Every Race is an Adventure!

THS track with Larry and Kent this morning. It was yet another beautiful morning. There seem to have been a lot this summer. I'm a little bummed about the days getting shorter, but there's still a lot of great running to be had between now and the St. George marathon in October.

I did 4 x 1 mile repeats again like last Monday, at about the same pace. One difference is that I ran the first two repeats consecutively, without a rest in between. My mile splits were 7:01, 6:49, 6:52, and 6:50. Overall I ran a total of 7 miles @ about 8:37/mi average, with a little walking mixed in.

I've been very cautious about stepping up my training this year, especially speed work. It seems this old body of mine is always on the edge of injury so I have to listen pretty carefully. To me going a little faster isn't worth the risk of not being able to run at all. So far so good...knock on wood. I tend to push my limits on race days, however. I'm looking forward to Saturday's adventure in the Provo 1/2 marathon.

I ran the 2000 N hill route with Larry and Wayne. The uphill is never easy, but overall this was an easy pace run as Wayne and I are tapering a little for the half marathon this Saturday. We plan to run the normal runs on Wednesday and Thursday, but not push hard, then rest on Friday.

Water tank hills with Wayne, Kent and Larry. Easy pace, tapering for Saturday's race.

Larry, Wayne and I ran the normal Cascade route this morning, but took it easy and cut off a mile as part of our taper for Saturday. I saw a little lightning and heard a little thunder as I got up this morning, but there was no rain.

Last night I finally started thinking seriously about goals for the 1/2 marathon on Saturday. I must be getting old because I was thinking I'd run it last year in 1:33 or so, but when I looked back I saw that I had run it in 1:29. I was almost shocked looking at my splits. All I remembered was the big hill on the highway and fading at the end and worrying about Josse passing me.

I'm not sure I have a 1:29 in me this year. I think I'll target 1:30 as my stretch goal, but I'll be satisfied with anything under 1:35. I must say, however, that there's a part of me that is urging me to "let 'er rip" and do a little limit exploration on Saturday morning. I haven't been doing a lot of speed training, but I've done a little, and my mileage has been pretty good, and I feel healthy.

I believe it was Tom that first called me a zen runner. I don't follow a strict training plan or race plan, but tend to consider the circumstances at hand (weather, buddies, schedule, etc.), listen to my body, and my spirit, and then try to run whatever feels right. I think this works for me because I have a tendency to overdo and push too hard. Neither my body nor my mind tell me to take it easy unless there is a good reason.

A great part of being a zen runner is never knowing quite what to expect. Every race is an adventure. There are so many factors that determine the outcome, and it's an adventure watching things unfold and watching how I respond and discovering what I'm capable of. Another great part of being a zen runner is not being too disappointed if my performance is less than what I hoped. The finishing time is only one measure of accomplishment. The experience itself is the adventure.

It will be interesting to see what unfolds Saturday morning.

I got up at 3:45am, picked up Lyle at 4:50am, caught a bus at Riverwoods at about 5:15am, then waited around for the start until a little after 7:00am. The weather was cool for August, and it was a little chilly waiting for the start, but it made for great temperatures during the run. The slight chance of rain didn't materialize, although the sprinklers along the trail near the end managed to get me pretty good as I was focused and working to pass a strong runner in front of me who looked to be close to my age. I managed to pass him and hold off his kick at the end.

I felt pretty good going into the race, but I didn't feel like my training was quite up to where it was last year. I was pleased to end up running the same time as last year, though the couse was different last year due to the fire. I think I ran the race better this year. I didn't push quite as hard during the early downhill miles and managed to hold a pretty even pace clear through the finish.

Miles 1-4: 6:46, 6:26, 6:43, 6:30

Down South Fork Canyon - Took it easy on the brief uphill sections and released the brakes a little on the steeper downhill sections.

Miles 5-6: 7:00, 6:48

Vivian to Bridal Veil - A little flatter.

Miles 7-8: 7:29, 7:19

Included the uphill loop from Bridal Veil and back.

Miles 9-13.1: 6:52, 6:54, 6:49, 6:55, 6:42, (5:13/mi for final kick)

Last year I ran the first mile in 6:07 and the last two miles in 7:28 and 7:21, and felt beaten at the end. This year I never bonked and held a strong, steady pace through the finish, including a strong kick. Not long after the race I felt ready for more. Maybe I'm in better shape than I think I am. That would be nice.

Last year my 1:29 time got 4th in my division. This year my 1:29 earned me 3rd place. The winner of my age division was exactly 1 minute ahead of me, certainly within striking distance. The only problem is that next year I'll be 50 and in a new age division.

I'm very pleased with today's race. I feel like I ran smart and pushed hard through the finish. I reached my stretch goal of matching last year's time even though I don't feel my training is quite where it was last year at this time.

The temperature was perfect. The day was beautiful. I wish more of my buddies could have shared it, but Terry, Tom, and Lyle all had great runs. All in all, I think it was a pretty good use of my time this morning.