Cheesey bottom crust

Not much to say about today. Just a repeat of last year. Died again at 19. Not as bad as it felt once I looked back at the splits but still died. Something just turned off as I came off the volcano outside of Diamond Valley and I had nothing left again. Got a little frustrated as I came across the half at 1:21:50(well over the 1:19-1:20 I was looking for) but tried to not let it get to me as I figured I could bust out some good times coming down the last 10. Didnt happen. Walked through every aid station from 19 on.

Decided to come back and fill in a few things for future reference.

1-7 (6:04,6:13,6:02,5:58,6:15,5:58,5:59) After a mile or so I found myself with Steve Olsen and we decided to work towards sub 2:40 together. I know hes done that a few times so I figured id follow his pacing and see what happened. Slower than last year through here and my quads where already tight. Hoping the slower pace will help out the last 10k.

8-13(7:02,6:33,6:28,6:42,6:17,6:04) We started up Veyo pretty slow and about halfway up I couldnt take it anymore so I picked the pace up. I was feeling good and wanted to get moving. I was hoping Steve would come with me but he stayed back. Hit the next set well. This is where I felt the best during the race. I passed several people (most of whom eventually passed me back coming into town) and was running strong and smooth mentally and physically. Got to the half and was a bit frustrated with the time. 1:21:50. I was shooting for 1:19-1:20 and expecting to physically good with that effort. I could see being sore and a little tired here if I was pushing 1:17-1:18 but not almost 1:22. Tried to be positive and pick up the pace. I was hoping I could push low 6 or even sub 6 for the remainder of the race.

14-20(6:08,6:01,5:51,6:02,6:16,6:44,6:50) I didnt check my pace at all through here and the first few miles are dead on what I wanted but coming down the big drop around the volcano it was like a switch was turned off somewhere inside me. My legs instantly lost all energy and my heartrate jumped so much I was actually aware of it. I never notice my heartrate when running even when sprinting but from here until the last mile I was very aware of how high it seemed and how hard it was beating. I just kept pushing but holy crap was it hard. Then once again it all starts coming undone at 19. The climb up Winchester was bad news and my form was all over from here on out.

21-26.2(6:36,7:13,6:56,6:46,7:10,6:50,1:12 at 5:38 pace) Aside from last year I have never hated the end of a race so bad as through here. I tried with everything I had to go on the downhills but my legs where so shot. I just couldnt get a response from my body. Each step was painfull and I developed a massive cramp just under my ribcage that ran up into my shoulder that would worsen on the pounding downhills. The top women runner passed me on the downhill just before Chuckawalla and I just got more and more angry with each person that passed and I couldnt keep pace with them. Steven passed me coming down 300W and I just wanted to keep him in my sights to not loose anymore ground but I fell further and further back. As we turned onto 300S I pushed with all I had. I was able to catch him and we had a good sprint the last block 1/2 of the race. I just passed him at the finish. Yes Steve I sandbaged you bad. Sorry.

Frustrating as I felt I had much better training than I had before Utah Valley but ran so much worse. Hopefully a good rest will get me back into a groove of some kind.

Sore but not horrible. Took Ada on a 6 mile bike ride. That helped loosen me up. Got caught in a pretty strong rain/lightning storm. We took cover under a boulder overhang on the trail to keep from getting struck by lightning. I thought it was fun, Ada didnt. Now that the race is over im getting sick.

Still havent run yet. Been pretty sick most of the week. Took another bike ride with Ada again today. 4 miles up towards Grapevine. All soreness is gone but I can tell it will be awhile before i have any kind of energy in my legs again.

Grapevine. Easy morning run. Felt pretty good aside from the stupid head cold that is trying to work its way into my chest. Broke in a new pair of Summons. Not sure if I like the change. I loved the originals but the jury is still out on the new model.

Landfill. Went out just after noon and boy was it nice out. Warm but not hot. Went easy and felt good most of the way.

City Wells. Another very nice morning for a run. Felt a little tired on the way out but on the way back everything felt good. Started picking it up coming down the parkway but backed off after a bit. I always start picking up the pace to soon after a marathon and end up burning out so I decided to ease off and get a good recovery before I do any fast running.

Millcreek. Up to the start of the reserve and back home. Tired so it felt pretty slow but who knows what it actually was. Found a baby king snake that had been run over. Sad. Those things are beautiful. Plus they kill rattlesnakes so that makes them awesome in my book.

Prospector. Didnt go very fast and varied between feeling great and super worn out. Seems like the first month or so after a marathon is really hard running for me. I was hoping that the extra time off after the race and coming back easier would help with that. Maybe it has but it doesnt seem feel like it some days.

Greensprings. Nice afternoon jog in some great weather. Felt ok but got pretty tired towards the end again. Still cant decide if i like the new Summon or not. They felt good at the start of the run but towards the end the arches on both feet hurt a little and my left leg started to go numb. Who knows, Im prob just up in the night.

Firestation. Beautiful day, not so beautiful run. Tired tired tired again. No juice in the body at all. Was going to extend up Grapevine but didnt on account of being dead.

Landfill. Felt much better today than the last several runs. Almost sped up for a couple miles but decided to hold back and hopefully have something for the race saturday.

Grapvine/Highland park. Really didnt want to go out today but I was able to force myself out. The trail was nice because of the rains. The lack of steady sleep lately is really causing me issues with my running. One of the joys of life I guess.

Didnt really want to run again so I just jumped on the treadmill for a few easy miles this morning. Got more rain last night. That should make the trail super muddy for the race tomorrow. Fun.

First off I'll say that this was probably the most fun I have ever had in a race. Its been raining on/off all week and really came down last night so I knew that it was going to be quite muddy out there. I just didnt know it would be that muddy.

This was a really low key event. Only 7 or 8 people showed up for the full marathon and after cheering them off from the park we loaded into some cars to get to the half marathon start 2.5 miles down the road. It was raining pretty good at the park so I left my watch and music in the car and donned a garbage bag to keep dry.

The dirt road was SO soupy that 2 steps after getting out of the car my feet where covered in mud. That really runny sticky clay mud. Im thinking this is going to be an adventure of some kind. There where 17 of us at the start and off we went just a minute or so after the top 2 marathon runners passed by us.

For the first mile I tried running on all different parts of the road to find the least slippery or driest spot but there wasnt one so I ended up right in the middle splashing and sliding all over the place. I was alone by mile 2 and for the rest of the race but I enjoyed the solitude. The rain stopped and there where low hanging clouds around the cliffs and the temps where perfect. I tore off my garbage bag and tossed it at the first aid station. 

For a bit I was mad I didnt bring my watch but I tossed that thought out the window and just enjoyed the challenge of finding a stride to fit the continually changing environment. I cant express how much mud and slick clay where on this trail/road. It felt like for every stride you would slide back 1/2 a step. I found that a super short stride and fast feet where the best bet today.

We wound up a trail that was half in and half out of a wash going towards the mesa and it was all up hill. I was laughing at the absurdity of trying to race in the mud but man was I having fun! Hit the second aid station at the base of the mesa and poped a GU and some water then took off down the road. After maybe .10 or so I got thinking I was supposed to turn off the road at the aid station onto a trail so I ran back to ask them. The workers had no clue but I was pretty sure thats what I was to do so I went for it. It was a single track bike trail and it was only slightly less slick than the road but had puddles of water every 5-10 feet. It was either step in a puddle or run out into the bushes and deep mud. It was downhill and in and out of the wash. I was laughing so hard and just having so much fun sliding and slipping all over the place. I came up one hill and on the way down I threw my arms up like on a roller coster and let out a big yell. That was a mistake because it was step and I couldnt get my legs going fast enough to keep up with my body. I didnt fall but it was close. I cant  imagine what someone would have thought had they seen me.

Unfortunatly the trail ended and we got back onto the dirt or should I say mud road. I was able to pick up the pace through here as the road was covered with crushed lava rock and wasnt quite as muddy. That only lasted for a mile or so and then the mud started again. It would build up on the bottom of my shoe and then come flying off in large clumps as I would swing my leg forward and then splash in the road and make an even bigger mess.

The last mile or more was on the highway back into Virgin. It was nice to have most of the mud off the shoes for a while. I came into the park to the cheers of the 5 or 10 people at the finish line and once I stopped realized for the first time how much mud I had all over me. My legs where absolutely covered. Didnt catch my time as I crossed the line but I didnt care. I was just enjoying the whole experince to much to care.

Im sure most of this is rambling garbage but I just had such a good time and thats rare for me in a race. I felt good, ran good and won which is a bonus. Plus I got a HUGE trophy (no idea where Im going to put it) a pair of trail running shoes and they had lots of snacks and food at the finish.

Talked with a couple people that had their garmins and they measured it at 13.4. So, a litttle long but who really cares. Not a pr but much more memorable of a race than most pr runs. 

Treadmill. Didnt get a chance to go during the day so I had to do the treadmill this evening after getting the kiddies to sleep.

Middleton/Industrial park. Had a really good run today. The legs felt great and I just took it easy until the last 1.5 then I hit the hill by the firestation hard and the rest of the way home at a brisk pace. I love it when you actually feel good during a run. Makes it so much more enjoyable.

Landfill. Didnt take it very fast today and felt ok. Weather was really nice this afternoon.

Firestation. Legs felt worn out today from the bike ride so I called it good at 8. Earlier I took Ada in the bike trailer up to Highland Park. Pulling that trailer uphill for 2 miles had my quads burning pretty good.

Not to make you Northern guys feel bad but it has been warm enough in the afternoons to run shirtless this whole week. Love it.

City Wells. Started out a pretty downer run. Mad and frustrated at life and several nights of sleeplessness added up to a not very enjoyable time. On the way back things got better. Mostly because its all downhill and I didnt have to work at all but thats beside the point.

Mustang Pass. Went up to the top of Mustang and back because its a longer run than finishing going around the trail. Overcast skys had me hoping for a good rain on the trails. Not to be. Only thing that happened was the wind blew harder and it got a little chilly. Felt really good until the last 3 miles then bonked. Still a good run though.