Seeking a better country...

If I go for a run this morning, will my nose stop running?  Happy birthday to my dad.  

6:30 a.m.  Ash came with again, with Jack in the stroller.  We did the usual trip to Farmington and back, with the backyard up to Main Street.  Ash wanted some apricots, so we had to take that route.  Since most of them are falling on the ground, I figure it's okay to grab a couple off the tree, right?  Jack didn't like apricots.  He squooshed it but didn't eat any, and got mad when I took it away from him.  So, I guess he liked apricots, but not eating them.  

We enjoyed chocolate shakes when we got home.  I wish I skipped work, and my nose is still running.

Currently, I'm contemplating a moonlight hike up Timpanogos tonight.  Any takers?  Meet around 8 p.m. 

I set my alarm for a 5:45 breakfast etc.  It didn't work.  Luckily I woke on my own just after 6, downed some oatmeal and jogged to the start to register.  It was $15 with no shirt, which was lucky.  The guy at the adjacent table got charged $25.  I ran around and back home to use the bathroom and pin my bib, arrived at the start with 2.5 miles of warmup and 10 minutes to spare.  I got a spot near the front with some really fast people and some really slow people, including 7 year olds.  They really should seed this start, as it's quite congested with two early turns on clogged, narrow streets.

The gun went off, away we ran.  Around 50 people passed me, which was fine.  I didn't want a jackrabbit start or to step on anybody.  Sorry to the lady I hip-checked--it was an accident.  After getting around the corners, I began picking off the rabbits.  The third turn heads east up a hill, where I moved into the top 20.  Mile 1 split was 6:14, including the start and hill, so I felt good about that.  Mile 2 is rolling.  I looked down at my new watch for a split, but I hadn't started it.  In the 3rd mile, I was trying to keep everyone behind me.  I picked off two runners by the finish, and as I turned the corner into the final straightaway, I couldn't see what the clock said because I didn't want my spectacles bouncing up and down.  I don't know how girls stand it.  As I got closer (to puking) I could see 18:xx, and knew I would p.r. by a bit.  I crossed at 18:44, shaving 20 seconds off the memorial day race.  

During the downhill sections, I remember telling myself to not coast, and keep pushing, I would want the seconds.  It was nice to pick them up.  I nearly puked a couple times at the finish, but managed to keep it down.  

1st and 2nd came in at 15:07 and 15:14.  I wish I could have watched them race.  

Afterward I did a 3 mile cooldown, followed by breakfast and a typically lame parade, aside from the Veterans, Flags, Marching bands and flyby.  For a final sentence fragment I choose...An exhilarating morning. 

8 p.m.  7 of us left for a 2 mile run; 4 on foot, 2 on bikes and 1 in the stroller.  At the turnaround, Tami took the other runners home, and I took the little ones to Freedom Hills.  After talking to one homeowner, we enjoyed more apricots on the way.  So now it's legit.  We are no longer eating purloined fruit.  The girls played at the park while Jack and I ran laps.  There was a hopping jr high party going on, and the kids were mock cheering for me as I circled.  On the second lap, I invited them to join me.  4 show-off boys came along.  2 dropped within 50 meters, but the other 2 completed the .6 mile circuit.  I asked them to come for another, but they were too tired.  

On the way home, some freak drove by yelling f-bombs.  Who yells f-bombs at someone pushing a jogging stroller with two little girls on bikes in tow?  Seriously, those are some issues.   Hopefully he'll be arrested soon.

The sky was amazing.  It looked like what Thomas Kincaid always failed to portray in his paintings. 

6:15 a.m.  Met up with Russ and Twinkies.  We had a great run and chat across BST and Lincoln Highway.  My sole lament is that it can't cool off enough at night.  Would it be too much to ask for nighttime lows in the 50's?  Fortunately, enough people were watering that I could hose down in sprinklers pretty regularly.  

Matt had to get back, but afterwards, Tami made waffles, this time with fresh picked raspberries on top.  It was great to see Russ again this summer.  Last year we made a wander up City Creek.  It was good of him to come all the way from Montana to go on a Saturday morning run. 

6:30 a.m.  Boring run to deliver a few bills.  It's hot this morning.  4.8 miles

8:30 p.m.  Jens wanted to go for a couple miles, so we ran to the lamp post and back.  He did much better than last time.  He's got some shoes on the way, so excitement is at an all-week high.  2 miles

9:45 p.m.  85 degrees, blast furnace wind.  I ran with a heightened sense of hearing, listening for the clicks or whooshes of high volume sprinklers.  At least every mile I stopped and soaked myself from head to toe.  So surprisingly, this run was somewhat pleasant.  I came home and had a zero hot water shower and chocolate shake to recover.  It was quite an effort to get out the door, but I'm glad I went.  I think the sprinklers shorted out my butt light.

8:30 p.m.  Out to 1340 S. and back.  A bit farther than usual; I need to find a good turnaround spot for 8 miles.  

6:00 a.m.  These miles were trying to find my sister on the wrong trail.  It ends up she wasn't on the wrong trail.  We got a group of family together and climbed Timpanogos.  I feel like a chump that it took me till I was 40 years old to get up there.  It was unbelievable.  The flowers, rocksand views were...

Seriously, I felt like I was in God's cupped hand, it was so beautiful.  We managed to glissade the snow field without incident, but I don't think it saved any miles, just a lot of unsure steps.  

So besides the 2 running miles, we walked another 15-16.   

9:00 p.m.  2 with Jens, then 10 to Glover Lane and back via LPT.  It was dark and hot and there wasn't enough water.  I stopped in at Walmart with a mile to go, and enjoyed a cold drinking fountain.  Running sub 7 pace on flat is a lot of work.

Too busy with a house project to run...very irritating. 

10 p.m.  Warm night, not quite hot.  After dropping my POS truck off, I ran around for a while.  There weren't many cars on my route, and for the first time in a while, it wasn't windy; thus I could hear the crickets were sawing away.  Sprinklers were my friends.  Also, I ran into Paul C.  He assured me I had a problem when I told him how far I was running tonight.  I wish I could get him to run.

I really must register for the Huntsville Marathon, and replace my treadmill. 

7 a.m.  Navajo lake dirt road, approx. 10000' elevation.  I worked much harder to run somewhat slower.

Hiked Angel's Landing (nobody fell off)  and the Narrows to Orderville Creek (everybody fell in).  We had a good scout trip.  Some miles, but no running.

10 p.m.   2+ with Jens, then 3 more alone in the rain, with lightning flashing all around.  The clouds were a sight. 

6:45 a.m.  Cramming for the 10k tomorrow.   Herding cats run with Anna, Ash and Jack.  

Jack is 1 today.  What a great year we've enjoyed with him around.  We crossed paths with the Viewmont xcountry team.  He was waving and saying "hi" as they all passed.   We stopped at Dicks for a yummy cake donut.  Anna is mad at me because I was telling her to keep up.  I'm such a turd dad.

My expectations for tomorrow are pretty low; maybe the off-week last week will work in my favor.  Funny how it matters for some reason; it's not like I'm a talented runner or anything...  Still, I'm hoping for a pr, but there is nothing in my training since UVM that indicates one will be forthcoming.  The speedyish 5k 3 weeks ago feels like a distant memory.  In any case, the Desnews 10k is a top-notch event.  I hope to go find some marathon friends to run in and just enjoy the crowd and heat.

My mom called at 4 a.m. to tell me she was sick all night and wouldn't be coming to race...That got me out of bed for the usual pre-race oatmeal and toast.  I left around 5 a.m. to go to my sister's house and get a warm up in before the start.  We ended up running around Ft. Douglas and research park for a bit.  

Mile 1 and 2 were screaming down the hills, both were 5:55.  I knew this wouldn't last as the course headed north.  Mile 3 was 6:12, Mile 4 was 6:15ish, and I ran right past the mile 5 marker and aid station.  I was more interested in sprinklers on the other side of the street.  I haven't run this race since 2008, and the course changed a bit.  I didn't know how the finish went, so I just kept running, pushing as hard as I could.  I felt a bit dizzy in the last mile, and one guy, the other placer in my age division not named Walter, probably passed me.  He only had me by 7 seconds, while Walter had 7 minutes.  I came through the finish, immediately went to the temporary fencing, and puked my guts out.  I won't trouble you about the color and consistency, but I hadn't eaten anything green, so it must have been all bile mixed with wheat toast and oatmeal.   While sorting myself out, I missed seeing my sister come in at 41:30, then walked back down the course and watched my BIL finish strong, and a nephew win the 11 and under age group.  I had a creamie, visited with JD, and headed for the shuttle, where I ran into my sister.  We discussed the race and got up to Research Park, but not in time to see Fritz.  A little while later, allie came by, and I ran by her for a mile, but being a true sport, she refused to let that continue.  I watched the runners come by for an hour, feeling the pain of the final 10k of a marathon.  I saw lots of bloggers, and even recognized a few.  I ran into the finish with Amber, then walk/ran back to my car in Federal Heights.

Today I'm a bit sore, but not too much.  The race was a full effort, and I'm pleased with the outcome.   Hobblecreek Half is next on the list, and as yet I remain unregistered for a fall marathon.  I thought my mojo was missing last week when I missed all those days for a scout trip, and the thought crossed my mind that I could just quit running, but it appears to be intact.  

7 a.m.  BST to Freedom Hills.   Last night I crashed on the bed around 8.  Woke at midnight to brush my teeth, so getting started today was easier than normal.  I think I'm coming down with something, or fighting it.    I had no rhythm at all.  It was a cloudy morning, with spitting rain and a few lightning bolts to the west.  Once I got down to the road I ran in fine.  I'm still feeling a little beat up from Tuesday.

7 a.m.  2 slow miles with Grace for tri training.  She is a dancer, so is accustomed to stopping after going for 3-4 minutes.  She did the first mile faster than usual (9:30) but slowed enough in the second to hit her typical 10 minute average.  We have 5 weeks to go...

I dropped her home and took Jack and Ash on a bike to Freedom Hills.  On the way,  I began to wonder if these meandering ponderous miles herding cats are really doing much good, or if I'm fooling myself as to their benefit.  Everyone says recovery miles can't be too slow, but I wonder if I've crossed that threshold.  I'm always glad to have children along, but if the training benefit is negligible, then why don't I just stay home with them and play the Wii?  Anyhow, feeling guilty about running so lazily, I did one up-down on the switchback trail pushing Jack.  At least I got 6.5 minutes of high heart-rate.  

I need to make a marathon training plan for Huntsville.  Cart before horse; I need to register... 

6 a.m.  Jack and I ran to Freedom Hills, somewhat more quickly than usual; I was minus one or two cats.  @ the park 2 trips up and down the switchbacks with the jogging stroller.  1st one was 6:25.  Despite going much harder and negotiating the turns better, the second one was also 6:25.   I love how the sand grabs at the wheels and my feet.  My crocs got a little full from the lean over the stroller shuffle.  Jack liked singing along with the bumps.  I wonder what he thinks about running.

Then we came home on a sultry, sunless morning.

I estimate if I run 100 switchbacks between now and a marathon, that would be quite beneficial.  I'm including the one from Saturday.  I shall also mix in 100 6:40 miles.  That should get me out of the "marathon shuffle".

3/100