Every Race is an Adventure!

Nobody else showed this morning so I ran to the track alone. I decided on a 4 mile tempo run. It wasn't all out; I decided to just try to keep each mile under 8:00. My mile splits were 7:56, 7:49, 7:51 and 7:30.

Larry, Wayne and Kent all showed up this morning. We ran the 2000 N hill route. Running up the big 2000 N hill I was content to stay near the back and converse. As the group of bikers that we often see on this run started to pass us, I felt the urge to race them (again) to the top of the hill. One biker had passed. As the second approached, I couldn't resist any longer and started to push up the hill. When I caught up to Wayne and Kent, Wayne decided to come with me. We were farther from the top than we at first thought, but we hung pretty strong to the end. I passed the lead biker, got passed back, then passed him again near the top. However, in the meantime, their best uphiller, who had been farther down the hill, caught us and easily beat all of us to the top of the hill.

The sprint up the hill was a fun diversion, but I felt its effects a little for the remainder of the run. We ran and talked and ran and talked. Good stuff.

As we made the turn for home at 200 W and 1600 N, with about 1/4 mile to go, Kent said it was gazelle time, referring to Larry's story of long-legged Grant sprinting that stretch once looking much like a gazelle. I took off with Wayne and Kent close behind. I couldn't tell how far back they were, but I could tell it wasn't far and I suspected long-legged Kent was going to make a final kick. He did, but I found a little more speed and managed to barely hold him off. What fun. I'm just glad I didn't pull anything.

Larry and I ran the water tank hills this morning. We talked all the way up the hills. On the way down I couldn't even remember running up. I put the last of my six new heel lifts in my trail shoes. Just like the other 5, they fit the shoes well and felt great. I'm feeling like the heel lifts may have been an inspired purchase. My hip is feeling better and I'm beginning to feel like a runner again.

Larry had to run short this morning. Kent's knee hurt so we went short with him. I continued the full Cascade route on my own. It seems hard to just run 9:00 pace lately. I pushed one mile at 8:18 but it shouldn't be as hard as it was. I hope it's just the cold.

Wayne, Kevin and I ran up Provo Canyon. We figured we might not have many opportunities left to do so before the snow falls. Wayne and I thought maybe we had overdressed, but with the wind it was cold the whole run.

Once again it felt harder than it should to average a 9:00/mi pace. I managed a couple of miles at sub-8:00 pace, but Wayne still pulled away from me on those miles.

I plan to just keep running 5 or 6 times a week as I continue to adjust to my new heel lifts and rebuild my fitness. I don't have a race until the St. George half marathon in January. Hopefully I'll be ready to race by then.