Relentless

afternoon - 26 Leeds.  What the crap... is all I can say about this run.  Started off without a plan really, just a water bottle and some Cliff Shots.  So I headed out past the Junction and down the hill toward Quail.  I thought I might push out to anywhere from 20-30 just depending on how I felt.  I was pretty warm out and I drank my water much quicker than I thought, but refilled when I hit the Leeds park for a short pit stop.  I never felt very good, but was moving along pretty decent and hit just barely over 7 min ave. on the way out (15 miles) even with all the hills (3 big climbs over bluffs and the continuous uphill).  But the last two out past Leeds - Leeds was at mile 13 - were a little struggle and I started to feel crappy.  Turning around, I told myself just to relax and remember that there are ups and downs in a run - especially one this long.  I took my second gel at the 18 mile mark, but it immediately started disagreeing with me.  I got to the overlook at Quail and decided to just sit.  I even thought about calling Ally from someone's cell phone, but thought that I would just push on through.  But then I had to walk a bit along the lake - I just felt horrible, legs were gone and stomach was trashed.  Got down to where there are a couple businesses and wanted to use the phone, but everything was closed for New Year's.  So I started up the hill and thought I would call home from the gas station at the Junction.  Ran about half a mile and had to stop again and start walking.  I figured this was a pretty interesting site for people - a guy walking up this big hill clear out from any part of town and then add to it my puking.  Eventually I got to the phone, but no one answered at home.  So I had 5 miles to get home.  I just started jog/walking as much as I could and hoped my wife would check the messages.  Eventually she pulls up.  Luckily she had checked the message and came and got me or it would have been a horrible 4 more miles.  Just over 1:47 for the 15 out, but 2:15 for the 11 back (including the walking and breaks).  A perfect storm hit me: hotter than usual (for this time of year), sick the last few days (up a lot the night before with stomach pains, but no throwing up), not hydrating enough (on the run and the days before the run), long fast the day before, crappy shoes (I'm not a huge fan of these Neos anyway, but the wrong sizing makes them fit very weird).  (Neo 39) 

afternoon - 11 River Trail.  An easy shake-out down the trail and then Molly's Mile at home.  Didn't feel all too bad considering what I put my body through yesterday.  Good new is... the cramping in every muscle of my body has finally stopped.  (Hyper Speed 2 21)

AM - 10 Clyde's.  What a horrid night.  Sick and non-sleeping people everywhere in my house.  This is why it is important to have someone to run with, otherwise I would have never gotten up this morning.  But all-in-all it ended up not being too bad a run.  (Free 561.45)

afternoon - 11 Mall/GS.  Wasn't sure if I would get much more than the Mall with the team, but slowly worked some kinks out and just enjoyed and nice easy run with the boys.  Then extended up Green Springs and Molly's Mile.  (F50 22)

afternoon - 9 Quail Canal Trail/Dirt Miles.  Took the team (at least those that aren't wimps) over to Quail to run on a trail I spotted out there a few weeks ago.  The trail is pretty awesome, but it is only 2.5 miles long (loop).  So we ran it twice.  Then I went home and ran some with the dog up onto the Dirt Mile course.  Was able to stretch it out to 9 miles by dinner time.  (NB 110 -9)

I like Trail Thursdays, but the following improvements need to be made: better organization for rides and leaving the school (it took us clear until 3:40 to be running, when it only took 10 minutes to drive over there), I need to run in the morning so that I can get the mileage I need on Thursday.

afternoon - 13.5 Fields.  Ran out with the boys and then a bit further (toward Warner Valley).  Tried a little bit of a push on the way back and got a few miles of Tinman Tempo in.  But just don't feel fast at all.  Molly's Mile.  (Stratus grey 900.35)

AM - 21 Little Black Mtn.  2 Loops with Clyde and Quasi.  Cold at the start, but up at the top was much warmer.  First lap was chill in the dark and nice to chat a bit.  Then Clyde took off going after a record.  Logan was going with him, but then held back with me for about 3 miles as I was breathing and working much too hard for a 6:00 minute pace.  Eventually he continued on, but it was enough to help me get through it.  I actually averaged just over 6 for the 2nd loop (1:02:50), but was cough up a lung.  Good run and good extended tempo; maybe someday I will have some legs, because I sure didn't today.  It was hard running.  Molly's Mile.  (NB 101 375.75)

Week was more down than up.  Even though the mileage was fine the runs were tiring and mostly ugly.

Goals for next week: another 100 week, get feeling a little stronger.

afternoon - 15.25 River Trail Loop.  Extended the River Trail on the loop into Bloomington Hills and had to hit the park restroom.  Then Molly's Mile when I got home.  Just a nice normal run.  (Hyper Speed 2 36.25)

afternoon - 13 Hospital/Green Pole.  Out and back to both, first with the team and then on my own.  Tired lately.  Molly's Mile. (Boston 790.5)

AM - 10 Clyde's.  Tough to wake up, very tired.  Not a bad run however.  Just easy cheesy with the guys.  Still think the Neo are just a junk shoe. (Neo 49)

afternoon - 11 GS/Shinob Kibe.  Up into Green Springs for 4 with the team and then over to Shinob Kibe and up.  9:29 up and 6:22 down.  Didn't feel as fast as last time (up or down), but its the first time I put a watch on it so I guess that will be the standard bearer for next time.  .65 miles up the trail from the cairn just off Paiute.  Molly's Mile. (NB 110 -11)

afternoon - 13.5 Mustang Pass.  Gould's Gold!  Took the team up to Mustang Pass and then ran the trail.  I then hit the trail for a 2nd loop.  On the 2nd, I pushed the pace pretty hard on the trail and was really moving - going 5:30 on a trail is very invigorating!  As I finished up the trail I ran into one of my old runners - and a PVXC legend - Eric Gould.  It was great seeing him and catching up for a few minutes.  Finished off the run by heading back to PV from the top of GS and then Molly's Mile.  (NB 110 -13.5)

afternoon - 18 Grass/Foremaster.  Got 8 in on the grass barefoot before heading out on Foremaster with the team.  Then I just extended with the Lutheran run and Molly's Mile at home.  A bit tired by the end, but okay for end of the week and first barefooting in some time.  (Barefoot '12 8)(Rocket 226)

AM - 20.25 Fields/Parkway.  A good run with some of the guys today.  A bit crisp out.  Good deep conversation along the way and then an extension with Logan to finish of the 20.  (F50 42.25)

Got what I needed to to get my mileage where I wanted.  I know 100 is just a number, but it is such a nicer number than 99!  But, really, it is the idea that pushes me to that.  And I feel pretty decent for 100 on 7 runs and back to back longer runs.

Goals for next week: my mileage is backing off.  Who knows what I will do in the half?  Survive!  And make it through what looks to be a tough week in the family.

AM - 20 Little Creek.  Logan and I headed over to the Little Creek section of the Zion 50.  We had a few missteps, but we figure we hit most of the section pretty good.  It was a bit chilly at first because of the wind chill, but the temps improved even as the wind found a way to be a headwind both ways.  Run was good and really enjoyed it.  Then at the radio towers (13 miles) Logan decided to go into Beast Mode and we pushed it back pretty decent - ending up sub 7:00 pace for the total (with the last handful at 6:00 pace, on the dirt/sand after 15 miles of hard running mostly climbing - like I said Beast Mode!  The guy makes me do stuff in workouts/runs that I would never do on my own; he is going to eat up the ultra scene!).  (NB 101 395.75)

afternoon - 8.5 Fire Station Desert.  I am about as trashed as one can be.  But after a bit it slowly worked itself into hiding.  Molly's Mile.  Rolled and yoga'ed it up for some time to try and make tomorrow a better day.  (Oregon 258)

AM - 10 Clyde's.  Felt much better this morning.  But tired... fell asleep in my faculty meeting for a couple minutes!  (Kinvara 534.15)

afternoon - 6 Dog Pound.  Good times run with the boys, just being idiots.  Then hit 8xbarefoot striders and Molly's Mile.  (Barefoot '12 9)(Altra 310)

AM - 3 AC.  I know... who runs just three miles.  But Tyson is starting to build up his mileage with a couple doubles a week, so I joined him and didn't have time to add at the beginning or end.  It was actually kind of nice.  (Landreth blue 694.15)

afternoon - 8 Icehouse/Dirt Mile.  Tough run with the team on the trail up Icehouse.  I was wiped out and the up seemed forever.  But the run down was good and I practiced a bit of trail bombing.  Then took the dog up to the Dirt Mile for a little bit.  (NB 101 403.75)

afternoon - 7 Fields.  Just a nice easy run out into the Fields.  The kids (guys and girls) seem to be in great shape mileage wise and (although some of them might not like this) I think I'll adjust their mileage accordingly.  Molly's Mile.  (F50 49.25)

St. George Half 1:12:31

morning - 21.  Got a solid warm up in of 4.5 with Clyde and a bit with Dustin.  It was rainy which made the temps not bad; a little breezy at times.  Thought I might hit around a 1:15.  I felt like I was/am in good shape, but not race shape of any kind.  So anything around that would be solid.  Plus the course is tougher than in the past - the toughest of the 7 or so variations I have run of this race.  Fritz was there and so we figured to let him go and do his thing and BJ Christensen who would probably be tough to beat, and then of course a few other guys looked good.  

Splits are off of my Ironman - didn't wear a Garmin. 1-5:19, started off good, didn't feel fast (we tried to miss the first turn, after the pace cart ground its gears and we passed it!).  2-5:20, feeling solid, nothing to complain about or write home about.  3-5:25, a little hill off the river up to St. James.  But this is a hilly course, so my plan was to keep real cool on the hills and just let whatever happen.  4-5:19, used the downhill out of St. James to try and get the pace solid again.  I was trying to drive any negative thoughts about maybe I was going to fast out of my head.  Clyde fell just a few strides behind me in here and Fritz was putting probably 5'ish seconds per mile on me. 5-5:34, this mile went up around Bloomington Hills North and was a bit slower.  I though Clyde was coming up on me, but it was BJ.  6-5:47, up past the gold course to the top of Bloomington Hills.  I tried to stay with BJ for a bit, but I was really being timid on the hills (which was probably good in retrospect).  7-5:43, this mile was up Brigham Rd.  From when he passed me through here BJ probably put 30 seconds on me, but then not much the rest of the race.  8-5:15, tried to use the downhill (1/3 mile) down Brigham to get rolling again.  To tell the truth, I wanted to gap Clyde as much as possible because I knew he would be pushing.  9-5:29, around the cliff ledges on the trail.  Funny, they paved a trail access for the race, but I don't even remember that section at all.  10-5:40, the next few miles were a battle for me.  I would push to see if I gained anything on BJ, then I would back off and have to remind myself that Superfly was pushing from behind.  I probably did that 4-5 times during these two miles alone.  11-5:48, start thinking that a pretty good time is possible if I can really reach down the last two miles.  Give Clyde a yell as he is on the bridge, but notice another guy right on his tail.  12-5:32, was working hard, but really didn't have much left in me.  BJ added his final 15 seconds on me here in 11 and 12.  13.1-6:16, was too focused on pushing the finish and breaking 1:13 to notice the mile marker.  But I finished decent and was happy where I was at.

Feel decent about the race (must since I actually wrote about it - and I haven't done that for the last couple races).  Maybe if I would have believed in myself a little more, a sub 1:12 would have been in order.  But all-in-all not too shabby for the old guy.  Finished a few miles of cool with Steven and then for the true highlight of the morning, got to watch my daughters run the kids mile.  Rylee (10) took 1st girl and 3rd overall and Pyper was 7th overall and 2nd girl.  The course was a little tougher than last year's and with the rain a bit slower too, but they did awesome.  I had to give them a hard time for showing their old man up with a 1,2 finish when I could only pull out a 3rd!  (Stratus black 900.1)(Rocket 242.5)

Goals for next week:  hopefully the legs will recover decent and I'll get back to some solid mileage.  More doubles will becoming into effect and I am going to try and get larger chunks of my mileage in the morning with the 6-9 kind of stuff in the afternoon.  that way I can get into the weight room and do a little strength training and plyo stuff that I need to do before the track season takes over.

afternoon - 12 Shinob Kibe/Tready.  Somehow I let the boys convince me to run Shinob when I am already feeling toasted and recovering from Saturday.  It was rainy and cold out, so I guess I just thought, "What the heck?".  The way up was slow, and I am glad no one timed it.  But on the way down, Trevor and I master blastered that sucker - 5:30, around a minute quicker than last time.  Decided to go home and add the rest of the run because I was totally unprepared for the cold and rain.  My hands were frozen.  So I jumped on the treadmill and finished off the run at an easy pace and just watched the news.  (Free 573.45)

AM - 8 Middleton.  I felt as if I live on the coast this morning stepping out of the house - masterful fog, couldn't even see across the street!  It let up a little by the end, but not much.  I felt good for about 5 and then my body reminded me that I had run hard Saturday and wanted to be done.  But at least I woke up and ran a bit.  (Hyper Speed 2 44.25)

afternoon - 9 Albino.  Another run that I really didn't want to do.  But I guess I am just being a pushover.  Felt okay, but still a little tired.  Weights and plyos.  Molly's Mile.  (Boston 799.5)

AM - 10 Clyde's.  Felt about the same as all week.  Okay but tired legs.  No big deal.  (F50 59.25)

afternoon - 10 Target/home.  Nice afternoon run followed by 8xbarefoot striders; then ran home and Molly's Mile.  Starting to get a little something back in the legs.  (Hyper Speed 160.5)(Barefoot '12 10)

AM - 10 PVHS/2xAC.  Ran over to school and then 2xAC with a little more to round out the 10.  Enjoyed talking with Tyson about his recruiting trips up north to USU, UVU and SUU.  (Last Ohana 273)

afternoon - 9.5 Chuckwalla/home.  Trail Thursday over to Chuckwalla.  Some headed out 5 and a few of us went a little further than our planned 6 over to the Scout Cave.  Really an awesome run with amazing views.  Then I ran home.  By that time (and after sitting in the car for 15 minutes driving back to school) I was tired and not feeling like finishing.  (Landreth blue 703.65)

afternoon - 11.5 Green Springs.  Up into GS and then a strange figure 8 all over the place to finish up our mileage.  Then I hit Lutheran.  Weight and plyos, easy again to not kill myself off.  And Molly's Mile.  (Triumph 780.5)

AM - 20.5 SC Parkway.  Started off at Logan's and hit the Parkway back into town all the way down diagonal and to the park.  Then back.  Clyde and I extended to get the mileage up to the total.  Everyone felt pretty flat and tired which was good because I didn't want to get moving much either.  (Stratus black 920.7)

Not really a great week energy-wise or workouts or anything.  More of just a survival kind of thing.  

Goals for next week:  Get some zest back.  Have a good solid temp run in there somewhere and probably a longer trail run on Saturday.

AM - 11 PVHS/AC/Lutheran.  Started off with a couple on the tread before running over to school for morning practice where I ran AC with Tyson and then finished off with Lutheran.  Felt good this morning.  Was able to wake up easy and the hip felt great.  Not a bad morning; if I could ever get my vehicle to work.  Maybe I will just ditch it all together - takes more planning, but I am tired of the hassle.  (Triumph silver 643.05)

afternoon - 11 Devil/home.  Devil's run with the team and then weights and plyos.  Finished up by running home and Molly's Mile.  Left hammy really tightened up during squats, so I had Ally roll it a bunch to try and loosen it up a bit.  (Kinvara 545.15)

AM - 8 PV/AC/DI.  Legs (left hammy) still a little tight, but not a big deal as I ran over to practice and then added DI at the end.  Didn't want to go too much this morning as I will hit a bit more this afternoon and I need to make sure I don't drive my mileage up too quick while adding in each morning.  (Free 581.45)

afternoon - 15 River Trail/home/King's Row.  Good 9 miler with the boys (they may be fixing the washed out trail down by the river bend, that would be nice).  Then I ran on home and took Elin and the dog out for 3 more to King's Row.  Felt pretty decent, still some soreness in the legs and general fatigue, but that should work out soon I hope.  (Hyper Speed 2 59.25)