Every Run is a Great Run!

So hard to believe I've actually been alive 50 years! Seemed like a good excuse to run 50K on a cold November morning. Mother Nature misunderstand my request for it to be 50 degress and instead gave us a brisk 15 when we started at 5:30am!. But at least the canyon wind was minimal and after the sun came out it warmed up to a 'balmy' 30 degrees or so by the time we finished around 11am.

I was the only one to cover the full 50K but it worked out nicely so I never had to run alone as Kim and a few other runners ran various portions of the course with me. Carolyn and Chad started with me and we were soon joined by Wan Ho. Kim did an amazing job as my pit crew, providing tons of beverage and treats and even an older-that-dirt cake with oreo 'dirt' and gummy worms! She also joined in at various points throughout the run including at the finish. Thanks babe!!! 

Wan was also a trooper and ended up running around 17 miles with me, with Melissa joining me just before Wan finished and running the last 14 with me and sometimes Kim. I actually felt pretty good the entire run. Kept the running pace in the comfy 8:45-9:45 range but also took plenty of walk breaks and re-fuel breaks so the actual pace overall was around 10:50 and I finished in around 5 1/2 hours. I think I might just be able to warm up to these longer, slower ultra-type races. Looking forward to the Buffalo 50 mile run in March with Terry-old-Bean!

Easy 4 mile run before lunch. Still a bit sluggish from the 50K on Tuesday but nothing that feels like an injury (thank goodness), just typical post long-run soreness similar to what it feels like a couple days after a good 20 miler. Tried out my new Brooks trail shoes, I think they'll work just dandy.

Ran some trails around the foothills of Elk Ridge and Payson with Tyler and Adam. Legs were a bit weary still from the 50K earlier in the week and those other 2 are young speedsters so I was definitely the slow poke of the bunch, especially on the uphills. But they were kind enough to wait around for me so everything work out and I didn't get lost and abandoned in the foothills.