Little Buddha

Busy night with meetings and technology class, didn't get a run in.

Woke up and did two easy miles down to the cow field and back.  It was chilly this morning, but I didn't feel too bad once I got going.

Well, this was another bummer year at the St. George Marathon for me. Finished in 2:55:01, 101 place overall, and 24 in age group. Usually I do a great job keeping splits with the Garmin, but my battery died at mile 16 (about the same time I died), so I finished without knowing what my time was. I would have paid more attention at the finish, but for me the highlight this year was running across the finishing line with my two youngest boys. I've never done this before, and I figured since my race was basically over at mile 16, I would have some fun at the finish with the boys.

I started really good and James Holt and I helped each other through Veyo. I went through the first ten miles right at 1:02 which is what I was wanting to do.

The half was around 1:22:30

Soon after the half I started cramping up and really had problems with the legs. Everything was in pain, quads, calves, hips, hamstring. I really started to slow and began stopping at most aid stations and stretching. Around Winchester Tyler came flying by looking strong. Also around Winchester Steve Hooper came along. It was nice for Steve to be there as we were both struggling with cramping issues. It became almost funny because I would walk some and Steve would run, then I would catch to him and he would walk and I would run, this went on until about mile 24, when I was able to keeping running a little longer.

I felt so slow going through town, however it was fun watching some different people from the blog come flying by. My main goal was to not get injured so the pace was real relaxed.

Like I mentioned once I got close to the finish I found the boys and had fun finishing with them. I'm sure it will be something they will remember and also something I'll always remember.

So in summary a bummer race, what is next? I don't know. I enjoy marathons but I always feel better running 10K's and halves. I can handle the longer races, but really I have more fun when I'm out just running with the guys and having a good time on the longer runs.

I was really happy to see some of the performances of my good friends. Steve Piccolo did awesome ran 3:02, qualified for Boston, and had a 22 minute PR.

So I found a lot of joy in seeing others have good days, when mine didn't go quite as planned.

Here are the splits up until my Garmin died (Boo)  I was actually having a really good race until this point.  The overall average was right at 6:16

 1-6:20

2-6:18

3-5:59

4-5:50

5-6:00

6-5:46

7-5:46

8-6:46- Veyo Hill

9-6:40

10-6:25

11-6:52-Starting to notice some unusual pain in the legs

12-6:34

13-6:13

Half 1:22:30 ?

14-6:22

15-6:10

16-6:00

Garmin dies and so do I... bummer.

I didn't run today, still feeling pretty sore.  I'll probably take it pretty easy the next few weeks.  I don't really have any races planned for the near future.

Took another day off.  I just went back and put my mile splits on my race report, up through mile 16 when my Garmin died.

Ok so what is next?  I'm considering finishing out the year with the following races

Butch Cassidy 10K- Nov. 7th

The Mesquite Half- Nov. 21, (possibly the full pacing Mike Warren)

Also, right now my mileage is just over 1900, and I would like to break 2300 for the year, which I should be able to do.

Anyway, I've been thinking a little about next year.  At first I was wanting to go and do Boston this coming spring.  However, now I'm wondering about staying local, saving some money and then maybe going back to Boston in 2011.  I really would like to get a backyard put in as well as a basketball court, so maybe that will be the focus this spring instead of Boston.

As far as running.  I'm not planning on heading to the trails or ultras (at least not yet)  I'm thinking I would like to give the Utah Grand Slam a try.  I really enjoyed the Ogden Marathon last year, and think I could do well at the other races.

As far as the St. George Marathon.  I'm sure I'll be back next year.  However, I'm really considering not running the course at all until the day of the marathon.  I usually really enjoying running down the course after a long lay off, but doing it numerous times leading up to the marathon does something to me mentally.  Besides, I think I know the route pretty good by now.

So there you go, that is the plan right now.

2 mile easy loop over to 300 West back on 200 North.  Legs felt sore still.

Did the La Verkin loop. Felt pretty good tonight.

A little cross training this morning. Went and played some basketball it has been awhile since I've been able to do that, so it was nice to see some of the guys again.

Good run this afternoon.  Ran 5 over to the Hurricane City Park and back averaged 7:53 which was good.  The pain in the right shin area has returned. April said it is just a tight muscle so no damage to the bone. It had been feeling better after the massage last week, but started hurting again during the marathon, (along with the rest of the lower body) Anyway, nice afternoon to get out.  The weight after the run is good to.  I've been eating junk all week yet I'm lighter than I was last Saturday on the morning of the race, go figure.

Met up with Logan, Steve, and Mike at Jacob Hamblin home and did an 8 mile run. We started off on some trails heading south. After 4 miles Mike and I turned back, we took a different route back which was only 2 miles, so then we did another two miles back into Santa Clara then back to the Hamblin home. Was good to get out with the guys, beautiful temp's this afternoon. My right leg was bothering me a little bit again.

Went and played basketball this morning for an hour, not feeling too good.

Didn't run today, did Driver's Ed for two hours after school then went to Jansen's soccer game and then Jordan's football game.  Both games were exciting and both kids played good. Jansen made 2 of his team's 3 goals and Jordan had some pretty good tackles. He actually laid a kid out pretty good on a block.  The kid's dad got pretty upset and ran down to the field.

Basketball this morning.

Good 3 mile run tonight, pushed the pace a little faster than I normally do.

21:18 (7:06) pace

Ran from the high school out to the intermediate school and then back

The plan is to take it pretty easy the next few weeks. I have some nagging injuries that have been bothering me, for awhile, so I'll just take one day at a time.

I do plan on starting up a 10 week training cycle and getting ready for the Painter's Half in January. I've never really had a good race there, (I've only ran it twice, the last two years I only did the 5k) Anyway this year I would like to really try to have a good race there.

Basketball this morning, roofing the rest of the day.

Another full day of roofing.  I felt very sore this morning, probably worse than any recent race.  I think I bruised some ribs with the fall yesterday.

No run today still working on the cabin.  I'm feeling pretty beat up.

Busy day and didn't feel like doing anything once I got home.

Played basketball this morning.  I'm still feeling very sore from the weekend.  My right hip has been in quite a bit of pain as well as some ribs.  I thought maybe exercising a little would help me feel better, but I'm not sure it did this morning.

Easy 3 miles around La Verkin.  This was the first run I've done since my little roof accident last Friday.  I've still been feeling pretty sore, and today was no different on the run, so the pace was real slow.

Good morning of basketball.

Went for a bike ride this afternoon.

This is my 3rd week of active recovery.  Probably ready to get back to a more regular running routine next week.  I guess we'll just see. 

Easy 4 miles, did some weight training after

Basketball this morning injured my right upper chest/shoulder area in a collision with a guy twice my size

Another morning of cross training

Didn't run today, I just haven't been very motivated lately.  My chest/pectoral muscle is still killing me.  I injured it on Monday and can't believe how much pain I'm still in.

Didn't run again, I'm wondering if maybe my upper chest pain could be a few broken ribs, because the pain is not going away.

Basketball