Dare to be great!

Another really good morning run with my dog.  Went along the dirt roads heading South of town.  Ran up the trail to the base of the mountain along the foothills.  Watched the deer streaming out of the open fields back up the mountain.  Nice sunrise then headed back down went off trail for a mile or so following the path of the deer from where the came up from hoping to find a fresh antler shed to pay for some new running shoes.  No luck, but something to do.  Kept a steady pace back to my vehicle and felt good to be running healthy and smooth.

Decided to try to keep my runs relatively flatish this week and average about 10 miles per day to build efficency on the flatter miles towards the end of the race.  Went from Bishops to the dirt road heading out to Poverty Flats.  Decent dirt road/4 wheeler trails with only 500' of climbing.  AP 8:43.

Hit the Red Rock trail again this morning.  Legs were feeling really good this morning.  Just an enjoyable time running this morning.  AP 8:48 with the hills, stream crossings, and such...

Ran off trail through the foothills south of town.  Found one four point deer antler...  Just a relaxing Friday morning run exploring around.

Had the in-laws in town to watch TJ's wrestling tournament.  Steve wanted to go fisihing at the pond after the tournament.  I ran up to the pond the back way on the trails and met him up there.  Caught a few fish on my fly rod at the pond then ran back home.  Good way to spend the afternoon.

Went to the Thompson Basin Road followed four wheeler rock trails up for about three miles then cut off through the cedars hills and explored around until I eventually hit the trail again at the bottom.  Lots of cactus we had to dance around during the run.  Had to pull some out of Laci's paws when we were done.  Just looking around the hills and pretending I can run like the deer.

Six easy miles on my "country roads" route.  AP 8:05

Three and a half loops to the Hot Pots taper run.

Grabbed my two oldest kids for a couple loops around the hood.

Spent the morning off trail running through the foothills looking for antler sheds.  Trying to take it easy on the legs.

Grabbed Spencer and we ran to the city park so he could practice soccer.  Then we ran home.

Did a mile run then walked the rest with my wife.  Should be my last run before the 50 miler on Saturday.

My first 50 mile race. Held on Antelope Island, we went up the night before and I slept in the back of the van with my middle boy and my wife and youngest slept in my backpack tent.  Slept pretty good considering.  While getting ready I noticed my GPS watch was dead.  I have always raced with a GPS as I like to track splits/paces/miles, but I was going to have to go by feel on this one.

I knew the first 20 miles on the East side of the island has the most hills.  Tried to run conservative for the first 20.  It was hard to tell how fast I was going but the effort felt good, but my left hip was tight.  It continued to be pretty tight and by mile 25ish I was thinking I might be in some trouble.  The stretch to the Ranch aid station at mile 33 was the worst and I was moving pretty slow and was thinking I was going to have to be walking/struggle the last 17 miles.  I asked my wife for some Ibuprofen and got my 10 yr. old, Trenton, to pace me the next six miles to the next aid station.  Just having him there running so smooth helped me get my head back where it needed to be.  Then the ibuprofen kicked in and I could open up my hip again.  With ten miles to go I found my wind again and wish I could see my splits from there.  I knew I could run the ten strong as I had done that distance so many times in training and on tired legs.  I was able to pass a ton of people the last couple miles and it was motivating to keep focusing on the next runner ahead and keep pressing on.  I learned a lot during the run about myself and my body.  Had my youngest TJ run in the last mile with me to the finish.  

One mile recovery walk in the morning.

One mile recovery walk in the afternoon with the family.  Still sore don't think any injuries though

Morning walk/jog still sore, just taking it easy and feeling it out.  Was able to jog some...

Just a few minutes on the stationary bike at work then ran some while coaching soccer practice.

half mile in the morning, short time, just to get the dog out before work.

1.5 afternoon, get to feed the neighbor's dogs while they are away.  Ran over then ran back.  Feels like the legs are coming along nicely.  AP 7:28.  I will probably try a longer run this weekend.  Just had some tightness in my right hamstring and left knee after the 50 miler and I want to make sure I am good to go before pushing anything again.

Ran over to feed the neighbor's dogs again cutting through the field on the way there as I needed to get to work.  My weight is coming back down after the race.  I seems like with the swelling and hydrating and eating everything in sight you gain weight after a big race then a couple days later your body regulates and you start to drop. I was 155 this morning and 163 the night after the race.

Woke up to snow on the ground.  Decided to head up from the mouth of the canyon off trail up the mountain heading South.  Succesfully nagivated across the creek then started climbing.  Went up to the top of the head of another canyon about a mile and a half up then followed my footsteps in the snow back down.  Good climb and my legs are pretty much recovered.

Started at the rodeo grounds and ran up the canyon road to monrovian park then hit the trail along the creek unti I would of had to cross the creek at about 4 miles so I headed back down.  The climb felt really good.  After the first mile coming down in the low 7min pace my feet started to hurt some on the pavement so I backed off and just cruised down a bit slower.  Felt good to get some miles in this morning and beat the storm which is forcasted later today.

Woke up after hearing the wind all night expecting snow, looked outside and appeared to be just wet from rain.  I got dressed and got the dog and drove to the dirt road out of Bishops wanting to do a six miler there.  Got outside my vehicle and felt the freezing wind and got back in and went home.  Dog was confused and my weak and pathetic performance so I took her for a half mile run around the neighborhood.  I have been feeling some twinges in my feet and left calf so I decided to get a workout in at the Sheriff's Office gym during lunch without the impact of a run.  Did 10 min. elliptical, 10 min. bike, 10 min row, 10 min. elliptical, and another 10 min. on the bike.  Did some weights between stations.