Training for a Belt Buckle

10 miles along the freeway trails (found where the one heading north ends) in the rain. Kept my pace under 11:45 per mile.

Did a quick run this morning since we fly home this afternoon.  Probably shouldn't have stayed up half the night reading The Maze Runner.

I maintained a good pace and felt strong until the turnaround point.  At that point I felt like I slammed into a wall. It was a death run back to the hotel.  Interestingly enough - I was almost on the same pace as on the first half of the run, even with the last half being net uphill.  I think the long run from last night and the humidity were getting to me (and lack of sleep).  My clothes were drenched before I had even run 2 miles.

I ran 3.3 miles with the dog this morning to pick up mail at the post office. After processing all the condo checks, I ran another 3.3 on my own to make a bank deposit.

Did about an hour of Wii Fit Plus in the afternoon.

I was very pleased to have the scale under 150 this morning.  I vow to never go over again.

Arrived early at Marion's house and visited for a while.

Around 6:20 I ran down to the community center to pick up my race bib, then ran back to Marion's and dropped off my packet, and ran back.

Visited or said hi to Rachel, Kelli and Michelle before the race.

My goal for the race was to beat my previous PR and maintain sub 11:00 mm.  The PR was easy enough to do since my last PR was back when I started running in 2006 at 1:17:+.

Race started pretty well on time and we were cheered on by the 5K runners who would start after us.  Started a little close to the front, but it was a small race, so didn't clog up the course.  Lots of people passed me in the first mile.  Watched the train crossing up ahead and hoped it didn't stop Michelle in her quest to win.  Mile 1 -10:20

Watched the hot air balloons filling up and started wishing I had kept my gloves instead of dropping them at the start. Cold out! Mile 2 - 10:18

Started passing a few runners each mile.  Skipped the aid station and passed several people that stopped to drink. Mile 3 - 10:33

Finally felt a bit warmer.  Passed yellow shirt guy that I had been following the whole race (of course, he was a bit older than me). The hill on this mile didn't make me happy and my time fell below 11 mm a few times. Mile 4 - 10:28

Energy lacking on this mile.  Still seemed to be uphill and I was finally feeling tired. Mile 5 - 11:02

Just holding on for the last mile.  I could have made myself miserable, but just wanted to meet my goals.  Said hi to Michelle and Lily as they ran their cooldown.  Kelli met me around 5:75 and ran me in the rest of the way.10:49

No kick left, but did a bit of a sprint at the finish.

Won a $10 gift certificate to a nursery and gave it to Marion as a thank you.

Wonderful pancake and fruit breakfast at Marion's house afterwards.

Was planning on pacing the last 25 miles of Wasatch 100, but our runner DNF'd at Francis Peak. Instead, Leslie and I did some miles between Big Water and the spine on the crest.  Had a pretty good moose scare.  Got to cheer on the front runners.  It was a bit cold.

1 mile warmup with the dog.

I am planning on doing my training runs at 11 mm mile pace or better from now on.  Time to quit just running along and actually work on improving my potential. Miles at tempo pace: 10:52/10:44/10:42/10:25

1 mile cool down.

Taper time!  Wearing an IT Band compression strap since my IT band bothered me a little on Friday.  Hitting the roller after stretching.

1 mile warmup with the dog. 

Set out to keep my pace below 11 mm.  Unfortunately, the first two miles were net uphill and into a strong headwind.  I was able to keep the pace where I wanted it, but at the turnaround, I just lost all motivation. I was probably fighting off a bug all day with an upset stomach and my system just gave up.  Jogged home.

Easy recovery training with the dog.

Read this morning that Curt Brinkman died last week.  He was an awesome wheelchair athlete and set a great example.

1 mile warmup with the dog.

Ran 2.75 miles up the quarry hill to my eye doctor.  Ran home down the quarry hill and on the path behind Walmart to get a total of 6 miles more.

Left big toe was really hurting last night and this morning (Friday).  I don't know if it was from the crocs or what.  It must have some bruising, because I could feel it when I would touch the toe to the mattress last night.

12 mile run tonight.  Time to taper!  Races are getting close.

Three mile warmup with the dog.  Legs felt heavy, endurance felt like crap. I hate those taper feelings. The ones that say you can barely run a few miles - how are you going to run a marathon and 50 mile race.

I was going to do more, but ended up talking to my granddaughter for her 14th birthday and lost all motivation after that.

2 miles in the morning with 2 dogs.

PM - Nice, easy 8.25 mile run.  Stopped in at Wasatch Running on the way back and picked up the Gu I need for my next two races.

Five easy miles tonight. Legs and lungs are feeling stronger. Stretched and rolled. Icing a sore spot in the left IT band near the hip.

Easy miles tonight. Legs are feeling loose and strong.

2.5 miles very easy around my complex this afternoon.

Tina was awesome tonight and KT taped my left knee and IT band!  Thanks, Tina!