Cursed Realm of the Faceless Ghost

Recovery day. I feel better in most ways than I did after the Buffalo Run, but worse in a couple. Specifically, my ankles and feet are quite sore. I think that's largely because of all the uneven and rocky footing at Sapper Joe, but my choice of footwear probably contributed, and I'm still questioning my decision to wear the New Balance 100s. On the one hand, they're very comfortable and nearly six ounces per shoe lighter than my Cascadias. The trade off, of course, is that they offer very little protection, and by the end I could feel it. The guy behind me, in contrast, was wearing those ridiculous-looking Hoka OneOne shoes, and I certainly would have welcomed the extra 40 mm of cushion on the final descent.

I went our for an easy run on the cemetery loop with Catherine this morning. I wore my Cascadias, even though we were on the road, because they have more support than any of my shoes. My ankles are still stiff and my right foot still hurts, but I think I'll be fine. Catherine and I are going to St. George after work on Wednesday, and I don't think I'll do any real training until we get there.

27:55 

AM: Another lap on the cemetery loop with Catherine this morning. My legs are still hurting, but they're getting better--enough so that I was able to hang with Catherine on the G Street descent today. 

My legs haven't actually felt sore since Saturday's race--just in pain, injury style. Fortunately, they're recovering quickly and I don't think I'm actually injured.

27:09

PM: I went out for yet another lap on the cemetery loop before dinner. My legs are actually feeling pretty good, and it seems like Sapper Joe didn't take nearly as much out of me as the Buffalo Run did. I hope I'm recovered enough to put in some good miles over my long weekend.

22:50

Catherine and I drove down to St. George this evening. We checked in to our hotel and then I went for a quick run on the bike path. My legs seem recovered, and except for some wild heartburn, I felt great. I'm hoping to put in some decent mileage over the next few days, even though the temperatures may rise into the triple digits. Yikes.

38:02 

AM: Ran 4 miles on the bike path with Catherine to start the day.

33:39

PM: I planned to go for a long run in the late afternoon., but I didn't feel well at all. Lunch was sitting in my stomach like a brick, and I had no energy. Maybe I underestimated the effect of the heat on me, or maybe it's something I ate. Either way, it was a terrible run and I had to just stop and gather myself a couple of times. I ended up with 9.65 miles

1:11:13

Normally, two runs are plenty, but I was so frustrated with the run this afternoon that I decided to try again. I ran around the hill behind the hotel (Webb Hill?) and then up a dirt road to the top for a total of 5.75 miles. I felt better than I did earlier, but far from 100 percent and my stomach was still not happy.

44:27

AM: This heat is killing me! I just feel drained every time I run down here. Plus, my stomach is not happy which may or may not have anything to do with the heat--I really don't know. Anyways, I hit the Virgin River Trail at 8:00 this morning. I followed some signs around what I guess is called the Mayor's Loop, then finished with an out and back to the trailhead by the Bloomington Country Club for a total of 9.5 miles. Now for some breakfast and a nap, so I can have a better run this afternoon (I hope).

1:10:18

PM: Stair repeats. I ran 20 sprints up the three-story staircase in the hotel tonight, walking down for recovery. Not sure how far or how long. I may need to spend more time on the stairs, though, because I just gave in to peer pressure and registered for the Speedgoat 50K. That's 12,00 feet of climbing in just over 30 miles.

I hit the Virgin River Trail at 7:30 this morning, and I was worried that today would be no better than the last two. Fortunately, I had no stomach issues until the last few miles and I was able to tolerate the heat well enough. It wasn't a great run, but it was a good one, and for now I'll take it. Three laps on the Mayor's Loop plus the out and back to the hotel for a total of 16.5 miles.

2:03:12