Every Race is an Adventure!

I went to the track with Kent and Larry. We also saw Kris there.

I opted for 3 x 1 mile intervals plus one 1/2 mile and one 1/4 mile, with recovery time mixed in. As I recall (no watch with me), my mile splits were 7:13, 7:30, and 7:39. The 1/2 and 1/4 were at a little faster pace that that, but not much.

After my less than stellar performance at Hobble Creek on Saturday, it has convinced me even more that it's time to step up my training. I think perhaps the greatest need for me right now is 3-5 mile up-tempo runs, with some warm up and cool down. I would love to do them at around 7:00/mi pace, but to start with I need to start doing at least one a week at around 8:00/mi pace or faster. Our current Tue, Wed, and Thu runs have more uphill than I would like for a tempo run. Maybe I'll consider switching Thursday back to the flatter run to the golf course. I need to add some midday runs. Maybe that's when I could to the tempo run. I'll have to ponder some more.

I ran the 2000 N hill route with Wayne and Kent. We met Larry near the end.

I felt better this morning than I have for a long time. I surged ahead up the 2000 N hill, then again on the gradual hill to the intersection as we headed north, and then again on the downhill after that (about 6:20 pace). My right calf was feeling a little tight after that so I didn't push hard again the last couple of miles.

After going from 9:12 pace to 7:33 pace at the end of the race on Saturday, I've decided that maybe I've lost some of my mental toughness. Why was I running 9:12 pace when I was capable of running a much faster pace? Those thoughts were going through my mind when I decided to surge this morning, and I actually felt better when I was pushing the pace. I noticed that neither my hip, nor my knee, nor my heel bothered me this morning. Maybe I'm finally turning the corner. My weight was even down to the lowest it has been in a quite a while this morning. I'm choosing to see the glass as half full this morning.

Kent and I ran the water tank hills. I pushed up the hills in 16:25 then ran the last fast 1/2 mile at 6:36/mi. The whole run was a little more uptempo than usual. I felt good.

It's kind of funny. It's like something clicked or snapped in my mediocre half marathon performance last Saturday. When the old guy (my age) tried to pass me with two miles to go I realized I was being mentally weak and decided I wasn't going to let him pass me. When I was able to go from 9:12 pace at mile 11 down to 7:33 for the last mile I knew I needed to step up my mental toughness. I've stepped up my game these last three days and pushed harder. They've been the best training runs I've had for quite some time. I've felt stronger and faster, and more like the runner that I used to be. Even my lingering pains seemed to have backed off. I hope this is indicative of a turnaround and better things to come.

Thursday 2000 N route, faster than normal.

Easy run up Provo Canyon. I wish I could have gone longer. I had an appointment at 9:30am to put down our old family dog Skittles, followed by her burial in Nephi at my parents' property. It was very helpful to talk with my buddies, especially Larry.

The day was difficult, but it ended up being a good family day. We all felt it was her time to go and felt comfort knowing she was now free from pain. I'll miss her eagerness, joy, and unconditional love for me.