Cheesey bottom crust

Parkway x2. On the second loop I extended up in to Green Springs. Took several miles before the legs woke up and then they felt good for a few miles and then tired again. Dispite all that it was a good morning and a decent run.

Ran with Dave along the river trail then out to Quail Creek and back on the old highway. We saw two owls in the cliffs along the river and stopped and checked them out for a couple minutes. Havent seen many owls the last few years so that was neat. Dave helped me keep a nice even pace and we had a good run. The weather was great until we ran into a head wind on the way back and that really sucked the juice out of me. Not running Thursday cut the mileage back this week but Im really worn out so I'll call it good.

Mall Drive and home on the river trail. The legs felt kind of heavy and tired the first few miles but then they warmed up and it turned into a great run. Was making good time with no effort at all.

8 - River trail to landfill in the morning. Did 4 miles at low 6's.

4 - Treadmill miles at an easy pace after work.

Middleton. Not much of note tonight. Legs felt pretty tired again so I just poked along at an easy jog.

Late work day and I missed the club run again. Emily wanted to get her workout in so I hit 5 on the treadmill while "watching" the kids. Pretty tough job when they are all asleep. The body still feels pretty sluggish and tired so I didnt go hard or far. 

Grapevine extended up towards the city water tanks. Body felt much better today even with the 95 degree heat. Still took it easy but I was running much better than the last several days.

Sandhollow with Dustin, Bill, Mike and Clyde. Clyde broke off at the dam to get more distance in. We had a nice tail wind on the way out which was nice but the head wind on the return wasnt too fun. 

Around Dogtown in the new shoes. A bit of pain in the left shin again. Not sure if its the new shoes or what. Will see how they feel tomorrow.

Greensprings. The feet and shins didnt bug tonight so like Dave says " pre-race jitters."

Parkway. Legs felt really good. Took it nice and easy.

Sienna Hills. Felt good and rested. Ready for Saturday.

Im not good at mile by mile reports like others so Ill just throw random thought out on todays race. In my mind I really thought I could pull off a 2:42 but I am very pleased with todays results. 2:48, seventh place overall and first in my division. Plus I was able to shave another 8 minutes off my PR. Which was set on a much faster course. I can honestly say I left nothing on the course in this run. I was able to stay positive even when I ran completly out of gas and was running on sheer will and the legs just couldnt go any faster. It was fun to get the next runner in my sights and then pick them off and work on the next one. A few tried to stay with me as I passed but I was able to hold pace and they eventually fell off. I felt incredible for the first half and was starting to wonder if maybe I had gone out to slow but once we came across the dam my legs got heavy and I wasnt able to pick up the pace down the canyon like I though I could. From here on out it was all about mind games. I just kept telling myself "this is what all the hard work is for. Keep pushing and you can fall down once you cross the finish line." My legs really gave out the last three miles. Aside from those last three miles I am pumped about this race and how my training is progressing. Im ready for the next one and another wall to break through.

Splits

1- 6:22

2- 6:33

3- 6:27

4- 6:20

5- 6:25

6- 6:15

7- 6:10

8- 6:18

9- 6:21

10- 6:18

11- 6:31

12- 6:22

13- 6:28

14- 6:19

15- 6:32 (The hill was one this mile I think and it didnt cause much of an issue for me. Actually caught and passed two guys here.)

16- 6:19

17- 6:26

18- 6:14

19- 6:23

20- 6:20

21- 6:22

22- 6:17

23- 6:10 (I have no idea where this one came from cause I was so dead at this point it almost crossed my mind to walk for a bit)

24- 6:49

25- 6:51

26- 6:53

.3- 2:03 ( several people I talked to measured the course long by a tenth also.)

First run since the race. Everything felt really good aside from the calves tightening up after about a mile and never loosened up. Some crazy weirdo gave me a heart attack driving up behind me but thats to be expected in dog town.

Parkway. Easy miles getting the legs back into the grind. Felt much better than yesterday. I thought about heading up Millcreek as I passed it but decided against it for lack of water and not wanting to get too crazy just yet.

Middleton. Didnt wake up as early as I had planned because I was up all night living the bachlors life. And by that I mean eating popcorn and watching Deadliest Catch reruns. Man can I party. Good run but I can tell Im nowhere near recovered from the marathon yet. Now for a day of house fixing projects and helping Dave put together a playground set for the girls.

Five on the treadmill cause I was to lazy to get out the door this morning. With as much as running on a treadmill sucks you would think I would be motivated to get up and run outside.

City Wells. Legs felt good today and aside from the heat it was a decent run.

Fields loop with the club. Took it easy while Steve and Dave chased the deer throuh the fields. That was funny.

Went up into Greensprings and then up towards Icehouse trail. Felt good enough to pick up the pace for a couple miles on the way back.