Relentless

AM  - 3.5 Twix.  Easy run with the dog.

AM - 3 Twix.  Easy three with a few pickups to get the legs moving.

St. George Marathon 2:34:16

More later when I grab the watch and put down the splits. For now...

Wasn't sure what my plan would be for the race. Decided to just go off the cuff with however the race played out. Ended up that I decided to go big (but in all actuality, not really that big - I hit the half nearly a minute slower than last year at 1:14:25) and shoot for the top 10 (that is what I really wanted more than anything). From mile 1 on, I ran the entire race alone. From 17 on, every step was a battle. I have been sick with a head cold all week, but I kept trying to convince myself it was just allergies - it wasn't, and it drained me. It was the most physically difficult and painful thing I have ever done. In the end, I finally lost the mental battle around mile 20 and the wheels came off big time. Had a nearly 6 minute positive split, and pretty much every second of that came in the last 5 miles; meanwhile, guy after guy came by me. It was very difficult on me when I lost 10th place. I lost it for a bit there. To tell the truth though, even with the horrendous last 10k, I am glad I went for it the way I did. I may have sneaked in the top 10 with Matt, Justin, old guy and crew that passed me at the end, but that is not me. I would have spent forever wondering, "What if?" Now I don't need to wonder - the what if is... Pain and misery! Love all my running buddies; it was great to see everyone that I only see once or twice a year. Thanks for all the memories and awesomeness. Peace out! (Pace Blue 58.25)

0 - Pretty sore.  Took the dog for a walk last night and this morning.  Tried to run just to see how it felt.  Made it almost 1/2 a step.

0 - Another walk day.  Decided not to try and run today after yesterday's failed step.

AM - .5 Twix.  Actually out on a walk again with the dog, but I felt a bit better and ran two sections for about .25 each.  It kind of brought back a bit of the pain from the last couple days; so I don't know if I am ready to run yet.  (Riders 462.75)

AM - 2.5 Twix.  Like a champ today; putting in the big mileage.  Left calf is really the last major issue.  Of course I was a bit tired too.  (Riders 465.25)

AM - 5.25 DogTown/AC.  Huge mileage jump today... hopefully no injuries!  Ran with Twix around town and then with the team for their 20.  (Peg31 634)

morning - 7 Cedar. Took some of the boys team up to Cedar to watch SUU race. We got there a bit early, so we did I our run down at Bicentennial and back to the golf course and around there a bit. It was fun to watch PV superstars Tyson and Mike race for the first time since their missions. I think they may have rather waited until after they were in better shape to race! It was like a Region 9 reunion with our guys , including Decker for Dixie St, and guys from Dixie and DH. Cooled down with Mikey and Tyson and it was just like the good ol' days! (Pace 145.5)

Getting back into it a little by the end of the week and it was good.

Goals for next week: see if I can make some progress on my shot achilles. And with the team, enjoy a great effort at Region on Tues.

AM - 6.75 Twix/AC.  Moving back toward a more normal schedule.  Got a little tired by the end of the run with the team.  (Peg 640.75)

AM - 5.25 Twix/AC.  Just kinda sticking with the usual suspects.  Until my achilles heals up I promised I wouldn't do anything stupid.  Region XC today!  (Peg Black 362)

afternoon - 3.75 DogTown. Just around Washington with the team. A very hard decision on my mind, but relaxing and fun to be running with the boys. (Pace 149.25)

noon - 7 Upper Prospector. Fall Break, so I got out just before noon and enjoyed some trail running with Twix before practice. Drove over to the Cottonwood Trailhead and ran up to Red Cliffs and back - a fun section of the trail that I don't get to as often. (VertK 537)

Practice went well today. But had to make the final announcement for State. People always say that it must be easy to make decisions on who runs 'cause you just go by time. But it is nowhere near that clear cut. I've got 11 boys with legitimate cases for State and really 4-5 that were pretty set. It was a gut wrenching decision, but one that puts our best team out there next week. I feel horrid for those that won't be running at State - especially the Seniors - but I guess that is why I get paid the big bucks.

afternoon - 5 Middleton. Just a guess since I took too long to come back and write this. It was a good run through the desert with the team though.

morning - 17.5 Suicidal Tendencies. Such a sick run... Always my favorite; even when my legs are dead and I am barely surviving because Logan made me run from his house instead of the bridge or even better, the trailhead. Doesn't matter - a great run with a good buddy can't be beat. (VertK 554.5)

Had a nice little week of chill running.

Goals for next week: probably just more of the same; run and enjoy it. Love the experience of State XC.

AM - 6 Twix/AC. Nice morning after crazy storms rolling through last night. (Pace blue 64.25)

evening - 3.25 Salt Lake. Just some easy grass running and a few striders to shake the legs out and get ready to race tomorrow. (Peg Black 372.25)

morning - 7 Salt Lake. About 5 with Vis around Sandy and then a couple more with the team for a shake out around the mall. (Peg Black 369)

Such a crazy day at the State meet. Super stoked for the boys. As a team they ran great and Nick ran like tha champ that he truly is - state champ! So proud of him. Glad I've got to work with him all these years. The girls didn't have a very good race, but no doubt gave it their best, just happens that way some times. Still almost pulled out the win, but some controversial decisions by judges came into play and we took second by a point. Very weird stuff. Totally playing with my emotions. First time coming home with two trophies, though... That's cool.

afternoon - 6.5 Sullivan. Looped the park from PV and saw he new grass. Too bad they didn't connect the fields so they would be usable for us. But whatevs... When does XC get any thought? (Riders 471.75)

afternoon - 6 Foremaster. A decent run with the boys up Foremaster and looping around. Seemed like we were going so slow - and I was fine with it because I am just blah - but it wasn't too bad for an easy run. (Peg 646.75)

afternoon - 7.25 Dirt Mile. Took both dogs for a mile. Then took Twix up onto the Dirt Mile for a few laps. Brought her back and then back up for a 6 minute test. Figure I better get moving again. Felt like I was going so slow, but the pace was decent for being old. Hit 5:16 for the first mile and figure I continued that pace to hit 1867 meter for the 6 mins. Now I can get doing some 30/30's for the next few weeks and then move up a bit. (Kinvara green 356.5)

What an emotional week. Glad it is over, but it isn't really. There is still a lot of communication going on and a bit of question that we are looking to get resolved.

Goals for next week: just keep on trucking, hopefully with a positive attitude about life.

AM - 7.5 Twix/Sunrise.  Nice morning run.  Getting back to the routine of the morning.  Will test the achilles a little with an afternoon double today.  I am greatful for Sundays and the opportunity to be busy doing and thinking about other things.  This morning, my mind went right back to State - I think it will haunt me for awhile.  Some people have told me that I need to let it go, and I guess in time the memories will fade.  But all I want is answers.  I am not trying to change anything, stir any pots or anything else.  I believe my girls and our team deserves answers to what took place.  And no one can give us any answers without just implying that we are being poor losers.  I am not sure how we are the poor losers when we are the ones that broke no rules (even if the rules were broken unintentially).  The others were allowed to voice their opinions and weren't called poor losers when they got their appeals granted.  I just want to know why the appeals were granted... simple answers.  (Kinvara blue 289)

AM - 7.5 Twix/Sunrise.  Ran with the dog around DogTown and then an easy 30 mins for practice.  Felt tired and tight but okay.  (Peg 654.25)

afternoon - 3.75 Panorama.  Just kind of ran around the Panorama/Pine View area.  All of us were a bit heavy in the legs.  (Kinvara White 464.5)

AM - 7.5 Twix/Sunrise. These morning runs have been a little quicker for me than before the mary. Maybe the legs are coming around and the fatigue is fleeting. Took the afternoon off to rest the achilles. (Peg black 379.75)

AM - 7.5 Twix/Sunrise. Kinda the usual this morning. (Peg 661.75)

afternoon - 4 Green Springs. Just an easy 30. (Kinvara lime 645.25)

AM - 7 Twix/Sunrise. A little slower out of the house and on the run, even with the team. But not a big deal. (Kinvara blue 296)

afternoon - 3 AC. Halloween costume run. Had a great batch of costumes. I was Huns Nuns and Guns (w/o the gun because that might not go over well at school!). (KInvara silver 518.5)

morning - 10 Bicentennial. I'll call it ten, 8.75 with the workout and then probably over a mile running around the course watching the races. Went up to Cedar to watch the Big Sky conference. We ran over to the park and did a workout. This was the first speed work I've done in some time (maybe a year and a half). Warmed for 15 then a short 5 min tempo to get the legs moving and blood flowing. It was a chilly morning. The. Into 10xquarters. Hit much better than I thought and was able to hang onto the back of the boys' pack throughout with anywhere from 1:18 down to 1:10 (slower were on uphill quicker on downhill and the end). Hurried back to the golf course to watch the girls race. Kaylee had a solid race. Then the boys race was fun. SUU won and my good buddy Hayden took home the individual title. Also saw a lot of former teammates - as it was an alumni reunion; fun to talk with them and catch up a bit. (Kinvara green 366.5)

Not a bad week. Got in a few doubles and enjoyed some running. Right achilles is still trash, but I am trying to work on it.

Goals for next week: keep working the leg, keep trying to get in shape a bit.