9:32/9:27/9:25/10:04/9:21/8:24/8:41/8:59/9:10 (9:13 AP). This was a remarkably good run for me. Going up the canyon was HARD! The wind blew so hard at one point, I felt like it hit me in the chest and took my breath away (a microburst that blew branches out of trees and sent leaves and debris flying). It blew my hat right off my head and sent it a quarter of a mile back. When the burst hit, I quickly turned my back against it to sheild my face. As I turned around, I saw 3 other runners behind me instinctually doing the same. It was BIG wind. Then, of course, knowing there was a tail wind when I turned around I did what I could to run a couple of good miles. I kept telling myself one of Smooth's mantras : the pain of running won't kill me. So by the end, I was happy having run 3 ok miles. I don't know what that means for next week.... even with just 9 miles, I will need to roll my hamstring. After the marathon I'll head to Dr. Brady to see what can be done about it. Utah Valley Marathon is a huge "?" I've never not run a long run between marathons. I did the best I could given the anemia situation and trying to stave off the burn out. So we'll see what happens next week. | 