Every Race is an Adventure!

Larry, Kent and I went to the THS track this morning. I tried to do some faster mile repeats while they did their 1/4 mile repeats, but my "fast" miles were pretty slow: 7:04, 7:13, 7:13. I was obviously still feeling some effects from Saturday's 20-miler.

Injury report:

1. The Achilles and PF trouble in my left foot that bothered me months ago seem to have faded into the background.

2. The chronic "feels like I'm recovering from a minor ankle sprain" pain in my left ankle comes and goes but hasn't really affected my running too much.

3. The chronic arthritis-like pain in my right hip comes and goes, but has been coming more than going lately. It seems to bother me less when I run at a faster pace, probably because my form is smoother and more efficient when running faster.

4. The chronic high hamstring pain in my right buttocks is minor and doesn't affect my running.

5. The pain I get in my right knee sometimes when walking up stairs still comes and goes. It doesn't affect my running at all.

6. The pain I occasionally get in my left "weather" knee hasn't bothered me much lately. It's usually related to pressure changes in weather patterns.

7. I haven't had too much trouble with blisters and chafing, but a little. Saturday's 20-miler left me with a few minor blisters.

My old crippled body is showing its years, but its hanging in there. I just need to keep a close eye on it, take care of it, and listen when it tells me to back off a little. While I would like to continue to get faster and stronger, I'm just grateful for all I am able to do. The human body is amazing, even mine.

Six hard "easy" miles with Larry, Wayne and Kevin on the 2000N route. I ran the miles at what is normally a very easy pace for me, but they sure didn't feel easy. I had some gastrointestinal difficulties. After stopping at the restroom at a park around mile 5 I felt quite a bit better and managed some 7:00-ish pace for half a mile or so as Kevin and I caught back up to Larry and Wayne.

I really enjoyed this morning's run. The weather was perfect, and my legs actually felt a little zippy this morning.

Larry, Wayne, Kent and I started by running the water tank hills as we normally do on Wednesday. I had decided I wanted to run the five hills in under 16:30 this morning so was mentally ready to start working when we reached the bottom of the first hill. I pushed at an effort level I hoped to be able to hold steady all the way to the top, and then I just held it all the way to the top. I felt pretty strong the whole way and finished in 15:54. Wayne and I added a little distance at the top and then joined Kent and Larry for the easy paced descent.

I pushed the last half mile again from 400 E down to Main Street on 1600 North. My legs felt fresh and I felt fast. As I passed Carol Clegg and another lady walking up the sidewalk I asked them if the mountain lion was still chasing me. I averaged 5:41/mi pace for the 1/2 mile. Wayne wasn't far behind at about 6:10/mi pace.

As we were cooling down Wayne suggested, joking I think, that we ought to go another four miles. I had time and I've been wanting to get in more mileage so I asked if he was serious. We ended up running another four miles on the Lindon loop at about 8:40/mi average pace. Larry grabbed his bicycle and came along with us.

It felt good to run strong this morning, especially after having tired legs the past couple of days. I feel sorry for the people that slept through this awesome part of the day when they could have been out running or walking or bike riding or in some other way enjoying the amazing bodies and beautiful world our Heavenly Father has given us. I feel very grateful this morning.

Normal Thursday run with the guys.

Wayne and I decided to go early and run 10 miles up Provo Canyon. We

took it somewhat easy going up into the strong headwind (9:00+ pace). I

didn't feel like we were pushing all that hard coming back down, still

conversational, and averaged around 7:30/mi. After stopping at the

fountain Wayne's belly was bothering him a bit so he told me to go

ahead and push hard to the end, so I did. It felt good and I felt fast.

I was surprised and pleased to see I averaged 5:54/mi for the last 0.56

miles. I wish I could always feel that good when I run.

Provo Canyon with Larry, Kevin and Kent. We went up slow (about 10:00/mi) in a strong headwind. Larry and Kent turned back at 5 miles and Kevin and I went on to Vivian. We ran a little faster on the way down, but I was beat. It felt a little like the last six miles of a marathon. This was the end of my first 50+ mile week in a long long time and it felt like it. Kevin drug me to a few faster miles at 7:38, 7:18, and 7:34 but I slowed about 8:30/mi for the last couple of miles. It was also getting pretty warm by end at about 70' or more I think.