Speed only kills if you don't have it!

I didn't get to bed until 3:00am so I slept until 10:00am today.  I am not a drinker but I still ended up with somewhat of a hangover, just from playing hard and getting to bed so late.  I went running about 11:00am on the canal road.  The snow seemed deeper that yester and there was a lot more ice.  About halfway through my run I needed to use the potty and couldn't find anywhere to go, and I didn't had any paper, oops!  I didn't feel like running a half mile down the mountain and knocking on someone's door, so I kept plugging along and luckily found a construction outhouse before things turned bad.  The run was slow but still a good workout.  7:58 ave. for the run.   I think this is the first time I have ever run on New Years day before, so I started out right, even with the emergency stop.

(Hardrock- 277 miles)

Mid-morning run on the snowy canal road.  I ran out to Sardine canyon and back, then decided to add on a couple more miles since I had the time.  I've had to start wearing sunglasses when I go running in the daylight because of the brightness of the snow.  I felt okay today, achilless was sore but nothing too bad.  I was glad to be done today.  I had a hard time talking myself out the door in the first place, but I got it done.  7:39 ave. per mile

(Kahana- 27 miles) 

My goals for the 2008 are simple:

*PR in all distances from 5k to marathon. 

*Sub 33:00 in a 10k

*Sub 1:11:00 in a half marathon

*Sub 2:30:00 in a marathon

*Get over my achilles tendonitis and stay injury free.

*Be even more consistent than last year with workouts and average two per week.

*2,500-3,000 miles

*Run at least 5 new races

*Cross train 3 days a week on top of my running

*Enjoy myself even more than last year.

Cold morning run. I ran out to the shotgun pits and back.  There was a lot of snow and ice.  I was in slow motion today and had a hard time ever getting into rhythm or feeling good.  The only real highlight of my run today was chasing about 5 deer down the road for a half mile. 58:20 (7:47 ave.)

I absolutely hate January and February, they are cold, dark, and uneventful months for me.  I try to find stuff to do and look forward to so they will pass by faster.  I am usually playing a lot of basketball and am either involved in intramurals, city league, or church ball.  This year because of where I live and my tendonitis that is a no go.  I hope that running Painter's and doing some other activities will be as good or better for me.  The good part about this January and February is I haven't let myself get completely out of shape like I usually do, so it isn't as hard to get out the door and run as in the past.

(Hardrock- 285 miles)

No run.   Got home from Logan and it was dark and the wind was crazy, probably 60mph stuff!  To make to short, the conditions were un-safe for running.  So I did 30 minutes on the stationary bike instead and watched "We are Marshall". 

I got up earlier than I normally on a Saturday to go running, it is amazing what you will do to run with someone else. I remember meeting Jon at 4:00am to run a 14 miler one time, before he flew out to Florida for a month, just so I could run with someone. This was back when Paul, Dave Nelson, and Ben were all injured and I was the only one in Logan running. This wasn't close to that extreme, but it was a little early for me this time of year.

The wind had let up but it had snowed and rained all night so there was about 2-3 inches of slush. I met Michelle Lowry at Maddox parking lot. She had dropped her kids off with her in-laws while She and her husband go to Hawaii, so she was in town. She was good company for a cruddy run. We did a loop around the east side of Brigham. It was quite adventurous with the nasty conditions, but we managed not to fall or get hit by a snow plow. I was soaking wet from head to toe after the first mile, so I didn't even care where I stepped after that. Michelle was a little more careful at first, but after we stepped in a couple of water holes around the golf course she started to do a little trail blazing too. We had to dodge the snow plows, and the piles they left along the side of the road, for the entire run. Although, it didn't really matter where we ran because it was all just one big sewer. I felt like I was running with Logan at times because we were running down the middle of the road and cars were honking and giving us the finger, it was great! The golf course was particularly fun running on because it was more like cross country skiing than running, it so so slick. However, the most eventful part of my run was trying to hold my 25lb. pair of track pants up from falling down around my ankles!

Michelle was fun to talk to and get to know better, and it was great to have somebody to run with in those conditions. She is a good runner, and I got a kick out of her telling me stories about her "manic personality", and some of her super competitive running buddies. I don't know if she had fun or not, but I did. I made her walk and cool down with me after our run, something she wasn't used to doing. So I lectured her on the importance of cooling down after exercise. She thought I was weird, but at least she didn't pepper spray me like she has threatened in the past! According to my Garmin we ran exactly 12 miles, but her's said 11.89 or something. This is the whole point of rounding mileage. When I run with Logan his Garmin usually reads longer than mine. She said that her Garmin read exactly what Sasha's did the other day, so I don't know? All I know is that we ran 12 miles with or with out the help of the satellite gods.

I was sopping wet when I got home so I got right out of my clothes and sat in a hot shower for 20 minutes. It will be a week before my shoes dry out. 1:35:25 (7:57 average)

(Kahana- 39 miles)

I had a sore hamstring on Saturday and had my wife work out some of the knots, as a result it has been super sore. I don't think it is injured just bruised. I took it super easy on my run in the snow. I could feel the hammy going up the hills, but it seemed to get better as I went. No watch.

(Hardrock- 289 miles)

I got home from my run and I got a phone call from Oquirrh Hills Middle School in Riverton and they offered me a job. I start on January 22. I guess we will be looking for a place to live in South Salt Lake Valley or Northern Utah County for now. If anyone knows of any good places let me know.

No run. I was bummed because it snow and snowed all day. I spent all afternoon pushing, pulling, and digging the neighbor's vehicles out of the snow. People kept driving up to the house for piano lessons, against our advice, and each one got stuck.  It doesn't matter if you have 4 wheel drive when there is 23 inches of new snow on top of some old snow and ice. Sore back after 5 hours of that stuff!

I ran into Brigham City to the Cemetery, via Hwy 89, and back the same way. We had a ton of snow yesterday up this way and I figured the Highway might be the only thing cleared, and I was right. The way back was a lot faster, because I finally got going, it is actually uphill running home. I felt good and it was nice to average 7 minute miles on a run instead of 8-9 minute miles like I have been doing lately. Hamstring felt fine. My achilles is slowly getting better, the hot / cold therapy is effective, and the Strassburg Sock that Steve sent me seems to be helping too. 1:09:55 for the run.

(Kahana- 49 miles)

I did a run into Brigham City and up to the mouth of Sardine and back. I wanted to see if I could make the distance of a half marathon comfortably. It was warmer today, in the upper 20s when I left. I felt okay, but was glad to get done. I was going to run with Logan but ended up tending my little boy who is kind of sick right now, so I had a small window of time that I could run.
No watch! 

I am wavering with my decision to run Painter's next weekend. I have so much going on with the new job and finding a place to live. Plus, I am just not even close to race form, let alone half marathon form! I guess I will just have to see how this week goes and decide what to do when the time comes.

(Omni- 284 miles)

AM- I went out for an easy 7 mile run on a snowy canal road. I hoped with all the snowmobile tracks that I would have some decent conditions, I was wrong. The road was a mess, a running nightmare, with footing to break a leg. I was very careful but still got pretty beat around because of the rough hard snow and deep trenches. My achilles was hammered after the run. I either aggravated it or stretched it really good, so it could have been bad or good. I will definitely find a little pavement for the next couple of days. No watch.

(Hardrock- 296 miles)

PM- I had to go into Brigham City to do some errands so I ran while I was there. I did an out and back on the SE side of the city. I like that area because there are some good rollers, hardly any traffic, and zero loose dogs. I went about 5:00 pm when the sun was down so it got pretty cold quick. I felt like I was dragging the whole way but I was actually moving okay. I did the 6 miles at a 6:45 average, much better than the 9 minute miles of late. 40:30 for the run

(Adrenaline-492 miles)

I went out after school for a late afternoon run. I was subbing out at Bear River where I student taught and didn't get home until later. I ran down to Willard Bay and ran around the north park and home. It was a bitter cold north wind out there and the roads were very icy. I finished right at dark. Okay run, but nothing great. 49:35

(Kahana- 56 miles)

No run. I thought it would be best since my achilles has been acting up again lately.

I ran into the Brigham City cemetery and back. It was so cold that the run wasn't ever enjoyable. It was -2 degrees when I left, and only 5 degrees when I got home. 1:09:02

(Kahana- 66 miles)

I am not at all ready to race and I know whatever pace I run at Painters is going to hurt, but I am going anyways. I will treat it as a training run and take it easy the best I can. I will probably run in warm ups, and maybe even training shoes to make sure it feels a little more like a training run. I still plan on sub 1:20. I am looking forward to seeing some of you down there, and maybe running with you.

It was as cold in St. George as anywhere else. I warmed up with Logan for a mile before the race and was trying to figure out if I was going to wear track pants or shorts. At the start I stripped off the shorts and kept on my two warm up shirts. I had know idea how I would feel but I knew I wouldn't push it. I was planning on a good tempo with no pressure to race. I stuck to my plan very well.

I took off with Jose Martinez for the first couple of miles. The pace was around 6 minute pace and felt quite comfortable. We were joined by three others for a couple of miles and clicking along at 6 minute pace or just under. At about 4.5-5 miles we were directed to go the wrong direction by some spectators. About a block up the road a volunteer told us we had gone the wrong way and that we had to go back. Jose and I went back and the other three kept going. We went back around the park and added on extra just to be safe. I didn't care since I wasn't "racing". Before the mess up my Garmin was reading the mileage as about .2 short of the markers and after we went back it was treading almost .2 more than the markers. Around mile 6 I lost Jose and was on my own for the rest of the race. I really didn't see another runner until mile 10 on my way back. At times I wasn't sure if I was on course or not, because I had done zero research on the course since I didn't plan on killing myself. It felt like a fast training run out in an area I didn't know, kind of relaxing though. I kept my pace under 6 minute pace the whole way, which was great with my 9 minute mile training I have been doing. I finished the race in a time of 1:17:57 and a 5:51 for the average pace for the 13.27 miles, or whatever was on the Garmin. Most people actually ran short (12.9 something)and would need to add on a minute, but I ran too far back and back tracked an extra quarter mile, and could take off about one minute. My time would have probably been about 1:17:00. The three guys in front of me probably ran about 12.7 miles! I felt good and felt like I could have went at least a couple of minutes faster, so I must not have lost as much fitness as I thought I had. I was glad I went down, and also glad to see that I can still hang sub 6 minute pace. Last year I started running about this time and never hit that kind of shape until April or May.

I cooled down for a mile by myself and and about two miles with Logan, Ted, Michelle, and Hal Amos.

All of the team did very well, and so did the rest of the bloggers, we were pretty much dominant. The course was good with a lot of easy rollers, and could be a very fast course. I thought they could have had it marked better in several areas though. Steve and the store did a great job with their portion of the race, and the awards. It was fun to have everyone there and to hangout afterwards.

  (Tangent-207 miles)  (Omni- 288 miles)

I went out this morning in a whiteout. I should have worn goggles because I could hardly see with the snow beating me in the face. I ran along Hwy 89 out to Maddox and back. It was better coming back. The snow was really coming down and sticking, and it was cold on top of that. I was glad to only have to run an easy five. I feel fine after Saturday, no soreness.  37:00

(Kahana- 71 miles)

I went to Logan and had a hour massage this afternoon. I feel great now!

I am staying at my twin sister's place in American Fork until Saturday when I can move my family into our house.  My first day of school wasn't too bad but enough to make me tired.  I went from my sister's house and did a loop around the hospital, up to the Temple, down to my house, and back.  It was freezing cold with a lot of ice on the roads.  I picked some wrong streets to run on and ended up fighting traffic most of the run.  I called it good after 5.5 miles because I was tired and chilled.  39:00

  (Omni- 293 miles)

Very cold day again.  I am getting a little tired of this super cold stuff, it really kills my motivation to do much when I am always frozen.

I did a loop from my sister's house again after school.  This time I ran down passed the Rec Center and the cemetery.  I found a road that was like an old highway with hardly any traffic around 100 west and followed it all the way into Highland to the Highland  highway.  I ran east from there toward AF canyon and turned on the Alpine highway.  I follow that back into AF, and back to Becki's house.  It was a good loop and had some good hills in it.  The traffic was minimal except when I hit the two highways, but they each have two bike lanes so I had plenty of good space to run.  The run seemed like it took forever, probably because it was so darn cold!  I ran a good pace and felt good, especially toward the end, but it seemed like it was 20 miles instead of 10 miles.  I am glad to be done on another super cold night, and am finally warm after a long shower and a couple cups of hot chocolate.  1:09:03

(Kahana- 81 miles)

I had a hard time talking myself into a run again today.  I got home from school and it was snowing pretty hard and laying down on the roads.  I bundled up and went out anyways.  I need to find a running goggle for days like today when the snow is stinging, and you can't see because of it.

I did a loop up into PG and and north over by Cedar Hills.  I came down by the Temple and ended up down by my house, then had to make my way back to Becki's house.  I felt kind of blah and so none of my miles were too fast.  I was glad to be done again.   1:01:33

 (Omni- 301 miles)

I went out for a super easy run after school.  It was a lot warmer today so it made for a nicer run.  31:00

(Kahana- 85 miles)

I am running the SLC track club series and the first race is tomorrow.  It will be a training series more than a racing series for me.  Tomorrow I have to move all of my stuff, so I will run the race and take right off right after.  I am not worried about getting awards because of how I plan to run, and the fact that I have at least 4 other teamates (Sasha, Steve, Ted, and Adam) that can kick my butt right now.

Crazy day for me! I had to go out to Saltair, run the race, cool down, and leave. Then I had to drive to Logan, pick up a moving truck, and move my stuff until 1:00am. In between all of that the 26 foot truck I rented slid off the road and down an embankment. We were stuck for over three hours. It was a miracle that we got the truck out without it tipping over. I have never been so stressed out in my life! That is an whole other story.

The race wasn't too bad, although I wasn't into it at all because of everything going on that day. I warmed up on the course before and ran with Adam for part of that. My plan was to run a tempo run and not be too tired for my big move later on. I stuck to my plan and ran how I wanted to. That course was flat and easy, and the only thing to watch out for was some snow and ice on the way back. It was an out and back course, and the side of the road that we ran out on was mostly clear, but the side coming back was not. The rest of the team was way ahead of me and did quite well. Steve Ashbaker and I went on a cool down and ran into Sasha, Ted, and Adam, so we all cooled down together. After the cool down I grabbed a drink and some bread and took off. The race was the only part of my day that wasn't stressful. I think my time was 17:45 and I have no clue what place I was.  There was a good field of runners there today.

(Omni- 303 miles) (Tangent-212 miles)

I left to go running as soon as it started snowing. I ran North along 200 East until the road turns into the Alpine highway, then I followed it into Alpine. I ran from there up to Loan Peak highway, passed the Temple and Hospital and looped back home. The wind switched to the south about half way through the run so I was running into the snow the whole way.  The roads were very slick and I ran faster than I probably should have, I just wanted to get out of the weather so I hurried a bit. 1:10:15

 (Adrenaline-502 miles)

AM-  I got up at 5:00am to run today. It had snowed about three inches and the roads were icy. I found better traction in the snow then on the packed roads. It was really slow going. I ran into Alpine and back. 56:22

(Kahana- 92 miles)

PM-  It was snowing on me again this afternoon and the roads were even more slick.  I ran over to Loan Peak High School and back.  7:30 pace for 9 miles.

(Adrenaline-511 miles)

AM- Another early morning run at 5:00am. It was very cold so I bundled up well. This time I ran into PG and back. Slick, cold and snow are really wearing on me. 54:30

PM-  Sore and tired from my other runs, moving, school, and snow shoveling. I had a hard time running faster than 8:00 miles until the end. I finally pushed the last mile hard because the run was dragging on so bad. I got snowed on again too. 35:48

(Omni- 315 miles)