I run therefore, I am!

Ran a mile with Boston and Bailey. It was super icy. Both of them slipped and landed hard. I then finished off my run.  Met with Bethany for a presentation im doing to the Elementary school she teaches at. Got my video to work. I'm getting good st this. Lol 

I ran this morning. I met with a great friend Leslie and made a game plan for her running. She wants to qualify for Boston which is a great goal for a new to running enthusiast. She has so much energy and is truly a mentor to me as well. Someone I can look up to. We made a game plan together and are keeping each other accountable for training as well as personal goals in my life. So need this. I'm excited. 

Ran with Dana and Aaron around the hood. We were averaging 7:55 and at mile  9 I broke away and was going to go another 10 but this drink that I am testing for a company made me have to go to the bathroom. So I went home and then tried running after but my gut was wrenched. So I went back home.   Good enough for an early fight the snow run. 

15 miles. 2 warmup 4-800's 2:31,2:34,2:37,2:35. 6-400's 1:19,1:21,1:24,1:22,1:18,1:16. Then cool down and ran into Kelli on a lap so I talked with her as I ran and ended up with 15 total miles. 

Recovery run from yesterday's butt kicking on the oval. Found out I got a year contract with Pearl Izumi for this year. A little nervous now because I've never run in their shoes. I have to make a decision by next week. I am in a friendly competition with my friend Leslie of accountability to run six times a week and other personal goals in my life and it is fun. If she doesn't post by 6 pm I call her and vice versa. It's good to force myself out and get in the habit again. She wants to qualify for Boston so she won't be left out in 2015. It's going to be an awesome party then. This year will be a blast as well.  Lots of great things going on when you set goals and have friends to help you on the way. 

I took Bailey and Boston to the oval and did a slow warm up  1.5 miles with them. Then I did a 3 mile tempo in Pearl Izumi M3 shoes that I'm trying to sample to see if I want to sign a year contract for. I jogged 5 minutes and switched to the Pearl Izumi N1 and it was pretty drastic drop. A little more drop than the Khivaras.  Called the rep and told her to send me the docs. I think I'm in.  A couple more runs and I'll make my decision.    

Was a busy day all the way up to 9:30 pm.  Leslie called me because I hadn't checked in with her on her miles so I had to be accountable. Lol it was super slick. Run in the deeper snow on the slide walk was a better decision. A blah 5 put out. 

10 miles around the hood in South Jordan. Tried simulating the course of St. George half this weekend by running in the river bottom and back up. Stayed at a 6:34 pace. Wore shorts which was a nice change from winter gear. I signed a year contract for Pearl Izumi to run on their team today. Excited for new goals. 

Ok Leslie Kawai and I gave each other this awesome challenge to be accountable. She ran her 5 so here's my report: I went to the Olympic oval to do a speed workout. 1.5 mile warm up, 6-800's with a 400 recovery. 2:34,2:35,2:33,2:35,2:35,2:36. I love it when I'm consistent. Then a cool down with friends that were there running. Eric and I forget the other guys name. That place is fun and the Olympic atmosphere gets me going. I saw Derrick Para the long skating champion for USA coaching kids that looked like they were 3-4 years old! This excites me seriously! We will be a force having great coaches and facilities like this. I also saw a coach that was training kids to sprint. I forgot his name but he was on the team 2 bobsled for USA.

Ran 6 amazingly beautiful miles with Bethany on a cool trail by our condo were staying at. 

I have the Master Championships half in Florida in two weeks. I came into this race with a goal to hit 1:15 which is a solid time for this honest course. I brought my pacers down and set them up and got to the start. I ran this race without a watch. I wanted to go by feel not rely on time. I started just behind the pack of 10 runners. As soon as we hit the up part that was it. My leg strength is not competitive when it comes to uphill right now. I was quickly in 12th overall to the 8 mile mark where we finally had decent. Ken Richardson had a 50' lead on me and I finally caught him on the end of the steep down. My legs got in a rhythm and I was able to keep it going. The weather was fantastic. A bit cold at the start. My body took a bit to warm up. I was concentrating on my breathing and pushing myself to as uncomfortable as I could stand. I caught the top ten guys and dropped to 8th overall and hit my goal time. I think I'm in the 1:12 stage on flat in Florida if the humidity doesn't affect me or wind. I can't wait for this great new year of competing. 

Went to the Olympic Oval and did a warmup and then did 400's. With a 400 recovery. Did 12 of them. Then a cool down to hit 10 miles. Busy night on the track. There must've been over 60 kids doing a workout and 20 other run walkers on it. Missed my run yesterday and so did Leslie who I've been trying to keep accountable with. Wasn't sure why she was being quiet but i ended texting her at 11:30 last night to find out and she had as rough of a day as I had so we used it to fuel our day today. 

Was going to run with Leslie tonight but her meeting lasted to 11. I hit my friends treadmill that i live with. Did 3 miles just to say i ran today. Then Leslie called me at 11:15 and facetimed me till midnight to prove she was running. Lol I should do that next time I'm on a boring TM. It went by quick. Kind of a fun call. I'm do excited to help my friends! This year my mission is to go out of my way to see and help my friends achieve awesomeness. For those rumor spreaders saying I'm out to destroy them I say quit being so f'ing insecure and worry about your pathetic life that you're ruining by spreading your rumors. This is my fuel! 

Ran my first USATF race of the year and all the guns were out today! Dennis Simonitis, Sasha, Scott Keate, Steve Anderson, Steve Ashbaker, and Rob Murphey were all there. I did a warmup of 3 miles and she'd my clothes down to shorts and singlet. Very cold morning. The race started and I got right behind Jake Krong. My first mile was 5:11. Felt ok. I wasn't running strong like the late fall. 5ks are so not my forte. I can never figure them out. I always feel like just have to go all out but I fade still in the short period of time. Second mile was 5:28. I hit half mile to go and Dennis came up along side and passed me strong. I worked hard to stay close to him. I hot to the .1 to go and started pushing with everything I had. I did pass a younger kid but Dennis beat me by 8 seconds. I love competing against him. He is so athletic. Our times were blah but I'm glad to have run with all these fast guys! I always take running against the top guys serious as well even though their legs are 10-20 years younger than mine. I love comparing myself to Riley and Jake and seeing them run. It's going to be a fun year! 
After the race I went and did a film documentary shoot they have been working on for runners in Utah that are running Boston. Very fun! I'll post it when It debuts! 
We ended up running another 3+ miles
about 1 hour ago 1 Comment

Ran a trail run up to the wind caves with Mandi Mcbride and Brett Peterson. Very challenging trail! Very scenic up Logan canyon! I love it. Got to do some male bonding with Steve as we did some snow kayaking afterwards. So damn fun! You can see some fun video of it on FB and YouTube. 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=z7RQQTaUqJ8&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dz7RQQTaUqJ8%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

Ran 5 miles at 8 mph on Kim's Treadmill at 2% grade. My legs are hammered from packing forms out all day and yesterday's run and playing on the kayak. 

Met a group at the oval and showed them how to do interval training and incorporate it into their training. We had six of us show.  Wan and another guy were really natural at it. I had a lot if fun watching them and helping. Gerald is overweight and was nailing his interval times on the nose. Sara was her first time as well and the other ladies rocked it. So fun. We ended up doing 6x400's with equal rest and a warm up. I should have close to ten runners next Tuesday. 

Last slow long run before my race Sunday. I can't wait! Now watch Florida will get a cold spell. I'm any rate I'm better at running in frigid temps right now. 

5 miles before I went to play with Boston then took him with me to feed Cindy's Dog while she's in Florida at Ragnar. 

I got to Florida on Saturday Afternoon. Got my rental car and drove up the coast from Ft. Lauderdale to Melbourne to get my race packet. I was planning on sleeping in the rental car by the beach but saw signs posted no overnight parking. So I grabbed a hotel at the Super 8. It was 2 blocks from the start. I went to the start Sunday and immediately was hoarded by press. They saw my bib and found I was from Utah. Either that or I must've looked pretty hot. Lol I felt like royalty as our bibs we wore had a separate bib on the back for the Masters championships. The weather was warm and I did a mile warmup. It was misty in the morning. So humid you cut cut it with a knife. I lined up right at the start line next to Tracy who took second in this last year. I planned on going out and sticking with him. He found I was from Utah and asked how Dennis Simonaitis was. The gun went off and it was a fast 40 year old that was pushing a 4:50 pace immediately. Not me. I let him go and got next to Tracy Lokken. Our first mile was 5:13. I was tired for some reason from the get go. It was a burden to breath and I swear I felt like I had a humidifier blowing on me at close range. A constant mist. I slowed the pace on mile toe to 5:24. I really wanted to stay on 5:20 pace or close to it. I was in 5th position at mile 3 and the leader was out of site from the fog that was about a 1/4 mile visible. I seemed to be burdened by my breathing. I tried not to focus on it but my heart rate wouldn't come down. It was a push every mile after that to stay going strong. The more I pushed the less it seemed I was going faster. I hit 5:34,544,546,552,542 to mile seven. We had a long uphill bridge that slowed me a bit but the downhill let me pull away from the pack of a few guys and one 40 year old masters lady. The course was flat. I'm not used to courses that make you push hard the entire way. All of Utah courses give us a break of downhill to relax a bit. Not today. I ended up 5th overall and 3rd age master. If I would've felt good enough to challenge Tracy or even stayed with him I would've hit 1:10-1:11. When I came in the finish I looked like I just came out of a lake. I was soaked from head to toe from the humidity. I don't hardly sweat so it was a different kind of running for me. The temps got up to 90 by noon. 

Went to the Olympic Oval and had 8 of us doing 400 meter repeats. Very fun night getting to know knew faces!  And I scored some Chinese Beef Jerky from Wan Ho Jerry Kou and some candy. He rocks!

3 quick miles because it was a hectic day. I had to practice what I preached to Leslie. Now I feel better. 

Got off work early so I took advantage of the daylight. Still feel the race a bit in my legs. But it's good. I talked to the Race Director of Melbourne and he agreed taking a drug test for the top five was a good thing before they release funds. So this could get interesting according to some past problems of the top two finishers. It's only fair to those who aren't cheating. I'm happy with 5th in a national meet. But if I got bumped to a better position because those that cheated shouldn't be there than even better. 

5 around the good in Riverton. 

a I met Mandy Foster and Nate Nelson and Brett Peterson at the Sports Acadamy at 10 and we did a group treadmill run together. I averaged 6:40 pace of 9 miles then did a 5:15 pace for 1.5 miles. Then recover then 1 mile at 5:05 pace then recover then .5 mile at 4:55 pace. Then 4 miles of 6-7 pace. Fun to do that with friends. 

Went to the sports academy here in Logan with Steve and did an hour on the Treadmills. I made it to 8.8 miles. Good to hang out with him this weekend.  

Did 2 miles warmup then 7x400 repeats around 1:11 then cool down. 

Started from Kim's house and ran down to the Jordan Park Trail. Then looped back up. 10 miles in 1:03. 

Met in Lehi at Tys house and ran with the break 3 group im running with in Ogden. We started on Murdock trail at the start by the Adobe building and did a loop in alpine then back to the trail out and then back to Lehi. Had some good discussions with Dana and Aaron and Bethany Josh and Ty.  It's my therapy lately. I swear!! Love good runs like this. 

My first run from post Achilles' tendon problemos. It was sore but loosened up by the 3rd mile. 

I went to BYUs indoor track and met with a group to do interval training. I figured with it raining I'd have more come out  but I had half the group as last time. I ran 6:45 pace steady miles with Bethany. We hit 6.5 miles in 42 minutes. My Achilles was bugging me but  glad to be running.   As I was leaving Leslie called me and said she was running late but heading there so I went back inside and I ran another 3.5 miles with her. Busy day!!

Went with Bethany, Brett, Leslie, and Mandy to Antelope island and back. 

Achilles is feeling better. Still have that knife stabbing pain on my push off. But it's getting there. Averaged 6:33 and last two miles were 5:49,5:51. 

I ran an out and back 3 out and 3 back on Ogdens course with Mandi. We did a 6:30 pace. Then I did a 5 mile run on the Olympic oval with a nice large group teaching intervals to. Now I'm resting in the Greenwell Hotel in Price. Headed to Moab. 

No warm up. Just got the pacers organized and up to the start. Took off with a swirling wind. Really didn't start out too fast with a 5:25 first mile with the most drop. Settled into a 5:45 pace after that. Mile 2 was 5:49, 3 was 5:35. And that was the last of sticking under 6. Mile 4 the wind started gusting in spots. So miserable. 4 was 6:01. 5 was 6:30. I actually stopped at mile 5 to try and wash the gu I took that was choking me. I then flipped off the sky from the relentless headwind. I lost two spots and went from 7-9. I'd start getting into a groove and then the wind picked up and kicked me in the groin. So frustrated by this. I couldn't get a mile under 6 the whole way down the canyon even on the downhill parts. I got out if the canyon on the main road and had a tail wind. I went from a 6:21 to a 5:50. So crazy. Had fun running still even though I lost masters by 1 minute. I also met Ken Pliska who owns the course record for masters at the busses and got so intimidated when I saw him. I've got to work on my confidence issues. I had an amazing time down there almost tipping Steve Anderson's jeep over. You'll have to watch the video of me and a motorcycle group laughing when he had two wheels off the ground. 

Ran this race with being fueled from a crappy time in Moab. Got my pacers all ready and to the start and lined up and started with a quick sprint from the start to the main highway. By the first turn at .2 miles I was alone. I didn't have my watch on but I felt like I wasn't going that fast. At mile two I actually looked back to see if anyone was behind me and there wasn't anyone for a quarter mile. The course is uphill which I have a tough time with. I also had a head wind the whole way. Nothing like Moab's last week but still not favorable. I had to stop for a bathroom break which took 2 minutes off my time. When I came out there still wasn't anyone behind me. The last 2 miles are the hardest. Rollers with steeper short rise. My time was horrid. Not too fast for winning it outright but I'll take it. I was 5 full minutes behind my last years course record time. Fun day and very scenic! The pacers all came in with great groups and compliments to them for their help. Here's a little video cap from St george news: http://youtu.be/_F3O58XASQg

Went up with Dana and Heidi to Eden and it was in the 20's. Went to the start and saw the field of runners. Lots of great competition.  I havnt been feeling good about my fitness because of my Achilles crap so I decided to take it easy and not even get in the pack at the start. My first 5 miles were all under 5:30. Then the course flattens out and gets to where you have to work. I hit a few 5:45 miles and then the rollers came. The last 3 are quite difficult and I couldn't seem to stay under 6. This gave me a game plan for Boston according to my fitness. To be a lot more conservative. Try not to let myself get pulled into a pace that's too much for me. I was happy with my time even though it's about 3 minutes behind where I think I should be.  It was great seeing everyone out and we lucked out on good weather. A big thanks to Dana Anderson and Heidi Bryant for joining me last minute and driving up. 

Went into this race knowing there was no way I was going to race it. I had my pacers there which went from 1:30-2:30 in times. I knew Arianne Brown would be at this race so I decided I'd run with her at her pace and then push 3 or so miles at the end. Jace showed up who is my team mate from Team Pearl Izumi.  He was there to race and did a great run. I ran the race with Arianne until mile 8. Steve Anderson was pacing the 1:30 group and caught us around mile 4. Then at mile 8 started pulling away from Arianne so I joined him.  At mile 10 I was in 4th place overall so I told Steve I wanted to push it. I started on the steepest hill part and immediately caught the 3rd place runner and managed to stay under 6 pace on done hilly parts. Fun day to watch my 12 year old daughter run the 5k and my 4 year old boy beat all the 7 year olds in the 1k. Lol after the race I took Mandi over to show her Daybreak lake while she was down and she insisted on running the 3.3 miles around it. So I did some more tempo running with her. We did 6:50, 6:27,6:17 and she always tells me she's not fast. She won the buffalo 25k for women. She has speed but insists not to embellish. Lol 

This race is not about me. This race is about redeeming peace and justice back to Boston.  I have been waiting to run this race for a year. I had a starting bib of 348 which put me I the first corral behind the elites. I was able to get a pic and high five from Ryan Hall at the start and Meb and Bryant Jensen. That really made my day.  I got to experience running on the same trail that Paul Revere rode. I ran through towns that were once were at war with the British. There was a lull in the air at the start like I've never felt in the over 50 marathons I've run. It was a feeling of rebuilding, coming together, uniting for a cause. A cause that was worthy to fight for!  As the race started, I immediately was blown away at the amount of spectators that came to see us off. I choked up and teers came to my eyes.  This is a special day! We came upon the first great site of a biker bar that had enormous support almost rivaling the Wellesley girls. At the 5k mark we came into the first city with mega support. They were there to thank us! They were there to motivate us!! The route continued with constant support and as we got to the 10k mark there was a sign that said teers at 6. I swear they were trying to make me cry on purpose. It Worked!! I have never run a race where I was bawling uncontrollably already. Mile Six I thank you for your support!  There was a forceful peace pushed upon us there!! I heard yells like "you worked your ass off to help us rebuild!! We thank you all!" You try not to get choked up!  I made it to a beautiful lake at mile 8. The sites and sounds continued to lull my senses. I neared the hill after mile twelve and could hear the screeching shrills coming up from the Wellesley girls! Here it comes! I was so pumped up at these crazed ladies with signs asking for a kiss!! I gave them fives as I ran through what seemed to be a half mile of the highest pitched screeming girls you'd ever encountered. I now know what a famous rock star feels! The deafening roar subsided a quarter mile after passing and my ears were in full ringing mode!  Half way! I was now preparing myself mentally for the hills to come. I hit the first few head on with pretty good strength. The next four seemed to wear on me. I got through Heartbreak hill without any problem and saw the famous Citgo sign. I got to the Citgo sign an had a mile left to the finish. This was getting real! I turned the corner on the last stretch and saw more people than I ever have encountered. Screaming for us! I saw the two spots where the bombs went off. I teered up and thanked The Lord for letting me prove to the evil doers that tried taking something so special to me away from me. I screamed! I cried! I went through the finish with great emotion!! What an amazing day! What an amazing experience. What amazing volunteers congratulating me. What amazing security making me safe. That night I went to a party to award our elites their trophies. I heard an Anazing speech by Meb giving the credit to Boston. So humbling. I heard the first place woman giving the credit to Shalane! What a magical day I will never ever forget.  

Met Mandi at the Bonneville Shoreline trail in Ogden. We did a little over 6 up and 6 back. She kicked my trash up it. I pulled away from her down. She is going to kill Logan Peak race. 

Eight of the hardest assed Miles I have ever run on the trail with Steve and Mandi today. The Wellsville mountains. Fun day! 

I ran with Laura today on the Jordan River Parkway. We ran 8 miles. We came across a bum with the meat cleaver in his hand. You will have to ask me about that story. I ran six more miles with Kim and Mandy Foster later that day.

Started with the pack. I really wanted to push myself as hard as I could on the down parts. I stayed with the pack the first two miles. 5:05 was my first mile. 5:03 was my second. As soon as we hit the trail I slowed down. Justin park passed me and I managed to just keep him in sight in front of me the whole race except the last two miles I couldn't manage to go faster than 5:50 pace. Probably from post marathon legs or a tough trail run I did Wednesday. Pretty good course. Not as fast as I thought it'd be. Fun day!  I did a presentation to Rees Elementary on running back in January. I challenged them to all run 25 miles before this race and Run13 agreed to give them a marathon medal after they ran 1.2 miles to make 26.2! It was fun running with them. At the start line I asked some 5th graders if they were planning on beating me and they confidently said not a problem!! Some of them stopped and were walking the last 200 yards I I said you can't let me best you! They got up and sprinted in! A couple kids stopped at an intersection when the light went red and I said you all get to break the rules today and run the red light! This is the only chance in your life to get away with this! How does it feel to be a rule breaker?!! They were so fun. One cool sight I saw was a 5th grader who won his age group in the half marathon. Said he was motivated by my talking to them. Amazing kids!!  

Also, I am super proud of Brett Peterson, Mandi Mcbride and Bethany Erickson.  We have a little group that is trying to break 3 hours this year starting with Ogden. All three of them were shooting for a 1:25 half and Bethany just missed it but is only 12 days from a tough course marathon in Boston. She is in taper now for Ogden and I'm certain the rest will help her break 3. Brett hit a 1:23 with fresh legs coming off some tough workouts. Very good to see that! Mandi stole the show! I have been working with her on a speed, tempo and long run regime starting 3 weeks ago after she won the Buffalo 25k. She didn't warm up on the race and used the first few miles and then stayed with Brett. She's not used to racing so she was afraid to go. At mile 12 Brett told her to take off and she made up 22 seconds and finished barely behind Rachelle Wardle and the 5th place girl. A total of 7 seconds seperated her from the two in front of her. Her chip time was a second off of Rachelle in fact! So awesome of her to come out and run without a watch or knowing how to race it and be that close to the front.  I know she has potential to break 1:20 and easily a 3 marathon. I have been running trails with her and she pills away from me every incline. 

Ran on the JRP trail with Heather and we did 6x400's after a 3 mile warmup. I'm surprised she wanted to do them right after running Provo half. It was hot temps. Not used to the sun. 

Ran 10.15 miles around the hood here in Riverton. Average pace was 6:37. 

Had a great day running this race. Had stomache issues at mile ten and stopped and lost a minute and a half to this break. Good to have a race push my leg turnover. It's been a while. Time to start training for Chicago. 

Went with Mandi down to Bryce and took the pace crew with. Loved this race as always. Got the pacers all organized, did a warmup with Bethany and then took off! I was tired from doing a long run a couple days previous. Couldn't get my legs to turn over like I always seem to do on the downhill. Had fun and ended up with 100 bucks. So was worth it. Hiked with Mandi and her boys and Bethany and her family after in Queens garden.   

A fun little 5k with 100 or so people but you should see the prizes they handed out! A treadmill, a camp chef stove and free wave runner rental for the summer! Seriously huge for a little turnout. I went and stayed the night with Mandy and Kim and we all ran it. We did a warmup and Mandy told me about a real cocky kid who cut the course to beat Brett on a previous race. So I had it in my mind I'd take off super fast because the first mile was downhill. I wore him out. But the second mile was all uphill and I started fading a bit but stayed ahead enough to tire him out. My plan worked to wear him out because I was trying to get Mandy to beat him. He barely stayed ahead of her by a few seconds. After the race Kim drove Mandy and I up Logan canyon and we ran 12 miles down. Very narrow road but nice to see Mandy kicking butt again. She ran her last two miles in 6:30 pace. 

Wasn't sure I was going to run this race at all with work the way it's been lately. I went to packet pickup and Steve Anderson and I switched ideas of running together or seperate races. I signed up for the 10k because I thought he was running it then I saw he had a half bib so I went to switch it to the half and he pulled me away from the table. So I ended up with the 10k. I got to the start and saw a few friends and talked to Rory, a student I coached at Herriman. I to was fun to race him! I have no chance against him anymore. I did beat him the last two years. Great to see progress. I started out with the pack.  It's such a fast downhill start. Mile 1 was 4:46. Mile 2 was 4:50, 3 was 5:05. First water break was very much needed. My mouth was so dry.  I had a hard time with the last three. Survival mode on the last mile that goes uphill. Not fair. Lol had fun seeing others and hung out with Leslie after and talked with Lindsey Dunkley who seriously needs to run a marathon and qualify for the Olympic trials. I will keep bugging her  till she gives in. 

I ran with a cute friend of mine today. She was nervous to have me run with her but I found she is very talented. Could keep a great pace and enjoyed being with her.   Since she had to run I had to lay out at the pool with her. I made it about an hour and she could tell I was antsy. So she said we could go. Lol 

Went to the parking lot of Ben Lomond trail with Steve and did a 8 mile trail of awesomeness. I had so much fun on this trail! It went up to 9700' which is a pittly height for most trail runners. Last Saturday I did my first 13,000'er in Rocky Mountain Park. I really am amazed at the amount of tall mountains in Colorado. 32 14,000' peaks! I ran into mountain goats about 5 of them within 10'. I stopped in my tracks and was trying to pull my phone out while motioning to Steve without spooking them but it was too late. They were like white ghosts. I looked down the ravine and they didsapeared in the brush. Amazing creatures. I was dissapointed I couldn't get a pic but some life experiences you have to live in the moment without worrying about how to save it. 

I ran up around the lake with 2 miles at a 5:30 pace 

Nice and easy 10  miler. I'm calling it the KatyPerry run.  I was hot then cold, dry then wet. 

Was not planning on running this race at all. Got a call Wednesday from a pace team out of California that needed help and I got an entry for helping her get some of our pacers there. So I looked at the elevation. It starts at 10,300' and finishes with a 5000' drop. I've been doing an enormous amount of high altitude races and trail runs in the last month so I felt the elevation wouldn't be a factor.  It wasn't. I started out with a pack of 4 runners and felt super comfortable at mile 1-5:09 the pack quickly went from 4 to 2. Mile 2-5:25 3-5:35. A few flatter miles. Mile 4 was 5:24. At this point there was a runner in front of me and his form was super tense but I didn't rule him out because he had good speed. Everytime I got close behind him he would surge which to me told me he was an inexperienced marathoner. So on the steeper parts id get close to him just so he'd surge. I thought I'd wear him out on the down since every flat or incline he would pull away which showed his strength. Miles 5-5:38, 6-5:36, 7-5:19, 8-5:29. Right at mile 9 marker he completely stopped and was adjusting his shoes. I said are you ok? You have hot spots on your shoes? He said no I'm ok keep it up. And I was alone! No one behind me in sight. I still pushed hard and wanted to PR my Previous 2:31 I've had so I kept it going. Mile 9-5:36, 10-5:47,11-5:40,12-5:28,13-5:50 13.1 time was 1:13:01.  Mile 14 had a steep incline that was short but after dropping down the minute you change to up it is dramatic 6:13. I had a hard time getting rhythm after that.  Miles 15-5:45, 16-5:30, 17-5:59, 18-6:18, 19-6:00, 20-6:38,21-6:06, 22-6:17, 23-6:21. I was struggling with those miles even though there was flat with drop in each mile.   I knew I had to kick it if I was going to break my pr at this point so I pushed hard. 24-5:29, 25-7:08,26-7:40. My last miles minus 24 from 19 on need work.  My marathon training has been non existent so to hit a 2:33 today with 15-20 mile weeks is a huge boost to my ego.  I'm going to race Chicago so I really need to take it serious knowing it's flat. I'm grateful to use this course to test myself and come out with a win. I won a bear trophy and headphones and 500 bucks. Free trip! Plus I love Colorado and got to hang out with the triplets I've seen from here from the last three races we have run in together. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an 8 hour drive home. Blah. 

Ran Jordan Park Trail with my girlfriend. I'm amazed how I can barely get moving but after 3 miles I'm fine. My girlfriend ran 9 pace out and 7:30 back. Can't wait to hit Hood To Coast on Friday. Leaving tomorrow. 

Ran my first leg like a freaking bat out of hell. I'm the fastest runner on this masters team and I almost caught googles runner who had a one minute lead on me from the start. I averaged 4:42 pace and had 1500' of drop. I went from 4000' to 2500' elevation.  We gained 4 minutes lead on the Black Flag Masters group.  Our team name is Almost Dead Jocks. We will win it according to my endorphin powers. I know I was being a bit exhuberant my first leg. Will see how it goes on my second. Help me Tom Cruise I'm on fire!!

to my neighsayers I must add this is  5 days post marathon win. For shiznits! Endorphin overload

I went up to Wellsville to support Mandis charity run and to push Bailey my 12 year old and pace her to a 3rd overall women's and 5th overall runner! She rocked!! We hiked after with Steve Anderson and his girls and Mandi, Angie, and Aaron and his girls up to the Wind Caves. Fun day!  

What an amazing course and very organized race. I ran with an Elite bib and they pampered us like royalty. I had a bad experience in Chicago so I really watched my nutrition on this one. No Chicago style pizza the night before! I started conservatively running the first half in 1:17 and it was the harder part of the course. I really felt tired until 16 when the rollers subsided and I could get into a rhythm. I had a burst of energy at mile 16 so I used it to get below 5:40 pace and it was short lived down hill and went flat those last 9 miles I worked hard for. Especially the last 3. I hit mile 10 in 58 minutes mile 20 in 2:00 even. I tried to concentrate on hitting my last two 5Ks in 20 minutes each. Just to keep my mind off 6 miles. At 2:20 I was at 23.3 and the second 20 minutes I was at 25.9. I was pumping my arms but my legs didn't want anything to do with it. Lol. What s great race and I recomend it to all. Had fun hanging out with Utah's elite women. 4 of them. Great ladies to represent our state. I puked my guts out after crossing the finish and walking over to a gutter. The cameraman ran over and took pics telling me I'll thank him later for it. Not so much now. I don't really think I will. If I'm on next years poster I'll be mad. Lol.