Relentless

No desire to run. This was an interesting way to end the year for me. If I try and analyze why I didn't want to run Saturday and today (if only for the purpose of looking back and learning from it), I've decided it was 100% burnout. I've seen the signs coming for weeks: small nagging pains, sleeping troubles (but always tired), lack of desire. I tried to catch it a few weeks ago, but obviously I needed more. This little break hopefully leaves me feeling a little better and ready to go - although the timing of it was probably not the best for the immediate with Painter's coming up (but in the long run, things will probably be better because of it)

2007 in REVIEW:

It's that time of year again where everybody looks back at some picture montage of the wonderful, horrible, and surprising events of the year. So strap on your ipod and let's take a whirl. First off, the year was nothing but a great success. I ran the most miles I ever have (3919.7) and had a lot of fun doing it most of the time. One of the biggest keys to my success and mileage this year was staying healthy. For the most part, I stayed injury free and was able to meet all my daily and weekly goals (save a few bouts of the cold and flu and minor annoyances with PF). Because of this, my races were great. It started off with a PR in the half at Painters in January -1:14 - from there I took my 1/2 PR to high 1:10 at Bryce (and won $200!), then down to low 1:10 at my best race ever, Provo Canyon 1/2. In 10K's, I was able to break into the winner's column at Cotton Fest in May as well as run an all-time PR at the Summer Games with a 31:00 (the first race that really gave me the confidence that I could run fast). In the marathon, things were just as good or better. Ally and I had great time going to Boston and despite the weather the run was amazing, the atmosphere, the crowd, the idea of Boston. To top it all off, I ran another PR high 2:40. And that came despite a crippling slow last 10K. I guess what really topped it all of was the trip to the medic tent where my body temp was down to 90 (maybe a bit low!). All of this was a prep to run amazing at St. George. I was worried about going as fast as my goal, but I went out controlled, but hard and let it lead me to reaching exactly what I wanted a 2:26:52, a 15th place finish, and a true opportunity at hitting the Oly Trials in a few years. It has been an amazing running year with many up's and as always a few down's. But it has set the stage for more great things to come.

Thanks so much to my wonderful wife and amazing daughters for their support and time. Also to the St. George Running Center and Club, Steve and Clyde and everyone else. Without this support and push (mentally, physically, and financially) I couldn't have done it.

morning - 11 Steve's toward Washington Dam and loop around through fields. A fun run with Steve and Mike. I am glad to get back into it. I figured I could come back from my break two ways: feeling refreshed and great, or feeling out of tune. I came back the latter. Legs felt like I was working to pick them up every step. Everything felt off from my toes to my head. But I enjoyed running. (Precision 206.25)

GOALS FOR 2008:

After having a successful year in 2007, I am looking forward to building on it in 2008.

Mileage: I would like to push up to 120 weeks in the summer. As a result, I think this will push my total mileage for the year up over 4000 to somewhere around 4200.

Health Goals: This is a little vague and not the best way to set goals, but I would like to eat healthier. So I am not going to give in to any caff. soda and ... what the heck I'll say soda at all, let's see how it goes.

Injuries: You can't really predict them, but you can help avoid them and take care of them when they happen. Keep myself as injury free as 2007.

Enjoyment: Run on the trails! Run in the rain! Outrun bikes! Find a few tortoises! Really, really enjoy at least 2 runs per week.

Racing: I have never set goals for a year, but here we go-

10K - Under 30 at Summer Games

and 31 at an unaided 10K

1/2's - 3 minute PR which would put me at 1:07:06, so let's say under 1:07

marathon - SLC equal SGM time even with the harder course

SGM top three finish with whatever time that takes - I am planning on it being sub 2:20, so there is the goal!

Final goal is to decided on which course I am going to go for Trials qualifier on in a couple years and get plans made and set to run that race in 2009, so I am ready for 2010.

afternoon - 12 River Trail. Solid run down and back the trail. Started with some of my runners and had a good run. Then they broke off and I just let it flow. Still felt a bit hurky-jerky, but the times weren't showing that as I hit most of the miles back up the run in low to mid 6's. Ave. 6:40. (Cumulus Silver 318.45)

AM - 5.25 Washington Loop. Set the reasonable of getting back on track with my morning runs by going 5. Got chased by a scary rottweiler and decided to take a different road as to avoid getting eaten. (Cumulus red 439.7)

afternoon - weights 2 x sets as I was trying to get home quick to taxi the girls around (added to the fact that I hadn't lifted for a couple weeks), but then the Jeep wouldn't start anyway.

Evening - 10.7 Club run on the Parkway Trail and down into Green Valley. Good run with Steve. Pushed the pace up the hill back toward Sunset and on the trail to the store with some solid 6:20 uphill miles. Ave. was 6:40. (Stratus 200.45)

AM - 5 Washington Loop. Wasn't so sure if I would drag myself out of bed when that alarm went off, but I did. Temps were very mild; took off hat and gloves. (Cumulus Orange 424.45)

afternoon - 12 GS/PL/Middleton to PVHS then home. Run was pretty good. I was a bit tired and happy that I had decided only to run the 9 instead of the 10.5 or 12. Then I took a wrong turn and added a little - only .25 so no big deal, but then I had to run home from school when my Jeep wouldn't start again and that about spent me. (Precision 218.25)

morning - 20.5 Store to Painter's course and back. I was the club this morning as I either missed the message about a change or was the only one brave enough to dare go outside in the rain. As I got going, however, the rain was very minimal, and I stayed dry. Waited for about 10 minutes at the store and then decided to run down to the Painter's course (which I thought would be about 2.5, but was actually 3.5). Ran the course - including the outside of the road on the Bloomington Loop which is a real pain - and then back up to the store. Didn't have my Garmin, because I didn't want it getting ruined in the rain. So I didn't have exact numbers on pace or miles, but I went okay not taking it too hard. I was pretty worn down by the time I was coming back up Bluff - it was a long and tiring stretch. But it turned out to be the longest run I have done since SGM. I will now be getting back into 20+ milers to get ready for SLC, so it turned out okay. (Cumulus Silver 338.95)

Good week except for Monday. But by midweek, I was back going strong and had a couple good runs.

Goals for next week: Get miles to 100 again. Keep getting mentally prepared to run a race again. Have a good set of mile repeats on Monday.