Relentless

morning - 13 Creek Road Figure 8.  Ran down 2000 to Creek and UP the hill across to Fort Union and then back 2000 and up Creek again and through Willowcreek back.  Okay little run.  Weather was pretty decent, snow was off most of the parts of the road and things were okay.  (Stratus bee 409.45)

morning - 8 Green Springs.  Chilly morning, but a decent run.  Then took the dog around the neighborhood.  (Cumulus blue 495.65)

afternoon - 10.5 3xCemetery miles.  Warmed up with 5 on Dogpound and wasn't too excited for the workout, but the time had come.  I kind of wanted to see what my speed level was at as compared to last year.  I think the fastest mile I had on this course was 5:19, so I set out with that as my goal.  1-5:19, got it right on.  Breathing was hard, but it felt like I had more in me.  2-5:29, I thought I was going quicker than the first, but when I checked my watch at my first check point I was already 5 seconds back. 3-5:29, Figured I should try to not let the last one slip below 5:30.  Started it harder, but lost more on the hill.  After the 2nd and 3rd I thought for sure I was going to lose it, but the 60 sec. recovery jog helped me chill it a little.  Cooled down with 2 miles around town.  Workout was pretty solid: matched my fastest time and I don't think I have ever done 3+ under 5:30.  But I did want those bars from the treadmill - like I had the last few interval workouts - when I got real tired.  Next time I'll be a little stronger on the end.  (Stratus Black 107.25)

morning - 5.75 Washington Loop.  Easy relaxer just trying to work out some of the soreness in the calves after a long night of the whole family being sick.  Then took the dog around the block.  (Landreth 544.65)

afternoon -  11 Mustang Pass.  Went out and hit this trail again.  Trail was nice and soft from the melted snow - a ton of deer tracks.  Enjoyed it.  Ended by running down to pick up the Jeep that is going to need some work before it can pass inspection.  (Cumulus white 442.55)

YEAR IN REVIEW: So I guess I'll reflect a little on 2008 as it is the end of the year, but it probably won't be some big thing as I really don't feel like it that much.  I started out with all these goals, and didn't really accomplish a lot of them.  Health and weather were the biggest factors why.  Pneumonia in the spring really threw off my 10K season and really messed up SLC, which I probably shouldn't have run, but did anyway.  Then the bad weather at SGM messed up a massive summer of training with the Circle of Trust.  Still I ran a ton and had a lot of fun doing it.  I pushed myself to my extremes and am a better person for it.  2009 here I come!

morning - 12.1 Club run.  From store into Fields and up River Trail back to store.  A decent run.  James and I ran together as Bill and Steve took off.  (Cumulus gold 130.3)

Goals for this year: Last year I wrote out quite a list of goals and didn't get many of them, so in a way it damped what I did accomplish.  So I really don't feel like setting too many this year.  But here are a few things I would like to accomplish: Have a good quick 10K-1/2 marathon, since I've been working on my speed, I would like to have it pay off; Nothing about mileage numbers other than run enough to keep it fun and help me become a better runner; Continue to work to spread the all around awesomeness of this sport/lifestyle with my athletes, friends, family; Keep a good balance with my family who puts up with a lot because of what I do.

morning - 5.75 Washington Loop.  Just an easy run and then took the dog around the block.  (Landreth black 314.05)

noon - 5.1 Washington Parkway 6x1 min fartlek.  Got out earlier, since I wasn't wiped out from this morning's run and got it done.  Started the fartlek at the overpass at the top of the Parkway coming down, so the first 2 were downhill, 3rd pretty flat, 4th uphill on to Telegraph, 5th and 6th flat on Telegraph and into Cottonmill.  Went from .22 on downhiller's to .19 on uphill and .20 and .21 on flats (including last).  Good little speed play.  (Stratus bee 414.55)

AM - 18.5 Quail Creek.  Had to get out pretty early due to some family things today, so I missed the club run.  Run was okay.  Saw four shooting stars - 1 big one - and the lake was cool looking in the dark.  Legs didn't respond too well to anything, so I kept it pretty chill.  Did push the last 7.5 a little to about a 6:10-30 average, but legs weren't wanting to go any quicker.  (Stratus black 125.75)

Week was pretty decent.  Interesting how quick the body adjusts to things.  I haven't run big mileage for 1 1/2 months and just going to this weeks mileage made me tired.  Although a lot of that had to do with this cold (and now it is an ear infections, beastly). 

Goals for next week: readjust to school life.  It has been great having the time off with the family and doing a lot of stuff together, but now it is time to get back to real life - so I'll see where that takes my running.