Philippians 4:13

Short report, more later.  2nd OA in 1:20:33 for 13.5 miles (missed an unmarked turn, had to turn around and pass 3 runners).  In 1st until nearly 11 miles, ITB really started to act up, lost first to a guy young enough to be my kid.  Beautiful day, ok course (unscenic greenbelt the whole way).  Slower than I wanted, but 2nd is ok for a race with 720+ runners.  Great weekend overall except for a few things. 

The day started off good, easy wake up and breakfast at the hotel before heading downtown to the race.  Got there in time to see the marathon start (sigh!) then I did a 2 mile warmup...stomach was sour during the warm up.  Got in a few drills, striders and some stretches before the half started.  

From the beginning I was running in the lead.  First mile in an easy 5:46, then I started to just run easy on flat/rolly greenbelt course.  Second mile around 5:50.  At the 2.5 mile mark, there is a turn followed by another quick turn at a "multiple Y" split than was not marked...I went the wrong way.  A guy from across the river yelled that I was heading the wrong way so I turned around and got back to the right turn in time to see the next three guys finally heading down the path...so I had to catch and pass them again.  From here to the turnaround the greenbelt is rolly and exposed and not very scenic.  At the turnaround I was up about 20 seconds on 2 and 3.  I was slowing a bit on the ups and downs but still running ok.

By the mile 9 mark my ITB was starting to ache and at the 10 mile point it was getting painful.  Erik ran with me a bit at 10, and told me a couple of guys were moving up.  Garrett passed my around 10.5 miles and we ran together a spell before I had to back it down as my leg was locking up.  I kept him in sight until mile 12 when he started to push and pull away. I was working hard to keep 3rd place behind me.  Justin picked me up at the bridge for the final 0.25M and was telling me he was coming.  I held him off by 20 seconds but was behind 1st by 45 seconds...what a crappy finish.  Still, ok for a 47 year old to run in the lead for nearly 11 miles and run strong against 2 guys in their 20's (and strong triathletes!).  

Thanks Jeff U. for putting on a good race!  (Fastwitch 6)

Back to the hotel after the awards to clean up. Tried to meet up with my brother but they had to run "errands" instead of seeing us...oh well, old ways don't go away easy.  

Long painful drive home but good to be back at home.   Would still love to retire in Boise...what a great downtown and place to live.

Slept in on my day off.  Feel like crap, cough and congestion like the cold did not leave.  Hips/legs/glutes sore.  

Chores around the house then an easy run in the neighborhood with Moxie (slow, painful) for 4 miles and some more miles later at the park with Kami.  Old, tired, sick, sore...what a mess. (Boost)

Moxie started limping this evening and has a blister on a foot pad.  Will stop running her for the rest of the week to let it heal.

I am home sick again, now this dang bug is in my chest and I can't get a deep breath and feel lightheaded.  Sick for a month now of and on. 

Slept in to continue to try to get over this illness.  Will try for a run at lunch today.

A slow 10k at lunch.  Congestion and feeling weak, so just a blah run.  Had to get out to enjoy the beautiful fall weather after spending most of the day yesterday in bed.  (Mirage Red)

Trying to resolve this cold, so I slept in and will run later today.

9 miles in the afternoon after Katelyn's last XC meet (she did awesome!).  4 with Trevor, 3 with Kami, 2 solo.  Good run after a busy day (work and meet).  (Boost)

Moxie is no longer limping but will still not run her for a spell.

Slept in and went to coffee with our church youth group.  Went out with Tevor at 8:45 and ran about 4 miles with him and a few more solo. 6.5 miles in 49 minutes, easy before my first trail race (25k) tomorrow.  (Launch 2)

My first trail race!  Craig picked me up around 7am and we drove to Kelly Canyon Ski Resort (start and finish) to check in and get ready for the race.  Our plan was to run easy and for fun to enjoy the weather and scenery.  Lots of locals that we know (about 50 25k, 30 50k who started earlier).

Craig and I ran together for the first few miles, trading places with a few other runners.  At mile 3 I was in around 6th place.  Just past mile 4 when we got off the single track onto the road I passed a guy to get into 5th (this guy dropped I think).  Climbed up a bit and fell around mile 5 on a steep downhill on scree.  Ran down to Table Rock campground (mile 7) then back up the hill (lots of walking!).  A bit more of a climb then a good downill back to the lodge before monster climb up the face of the ski hill!  17+ minute mile and some confusion on which way to go.  My ITB starting to talk to me around mile 10.5 but got better once I was back on runnable trails on top of the hill. Passed 4th place at mile 11 and was running strong to the end of the out and back turn around (saw 1st, Erika, running strong, Brandon, 2nd, walking and Brett, 3rd walking heading back).  I kept running strong along the return and picked it up on the 2 mile downhill to the finish.  Very steep and loose rock, but passed Brett with about 1/2 mile to go.  Finished 2nd male and 3rd overall.  OK with the result.  

This race in NO WAY would convince me to give up road racing for trails.  I like the consistency and peace that road racing has, not this up and down in pace and aerobic stress of trails.  Glad I did it to get in my first trail race though.  

Done racing for the year!  (Xodus)