Every Race is an Adventure!

Ran the normal Monday morning run with Kurt, Kent, and Larry. I ran most of the distance at an easy pace. I pushed the 0.75 miles before Lindon Park at 7:09/mi, and Larry and I ran the last mile home at 7:14/mi.

The weather was very nice and the run was very enjoyable. My right calf was a little stiff but felt pretty good. (I was playing with my family in the backyard pool Saturday afternoon. My legs were still pretty tired from that morning's 16 mile run and my right calf cramped up pretty hard and has been a little stiff and sore.)

I ran a couple of miles early then met up with Larry for the normal Tuesday morning run. Jolene ran with us part of the way. As I was walking the dog after the run I saw Kurt, who had overslept, heading out.

After a half mile warmup (8:37/mi) I averaged 7:08 for the next 1.5 miles.

It was very warm for so early in the morning. Nevertheless, Larry and I still had a relatively good run. Except for the uphill, we kept under 9:00/mi for most of the run and were closer to 8:00/mi for the last mile.

Ran the normal Wednesday morning hills with Larry. The skies were mostly overcast and the temperature was a little cooler than yesterday. It was a good run.

It was much warmer (near 90 degrees) when I ran (alone) the Lake View course at noon. After getting so sick last week on that run, I had to get back on the horse and try again. This week I decided to not push the pace as hard and to carry water. I averaged 8:15/mi for the 2.6 miles out and 8:06/mi back. It was a hard and very hot run, but I had no stomach problems whatsoever and recovered fairly quickly. I so much prefer running in the cool of the morning.

I was late leaving early so by the time I finished my 2 mile pre-run it was 5:49 instead of 5:45. There was nobody at the starting corner. I thought maybe Larry, Kevin and Kurt had already left so I headed for 200 West. I ended up running alone. When I wasn't there Larry went with Lee, and I guess the others didn't come out.

After a half mile warmup (8:40/mi) my legs still felt tired but I managed to average 7:12/mi for the next 1.5 miles, only slightly slower than the 7:08/mi on Tuesday.

After failing to meet up with the others, I averaged 7:55/mi for the next 1.6 miles, hoping to catch my phantom running buddies.

I then ran the first 0.5 mile hill at 11:02/mi, ran the 0.8 miles in between at 8:34/mi, then ran the 0.7 mile hill up 2000 N at 11:55/mi. My legs were so tired prior to, and especially after, the first hill that I was really dreading the second hill. I think I went ahead and ran it out of habit, and because I was too tired to change the planned run.

I averaged 7:04/mi the 1.2 miles back down 2000 N and down Main to the stop sign. I then surprised myself by pushing the last 0.15 miles at 6:27/mi.

This run showed me once again what the body is capable of when the mind doesn't give in when things get hard.

I ran the 18 mile Fort Utah run with Kurt, Kent, Larry, and Wayne. We started at 5:30am to try to beat the heat. It was about 70 degrees when we started. Most of the run was nice, but it was pretty hot near the end.

Wayne ran strong the whole run. The rest of us took turns running in the lead with him. In the end, Larry was the only one who could keep up with him. Larry had a great run and ran very strong at the end.

I averaged 8:45/mi overall for the 18 miles. I was pretty tired but managed to push my pace slightly the last couple of miles to 8:20/mi.