Relentless

AM - 4 track.  Was going to join the girls for their workout this morning, but my calf was just not feeling very good yet.  So I decided not to push it.  And just jogged the track as they did their workout and stretched here and there.  Hopefully feeling a bit better later.  (Hyper Speed 219)

afternoon - 8 Parkway. Ran the Washington Parkway with a few of the boys. A decent run, but very warm - near 100. My leg was a little better than this morning, but could still feel it throughout the run. (Connect 316.25)

AM - 5 AC/DI.  Well didn't feel so great this morning.  Pretty blah and such.  Calf felt marginally better this morning - so that is good... progress.  Rolled after and that felt good.  (Oregon 465)

AM - 4.5 AC/DI.  A little less today because on the way over to Arctic Circle I stepped on a stick and it went right up through my shoe and into my foot.  Ahhh... it killed.  So I had to stop and work on taking the stick out of my shoe.  It was lodged pretty good and I finally had to unlace the shoe and just kind of fold it open and bite the stick out like a pair of pliers.  When I started going again it hurt a lot and I wondered if I am just not meant to run the race Saturday - my calf isn't really feeling any better, now this... what is the deal?  But it chilled a little and I just finished up with the DI.  Good news; it took the focus of my calf!  (Free 695.95)

AM - 5 AC/DI.  Am I a broken record or just broken?  Same stuff.  Foot felt a bit better than I actually expected, but still hurt a little.  Calf really is what has me worried though.  It just isn't improving - dumb.  (F50 329)

AM - 4 Pizza/track.  Ran the Pizza Hut warm and cool with the boys and some laps as they did their workout.  Everything is about the same in the calf, but the foot had no pain at all today.  I guess I am just a little worried about how the calf will feel when I push the pace for an extended period of time - and downhill.  We'll see.  (Triumph silver 776.3)

St. George Marathon 2:29:53

AM - got up to the start after riding next to the best looking seat mate I've ever had (Allyson was running here first marathons). Noticed the flags had a pretty good breeze on them from the northeast - so that would be a tailwind with a bit of a friendly crosswind. Gave Al a kiss and wished her luck and then entered the not really so elite coral. I just sat around and chatted with people and didn't warm up a step... It was nice! Temps were felt a little chilly when I took off my stuff, but only for a second - it wasn't as cool as it should have been and I didn't were gloves or a hat (but much better than the last two years). Then we stepped up to the line and got the gun.

1-5:52, plan was to run conservatively and just try to position myself to get a 2:32. But I didn't imagine the blast that the leaders would do from the gun. Clyde and I were really in about high 20th place. I was running with just a Ironman watch and it was kind of nice to be Garmin-less. 2-5:57, felt fine about the easy first miles. Didn't really feel that great. I felt pretty tight all over and I was pretty worried about the calf holding up. 3-5:37, used the drops into Brookside to let the body get moving a little bit. 4-5:35, started to realize that the calf wasn't bugging me too bad, but i still felt tight and cumbersome. the leaders were well gone and a second pack was working together (that included most of the guys that ended up in the 4th-8th range. 5-5:37, Clyde and i had a good chuckle here as a guy that was with us asked our pace and when we told him he said that he was going for 6:00's. We told him he had better hold back a little then and he said that he felt really good. most people do feel pretty good during miles 1-5! 6-5:29, our buddy came zooming by as we dropped into Veyo. He said, "Hills are my friend." I hope they were still his friend by the end. Forgot to mention that I had grabbed some water a 5 and took a little sip and poured some on me. It was getting a bit warmer quick. 7-5:27, We had been joined by Ben V. in the last mile or two. He had been just in front of us until he hit the john and was now working back up. Shades of 2011 for us running together. Grabbed my water here. I had put 1/2 a gel in each of my waters (at 7 and 15) and a full one in my Pepsis (at 11 and 19). 8-6:17, told Ben to go ahead and leave me since I was going to really relax on the hills because I had really struggled on them lately and decided it wasn't worth it to push hard up them. But Ben actually stayed with me through here. 9-5:57, topping out Veyo and working through Dammeron were just more of the same - relax and work through them. Here Ben and the eventual 8th place guy go and put a few hundred yards on me. 10-5:58, here another guy passes me, the eventual 7th guy. We had passed each other twice and this would be the last. 11-6:10, Finally finishing up the Dammerons. I felt a bit tired and was happy to bid the farewell. got my Pepsi here and it seemed to sit fine. 12-5:47, Legs were happy here, so I told myself to relax there was a lot of running left, but I was closing on 2-3 more guys. 13-5:36, Logan joined me and told me what was going on up front. I told him I felt pretty good. Went through the half in 1:15:high40's. I felt okay with that. 14-5:36, We just started working on the fading runners. It was kind of fun to catch people instead of getting passed. we got all 2-3 of the guys on these miles. 15-5:25, dropped off the volcano. I actually thought this mile would have been a little quicker, not that I was trying, but it felt like I was moving pretty good. 16-5:21, in here Logan had to try and hide from the race officials. It was kind of funny, they were checking numbers so he washed his face with his singlet and when they asked his number he mumbled something out! Later they drove by and stared out the window at him. 17-5:30, my goal was to make it through the Snow Canyon miles feeling good - no matter the times. I was actually going pretty well and the miles were going along speedily. 18-5:22, Another good mile as I prepped for Winchester. 19-5:56, I told Logan to just keep the hill relaxed and no big deal. I felt okay going up, but was happy for it to come to an end. 20-5:47, got through the hill and the top section that always gives me some trouble. I had been closing on Ben and I could tell his leg was bugging him. Just before catching him, he shot into the bathroom again. Too bad, I know he was ready for a very good run. Interestingly enough, since I really didn't pass him on the road, I ended up running 15-26.2 without passing anyone or getting passed by anyone. 21-5:13, now I knew I was in 11th and up in front of me the guy in white looked to be struggling a little. So I really tried to push. This was a pretty good section and I was gaining ground, but my stomach wasn't happy. 22-5:48(?), I lost that ground, though, on the hill out of the twist. I wonder why I am struggling on hills so much? Just before here, a surprise visitor came to join me - Tyson showed up to run with me. Good to see him and talk for a minute about how he is doing up at SUU. I missed the mile here because it was my team's station and I kind of spaced it until a few seconds after. I was starting to cramp a bit and was having water chucked on me and just hoping to get to town. For some reason I thought I might be able to ale a move there (I don't know why, I have never finished a marathon well). And now another possibility to catch (turned out it was Riley C.). 23-5:37(?), took my water here, but barely drank any. It seemed anything I would put down would find its way back up. So I used most of it on my legs to try and delay the coming cramping. 24-5:38, tried to push into town and I closed the gap a little, but it seemed that Riley was actually more catchable than the other guy. But they both just kept responding just enough to not let me have any real hope. 25-5:54, Logan switched the strategy here from top 10 to good finish. I was a bit bummed because one goal I had was to get back in the top 10 and I really was working as best I could to get there, but I just couldn't close anything. I tried one more short-lived push down to the Blvd. But not much was there. I started to ask myself, "Do you ally want that sub 2:30? It is there, you have worked hard to put yourself into position. But now you have to finish. It is gut time. If you REALLY want it then go and get it." I did the math coming through 25 and realized it was going to be close at the pace I was going. I needed to push something. 26.2-7:15, I started to slow as I moved down Tabernacle and really slowed on the roundabout. So I internally went through my questions again and tried to use Logan's encouragement to get me from one block to the next. Made the turn and realized I needed to really push. I was really trying, but there wasn't a whole lot left. Logan must have realized how close it was and was telling me to go. I was about having a heart attack. I watched as the clock turned to :40 and I kept digging. My legs were dropping and my 6'1" frame shrunk and shrunk some more. I was trying anything to get the legs to move and the clock kept ticking. There weren't a whole lot of people there, but they were yelling and screaming and could tell what I was going for. And my legs shrunk more and I felt about 4 feet tall. Then I could tell I had it and had a big grin on my face. Maybe the first time I have ever finished with a smile - then a little fist pump. GOT IT! 2:29:53. First sub 2:30 in 5 years and on a day when I didn't feel great throughout and wondered if my calf would even hold up. I was breathing so hard I just fell over and laid there with my head spinning; it was great. I was a little bummed about missing top 10, but that was easily outweighed by the time. It was just a very deep field this year and I can't control what others do, just do the best I can. (Mana 210.25)

So, I am pleased with things today. Not my best feeling marathon overall, but my best I many years. And my smartest marathon ever. Pretty sure it was the first time I have ever negative splitted - 1:15:45(ish/1:14:10. Cool to see such a great turnout for other bloggers and buddies. Obviously a big thanks to Logan and Tyson, too. And Ally had a good run for her first marathon. She came in just over 4:20 and had a good enough experience that I think she'll do it again. I may be a bit sore and jacked on this one. My calf is already throwing up a big protest and I feel pretty jacked. Left it out there on this one.

afternoon - 3 Hot Nails.  Was going to just go for a mile or two around the grass at school, but I felt decent and the boys convinced me to join them.  Of course I was sore and tired, but it wasn't too bad.  Nice to run again.  (Kinvara 712.4)

AM - 3 AC.  Joined the team for the regular morning run.  Again felt okay and happy to be running and feeling decent.  (Oregon 468)

AM - 3 AC.  Same three this morning.  Everyday feeling better.  Not that I would want to go out and push myself right now, but I am almost feeling as if I didn't run a marathon - kind of nice.  I may finish up the week with a few more miles per day.  (F50 332)

AM - 3 AC.  Had planned on going a little more, but my stomach is all over with a touch of the flu and three was enough.  If I feel a little better I'll run a little this afternoon.  Other than the flu I feel pretty good.  (Free 698.95)

AM - 5 AC/DI.  Extended a little today and felt good.  I was looking at my photos from the marathon focusing a little on my form and foot strike - something that I have been trying to improve - and it was good to see that I have moved a little more to my forefoot, but it is something that I can keep working on and bring myself forward more.  (Connect 325.25)

afternoon - 3 PVMS. Ran down with the team and watched them do wave hills. (Hyper Speed2 222)

AM - 10 Prospector. Great early morning run by flashlight out on the trails. Really enjoyed this run - as I usually do out on my favorite trail. Felt very good until about the last half mile when I got a little tired. But hit the pace quicker than I have all week long. Found myself thinking about last week's race and felt pretty good about how it all went. Some things to work on, as usual, but not bad overall. (NB 101 586.75)

Good end to a good week. Probably the best recovery week I've had.

Goals for next week: I don't need to rush back too quick, but I am feeling excited about running right now, so I want to keep that going.

AM - 6 Foremaster. A good run by myself this morning. Could feel the 10 in my legs at times and at other times the run was just smoothing by. Hope that means I can get back to training by the end of the month. (Rocket 465.75)

afternoon - 4 Harts. Ran the warm and cool with the boys and 4 of the 2's with them during some Masterblasters. That was a little more than I was ready for! (Last Ohana 344.5)

AM - 7 Parkway. Not up crazy early, but still early enough to really enjoy the stars really bright out in the dark. Then added a little with the dog and then back home after walking Laney to school. (Kinvara 3 108)

evening - 4 SLC. Ran at the park near the hotel in Sandy. Then 8xbarefoot striders. (barefoot '12 86)(Zero 75)

morning - 10 SLC. Ran up onto the trail in Sandy, toward Draper. Then joined the boys for a bit on their morning shake-out. A little tired by the end. Later... State was bit of a mixed bag this year. Some did great, others struggled. Not really up to our program's standards overall. I need to do a little better job coaching. (Hyper Speed 270.25)

afternoon - 9 Dino Tracks. Slept in a bit, so I wasn't able to go until later in the day, but it was a nice day. Ran up on the trails and the a little with the dog. (NB 110 297)

morning - 8 City Wells. Nice little run on the trails up to the City Wells. A little tired in the legs but awesome time of year. (NB 101 594.75)

AM - 7 Hells Hole. Super dark and a little cold down by the river this morning. Mostly I just hoped not to run into a skunk, so the run was a success.

Save a Sister 5K. 25:36

Whole family ran this race for my amazing mom who drop kicked cancer right in the face throughout this year. My mother-in-law, who did the same thing a couple years ago, came down also. So lots of reasons to go support this run. Ran with Pyper and our goal was to have no stops. The last 5k we did together we had just one. We started off good and settled into a good pace. By mile one we started to pass a few people and I was just trying to keep her positive and not thinking of her leg hurting - she has a big bruise and scab where she got bit by a dog earlier this week. Into mile 2 she was tired, but we had passed her cousins and an uncle and were rolling along good. The third mile was mostly uphill, so I would give her an energy boost every time we passed someone, by just squeezing her hand and making a buzzing sound. We started having some fun with it and were getting three and four people at a time. Pretty soon we were at the three and the finish was close, so we pushed it in good and ended up with a two minute PR for her! And not a bad time for a 9 year old. It was really fun running with Pyper, she is an awesome girl. Rylee had run great and hit a 23:50. - right around her PR; again not too shabby for an 11 year old. (Rocket 475.75)

Good recovery week.

Goals for week: keep on the recovery.

AM - 5 Mall.  Decent little run this morning, but it was plenty warm and I was wearing long sleeves thinking it may be cooler.  (Kinvara 717.4)

afternoon - 6.5 Sunrise Hills.  Ran over to do a hill workout with the team.  Apparently they all thought I would take it easy on them today - nope!  It was a killer.  My legs were toast after 3, but pushed through the 4th and 5th.  (Zero 81.5)

AM - 6 PV/AC.  Ran over to school and then the usual AC.  I was pretty spent from the hills yesterday, so I didn't add anything after.  (F50 338)

afternoon - 10.25 GS/home. Ran to the bottom of the hill then up toward the top of Green Springs at a little quicker pace. A good long hill run. Felt better when we were running quicker. Then home. (Connect 336)

AM - 6 AC/Lutheran.  Felt a bit sore in the calves this morning.  But it worked out a little as we got going.  A little cooler this morning.  (Landreth blue 851.4)

afternoon - 6.5 Mall.  Nice easy run followed by 8xbarefoot striders.  (Barefoot '12 87)(Last Ohana 350)

AM - 6 AC/Lutheran.  A little more chilly this morning.  Super tired.  I really hate waking up early.  (Rocket 481.75)

afternoon - 4.5 2xDI.  Warm and cool with the team.  (Ohana Racers 661)

AM - 5 Mall.  Tough to get out of bed - as usual - but a good run.  Felt as good as I have all week.  (Free 703.95)

afternoon - 10.5 Midd/PL/GS. First time up on the Powerline Trail in a long time - maybe a year. It was great to get out in the desert on an amazing afternoon. Up at the top of GS saw some of the future/present superstars of the Freshmen Five going up into the desert (team had practice on their own because of some weird early out thing today at school). Then saw Allen Martin headed down GS and we ran for a while and talked. Great run. Then ran 1.5 with Rylee when I got home. (Triumph silver 786.8)

morning - 12 Bracken's Loop. Another great desert run. Ally said it was super cold outside, but I ended up running most of it shirtless anyway - perfect running at this time of year in SoUt. Trail was in decent condition, but some horses had been through within the last week and beat it up a bit. Stopped up in the cliffs for a bit and just relaxed - such an amazing view, one my favorites. On the way back I saw the life flit helicopter and then noticed all the cars on the freeway stopped for a huge wreck - bummer. (NB 101 606.75)

Another enjoyable week. Life is good... Busy, but good.

Goals for next week: keep it rolling. Would like to get in a bit of a workout if the legs are ready.

AM - 7 Hospital.  Felt great this morning.  Maybe the best since before the marathon.  Hopefully I have taken this recovery smart enough that this feeling good sticks around for awhile now.  (Boston 893.5)

afternoon - 7.5 2xDI/2450.  Ran warm and cool of DI with team and then added on 2450 to get a few more miles.  Team ran a great workout today.  (Landreth blue 858.9)

AM - 6 AC/Lutheran.  Usual morning stuff.  Tough time getting up in the morning to get a few more miles in and it is so easy to come up with excuses.  Good thing the team still has practice a few times a week to drag me out of bed.  (Oregon 474)

afternoon - 10 River Trail.  After a pointless school meeting which caused me to miss practice, I headed out for a solid run on the River Trail.  (Connect 345)

AM - 5.5 2450/2xPizza.  Should have got up earlier to get more miles with Halloween festivities this afternoon, but I was still up before 5 running.  I just didn't get many miles in because I had to move the team's workout to this morning because of a stupid school meeting after school yesterday.  So today I just ran a little and then needed to time the team on the workout.  (? -5.5)

afternoon - 3.5 2450 Park.  Way too little this afternoon, but daddy duties called.  We ran down to 2450 the short way and ran 2 miles barefoot(a touch more for me as I joined some stragglers).  Other than my direct hit on a pile of dog crap it was a great run.  (Barefoot '12 89.5)(Altra 342)