Run Run Run

Neighborhood slow run in Sandy

Ran 1.5 miles on grass at Flat Iron park waiting for sons baseball game

Ran for 30 minutes on grass at Buttercup with son

Ran with son to Buttercup Park then to Willow Canyon, around the grass fields a few times, along Willow Canyon 5K route, then up 9800 south, through neighborhood then back home. Tough for me, but was OK, feet were OK, do better after first 1/2 mile

Ran at indoor track at Dimple Dell while son played basketball. Nice soft surface. Tried to do one mile fast - which was 8:32 for me, I realize extremely slow for most, but for me pushing myself

Havent been blogging. Have ran once in awhile. Too many critical personal issues to handle which have taken alot of time and energy. No need to discuss them. I know some would say you should and still keep up the regular running program, but only have so much time and Im a strong believer than tomorrow does happen.

Started running some in winter, only to be hit with a new problem, plantar fasciitus in right heel. Wow that has been painful difficult, it came on suddenly and at first I couldnt get out of bed in morning without wanting to collapse in pain. But have been doing a OK (not ideal) job taking care of myself with stretching, icing, ibuprofren and strassburg sock. Have tried to run on softer surfaces where possible. At least I can run now.

So will catchup and fill out some prior blogs and keep slowly working on things. Still have left hip pain but it is tolerable. I realize alot of my problem is need to loose weight, probably need to get closer to 180 lbs instead of the 200 lbs I stay closer too. Maybe Ill go back blogging to improve my motivation.

I imagine Im alot slower with the injury recovery and extra weight, just need to run more for fun and health as maybe Ive finally accepted Im not going to make the 2008 Bejing Olympics. Also no need to try to keep up with the Joneses on the blog (not sure if there is anyone named Jones on the blog anyway)

Today I ran while son was at baseball practice. Abit chilly but OK, found this undeveloped area between 9000 and 8600 in Sandy that I didnt know existed, ran through the trees and on gravel roads, then down to 700 East and then along a service road along golf course.

Ran at Wheeler Farm with son and dog (on leash). Nice area to run, good temp, overcast, trees. Ran the outer loop. Started with stretches. Then ran 5K at effort (for me) - around 33 minutes. I was at least consistent with 11 minute miles. Took 5 minute water break and ran 4 more miles at 13 minute pace. I realize these times are slow compared to most, but they were OK for me and that was long distance. I at least tried. Heel plantar problem was tolerable. I did get a bloody right little toe for some reason

Stopped at animal pens at end. the pigs were fascinated with my golden retriever. Two small donkeys also ran with us when we went by their enclosure. My golden sure wished he was free with all the ducks around

Ran at Flat iron Park a little in snow waiting to see if sons baseball game was a go

Ran a little at Buttercup Park

Ran a little at Flat Iron Park at sons baseball practice (yeah I could run more at his practices, but it is just as important to watch him - he is only a young boy for awhile (and Ill be an old man for a long time))

Well my first race of the year. Good to be back running again. I was slow, but did OK, actually I got 2nd in my age group which isnt bad as it was the larger age group 50 to 59, although my son pointed out not everyone has parents as old as me. The race was to earn money for his school so it didnt attract the big runners although they did have nice prizes and 195 runners. I did get a nice looking medal.

It was probably a tougher than average 5K. First it actually was 3.19 miles long according to my Garmin and I tried to cut the tangaents tight. Also there is a fairly steep hill for the middle segment. Weather was good for running but I dressed too warm with a long sleeve that I probably didnt need. I also didnt push as hard as I could fearing injury since Im trying to recover. I was 29 minutes something. My right heel with my plantar fasciitus hurt at the start and a little on the downhill part, but I was hobbling afterwards. After going home and icing it was better.

I felt OK running although my hip joints also bother me - again probably loosing some weight would help but its probably also aging (55 years). The race is similiar to the Sandy Blessed Sacrament 5K. Was typical scramble at start, but I just went my speed. Doing a better warmup of 1/2 mile seemed to help more plus doing more stretches than I usually do helped (still need to do more). First 1/3 is kind of level, 2nd 1/3 uphill and last 1/3 downhill. As expected my fastest mile was downhill (less than 9 minutes), then the flat, and then the uphill although Im not bad at keeping a somewhat consistent speed.

I got more roadkills than those that got me, I was also able to keep several from passing me. Some of son's classmates tried to race me, but I only he beat me. I was surprized that I got 47th of 195 runners which was good for me (even though yes several were non-runners).

Recovery was OK, am tired but not exhausted. Sore but not incapicatated. Son is insisent running 1/2 marathon next week. Not sure if that is good idea for me - I dont want to get injured worse when trying to recover as Im not sure if plantar on right heel can take 13 miles of asphault. But I dont want a 10 year old to run without me in same race. Any suggestions here? - Would running a slow 1/2 marathon be too much for my plantar fasciitus problem?

Son did well winning his age group and finishing 6th overall of 195 runners considering he has only ran a little for training (except for other sports)

I improved in my mileage this week which is good considering my schedule

Ran in Dimple Dell Park with my Golden retriever. Luckily no horses. The sand hill was slow to go up, almost walking. Nice views of mountains. Finished at sunset. Speed was so-so. Heel pain acceptable.

Lesson Learned: dont jump a creek when there is mud on the other side

Busy schedule, didnt run far. Still thinking of doing the 1/2 marathon to go with my son and get some miles, but would take it easy and walk if needed. Trying to do some stretching each day.

I read in Runners World that the world record for running backwards in a marathon is by a chinese runner in 2004 who ran it in 3:43:39. I doubt I could run a 1/4 mile backwards comfortably

slow mile at sons baseball

Genna Tufa won the marathon in 2:23:10. But the REAL truth is that I beat him. At the finish line, the marathon runners go left (half marathon go right). Watching the news on TV you see me finishing on the right at 2:22:57. I started the race and ended the race at the same location as Genna Tufa and my time beat him by 0.13 seconds - I clearly beat the top marathon runner.

Ok - you dont believe that, would you belive that I entered the 1/2 marathon, but I changed my mind and ran the marathon instead and won that way. Or how about I made a wrong turn and did the marathon. OK OK, you are talking about Michael. The truth is I did run the 1/2 and coincidentally finished at the same time as the winning marathoner.

Well at least I finally tried one and experienced it. It wasnt a great time or effort, but I did it and I did finish. For me it was more for training and experience, I cant say I was ready for the race as I had hardly run much because of personal issues and injury, had only run a couple times more than 5 miles since last fall. Got up at 4am, didnt sleep well, was wondering if it was something I should try, but my son wanted to do it. Got ready, went and found parking at Gateway, waited in car for 30 minutes, took train, waited in the long potty lines (a marathon in itself), listened to the gospel choir and star spangled banner and then reace starts at 7:00

Ran OK for first 4 miles - about 9 minute miles, then slowed to 10:30 miles for middle stretch and very slow for last 1/3 miles at 12 minutes plus per mile. Physically I wasnt ready for race, as energy drained as race progressed, I wanted to quit but kept going. Where my legs connect to hips ached. Last 1/3 of race I could feel my right plantar (heel) starting to act up and I knew if I ran too hard, Id be back an injury city so I didnt push it. Also by then I was really tired and the goal was just to finish.

Cant say I had a good competitive attitude, it was disappointing to see how many that passed me compared to who I passed; but that really wasnt part of my plan - I just wanted to experience it and finish it. I stopped at 3 of the water stops, but only walked enough to drink the water (not very good at drinking on the run) and stopped a couple other times briefly to stretch my plantar. I ran with John Cahill, the 83. year old wonder for a couple miles but couldnt even stay with him. At one point they had music playing, the "YMCA" song so I moved my arms in fun with the music doing the Y-M-C-A letters. Its kind of a boring race except for the excitement of running with 6000 runners (4000 1/2 marathon runners and 2000 marathon runners) - I just dont care for city street running that much. Yes it was windy, but didnt seem that bad as others mentioned but maybe I was going to slow to be effected. It was warmer than I expected. It was abit surprizingly and comical finishing my 1/2 as the same time as the winner of the marathon - was nice with all the cheers at the finish (although somehow I dont think they were for me!). Was even more surprizingly and amusing to see me on TV finishing at same time as marathon winner. Then went through the line to the food, where I wanted to fall asleep. I pigged out in food craving nutrition for my tired body

My son did fantastic, 1:37, winning his age group and around 150th overall, very good for someone who just turned 11 years old, farthest he has ever run, and hasnt trained either except for his other sports. Both of us got finisher medals. He got a different medal for winning - actually same medal but in gold color. Kind of a cheap award, I was told in past winners got some kind of embroidered jacket. Then we rushed to his flag football game, where he showed he still had alot of energy running for 1 touchdown and passing for two. Meanwhile Dad (I) laid down on the grass and tried to survive. Im sore this next morning, left hip hurts some, right heel seems fairly OK which is a big relief. Well on too the next running, I made it....

Thought Id sleep better after a 1/2 marathon, muscles are sore if I dont get up in move. Am excited from doing the 1/2 marathon

Ran at Flat Iron Park while waiting for sons baseball game. Managed to get 4.3 miles in about 45 minutes which is 11 minute miles which is OK for m. The park has a nice view of the mountains as it kind of sits on a small hill. It does have a big drop from the top level to the lower level - I know Alexanders soccer team used to hate to run that for their soccer team warmup. Had pain but this time it wasnt my feet, my teeth from abunch of dental work in the morning. I still ran on the grass as much as possible to treat my feet nicer. I detected a little spring in my step and a little boost in my ego running today - I think that came from doing the 1/2 marathon. Kind of weird - for half marathon, part of me wanted to quit and never do it again, another part wants to do it again and strive to do better. Part of me hated it, theother part of me loved it. Alexander sure got alot of positive feedback for his effort and attitude with the Salt Lake Tribune article

Ran 4 miles at Falcon Park waiting for sons baseball game . About 45 minutes. Nothing exciting about this run

Only time to run 1 mile at sons football game at Dimple Dell rec center - cold and windy

Will run 4 miles at Flat Iron Park prior to sons baseball game

Busy schedule only short run

Just time for a slow neighborhood run - nothing exciting or interesting

Ran at Flat Iron Park waiting for sons baseball game. Tried to run a little faster. Was warmer though and that may have countered my effort. Watching the mountains I can see the snowline rising. Alexander pitched in his baseball game and got 2 doubles