Every Race is an Adventure!

Another beautiful morning! Lindon loop (6 miles) with Larry and Wayne. I pushed mile 4 in 7:04 but the remaining miles were at an easy pace.

Larry, Wayne, Kevin and I ran the 2000 N route this morning. Kevin was pushing the hill pretty hard and got ahead of us. I decided to try to catch him. I did, but it wasn't easy. It looks like he's still got his uphill running legs. I ran the rest of the run at an easy pace. Wayne and Kevin pushed ahead a couple of times and then waited for Larry and me.

Larry, Wayne and I ran the water tank hills this morning. It was another beautiful morning. The mountains seem unusually green this spring. I usually like to pushed hills and then push again the last mile home, but not today. I was content with an easy pace and conversation.

My left foot has been feeling a little weak this week, with some twinges of pain a couple of times on Monday. It hasn't bothered me while running, but I've decided to not press my luck this week and just keep the pace easy.

Larry, Wayne, and Kevin and I ran the route towards Provo Canyon. I kept wanting to run faster, but my left foot has been sending warning signals so I've been taking it easy. On the way back Wayne and I doubled back to wait for Kevin (who had stopped at a bathroom) and then we all pushed until we caught Larry at 800 E.

After we crossed 800 E on 1200 N (going west) Wayne started pulling ahead. I asked Kevin and Larry if either of them wanted to chase Wayne, but they left it to me. I pushed up to sub-7:00 pace and was closing the gap when Wayne stopped at 400 E and started walking back towards me. It turns out he was only planning to push to that point then rejoin us. I motioned for him to keep going and caught him as he got back up to speed. We then pushed the last mile or so home. My foot actually felt better running faster. I guess that makes sense...more efficient stride, less pounding...and gets the run done faster so less time on feet.

I got up early with the intent to run but I thought about some important things I needed to get done and felt impressed to do them instead and rest my foot for Saturday's run.

Larry, Wayne, Kevin and I ran the Provo Canyon to Vivian route, joined by Kerry and Nathan. We left around 5:30am. When Larry, Kevin and I arrived Wayne, Kerry, and Nathan were already there. As they got out of their cars Nathan's first words were, "You guys are crazy!", referring to the time of day. I tried to assure him he wouldn't regret it.

We all ran pretty much together at an easy pace the first 3 or 4 miles, then Kerry, Nathan and I pulled ahead a little. Mile splits going up were: 9:37, 9:34, 9:24, 9:35, 9:02, 8:44

After a bathroom stop, we started with Larry and Kevin on the way back. Wayne had turned back after 5 miles. He's tapering for the Teton Dam marathon next week and also had somewhere to be this morning. Nathan and Kerry start to pull ahead and Larry and Kevin told me to go ahead and run with them. I get to run with Larry and Kevin all the time.

Nathan, Kerry and I gradually increased to around a 7:25/mi pace. I told them about my recent pattern of pushing the two miles from Nunns to Timpanogos (and the fountain). As we rose out of Nunns the pace quickly quickened. I was thinking of pushing to about a 7:00/mi pace, but Nathan and I were soon running at a 6:30/mi pace. When we realized it he offered to back off a little but I said I'd like to hold it as long as I could. We finished the first mile in 6:36. Nathan was still cruising but I was slowing so I cut him loose. He ended up running the second mile in 6:15; I was please with my 6:52.

Mile splits coming back were: 8:42, 8:03, 7:28, 6:36, 6:52, 7:28

We ran back to meet Kerry who wasn't far behind. Nathan went on to meet Larry and Kevin while I ran in with Kerry. After chatting with him a bit, I headed back up the trail again. It wasn't long before I saw Larry, Kevin and Nathan coming. Colby Wight was a little ahead of them and stopped to talk to me about the UVM he's running next week (I ran it last year). I ended up running in with him just a little ahead of the other guys. Nathan head on down towards Wil's Pit Stop for some miles. He's sure running well...and I think he now better appreciates 5:30am runs. It was beautifully awesome this morning. I can't think of a better way to start the day...early morning, great weather, nature's beauty, good buddies, and an exhilirating run.