Rosswog Running Blog

I awoke to dark and rainy Sunday morning.  For a few minutes, I thought about sleeping in, but then I remembered that in a weird way, it is sort of fun to run in the rain.  As a result, I got out of the door just before 6:30 am and ran up to the Brickyard’s Smith-Kiln Chimney then over to Sugar House by way of 1300 East.  Once in Sugar House, I dropped off some material that needed returning at the Sprague Library before heading over to Liberty Park.  For a cool and wet Sunday morning, there were very few people in the park; however, there was a handful of walkers and joggers and a unit of Army Reserves doing calisthenics.  Consequently, the run around the parameter of the park was pretty quiet and peaceful as the sun started to provide some light as it rose above the Wasatch Mountain Range.  After completing a lap around the park, I head back home by way of 700 East then up to 900 East.   The total distance of this morning run was 13.3 miles at an easy pace.

For my non-running workout, it was another concise workout in that I completed just 200 sit-ups and 33 push-ups.

I set out all my running gear the night before in preparation for my sub-6:00-am run; however, I forgot to set my alarm.  Consequently, I slept in until 6:00 am and had to make a mad dash out the door just to get to work on time.  Needless to say, I did not get in my morning run.  Just a typical Monday morning!  Following work, however, I was able to run on treadmill for a total of 5.5 miles.  In regards to this distance, 4.2 miles were at marathon pace; whereas, 1.3 miles were at an easy pace.

In addition, after I go home, I finished up my running workout by jogging to Smith’s and back in order to pick up some groceries for a total distance of 1.1 miles.

Finally, for my non-running workout, I completed 200 sit-ups, 30 push-ups, 150 (50, 40, 30, 20, 16 lbs) curls, and 20 (50 lbs) reverse curls.

Unlike yesterday, I remembered to set my alarm in order to get out of the door on time for my sub-6:00-am workout.  Wearing my Vibram Five Fingers, I ran over to Big Cottonwood Park and completed three laps around the softball complex before heading back.  Today was the first morning that I noticed the frost covering the parked cars and the softball fields--it's getting cold outside.  Anyways, the total distance of this run was 2.1 miles at an easy pace.

After work, I hit the treadmill for 2.5 miles on the treadmill mostly at marathon pace (i.e., 2.4 miles).  When I got home, I went out for another run around the neighborhood.  This one was a 1.5 mile run at an easy pace.

In regards to my non-running workout, I completed 200 sit-ups, 30 push-ups, 150 (50, 40, 30, 20, 16 lbs) curls, and 20 (50 lbs) reverse curls.

This morning, the slight head cold that has been bothering me over the past few weeks, was a little worse.  Consequently, I'm going to do my entire running workout at an easy pace today with the aim of getting a good night of sleep tonight.  My sub-6:00-am workout consisted of running over to Big Cottonwood Park in my Vibram Five Fingers and completing one-and-a-half laps around the softball complex before heading back.  The total distance of this wakeup run was 1.6 miles at an easy pace.

This morning, my persistent head cold went a little bit to my lungs; therefore, I’m suspending my sub-6:00-am runs until next week. This should not only help me avoid the cool morning air, but also give me the opportunity to get some much needed sleep.

Following work, I began to feel much better. Consequently, I hit the treadmill and knocked out an even 3.0 miles at marathon pace and 2.5 miles at an easy pace. I felt a little weak afterward, but not bad. In addition, on my way home from work, I completed a 1.7-mile evening jog around the neighborhood.

Finally, for my non-running workout, I completed 200 sit-ups, 30 push-ups, 30 (50, 40 lbs) curls, and 20 (50 lbs) reverse curls.

Thank goodness it’s Friday! I ready for my three-day weekend and the opportunity to catch up on my sleep. For my daily running workout, while waiting to catch my morning bus to work, I jogged 1.3 miles that mainly consisted of circling around the two-block course from 200 West to West Temple and from 400 to 600 South (i.e., around the Little America and the adjacent parking lot to the north). Following work, I hit the treadmill and completed 4.9 miles at marathon pace along with a 0.2-mile cool down at any easy pace.

My non-running workout was short and sweet today in that I accomplished 250 sit-ups and 30 push-ups.

This morning was the day of the Baltimore Marathon and after having competed in it the past three years, this was the first time I missed out on it in four years. With that said, I’m looking forward to running the Philadelphia Marathon on the 22nd of November. It will be a good change, but I’m hoping it is not too cold.

For my Saturday run, after it warmed up a little bit outside, I went out for a mid-morning hill workout. I did my typical run up to the Mt Olympus trailhead, but added some extra mileage on to it by running down to 900 East before starting my ascent. At an easy pace, the total distance of this run was 13.3 miles. Also, even though it looked sunny outside, there was absolutely a chilly breeze along the base of Mt. Olympus. However, the orange, yellow, and brown autumn colors made for a picturesque run.

In the late afternoon, I got in 3.3 miles of downhill training (albeit at a slow and controlled pace) up at the University of Utah by running from Huntsman Center Trax Station down to the Marriott Library. Then after I spent a few hours studying for the CFA, I ran down from the library to 900 East to catch the bus home. One of the things that I truly love about running is meeting neat people (runners and non-runners) that I would not normally meet. Case in point, when I arrived at the 900 East bus stop, a gentleman shouted out “two down and twenty-four more to go!” He was amazingly accurate in regards to the distance that I had finished running; that it, it’s about 2.2 miles from the Marriott Library to the 900-East bus stop. While waiting for my bus (i.e., having beat it by a good five minutes), I discovered that this gentleman is an heroic Vietnam Vet and he shared with me a truly amazing story about how he ran away after being captured from the enemy through the jungle. I also learned that a “click” (a military term) is approximately 1.2 miles. This gentleman/hero informed he that he wished he could still run like he once could and for me it was really an honor to just meet up with someone that gave such brave and selfless service to our country.

Lastly, my daily non-running was concise in that it consisted of just 200 sit-ups and 30 push-ups.