Relentless

AM - 10 Parkway. Last week I was up running at 3:00 because of a meet; today it was the same, but for the run-a-thon and I hadnt slept all night. After the usual soccer and volleyball games and stuff, I was getting pretty tired, so I decided to go for my run at around 3. I rand out on the Parkway via the Dog Pound. I actually felt pretty good considering the time, staying up all night, and run last night. But I wasn't going to run any further than 10. (Rocket 422.75)

Week was good. Calf has improved significantly this week and I think another week like this I could lower my go marathon time a bit. Mileage was controlled, but still at an okay level.

Goals for next week: Mileage will be higher as I want a longer run both Monday and Saturday. And another solid tempo planned for Tuesday.

AM - 21 Wendy's/track/Parkway. Ran over to practice by way of Wendy's and got there just in time ( after stretching the sleeping as long as possible). Then ran on the track while some of the team did mile repeats - sandwiched by Pizza warm/cool. Finished up by running home via the Pakway. Just a lot of easy , slow miles. (Oregon 444.25)

AM - 13 Tempo Loop.  We started off a little slower today (6:20 for 1 and 2), but I seemed to be working a little harder and I wondered how much I was going to get out of the workout.  Then things started to pick up a bit and the workout turned out pretty solid.  The 3rd worked down to 6:00 and then the next 5 at 5:45-5:35 ending with a 5:20.  So in the end I felt good about adding another mile to the tempo and getting a solid pace on a day that I felt very flat.  And I never felt that I was really pushing crazy hard, just rolling and getting in good miles.  Two things learned from today: Clyde will be good for the marathon (no matter what he says!) and Logan should still get in the race and just go do his thing (the guy is always a monster).  (Hyper Speed 252.25)

afternoon - 4 Bloomington Hills. Not sure of a distance, but I ran around setting up and taking down the course. We did a lot of work for a meet that wasn't even ours. (Zero 49)

AM - 10 Mall/AC/DI. Would have liked to run more if I would have had time. Not that I felt good at all, it was just a nice morning to be out running. (Free 684.45)

afternoon - 6 Mall. Felt a bit worn down at the end of the day today, but it was nice to run with the boys even though it wasn't a good run. Ended with 8xbarefoot striders. Wish I didn't have to recover from workouts (like the old days) and could just feel good all the time. (Barefoot '12 84)(Connect 275.75)

AM - 10 Mall/AC/DI.  Switched the direction of the Mall so I don't go insane.  Felt pretty good for 8 miles.  The last couple were a little iffy.  (F50 317)

afternoon - 5 Shoe. The usual pre-race run out in the heat. The pond was super nice. (Ohana 650)

AM - 11.5 Junction. Ran from home since we are headed up to the Murray XC Invite and I needed to go get a suburban. The run was pretty nice even though the temps still aren't really cooling off at all. (Hyper Speed 2 208)

Noon - 21 SGM Course. Got home way late from the race last night, so I had only been asleep barely 2 hours when the alarm went off to go meet Steve to run down the course. There was no way I was going to be able to make it, so I just reset the alarm and fell back asleep. Then when the alarm went off again, I was still way out of it. So I just slept more and whatevered the run. I finally woke up and ate and chilled until Al got home from her run and I decided that I ought to go out. So I drove up the course a bit and dropped some drinks and then started back at the finish and ran up 10 and back. It was super hot and I didn't plant enough drinks, so I was happy for all the litterers who don't go up and pick up their drinks - I stole about 5 of them and dumped them on me at various times (I figured no one else was using the drink since I was the only idiot out there on the course at 2 in the afternoon in the 95+ heat). I originally planned on a progression tempo with 4, 3, 2, and 1 miles with an easier mile between each. But with the up and back I had to do the first four on the way up from miles 6-10. So I kind of put time aside and just tried to push it pretty hard. The sets on the way down were good and it ended up being a good workout. I mixed my gu into some waters and it seemed to sit a lot better. (Kinvara3 80.5)

Not a bad end to the week, especially since I didn't feel like running at all.

Goals for next week: pretty much more of the same. And keep a good attitude while doing it.

AM - 10 DI/laps.  Ran an extended DI before the girls got there and then we did our workout with a Pizza warm/cool.  We ran 4x30 secs hard w/ min recovery and then 3x800 (grass) w/ 2 min recovery; followed by 3x1000 (track) w/ 1 min recovery.  It was a good hard workout for the girls and got the legs moving a little.  (Zero 59)

afternoon - 12.5 River Trail. Figured I had better go 10 because it is going to be a little harder to get my miles in this week. But I really just didn't want to go. Had to run by myself since the kids were out of school for early out. Once I got down to the River I started feeling better and decided that since I was out there I should push to the DC and get a drink (a little cooler, but still plenty warm). I felt fine about it and then I would regret my decision, and then I would feel good again and back and forth. So I just kind of chugged along. (Connect 290.25)

AM - 11 Tempo (attempted).  Got to Clyde's a little early and no one was out... so I waited until the usual 5 after cutoff and still no one.  I was a bit bummed - for one, I could have slept for a little longer and run at home; two, I could tell I needed help on today's tempo and I was going to have to do it alone.  So I got started and just felt totally flat and blah.  Told myself to just let the first couple miles come to me easy (like last week) and maybe I would get out of the funk.  So I hit right at the same for last week for the first two, but I still felt like junk.  About .5 miles into the 3rd tempo mile my stomach started twisting and I felt horrible - I have had stomach issues a lot lately.  I can't eat breakfast without feeling sick and sometimes even throwing up.  I don't eat nearly as much as I did even just a month ago.  And just feel sick to my stomach constantly. - and that was enough to make me just bail.  So I turned around in a very foul mood and jogged back to Clyde's and called it quits.  (Rocket 433.75)

AM - 8 PV/AC/DI.  Ran over to school today and then did the usual run from there.  I still feel horrid (although I was able to eat a little breakfast).  My legs are just junk right now though.  It is very frustrating.  (Oregon 452.25)

afternoon - 11 Rooler Coaster/home. Some moron developed a portion of the roller coaster on the back side of Shinob Kibe so we had to help blaze a new trail - but that was kind of fun in the soaked ground. Then striders and on the exercise bike while the team did weights. Did that for twenty minutes to keep loose since I had to run home. (barefoot '12 85)(Kinvara3 90.5)

AM - 7 2xDI/AC. Tried to get a little extra sleep this morning. My body is kind of beat up and I figured a few more minutes of sleep and a few les miles would be beneficial. Saw that awesome missile test cloud. I thought it was either a plane crash or some kind of missile. So I hoped missile and I hoped test. But it sure was cool looking - that twisting cloud just totally glowing in the early sunrise. (Free 691.45)

afternoon - 7 Shoe Run. Usual preface run today. It was nice to have it a little cooler today (and this morning). Jumped in the pond and ending with 4x200. Still not too fresh. (Hyper Speed2 215)

AM - 8 Green Springs. Slept in a bit to try and be able to stay awake tonight on the drive up and back from SLC for an XC meet. Felt a little more zesty than the rest of the week. (Boston 886.5)

morning - 22 SGM Course. After last week, I figured I could do a similar thing and not stress myself trying to wake up early after getting to bed late. But my allergies have been super crappy and my neck has been kinked all week, so I didn't really have high hopes for this morning. Dropped off my drinks and got started at 9:30 - much better than last week's noon, and it was still only 70 degrees (and only 82 when I finished which made it much nicer than last week). Had planned on a similar workout to last week, but decided to modify to a quicker than marathon pace on the way down since I didn't get a tempo in this week. Started off and felt great right off the bat. Kept the moment all the way up and did a good push on the final 4.5 (went up 10.5 this week instead of 10 - but to last week's point I was 7 minutes quicker up this week) up to the Snow Canyon entrance. The first .5 back down I just tried to get the legs transitioning from the uphill speed to the downhill speed. Then I got pushing a bit more for the next 10. Didn't kill the pace, but wanted sub-marathon pace throughout and hoped I wouldn't have to push too crazy to do it. Relaxed on the hills and decided that will be a key for me this year - don't stress the hills, I just don't have the leg strength I used to on them... so don't stress - but still hit solid times. By the end, down Diagonal and such, the legs were tired and I could tell I had run hard, but it wasn't so dead that I used up all the mojo. Ave. down the course was just over 5:30 - not bad after the strong 10.5 miles of uphill - and I would love if I could finish the marathon anywhere near that. I feel the sub 2:30 goal really is right there within my reach now. I would really love to get back there again. Finished up with a mile cool after getting to the park. (Last Ohana 340.5)

This week was really a struggle for the most part with the allergies, my neck, and the travel to SLC, but I am happy with how it ended.

goals for next week: last longer run will have to be on Friday morning early since we are headed up to SLC for the third straight week of XC (Ally is probably ready to kill me) and this one is overnight. Hopefully a decent tempo on Tuesday (not much time left for those, so I would like a couple more good ones).

AM - 10.5 PV/AC/Lutheran.  No ill effects so far from Saturday's workout, but this was just an easy run in the cool.  (Kinvara3 101)

afternoon - 11.25 River Run. The loop to the trail with 2 miles of solid Indian Run with the top 10 guys. Then running home. A bit more sloppy this afternoon. I hope that works out for tomorrow morning. (Kinvara 677.9)

AM - 13 Tempo.  Not a whole lot in the legs today, but it ended up much better than last week... at least I finished.  I could still really feel Saturday's run in me, but having The Circle around always pushes you through.  Times ranged between Tinman and MP, but were mostly in between the two; so nothing great, but not heinous.  A lot of early mornings this week.  (Rocket 446.75)

afternoon - 2 Pizza.  Just warmed and cooled with the team before and after their workout which was fine because my legs are a bit spent.  (Stratus grey 1026.85)

AM - 4 AC/Pizza.  A pretty weak morning, but there just wasn't time.  Mike and I went out early on AC since he had homecoming practice stuff and then the girls were there for their workout and I joined them on the warm up.  Roberts and I decided not to run with the girls on their Michigan to help them develop a little of their own pacing and stuff, so I was holding a clipboard most of the morning.  It was fine though because my body is tight and tired.  (Triumph Silver 772.3)

afternoon - 8.5 GS/2450.  Boys ran up Green Springs and then Mike and I added 2450.  Didn't make for a lot of mileage today, but rest was needed anyway. (Landreth blue 845.4)

AM - 11.5 2xAC/DI/Lutheran.  Another early round of early mileage with Mikey-boy.  Then added more while waiting for the team and then the usual stuff.  Legs feeling better this morning - good.  Head cold and all that junk not feeling any better yet - bad.  (Connect 301.75)  

afermoon - 5 Shoe Run. Usual pre-race run. The pond was nice and cool. (Hyper Speed 2 200)

AM - 18 Fields/AC/Lutheran. Up way early and got in 12 before practice out into the Fields. The weather out there was amazing. Tried to push the pace a bit, but was still way tired from the week. So I was content to let it be at an okay pace and not force it. Then ran with the team and added 3 more. Ave. ended up being just below 7 for the entire run. Now for another busy and long weekend. (Kinvara3 119)

morning - 13 Sugarhouse. Ran with varsity boys on the State course. We warmed up with the course and then ran 4x a fartlek session (the 2/1-1/30-30/30 workout). It was tough on an old guy to hang near these young fellas. Then we rounded up the girls and Abel and ran down to another park were the JV team was blasting things and i ran around a little more. (Connect 314.75)

Week was a decent one. Nothing super special, but I am starting to feel a little better from me head cold, but my neck tightened back up this morning.

Goals for next week: get/keep healthy. Start to freshen up the legs a bit.

AM - 8 track.  Did a workout with the girls today after a mile warm.  We did 4x30, 3x800, 2x1000 finishing with Pizza cool, but I extended on DI.  The workout was very solid for the girls and it is nice to get out and run with them and get my own legs going a little.  (Hyper Speed 260.25)

afternoon - 3.5 2xHart's.  Just warmed and cooled with the team around their workout.  Did run just a touch with a few of the kids here and there to push them a little  (Kinvara 709.4)

AM - 13 Tempo Loop.  Wasn't a horrid tempo, but not super great.  I had to hit it alone, so I was pretty worried because I always need that little push from The Circle or the team to get going (and I could have used it today too), but I felt a lot better than last time I was stuck alone.  Started a mile earlier and ended a mile later to get a 10 mile tempo.  Hit in an ave. that was below Tinman, but not quite MP.  I wanted about 5-10 seconds quicker, but I am not going to stress about it.  I was happy to at least get it done and hit the same times as last week.  I feel that a low 2:30 (like 2:32) is very much within reach based on how I felt this morning and if things go good I still feel a 2:30 is there.  (Rocket 459.75)

AM - 3 Pizza/DI.  I thought about getting up earlier and getting a few in before the girls' workout, but Weds. is so tough to wake up after early Tues. morning and late night.  So I just ran the warm up with the girls and the cool down extended to DI.  I am just trying not to worry about it anyway and look at it as the easy miles cut down for the taper.  (Stratus grey 1029.65)

afternoon - 6.5 Fire Station Desert.  Out with the boys team this afternoon.  Felt pretty decent.  Added a little to the run.  (Connect 308.25)

AM - 7 AC/Lutheran.  A great morning for temps.  Legs are feeling decent.  Back is finally starting to loosen up.  And head junk is clearing out.  Maybe I'll be ready for the marathon.  (F50 324)

afternoon - 6.5 Shoe.  Again the usual pre-race run.  Pond is nice and chilly... love it.  (Ohana Racers 656.5)

AM - 7.75 AC/2450.  Felt okay today.  A little blah, but I think that is just a bit of a taper setting in.  Kind of excited to run a little something harder tomorrow morning.  (Oregon 460)

AM - 14.75 SG Course.  Felt great to get the Mana on again!  What a great shoe.  I should get a few more pair.  Ran up from Diamond just a little and then down to the finish.  Logan was going to join me, but I got busy getting our car wash stuff ready last night and forgot to call him (sorry Logie).  On the way down, ran 3x2miles with 1 mile in between after about 5 or so at Tinman.  Felt okay, but my right calf is feeling a bit strained out.  I could run on it, but now it is giving me trouble - blah.  Cold up on the course; my ears and hands were cold!  (Mana 184)

Good week of recovery.

Goals for next week: get my calf better, enjoy the race, run to the very best of what the body will give me without letting the mind control it.