I ran what we call the Tri-City route solo this morning. It loops through Lindon, into Pleasant Grove, and back through Lindon to Orem. It's a 6 mile loop but I added an extra mile on the end. I ran an easy pace and averaged 8:49/mi., a little slower on the hilly miles, faster on the flatter miles. I felt like I held a pretty steady effort throughout and ran the last (flat) mile in 8:17. It's encouraging to see my pace for easy runs gradually getting faster. I think the improving weather has a lot to do with that. I have a couple of difficult decisions to make on my running calendar this year. I'm registered for the Spectrum 10K in St. George on March 15, but now I've found out that Karen can't make it and I'd have to make the trip alone. I started doing the St. George Runners Series when it started a couple of years ago to 1) get the guaranteed entry into the St. George marathon, and 2) so Karen and I could have some weekend getaways. If I don't do the Spectrum 10K I could still try to do the Run 4 Kids 10K on April 12, or the Hurricane 1/2 Marathon on May 3. They are both Runners Series qualifiers. Our wedding anniversary is on May 4, so that might be a good weekend for a
getaway to St. George and get in the Hurricane Half while we're there. Karen's making this difficult by saying that she is okay with whatever I decide, and this time I really think she means it. I don't think it's one of those husband tests (you husbands out there know what I mean...and I think so do you wives). Since I'm already registered for the Spectrum 10K, I may not decide until the day before the race whether I'm going. If I don't go, I'll plan on the Hurricane 1/2 on May 3.
I'm not really considering the Run 4 Kids 10K on April12 because I've kind of decided in the last day or two that I want to support the 1st Annual Utah Valley Marathon that is on that same day. I've been considering doing the Striders 1/2 on May 3, and maybe even the Ogden Marathon on May 17, but I think I'm going to pass on those and insert the Utah Valley Marathon into my running calendar instead. You don't get too many opportunities for a "1st Annual" marathon right in your own backyard. I won't be in any sort of fast marathon condition by then, but I think I'll be able to finish okay. |