Dare to be great!

I have to work late today so I waited until the kiddo's were off to school then went down to the JRP for a run.  Nice morning for a run, started at the iron bridge and went south.  The run sort of turned into a progression run of sorts.  Who can resist when Eye of the Tiger comes on the I-pod.  7:59,7:41,7:30,7:36,7:36,7:24,7:15,6:51  AP 7:29

I signed up for the Utah Valley Marathon last night.  I am contemplating on what goals to set for next year.  Right now I am thinking about 3:05 for Utah Valley, then try to go sub 3 in the fall.  Tried to get the last mile this morning around the marathon pace for a sub 3.  Whew it will be fun trying to hold that for 26. 

Went up for my weekly jaunt up in the mountains. Went up Big Cottonwood, then up guardsman's pass. Hit a trail and went north. Kind of crunchy snow up there in places. Power hiked/ ran when not too icy. Very nice morning, went by myself and did not see another human. Did have 20 elk cross in front of me and also saw a coyote and some deer.  No gps but I am guessing at least 7.

This morning I did the ranches loop by myself. Added the loop by the Maverick from the Shamrock Half. Planned on just keeping it at base pace but I guess my legs wanted to run a bit faster this morning.  AP 7:30

Miles were as follows: 7:58,7:52,8:29,7:44, whew up the long hill, 7:28,7:24,7:13,7:02,7:25,7:13,7:06, last .5 6:38

Probably just keep building my base the next few weeks and throw in a couple tempo runs in the mix.

Went out a 5 this morning for a jaunt before work. Pretty much a recovery run. Joints were a bit creaky the first mile. My birthday was yesterday and now that I am 38 I can complain about creaky joints. Ran into a couple neighbors about a mile in  and ran with them for a while.  AP 8:48

Another solo morning up in the mountains.  Went up Big Cottonwood again and went up a trail to the north.  Same general route as last weeks excursion but did not go as far however I went higher.  From growing up an avid surfer in Florida, I can truly say I love the mountains. 

Had the longest run this morning.  Started at the Iron Bridge and went south along the JRP, 2 miles in at willow park I discovered the path was flooded under the bridge (like 2-3 feet deep.)  Turned around and had to run past my car to finish my mileage.  I felt kind of crappy the whole run.  My wife was saying how she had a "tickle" in her throat but didn't think she was getting sick.  I was tricked and now I got more than a "tickle" in my throat and kind of feel achy.  Oh well...

On a positive note I saw a few deer right off the trail, a couple rooster phesants, and ducks and geese along the trail.  AP for the run 8:15

Started from the house, went down to the canal trail then went down the hill to Redwood past the new elementary school then back up past the canal trail to the dirt road, went  a half mile up the dirt road then turned around to get me right to 7 when I got back to the house.  Still feeling a little out of synch but got warmed up by the last few miles.  AP 7:57

With all the wind and snow this morning decided to go to the acadamy gym before work this morning. Actually had a really good run there. I noticed in the mirror before the run I was looking a bit soft so I decided to mix up the run a bit.

1 mile warm up @ 8:00 pace, then 25 push ups and 8 pull-ups, then another mile at 7:47, with another set of pushups and pull-ups, then a mile @ 7:36, another set, then a mile @ 7:24, then one last set of 25 push ups and 8 pull-ups then finished the next 2.5 miles @ 7:03 pace, then cooled off with a mile @8:00 pace.

I was planning on doing a set after every mile but I haven't been doing much cross training lately and after 4 sets I was feeling a bit dizzy on the treadmill for a lap or so.

I was a sweaty bugger when I was done but it kept my interest if I have to be inside to run. My wife is taking me to Tucanos for lunch so I have to burn off some calories now... mmm grilled pinapple.

First Sat. in a long time I did not get a long run in. Started the day meeting my buddies at 3:50AM to head to Strawberry Resevour then went to work right after until 11PM. Full day.

Went for another solo adventure up in the mountains. First attempted to up Little Cottonwood however the snow went past my chest and I attempted to force my way up the trail for about 20 yards when I realized it was futile. I guess 48 inches of snow will do that. So plan B, I went to Draper and hiked/ran up Lone Peak from Corner Canyon.  So much better, snow was pretty much only about a foot and could actually move in it.  Went pretty far up the mountain and crossed a couple canyons then came back down.  Very pretty with the new snow.  I am guessing at least 6 but felt like 15.

Zilch. Still feeling the effects of a cold from last week and letting my body recover.

Woke up early again and headed to just south of the mouth of Parley's Canyon and ran up into the mountains from there.  I really should look up the names of the mountains.  I have been looking at this ridge line from work for quite some time now.  Fairly to really steep on the way up.  Snow was only about a foot deep it was fun to run down.  No gps again so I am guessing about 4.5.  Saw a moose on the top.  Pretty views of the city lights on the way up.

Went up in the mountains again this morning.  Started in Draper at the Orsen Trailhead.  Went up Lone Peak via the trail of the eagle, got pretty dang far up the mountain.  About 3600 ft of elevation gain in 2.5 miles.  Looped around a big basin then bushwacked my way back down the mountain.  Started to get pretty muddy on the bottom third of the mountain and slushy snow higher up.  My legs feel pretty beat up this week even though it is a very low mileage week the just don't recover from all the climbing as much as running on the road.  Even though it is a low mileage week my weight is down from all the climbing and I am enjoying myself.

Finally got out on the roads this morning, started at 5:00 and only had an hour to run. Standard run from the house this morning. AP 8:26 didn't press the pace at all just getting in some miles and burning calories in prep for the Thanksgiving feast.

Had an enjoyable run this morning, went out by my lonesome out and around the highschool and back. Started getting loose the last couple of miles. 7:49 AP. Enjoyed the stars on the way out and the sunrise on the way back.

Went with Blake this morning up Lone Peak.  Started in Corner Canyon and headed up the mountain.  Took the trail up then looped around and came down a dried up creek bed to keep out of the oakbrush which got pretty thick.  Nice morning.

Played a few hours of Turkey Bowl football.  It was fun but I pulled my groin the first game and kept getting worse.  Pretty fun seeing the young guys getting tired after the first few plays. Hopefully no serious long term damage was done this morning.

Attempted to try out a short run to test my groin pull out. I haven't done much since Turkey day except a few hikes. I could tell a few strides into the run it was not o.k. Ran a half lap with Blake then jogged the rest of the way around Liberty Park.

Not going to push it now, hopefully I can do some biking until I get healed up.  Anyone have any idea how long a groin pull takes to heal?

Another trial run during lunch at Liberty Park. Groin pain is still there. Didn't try to push the pace at all, 9:15 AP. Can't tell if it is getting better or still about the same. Hopefully it heals quickly it was such nice weather for a run.  

Decided to go on a trail hike/run this morning up Lone Peak.  Today was pretty brutal on the legs.  Started at the Orson Smith Trailhead headed to the Trail of the Eagle and headed up the steep switchbacks.  Started exploring around and ended up coming down making my own trail through the trees in Little Willow Creek.  I am still in injury mode so it started hurting on the way down.  I don't know if it was the terrain or the lack of spring in my legs but I went down hard four times on the way down.  Like legs out and flat on my back and sliding down the mountain. 

At least it didn't do much except knock the air out of me.  Almost got cliffed out on the way down and the wind felt like a hurricane at times. Also there was so much vegetation in the creek bottom and no trail it was hard coming down.  I was dead on my feet by the time I got back to the car.  As hard as it was, I love the mountains and besides feeling exhausted afterwards, I didn't get injured and it beat being at work.

Hopefully I heal pretty soon so I can get some real runs in.