Kerry's Running Blog

Regular Highland Glen loop this morning, only I went out about two hours later. I was a little tired from getting bed late and not sleeping very well, but over all things went well. Running in the sun made me realize how little training I've done in the heat. I need to get in a few hot runs between now and the relay.

Kohler's loop this morning at 5:30. Temperatures in the mid 40's. Like many mornings, I was on autopilot for the first mile or so. I often wake up from a deep sleep and find myself running ten minutes later. I'm very used to the routine at this point, but the abruptness of the change from unconsciousness to vigorous activity still seems a bit weird at times.

Wednesday temp run on Highland Glen loop. I realized that as I was walking down to the corner that I hadn't scheduled the workout on my Garmin. I was, however, able to find an earlier tempo workout and selected "Do Workout". As I was still half asleep it looked to me like the workout started as the lower set of numbers was changing, so I started off on the two miles of warmup. It was a little cool this morning and I was glad I was wearing long sleeves and pants. When I just about to the two mile mark I glanced down at my watch and it showed two miles on the distance. Thinking that I was supposed to start the tempo section, I immediately pushed the pace up to my threshold range. As I was rounding the pond, it dawned on me that my watch never should have showed two miles on the distance. On workouts like that it counts down from two miles so it should have shown three or close to zero. I should have pushed the start button at the beginning of the workout. Knowing what threshold pace feels like, I just kept running. I may have pushed it a little harder than normal for a tempo run because I didn't know where my heartrate was for sure. Heading up the hill out of the park, I could feel my legs getting heavy and I was breathing fairly hard. I eased up a bit as the hill levels out to a one percent uphill grade, but kept a fairly steady effort. I felt like it was about 10K race pace, but unfortunately I didn't know how fast I was going. Ran hard along the trail and then jogged the last quarter mile to cool down. A good workout over all.

Kohler's loop this morning. Clear skies, still pleasantly cool at 5:30 am. No aches or pains to speak of. I'm seeing a slow, steady progress in over all endurance and fitness. I'm planning to increase the number of seven miles days each week, while keeping Saturday long runs at 13 plus. I'm also slowly increasing the number of threshold miles each week. By the end of July I'd like to be at 55 to 60 miles a week, with at least ten of those at threshold pace.

Nice easy run this morning on a clear, cool Spring morning. Legs felt good. Saw Kim R. as I was running up the hill on Redwood Drive. I turned around at the top and caught him along the creek trail. We chatted for a bit and then I asked him if he was planning on doing any races. He said he'd done one in the past, but was reluctant to do any more because he was so slow. He'd heard about the Provo River Half from a colleague, so I encouraged him to sign up and assured him that he'd be far from the last to finish. He sounded like he was seriously considering it. I have to remember to follow up with him on Sunday to see if he was able to find the web site.

Ran Temple/Canyon Road loop. It's been a while since I ran the long hill up 40th and Canyon Road, but it felt OK. On the steeper sections my legs felt heavy, but it wasn't killing me. I do think that I need to run that course a little more often. I'd hoped to take my youngest daughter out for a run when I got back, but she was still asleep (extra tired after a sleepover the previous night). When she finally got up it was time to get ready for a Primary activity so I just went over to the church a little early to help set up. I should have run an extra three while I had the chance :)