Summit junkie!

I had to get out and run off all of the Mexican food I ate today. I had a nice run and my legs felt much better. My ITB did get a touch sore on the last mile, but no pain at all.

I am planning on climbing Kings peak this Friday, but I have been watching the forecast and it does look unsettled, so I may have to cancel again for the 3rd week in a row. I may just go for it and take my chances because the weather is really going to change in a few weeks. My partner is not sure about going, so I may go solo. Anyone want to give it a try with me?? Jun??

I'm staying off of my legs to keep them fresh for Kings Peak on Friday. I did go to the gym and lift (upper body/core) for 40 minutes. I'm still planning on leaving for Kings early in the AM tomorrow. Hopefully the wether will cooperate and I will be able to climb South Kings (second highest in Utah) as well.

What a day! It didn't start out the way I wanted, but I had a great time anyway. I took my kids to the Utah football game on Thursday night and by time I got home and got my stuff together I was in bed at 11:50 with the alarm set for 1:25 AM. It took me about 10 minutes to fall asleep and then I had a wrong number call me at 1:15 AM, so I got a little over a hour of sleep.

It took me 3 hours to drive to the trailhead to meet my friend and we were off hiking just at 5:00 AM. We made great time and were at Gunsight Pass in just over 3 hours. My left ITB was hurting a little bit already, so I took some Ibuprofen and we had our first break at the pass.

We good time over to Anderson Pass as well and my ITB pain subsided some. At the pass we took a short break and then headed up to Kings Peak, the highest point in the state of Utah. There were some threatening clouds building, but nothing serious yet.

After about 15 minutes I hit the wall and the lack of sleep + the altitude nearly brought me to my knees. I was totally exhausted and felt terrible. I slowed down considerably and about 5 minutes from the top I sat down to get my heart rate down and I fell asleep within a minute. I heard someone coming down from the top and that woke me back up and I had a little burst of energy that got me up there. This was my 6th time on the summit and it felt great. I laid on the summit rock and actually fell asleep again for about 20 minutes, and was awakened by some thunder far off in the distance.

I attempted a 'peak jump', and that was a mistake that made my ITB start hurting really bad. We tried to go fast back down to Anderson Pass, but I was lacking energy and my ITB was killing me, so it was slow. I felt a little better going back to Gunsight, but my ITB was still sore. More ibuprofen at the pass and then the long slog out was really really hard. My knee hurt and the lack of sleep was really felt.

The last few miles I was in a trance like state and kind of fell asleep while I was hiking, only to be startled back awake when I would pass someone hiking in.

The ice cold drinks in the cooler were fantastic and I downed a Red-Bull to help keep me awake. It was an amazing day! I'll be back.

I went up American Fork canyon with my family and had a great day getting out of the heat. Did some fly fishing, fire tending and even a little rock climbing, although the rock up AF canyon is horrible.

I did make it to the gym and did 40 minutes of lifting (upper body and core). I am trying to stay off of my feet as much as possible to rest my ITB. I'm still not quite sure what to do to get ready for the marathon this Sat. I want to get in some cardio without working my knee too much. Any suggestions would be great (if anyone is even reading this :-) )

I have been tapering off my activity this week in preparation for the race on Saturday, so I did 3 easy miles tonight. I stretched my ITB for about 10 minutes before and then iced it afterward and it didn’t hurt at all. I will be stretching and icing it for the rest of the week, and hopefully it won’t give me any issues on Saturday. That is the only thing I am really nervous about. I know I will probably be slow, but I am totally fine with that, as long as I finish.

3 easy miles and then ice on the knee. I'm not sure if I will run tomorrow, but I think I will take Friday off. I'm really nervous about Saturday.

I decided to stay off of my legs tonight, so I went to the gym and lifted for 40 minutes. Now I'll ice my knee and get to bed early.

26.2 finished. I guess I need some new goals now. :-) I have always wanted to run a marathon, but never really gave it much serious thought until I joined this blog 4 months ago. When I joined the blog my goals were to run a 1/2 marathon, and eventually one day do a full as well. I never would have imagined that 4 months later I would have completed both of these goals. I know that my training has not been the best, and with my recent ITB pain I was just hoping to finish. It was an amazing experience.

Now for the race report.

The start of the race is the exact same as the Provo River half, and it runs the same course out of the canyon. We boarded the bus at Utah Lake State park and then drove up the canyon. It was really cold up there, and I was glad that they started the race right away, although I was next in line at the port-o-pottie when they announced one minute to start. I quickly used the bathroom, and threw my clothes into a sack to load into the back of a truck. The quick start was nice because I didn't have time to get nervous.

I was running with my friends Michael and Amy and we all quickly made our way over to the starting line, and within 30 seconds the race started. We started off with a pretty good pace, but we were not going as fast as I did on the half. There wasn't as much adrenaline this time. I'm not sure if it was because there was not as many people or what, but I was dragging just a bit, and it was COLD. After about 2 miles I was warmed up, but my knee was already starting to hurt some because of the steep downhill. I was wearing a brace above my knee and it did feel a little weird, but it didn't seem to be helping with the ITB pain. Amy has been having issues with her foot for a few weeks and she was obviously in pain as well.

By mile 4 my knee was really hurting and we stopped at Nunns Park to use the bathroom. I was trying to adjust the brace, but it never did seem to get comfortable. From here the trail runs down the Provo River trail and goes right under Bridal Vail Falls. Amy's foot was really hurting and at mile 7 she had to call it quits for the day. I felt really bad for her. Michael and I continued on and he pulled ahead. This was by far the worst part of the race for me. From mile 7-13 my ITB was hurting like crazy and I stopped several times to try and adjust the brace, but nothing seemed to help. Several runners passed me and it was seriously demoralizing, and the doubt really started to creep in. I figured that I would just go as far as I could and see what happened. I tried not to think about quitting and just told myself to get to mile 13 and from there I could fight through anything. It was hard, maybe the hardest thing I have ever had to push through.

I finally found an adjustment on the brace that felt ok, and even though it was still really hurting, I could run. I didn't adjust it again the rest of the way. I think that was around mile 10. Once I got out of the canyon we hit the 13.1 sign and after about 10 minutes I noticed that my knee pain was not as severe. The downhill had just been punishing me. I actually got a little spring in my step, and even though my ITB was still hurting, it was nothing compared to the canyon experience.

Over the next 5 miles I was running almost always alone. I did pick off a few runners here and there, but mostly I just tried ignore the pain and keep on pushing. I told myself if I can just get to mile 20 I'll make it. The course wasn't marked all that well, and I did get a little lost a few times, but nothing serious. My knee was still hurting, but now it seemed that both of my legs and feet were hurting from the knees down. It was hard, but I was also having fun.

From mile 20-26 I just pushed my body even though it was telling me to quit. There were 3 guys that kept coming up to pass me and every time I would push hard so that they wouldn't. When I stopped at the last aid station at mile 23 they were right on my tail, so I took a quick break and headed out fast. The last 3 miles really hurt, but there was no way I was going to stop. In fact, the few times that I did stop to grab a drink or eat some gu my knee wouls start to lock up on me. As long as I was running it seemed to be alright, even though it hurt.

The last half mile gave me a burst of adrenaline as I saw all of the people at the finish line and several people were yelling good job, and way to go. It seemed to really help. I looked at what I thought was the finish line and I wasn't totally sure until I passed the 26.2 sign. There was a guy that took my tag and congratulated me. I had done it and it felt great. Once I stopped and took a few minutes to catch my breath and have a drink my knee locked up and it has been hard to walk since, but I don't care. I had a great time, and I'm already looking forward to my next race. Thanks to everyone on this board for inspiring me and for your words of encouragement. I didn't break any records today, but I did accomplish my goal. I finished.

My knee is still very sore, so I went to the gym and lifted (upper body/core) for 30 minutes. I'm hoping I see some improvement soon, so I can do something. I know I need to take it easy for a few weeks.

My knee is still very sore and it is still waking me up in the middle of the night. I'm getting very frustrated because I can't do anything. I will hit the gym tomorrow for sure and do something though.

Went to the gym and lifted for 30 minutes and then rode the bike for 15. My knee didn't hurt at all on the bike, but it is still sore when I walk, and it did wake me up again in the middle of the night. This has been the worst workout week of the year for me.

I did it! I actually got out for 3 miles today. I wore a brace on my knee and took it slow. There was a little pain there, but nothing serious. I iced it right after and now it is feeling good. I think I will try again tomorrow, unless it is really sore. Woohoo!

3 miles after I put the kids to bed. My knee is finally coming around a bit, even though it is still waking me up every night hurting. I think it is getting a little better every day. Last week was by far the worst workout week of the year for me, and it is driving me nuts. This is my favorite time of the year to be in the mountains and I haven't been at all for two weeks now. I have already had to pass up some invitations to get out because of my knee, and I'm just hoping it will get better this week.

It was cold and windy tonight. Fall is definitely here. I got out and ran after the kids went to bed. My knee started to hurt pretty fast, so I didn't push it at all. Did 3 easy miles and then iced my knee. I also wore the brace to bed for the first time last night and I think it really helped. My knee has been getting so sore at night because I bend it when I sleep and then it locks up. The brace really helped. I'm taking it slow this week for sure.

2 miles today. My knee was a little sore, so I didn't want to push it. My gym is closed until Thursday, so I need to do something without putting too much pressure on my knee.

I went up my stairs tonight for the first time since the race without any pain in my knee. It seems to be feeling much better, and I am not going to push it. I did take Jun's advice and did some pushups and worked out at home with a dumbbell that I have. I worked out for about 50 minutes while I watched some really bad TV.

I'm really excited that my knee seems to be doing much better. I think I'll wait until next week to really test it though.

I wanted to hit the gym tonight, but I ended up golfing 18 holes at Thanksgiving Pt. for work, and I got home late. I actually tested out my knee a little on the golf course chasing my balls al over the rough. I think I walked about 2-3 miles and my knee felt really good, although it did get a touch sore on the back nine whenever I went up and down any hills. It was a perfect day out there. Iced my knee when I got home and it is getting better.

I woke up early this morning and hit the gym for 40 minutes. Lifted weights (upper body/core). My knee is feeling much better, although it is still waking me up at least once every night hurting. Whenever it gets bent for more than an hour it locks up and hurts. Once I get it straightened out the pain goes away within about 30 seconds, but it is annoying.

Took the dog on a walk and then also went on a two mile walk with the kids. The knee is getting better.

Went on a 2 mile hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon with my kids. had a great time and the leaves are looking really good right now. I love this time of year in the mountains. Did an easy 3 miles after the kids were in bed to test out my knee. It felt really good, although at times I did have a small pain, but nothing serious. I will still take it relatively easy this week.

Went to the gym and lifted for an hour, and had a great workout. Staying off the legs.

3 miles on the treadmill. My knee is finally coming around. I barely felt any pain at all, just a little soreness, but it faded pretty quick. I'm not going to push it at all for a few weeks.

3 miles on the treadmill. My knee is still a little sore, so I am taking it slow for the next few weeks.