Just do it

New Year's run!  Not nearly as long as I would have liked it to be but oh well.  When I got to the end I had pain shoot through my arch.  Probably the worst feeling in the world to a runner.

It was very cold this morning.  My breath thermo shirt alone wasn't cutting it.  The run was good though and my foot felt pretty good.  I got back did some light therapy and ice.  Of all the problems I have had with tendinitis since I started cross country last semester all of them have been cleared up by light therapy.  I swear by it.

33rd South run... It's my favorite route around here.  Probably because it's mostly flat and you run along 11th East from 17th South and that's a cool area.  I need new shoes though... I am starting the David Fundraiser for New Shoes so his Foot Doesn't Hurt Anymore.  Any donations?

Went out to the Jordan River Parkway Trail.  From 17th South we ran out 4 miles and then back 4 miles.  We kept our splits under 7 minutes to total about 55:30.  Good run

Beast creatures... First speed workout since before the break. We ran 1.5 down to Liberty Park and then did 4 x 1 mile repeats.  I was pretty tired but I was able to maintain an AP of about 5:50 so I was okay with it.

Our coach had seriously misplaced the cones so it was long.  My watch beeped at a mile and he was still about .14 miles away.  Instead of stopping there though I kept running to the cone.  Gave me an idea for a new shirt.  "Westminster Cross-Country/Track... We go for the cones." 

 Good run today except my body doesn't like afternoon practice.  At about mile 3 I started feeling some serious gas and I couldn't relieve it!  Then at about 4.5 miles I had to stop for a bit to see if that would help the relief factor. I felt a bit better and decided I wanted to catch up to my teammate who had kept going.  I did mile 6 in 6:10 so I caught up just fine.  It was really cold though and my eyes felt weird when I went inside.

 Did some beastly core work with weight plates after the run.  Not too shabby.  

Went out to the Olympic Oval today for our interval training.  We did 12x400 meter intervals.  The first two were pretty chill at about 85.  The next six were at about 80.  The last four went 79, 77, 75, 73.  It was meant to be consistent but speeding up after all those is pretty good so I was happy.

Cross training day.  I just did freestyle non-stop for 50 laps.  I decided it's much easier for me when I count the laps.

Slow... It had snowed and I always feel like poop when the run starts on an uphill.  Coming down 5th South the sidewalk had been covered by the snowplows so it felt like I was running through about a half a mile of sandboxes. 

Coach told me to run 9-10 and I was planning to but I went with Jef and Oliver who were planning to run 13.  When we got to the Temple (about 5 miles) I decided I would just keep going with them and it felt sooo good!  Great run!  We were just chillin at an 8 min AP.  It's quite a climb from the Temple to the top of the avenues along the road above the cemetery.  I had to stop again on this one.... 

Quote of the day: "Hang on guys... I can't gas while I am running." - Me 

Fartleks at Sugarhouse Park.  We did 9, 6, 4, 3, 2 ,1 minutes at about a 5:50 pace.  It was nice and warm this morning!

Ran up to Hogle Zoo... Good times

800's today.  Rather beastly.  We were supposed to practice at the oval but our coach messed up on the van so we ended up going on the outdoor track at Highland.  We did 7 intervals and we were supposed to increase speed but I was not feeling it.  Kept them all about 85 seconds.

Swimming is boring.

Did a nice little pre-race run at the Idaho Center. We realized there is really nowhere to run around there. We started down this huge highway with no sidewalks and almost got hit by cars so we turned back and ran through the wal-mart parking lot.  Good times.

Beast Monsters... That's all I have to say about this one.  It's been a long time since I ran at a track meet.  This was indoor track so the 3000 ended up being 15 laps.  It was also the last even so we had a lot of time to just sit around.

 I got to try out my new spikes today as well so that was exciting!  They felt like socks... Very nice.

 The race started out well and I stayed relaxed toward the back.  I was able to pass one guy to stay up with the pack as much as possible.  The race actually went by really fast.  I had tunnel vision so I could only really hear one teammate on the side and my coach.  Everything else was blocked out.  I will say that I found this race to be more painful than my 8k cross country races.  It probably wasn't but it seemed like it.

 I hit the mile at 4:53.  This was quite a moment for me because it was the first time I have ever broken 5 minutes in the mile.  It has been a goal of mine for almost 6 years but I just never really got the chance to do it.  The last time I ran the mile was in H.S. and I got a 5:06.  I was beginning to think it would be something I wouldn't be able to log away in my life history.  Unfortunately no fireworks went off... I wasn't even really able to enjoy it because I knew I had another 1400 meters to run.  I felt good though.  My mile and half was a 7:33 and I ended up keeping an AP of 5:04 for the whole race.  I slowed up a bit after the mile unfortunately.  Felt good to be done!  Good race! 

Mile-Repeat Monday... Holy beast is all I have to say.  Today my legs felt like the knot fairy had nestled into my leg and got down to business.  I was tight so I thought it might be a bit challenging.  I did 4 intervals each one at a 5:48.  The last one was ridiculously hard.  We only had 1 minute it between each so yeah I kinda wanted to die.

Today we did lactate testing on the treadmill.  I warmed up and then coach had me go for 3 minutes at a 6:05 pace after which they tested my blood for lactate.  We did that 5 times.  Each time I increased speed 10 seconds.  We found that my break was at about 5:45.  Training any faster than that would just lead to failure quicker I guess.  My performance on Monday reflected that so it was interesting.

 After that I went and ran 5.6 miles to make an even 9.  The first mile was horrible after those tests. 

Went out to the Olympic Oval and did 400's.  Coach had me go about 82 for the first four, 77 for the next 4 and then 74 for the last 4.  My last one was 71.  I  was getting tired but I felt pretty good :)

Just a little pre-race run.

First mile I have done in nearly 6 years.  The last time I ran a track mile was my last meet of H.S.  I ran a 5:06 and died.  I was pretty happy with my time today.  I must say that I am not used to moving at those speeds but it was a fun race.

 The track there was made out of wood and it felt like I was going to fall off the inside.  One girl actually did do that during a 400 and slipped.  Fortunately none of us fell.  I can't remember too much of it actually.  We went 8 laps.  Ollie was up ahead and then I caught up to him and we finished at about the same time.  I felt like my esophagus had burned up though.

 It's always easy to say, "I could have gone faster," because we don't remember pain very well when it comes to running.  I don't at least.  I can only think of how cool it was that we were going that fast!  It was a good race though.  PR in the mile.  I think I prefer the longer distances though. 

Fartleks at Sugarhouse Park. We did it in time on the road.  1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9.  The 9 was a bit beastly but it was a good workout.

Nice little run out to 33rd South.  P90X Ab Ripper workout afterward... Beastly

7x1000 meters at the Olympic Oval.  First 4 were 2:47 at the 800 mark.  Next three were bumped down to 2:40 range.  I must say the last interval was rather painful but good stuff.

40 minutes on the spin bike today... Not so much fun.

Light run today... This week is a taper week so I am just taking it easy.

Today was tri-det competition at USU.  We did a 2 mile relay and it sucked.  I ended up running two 400's back to back and about died.  Sorry but I am just not used to running that kind of speed.  We got 2nd out of 3 so it wasn't too bad.  When I got home I ran another 5.5 miles.  Not bad.

Ran down to Liberty Park. Did a 2 mile tempo at an AP of 5:45. Then did 4x800 hitting about 2:40's

Ran up to Hogle Zoo... Legs felt like straight crap and the wind velocities were quite high. My face was super numb by the top.  I figured the 3.5 miles down would be nice but it wasn't.  Legs just felt like poop.

Went out to the Olympic Oval.  The vehicle people messed up and gave coach a prius instead of a van.  I ended up driving the loaner Sonata I had from the dealership.  1.5 mile warm up and then we did 14x400.  First 4 were at about 78, next 4 at 75, next 4 at about 72, and the last two were 70 and 69.  

This was a challenging workout but it was definitely a confidence booster to be able to hit a 4:36 pace on my 14th 400 of the day. 

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY REBECCA RAMPTON!!!  <3

 50 minutes on the elliptical.  No music and I was pretty much just chillin... I barely even sweat.  Didn't feel like much of a workout but it makes the biggest difference on how my legs feel the rest of the week.

I was correct about the difference in how my legs feel.  Today they were feeling quite refreshed after my lack of intensity yesterday.  Tomorrow will be a nice long run.

What a day!  We went up to the Pipeline on Mill Creek Canyon.  We ran out and back for about 9.3 and then as we were heading down the road to add when our friend David called down telling us he needed help.  We ran up to find that our friend had sliced his knee open and could see the bone.  We took him to the U Hospital and I ran home from there.  It was a good run!  Furthest I have ever run in one day. 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Especially to my Valentine... She knows who she is... Ahem... Bec.. Ahem ;)

4x1 Mile repeats at Liberty... I was struggling to keep my splits under 5:40. Probably doesn't help that I am still sick. I am glad I was able to get at least 4.

BTW for those who are interested. I have a friend named Miles Batty who runs for BYU. Just recently he ran a 3:55. From what I was reading that puts him #2 in the nation and #5 in the world. He and I served together in Brazil on an LDS mission. I was happy when I broke 5 mins. That's just ridiculous. Congrats Miles!

Toward Hogle Zoo and back.

Did 10x400 meter intervals at Sugarhouse.

40 minutes on the elliptical.  Not too shabby... Nice and light.

Ran along 13th East for 2.5 and then back.  Race tomorrow!

This was an interesting meet.  I have never been to this track before.  I would have preferred banked turns but the track was still pretty spiffy.  Not too spectator friendly but my parental units came with my brother and his wife.  A hot babe came with me ;)

 David, Oliver, and I all went to run the mile.  When we got up to the line we found out that the other schools had dropped for some reason so we were the only 3 running it!  They must have gotten scared when they saw us.  It made the race pretty tough though because Oliver was up front by himself.  I normally pace off him and since he usually runs under 4:35 I figured I was right where I needed to be.  I should have been paying more attention to the time and how I felt because I was feeling too good to be going under a 4:40 pace.  We came across and swept 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!  Woop ;)  Not our best race though...

 After about an hour of recovery we three ran the 800.  That was rather beastly.  It was funny because the main group of runners was out in front and then we three (who had just run the mile an hour before that) were about 8-10 seconds behind.  I ended up passing Oliver on the 3rd lap and he tried to catch up at the last stretch.  I didn't realize I was capable of kicking like that.  I got a 2:07.  Not too shabby.  It was a fun race.  I just didn't know how to race the 800 and wasn't used to that kind of speed.  

It was a great day over all and it was great to have my family and a hot babe with me! 

50 minutes on the elliptication.  We are taking 2 days off from running before outdoor track season starts.

50 more elliptication minutes!  Outdoor track season commences tomorrow!

Today was Coach's way of giving us a nice punch in the stomach after our two day break.  It was just me and Oliver and we went down to Liberty.  Liberty Park has come to equal pain for me.  We did 2x1 mile.  I ran a 5:21 and a 5:25 (the 2nd leg is uphillish... and hellish)  

After that we did 5x800.  Ouchy... I was hitting right under 2:40 for the first 3 and then just over 2:40 for the last 2.  It was a challenge for sure.  We came back to the school and did core.  What it is?? 

6 easy miles

Ran up and past the U stadium.  Legs have been a bit sore.

Ran at Jordan River Parkway trail (out and back)  I was really only planning to go 12 today.  Then I figured I might as well do 15... Then I figured well I might as well just go out another half mile to get 16.  My AP was 7:08.  I was pretty stinkin tired by the time I got back.  I should have had gel with me or something like that.  I am sure that would have made a world of difference.  

Spring Break is in progress which means no organized practice.  That means that we have to do the workout on our own... That means it sucks.  Speed work by yourself is never fun.  He had me doing fartleks today.  Went to Liberty and did 6x3 mins hard with 2 mins recovery jog in between.  I was keeping an AP of low 5:40's during the 3 mins.  My legs aren't totally fresh after Saturday but it was a good workout.

During one of my recoveries, a skateboarder came by and said, "Dude... How fast can you run??  Just wondering... You were bookin it a second ago!"  If any of you know how to respond to that question then let me know.  I wasn't sure if he wanted a mile time, a race time, MPH, or AP so I just said, "I dunno" and continued on my merry way. 

  <--- Did everyone see my new picture??  Look at the hot babe who came with me to my meet! Woooey! 

Ran up toward the zoo and back.  Stopped at the school to do 6x15 seconds strides.

Today sucked.  I needed to do 400's so I figured I would just go to the track and knock it out.  Went to the base track... Covered in snow... Went to the Northridge track... Covered in snow.  Dang it!  So I went back to base and did my warm up on the indoor track.  400 would have been 2.25 laps so I took off to do that.  I made it one lap and stopped.  Those corners were going to break my legs.  No...  So I ended up running along the perimeter road doing fartleks instead.  I did 15x1 minute hard with 1 minute easy in between.  Kinda sucked but I got through it.  Glad I just finally got a workout in.

I ellipticalled today for 50 minutes.  We have a PFA tomorrow so we'll see how that goes.  I am thinking around 7:40's for the mile and a half.

ROTC Fitness Assessment today.  1 min of sit ups and push ups (67/58) and then a 1.5 mile run.  We ran the 1.5 on the new U track so that was pretty nice.  The weather was also really nice.  I I ran a 7:40.  I was on pace for a 7:30 but I got really tired at the mile.  I was happy with it though.  I then did 4.5 miles after that.

What a day!  I woke up at 6:40 and ran down to the Capitol and around back through the avenues and back to my house.  I was feeling a bit tired today due to my lovely 1.5 miler yesterday.  I ran for about 1:45.  I had a power bar gel pack but that didn't make a huge difference.  I was running late too.

When I got home I had to throw my clothes on and run out the door to meet Becca to go skiing/snowboarding all day!  Talk about throwing your legs into the meat grinder.  It was so much fun though!  I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with the super hot babe. My legs kinda hurt now though. 

800's at Liberty Park today.  My calves hurt like a mother beast.  One way was a bit downhill and the other way up.  Let's just say it was pretty hard.  

Not the best of runs today.  When I went to switch my orthotics to my other pair of shoes, a small piece of foam came off on the side that was counteracting the excessive arch support.  I didn't think it would make a huge difference but I think it did.  My calves were already sore and then the left side of my left leg was hurting throughout the run.  I had planned to go 8 but that didn't happen.

We were supposed to do 400's at the olympic oval today but our coach got keys to a car that wasn't there.  The tracks have snow on them so we went to Sugar house park and did fartleks.  12 by 30 seconds fast with 30 seconds slow.  It ended up being a really short workout so we just ran another lap around the park.  I wouldn't feel to great about that normally but considering I am running the 5k for our first outdoor track meet this weekend, I won't complain.

I gone done did 50 elliptical minutes while watchin the news!  Race this weekend!  AHH!!

Five easy miles along 13th.  Felt good.  Ready for the morrow.

So.... Not too sure how I feel about this race.  I am rather torn.  The last time I ran a 5k was during the summer and I was rather out of shape running around a 19. This was also my very first 5k on a track.  So on the one hand it was a 5k PR for me!  But on the other hand I felt that I could have done much better.

I was planning to get into the low 16's as my goal for the season is to break 16.  I wanted to do 78 second lap splits.  When we went out I got boxed in behind a group.  It only took about 10 meters for me to feel like that was too slow but I stayed with them regardless.  When we came across lap one, my coach called out 80... Crap... So I went wide to pass the group and tried to pick it up.  Came across again... 80... Dang it!  So I still tried to pick it up.  I caught up to a runner and as I was passing him he said, "Let's switch off."  Ok... So I was out in front and then after about 200 meters he passed me back.  Then I passed him back again and he was gone :(  Goodbye friend.  Then another kid did the same thing.  He passed, I passed, and he was gone.  I found out later that I was pretty much leading a pack and didn't realize it.

Pretty much my splits were around 80 the whole time.  I was able to squeeze out a couple that were sub 80 to help me get closer to the 16:30 mark but it wasn't enough to get below that.  I felt good for the first 2 miles and was starting to get pretty tired toward the end.  I am not sure how much faster I could have gone but I think getting boxed in really threw me for a loop.  

It was a good race and I had fun.  I also got a good PR out of it so I am happy.  I just know that I am capable of going much faster than that.  What's good is that leaves lots of room for improvement.   

Mondays suck... Well because they are our endurance days.  Today we did 6x1000 meters on the track.  Coach had me hitting about a 5:15 pace.  The first few were doable.  The last 3 were getting freakishly hard.  When he said we were done at 6 intervals, I praised the heavens.  Just goes to show though that I can definitely do the 5k faster.

Ran 13th to South Temple to 7th East to 17th South to Westminster.  I stayed at a 7:03 pace and felt like poop.  My stomach was not happy with my afternoon run.  Did some core, push ups and pull ups afterward.  Feels good to have finished that.

And look!  I updated my page!  I am cooler now. 

12x400 at Highland HS track today.  I am feeling a bit under the weather so I was a little concerned.  I was able to run just fine though.  There was some beastly wind that made it more difficult but not bad other than that.

We did a step-down type work out.  First 4 were 77-78, next 4 were 74-75, last four were 71-72.  I actually was running the first four in under 77's.  We had about 2 mins rest in between I think. At the meet this last week I was shooting for 78's which would put me in the low 16 minute range for the 5k.  I hit 80's unfortunately.  I figured if I can hit under 78 for all 12 of these with trainers on and in wind without competition, then I can definitely race at a 78 pace or better.  Quit being a pansy on race day David! >:O

Got some motivation from someone special :)  Did the stairmaster for 50 minutes today and perspired like a beast monster.  Good cross training!

I feel like poop.  I am sick so my runs aren't quite as enjoyable.  I still managed to squeeze out a 7:30 pace though.

Today was very strange.  When I got to 1.5 miles I started feeling really weird.  It was like an outer body experience.  Kinda numb and fuzzy.  I was afraid I might pass out so I stopped for a minute.  Every time I started running after a light it would feel the same.  I made it down to Temple Square where I downed a power gel.  I started running up South Temple and was feeling much better (didn't feel like I was going to pass out).  It was probably the caffeine in the power gel to be honest.

I hit about 9 miles when I got to Westminster.  I saw our assistant track coach running toward Sugar House park so I chased after her.  It was windy and she had her iPod in so she couldn't hear me.  I came up from behind and grabbed her arms and she freaked!!!  It was quite entertaining.  Happy I got 12 in at least.  I didn't think I was going to make 4! 

Holy poop... That's all I have to say about the workout this morning.  We did 2x1 mile repeats on the track to start.  I did 5:23 and then 5:26.  We then did 500,300,200 three times.  I think I am still recovering from my illness and my body just felt weird.  Managed to get through it but I thought I was going to lose the granola bar I ate this morning!

Ran up to the Zoo.  There was lots of snow in the face at first so that was lame.  Beyond that though the run was pretty good.

Not sure on the exact mileage today.  We ran to Highland HS and did 6x400 followed by 6x300.  I hit the 400's at 74 and the 300's at 54.  Workout felt pretty good!  My foot was hurting a bit.

Elliptical for 50 minutes.  Managed to keep the intensity up a bit more this time.  Probably because I was listening to music so that made it much better.  :)

Just a light run before tomorrow's race.  It's a downhill 5k so it should be pretty sweet.  There should be a PR.  Let's hope so.

Good luck to REBECCA RAMPTON running the National Marathon in DC tomorrow morning!  Yay!  Miss you! 

So this race wasn't quite as fast as I expected it to be.  It was a PR for me and I did fairly well but I was hoping for sub 16.  That's okay... I still have a couple more meets to break that.  I went out at a sub 5 pace but couldn't hold it.  I hit the first mile at 5:04 which was at the top of the only hill.

After that it was smooth sailing for the most part.  Unfortunately my watch was reading in the 5:20 range which was not where I wanted to be.  I passed my fellow teammate with about a half mile to go.  The 300 meters around the track sucked and when I saw the clock hit the 16 minute mark I kinda lost my will.  I also didn't realize that my fellow teammate was kicking right behind me.  He passed me right at the line.  I didn't really care until I found out that that put him in 1st for our age group.  Had I known I would have been able to keep the lead.  Lesson learned.  He said, "Always kick David!  You never know what's on the line!"  I'll remember that.  Westminster still took 1st through third in the age group.  

I still got a PR so I am happy.  I can only improve from here :) 

Coach said it was an easier workout but it sure didn't feel easier.  Perhaps my legs were still a bit tired from Sat.  Did 2x1000 meters first.  Hit the 800 at about 2:35 and then finished 200.  Then did 2x800 at the same pace.  Finished it off with 4x400.  First 2 were about 74 and the second two were 70.  I was done.

Bright and early this morning.

8x400 today so I would consider this an easy week. Knocked the pace down every 2 intervals. So it went 75, 73, 71, 69

Normally today would have been cross training but with the meet tomorrow I wanted to get a short run in... So yeah that's about it.

Let's just say this race was a very unpleasant experience.  I honestly had the desire to cry for a good portion of it.  Two factors played into this.  Firstly, it was about 75 degrees when we started.  Not too bad but all of our training has been in the early morning at about temps of 45 degrees so this was a big change.  Along with that I went out fast.  My first lap split was 74 and my first mile was 4:58.  Let's just say I died.  

 There were about 5 who dropped out of the race.  I actually saw two of them stop and it made it much harder.  I knew that it would be so easy to just stop and the pain would go away.  I had to finish though.  I pushed through and finished.  Very disappointed in my time but we all have bad days.  I did my best and that's all that matters.

B.B. came to watch too :-)  Thanks babe! 

Just ran down to Temple Square and back up South Temple.  Legs were a bit sore but it was a good run with an AP of 7:28.

Went to Highland HS and did 3x1000 at a 5:20 pace.  We measured the splits at the 800.  I came in a 2:41, 2:40, and 2:37.  We then did 3x 500, 300, 200.  I was hitting the 400 split of the 500 at 72.  I hit the 300 at 54 and the 200 at about 33.  It was a pretty good day.  My legs are pretty tight and tired these days.

Yeah 7 miles...

5x800 today at Highland.  Splits went 2:38, 3X2:35, and 2:34.  Good run.

50 mins of elliptical today.  I would have done some mileage but I am no longer racing in the track meet tomorrow.  I will be running a 5k on Saturday.  It's the Run Like Health 5k at the U.  Should be funzies... I get to race with BB!

Normal pre-race run.

You'll notice the distance on this "5k"  The course was short unfortunately.  It was actually a pretty funny race.  There were a group of about 10 people running the whole thing.  The race started between two "cinder blocks" that were about 6 feet about.  It was okay though because there were about 20 people racing.  My team pretty much made up a majority.

We did okay for the first bit.  The person posted at one point was just sitting there when we ran up so we didn't really no where to go.  100 South was a beast monster hill.  After that we got lost.  The guy right in front me said, "Any ideas?"  I remembered we were supposed to go up toward the engineering building so we did that.  We then went off the wrong way a bit after that had to drop back down.

 After that the course was pretty fun.  Nice downhill down south campus drive.  The course told us to turn left when we should of gone straight.  For this reason, we came across the finish at 2.71 miles.  I actually didn't even try because I knew there was no way it was the end.  I had a lot left in me and felt like I really hadn't raced.  Oh well... It was a good experience. 

After the race, I gleefully showed my time (on my watch) to a hot babe that raced with me as well as my teammates and coach.  I made sure to cover up the distance portion ;)  That hot babe beat all the girls on my team... Nice.

Workout this morning.  We did 1x1000 at a 2:35 800 pace, 2x800 (same pace), and 5x400 at a 72 pace.  It was an easier workout but the air seemed much thinner for some reason.  It was kind of crazy.

Legs felt pretty awesome today so I upped the pace a bit.  Finished at an AP of 6:40 and I was feeling great.  Good run.

 Did some P90 X afterward for core. 

Highland again.  5x400, 5x300

40 mins of elliptical in the morning... BORING!  We then had a warrior run at Sugar House park in the afternoon.  If you happened to see about 60 cadets running at about 4:00 and then eating burgers, that was us.  We were at about a 9 min pace.  Warrior runs are pretty slow.

Jef and I did 2 laps around Sugar House for our nice pre-race run.

It was raining all morning and I had hope that we would be running in overcast.  We didn't get overcast but at least it wasn't super hot.  There was a bit of wind but it was all good.  This was a difficult race because we were the only NAIA school there.  There were some fast runners.  Going out at a 78 split already puts you in the back.  I was actually in last place for the first 5-6 laps.  I worked hard to keep my splits at 78 or under but it became very difficult.  I ended up catching up to the guy in front me and chilled behind him for almost a lap. That probably wasn't the best idea considering he was going slower than what i wanted.  At least I wasn't last place at this point.

The bottom line is that track racing is very difficult to me.  Especially with the 5k distance... It is all a mental game.  As you run around the track you are constantly reminded of how much you have left and how fast you are going.  As you come around the first 200 meters you see the number 12 telling you that you have 12 laps of torture ahead.  Then after another 200 meters you have your coach yelling out your splits. It is almost as if you have two checkpoints per lap and it kinda makes you go crazy.  You cross there and he yells 78 and you think, "Ok, I just need to hold this pace.  I can do that."  Then it becomes extremely frustrating when he calls out 80 and you felt as though you had only sped up.  At that point you come around the turn to see 6 laps left to go and it takes everything you have to not stop.  Then you see 5, then 4.  You think, "One mile left!"  You try to motivate yourself with the distance you have left and thinking of the workouts you have done but sometimes it just doesn't work.  You think, "I could just stop right now and all the pain would go away."  You don't though... Runners can't stop.  It's a pride issue I guess.  Perhaps it's just the ability to delay gratification for something better (finishing the race)  Runners finish so it's not really an option unless your injured.  But that thought does cross your mind.  Then you see 2 then 1 and you try to speed up for fear that that guy behind is going to catch you.  So much pain.  The finish is a great feeling but the time can be frustrating.  I am not a big fan of track racing.  It's been a fun experience but I would prefer road races.  Figured I would share my thoughts on what Kara Goucher calls the "Oval of Torture." 

Someone special came all the way from Salt Lake (This meet was in Logan) to see me race.  It meant a lot :) 

Speed work today.  We are tapering for the last meet of the season.  This will be my last college meet ever actually.  It will be bitter sweet.  We did 3x1000.  My splits at the 800 were 2:35x2 and 2:34.  It actually felt pretty good.

On 13th, up Sunnyside and back to Schoooooooo!

5x500 meters!  Woop.  Hit the 400 at 72.

QFR today.  Didn't want to run the 7:40 time for the 1.5 miler due to the meet this week.  Ran a 9:07 and felt fine.  Hit the mile at 5:59 and figured I would be on pace but oh well.

I ran it again pacing my friend.  We ran it at about a 6:45 pace so that was fun.  I really enjoy pacing.  I had run about a mile to the field house and about 2 miles back to my car. 

Ran out and back on 13th bright and early.  Racing the mile tomorrow at BYU.  Should be funskies :)

This race was quite an experience that I won't soon forget.  I am able to laugh about it now but it was quite frustrating during the race.  On Thursday my coach had sent me the field for the mile.  When I looked at the entered times I saw that there were a few that were around the 4:40 range. So I am thinkin, "Yeah!  This will be a good PR race for me!"  My PR was 4:44 in indoor track.  

So come race day I am all excited to go run just a mile.  Not 3.1 miles but just 1!  I can do that!  My coach talked to me right before and said, "Okay David... The key to this race is patience. Don't worry if you are a bit toward the back in the beginning.  Be patient and then start making your move."  I was like, "Yeah! YEAH!"  Haha... So they came up and called out our names to give us our numbers.  There were 15 of us and I got number 12.  Sweet!  That means I shouldn't be in the back based on entry times!  This was all well and good but something just didn't feel right.  The guys I was racing with did not look like 4:40ers... They looked like BYU mutant robots that they keep in the storage shed there.  My last big hint was the guy at the starting line saying, "Ok!  This is Collin!  He'll be your pacer for the race.  He'll come across the 800 at 2:02."  Yeah... I should have raised a question there but I didn't.

Anyways, the race starts and in the first  50 meters I thought, "Okay well I am used to racing the 5000 so that's probably why this feels a bit fast."  Then as they kept pulling away within the first 100 meters I knew something was wrong.  Someone had made a mistake.  I came across the 400 at 64 and I was already hurting.  Didn't help that I was still about 5 seconds behind everyone else.  I could tell that had killed me when I crossed 800 at 2:16.  The pack was way ahead now.  I had to give it everything that I had to just try and maintain somewhat of a pace and keep my dignity (although with this race it had gone out the window).  Came to the last lap and I picked it up just a bit with what little energy I had.  My arms were numb... Actually my whole body had become pretty much numb at this point.  The whole pack pretty much finished and I had 200 meters left.  I tell you... It's a humbling experience to run that home stretch giving everything you have knowing that you are about 30 seconds behind everyone else.  I came across with a PR of 4:42 but I was dead.

I crossed and felt sick.  My head hurt and I couldn't walk.  I pretty much collapsed on the ground for a bit.  As I sat there they started the 2nd heat.  I watched as they finished... 4:30, 4:35, 4:40... and so on.  Frustration swelled inside.  That's the heat I should have been on.  I shouldn't have felt like this.  I knew I ran the race horribly.  I should have gone out at about a 69 for the first lap but the heat situation just threw me for a loop.  Coach didn't know what had happened.  I tried to walk over to my fans (Coach, one teammate, and Bec) but I felt like I was going to throw up and pass out so I went to the grass and collapsed on my back.  A little fairy came and comforted me while I slowly died.  Took about 15 minutes of lying there to recuperate.  I should have been fine.

It's quite an enlightening experience to be placed in the wrong heat.  The fans don't see times and heats... They just see the sad little Westminster NAIA kid 200 meters behind everyone else with a race number stuck to his foot.  I did hear some cheering on my last 200 and that felt good but it was definitely a pity cheer.  Let's just say I will never forget the day I ran the mile with the BYU mutant robots.  I was frustrated at first but then I realized I had PR'd and I was able to joke about it after with my fans.  I think it will be an ongoing joke of mine for the rest of my life.  What a memorable day.  :) 

Track season ended with my lovely race on Saturday.  You should look at that race report.  It is quite entertaining.  Anyways... Bec and I running a half-marathon on Saturday so I figured I would get my legs used to going faster for longer than 3 miles.  I ran down to Liberty and did a 6 mile tempo.  Had an AP of 6:09 and felt pretty good.  Helps to know that I can still do the long distances and that I still have some speed.  I think the half will go well  It's my first one so I've gone nothing to lose :)

Ran on the treadmill this morning because of the lame snow/hail coming down.  Feeling some pain right in front of my ankle.  I I will probably take tomorrow off just to be safe.

Took the day completely off.  Some pain in the ankle is freaking me out.

Still didn't run... 40 mins on the elliptical.  Let's hope my run tomorrow will be good.

Yay!  No pain!  Felt really good for all 6 miles and I am super excited about the race tomorrow with BB!  This will be my first half-marathon.  I am not going to race it all crazy like because I am not really prepared for that, but it will be fun.  Ended up getting the same type of shoe as last time and I think that helped a lot.  If it's not broke don't fix it.

My first half marathon!!!  Woop!  I was happy that i was able to run it with the girly friend.  The morning went well.  It was pretty cold though.  We hopped in the bus and drove up to the starting line.  When we got up there we were waiting for about 20 minutes to use the bathroom.  It was great when they said they were about to start the race and we still hadn't gone.  Becca ran in before me and went in world record time.  I think she was in there for shorter time than all the guys.  I went in and went as fast as humanly possible.  I only was able to go numero 1 though.  As I came out I saw that there was no one there and they were already running.

BB was sweet and was waiting for me at the starting line.  I was thinking, "AHH they are going!" and started running by her quite rude-like and almost didn't give her a hug.  Luckily I stopped and did :)  At this point we were starting about a minute behind everyone else but it didn't really matter.  

I had my Westminster jersey on and it was still quite cold but I was ok.  I looked ahead and saw the the person in the lead was a lady.  She was a good distance ahead.  I figured I would just chill and see what happened.  I looked at my watch and saw I was an AP of 6:28 which was extremely comfortable so I just stayed there.  The upside to start a minute after everyone else was that you got to pass a bunch of people on your way up to the front.  At about mile 3 I was in 10th place I think.  Then we got to the mother beast hill.  This thing was like straight up for a half a mile or more.  My pace dropped to about 8 mins but I passed the last two people before the leader on it.

Once we got over the top, we understood why they called it the Hurricane Half Marathon.  We got hit with a billion MPH of wind.  The leader actually blown away and I never saw her again... Okay that's not true but I wouldn't have been surprised.  We started downhill and I caught up to the leader.  We were at about mile 6. She was quite beastly beating all the men.  I said, "Windy."  She said, "Yeah, it sucks!"  That was the extent of our conversation.  There were a couple of turns and the mile markers were getting worse and worse.  They were about a tenth of a mile off.  My watch would beep and I would hit the mile marker about 40 seconds after.  

At close to mile 10 I looked back and saw that she was about 70 meters behind me still.  I just relaxed and kept going.  I wish I had gone to the bathroom.  At about mile 6, 9, and 11 I felt a huge urge to go.  Luckily I was able to hold it back (probably not the best).  I took my gel at mile 7 and grabbed my only sip of water at the aid station.  I wasn't thirsty during the race.  Once we got into Hurricane my pace decreased to about 6:10.   I felt really good actually.  I just opened up my stride.  At mile 12 I was like... Yes!  Came around the corner and saw some cones.  I didn't think that would be the finish because it was too close.  I curved at the cones into the finish line at about 13.01 miles.  They had a cool finish tape for me to cross through too.  It was a super fun race!

BB came through about 15 minutes after first in her age group :) :)  I got some gift certificates but I found out that I can only use 2 of them in Hurricane... Great.  Oh well, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The course was pretty tough with the hill and the wind.  There wasn't too much downhill except for after the big one.  You can probably subtract a good 5-10 minutes from your time on this one for another half.  

My watch showed 13.03 miles at 1:24:50 with an AP of 6:30.  

My splits: 6:28, 6:28, 6:36, 6:24, 6:42, 7:24 (Beast hill), 6:28, 6:24, 6:38, 6:30, 6:18, 6:10, 6:05

I felt really good about how I raced this.  I was unsure as to how I would do so Just went out conservatively.  Then I was able to up my pace in the last 3 miles and finish strong :) 

Decided to try something new today.  I went down to Highland Drive and just started running.  I had my ID card with me so after I went about 7 miles, I caught the bus and came back.  It was a pretty sweet deal!

Went the Hogle Zoo route today.  Ended up being longer because it was from my house.  Still feeling some pain in my IT band and legs.

Legs are still feeling a bit tired this week.  I was going to go six but I got back to the school at 5.5 and decided to just stop.  No big deal.

50 minutes on the stairmaster today.  I don't like cross training on that thing because it's hard.  The elliptical is easy... Guess that's my lazy talk comin out.

I ran 8 miles South on Highland Drive and back.  Actually when I got to 7000 South there was a massive monster hill that I didn't want to climb so I went east for about a half a mile.  My AP was about 7:50.  I figured I would keep this one slower.  I have run this distance before but it was at about a 7:10 pace so I think this run helped me because I was on my feet for a longer period of time.  I ended up running for nearly 2:10 and that's the longest amount of time I have ever run.

I had to make a bathroom stop at Subway.  That's what's nice about Highland Drive.  There is a bathroom basically everywhere.  I actually used my fuel belt on this one.  I brought two little bottles of water (belt holds 4), a GU, and 2 endurolyte capsules.  I took the first capsule at about 4 miles and had the GU at 7.  That tasted really gross btw.  It was the Lemon Lime GU.  I then took my 2nd endurolyte pill at mile 12.  I noticed that I was sweating a lot of salt (as I usually do) and my legs were getting pretty fatigued.  I think I could have used more endurolytes for this one.  The amount of water was about right as I finished it off before I got home.  

Last time I ran 16 I didn't have any fuel or endurolytes but it was also still in the winter time so I didn't really sweat much.  The temp was pretty cool out today but it was warm enough for perspiration.  Felt good to get my long run out of the way.  Thanks to BB for idea to do the long run today instead of tomorrow.  Tomorrow I commission in the AF as a 2nd Lt so it's a pretty exciting time.  Next week I plan to do 18 and then 20 the week after.  From there I will start to taper to the race.  We'll see how it goes. 

Ran twice around the perimeter of Sugar House Park.  My legs were feeling pretty tired from yesterday but I managed to maintain a 7:30 AP.  I commission into the Air Force today as a 2nd Lieutenant.  What better way to start such a glorious day??

Rainy and cold... Lameness.  I ran over to East HS and did 6x800 meter intervals at 2:40 splits (5:20 pace)  My shorts got extremely soaked and were falling off on the 4th one.  Had to tie them before the last two.  I also got some extreme chaffing on my frontal chest section.  

 Along with that these intervals were quite difficult.  Considering I just ended track season I didn't think they would be that challenging but I still got through them.  May have been due partly to the weather.  My shoes were probably super heavy.  Did about a 2 mile warm up and cool down as well.

Did some spinning today for my cross training.  It's been a long while since I threw on the Pearl Izumi clipless and went at it.  I went for 50 minutes.  I did 10 minutes of warm up and then I did 4 minutes buildup to 1 minute recovery 8 times.  I changed up between hill climbing (harder and slower) to speed (easier but faster) randomly.  Doing the workout that way made it much more enjoyable and I was getting a pretty good sweat by the end.  AFter that I did some core work and some leg work.  The leg work was very minimal and light since I am not wanting super sore legs this week.

Ran out and back along the Hill AFB perimeter road.  Was going to do 8 today but looking over my week I saw that I wasn't going to be hurting for miles.  I figured i would just go short today.  Also did some weight training.

Today was interesting. Got out of bed with a mind full of many thoughts. I figured I would go on my run to sort things out a bit. As I went to grab my Nike's to get the inserts out of them, I realized that I couldn't find them.  Then I realized I had left them in Layton...CRAP!  

I had to make the drive because I wasn't going to do my run without the inserts.  After an hour of driving I was back.  It was nice because I was able to make some phone calls during the drive to sort some things out and I was feeling much better afterward.  

I went straight from Layton to the Jordan River Parkway Trail on 17th South.  I ran around the field for a mile warmup and then after some stretches I did my workout.  I did an 8 mile tempo run with an AP of 6:38.  It was pretty warm and I probably could have used some fuel for that effort.  Kind of dumb on my part not to bring any gu or endurolytes.  I got through it okay but I was a pretty tired by the end.  I did a mile cool down, stretched and then went home!  Talk about a crazy morning! 

Went out and back along 11th East heading North.  Turned around at 100 South.  I didn't really like that route because it was quite hilly but it was a nice change of scenery.  I saw Judge Memorial HS for the first time ever.  Crazy.  Did some core and lifting afterward followed by a nice ice bath.  Good day.  Half Marathon at Hill AFB tomorrow.  Only cost 5 bucks!  There are shirts, food and aid stations! I love the Air Force :)

Well this was the first time I had run this one.  I found out about this race on Wednesday when I went to the fitness center.  Thought it would be a good way to get some mileage on the Saturday.  I told Becca and she wanted to run it.  It was only $5 giving us aid stations every three miles with cool finishers coins.  Not bad!  

We got there at about 6:50.  Becca jumped on the treadmill and I went and ran 4 miles. Then we went out to the start.  As you can probably tell by my time and the fact that I got first, it was a pretty low key race with a small field.  I didn't intend to go fast at all and I feel like I kept a good pace.  When we started I noticed one guy that looked like he would be somewhat fast.  We went out and he was holding about a 6:50 pace.  I was fine with that. 

We hung together for quite a while.  He was a cool guy that had just commissioned in the Air Force about a year ago.  The fastest we got was on a downhill portion and it was 6:30 so it was good.  At one point we hit the turn that started heading uphill and were struck with horrible winds.  It was tough to run into those.  We just kept trucking along.  I had a lot of energy still and was planning to break away for the win toward the end.  At about mile 8 though he fell off the pace and I was out in front by myself.  At one point we hit crosswinds and I was running sideways.  

Kept my pace up and finished.  It was a fun race and a good training run.  I won a $45 gift certificate to Outback.  After getting back I ran back to find Becca.  Not bad Hill... Not bad. 

Ran to East HS and did 8x800.  I was a bit concerned about how fast I could go today because my legs are still a bit sore from the 18 miles on Sat. I did 2 miles warm up out there and then decided I would run them at about 2:45 with 2:30 rest in between.  My first one was 2:48 and after that I kept all the rest at 2:45 or under.  It was a good workout.  

Did 50 mins on the elliptical

Weather is still crappy but at least the rain was extremely light until near the end of my workout.  I drove to Liberty and did a 10 mile tempo run at 6:40 pace.  That's about where I would like race pace to be at the marathon.  Well... It would be great if I am there.  That would put me at a 2:55 and I got a cool pace tat for that time from lovely BB :)  However I will also be happy if I run under 3:00.  I will also be happy if I finish :)  Figure it out yet?  I would love to get a 2:55 or under 3 but since it's my first I am not too set on those goals.  Finishing will be a great accomplishment in my book so that's what I am shooting for.  

I did 1 mile warm up and cool down.  The tempo run was rather difficult unfortunately.  I actually ended up with an AP of 6:37 like last week's 8 miler so that's good.  My legs were tired from the leg work I did yesterday in the gym.  This workout was going to be on Thursday but I am changing my week to do the long run on Friday instead of Sat and I wasn't too excited about the idea of a 10 mile tempo followed by a 20 mile long run.  So I switched it up.  All things considered, I am quite happy with today and know that my body will do well for the race.

I brought a power gel today.  It was in my pocket.  After 1 lap around Liberty I decided it was rather annoying so I threw it next to a tree by the water fountain.  I figured it would be ok there.  Sure enough I hit six miles right there and I can't find it.  PISSED!!!  WHO TOOK MY GEL????  I think everyone understands how angry a runner can become if someone messes with his or her workout.  I was so angry!  I went over to the trash can and there it was at the bottom... STILL UNOPENED!!!  Who the crap throws away an unopened gel????  Let's think that maybe someone left it there for a reason!!!  You wouldn't throw away a water bottle!  Well perhaps if it was just a cheap one but still!!  ANGER!!!  I wanted to get a sign saying "Thank you for throwing my gel away so I could fish it out of the trash can to eat it."  I would have taped the eaten package to the sign.  Yeah... Anyways... I was mad.

Sure enough after I ate the gel and drank three swallows of water I was off.  My stomach started to make noises and I could feel a bubble of air move every time I stepped.  Not very enjoyable.  The rain also started heavier at about mile 8.  I felt like I was pace chasing the whole time.  I am not too comfortable with my pace memory for the 6:40.  I was looking at my watch every 10 seconds and felt like I had to keep adjusting.  Trying to pace of GPS watches is hard due to the delay. Another factor was that I stayed on the wood chips to lessen the impact on my legs.  That tends to make it a bit more difficult in my opinion.

Finished the run and came back to the training room.  I treated my legs to foam roller and an a cold whirlpool.  They are actually feeling really good now.  

Ran 6 miles on the treadmill today and it was extremely boring.  I just didn't feel like going out in the rain and I didn't think it would be that bad.  Oh well.  I also did some weight training and core after.

Probably one of the most horrible runs of my life.  My goal was to run 20 so that should already clue you in to some crappiness.  I had my fuel belt ready to go and started off on the Jordan River Parkway trail from 1700 South.  After about a half a mile I ran into a flooded part under the bridge.  I was able to get around it on the rocks.  Found another flooded part at about 3 miles.  Walked through a field and hopped two fences to continue on.  By this time my shoes were pretty soaked so that just made me angry.  Then at 4 miles I found a part that I would not get past.  Decided to give up on the path.  Went up and hopped the fence again and ran on the road.  

 By the time I got to 5 miles my achilles was getting painful.  This was very random considering I haven't had issues with it at all.  I was in a random place pretty far out so I was kinda lost.  By the time I got back I was at about 14 miles.  I was super stubborn so I kept running for 3 more.  I couldn't run Sat and I normally take Sunday off.  I went to watch BB run the Ogden marathon.  She ran it as a training run and did a great job!  

50 mins of elliptical.  Achilles didn't really hurt.  Did some light therapy and the cold whirlpool.  Hopefully I will be back running tomorrow or Wed.  Luckily last week I pretty much hit the peak of my training.  The 10 mile tempo run was completed at race pace and then I still got 17 miles in. I could have easily gone the full 20 at about a 7:15-30 pace had my Achilles not acted up.  These next 3 weeks are taper weeks.  I will admit that I got Achilles problems at the right time considering my running at this point isn't going to make a difference for the race.  I also did 18 miles the week before which included a half marathon in 1:33 and I felt great so I am confident that my body is ready.  Just need to baby the Achilles and be patient.  

Good news... No pain today.  My legs felt a bit heavy but that was probably due to some compensating and cautious running.  I will just need a couple of days to get back into the groove and not worrying about my Achilles.  I should be good to go now though.  These next 3 weeks are taper and then the marathon.  After that I plant to completely reset my body.  It will pretty much be the first break since the beginning of cross country which was before Sept.  I will take a week completely off from everything and then will spend a week cross training.  After that I have no idea when my next race will be so I will probably just stay at 30 mile weeks until I actually plan to race.  Then comes the speed work and what not.  That's my plan.  We shall see how it goes.

Tried to run a bit on a trail but it wasn't that great.  Felt some pain in the Achilles so I am unsure as to what is happening.  

My legs are feeling pretty crappy and I still feel the achilles slightly.  Perhaps it's just due to my lack of any speed work this week.  Just running 6 miles at a normal pace for 3 days in a row has made my legs a bit heavy.

Ran out and back in Layton.  Started on Antelope Drive just West of the big dip about 3/4 of a mile from Highway 89.  I ran about 6.3 miles out and then back.  Figured I might as well just add the extra .4 to make it 13 miles.

Heading out it was slightly downhill although I thought it was flat.  I was cruising at just above a 7:00 AP pretty much all the way.  I noticed the hillage when I started to come back.  I was feeling tenderness in my achilles and my high hamstring on the right leg.  I made it through ok with nothing debilitating though.  I was pretty dead by the end unfortunately. 

Broke out the Nike's again today and it actually felt pretty good. I am compensating though for the Achilles so I am feeling a lot of tightness in the right bum cheek.

Elliptical for 40 minutes

Achilles still tender.  Not sure what to do at this point but pray.  Need to take some time off next week.

I actually hit my goal for the day.  I decided to go run on the base track.  That way if it started to hurt I could stop and go do the elliptical.  I was able to run the full distance with little pain.  There was some tightness but that's about it.  That pretty much sums up my training.  Next week I just need to focus on healing this thing so I can run the full.  I may finish with a sore Achilles but it'll be worth it.

Meant to go 3 miles today around the track but unfortunately my Achilles started feeling rather tight so I cut it short.  Bought some new New Balance 890's yesterday.  They are quite light and feel really good on my feet.  I plan to wear them on Saturday.  Hopefully they will work okay.  

Just ran 2 light miles around the track.  My legs actually felt pretty good considering I haven't done anything since Tues.  I also did 4x100 meter strides just to shake of the cobwebs.  Legs are feeling pretty good.  No Achilles pain really but my butt is a bit painful.  That was due to the stupid compensation on my part.  Hopefully everything will work out tomorrow!

I DID IT!!!  FIRST MARATHON!!!  It has been quite a nervous time going up to this day.  Last year I had signed up for the Ogden Marathon but couldn't do it due to injury.  Ever since then everything i have been doing has been with the end (Marathon) in mind.  It feels good to have finished this race.

I got up at 2 am and took a shower so I could be nice and clean to get hot and sweaty.  I drank some water and ate a banana as well.  I then applied my brand new nipple protectors and was pretty excited about it.  I put on my new socks that my amazing fiance gave me (I had retardedly put them on the wrong feet).  I then put on my New Balance 890's.  They felt good but I was nervous about how they would do.  They only had a total of 4 miles.  

BB and I left her house at about 3:00 am to go catch the bus.  We went to the Smith's nearby to use the restroom.  The bus ride was nice and long and we began to think that this course wasn't as super downhill as we thought.  We also choked down our Clif Bars.  They were gross for some reason.  Took me about 10 mins to eat it.  Once at the top we joined the crowds of runners invading the quaint streets of Heber.  We made our way to the bathroom and then to the fire pit.  An hour before the race I took 4 Sport Legs capsules.  We then went to the bathroom again and got ready to race.  I took a salt stick and downed a Power Gel, then gave my bag to the yellow truck.  I was ready!

The gun went off and we were going.  It seemed unreal to be starting my first marathon.  I ended up running with a couple of people for a few miles.  One guy was running in Vibram 5 fingers. I thought he was crazy but he was running at a good pace.  I was feeling some pain in the ball of my left foot and that worried me but luckily the pain went away. I took salt stick capsules every 30 minutes and made sure of it.  I also took a pack of GU at each aid station they had one.  I wish I had grabbed one more at the last one.  I could have used it.  

 For the first 12 miles I didn't feel anything in my Achilles.  I did start to feel some tightness after that.  At about 15 miles I took 400 mgs of Ibuprofin. That may have negatively affected my fitness but I was willing to take that if it meant less pain. 

My legs started to get pretty fatigued at about mile 18-20.  I kind of wanted to cry knowing how much I had left to run.  I did have to take a bathroom break as well at mile 12.  

Getting out of the canyon brought more desire to cry.  My legs were kinda shot.  I just did not want to finish this race walking or at a super slow pace.  I was walking at each aid station.  I was also downing a lot of water and powerade.  I probably could have drank a lot more and probably should have.  At about mile 24-25 you could already see the finish line and I figured out that it was mobile.  It just kept moving further and further away as a I ran.  Everything was dead.  My body was gone.  I was giving it everything I had to get to that finish line.  My hands started to tingle and I really don't remember any of the finish chute at all.  I remember stumbling through the finish line and seeing my fiance Becca there.  She kept me from collapsing and passing out.  She brought me to the medical tent.  On the way I grabbed some smoothie king and downed it in a microsecond.  Lying on a cot I drank a cup of powerade and a cup of water.  My body began to sweat a ton all over.  Guess maybe I was a bit dehydrated.  

I went to the grass and sat there for a while while Becca got the bags. She came back and sat down next to me.  I leaned into her and actually cried a bit.  I didn't really even know why. Perhaps it was the accomplishment of a goal that I have been working toward for over a year.  Perhaps it was the support and love I was getting from Becca in my weakened state... Perhaps I was just out of it.  I rarely get emotional but I did this day and I am not ashamed to admit it.  Becca just explained how there is something about the marathon that brings out those emotions.  It's really quite amazing.  Anyways, I was done.  I could barely walk.  "The Pain You Enjoy"  It felt amazing to finally finish a marathon.  I hope to be able to do my next one soon!  It gave me a much greater appreciation for marathon runners and what they can push through.  Becca has done 16!  Holy poop!  That is a lot of pain to me.  Amazing experience! :)  

I also found out later that the new Boston times didn't apply yet so I got a cool Boston Qualifier shirt!  

Thanks to my lovely fiance for taking care of me after crossing the finish line.  It was good to see her pretty little face at the end of much pain. 

My Garmin read 3:06:04 with an AP of 7:03.  It also read 26.37 miles

Splits:

7:18, 6:41, 6:44, 6:48, 6:57, 6:53, 6:57, 7:18, 7:12, 6:50, 6:43, 7:06, 7:30, 6:43, 6:36, 7:02, 7:01, 6:52, 6:45, 7:06, 6:50, 7:13, 7:15, 8:08 (ouch), 7:31, 7:09

Not sure how many bike miles we got but Rebecca and I went for a tandem bike ride.  It was quite a fun experience.  We were all over the place!

Elliptical for 50 mins and some weight training.  First actual exercise session in 10 days.  I still haven't run since the marathon but I will soon enough.  I am signed up for the Lehi Round up days 10k.  We shall see.  I am not sure where my speed will be.

Stairmaster for 50 mins.  I sweated like a beast monster.  I was watching CNN reports from my phone the whole time too.  That was nice.

Holy poop... I felt like straight crap as soon as I started this run.  It was amazing!  Felt like I hadn't run a day in my life!  I laughed... I was still able to push through 3 miles of torture before I stopped.  I did 4x100 meter strides to try and shake the rust off afterward.  I race a 10k tomorrow.  We'll see how that goes.  Luckily it's just a 10k and I really couldn't care less how I do.  It will just be fun to run it.  Hopefully I can at least run a sub 6 pace to keep my sanity but if not then that's okay too.  

Ok freakin ouch.  This race was not a good idea.  My legs were nowhere near ready for it.  I hadn't run since the marathon until the day before this race.  Rebecca and I arrived and did a 1-mile warm up run.  I could tell that this wasn't going to be pretty.  Everyone was lined up by the time we got back and the race started a few minutes later.  

I went out at about a 5:30 pace and slowed down very quickly.  Well... My splits will tell their own story.

5:55, 6:09, 6:16, 6:29, 6:39, 6:29 - Yeah... Bad news bears.  I don't think much needs to be said on the subject. After about a half mile I was already hurting pretty badly.  All I could do was just bear it.  Luckily I didn't lose pace bad enough to start getting passed.

My legs were really tired and sore afterward.  It had been a long time since I did anything with that kind of speed and it was 14 days after my first marathon leg beating.  I am not too disappointed with the time considering all the factors.  I am just glad I kept it under 40.  Watched BB come rollin in and both just laughed about how neither of us were anywhere near ready for that.  We hung out and both won our divisions so that was cool! 

BLEH!

BLEH BLEH!

40 minutes of elliptical.  Not so bleh.

Kinda bleh

Ran along the main street in Moab.  Still feel like crap though.  

Not many places to run in Albuquerque where I was.  I used the treadmill at the Hyatt Place and it actually felt much better.  I ran 6 miles.  Longest I have run in a while.

Ran inside because if I ran outside I would die a painful death from heat exhaustion.  I used a treadmill and it was pretty nice.  I ran 4 miles, stopped to get a drink and then came back and ran 3 more.  I was "sweating like a racehorse."  A fellow Lieutenant said that today and we laughed.

Some more treadmilling today.  I will be doing that I think if my workouts are going to be at around 4.  I am sure that will change around but for now this time seems to work the best.  Good run though.

Today was insane.  First mistake was leaving here at about 9 am.  A bit too early for the heat here.  I also really didn't know where I would be running.  I started along a back road that ended up going around the perimeter of the base.  It was a dirt road so I had to be kinda careful with my footing.  HOT!  I felt like I was going to melt away.  When I got to about 3 miles I was at the west gate.  I ran a bit further and turned around to go back toward the gym.  I knew that if I didn't get water soon I would start to have issues.  I was sweating like a beast pig.

 I went to the gym and got some water.  When I went back outside I just felt gross from the thick heat and humidity.  I turned around and went back inside to run on the treadmill for a bit.  The problem here was that my nipple was a bit chafed.  You can't run inside the gym with your shirt off so I was having to hold it out front.  That got annoying so after 2 miles I got off and went back outside.

 I was at about 6.7 at this point.  I ran down past the commissary to check the hours and then to my room where I grabbed some money. Then I left and ran another 2 miles around the base and back to the commissary where I bought some chocolate milk and gatorade. I looked like I had just stepped out of the shower. The self-checkout wouldn't take my 5 dollar bill so the guy had to come help me.  He said it was kinda wet and switched it with a cashier.  I was just dripping.  It was a bit embarrassing.  I then ran back to my room which got me to 10 miles.  Finally!  Felt like the longest run of my life!  That's the last time I run that late in the morning.  Sheesh!

Just a six miler on the treadmill.  I will using this machine much.

DId some treadmill speed work.  Ran 1.5 miles to warm up and then ran 6x800 at about a 5:30 pace I think.  Quarter miles in between to make for 4 with a 1.5 mile cool down for a solid 7

Cross training for 50 minutes on the elliptical along with some weight training.

Went to find the running club this morning.  I was at the gym at 6:30 and I couldn't find anyone.  After a few minutes I saw a couple of older gentleman waiting in the front.  When I saw the flyer for the club I had envisioned a good group of people who long to run more than 2 miles at a time.  Upon seeing this group I thought otherwise.  I went running on my own.

 It wasn't too hot outside but I was still sweating like a beast.  I was also very tired.  I feel like running outside is much more difficult than running on the treadmill.  Maybe because I need adjust the incline on the treadmill.  I was having serious difficulty keeping a 7:50 pace... Lame. 

Tempo run today!  I ran 2 miles as a warm up.  I then was only going to go about 3 miles tempo but I felt good after 3 and went one more.  My pace was about 6:10 I believe.  Not too bad. Treadmill but it gets the job done.  DId some leg work after.

Very long boring treadmill run.  Stuck the pace at 7:30 and just chilled.  I had done some leg work and a tempo run yesterday so I kept it more relaxed.  I was studying some boldface procedures and ops limits for IFS.  Didn't seem to help the time go by too quickly though.  I was soaked by the end.  Gross... My shorts (which normally repel water) were soaked. Oh well.. Felt good.

Set the treadmill to 7:30 pace and just ran for an hour.  I had my headphones so I was able to watch the TV's for a bit.  Guess that kinda helped.  Boring still.

Mile repeats... I ran 1.5 miles for a warm up.  I then did 4 repeats at a 6 minute pace.  I had a .25 cool down in between each one.  Not too shabby.  On a treadmill though... Davy no likey that.

Did 50 minutes of cross training.  20 on the elliptical and 30 on the stairs.  Was sweating like a monster beast.

Did a tempo run but I kinda felt like poo.  I did 2 miles for a warm up and I meant to go 5 for the tempo but I didn't want to.  I was going to stop at 2 cause my foot hurt but then I just kept going to 4.  My foot felt better after just a bit.  It was not fun but I got it done.

Bleh... I was going to go 8 but really did not feel like it.  I also decided there was no need to go 8.  I am not training for anything and there is really no need for me to even be above 35 miles.

Okay so here was the gut check.  First day this week that wasn't on a treadmill.  It was actually quite an adventure.  I was planning to drive into San Antonio to go to the Temple so it needed to be early.  I also wanted to avoid the heat.

When I went outside I saw thousands of freakish winged bugs on the cement.  It looked like they were trying to fly but just kept falling back down.  It really freaked me out.  I ran past all of them.  They liked the light.  When I got toward the road I saw A SKUNK!  I ran away real fast!  When he saw me he stopped and stared at me with his tail straight in the air.  Enough said!

 I actually ended up seeing 4 skunks throughout the whole run.  Most of them were far enough away though.  You need to remain vigilant.  I kept scanning the darkness to make sure I didn't  step into a fun time.  

Toward the end I had peeled my shirt off because it was soaked.  Then of course I run into a swarm of nats all of which stick right to me.  It was gross.  It happened twice.  I managed 8 but it did not feel very good.  To be honest I haven't felt good running outside since the marathon.  Not sure what's going on but I have a lot of trouble keeping my pace down. Oh well. 

Ran out and back on a main road in Santa Fe.

We ran our fitness test.  They had us eat breakfast beforehand so I thought that was funny.  I ran my mile and a half in 8:10 so it felt good to still have some speed in my legs.

Ran out and back along the highway here.

Middle of the day.  Rather hot... Bleh

Used a little video bike thing.  It was kinda cool!  It's like a video game.  It's hard though because on the downhill you still have to keep the intensity up to stay with the pacer.

I needed that after how my running has been the past two weeks.  Last night we had a party here and I ate so much crap.  I felt like crap the whole night afterward.  I feel much better after this run.

Did some lifting followed by a treadmill run.

Ran early this morning.  Felt ok.

Yes this was a very low-key race.  There were very few people here.  I went with the intention of just doing the 5k but when I got there I saw that they had a fitness challenge to go with it.  At each mile they would have you do a certain calisthenic.  I figured why not since I have done so many 5K's.  Might as well change it up a bit.  

When we started there was an older guy in a track outfit.  I didn't take him to be a very fast runner but you never know.  He passed me a bit and then he fell back after about a half mile.  There was another guy next to me doing the fitness challenge also.  The first mile was 10 burpees.  Did those and took off again behind the van.  The 2nd mile was 30 push ups.  The 3rd mile was 30 squats.  I was wondering what exactly they would be expecting when I started.  Pretty easy calisthenics though.  I ended up finishing a minute ahead of everyone else including those who were just running the 5k without the challenge.  I was glad I decided to do it.  

 It was a fun race and I really liked the course actually.  Didn't seem very long.  Then again I was running much slower than I have in the past.  My run time was 19 minutes even (I stopped the watch to do the calisthenics).  

The major unfortunate part was the beast heat.  They decided to go ahead and start the race at 9 o'clock.  Right when the sun has started increasing the heat.  I was sweating like a wildabeast afterward.  I won a cool gym bag with a water bottle.  Good times. 

Yeah I haven't been too good about writing on my running.  It has kinda been feeling like poo so I just don't have much motivation to write it all down.  Just keeping track of my miles.  Anyways, I ran down toward the gate and took a perimeter road around and then back to the gym.  I then did some weights and went home.

Stairmaster for 45 minutes.  This was actually the day of weights... Not yesterday.  I sweat like a beast monster.

Started a different direction and followed the perimeter road all the way around. FYI, the perimeter road kinda sucks with the 890's because it's so rocky.  The soles on the Supernovas are thicker and therefore I don't feel like I am beating the crap out of my feet.  It was nice to find that this loop made for 6.5 miles.  The loops I have been running lately have been around 2.  Lame.

Knee is causing me some issues.  It was also really hot when I was running.  Just not enjoyable overall.

Probably not the best idea today.  My knee pain is rather random as I run.  I have a feeling it's the tightness of my muscles and the IT band.  Bought a rolling pin and a canister of tennis balls.  Very random purchase. 

This was a fun 5k. While Becca was running the beastly marathon I just did my thing in the 3 miler.  It was a good downhillish course although my time doesn't really reflect that.  I was happy with it though.  I had fun.  

This was a fun little race.  The Comstock HS cross country team decided to show up and race too.  They are a very small school.  Every single one of them rocketed out to the first mile at about 5:10.  I and another AF guy hit it at about 5:20.  Way faster than either one of us wanted.   We stayed near and ended up passing all the cross guys and finishing right close to each other.  Our other splits were 5:49 (both of them.)  Becca dominated the women's category with a great race :)

Good times... Good times.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to do this race earlier in the week.  Didn't really want to spend the money required.  I couldn't pass up a 5k through downtown Del Rio though.  Rebecca also decided to do it last minute and I am glad she did.

During our warm up I had to go to the bathroom in HEB.  Their bathroom was way in the back through doors that customers don't think they can go in.  They were out of toilet paper so I had to use the paper towels.  Those don't flush very well.  I ran away.

Back to the car I changed into my flats.  It has been a while since I sported those puppies but it's a 5k... What's the worst that could happen?  At the start line I found 2 of my buddies.  One was the guy who beat me 2 weeks ago at the Halloween 5k and another was a friend of mine who ran cross country at his HS.  We collectively agreed that about a 6 min first mile would be good.  I love 5k's... I feel so alive at the starting line... Rebecca was a couple of people behind me.  She might as well have just started next to me.

 We took off and ran three abreast.  There were 3 guys out ahead of us.  One of them was running real weird-like.  I took off and I said, "We'll see him soon."  Sure enough we caught him nearing a mile and passed him.  He bolted past us again for about 20 seconds and I passed him again.  He was gone after that.  I felt GREAT during the first mile.  I was listening to the breathing of the guy next to me.  It sounded somewhat labored so I figured he would fall back pretty soon.  I went out very comfortably and my body just naturally sped up with each minute.  

I thought the guy who beat me 2 weeks ago would be creeping up soon but I didn't hear him.  I passed a guy with an ironman logo on his calf and then I was just focused on the 1st place guy.  He was a cross country kid around 17 I think.  I was slowly gaining on him so I just relaxed and kept pace.  I caught him at a mile and half and passed him. After that it was just me and the biker man.  It was super quiet.  I never looked back but I didn't hear anyone.  Just to make sure I kept my pace increasing as much as possible.  

The course was awesome!  Lots of flat or downhill.  There were two small uphill portions but they were a sinch.  Came around the bend and kicked it downhill to the Red Bull arch.  I seriously loved every single second of that race.  I would say it was my favorite 5k up to this point.  Great course and I felt really good.  After I crossed I went back up a bit and sure enough the wifey came strollin along bein all beastly and stuff like she does.  I cheered and ran next to her.  After she crossed the bike man asked if she was my wife.  Tee hee.  Yes... Jealous?  I would be ;) She got a 20:23.  Her blog says (3 miles)  We drove it in the car and it was maybe like 50 meters short of 3.1 so yeah... Winner.

Talk about a fun race.  It was really fun at the awards when they announced the 1st place overall female followed by the first place overall male.  The Sondrups don't mess around.  Pretty big race for this li'l town.  Got some sweet wooden bull head plaques to put up too. Good times.  

Good race... Almost got beat by the lady on the electric wheelchair but I luckily squeaked by.  The guy who beat me was a beastly beast man.

Good times.  I've been running about 15 miles per week and usually about 4 miles at a time.  Wasn't totally prepared but it was a good race nonetheless.  I was happy with my time.  The weather was a bit windy and lame but we finished.  Rebecca got 1st :)

Rebecca and I ran with some of her friends for a nice new year's eve run.  :)

Treadmill at the Legacy Center.  Tried running on the out of order treadmilll but the old man got mad at me.