Kerry's Running Blog

Cold, partly cloudy morning. Temperature 29 degrees with a 10 mph wind out of the north northwest (windchill 15.7 degrees) with snow on the ground. Not exactly what you'd expect for May 1. I didn't feel the chill so much at the start as I was running south, but my eyes were tearing up a bit when I turned to head north with nothing to break the wind. As cold as it was, I felt pretty comfortable after a couple of miles, but I was just a little short of breath for some reason. I didn't see a lot of other runners out this morning.

The other night as we were going over our calendar we pretty much decided that we're going to run in the Salt Lake Race for the Cure on May 10. My youngest daughter has really been wanting to try a 5K and I'd been thinking about it because it's a cause that's close to my sister's heart (literally). She's a breast cancer survivor who completed the last of her last chemotherapy almost two years ago. My grandmother who was a carrier of a genetic mutation known as BRCA1, died of the disease, along with my aunt and cousin. I was a bit surprised a few years back when I went to the Huntsman Cancer Center for some screening and the director of the department not only knew who my grandmother was, but sketched out our whole family tree in considerable detail -- all from memory. Although my sister was found not to have the mutation (as my father was apparently not a carrier) she still got breast cancer anyway.  It's probably just out of self-interest, but I try to contribute to cancer research whenever I can.

Great run this morning. Clear skies, no wind, temperature 30, RH 61. It took me a mile or so to get going but after that I felt great. Pushed it up the hill on Redwood Drive and North Cottonwood (where I saw Antonio Lopez heading down). I loved the feel of the cold air on my face. Lungs were much better today.

Beautiful morning for a run, a bit on the cool side before the sun came up. I listened to a podcast about the Boston marathon of 1983 which was won by Greg Meyer. Running around the pond in Highland Glen I caught up with another runner and asked him how far he was going and then we chatted for a minute about the nice weather. I then headed back along the way that I'd come. I saw three other runners about 150 yards ahead of me heading to the northeast along the trail. Naturally, I tried to catch up to them. I closed the gap to about twenty yards but never caught them. I then headed east and ran up the hill passing Antonio Lopez and someone else on the way up and waving to them again on the way down. It was a beautiful morning for a run.

Later in the day I stopped at Wendy's with my youngest daughter (as she had been over at her cousins and hadn't had anything to eat and my wife and I had theatre tickets and needed to leave for Salt Lake as soon as possible). The line of cars was so long that we decided to go inside to see if that wouldn't be faster. A man and a woman were just in front of us in line and he said that I looked familiar. He asked if I'd been running around the pond in Highland Glen this morning. It turned out to be the guy that I'd chatted with earlier in the day. Kind of a funny coincidence. He is 62 and says he just runs for fitness. He ran St. George once when he was 37 or so. We chatted until it was his turn to order.

Met Richard this morning at 5:45 for our Monday run. He has been out with bronchitis the last two weeks so he was having a little harder time of it today. We stopped and walked a few times, but not for very long. After separating at the flag pole, I pushed a little faster than normal and even felt stronger on the hill at the end (nine percent grade for three tenths of a mile). I always try to run pretty close to all out on the way down just to increase my leg speed.

Absolutely perfect morning for a run. Clear skies, temperatures around 50. Just light enough to see clearly. I felt just a little bit achy starting out, but felt fine after getting warmed up. Enjoyed the sounds and smells of Spring, especially running through the park. A buck and a doe popped out of the underbrush about twenty yards ahead of me and then ran back in when they spotted me. Started to have some bowel issues about half way into the run that caused me to slow down a bit, but I was planning on running a little easier today anyway. Saw lots of runners, joggers and walkers out this morning.

The daily run is definitely feeling easier. By the time I reach the hill at mile 5, I feel like I can still push it. I'm going to focus on improving my time on the mile that begins at the bottom of the hill on Redwood Drive and that finishes at the end of the parking lot in Heritage Park. In includes 211 feet of ascent and 228 of descent. Today I ran it in 8:14 and hit 5:18 pace on the way down (it feels good to get the legs moving that fast). 

 It's looking like my race on Saturday will be a little less of a race as Laureen has a very sore Achilles tendon and as she will probably not be able to run with my daughter Amelia (age 11), I'll take over that responsibility. Amelia has a greater enthusiasm for running, but not so much for training at this point. She would really like to do a half marathon this year, but so far she's had a hard time getting in the training that would make that possible. Maybe when school's out it will be a little easier. On Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays I could run with her in the late morning after my usual early morning run. We'll have to see how it works out.
 

Took it fairly easy this morning as my resting heart rate has been a little higher than normal and has not come down during the day. It was a beautiful morning, as it had rained overnight and the streets and paths were still wet in many places. Temperature on the cool side at 40 degrees and RH was 89 (which accounted for the mist rising from the ground in many places). Finished about five minutes slower than usual. Weight appears to be coming down.

I really didn't want to get up this morning as I didn't get a very good night's sleep. It seems that my daughter had turned up the thermostat on the downstairs furnace (after she made a root beer float) and I didn't know about it or even think to check. The problems apparently started when the furnace kicked on during the night, the hot air rose to the upstairs thermostat (which was set to air conditioning on a separate unit) and so it got alternately hot and cold during the night. We'd half wake up to throw off the covers only to wake up a little while later and pull them on again. The dueling thermostats carry on their war so stealthily that it's only when you wake up in the morning, find the dog under the covers and talk to your wife that you realize what happened. 

Well, I must be in the 5:40 habit now, because my body got up and dressed while my brain  was hitting the snooze button. Before I knew it, I was out the door and mile or so into my run. The clouds were low and dark in the north and I thought it might rain before I got back. If anything, the clouds pushed further north. I pushed it a bit on the way back and felt a little soreness in my left inner knee, but it hasn't bothered me since. I think I'll increase my Monday, Wednesday, Friday runs to seven miles next week and run the hill on Tuesday and Thursday with a longer run on Saturday.

Laureen, Amelia and I drove to Salt Lake this morning to run in the Race for the Cure. It was kind of cool when we left the house (35 degrees), but the skies were clear and it warmed up comfortably when the sun came up. I was really hoping that it would be a good experience for Amelia as this was her first 5K. I was a little disappointed to learn from their website that there would be no official timing, but that didn't turn out to be that big of a deal. We stood in line at the Union Pacific train station for our tee shirts and numbers and were a little surprised to find out that everyone had exactly the same number (2008). I ran the tee shirts and extra clothing back to our car while the girls were finding a bathroom. There were LOTS of people milling around prior to the race and I was a little bit concerned that I wouldn't find them again. After a few anxious minutes they arrived at the designated meeting place and we walked down to the start where they were just beginning a group stretch and aerobics warmup. It was a fun atmosphere with six or seven thousand people from a wide variety of backgrounds. 

The announcer started the race with a ready-set-go, but when she tried to pull the trigger on the start gun, it didn't go off, so some took off and others waited to see if she could get the gun to go off. Eventually, she was able to fire it off and we took off (kind of). Many people were there with no intention of running any part of the course and some of them were at the start (and some of them were walking arm-in-arm three or four abreast). It was good in a way because we started off nice and slow. Amelia has had a tendency to take off like a shot only to be exhausted and nauseated less than a mile later. Laureen's Achilles tendon was still sore, but manageable, so we were able to stay together for the first mile  (we took a short walk break after about half a mile). We were all feeling pretty good and following the same run/walk pattern, we made it to the aid station for a quick drink. Laureen was hurting by that point and told us to go on ahead and after getting assurances that she wouldn't be far behind we took off again. At the two mile mark I was surprised how well Amelia was doing with so little training. Our walk breaks were not infrequent, but in most cases they only lasted for 20 seconds or so. Approaching the three mile mark, I could sense that Amelia was ready to make a dash for the finish. She was tired and out of breath, but apparently determined to beat some boys her age that were running just ahead of us. We finished strong in 37:46 and got her a drink and an orange. She was excited to have finished and I think a little pleased to see how many finished after she did. We didn't see Laureen finish, but met her in front of J.Jill's (one of her favorite stores a short time later). All in all a fun experience and one that I think whetted Amelia's appetite for more. We stopped for some bread at Great Harvest in Draper on the way home and I then ran a few more miles while the girls were showering (about half of it at marathon pace).

Met up with Richard this morning for our weekly get-together (so far, I

haven't been able to talk anybody else into joining us). The wind was

really howling during the middle of the night and I thought that we might have to end up bagging it this morning, but the wind died down and the rain stopped and it turned into a fairly decent morning (windchill when I left the house was 29, but it felt pretty comfortable by the time I finished). For some reason, I didn't feel quite so strong going up the big hill, but I wasn't hurting or anything. Except for the fact that we didn't make the St. George lottery. Laureen was reluctant to do the Runner's Series because I was out of work at the time and the thought of committing to two trips to St. George (at an average cost of $200/trip) just wasn't a serious consideration. She's more inclined to look at it in the future, but it looks like we're going to have to sit this one out.

Clear, beautiful, cold morning (37 degrees). One of those mornings that just make you glad to be alive. Started out a bit sluggish, but gradually picked up the pace -- partially just to get warm, but mostly just because the air was so clear and refreshing that you just wanted to drink it in. Pushed it a little harder today on mile six (which includes 292 feet of ascent and 429 feet of descent) and finished it in 7:58. I find myself braking a bit on the steeper sections to avoid falling on my face, so the faster sections are on the flats after the hill. Cooled down the last third of a mile. Overall average was 8:27.

Much warmer this morning that yesterday (47 under overcast skies). I ran an easier pace today as I seemed to have a few lingering aches and pains (inside left knee, right calf, slightly sore Achilles). Didn't really notice anything after a couple of miles. What I did notice was lots of little bunnies in the park -- must be that time of year :)

Warmer this morning under mostly cloudy skies (temperature 53 degrees). I still wore long pants out of habit, but I had to take off my pullover half way through the run. Lots of people out this morning, walking, jogging and one lady even doing hill repeats. Saw Richard coming down the path towards the pond and chatted with him briefly. He said he's starting to see some improvement. Almost ran into a deer standing in the middle of the trail. She saw me coming and just stared for a few seconds before trotting off into the brush. When I got home, our dog Drake had somehow gotten word that it was a warm, pleasant morning and pleaded his case as if his life and family honor were at stake. Even though my Thursday morning schedule is fairly tight, I figured I could be a little late if it could bring him so much pleasure.

Walking, cross-training day. Worked on pulling out a tree stump for good measure.

Had a great run up Provo Canyon this morning with Paul, Nathan, Wayne and Larry. A bit of a headwind heading up, but pleasant conditions over all. It was so nice running with my buddies. The pace up and back was just about perfect for my first long run since St. George -- not too easy and not too hard. I felt a little tightness in my right calf by the time we finished and a little soreness in my left foot, but it quickly went away.  Average pace for the whole run was 8:18. Total ascent 1781, total descent the same.

Met up with Richard at 5:45 for a run on a beautiful, but rather warm morning (temperature 60 degrees under clear skies). Richard is steadily improving and each Monday we're able to run just a little faster and a little further without stopping to walk. My right calf was still a little tight from Saturday's run, but it wasn't anything more than a recurring nuisance. This morning I extended the run up North Cottonwood Drive all the way to the top and even partway down. Pushed it a bit on that section, but will wait until later in the week to push it hard. This week I'd like to get up to the mid to low 40's on mileage. 

Warm morning (57) under clear skies. Slight breeze. I woke up a minute before my alarm went off, but I was hoping that I still had some time to sleep. I felt a bit more sluggish and achy this morning than usual, but started to feel normal about three miles into the run. Pushed it up the hill and back down, but not all out. Saw three deer by the side of the road having breakfast and  about a dozen walkers and joggers close to and along the creek trail. It was definitely a taste of summer this morning.

Windy, rainy day. Took it kind of easy to give sore muscles and joints a chance to recover. Pushed it at the end and felt great.

A little on the cool side this morning. Temperature 39 with 84 percent RH. Low, threatening clouds in the southwest. With just a slight breeze blowing at the beginning, it felt downright cold. I was glad I decided to wear gloves. A little bit achy and tired the first mile, but felt better as the run progressed. Running through Highland Glen Park I caught the scent of something so fresh and sweet that it almost took my breath away. It would have been worth getting up early just for that moment. There was a fine mist coming off the pond and two deer further down the trail just watching me closely to see if I posed any kind of a threat. For some reason this morning (maybe it had something to do with the weather) I thought about how I'd like to re-read some of Dostoevsky's novels. I read nearly everything he wrote in my late teens and early twenties and later re-read most of them in the German translation (maybe now I need to try them in Russian). His books certainly rank among the greatest works of fiction in any age. 

Had a busy day planned and could only manage a quick loop around the pond. 

Perfect morning for a run with clear skies and no wind (temperature at the start was 47 degrees). The air was fresh and clean following yesterday's rain. Felt pretty good starting out, no significant aches or pains. Starting having some GI issues about three miles in and fortunately found an open restroom. Coming around the turn at the south end of Highland Glen Park where the trail from American Fork joins in, I ran in Steve S. I don't really know him that well, I just happened to meet him on a run a couple of years ago (heading the other direction along this same stretch). Steve is someone you'd remember running with. When I mentioned what a beautiful morning it was for a run, he started singing at the top of his lungs as we were running along. Steve just looks (and mostly acts :) like the kind of guy that's been a bishop a couple of times. He is a civil engineer, a grandfather with 15 grandchildren and is a very fit 62. He used to run a lot of marathons, but has given that up to focus on shorter races. He said he's been in California the last couple of months and when I asked if he had a project that he was working on down there, he said yes...me. He said he was diagnosed with prostate cancer about six months ago and has been there for proton therapy (which involves high doses of radiation from a proton accelerator). The treatment has been effective and the side effects minimal. He has been able to continue running for the most part. It's kind of amazing how much you can learn about someone in less than ten minutes. After he turned around at 40th west I continued east to run up North Cottonwood Drive. I still had a bit of a queasy stomach so I didn't push it too hard on the way back.

Got up a few minutes earlier so I could get in a ten miler before having to take my daughter to school. Warm (57) and overcast with a slight breeze from the south southeast. I was a little surprised to see the clouds this morning as the weather reports seem to indicate it would be clear...not that it mattered that much. Conditions were almost perfect. I tried to hold to a fairly steady effort throughout which worked out to an average pace of 8:33. Felt a little tired and achy towards the end, but recovered fairly quickly afterwards. I'll try for another 7 miler tomorrow and then another ten miler on Friday and possibly Saturday.

Perfect conditions for a run this morning. Temperature was 51 under mostly clear skies with just a slight breeze from the south. Started out with the typical old-man shuffle, but started feeling pretty good after the first mile. Today's run was remarkable for all the people I saw out walking or running this morning: President Noble, Lisa Barrager, Mark Soelberg and his wife and Mary Powell were the ones I knew. I also saw Ryan Bybee again this morning and thought that I need to talk to him about getting on the blog (last year's SGM was his first marathon -- he was 21st overall with a time of 2:32). His brother, Dustin, is a senior at BYU and was on the cross-country team. I need to ask him if he's related to Blair Bybee. Blair was a friend of mine that was running marathons back in the early 80's. On top of that he was an all-around good guy, a doctor that worked with young leukemia patients up at University Hospital. I'd like to find out where he is and what he's doing now.

Conditions during this time of the year are close to perfect every day. Clear, beautiful skies. Temperatures hovering around 50 degrees. And plenty of light at 5:30 a.m. Backed off a little from yesterday's pace and felt great. I continue to have a bit or soreness in my right calf, but it really doesn't affect much of anything. Kids get out of school today so it'll be a little crazier working from home with all that excitement. 

I missed out this morning's run with Paul, Wayne and Larry because of a scheduling conflict, but I still wanted to get in at least ten. Laureen is still battling a very sore Achilles tendon, so I was on my own this morning. Started out heading south towards the temple, thinking I'd do the American Fork to Highland loop, but about a mile and a half into the run I caught up with a woman that had on the same Hobble Creek Half Marathon shirt. I said hello and said something like "nice shirt" and when she noticed I was wearing the same one, she said that she'd tried to get into Hobble Creek this year, but that it was already closed. That started a conversation and I ran with her for the next mile and a half or so. She lives in the town homes in Cedar Hills and teaches dance at Timberline Junior High. It turns out she's also doing the Wasatch Back Relay for the first time and is running the 6th set (they have a 9:00 a.m. start). We talked about that for a bit and she asked about my watch (Garmin 305) and asked if I knew of one that also monitors body temperature. I said I didn't know of one, but encouraged her to join the blog where she could obtain all kinds of useful information. On the hill heading north, she said she was going to stop and take a Gu so I took off as I needed to get back home by 10:15 or so. It's always nice having someone to run with. I ran to the top of Canyon Road and then down to the mouth of American Fork Canyon and then west to 48th, south past the high school and home. I got home just in time to shower, eat and head off to shop with Laureen and Amelia at 10:40.