Relentless

Took another one off today.  Thought about running in the afternoon and then I felt quite sick again.

AM - 11.5 Meet.  Got up and ran today, but didn't feel great about it.  Stomach is still just a bit off (enough to make me feel blah) and legs were just rubber crap.  (Connect 135.75)

Evening - 6.25 UVU. Ran around UVU a bit with the boys and also hit some barefoot striders. (hyper speed 223.25)

Morning - 13 South Fork. After setting up our tent at the BYU meet, I

went up the canyon to run on some of the Squaw course. It was a very

eventful run. I went up the trail about 3.25 miles, until the snow was

deeper than I wanted to push through. Then I pushed the way down. Did

this twice. Negative splitter both up and down on the second attempt.

On the first time down I hit a toe-grabber and ate it big time. I was

all torn up and bleeding everywhere and covered in mud. People back at

the parking where looking at me like what the crap. Saw two wild

turkeys, a snake and a out stepped on a chucker. Good workout. (NB 101

529.75)

AM - 17 Provo.  Ran from the hotel over to get Logan at his hotel and then up the canyon until I needed to turn around.  Didn't feel as haggard as I thought I might after yesterday's big fall.  My knee is a bit pudgy and I am all bruised and scabbed up.  But I felt pretty good.  (Connect 152.75)

Week was a bummer with getting sick.  I really had wanted to hit a nice easy 100 this week, but that through me off big time.  I decided it would be smarter to just continue with the week plan rather than hit huge mileage at the end; as I am sure that would be counterproductive.

Goals for next week: Get a good solid run in each morning and a couple very easy doubles early in the week.  It is going to be a super busy one - have to mark the Zion 50/100 course, Region at our place Wed/Thur and then the aid station stuff, the girls have Hershey's region on Fri/Sat and my race on Sat.  Plus my AP test on Friday - goal #1: make it through it all alive!

AM - 10 Junction.  Great morning run today.  Love getting out and getting going even though it is always tough to actually get out of bed.  (Rocket 353.25)

AM - 10 Middleton.  Out into Middleton with some extensions to get the 10.  Another nice morning out.  If only it would stay this cool throughout the summer month - even just in the morning and then I would deal with the heat in the afternoon.  If only... (Hyper Speed 2 141.75)

AM - 10 Clyde's.  Up and at 'em early again today after church stuff until later than I like last night.  Also Logan and I had spent the afternoon/evening marking up our sections of the Zion 50/100 and that took awhile - saw a way pretty snake out there though; it is that time of year.  But this morning's run was nice.  On to Region stuff today.  (F50 183.5)

AM - 5 Parkway.  The passing of a guinea pig put me out the door later than I wanted this morning, but it is okay 5's today and tomorrow are actually probably a good idea.  (Kinvara 634.65)

afternoon - 5 Parkway.  A ton to do today, so I should have gotten up and ran, but I didn't.  So went out early in the afternoon and got in five junky miles.  Hopefully I get all that out of my system so I can run well tomorrow.  (Last Ohana 301)

Zion 50 - 7:41

(I'll come back and update the distance - I think closer to 51 - and the time/seconds)

Logan and I had a plan just to run our own race and not worry about anyone who might try and push the tough early sections and then just have a good solid finish.  We hoped that no one killer would be there, but it seemed that there would be a couple threats - of course, there were.  We started off trailer Mick (the eventual winner) for the first three'ish miles and then as we approached the huge climb up Gooseberry we pulled up along side him.  We hike the cliff and actually ended up being the first ones up.  It was great that we had done this before and knew what to expect.  Up on top, we were just cruising along and enjoying the amazing views when a lady popped out of no where and made Logan scream like a girl and almost jump off the cliff!  When we hit the aid station at 10'ish for a little out and back on the cliff face, we thought we had pretty much lost everyone, when suddenly a group of 6 guys showed up!  Where did they come from?  Two of them stayed with us for the next while (Mick and ? from Phoenix).  We all just kind of moved through the Secret Trail section and in my mind I kept preparing for how horrid this section was - it is a single-track mountain biking section with constant undulation and slick rock; no rhythm, no flow.  Last time we ran it I was destroyed; today... not so bad; I actually enjoyed it.  Coming out at the Cattle Grate we bumped into a couple guys (Eric S.) that had taken wrong turns (later we pass others that must have taken wrong turns as well, as the four of us were in the lead, yet catching a couple people?).

Logan and I would fall behind a little at aid stations (or our crew stations - thanks Dad and Jerry) and then catch up as we ran.  We retook the lead coming down Smithsonian Rd., but my stomach was jacked up.  I couldn't drink but knew I had too as it was approaching 90+ out on the course.  We got to aid at 27 (DHHS's) and Logan and I planned on really taking care of ourselves here.  We hit a lot of stuff and I drank some Pepsi and ginger ale to try and calm my stomach.  We also started loading ourselves with ice - in our hats, Logan: other places!  We started out and crossed the road over to Little Creek.  We were gaining a lot on Phoenix (who had passed us out of the aid station), but decided just to sit behind him.  Climbing up the volcano we went into a walk, which was fine because my stomach was still just twisting (around here - 30 - I didn't think I would be finishing; I felt horrid).  Mick passed us on the hike.  At the top of the volcano we iced again and started off.  We moved pretty decent here, but didn't see the top 2, so I am thinking they must be pushing a bit too.  Then coming into the aid at the Radio Towers we asked how far ahead and the volunteers told us just like 30 seconds.  We started the descent and within a few hundred meters we caught Phoenix - his stomach was jacked and I figured he was done - just one more and I could see him down the switchbacks!  I have been working hard on my ascent/descent and now it was time to shine - but Logan kept holding me back, telling me to relax (which was very smart with just shy of 20 left in the race, and I could have used that advice a little later).  At the bottom of the hill though Logan's calves started really acting up.  We had to stop and I stretched them.  I hoped they would loosen and he could keep rolling - if they would, I knew we would easily win.  Mick had done great, but he was slowing significantly and we kept easily catching him.  Which we did about 6 miles later, just outside of Diamond Ranch (about 1 mile out) he was walking a hill and we were only 30 seconds back.  Then Logan's calves went nuts again.  We stopped and stretched and walked for some time.  It was frustrating because we had worked hard to get back up to Mick - he was no slouch and I didn't want to lose all that time again; and I know Logan was frustrated with his legs.  By the time we got to Diamond Mick was 6 minutes up on us again - about 10 miles left.

We got good and hydrated and ate a bit at Diamond.  I hoped that the extra time there would get Logan rolling again and I knew we could real Mick in again, but I was getting worried.  We took the access trail up to Gould's and then took it up to the highway crossing.  Logan said to take it easy up to the road and then he would be able to go again.  Unfortunately we weren't moving very well and I knew we were losing more time and Logan was struggling more.  When we got to the road Logan knew I was itching and told me to go.  But we had promised to cross together and I knew that if I left him he would have a very tough time finishing by himself - but there was a race to win.  Could I win now?  Mick was surely long gone.  I told Logan to come with me another half mile - I hoped the food would kick in and his cramping would subside.  It didn't.  I was in a tough situation.  My mind raced, could I still catch Mick if I left?  How big of a jerk was I if I left Logan?  I felt so good; what should I do?  I finally decided to go for it.  I stopped at stretched Logan and told him I was going to go win this race for us.  So I took off.

This section (the Jem Trail) is my favorite type of running - a desert single-track with rollers.  I started really moving, but couldn't see Mick.  Then I caught a glimpse of him way ahead.  It looked about a mile ahead and I tried to take a time on it - at this point I was at mile 42.5 (it turns out that he was between 7 and 8 minutes ahead, depending on what hill he was on, it was hard to tell from so far away).  I really started flying, but I also could tell that my muscles were starting to cramp.  When I would hit a roller down or a dry creek bed, my quads and hammies would both start to resist.  I pushed it further back into my head and tried to focus on flying.  I came up to the top of a roller and saw him again - timed it, five minutes back.  I went into Beast Mode.  I was pushing the trail at around 6 minute pace.  I knew one last aid station was coming up - my only hope was that he would stop and need some time.  As he came up the hill to the final aid (my team's aid station) I timed again and he was 3 minutes up.  I had cut 3-4 minutes in 3 miles!  I hit the aid station and yelled "ice!"  The kids quickly filled my bottle with ice-water and I took a half-melted ice bag and poured it on my head.  I hoped the shock would get me moving again.  And like that I was off.  This last section of the trail is absolutely amazing, but it does have some tough sections around ravines (tough in that you think you are closer than you are when you have to backtrack up a ravine to get to the other side).  Mick was well within sight now.  I was extremely tired , but I thought I had worked to hard to get here I can't waste it now.  The cramping quads and hammies were becoming more and more of a reality on every turn and undulation.  The gap was narrowing - 2 minutes, 1 minute... I came around a corner at it was 30 seconds!  3 miles to go.  There was about 3/4 mile of trail left than a dirt parking lot/road access and dirt road for 3/4's mile and 1 1/2 'ish highway (or dirt 4 wheeler trail) to the finish.  One more push to get him and it would be the knock-out blow.  I dug deep.  Coming off the trail to the parking lot... 15 seconds back!  Then just as suddenly... cramp, Cramp, CRAMP!  Every muscle in my legs locked up and dropped me to all fours.  I fell so fast that I nearly blacked out and kneeled there spinning.  I don't really know how long I was there, but some mountain bikers came over and tried to help me up and get me to there truck.  I told them to leave me alone - I realized I wasn't going to win, but I was going to finish.  So they helped me up and I walked through the parking lot and access road to where my dad was.  I took in some more peaches and drank good and started my death jog.  I slowly jogged up the hill and down the highway back to the finish. 

It was a bit frustrating to know that I got so close and couldn't close it.  But I can leave this race knowing that I gave it every little bit that my body had.  I pushed it to the absolute limit and then it told me no more as directly as it could.  Mick ended up around 7 minutes ahead of me.  Logan came hobbling in about 10-15 minutes after me.  I was happy to see him and bummed to tell him that I wasn't able to get it for us.

Now I have two thoughts about how I could have one: 1) Go after him a little slower - From 42.5-48.75 I ran a 38 minutes flat, including my short aid station stop, it was a little too quick.  But I think I would still do this because I had no idea how far up he was on me at first and then when I saw... well, it was a long way. So I should have done this 2) when I got to 30 seconds back, I should have sat and recovered.  I still had about 2.5 miles and I already knew that he couldn't match my turnover.  I should have sat behind him and recovered for a mile or so and pushed the last little to pass him.  Oh well... live and learn.  Mick did an awesome job on an tough hot day on a course that is much more difficult than people might have thought.  So he absolutely earned the win.  (NB 110 170.5)

Week was good - glad it is done on all accounts: the race, the aid station, Region track, etc...

Goals for next week: recover the legs a bit, no need to stress anything.

afternoon - 4 2xDI.  Warmed up and cooled down with the team around their workout.  Not too much soreness, but a lot of tiredness!  (Connect 156.75)

afternoon - 4 Middleton.  A hot and easy 4 again.  I feel like my legs might be slowly coming around; hopefully by the end of the week.  (Oregon 362)

afternoon - 3 2xHart's.  Just easy and moving a little bit around the teams' workouts.  (Landreth blue 771.65)

afternoon - 8 Provo.  From the hotel over to Provo HS and around a bit and back to the hotel.  (Connect 164.75)

afternoon - 8 Provo.  Out and back with Logan from the hotel out to highway 89.  Felt a bit better.  (Connect 172.75)

AM - 7 Provo.  Early this morning and got a few in and then tied in with Logan and got a few more.  (Connect 180.75)

Recovery week.  Needed it.

Goals for next week: get back on the bandwagon a bit.

afternoon - 16 River Trail/BH.  The heat is on.  It always takes a run or two for me to remember how prepared you really need to be for the heat.  This run was it.  Went out after 3 1/2 hours of outdoor volleyball (that couldn't have helped - but XC did take 2nd!) and went down the trail with no hat or sunglasses or water.  Used the parks to drink and soak down my shirt, but it wasn't enough.  I was spent at the end.  (Kinvara 650.65)

AM - 10 Junction.  After a night of cramping and trying to rehydrate, I finally got up in the morning and ran.  Feeling the effects of yesterday's adventure and took it very easy.  (Triumph silver 710.55)

afternoon - 5 Parkway.  I said it would be a couple runs in the heat to start figuring things out.  I was much more prepared today - even had a water bottle, until I forgot it in my office.  But it wasn't as bad today: not as warm, breezy, and I went much shorter.  (Hyper Speed 228.25)

AM - 13 Clyde's Secret.  With no rush to school today, hit a little longer loop with the Circle.  Legs are in need of an ice bath.  (F50 196.5)

afternoon - 6.5 Grapevine.  Not too shabby out; pretty breezy though.  Took it up the Grapevine hill for a little extension.  Want to work on a little ascent/descent - probably on Friday.  First day of summer... First nap of summer - I am batting 1.000!  (NB 110 177) 

AM - 13 Prospector.  A real nice morning run watching the sun rise over Zion.  Saw a coyote and a snake, and a Steven as I was finishing.  Legs are a little spent.  Need to get them in the ice.  (NB 101 542.75)

 AM - Icehouse.  Took a long way to Icehouse and then ran up 2x's.  I was a bit tired and both the ascent and descent were pretty sluggish, but maybe not as bad as I thought.  First time up was 7:02 then 6:51 2nd time (from sign to sign).  Down I wasn't getting my feet up enough and quick enough, but didn't wipe out luckily; 3:58 and 3:53.  (NB 110 189)

Decided today would be a single - would benefit a lot more from the rest of a single than the 4-5 miles in the afternoon. 

AM - 15 Fields Loop.  Nice easy run with Logan this morning.  We are both a little tired and I know I am really hoping that the upcoming week will refresh my legs a little bit.  (Connect 194.75)

Week was not too bad.  Got some decent mileage in and didn't kill myself.

Goals for next week: freshen up the legs and then kill Squaw! 

AM - 10.5 Middleton.  Felt like a Monday.  Not great, but not too bad either.  Right calf was acting up a bit at the end of last week, but felt much better today as I rolled it out.  Hopefully that is a good sign of things to come.  Ended with a little bit with the girls and the dog. (Oregon 372.5)

noon - 10 Junction.  Headed out around 11 after getting back from camping with the girls last night up to Oak Grove.  Felt a lot like yesterday, kind of flat, but not too bad.  (F50 206.5)

AM - 10.5 Wendy's.  More of the same again.  Ready to break out of the blah, but rarely do I feel super sharp in a taper.  Hopefully the legs will snap out of it on Saturday.  (Triumph Silver 721.05)

morning - 5 Dirt Mile.  Just up onto the Dirt Mile and ran a few laps with a little extension and then Molly's Mile.  Started to feel pretty decent by the third lap.  (Triumph 812.50)