So, I've been a bad blogger. I just get busy, and then don't want to catch it up. I know if I stay consistent with reporting my workouts, my fitness will improve faster.
So, for the last couple weeks I've struggled with a nasty sore throat/cough, and some plantar/achilles issues. I've been able to run, but have been sticking around 40-45 mpw . . . enough to maintain, but not enough to build fitness.
The whole family drove up Friday morning, arriving at about 3 in the afternoon. I went for a four mile shakeout run, and then we went over to the expo to get my race packet. We found a pasta restaurant for dinner, and then chilled at the hotel. The kids were better than the night before Top of Utah, but Lily was still up quite a bit. Thankfully the race started at 9 instead of 7 in the morning.
The morning of the race was beautiful. It was sunny, clear, and calm; perfect running weather. I warmed up with a woman named Sue,who has run this race several times before. We ran for twenty minutes and stretched. The field seemed to be mainly comprised of local girls, though they were very fast Idaho ladies.
I went out with the leader the first mile (Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?) I didn't know that I was rubbing shoulders with Tera Moody until after the race. I started to drop off after a 5:18 first mile. 2nd and 3rd place caught me going up the nasty hill after mile 1.
The race flattens out, and runs along a ridge line. It is a very pretty course. Another girl came up on me before the 2nd mile, and we traded places back and forth for a while. The two mile was not in the right place, because I was over 11:30 at mile 2. Fourth place pulled away a bit before the downhill to the finish. I have run the race enough to know that you're not going to catch anyone down that hill. I tried to close the distance before the hairpin turn up to the finish line, but couldn't . (Should have kept closer earlier!) I crossed the line in 17:35. I wanted to finish under 17:30, but am still pretty happy with the improvements over the last couple of months. I mean, I was running over 19 minutes two months ago.
I cooled down 30 minutes with Sue and Tera. It was fun talking to some fast ladies, and meeting a top 5 finisher from the 2008 Olympic Trials. I'm always amazed how friendly and humble such amazing athletes really are.
After the meet we drove up to Eagle to coach the East High cross country team at the Bob Firman Invitational. I spent another 3 miles running around the course, which was not good for my achilles tendon. The course was very uneven!
It was definitely a crazy weekend. My kiddos did very well considering how much time we spent in a car or on a race course. Next up is the Des Moines Half Marathon on October 17th. This one I get to run without the kids, which should eliminate some pre-race stress!!
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