Relentless

AM - 8 Middleton. Run went very well this morning. Best run I've had since before being sick. Didn't time it, but from the clock at home, the 8 was in about 55 minutes - not the most stellar thing in the world, but I just felt very good. (Stratus red 300)

afternoon - 12x200's.  Started with 1 1/2 mile warmup and then got into the workout.  I didn't really have a clear goal going into it (which is never a good thing), but I hadn't done 2's in ... forever (?) so I just wanted to do as many as I could at a quick pace.  I soon found that I really don't have a quick pace anymore!  But I ran them as hard as I could.  Pretty much they were 34's with a couple 33's and then a couple 35's toward the end; then the wind really picked up and slowed me to 36's on the last two - with a 200 jog (1 minute approx.) between each one.  It was pretty difficult.  But a good 10K style workout as far as the demands on the body go.  Ended with another 1 1/2 of grass loops.  (Precision 345.2)

AM - 10 Wendy's. Solid run. Didn't feel as good and smooth as yesterday - obviously from beating myself up on the track. However, I did run at a faster pace even though I didn't wear a watch (the clock said right around 1:10 for the run). (Cumulus blue 180)

afternoon - 4 Old Car. Easy run with the boys team getting them ready for Region tomorrow and Thurs. I think they will all do well (boys and girls). They are very prepared, just need to be mentally tough. (Cumulus red 513.5)

morning - 12 Fields Loop.  Slept in a little today before having to go set up for Region track.  Run was okay.  Again didn't time it, just trying to enjoy being out running and build it easily through May to get ready for a great summer.  Both knees have been giving me a few problems.  Left knee - behind the knee like in the tendons or something; right knee - inside the knee.  I have noticed that I am walking around like an old man lately.  (Stratus 407.65)

AM - 8 Green Springs with a few extensions to make it hit the 8. An enjoyable run with some light sprinkles and then a couple nice cloud bursts. It is always fun to run in the rain because we have so little of it. My legs were mighty sore at first, but quickly moved out of it and the run was another good one. I guess I would say I am starting to come back from the sickness, marathon, and post-marathon blues. (Landreth 120.5)

afternoon - 10.5 GS/PL/WT Loop. Hadn't been up in the desert for a long time. There were a ton of flowers and cacti in bloom - is was very cool. Had a good run and enjoyed it. (Cumulus red 524)

Got to Kanab, after hitching a ride with Bill and Kendrick, in perfect time to get packet, catch a ride up to the start and get in a good warmup. Problem was, once we got to the start, we weren't allowed to run on the road to warmup. So we ran about 20 little circles around this parking lot to get a 1.5 warmup in and that was enough for all of us - maybe not our bodies, but for our sanity! It didn't look like any competition was there and that was quickly confirmed as the race started and Bill and I were about 50 meters up after about 100 meters! 1-5:21 Just really eased into it. Probably should have pushed this mile a lot quicker to hit my goal time. But I felt like just easing into it. I imagine this was probably a sub 5 mile on a hard race day. 2-5:03 This mile was also a pretty easy mile and even the 5:03 was smooth, but I was into race mode now. 3-5:19 For a course that is supposed to be downhill, I wasn't expecting this. Mile 3 and almost all of mile 4 were a gradual, not killer - but slowing you down, uphill; so I was proud that I was moving along pretty well. Luckily I didn't need any water or anything; they were barely set up and snagged me a water which would have come just in time had I wanted it (but this was probably the only snag - the race was really well managed and had great awards - except one thing, later - and quite the buffet of tasty fruits and drinks at the end - I would highly suggest more people run this race. Back to the report... 4-5:27 started to slow with the hill, but still trying to gut out a pretty good time. 5-5:26 course flattened out, but even though I was pushing, I knew I was quite a way up and the racers edge had gone even though I tried to trick myself into thinking I needed to gap somebody coming on me. 6-5:47 made the turn off the highway and into Kanab and the breeze that had been swirling and slowing me a little turned into a gale (no not SLC again!), at the same time I got a killer side-ache and about doubled over while facing the toughest section of the course (not killer uphill, but again steady climb). Lost some time here, but what can you do. .2-5:45(pace). Course measured very accurate on the Garmin (6.17). Bill came cruising in for a good 2nd and Kendrick a solid 5th overall.

Finished with a 3.25 cooldown. (Ohana 42.05) (Stratus 409.3)

Fun race, and I was pleased with how I did. Still room for improvement, but a good one overall. Glad to get the win and make it a Southern Utah race sweep for the Holt boys today (James won the Cotton Days 10K)!

Got a big ol' rock thing for first and a river trip down Catarack (sp?) Canyon outside of Moab ($1000 value), but I would rather have won the $200 they gave out last year. Not to be ungrateful, but to go on this, I would have to pay another $1000 for at least my wife to go (I thought it was a trip for 4, but I misunderstood). So if anyone out there is planning on taking a river trip contact me and I give you a good deal!