Little Buddha

Not a very good night of sleep.  I don't know if I'll run any miles today, might just have a rest day.  We will probably move some boxes and other things into our house tonight, since we close this afternoon!

Didn't run today, just took a day of rest.  Went and watched Jordan's football game.  We closeed on our house, but we didn't move anything in yet, maybe a few boxes tomorrow.  Probably do the heavy stuff next week after the marathon.

Ran to the fire hydrant and back, real easy.  A little tightness in the right hip this morning, I hope this isn't a bad sign.  The hip has actually been feeling pretty good lately, which has me more excited about the marathon than last year.  I think that excitement alone, should help me run a PR

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I'm a little upset at myself.  My diet hasn't been the best this week.  Hopefully, the next few meals will digest good and I won't be having any stomach issues come Saturday morning.

Easy two miles over to the bridge and back. 

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Good night of sleep.  We spent much of the evening moving things into the new house.  Actually, we were able to get most of the big stuff.  Sorry Mike, we already got the piano, the big scree, and the sectional all moved.  We had a good crew and I don't think I over did it, at least I hope not.

Plan today is to sit at my desk watch the students work (Yes, this is what I do most days anyway)

Hit the expo around 3 or 4

Light Dinner around 5

Blog Party around 6

Leave for Pine Valley and the BYU Game around 7

A few people on the blog have posted how their training this year has been going compared to last year.

My training has been better this year, but there is still much room for improvement.  However, everybody has their own reasons for running and for me I really have to find the balance that works for everything else I have going on.

Leading up to the marathon

2007

50+ miles per week= 5

60+ miles per week= 7

70+ miles per week= 2

2008

50+ miles per week= 10

60+ miles per week= 9

70+ miles per week= 2

 I really haven't ran any races that were similar enough both years to compare.  A lot of the races I've run this year I've either been coming off of an injury or big workouts for me.  So I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.  I really feel like I'm in shape to run a PR.

Well, this is not an easy thing to do, but something that is necessary.  This year's St. George Marathon turned out to be one of my biggest BUMMER races in a long time. Actually, very interesting comparison between my very first marathon in 2004 and this year.

2004- Great weather, ran hard the entire way finished in 3:07:30, placed 219th overall, and 28th in age division

2006- 2:46:11

2007-2:44:59

2008- Terrible weather, walked or slowly jogged much of the second half, finished in 3:07:27, placed 206th overall, and 29th in age division

The upsetting thing about this year, was the fact I felt like I was in really good shape, I had some good goals and thought I would be able to put everything together.

Anyway, as those who ran or were there know the weather did make the race quite a bit more difficult.  The rain the entire way and the strong head wind made for a long day.  My main problem came from cramping up too many times during the race.  I felt cold the entire race and was pretty worried about my body temperature.  I think my biggest mistake was starting out too fast and running too many miles by myself.  I didn't ever get in with any packs and I fought the wind the entire way alone.  After reaching the half, I really fell apart and struggled with cramping: (calves, back, hip, and quads.)  It was definitely humbling to see so many people passing me, especially other bloggers and people I usually beat. All I could do was wish them well.

Ok before I continue anymore with the downer report.  I would like to point out some highlights

1-Dave and Clyde's finish-  I was really happy for both of these guys.  Even though they didn't hit the time they were hoping for, they both placed very high in the race.  Great job guys

2-Nice to see so many bloggers out on the course.  Some performances that stood out. Michelle L., Tyler S., James Holt (Great job James!), Ken Carlson

3-A big highlight was stopping and shaking a little girl's hand.  She had her hand out and  people just kept running by her not doing anything, I actually stopped, talked to her for a moment and forgot about my problems

4-Another highlight was walking for a stretching with my cousin, who was working an aid station, I was really struggling and she helped calm me down.

5-Last highlight was rather interesting.  At the finish I met up with an old college teammate, actually she was more than a teammate, if you know what I mean.  Anyway, I hadn't seen this girl since college so it was nice to talk for a bit.  She actually came over and met Sunny and the boys and then I met her husband.

Ok, back to the scary part of this post the splits

Like I mentioned, going in I felt like I was in good shape, so I wanted to go out attempting a PR.  I believe in this race today the going out faster lead to more cramping and problems later in the race.

1-6:07 Felt good

2-6:25

3-6:01

4-5:53

5-6:02

6-5:40

7-5:54

8-7:18- Veyo hill

9-7:02

10-6:57- 1:03:20 I was actually feeling pretty good with my goals once I got to this point.  But pretty much after this mile the race really turned ugly for me.

11-7:30

12-6:59

13-6:56

Half- 1:25:50

14-6:59

15-6:40

16-6:40

17-7:04

18-7:31

19-8:29 Walking

20-7:13

21-7:47

22-8:16

23-8:42 Walking

24-10:10-Crawling

25-7:45

26-7:33-3:05:42

.2- 1:45

Finish time 3:07:27

Ok, that was very painful to write, but I'm actually very excited to get back to training.  Of course I will take it easy for a few weeks to allow for the body to recover.  But I would like to do another marathon before the end of the year.  I really feel like I need to redeem myself.  Maybe the CA International Marathon, Las Vegas, or P.F. Changs in January.

Anyway, this race was definitely one to remember, but would also be a nice one to forget.

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No running today, body still sore but not as bad as Sunday.  In fact I spent much of the evening moving boxes and unpacking things.  Maybe I was just too stressed about moving stuff to remember I had just ran a marathon and was supposed to be sore.  Actually felt like going for a run, but by the time I slowed down last night it was 10:30 and I realized I had not had dinner yet, so I did that instead and then went to bed.

Another rest day, more unpacking finally went to bed at 11:00.  Legs are feeling pretty good, I think I'm ready to get back to some easy running.

Another rest day, but I did mow the lawn at both the old and new house.

Another rest day, about finished unpacking boxes

No run today

I ended up taking this whole off.  My body was actually feeling fine and I could have ran if I wanted to but, I just gave myself a little break, plus I was busy most of the week moving and unpacking things.  I'm ready to start back to running next week and I'm going to try to get in shape to run the Butch Cassidy 10K and the Snow Canyon Half in November.

Went and played basketball for about 20 minutes this morning.  Planning on a run this afternoon.

Went and measured a new La Verkin 5k loop from the new house.  The route goes down Main Street past the Stake Center, then past Farmer's down to 300 West, then back to the South, through Pheasant Glen, then over to 400 South, then back on Main Street.  3 miles measured right at the mailbox on Main Street, then the .01 just up 200 North.  Entire route measures 3.2 all the way to the house.  Ran the 5k in 22:44

After running the 5K loop, I then did an out and back over to the old house, one mile each way.  It was nice to be out running, a little windy and chilly, but not bad.  Run right after eating a big dinner, which didn't feel too good.

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Ran over to Zion's Bank and back home.

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In Colorado

In Colorado

Did a little bit of walking, search for an elk

New La Verkin 5K loop this morning,  I'm feeling very fat and out of shape right now.  I've been eating too much junk food since the marathon.

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Got home late from Driver's Education Class and watching Jordan's football game, didn't get a run in today, maybe something tomorrow.

Ran over to the Hurricane Cemetery and back. 4 miles at a very slow pace 8:30.  But at least I got out this morning.

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Run up the La Verkin Twist on the trail, then up to the Overlook road, not all the way to the Overlook, then came back.  Nice and easy 3 miles out, 3 miles back. Average pace 8:15 not bad considering mostly uphill the first three miles.

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Good run over to Ace in Hurricane and then back home.  Dropped one of the miles down to 6:30 pace.  Overall average was 7:30

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La Verkin 5K loop started by heading south.  Felt ok average pace 7:28

Easy two miles with Sunny tonight, ran over past Farmer's then down 300 West to 200 North then back home.  Not much time tonight.

Went and played basketball this morning for an hour. This was the first time in a long time and surprisingly, my shot was on and I was able to score quite a few points. Hoping to get in a few miles of running tonight. I'm signed up for the Butch Cassidy 10K Saturday, but probably won't race it too hard, since I don't feel like I'm in very good shape right now.

4.5 miles around La Verkin, felt pretty good average pace was 7:17 

Tough trail run for me up through Chuckawalla with Dave, Clyde, Logan, Lindsay, and Carl. I usually struggle on trail runs, today was no different especially feeling out of shape and over weight. Anyway, glad I got the miles in and it was nice to run with the other guys. I picked up some Cafe Rio on the way home, so combine that with the run and now I'm feeling pretty full and tired. Tonight's run was the longest I've gone since the marathon.

70 minutes of basketball this morning, quite the workout.