In search of old age PRs

Quick run at the track in-between the rain and the snow. 7 x 200 with mile warm up and cool down.  My legs were sore from the 17 mile downhill run on Saturday, so I didn't have much speed today.

Run from house to Sugar House park.  My calves were pretty sore from the work-outs on Saturday and Sunday.  It took about 3 miles to loosen up.

Easy recovery run around the Sugar House area.  I hope to be fresh for a hard tempo workout on the track tomorrow night.  

Today was supposed to be a tempo workout, but when I ran up to the High School track they were preparing for a football game.  I decided to run up to Red Butte Gardens and on the Shoreline trail. 

It was not too difficult of a workout, but I could really feel my left knee on the steep downhill.  I know this will be an issue at Tuscon, so I'll try to prepare for it.  Also, I ran the full 8.5 without hydration.  This is something else I am working on during my weekly runs.  I like to think that I can train my body to operate on less hydration, thus making the marathon water-stops not as critical or as time consuming.
 

I was going to run Thursday night after visiting Red Butte Garden's "Once Upon a Time," with Elizabeth, Lucas and some friends, but we stayed later than I thought we would (pretty neat--go check it out). 

Crawled out of be at 6:00 and ran up to East High track for warm-up.  Ran 4 x 1600 at 5K pace with 400 meter walk/recovery.  I wanted to stay around 6:00 minute pace, but hit all four below 5:50 and felt fairly comfortable. 

I ran in my Filas with a thick insert.  This makes the shoes weigh over 15 ounces.  I have some racing flats on order and I can't wait to run in a 8 ounce shoe.  I'll probably do a 5K next weekend in them (if they show up).

Run up City Creek Canyon from Memory Grove Park. 

Today is Elizabeth's birthday so Lucas and I took her to the Original Pancake House.  We ate way too much food, so I had to wait a few hours before starting this run.  I felt very sluggish driving to Memory Grove park, so I had teenage girl's typical diet of Red Bull and Blow-pops to perk me it.  It worked great.  The run starts at 4400 feet and paved trail ends at 6050.  I hit snow and ice about 5500 which felt great.  There was a nice tail wind pushing me up the canyon.  I made it up the 7 miles in a 9:15 pace feeling really good.  I made the turn and averaged a 6:10 pace the back 7 miles.  

The first half of the run I listened to a podcast called Phedippidations.  It is a program done by a guy (Steve) while he is running long miles.  It's a great way to warm up for the first hour.  I would recommend it to anyone running alone.  Steve touched on a lot of subjects today, but the most memorable to me was "why we run."  I agree with Steve's oberservations, that "running is the answer to a healthy life."  "Healthy" meaning much more than the physical state.  I personally, also run for pride.  I enjoy seeing improvement every season and want to see and test where my limits are.