Back At It

Thought I'd give this daily log thing another shot in order to hold myself more accountable... 

Back to training after two weeks of easy running post-Buffalo Run!  And of course, I decided to get out and run some miles on the pavement in some old shoes... Bad idea.  Basically hobbled in the last 1.5 miles as my left arch started acting up again.

7:31/mi. avg.
0 vert

My schedule called for double digits today, but I've definitely learned when to do what's scheduled and when not to.  This was certainly a day to avoid the schedule and just go with what feels good.  With that said, it also gave me a good excuse to get to the gym and do some weights - something I have a hard time scheduling in.  So I started with a 5 minute warm up, then ran for 35 minutes on the treadmill.  Left arch was a bit sore, but it felt good to stretch it out.  Also did some upper body weights: bench, lat pulldowns, tricep extensions, and decline situps.

3.0 miles
11:40/mi. avg.
1,412' vert

I had a chance to get out with Jun and Dorsimus today to enjoy some sunshine before the weather turned nasty.  They had agreed on doing the BST in Draper, so I went along for the ride.  Definitely ended up being a fun ride!  I do most of my training alone, so it's a lot of fun when I'm able to get out with others.

Right off the bat I noticed my legs were not in it.  I don't remember ever having this kind of layover after a race, but I'm just going with it, hoping that one day I'll start feeling like myself again.  Anyway, Craig - donning his Stockton-esque shorts and new Altra's - led us out to Corner Canyon and kept a great pace.  Things were pretty quiet til we hit the Corner Canyon road where we could run side-by-side.  We talked about our running plans for the summer, and I even found out I used to work for the same company as these guys several years ago.  Salt Lake is a small place, for sure.

At the top of the Corner Canyon road, we took a quick break.  I think I was focused on talking because I failed to notice the other two taking in some fuel.  Typically I don't take in fuel for runs under 2.5 hours or so, but I noticed a substantial difference between my energy and theirs toward the end of the run... Something I'll need to keep in mind for next time.  After our short break we took off down the Ghost Falls trail which was an absolute mudfest!  At one point I thought for sure Matt was going down when his plant foot slid laterally about 10 inches.  Good save!

Once we got back to the BST, I noticed my energy was down and I was constantly sipping water.  From there I was pretty much holding on til the end.  Finished in 1:35:58.  Ended up feeling pretty spent and even got some sweet farmer tan lines to show for the day!  Too bad the weather won't stay like this.  On a positive note, my left arch held up well throughout.  Looks like I'll be sticking to the trails for awhile.

10.25 miles
9:22/mi. avg.
1398' vert

I only had a one hour window after work today (or so I thought) to run, so driving to a trail was out of the question.  And in keeping true to my current boycott on pavement, the remaining option was the treadmill.  I was kinda ticked about having to hit the gym when the skies were clear out.  Whaddya do though?  So I went and ran for 40 minutes at the gym followed by a quick circuit of weights. 

Busted home, showered, got ready, walked the dogs, then my wife informed me that our dinner plans were pushed back 90 minutes.  Now what?  Now I sit here and write this up when I should be feasting.  So instead I'm eating a pre-feast to hold me off.  One thing's for sure... I'd be full-blown fat if I ate like this and didn't run.  Just another benefit to running I guess =)

5.0 miles
39:14 total
7:51/mi. avg.
0' vert

What a perfect morning for running!  I woke up and decided to head up to the BST in Draper.  I started at the trailhead in Sandy and made my way over to Corner Canyon.  I took the Ghost Falls trail up to the road, then decided I'd see what the snowpack was like up high so I hit up Jacob's Ladder.  Once I hit about 7,000 feet I ran over to an outcropping of rocks to get a nice view.  Suddenly I was nearly on top of a big billy that was pushing a group of 40 or so mountain goats.  He startled me!  And typical me, I didn't have my camera :(

I continued to follow the trail 'til I was knee deep in snow, which turned out to be right around 7,300 feet.  So I decided to head back down and make my way to some trails overlooking Utah County.  Didn't have a clue where I was honestly, but I eventually made my way back over by Clark's, then found my way back from there.

18 miles
3:12:00
10:40/mi. avg.
3,127' vert

Nothing spectacular to report today.  Just took things nice and easy.  It was still raining quite a bit when I started, but I ended the run with the sun shining in my face.  Left foot that I've been having problems with held up well on the pavement.  Tacked on a couple small hills near the end of the run just for fun.  First time in a long time that I've felt this good on the pavement.

8.0 miles
1:01:22
250' vert

So after one painful  hour of running (mixed with some walking), I called it quits.  Apparently some recurring shin splints and painful nerve sensations in my legs were too much to handle today.  I don't know if this happens due to poor circulation, leftover toxins, or something else, but I was pretty bummed today.  The good news is this problem happens to me every so often and I know it'll be gone tomorrow.  The bad news is that I feel like I wasted a day.  Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

6.0 miles
59:48
518' vert

Legs felt much better today.  Had some time so I was able to get out on the dirt again.  Kept up a decent pace for most of the run and worked up a nice sweat.  I love when it drips off my face... Makes me feel like I'm working hard!  Ended up with about 10.5 miles total.  Walked away with some fatigued legs, chaffed nips, and a big smile!

10.5 miles
1:19:29
808' vert

Didn't have much time tonight so I jumped on the treadmill for a quick run.  Not ideal, but at least I got a run in.  Did a warmup, then 30 minutes, followed by a quick cooldown.  Legs are feeling quite sore from ramping up the vertical over the last week or so.  Think I'll take tomorrow off to make sure I can have a successful long run effort on Saturday.

3.0 miles
40 minutes total
1,137' vert

Had a very busy day planned out, so I was only able to get about 2 hours in.  Rather than waste time driving, I decided to stick to the Parkway trail and get some flat miles in.  Legs still not real peppy today, but overall it was an ok run with an easy pace.

14 miles
2:01:07
0' vert

Got held up at work and didn't have enough time to get in the run I was hoping for.  I guess that's the risk you run when you plan your runs after work!  I did make it to the Parkway though and put in 5 miles; 3 easy, 1 fast, 1 cooldown.  Was able to knock out a 5:42 4th mile.  I haven't done any speedwork to speak of this year, so it's encouraging to know that all my speed hasn't gone away.  Still not quite what I was hoping for, but I'll take it.

5 miles
35:47
0' vert

My life has been crazy busy the last few days.  I feel like I'm having to scrounge for time to get anything done, let alone get a run in.  Motivation is suffering because of it.  Regardless, I hit the gym and put in a solid 6 miles with a bit of vert mixed in there.  Also got in a quick circuit of weights.

6 miles
52:51
674' vert

The craziness in my personal life looks to be slowing down finally.  I'm looking forward to getting back on my normal schedule since I'm a creature of habit.

Had a very small window to get in a run.  Luckily I had my gear in the car with me, so between errands I stopped off at the JRP in South Jordan.  I grew up in that area, but I've never run this section of trail so it was nice seeing this part of the trail.  Only about 1/3 of the run ended up being on the trail as I ended up connecting some roads on a loop to get back to my car.  Weather was just about perfect for a semi-fast run.

4 miles
27:42
144' vert

I got an invite to go out to Stansbury and run "some loops" on the island.  Jun, Dorsimus, and Scott have all done great write-ups and I'm feeling lazy, so check out their posts for details and pics.

We got out to Stansbury Island after a long, wet drive.  "This could get ugly," I thought.  Turns out the weather held up really nicely and there was even some sunshine.  Other than the fact that it was far too cold for nearly being May, I couldn't have been happier with the weather.  I felt a little under dressed as the others were all wearing pants, but I ended up being just fine.

The first loop was in a clockwise direction and went off without a hitch.  I think it was after the first loop I posed the question "How many loops are you guys planning on?"  "Three" they said.  Guess I should have prepared a little better because for some stupid reason I had the number 20 (miles) in my mind.  Oh well, I told them I was down for whatever. 

Loop 2 went in the opposite direction but felt pretty similar to the first, just slightly more tired.

Loop 3 was once again in the clockwise direction, but an entirely different story.  After downing a whole can of Pepsi at the car, my stomach was sloshing and it did not feel good... Imagine that!  Then after a few miles I felt really dizzy and had to stop while Jun and Dorsimus went ahead.  I took in a gel and decided to take one salt pill, then break a second one open in my mouth.  It's a quick way to get back under control if you're ever in dire need, and I certainly was.  I was able to get moving again before Scott caught me and I made a push to catch the other two.  I was finally able to catch them before we started the descent back down to the valley floor below.  The last few flat miles hurt, but it felt good (if that makes any sense at all).

Awesome day!  It was a lot of fun being in good company and running on an amazing trail.

30 miles
4:56:45
3,074' vert