 miles?  I still don't get it.

Felt great this morning.  I thought I would run on Saturday, but didn't.  I thought I would run on Monday, but didn't.  If I miss it in the morning, there is a high probability that it won't get done.  Anyway, this morning I did 10 right at my projected marathon pace, 8:54 average.  I ran strong throughout and easily could ran 13 and beyond, unlike last Friday.  I'm going run 10 more tomorrow then take Thursday off in preparation for Friday's run when I'll do 20.  I'm going to focus on that 20 instead of the weekly total.  Last week I wanted to do 50 miles and fell behind a little so I ran a slow 5 the day before I boinked.  I usually take the day off before a long run so maybe that had a little to do with last Friday's collapse, but I don't think that alone would do it.

Another 10 at marathon pace (8:50).  Most of the miles were faster actually.  I've been trying to go to bed by 9:30 so I at least have 7 hours of sleep when I wake up at 4:30.  But the earliest I've been getting to bed is 10:00.  Right now I'm quite sleepy.  I need to go to bed early tonight and with no run tomorrow, maybe I'll get a full 8 hours.

I've been trying to think of ways to start with a full tank when I run 20 on Friday.  I'm going to have popcorn Thursday night.  That has helped in the past.  I've been laying off the pop this week as well.  Although I don't think I'm going to make it today or I'm going to sleep all day today at my desk. 

I got in the 20.  (whew).  I felt really good until about mile 13 (again).  I started to get thirsty and was still several miles away from water.  Unlike last week I was 8 miles from home so I couldn't wimp out and walk home.  I pushed on to the water fountain and took a gel.  I stayed there for a while trying to get hydrated and waiting for the gel to kick in.  It was hard to get moving again but I did manage it.  I started to feel better and by mile twenty I was moving pretty good.

I can't put in a long run this weekend because I'm going backpacking with my son's scout troop.  Somewhere in the Uintahs over night on Friday.  So to make up for it I'm putting in more miles during the week.  That started off today with 13 miles instead of 10.  I really enjoyed it.  I ran at an 8:50 average pace and felt great.  I don't know what's wrong with me on my long runs.  I'm feeling fatigued at 13 miles at a much slower pace.  Am I intimidated?  I really don't do anything different on those days.  It's a mystery to me.

10 more this morning.  I felt the effects of yesterdays fast 13 and ended up with an average of 9:08.  I was pretty tired and temped to throw in a walk or a shuffle but managed to step it up and push through.  I think that's one of my issues.  I sometimes wimp out early.

Taking the day off today.  I was going to run but I was so exhausted yesterday that I figured it was better to get some extra sleep.  I just couldn't keep eyes open yesterday so I went to be early and got up late.  Also, I've got various minor aches and pains in my lower legs that could use a day off, shin splints, ankle pain, etc.

I made up somewhat for the last crappy two days.  It felt good to run 15 at marathon pace (8:51 today).  My left shin is a little sore.  I hope it doesn't give me problems on the small backpacking trip tonight in the Uintahs.  It's only 2.5 miles in and not a lot of elevation change so it shouldn't be a big deal.  I never seem to get runs in when I don't do them early on Saturday morning.  I hope to put in 10 tomorrow but it probably won't happen.

10 miles average pace 8:58.  I had trouble getting out of bed and then had more trouble keeping a good pace.  When I'd put some effort into bumping up the speed it didn't reflect in the actual pace.  I got tired of trying so I just cruised on a relaxing pace for most of the 10 miles.

 On a different note, the short Uintah backpacking trip was great.  I was fun getting out with my son and seeing some beautiful country.  We hiked to Cuberant lakes.  It's just a little short 3 miles without much elevation change.  I should post some pictures later. 

Average Pace 8:40.  Nice cool morning that started at 46 degrees.  I pushed the pace and felt much better than yesterday.  

The moon sure moves fast.  It set yesterday before I was even half way through.  This morning it was up even after I finished about an hour later.  The two weeks of no moon nights seem to last longer than the nights with the moon.

 Hey, first page of the miles-this-week page!  That won't last. 

Nice easy 5 miles this morning at 9:00 pace.  Last time I ran the day before a long run I crashed.  I hope it doesn't happen this time.  The morning was beautiful with a bright moon.  It was also surprisingly cool.  The weather has been forecasting warm mornings, but if felt refreshing this morning.  TOU is coming up fast.  I hope I can reach my 4:00 goal.

I put in another 20 today.  It was much better than last time but I still think I'm intimidated and lack a little confidence on these big long runs.  I ran 15 last week and felt strong at the end, but today I was slowing down at mile 13.  Oh well, I got it in.  I did try and through in some sections of marathon pace about half way in and one toward the end.  The mile and half at miles 10 and 11 was successful.  I then tried for another 1.5 it at mile 18/19.  I ran the first at marathon pace and was pushing it on the last half mile.  I looked at my pace and saw 8:45 and was pleased that I was a little faster than MP.  I double checked and saw that it was actually 9:45.  I was discouraged right there and stopped immediately and walked for a bit.

Next Saturday is 2 weeks before TOU.  Is it too late to put in another long run?  Should I be cutting the mileage a little and starting to taper?  I don't know.  Any suggestions from some of you seasoned marathon veterans?

Ran a relaxing 9:00 minute pace this morning.  The weather was calm.  Props to every one that went out yesterday morning.  You have my admiration.  I took one look at the howling winds at 4:30 and went back to bed.

I had a heart pounding scare this morning when I ran across a skunk in the dark just after 5am.  The JRP is fairly narrow at this point with a drop off on the left and a fence on the right.  I heard something by the fence and took a look and saw it with it's rear pointed at me.  The only comfort was that the tail was not raised.  I was jittery for a while after that and took a different route on the way home.  I hate those things. 

 One more thing.  171 miles for August beats my personal best by almost 30 miles.  It still isn't very close to how many I wanted to get in, but I'm not sure my body was ready for too many more this month.  I need to stay motivated over the winter so I can come back with bigger months in the spring.  I usually don't run very many races, but maybe adding some more next year will help keep me motivated.  I'd also like to try the Wasatch Back but I don't know of any teams I could join, but it's still early.