Every Race is an Adventure!

I went to the THS track with Kent. My legs still didn't feel fully recovered from the marathon. I knew I wasn't ready for speed work, but thought I might try some 8:30-ish mile repeats. I did fine with the first one in 8:26. During the second I felt a twinge in my right leg. I felt a second, and then when I felt the third I slowed to a walk then only jogged slowly after that. I don't think I injured anything. I'll just be patient and listen to my body and take what it gives me.

I was thinking this morning I'd like to improve my marathon pace from 11:22 at UVM last week to 8:30 or faster by St. George in October. I think it's possible if I can avoid injury as I try to continue my recovery and steadily increase my fitness. It's unknown what this old body is capable of these days, but I'd like to find out.

Solo run to Cascade golf course. After feeling a few twinges in my right calf when I tried to go uptempo yesterday I decided to take it easy today. I was only going to go 4 miles, but I felt good enough halfway in that I decided to go a little farther and ended up with 5.2 miles @ 9:21/mi. I went out at about 9:45/mi and back at about 8:55/mi. My legs felt good.

Water tank hills. It was great to have Kent, Larry, Jolene, and Kevin out. It felt a little like the old days when we all got out regularly.

The hills are always hard, but it was a beautiful morning with good company. My legs felt a little sluggish but held out well. My time up the hills was 18:50, 43 seconds faster than the last time 3 weeks ago. It felt slower, but that was probably just because Kevin and Kent pulled away and finished well ahead of me.

I'm a little bummed that it's the summer solstice already, with the days beginning to get shorter, but there's a lot of summer ahead.

Kevin wanted to run the 2000 N hill this morning. In the past it's been one of our regular runs, but this was the first time this year. Of course, Kevin didn't show. It was just Larry and me.

We ran into Gary just past the Jr. High and he was also headed up the hill so we three ran together. It was enjoyable...as enjoyable as running up a long steep hill can be. Larry had to get back to drive Jolene to work (other car in the shop) so I thought he'd turn back part way up the hill. He toughed it out and ran all the way to the top. I headed north at the Jr. High on the way back down to complete the 6 mile route. I hope Larry made it back in time.

Today, with the big hill route, it was just a "get it done" run. I wasn't fast but felt pretty strong throughout.

6 miles @ 11:10/mi (last level mile at 9:30-ish)

Did I mention it was a beautiful morning? Well, it was. I saw Jeff McClellan and his daughter jogging along the sidewalk as I was cooling down. I commented, "There are few things as enjoyable as running on a beautiful morning." It's most definitely true.

What an adventure! I'm reminded of Nephi's statement (1 Nephi 4:6-7), "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth...".

Larry called yesterday to say Jolene got into the American Fork 5K at the last minute and he was going with her. Kevin was hiking Mt. Timpanogos with his family. Wayne and I decided on a 12+ mile run up Provo Canyon. Last night Wayne called to say a couple of things had come up and he wasn't going to be able to make it. I was left alone.

I didn't feel settled about running alone up Provo Canyon. Just before bed I looked up how far it was to the finish of Jolene's race at AF high school...7 to 7.5 miles. This morning I considered again whether to do the solo run up Provo Canyon, or head to AF and share some time with my friends and a bunch of other runners. Canyon...unsettled. AF & friends...peace. I decided on the AF run. I figured I'd run the 7.5 miles there, maybe run a little more while there, and then probably ride back with Larry and Jolene.

Even though I was planning on the shorter run, I felt some promptings to prepare for a longer run. I ate some bread, peanut butter & honey, a banana, and hydrated well. I put some leftover shot bloks in the pockets of my running shorts. I lubricated for a long run. I put on sun screen and SPF chapstick. I packed a water bottle filled with ice and water. I carried my cell phone. I didn't pre-plan any of these things, but felt prompted to prepare with each of these things.

It was already in the low to mid 60's at 6am, but there was a comfortable breeze. I quite enjoyed the run there, averaging about 9:13/mi. I got there just as the 5K was starting. I jogged around a bit looking for Larry with no luck. I eventually located myself at the intersection (about 1/4 mile from the finish) where both the 5K and half marathon runners merged. I enjoyed watching the leaders come in and cheering on the runners.

When I saw Jolene come by I ran with her and her niece Angie for about a block. She said that Larry had decided to go to Provo Canyon and meet up with Wayne and me. Oops. I quipped I was hoping to ride home with Larry. She said I could ride with them, but they were stopped at Kneader's for breakfast, then I split off as they headed towards the finish.

I pondered what to do and quickly decided to head for home on foot. I knew it would be hot, but I had my cell phone and could call for a ride at any time. I ate my shot bloks, took a good drink of water, and headed out.

I avoided State St. and headed east on what ended up being 1100 N in PG. I eventually bumped into a bunch of runners, walkers mostly, at the tail end of the Strawberry Days 5K. After getting past the race I headed due east again. I knew I had some uphill to do sometime before I got home and decided to do it sooner rather than later. My 10:00-ish pace slowed to 12:00-ish. As I got more tired, the sun got hotter. I sought out shade where I could find it, and tried to stay hydrated.

At about mile 14 my water bottle was empty and I was feeling really hot. I found a water fountain at a small park near a church. I drank a half a bottle then filled it again. The sprinklers were on so I walked through them before continuing my run. The temperature was probably in the low to mid 70's at that point. It was about 80 degrees when I finished 2.5 miles later.

I felt some chills during those last few miles so I started walking for stretches in the shade I could find and trying to stay hydrated. I had called Larry before I started back and left a voice mail. He called my when I was at about mile 15. We talked about him looking for Wayne and me up Provo Canyon, and then he offered to come pick me up. I figured I only had a mile or two to go so I declined.

When I finally reached home I was beat by the heat...and the unplanned 16.5 mile run. Besides being very hot and very tired, I actually felt pretty good. I caught my breath, recovered a little, chatted with Karen, then soaked in a very cold tub.

I'm grateful for this morning's experience, and for the promptings to be prepared for it. I enjoyed a beautiful morning, picked up a couple of discarded bottles along the highway, cheered friends and fellow runners, saw three different races, helped catch a big friendly Husky dog who wanted to play and didn't want to go home, survived the heat, and successfully finished a 16.5 mile run. I feel like it was a tender mercy from God. As I've learned more about seeking and hearkening to the Spirit of God, I've learned that we can truly receive guidance often, and about all kinds of things, including Saturday runs.

It was just a little sad to get home and realize that most of my family was still in bed. They don't know what they're missing. 

Overall: 16.5 @ 10:10/mi