Emily's training blog

Very early run this morning before youth conference. I didn't want to run in the dark so I ran on the treadmill. I was not really ready for a workout, but it may be my only chance for the next couple of days. I don't know what running will be like on our trip.

I ran a modified workout of a progression run with 10 x 1 minute strides thrown in. The pickups were also progressive. I started at 8.0 miles per hour and finished at 9.7 mph. My strides started at 10 mph and finished at 11.0 mph. I did one every five minutes after warming up.

It sounded eady, but turned out to be challenging. My last two miles were undet 6:00 average. Easy running for the next couple of days, getting in what I can.

Ave. Pace: 6:38

I am at Camp Timberlane for Youth Conference. I told Teren I would come with him. It cuts into my training a bit, but some things are more important than running. We woke up at six and decided to go trail running. I wanted a nice easy run. A mile in, I knew something was off. I couldn't catch my breath even though I was running slowly. The trail was nice and the view was beautiful, but I was dying. I told Teren that I thought the altitude was getting to me. He said, No. It's just the uphill." I called it good at eight miles. 8:11 average.

Later, I asked the man who runs the camp how high we were. I thought around 7000 feet. We were at 9500 feet. That explained a lot.

I wish I could add mileage for the constant activities the rest of the day. Hiking, obstacle courses, Capture the Flag, Partner Tag . . . We kept going all day long. I can't believe how much energy teenagers have.

Another nasty altitude run. I did feel a bit better. A little less like my lungs would explode. We tried a different trail that was a lot more rugged. We could see where bears had been along the trail. Comforting. The trail was supposed to hook upbwith the upper trail we ran the day before. It didn't. We spent ten minutes scrambling up the side of the mountain to reach the trail. We ran back to the road, then climbed back to the camp. It was a steep climb. 8:32 pace. Yes. Very slow.

I would guess after a few weeks my lungs would adapt to the altitude. I have tons of respect for anyone who can actually train that high.

Another busy day. We went to Starvation Reservoir and swam. We rented a water trampoline, which was lots of fun. It poured rain. I froze.

I opted not to race this weekend, so I can keep my miles up a bit. I ran a fartlek workout this morning. I wasn't sure how I would feel after the last few days of camping fun. I decided to break in my new flats. They felt great. They have a slight bit more cushion than my old flats. I warmed up 15 minutes and then ran 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1 minute intervals with 1-1-2-2-3-2-2-1-1 minute recoveries. I felt great. Like I was at sea level. Oxygen is a good thing when you run. I ran 6:44 average for the entire run, with the 40 minutes of workout at 6:30 average.

Nice run with Jenny, Allie, and Devra. I had tired legs after yesterday's workout. I was glad for the company. Last week's seventeen felt easier. 7:14 average.

It took a few miles to get rolling this morning. I could feel the last two days. But, 10 miles is doable. It's funny that the more in shape you get, the longer it takes to warm up. I feel decent after about six. I ran 1300W to 6200 S, to 2700 w, and then Costco loop. 7:12 average. It is time to taper and get fresh for TOU Half.