Kerry's Running Blog

Finally caught up on some sleep yesterday. Felt more rested than I've been in a long time starting out this morning. It was fairly dark and I could see Orion just coming up over Mt. Mahogany. The temperature was very pleasant. Just ran a very easy pace the whole way as this is a drop back week for me (after a couple of 50 mile weeks). I'm planning to run everyday, but want to make sure my legs are feeling fresh for Saturday.

Wore a headlamp this morning for the first time and it was probably a good thing that I did. I didn't turn it on until I turned on to 48th west facing traffic. The cars didn't have any trouble seeing me and some even gave me a little room. In front of the high school I usually don't worry too much because there's such a wide shoulder, but this morning I noticed two cars coming with the second one close behind with its brights on. I had to look down because it was blinding and didn't notice that both cars were veering off the road right towards me. They must have seen my light because they pulled to the curb right behind me, missing me just by a a couple of feet. The second car, as it turned out, was a police car with its lights on. If I hadn't had my headlight on, it's very possible I would have been hit. After that the rest of the run was pretty routine. I picked up the pace after starting down the trail to the Adventure Park and kept it up until I was about 3/4 of a mile from home. Felt very good overall. Some occasional aches and pains, but nothing that lasted for more than a couple of minutes. I think I'll probably go easy tomorrow to make sure I'm fully recovered for Saturday's race. I'm hoping to finish under 1:38.

Felt some pain in my left leg just above the ankle when I went to bed last night and when I got up this morning. It was still sore when I walked down to the corner to start running, but I didn't feel anything when I started to jog. Took it fairly easy this morning and just enjoyed the quiet and the full moon. Pushed it to marathon pace around the lake and towards the end.

Beautiful morning with a full moon. A little cool starting out. Took it fairly easy the first four miles and then pushed it hard the last mile and a quarter. A little knee soreness that came and went and a few other aches and pains, but nothing really of much concern.

Went out with Laureen this morning. Just walked and talked most of the time. Looked through some of the new homes on the upper ridge (south of the tower). Ran hard up the Canyon Road hill and back down and later ran up the hill to the tower and then back along the creek trail to home.

Met Greg and Tom and caught a bus up to the start. Got there a little before six. It was still fairly dark. We headed up to the campground toilets and then hung around the pavilion until about 6:30. Tom and I then jogged up the trail for a ways. It was very beautiful running along the creek. Got down to the start with about ten minutes to go. Race started right on time. Pace per mile varied between 6:55 and 7:07 for the first three miles. Walked part way through the first water station at Vivian Park (3.25 miles). Averaged around a 7:30 pace for the next few miles. Stopped for a gel and some water before heading up the road. Saw Sasha fly by with a good lead on Ron Greenwood and Steve King. Saw Darin Cable close behind, but he wasn't wearing a number so I wasn't sure if he just happened to be on the course or what. Averaged a litte under eight minute pace heading up the hill. Saw Tom and Greg a little bit before the turnaround (I lost sight of Tom at about two miles and Greg around four). I tried to keep my heart rate between 158 and 164 for the most part. It jumped to 169 average for the uphill. Dropped back down again heading down to Nunn's Park. The remaining miles seem to go by fairly quickly and although there were times that I felt tired, there were also times when I felt quite energized. Passed a half dozen or so that I'd been trailing after we hit the eleven mile mark. Battled some of the usual negative thoughts the last mile or so, particularly following the very circuitous route towards the end. Finished in 1:37:35 which was just was I was shooting for (10th pace in 50-54 age group). Greg finished around 1:33 and Tom around 1:32. Met up with Kevin at the end. Just a great morning to spend in the park with friends.