Relentless

AM - 8.5 Twix/Sunrise. Kind of irrated at the dog. It was raining the whole run and she was super antsy about it. (Peg 213.5)

afternoon - 8 track. Didn't get much of a warm up because of coaching duties, so only about a mile there and then 4x1600's and 2x300's and a cool. Did the first and last with the boys in 5:24 and 5:16 and the middle two with the girls in 6:15. 300's were killer as usual at :48 and :47. I told Preston I it was nice when I used to be able to run fast; now high school kids throw down on me. I guess I better get used to it. Finished with just a little weights because of time. Achilles held in there for the first double in a week. (Kinvara green 306.75)

AM - 8.5 Twix/Sunrise. Out in the rain again this morning. Twix, being the heinous beast she is, tripped me this morning and I landed hard on my right knee and elbow. (Came home to find out she fought Molly again and hurt Molly's leg again - any advice for an unruly dog that has issues would be much appreciated.) (Mana 714.5)

afternoon - 9 Hell's Hole. Chilly afternoon with a little more rain. Dropped from DogTown into Hell's Hole and down the river back to school. Some very interesting and funny moments today. Striders, but not barefoot to try and progress with the achilles (thus no BeastAndFeast as well). (Kinvara blue 208.75)

AM - 4 Sunrise. I should have gotten up, but my achilles was hurting at night and that was enough to convince me to sleep a little more. Shoe?

afternoon - 6.5 laps. DI warm and laps during practice. At least it was something. This double head coach with no real sprint coach is not so easy on my running. Shoe?

AM - 4 Sunrise. I don't know if I am resting the achilles or being lazy... Probably some of both. Should get up. (Peg 217.5)

Nothing this afternoon, coaching duties... Bummer.

AM - 4 Sunrise. Just another short morning. Walked the dog for a bit before practice, but achilles is still acting up and I used it for an excuse again. Meet this afternoon, so no running. (Kinvara white 395.75)

Red Mountain 30k 2:10:59

Decided to run this just Weds. when Steve convinced me. Glad I did though. This was the most fun running I have had in awhile. Exactly my favorite type of running - fast, raceable, beautiful single track. All of the race was on the trails over by Santa Clara; different loops with a single aide station in the middle. It was a great set up. The St. George Running center did a great job with the race. Started off with Logan and his boys. Logan was doing the 50k and his team was doing the half. After a couple miles, Logan sat back and his boys pushed the pace. I decided to go with them and just see what happened. It was super pretty up on the first trail with the sun rise on one horizon and the moon setting over the snow covered hills on the other. Thatcher and Kale set a pretty good pace and I just chilled behind them and Sage. We hit the first aide at a 7:02 pace for the 7.5 miles. They peeled off to their finish and I pushed onto Barrel Roll. I was feeling pretty good and really just attacked the trail. It was very fun just out there on my own and flying across the single track. The trails are rolling and rocky, but you can still go if you push it. Came off of Barrel Roll dropping the ave to 6:57; probably around low 6:50 ave for that 8'ish mile section. Then pushed in on the final section - Upper and Lower graveyard over to Unity Park. Hadn't ever run here before and didn't know what to expect. It was harder than I thought, but I held a good pace. Maybe I was just getting a bit tired. Pushed it in and dropped the overall ave to 6:46; so another good section. Pretty pleased with how I ran; and really glad I did it. Like I said, it was a lot of fun. I really those trails over there. I briefly thought about just pushing the 50k after coming off Barrel, but wisely decided I hadn't better. My pace, lack of preparation and lack of consumption of calories and fluids would have come back to get me.

James came in not too long after me; having a very good race. He is running really well right now. (VertK 418.5)

A fun side note - some of my runners are looking to get a few comments here and there with some random, funny and stupid stuff. So this race reminded me of one of the most commented on post ever at the frb. Go back and take a look at http://holt.fastrunningblog.com/blog-06-06-2009.html for some good times and memories!

Week was a mixed bag - started well with mileage, then went south for the end of the week until today's good run. But that is probably much of what it will be through track season at least.

Goals for next week. Enjoy Spring break. Recharge a bit away from school and kids begging for grades and enjoy some yard work and running.

morning - 11 PV/laps. Ran over to practice and did a DI warm. Ran a few more laps and then jumped in with some of the up and comers for there mile repeats at 6:00 pace. A good pace formy tired legs and nice to run with those guys. They are great guys and very hard workers. Cooled for bit. PV legend, Corey Kimzey, was there and it was a lot of fun running with him, reminiscing about old workouts and hearing him laugh. Getting married this summer - good luck!

noon - 5.5 home/dirt mile. Stayed at school and did a bunch of grading. Then ran home, picked up the dogs and went and ran on the Dirt Mile. (Peg 234)

morning - 12 River Run/dirt mile. Ran 60 mins for practice and then came home and took Twix around the Dirt Mile a couple times. And finished going around the block with Laney. Both achilles were on fire today. Not a good day for them. (Kinvara green 318.75)

afternoon - 4.5 Dirt Mile. Don't know if this was the best decision with my bum legs, but they actually felt decent. Warm day; long day working in the yard. (F50 804.75)

morning - 12 Twix/laps. Took the dog on her loop and saw one of the most inspiring sunrises I have ever had the privilege of witnessing. The hues were stunningly vibrant and alive. I wish I had a pic (I did see a few on facebook and they were pretty great), but to tell the truth pics wouldn't do it justice. Then at practice just did DI and then laps and cool with the team. Corey was there again - love running with that guy. Both achilles felt some positive vibes from Mother Earth today and cooperated a bit. (Peg 246)

afternoon - 4.5 Dirt Mile. Up and around again today. Let he destruction of our earth continue in the name of the almighty dollar. More homes and townhomes going in, so we must destroy the dirt mile some more. (Kinvara lime 600.5)

morning - 11.5 Twix/Mustang Pass. Out with the dog in a slight drizzle this morning and then onto Mustang Pass in reverse for practice. The trail was really getting overgrown with weeds, so it was good to get some feet on it. Wore a new pair of Mizuno Wave Riders. Mizuno aren't my favorite shoe, but I needed something to help out my achilles. They felt fine and there is some continued progress on both of them. (Riders 11.5)

afternoon - 6.5 Highland. Up to lower Grapevine and onto the Highland loop trail. It was a good run - super easy pace because I was burnt out from working in the yard all day, but it was a nice run. And continued progress on both achilles. Wore the Riders again for the lift. (Riders 18)

morning - 12 Runway/Old Mans. Took Twix out toward Lower Grapevine - I am so sick of trying to keep her calm that I just gave in and went somewhere I can let her off leash. She loved it and at least I didn't have to fight her for some of the run. Then at practice we did Old Man Hills and I ran with the girls. It was great, they really push each other. Right achilles a bit toastier today than the last day or two. (Peg 258)

afternoon - 4 Runway. Pyper road he bike with me as I went up the runway again to measure it (since my watch died this morning on me). It was fun having her around. Worked hard in the hot sun again and I wasn't up to more than that, plus the leg hurt and so I took it way easy. (Riders 22)

morning - 10 North Desert.  Took the dog around a bit and then tried to get into a tempo.  I could tell right away that it wasn't happening, so I took a quick break and then tried again.  Still no legs.  So I cut it and just went into the desert and ran around a bit.  This week was just a bit too much for me with more miles, both achilles and the hard yard work.  Oh well.  (Adios 309.75)

Decent week, but a bummer end.

Goals for next week:  it just gets busier from here on out.  Goal is to try and get some running in and survive.

AM - 8.5 Twix/Sunrise.  Kind of the usual.  I wanted to go a different direction, but it was too dark to hit the dirt without a light.  (Riders 30.5)

Too busy acting like a coach and getting things set up for our elementary meet tomorrow to get a run in this afternoon.  

AM - 4 Sunrise.  Woke up at 4:00a with a ear infected Elin.  Those are no fun for anyone.  Rylee used to get them a lot and it was horrid to listen to her and knowing she was in so much pain and then being sleep deprived yourself.  So Elin and I went and watched tv and she wouldn't let me fall back asleep.  So no run until practice when Al got back home.  (Peg 262)

Nothing this afternoon with a youngsters track meet.  It went well, though.

AM - 9.5 Runway/Sunrise.  Grabbed a light and took Twix into the desert toward Lower Grapevine.  It was nice, because once I got past Maverick I let her off her leash and just let her go crazy.  (Riders 40)

afternoon - 4 laps.  Finally got a little in for an afternoon.  Still not much because of coaching duties, but I joined Josie for her final 800 and the 3200 boys for theirs.  (F50 808.75)

AM - 10 Runway/Sunrise.  Out into the dirt again with the dog.  Today I ran 3 minute repeats on the runway.  They were good, but I can tell I have got a lot of work to do.  I tried not to get too discouraged because it was dark and I am out of shap.  First was 5:31 pace; 2-5:47; 3-5:21; 4-5:32 (odds are on a slight downhill, evens back up the opposite direction).  It sure made Twix run hard and get a lot of miles in though!  (Peg 272)

afternoon - 6 Shoe Run.  Sneaked out with the distance crew and had a good run on the old pre-race course.  (Kinvara blue 214.75)

AM - 9.5 Parkway/Sunrise.  Kind of Parkway'ish.  Went to take Twix out to the Runway again, but the batteries were dying on the flashlight and I didn't want to be stuck out there in the dark, so I diverted and headed up the Parkway and around adding some in DogTown until my time was up and I needed to get to practice.  Achilles... some progress, I guess.  (Riders 49.5)

Meet this afternoon; so today is a single.

AM - 12.75 Sullivan.  Took Twix for 3 around the Dirt Mile and then got a little workout in before heading to Hurricane for Day 2 of the track invite. Hadn't tempoed in probably a month, so I decide (and only had time for) to do the 6 with just a shorter progression warm of around 1.5 at around 6:30.  Mile 1 was 5:49 then 5:55, 6:10, 6:00, 5:55, 5:55. Not really good at all, but it's what I had today and at least I was able to do it. Achilles were both wretched today. (Mana 727.25)

Givin' props to my 800 boys and girls who feasted today. Nick hit a 1:58 to win - it totally raised hell; and the girls went 2-5 (and 2, 3 in the 3200; and 3, 5, 6, 7 in the 1600).

survived a busy and painful week.

Goals for next week: the most thankless week ever - PV Invite. If I am alive and get even 40 miles in this week it will be a miracle. 

AM - 8.5 Lower Grapevine/Sunrise. Achilles felt the best they have in weeks. (Riders 58)

Solos all week with a lot to do with our big invite this weekend.

AM - 8.5 LG/Sunrise. Just the usual; a run in the dark desert with the dog. (Peg 290.5)

AM - 11.25 Runway/Sunrise. Did 6x3 mins. Paces were a touch better than last week: 5:21, :36, :21, :34, :22, :32 - with the odds up and the evens down. Hurried home at Tinman pace because I was going to be late to practice. Made it on time and did the usual morning run. (Riders 69.25)

AM - 8.5 LG/Sunrise.  Another morning doing my thing.  (Peg 289)

AM - 10 LG/Sunrise.  Twix wouldn't come back, so I had to run all the way back to Lower Grapevine and hunt her down.  I was not pleased.  Barely made it to practice on time.  (Riders 79.25)

0 - Just too tired and too busy today.  Usually happens on the Saturday of the Invite.

AM - 5.5 Neighborhood/Sunrise.  Slept in a bit - I am just absolutely spent from this weekend.  Took the dog for a bit of a walk and then turned it into a short run while trying to work on her obedience (or lack thereof) and pulling. Got back and over to practice.  Barely made it there as I was out of gas.  I think someone stole my gas.  Sounds crazy, but it was totally full and I only drove it 3 days last week.  Something is up there.  (And not in the Jeep either... the Tahoe).  Update on the achilles: both are feeling much improved.  Still trying to be very cautious with them, do drills, wintercrest and all that stuff.  But very happy to not be in total pain every second.  (Kinvara blue 220.25)

AM - 10 LG/Sunrise. That beast that my daughters call a dog ran off this morning and wouldn't come back again. Not pleased with her. (Peg 299)