Relentless

AM - 7.15 Green Springs Loop. Felt a thousand times better than last Thursday. Legs felt fresh and strong. No watch, but the run was much faster. I am ready to give this 10K a shot - the Butch Cassidy is overall a quick course, with a fast gradual downhill 1st half. But the 2nd half is not as forgiving as it has two big climbs and is on dirt. But I would still like to hit below 31. (Precision 7.15) Wore a new pair of Mizuno Wave Precision 8's today. Have never worn Mizuno and I wanted to give it a try. the shoe felt light and fast. It had good support and cushion to it. However, all shoes feel good in the first 100 miles - it's after that is the real test.

An interesting thing on my run this morning. While recovering from my stroke (almost 2 years ago 11/1) I noticed my left leg was much stronger than my right leg, obviously. And throughout that spring when I was running again, my left leg seemed to have all the power and my right just moved. Well, after I had my setback in April of that year and got going again a month later, it seemed that I never noticed that again. Today I figured out why - my left leg hadn't felt strong again, so both legs were just going and I had nothing to compare it to. Today, my left leg felt very strong again. It was a very neat feeling, caused me to run in kind of a funny limp, but it was neat to feel the power in that leg again. But at the same time, it was a little odd to realize that for nearly 1 1/2 years I hadn't felt the strength in either leg.

afternoon - 7 Hospital.  1 mile warm up and then 6 miles of continuous tempo.  Mile 2 - 5:45 a little up and a little down; 3 - 5:38 Goold was calling me an old man and wanting to race, but I tried to keep it under control, gradual downhill past Target; 4 - 6:30 hospital hill, did a pretty decent job at keeping the effort, but the hill is long and tough; 5 - 5:29 drop down the backside of the hill and gradual up along Riverside; 6 - 6:10 continued uphill along Riverside, settled a little here; 7 - 6:28 up to PV and once around track, felt pretty solid knowing I had to push hard to keep a decent time here.  Pleased with the run.  Effort was solid throughout, with just minor slips in effort.  Then regular weight routine w/ 3 sets.  And finally 2 miles DI for a cool down.  (Paramount 255.65)

AM - 4 on treadmill @ 1%. Easy 4 this morning. 1 mile warmup and then 3 at 6:58. Nothing too great. It is hard to get back on the treadmill when I have been enjoying so many beautiful runs lately. (Precision 11.15)

afternoon - 12.35 River Trail down to Dixie Center.  Felt slow and tired today because I hadn't eaten or drank anything.  Realized I would be in major trouble on the way back if I didn't drink a little, so I went the extra bit to the DC trailhead and got a good drink and headed back.  Run back was good - hitting 6:45's without any extra effort, but then I started to feel it.  The last two miles were poor.  I am attributing it to the lack of nourishment for the day.  That's okay though, because some things are bigger than running.  (Cumulus silver 175.05)

afternoon - 14 down 2450, onto Riverside, into fields, Staheli Farm, into Washington, and drop down at the DI and finish with part of the 800 loop.  First time I have run this, so now I need a name for it - PVHS/Fields run, I guess.  Run went amazingly!  I felt great.  Pace was consistent at 6:45, even when I tried to keep it under control, so that I wasn't going too fast.  Things were just smooth and even.  I would like to hope it is just another stage in my progression of running - not a passing fad - that 6:45 seems so easy now.  Finished the run with what I am going to call a Tinman Finish.  Based upon what I have read from Paul and Tinman research, a Tinman Tempo is a controlled Tempo pace.  So my Tinman Finish is at the end of all long runs, put into the next gear and have a strong controlled pace to finish - the goal, to continue to improve my finish for races.  So today, last three were 6:14, 6:04, 5:58.  (Precision 25.15)  Shoes felt good for their first longer run.  14 is probably the most I will ever take them, however.  There isn't as much forefoot cushion and I noticed it once or twice, but I was running so well I didn't care.

late morning - 6 Green Springs from PVHS. Sneaked out and got a run in. Hooray for me. (Landreth 445.7) These shoes are probably about done. In fact I have about 3 pair I should officially retire.

evening - 8.7 Chuckwalla trail run from store w/ club. Good run. Just sat back a relaxed with it. I didn't want to burn myself for Saturday. No weights today. (Cumulus red 375.15)

afternoon - 10.5 Junction through Coral Canyon.  A nice run out to the junction.  Weather is still perfect and my running is going well.  I was so pumped up by the reports of Sean, Paul, and Logan about NY that I had to real myself in more than once.  (precision 35.65)

morning - ran .3 down to parents' to watch part of the Oly Trials before I caught my ride out to Springdale.  4.2 warm up in Springdale - felt ready for the race, had good goals in mind.  But stomach was churning, I had some issues because I had eaten a steak for lunch on Friday (not a smart idea - steak eats me up).  Was ready to race, then I found out the race didn't start for another hour.  So I went back and sat in the car and when it came time I ran another mile to rewarm up.  (Landreth 451.2)

I am still very displeased about the race.  Here's how it went:  Wanted to hit the first 3 miles all about 4:50 or so, it is quick, but the first half is nice gradual downhill and quick - then the 2nd half makes up for it.  Tony Jones (former WAC champion at Utah State and a runner I worked with at Hurricane) was my only competition, but he said he was just going to run 6's - I knew that was bull.  So I take off and gain the lead from Jose and others at about 1/3 mile, but it just wasn't flowing right.  Mile 1 came in at 5:05 - I didn't stress, I figured I could make it up okay on mile 2 (it is the fastest).  Mile 2 5:01 - okay I lied I can't make it up.  Well maybe the time won't be quite there, but I'll get a win and still hit decent.  Mile 3 5:18 - I hear Tony yell behind me, "Here I come Holt."  And he just zooms right by me, with only a brief slow down for me to yell at him.  I just let it go here.  My stomach was all over, and I pretty much just started looking for a place to use the restroom.  Mile 4 5:46 - big hill on this mile, but I should have been at 5:20.  Mile 5 5:31 - Here I should have dropped back to low 5:00's, and if I would have I would have easily caught Tony, he really wasn't running awesome; he didn't have to the guy chasing him sucked! Mile 6 5:30 - became content with where I was and just ran it in.  Finish (.11 on the Garmin), but I was ringing later and later on each mile :33 (5:26 pace) - stumbled around all the walkers and got done. (Ohana 141.9)

Ran back up the course and finished with some of my xc girls (Cumulus orange 397.3)

Well - not happy with the race, my time, my effort, my place.  I said I would do any more 10K's when I finished.  I guess I shouldn't be so upset - I hit a course PR by 1 minute over last year, but that is not what I want, to be competitive at local races, I want to dominate local races and take it to the next level; and this race did not move me in that direction.

Had a good week's mileage and workouts.  Race didn't turn out to well, however.

Goals for next week: Increase mileage up to 87, get a good Tempo workout in on Tues., and lift twice this week.  Be happy.