Relentless

AM - 16.5 Big Workout #8 warmup then 4,3,2,1 mile(s) at MP (5:45) w/ 2:00 minute recovery jog and then cooldown.  Workout was an absolute beast; the hardest workout I have ever done in my life!  Hit the times on all of them, however, even though legs were absolute toast by the end.  (Cumulus white 254.25)

evening - 5 Parkway.  A very easy 5 to try to work the legs out.  It may take awhile to recover from this one.  (Cumulus silver 581.85)

AM - 12.25 Mall run and 2xAC.  I was crap this morning.  Legs are spent and I don't know if I'll be ready for tomorrow.  (Landreth black 52.75)

afternoon - 7.25 Top section of Foremaster as kids finished up hills and the 2450.  I am in even more pain today - I guess not really pain, just spent... bigtime (Stratus red 514.35)

AM - 12 Wendy's w/ many extensions.  Logan called and the Circle of Trust decided to postpone the Big to tomorrow.  I am glad I am not the only one suffering!  This run sucked as I had to keep adding extensions to make it 12.  (Landreth 437.35)

afternoon - 8 Dogpound and 3 miles barefoot including 8xbarefoot striders.  Took this one real easy.  I am still really worried about tomorrow's Big.  I hoped the striders would get the legs moving a little, but they just hurt.  (Cumulus blue 385.4)

AM - 16 Big Workout #7 warmup, 2 miles Tinman, 6xmiles at LT (5:30), then cool down.  This is basically the Big I missed as I was tapering for Provo, so while Clyde and Logan had an idea on this one, I didn't no how hard it would be.  Plus, I was still worried about how my legs were going to do this morning.  I iced up Tuesday, have been using the stick and doing whatever else I can to try and get my legs back, but they still seem toast, so I wasn't sure what I would get out of them today.  The Circle met nice and early and got started with easy warmup and then a Tinman that was more of a Scarecrow.  We did the miles up and down between the overpass bridge and the golf course from the DC.  1-5:27, 2-5:29, 3-5:29, 4-5:28, 5-5:27, 6-5:28.  Somehow I hit all the times.  I am happy I was able to make it and just kept thinking that each one I hit was going to make me that much better.  The structure and definition of this program has been grueling, but I know it will be rewarding.  (Startus Bee 258.05)

afternoon - 3 Harts and big loops.  Way easy run with the kids as the warmed up for repeats and cooled down with them.  It was wierd to go just three - but nice.  The legs wouldn't have wanted to do more anyway.  (Startus red 517.35)

AM - 9 DI and 2xAC plus some loops.  Didn't feel as toasted as I thought I might.  (Landreth 446.35)

afternoon - 4.15 in Provo for XC.  Ran with team from hotel up to track and tried to figure out the XC course (but we were backward) and then back to hotel.  (Landreth black 56.9)

AM - 22.1 in Provo ran with the Circle who were staying in the same hotel as us down to one end of town to pick up Greg H. then up the canyon.  All of us were pretty tired, but it sure was nice to want to wear gloves.  Tried some Pepsi at mile 14 to see if I could stomach it; it felt okay.  Then we hit a progression on the last 5.  Wasn't great, but I was able to stay right at Tinman, so I'll take it.  (Landreth black 79)

Week was solid - but hard!  One more major week.

Goals for next week:  Stay healthy.  Right now I think everything is going amazing in the training and if I can just stay healthy, I know I'll hit the workouts and finish off these last few weeks to take me to that sub 2:20!

AM - 12 Junction by way of 300 and 11th extension.  I haven't run out this way in a little while.  It is still a pretty nice run if you can avoid getting killed by some garbage truck or cowboy who is late heading to work.  (Cumulus white 266.25)

afternoon - 8 3 miles barefoot including 8xbarefoot striders then 6 meeting up with team after taking water out to them on the River Trail.  A little overcast and pretty nice.  (Cumulus blue 390.4)

AM - 12.5 Foremaster and 2xAC with a couple laps.  A little warm with the cloud cover this morning.  (Stratus bee 270.55)

afternoon - 8.5 3 miles barefoot on the grass and then out to Sunrise Tire Hill w/ a few of the girls on the team for hills and then back with a few of the guys.  Not as nice as I had hoped as the chance of rain was long gone by the afternoon.  I just realized I went further than I was supposed to today - oh well, I'll just cut out a mile later this week.  (Stratus red 522.9)

AM - 16 Big Workout #6 supposed to be a progression of 3 Tinman, 4 MP, 3 LT after warmup and cooldown to finish.  Logan and I warmed up 5 and started into the Tinman.  That was fine, but I felt a bit of leg fatigue.  Moving into the MP, I just couldn't do it.  First one was close then I dropped back to Tinman and my goal became to just finish the workout there - I could tell there was nothing and I just kept thinking, "How much more of this crap can I take?"  But I only need to take 1 1/2 weeks more of it.  Coming back up the trail toward the Dixie Center, I knew I would need to really stay focused to even hit the Tinman, but as I came around the sharp corner just past the driving range, I caught my foot on the edge of the trail and ate it hard.  It knocked my breath out and totally cut up my knee and whole right side.  I took a few minutes to try and get myself back together and decided to get moving again.  Needless to say the next 2 1/2 weren't great, but really not too far off of Tinman that I was hitting before.  It was a pretty nasty fall, and I think I'll be feeling it for a few days.  Even though the workout wasn't very good, at least I tried.  I'll get the next one better.  (Landreth black 94)

afternoon - 5 Dogpound w/ warmup and cool down.  I was a bit worried as I was limping and bruised, but it felt okay to run.  There is some pain though that's for sure.  (Cumulus silver 586.85)

AM - 12 Mall run then 2xAC and some laps in between.  Not a bad morning run especially after the crap sleep I got last night - every position in tried to sleep in somehow hit a bruise from yesterday's fall.  But this morning it didn't bug me too much.  (Landreth 458.35)

afternoon - 7 River Trail and back and a couple loops to hit the 7.  Enjoyed running with a fun group today.  (Stratus red 529.9)

AM - 22.2 Quail Creek with 11th, 300, and Coral Canyon extensions both ways.  What a great long run.  This was the best solo long run I have had in a very long time.  The temps were awesome and I ran great.  I am getting very excited for XC and for the SGM.  The only thing is that I wish that the Circle or James or someone had been out there with me.  It was just great all around.  I ave about 7:00 overall with a real solid last half without even pushing hard.  (Landreth black 116.2)

afternoon - 4 Provo River Trail.  Got to the hotel early, so I got an easy 4 tro stretch out the old legs before we headed up to Murray Invite.  Times were pretty slow, but most of the soreness/fatigue was worked out by the end.  (Stratus bee 274.55)

morning - 10 Provo Canyon.  Ran from the hotel up to the canyon and about 1 mile into it.  Hit between 7:30 and 8:00 on the way up, just nice and easy.  Then picked it up just a little on the way down and hit 6:30's pretty easily.  It was kind of nice to end the week on an easier workout with lower mileage.  Glad to have this week in the books.  (Stratus bee 284.55)

Week had its ups and downs, but ended with ups so life is good.

Goals for next week:  Make it through one more tough week - mileage is going down a bit 100-105, but still a couple hard workouts.  And survive Parent/Teachers.  KEEP HEALTHY!

AM - 15.1 Big Workout #5 warm up, 7 MP, cool down.  Somehow I slept through the alarm this morning.  I woke up to a strange dream and thought, "No big deal.  The alarm should be going off any minute anyway."  So I rolled over and saw that the clock said 4:45!  I grabbed it and saw that it was set right, I just somehow slept in 45 minutes.  So I totally missed the Circle of Trust.  Sorry guys, I hope you didn't wait too long for me.  I couldn't believe it.  So I just went out to the fields and decided to shorten my warm up and cool down to 3.5 each.  Then I got into the MP and it went pretty well.  About 1/2 right on and 1/2 just a few seconds slow (with a 15 second slow 6th) - that's where good workout partners come in, you all just feed off each other and pull each other and don't have those slips, hopefully.  Snagged another mile in the cool down and had to cut it at that.  (Landreth black131.3)

afternoon - 5.15 up to on Foremaster with a few different groups of kids and then the Car Wash Trail.  (Stratus red 535.05)

AM - 10 Green Springs and 2xAC with a couple laps.  My knee has been giving me some problems still.  I think the bruising was pretty deep from the fall.  It is very stiff and uncomfortable all the time with occasional shooting pains.  (Landreth 468.35)

noon - 5 Mall run.  Sneaked it in before afternoon parent/teachers.  This is such a beastly week with P/T and other school stuff along with just being ready to back off training.  (Cumulus blue 395.4)

AM - 10 Middleton.  I really had a hard time getting up today.  The run went well and the temps are amazing in the morning, but I just did not want to get up and do it.  I am worn down - mostly from things other than running, but it is taxing on me.  Now to figure out how to get 8 more in today with P/T afternoon and night, practice, and family commitments.  (Stratus Bee 294.55)

noon - 8 3 barefoot on the grass, warmup and then dogpound w/ Ashley as she did AT, and cool down.  Got the run in and it felt pretty good to have just a little bit of a pickup with Ashley as she did a very solid AT.  (Cumulus silver 591.85)

AM -16 Big Workout #4.  4 mile warm up, 2 Tinman, 8x1000's, 4 cool down.  What a morning.  Met up with Logan with the only thought on my mind being just get this crap done.  Main goal was to have the workout be better than the last time when I struggled to even finish.  I thought if I hit 3:16's for the first 4, I would be solid to finish with 1 second improvements to the end.  I hit 3 of the first 4 at 3:16, with the 3rd at 3:17.  Then brought it down to 3:15, 3:13, 3:14, 3:12.  I was pleased.  Still not as good as the first time when I took some under 3:10, but it was solid.  It was amazing to watch Logan kill his workout.  He is so smooth and fast; truly amazing!  Had a good chat as we cooled it down and called it a day.  (Cumulus white 282.25)

AM - 9 DI/2xAC and some laps.  Legs were pretty flat.  Breakfast after was pretty solid.  (Landreth black140.3)

afternoon - 4 barefoot on baseball field.  Although it might sound tedious to just run laps on the field, it is actually pretty nice and goes by fast.  I really wish there was a large grass park around that I could just run for miles on barefoot.  

morning - 22.9 Oak Grove to Middleton.  Caught a ride up to Oak Grove to meet with Clyde and Logan and the Circle of Trust was back in effect.  Started the run at the top of the hill just after the Oak Grove turn off and ran around the base of Pine Valley down to Turkey Farm; then at the water tank cut off to the T-Bone Trail and down to Clyde's.  Although we never burned up anything, the pace was solid throughout, especially considering the climbs and only being on road for about 1/2 for the whole run.  A lot of fun, and nice to take the mind off the tough training we have been putting in.  (Cumulus white 305.15)

Good week; even better to have it done.

Goals for next week:  Again, #1 goal is to stay healthy.  Enjoy the taper with just 75 on the docket and sharpen the saw a couple times with a little turnover on two Big workouts (that really shouldn't be too bad).

AM - 10 Middleton w/ some extensions. I think I slept through half of this run. A little sore from last week still. (Stratus Bee 304.55)

AM - 7 2xAC and some laps. Really weird sleeping in. I don't feel too fresh yet. (Cumulus white 312.15

afternoon - 6 Foremaster. Nice easy run with most of the Varsity boys. I guess I'll cut a mile somewhere this week because I really don't want to be going over the planned 75. (Landreth 474.35)

AM -15 Big Workout #3. 5 mile warm, 4x4 min. CV, 5+ cooldown. The Circle of Trust bid a not so fond adieu to the Dixie Center Trail (for now) with a heartfelt workout of 4 minute intervals at 5:20 pace. Felt a little sluggish today, but still hit my times right on or up to 5 seconds under. So I guess that is a real good sign. I know I am in great shape, I just need to let the calm of this taper set in and get the soreness, tightness, and sluggishness out. (Landreth black 155.3)

evening - 1 Homecoming Parade. Kind of a cheesy mile, I know, but we were out running and it was a lot of fun. So I am counting it.

AM - 7 2xAC with some laps. Legs were crap this morning. I did 2 long sessions of the foam roller last night and tried to work out some crap and tightness, but it is still around. I think we will be spending some quality time together for the next week. (Stratus Bee 311.55)

evening - 7 Ran out to the grocery to grab some apples for one of the girls' homework and then did 3 miles barefoot on the grass at the Washington ball fields. It made for more miles than I needed today, but I wanted/needed the grass. So I will just grab 1 extra tomorrow morning and be done for the day w/ no afternoon. (Cumulus blue 399.4)

AM - 7 AC and then The Beast, Austin, and I ran the proposed PVXC home course.  I think it is a solid course with what we have to work with - maybe a little twisty and overlapping, but we don't have much room to work with.  (Stratus red 

morning - 15 Big Workout #2 15 miles of progression out in Santa Clara. Met up with Clyde and Logan and ran around a little. Then as Logan raced, Clyde and I hit a few more. We missed the finish since those boys were so dang fast, so then we went out toward Kayenta and slowly got into our progression. Took it down to 6:30 and then brought it back with 4 or so 6:00's. Have the usual taper aches. Hips are acting up and tightness in the quads and hammies. (Landreth black 170.3)

Week was okay. It was really weird to hit just 75. Almost had to hold myself back numerous times on runs and doubles (or lack there of). Through this very long training process, running 100-130's has just made it such a huge part of my lifestyle that this change has played with my mind and body a little. I think I have been a little more cranky and tired because I am not giving my body what it is programmed to do.

This week's goals: Here we go! This is the week. Just stay healthy - I couldn't do any more humanly possible to get ready for this race (at my level) than I already have. I haven't missed any workouts since I was sick clear back before SLC; I hammered through the winter to get myself ready to do enormous mileage early this summer; then The Circle of Trust pushed the workouts to a new level for the last three intense months. I am totally prepared, anxious, amped, and nervous. I think it might be a long week at school as I try to stay focused on doing my job and not just drifiting off into the marathon haze. Luckily I have a few things to keep me busy. Anniversary this week (9 years and Al hasn't left me yet; although she might after this training phase) and a big meet up at Cedar on Friday where both the boys and girls need to make statements. Well... whatever happens happens, I can't do any more. I'll just go out there and give it my very best and be pleased with where it sets me.

AM - 0 was supposed to get up and do 5, but I was so tired I couldn't even face the reality of even just a small run. Yesterday I was spent; sleeping through much of church, napping, and falling asleep at my parents' at a moments notice. So I figured I need the sleep and just went with it.

afternoon - 9.3 Big Workout #1. Last one! The depletion run. I felt the crap in my body especially my legs from not having run this morning. Hit a warmup with the team as they did Dogpound AT; then I headed toward the River Trail. Finished my 5 warmup and went into the 2x1 mile CV. Right off the bat I was hammered. My legs were lead. I somehow managed to hit the first just fine, but I was struggling. Hit a quick bathroom break and then came back up the trail and it wasn't pretty. Although the time didn't slip much, I really struggled. I tried to keep a level head about the deadness of my legs and the difficulty I had getting anywhere near my time and just figured it was what it was and cooled down 2 back up to PVHS. Hit a good icebath at home and really tried to work the legs out with the roller. (Stratus bee 320.85)

0 - finished up depletion stuff today and started the carbo loading this evening.  I tried to eat normal amounts of food, but without many carbs.  It put a struggle into my normal meals which usually revolve around carbs, and I found myself craving everything.  For the next two days I will be on a steady diet of whole grains.