Cheesey bottom crust

With the Circle again this morning around Ivins/Santa Clara/Green Valley. Felt better than I thought I would after yesterday but the last 4 miles where tough, tough, tough. Enjoyed watching Clyde get attacked by a tree branch.

Firestaion/Grapevine/Sienna Hills. Went super easy to try and let the body recover from the beating its gotten the last 2 days.

Landfill. Still in recovery mode. 

City Wells. Felt a little more energetic today but I think ive caught the crud thats going around dang it. Good end to a fun week of running.

Firestation. Easy start to the week.

Summer tempo loop. 4.35 warm up from Clydes to Stucki Farms subdivision then got into the running. 8 miles at 6:29,6:28,6:17,6:20,6:27,6:20,6:19,6:19 then 2.1 cooldown back to Clydes. Much better than last week. Started off easier and it payed off. I die bad when I go out too hard. Felt much more "with it" mentally and was able to shrug off the negative thoughts well when they tried to show up. Now to just keep whittling those times down.

Landfill. Just about threw up several times on this one. The stomach didnt like the bouncing i guess.

AM 7 - Parkway/Sienna Hills. A little less protest from the stomach this morning.

PM 6 - Grapevine.

Middleton/Main. Didn't feel to good at the start but ended good. Beautiful day for a run.

Stg half/Bloomington. Did 6 along the trail into Bloomington with Dave, Clyde, Logan and Steve then back to the Dixie Center to meet up with some others. Bill joined us and we did the half course. Picked it up the last several miles pretty good. Held on well for not having done multiple hard workouts in a week for quite a while. 2 good weeks in a row. Go team!

Firestation/Grapevine. Monday, Monday. Legs not quite recovered from the last couple of weeks I dont think.

Summer temp loop with the Circle. I almost went back to sleep when the alarm went off. Just didnt want to do anything especially run but I drug myself out. 4.36 warmup and the body was just not wanting to go. It felt really hard to go warm up pace. I told Dave to not wait for me after the tempo as I would most likely be pretty far back.

Started out and just tried to hold on as long as I could expecting the boys to come blowing by about the same place as last week. Suprisingly they didnt pass until a couple miles in. Im thinking the bathroom stop took longer than planned. Body still didnt feel good but I could tell I was going faster than I thought I would be able to go. The last 2 where tough but I held on pretty good I think. Didnt check the splits till after the run and was suprised by a couple of the miles. 6:31,6:22,6:09,6:10,6:22,6:18,6:26,6:25. Not bad on a tired body. Things are moving forward although the right groin/ab area has been sore. Hopefully nothing but the body adjusting to more miles and quicker runs.

2.15 cool down back to Clydes. 

Top of Greensprings w/Park via Main. Slow and easy.

AM 6 - Felt a bit more energy in the body this morning. Still some pain in the groin/ab on the right.

PM 8.44 - So nice outside!!! Enjoyed the run and felt great.

City Wells. Way burnt out today so I just putted along.

Coral Canyon/Gilbert Development. Easy out and a little quicker on the way back. Felt pretty good.

Landfill. Legs kept wanting to take off today but I held back because of tempo tomorrow. Nice run.

Solo tempo Tues today. Waited until the afternoon cause Im tired of being cold and it was much better. 2 mile warm up down to the dogpound. 8 mile tempo down the river trail and back to the dogpound. Legs felt tired and I wasnt sure how it would go but I pressed on and tried not to stress to much. 6:18,6:16:6:15,6:21,6:14,6:12,6:13,6:12. Dispite the tired feeling and having to really push the last 2 things worked out really well. Pretty consistant splits. Progress is a good thing. 2 mile cool down back home.

Grapevine/Firestation+. A little tired from yesterdays run but not horrible.

Grapevine/CoralCanyon/Highland/Sienna Hills. All over to avoid running on the roads as much a possible. Just couldnt get any motivation to run yesterday and almost none today. Happens sometimes I guess.

Southern Parkway. Didnt have any plan but once I got going I thought Id see how the new parkway out to the airport looked. Seems like lots of time and money for a two lane road that they are going to have to expand in a couple years. Didnt have a watch so I had no idea how far it was until I got home and drove the route. I was hoping for further but what it was is what it was.

Grapevine/parkway/sienna hills. Not a bad start to the week. Still having a hard time getting motivated to run though. Atlas core after.

Summer Tempo loop. A little over 4 mile warm up then got right to the pain. 6:17,6:16,6:08,6:09,6:13,6:14,6:06,6:08. Still improving so thats positive. Felt good for most of the run except every time one of the other guys came blasting by like I was walking. Thats always a rude awakening on how fast your not going. Dave came by with about 2 left and gave me a little push on the back and told me to keep with him. I didnt realize how bad my form was until he pushed on my lower back. I was hunched over and all sorts of out of wack. So I stood back up and got things sitting how they should be and tried to not let him get too far away. I never though I lacked in the mental toughness department but I think I really need to work on that. Im going to have to keep aware of my form/posture better too. Wasnt sure how the legs would hold up in the Kinvaras but I had no issues at all. I like the feel of less shoe although I slap a lot more than I use to in the past. 

2+ cooldown back to Clydes.

City Wells. Really worn out so today was super slow.

Lunch  8 - Landfill. Still pretty worn out so I took it super easy again.

PM  6 - Grapevine.

Had a good rain today so I figured it was a perfect time to hit Millcreek before the horses tore it to crap. One rider beat me to the punch but thankfully he didnt destroy the trail to bad. Got to the creek bed and decided to just head up until I didnt feel like running anymore. Made it up almost to the mountain then it started to hail and I got super cold. Only had shorts and tee shirt on so I figured id better get started back so I didnt catch cold. Only made it 1/2 mile and my shirt was soaked, heavy and freezing. Decided it would be better to take it off and not have that cold rag against my skin. As long as I was moving it was ok but I had to stop a couple times to remove rocks/sand from the shoes and that took a while with frozen fingers that couldnt work the laces. I got tunnel vision pretty bad on the way back. Not sure if it was from the cold or the cliffs being so close for so long but it was a very wierd feeling. Hit the wall with about 6 miles to go and got nervous that I might be in trouble but the rain/hail stopped and then I came out of the close quarters in the creek bed and the open view in front of me was like heaven. Another really wierd feeling. Once I got to the tortise fence I picked up the pace to a comfortable hard pace so I could get back to a warm shower before I did some damage running in a rain storm shirtless in the winter.

Sounds like a bad time but I actually had a good time. Very cold coming home but good. The legs came around from the vacation they took the last few days and I saw some incredible views that most people never see.

St George Steel/Main. Nice and easy. Nice to have the sun out even if it was still a touch chilly.

Firestation/Sienna Hills. Not one of the best Monday runs Ive had. Not a good sign for tomorrows workout.

Tempo loop with the Circle. Woke up super early this morning so I wasnt in a rush to get out the door which was nice and it wasnt freezing either so bonus. 4+ warm up then got into the fun.

6:24,6:16,6:09,6:05,6:05,6:00,6:04,6:05. Suprised that the legs showed up for a run today after yesterdays horrid jog. I was workingfor it but the quicker pace is starting to come back slowly. Miles 3-6 were great. Didnt seem to have to work overly hard and the breathing was working without sounding like I was about to die. The last 2 reversed that and I had to fight hard to hold on but survived suprisingly well.

2+ cool down.

Grapevine/CC/Highland. Once again I picked a tough route for a recovery day but its one of the few places you dont have to fight traffic and people so i'll take it anyday.

AM - 7 Parkway/Sienna Hills. Decent run.

Main/Greensprings/Parkway. Pretty good run. Ended with a couple fast miles as I was feeling good. Unfortunatly the lower ab/groin thing has reared its ugly head something fierce and its hurting even when not running. Left side.

Fields/2760S. Spent the day riding the 4 wheeler with the kids so I didnt get out until late afternoon and I wasnt feeling much like running. Thankfully it was really nice out and I didnt have much ab/groin issue. Was able to pick up the pace the last 5 from an easy jog to something faster.

Grapevine/Firestation. Unfortuntaly the wind started blowing just as I got out tonight. That made for a very unenjoyable run.

Landfill. Kind of all over the place on this run. Glad to be done with it.

10.5 - City Wells. Legs felt much better today. Groin/ab wanted to be a little grouchy but not horrible thankfully.

3 - The whole famdamly wanted to go run so we went out to the parkway and back. I extended up the parkway a bit to get a little extra in. Ran in the new Mizunos for the first time. I think they will make a nice fast workout/race shoe.

Landfill. Didnt have any plans again today but I figured id better hit the run a little harder than just a jog so after a mile or so I picked up the pace. Felt nice and smooth and not to much coughing so I think that the cold might be on its way out. 6:44 avg for the run.

Coral Canyon. Went out past  the Gilbert building on the ridge and back toward the old highway. Nice run. 

Fields/Southern Parkway. Woke up not wanting to run at all and was thinking it would be nice to have some company on the run but once I got out and going I had a nice run and enjoyed going solo. Hit 4 fast miles on the way back though the fields.

Grapevine/Firestation/Grapevine. Not a bad run for a Monday.

Summer Tempo loop with the Circle. 3.5 warm up. With the race on Saturday I didnt want to go all out or as far on todays tempo so I started at Staheli farm instead of going out to Stucki farms. Eased into it and did ok. Didnt feel very zippy but it went ok I think. 6:26,6:31,6:27,6:43,6:37,6:41

Ran up and down the trail waiting for everyone to finish then cool down back to Clydes.

City Wells/Grapevine. Legs felt pretty tired but I just took it slow and easy. The wind was blowing pretty bad so the last 3 into the wind sucked big time. 

Landfill. Went out to the fence today just because. Legs felt much better than yesterday. I keep trying to overthink every little twinge and breath because of the race Saturday but finally told my freaking brain to just relax. Ive trained good and what will be will be. Plus this isnt what Im training for its just a stop along the way.

Grapevine/CC. Took it easy and enjoyed the great weather. Tried to keep from thinking to much about the race but I'm a little nervous as this is my first racing half in a few years and want it to go well.

Warmed up from the start line up to Gilbert Development and used the portapotty there cause my stomach was arguing with me then ran back to the start. Saw Nate and a few others and jumped in line to get started. Went out too hard the first few miles trying to keep up with the kids half my age and in much better shape and I payed for it at the end. Did a pretty good job of keeping positive when I started getting down and caught and passed 1 guy at the bottom of the Dam Rd. The last several miles were HARD but thankfully no one passed me and I didnt die even though I really wanted to. For my first half race in 3 years I think it went pretty well and this gives me a good measurement of where I stand for Boston.

5:34,5:40,5:40,5:39,5:53,6:12,6:06,5:42,6:00,6:34,6:05,6:23,6:01, 5:39 (.1)

Landfill. Slow and slow. Legs where tired and tight for most of the run. Loosened up a bit on the way back. Planters is acting up on the right foot.

City Wells. Nice lunchtime run. Legs are starting to come around a little.

Coral Canyon Trail/Highland Park. Nice lunch run. Body is almost back from the race I think.

Fields park. Super windy on the way out but it was nice to have it push me down the road on the way back. 3 faster miles on way back.

Top of Mustang Pass/Wash Hollow extention. It was raining so I went slightly prepared with long sleve and gloves. Sand was wet so it was smooth sailing up and I felt good. Had stomach issues once I reached the top and was glad I had gloves to sacrifice. The way back wasnt so nice. The whole body got really tired and I struggled to keep moving. A really pretty hawk was gliding around so I stopped to watch him and he caught the currents just right and was hovering right above me for 30 sec or so and then pealed off and was gone. Love birds of prey they are just cool. Stopped a couple more times to check out the view and recover. Just a really pretty time of year up there and the rains make it that much nicer.

Quail Creek w/Maverick extention. Really didnt want to run this morning so I replaced the front brakes on the car and then I felt more in the mood to go out. Went up to Maverick to add a couple miles on the way out cause I knew Id never do it on the way back. Felt really good for most of the run. Bonked pretty hard the last couple miles but I made it home.

Grapevine/Firestation. 

Landfill.

City Wells/grapevine.

Coral Canyon trail/Highland.

Wind was blowing like a mother so I decided to dig the treadmill out of the garage. I figured I could watch some Netflix to help pass the time and it wouldnt be to bad. Oh how wrong I was. That was the longest most crappy 9 miles of my life. I guess I just need a reminder every couple years of how much I hate using those things.

Coral Canyon/Highway 91. Wanted to get out before the wind got too bad but it was blowing pretty good even at 7 (of course now its not even slightly breezy). Head wind for the first 9.25 so I was excited to turn around and hit some faster miles on the way back with a nice tail wind. 5:46,5:52,6:19,5:54,5:57,6:03 Not bad but it was alot of work even with the downhill (except 3 which was uphill). Some how the wind switched directions and turned into a headwind after 2 miles which pissed me off but thats about how things go for me. Not a bad end to the week but Im about ready for the body to feel some energy again.

City Wells. Started with the intention of doing the landfill route but they had the trail closed at the bottom. Turned back and hit the wells route. Something Dave told me during the dogtown race has been itching at the back of my mind so today I made a very conscious effort to pick up my knees. I think my form has gotten way off from trying to avoid the things that were painfull during runs with my injuries. It was work and things that haven't been sore for a long time were but the run was better. I'll try to keep it up and see what happens.

Fire station+/sienna hills. Trying to fight off the sickness and avoid the wind so it was late before I got out. Glad I did though because the legs felt great, everything was smooth, the breathing was easy and the Roads had very little traffic. Super chilly wind wasn't fun but it was really nice to have a quick paced smooth fun run.

Stucki Farms. Tried the trail again but it was still closed so I went out into the fields. pretty good run.

Greensprings. Went out via Main and came back on Greensprings Dr. Kind of cold this morning but thankfully the wind wasnt blowing. Easy day

Grapevine/CC/Highland/Sienna Hills. Nice to not have the wind blowing durning a run.

Southern Parkway/Airport. No plan just a long run. Legs felt pretty good so I threw 6 6:30 miles on the way back. Should have dropped some water cause I got pretty thirsty. Pretty tired the last 2 but it was a good run.

Landfill. Super nice day for a run. Body felt decent too.

AM - 7 - Grapevine/Sienna Hills. Was going to hit the City Well route but the stupid wind was just going nuts and I didnt want to deal with it so I changed routes and decided to do a double today.

PM - 7 - Grapevine/Sienna Hills. Same as this morn. A little less wind so that was nice.

Fields park. Havent done a workout where I specifically intended to do speed for a few weeks so I decided id better get back to it. Warmed up for 2 then 8 at tempo then 2 cool down.

6:14,6:07,6:03,5:53,6:03,6:03,5:59,5:54(6:02 avg)

Hard fought but im glad I got it done.

Sienna Hills/grapevine/Firestation/Sienna Hills. Easy easy tonight.

Landfill. Worn out today. On the way back I thought about adding on but I just couldnt talk the legs into it.

City Wells/Grapevine. Woke up very unrested and it showed in the run. Had to call it quits after 12. Looks like a double is going to happen today. 

Grapevine/CC/Highland. Didnt get back out this weekend but I dont really feel too bad about it. The body and mind are starting to wear out so Im trying to not push too much and burn out completly. I did feel better on todays run though.

Landfill. Nice lunch time jog. Looped around by the bridge to add a little. I was hoping the loop was a mile but looks like its a bit short. Looks like they are going to connect the Hell Hole trail to the soccer park finally!! Should be interesting to see how they route it to try and keep it from washing away in a flood/storm.

Stucki Farms tempo. 2 warm up then 8  then 2 cool down. I wanted to add another mile to the tempo today but with the wind I ruled that out pretty quick. The wind seemed to be coming slightly from the south/west so I had a headwind on the way out and that was hard to fight. I just kept thinking "hold on and the way back will be nice with a good tail wind." Not so. After I turned around the wind just seemed to swirl around and come at me from everywhere so I didnt get much help on the way back and by the end I was just done physically and mentally. The wind and I are not on very good terms right now.

6:14,6:07,6:13,6:24,5:55,6:04,5:58,5:57

Main/Top of Millcreek. Super nice run today! Rain made everything sweet. Sand, smell, temp couldnt have been better unless I had more time to go further. I was really tempted but needed to get back to work. Beautiful flowers blooming out in the desert right now. Yellow, white, red and purple everywhere!

CC/Gilbert Development. Nice run. Got a little sunburn on the shoulders

Through the fields over by Clydes then out into the industrial park to the Family dollar warehouse then back. Tried to keep the pace really easy but didn't look at the watch much. When I got out into the industrial park I started feeling really gross and just about ralphed but once I got away from there I was ok. There was a bad smell there so maybe something out there was getting to me. Whatever it was I don't want to experience that feeling again. It was pretty bad.

The run was pretty good aside from that. Don't think I've ever done a training run that far before. Got pretty worn down at about 16 but after looking at the splits I actually sped up the second half. Didn't feel like it but I guess the training is paying off. Pf stated hurrying during the last few miles and still is making it hard to walk. Time to sock it up I guess.

AM - 7 - Grapevine/Sienna Hills. A little chilly out but a nice morning run. Legs felt good and the pf didnt bug at all.

PM - 7 - Repeat of this morning but without the feeling good. Funny how a few hours can alter the body so much.

City Wells/Grapevine. Nice easy day.

Treasure Valley park tempo with extention south into the fields.

2 warm up then 9 then 2.1 cool down.

Legs felt good right from the start so I knew this was going to be better than last weeks tempo. I was able to fall right into a smooth pace and stayed fairly consistant the whole way. Even with the extra mile added on. The hill by the Chipmans house killed me going out and on the way back but looks like it didnt affect the times at all. Had good focus today as well which helped.

6:03,6:07,6:04,6:05,6:02,5:58,5:56,6:00,5:56

Landfill. Legs where tired today so I went slow. Dont know if Im a fan of the cold that has blown in or not.

CC/Highland/Sienna Hills. Chilly this morn. Noticed a blister on my big toe yesterday afternoon. Not sure when I got it but thats when it started bugging and it was a litlle annoying on todays run. Odd in that I think ive ever only gotten a couple in 30 years of running and those where after long downhill runs and now I get one out ouf the blue.

Coral Canyon/91. Took it easy till 9 then on the way back the wind started to blow pretty hard but as a tail wind and I hit 3 quicker miles with some rain. Then hit 1 at marathon pace but slowed after that and took it easy the rest of the way.

City Wells/Grapevine. Nice and warm out today. Body felt pretty good most of the run.

Landfill w/loop. Ok run. Twisted my ankle on the rocks by the landfill at its still sore hours later. Whoops. Also had some random right groin pain that stopped me dead in my tracks coming up Cottonmill and I had to walk the rest of the way home. Not sure what caused it but if I try and move quick its pretty painfull. Hopefully just last minute jitters but the pain says something is up.

Treasure Valley w/ext south. 2 warmup, 9 tempo, 2.2 cooldown.

 A little gun shy today with the ankle and groin thing from yesterday but the warm up seemed ok. Both were a little tight but no pain so that was a good sign and the warm up was ok.

Eased into the tempo and felt good. Not as good as last week but not bad at all. The breathing was easier and that usually means that I am slowing but today the couple times I checked the watch I was actually still on pace so I guess I might be getting a little better at this. Miles 7-8 where tough and I could tell I was slowing down from the earlier pace but I pushed hard and reminded myself this is the last one before Boston so I needed to get it done good. Last mile felt better pace wise.

5:59,5:58,5:59,5:58,6:00,6:03,6:05,6:12,5:56

Firestation+/Sienna Hills. Right groin was tight/sore for a few miles but then loosened up. Kind of a tired worn out run.

Grapevine/Firestation.

300w/Treasure Valley park. Still painful and tight in the right groin but what can you do.

Grapevine/Higland/Grapevine. Must have had the 24 hour bug cause yesterday was awful but today is much better. Didnt eat yesterday and I could tell I didnt have a ton of energy but other than that it was a good run today. Groin didnt bother either which was nice.

Grapevine/Highland. Pretty good run. Ive never tried to taper for a Monday race and after being sick and loosing a day Im not sure what I should be doing but thats how I live my life. My Boston bib number is 1338 if anyone would like to track me.

All around Back Bay in Boston in the cold wind. Not a big fan of running in big citys especially when I have no idea of the area.

Looped around a few blocks near the home we are staying at. Didnt have to cross many busy streets and most of the dogs being walked behaved themselves.

Quick report from the phone while eating post race lunch.

So not the 2:40 I was hoping for but I feel good about the result. Second fastest marathon ever and best in 4 years.

Made it up the Newton hills well but lost the legs after that and it was a battle to keep moving. Splits and more later.

1 - 6:21

2 - 6:12

3 - 6:05

4 - 6:04

5 - 6:11

6 - 6:11

7 - 6:14

8 - 6:16

9 - 6:14

10 - 6:11

11 - 6:16

12 - 6:10

13 - 6:16

14 - 6:12

15 - 6:14

16 - 5:58

17 - 6:17

18 - 6:22

19 - 6:06

20 - 6:11

21 - 6:46

22 - 6:13

23 - 6:25

24 - 6:34

25 - 6:36

26 - 6:45

.2 - 6:03

I was trying to follow everyone's advice to take it easy the first few and got a little carried away the first mile. At one point I looked down and was going 6:43. A little too slow there. Sped back up and tried to not check the watch much. I tried to keep a racing mentality more than I have in the past and that helped but I wanted to let the body decide the pace so as to not burn out early. Looks like what the body wanted was around 6:15. Slower than I had my mind set on but that's the shape I'm in. Not sure where miles 16,19 came from and it would have been fun to have kept that till the end.

The last 6 were brutal and I desperately wanted to stop but I had to keep going. Thinking of all the people who helped make this trip possible kept me moving (along with the crowds. Wow!) and I was able to speed up just a touch to finish it off.

Sadly I wasn't prepared for the wellsley portion of the course and missed my chance to kiss random strangers on the side of the road because i was on the wrong side of the road (and by the thought of getting some funky disease or having Emily remove vital body parts).

Great day for running, got a decent time and am having lots of fun seeing all the history of Boston. Great trip!

Grapevine/Sienna Hills. Not horrible but still not recovered completly. Tight quads and calves toward the end. Lower ab on right was pretty sore till about 3 then got better.

Grapevine/Sienna Hills. Same as yesterday but with the wind from hell. Right lower ab hurt the whole run pretty bad.

AM - 3 - Parkway with JD early this morning. I hate mornings but he has been wanting to run lately so Ill get my lazy butt up and help him do it. Ab was ok but its back to hurting when I sneeze and move at night. 

Lunch - 5 - Grapevine. Better run ab wise until the last .5 then it hurt just a touch. Hoping its just from being tight and a week of no running. Id like to request the wind to please not blow while im running. Thanks.

Highland park. Seems that my request for no wind was heard. Beautiful day for a run and saw some very pretty flowers on the cactus, sage and such.

2.4 - Kings Row with the boys

5.6 - Parkway reverse. P-6

AM - 6 - Grapevine. P6

AM - 6 - Parkway out and back. P3 mostly stiff and sore.

pm - 4 - Maverick. P2. Ran harder for most of the run.

Lunch - CC trail. Saw my first snake of the year. A beautiful 3 foot redracer. P3- Mostly at the begining and towards the end as the legs got tired.

Landfill. They trail has been closed for a few weeks so I havent had the chance to go on this route lately. Nice to get off the roads. P3-Again mostly towards the end when the legs and body were tired.

City Wells. Good end to the week. P2--Mostly at the beginning and end of the run. Mornings and sneezing are still painful though.

AM - 6 - Grapevine. Body felt much better than it has in a couple weeks. P4-Sore during the whole run and still a few hours later.

AM - 7 - Grapevine/Sienna Hills. Body feels like its coming around from the race. Hit a harder pace the last 3. P3-Still sore and quick movements are bad news but faster paced running seems to not bother as much.

PM - 5.5 - Parkway. Took the whole run at a brisk pace. P3-During. P5-after.

CC/Gilbert Development. Super nice day for a run. The ab/groin thing got pretty painful toward the end. P3-P7.

Grapevine/Highland. Decent run. Saw a desert tortise for the first time in several years. Pretty good size and looked like he was in good health although he was on the wrong side of the fencing the government put up. He must not have gotten the memo from the BLM. But you know how those tortise are, crazy rebelious. P5-mostly toward the end of the run.

City Wells. Pretty warm out. Saw a raven flying low and he landed a few feet away so I went over to see what he was checking out. One of the vents from the water lines was over flowing and he was drinking from it. I followed his lead and had some myself. Cooled down at the top and at this new spot on the way back. Thanks to mr. Raven for the new water stop. P3.

Grapevine.

AM - 9 - Highland loop with Adam and Phil then ran home from the park. Trying to help Adam on his harder workout days because he is trying to get a Boston qualifier in Sept. Not sure how much help Ill be but it will help motivate me to get out of bed a few days a week.

Landfill. Saw my first skunk or the year. Thankfully he was more interested in getting away than spritzing me. P7-did some sit-ups and layups at scouts and it set things off pretty bad.

AM - 7 - 4 on the dam road with Adam and Phil. Progression from 8:30-6:30 P7-Feeling the aggrivation from last night.

Coral canyon trail. P7

Landfill. P7

Junction/Coral Canyon. P7-8

Started at the top of Main and ran to the Dino Tracks trail and did that route back to the car. Fun loop that Ive never done before. Ill have to hit that one more often. From the top of Main back home on the parkway.

P8 - getting worse during the runs and is constantly there all during the day and bad when sneezing. Exactly like before. Not sure what the deal is or why its happening now after being so good for a year.

Dino Tracks. Just havent felt the running vibe lately and having this stupid pain again is really not helping but today I decided to get out after work. It was pretty hot so I filled up a few water bottles and drove up to the start of the Grapevine trail and ran the Dino Tracks trail twice. First one was fine but the second one I could tell I was getting to hot and I couldnt go much faster than a very slow jog. That was ok though as I just enjoyed the desert. I did see a pretty good sized horny toad on the second lap so I stopped and picked him up and checked him out for a few then sent him on his way. Its been a good creature week so far as I also saw a sweet red/black/white king snake in the high school while pulling wire yesterday. Tried to catch him but he was a quick little sucker. Thats going to freak out some teacher when they see him.

P2-Much better after a few days off but the pain is starting to migrate into the nuts again which isnt a good sign I dont think. 

Grapvine. Didnt get out until 11 but it wasnt horribly hot. I just took some water and survived.

CC trail. Started easy then picked it up at the top of highland and for the rest of the run.

P-6

Highland trail x3. P6

Grapevine/Sienna Hills. P6

Dam Road. 4 mile progression run with Adam then jogged home. P6

Parkway/Firestation. Pain has now progressed to the other side just like before. Grrrrr.

Landfill. P7.5

Grapevine. P8.5 almost walked home. Might be time to bag running darn it.

Grapevine.

Grapevine.

Kiln.

Grapevine. 

Landfill. Saw a deer on the trail and followed it for a few hundred yards before it ran down into the river bed. Sadly the river is completely dry and its not even mid summer yet. Dry dry dry.

Looped around the fields from the double churches to George Washington to Chipmans hill. Quicker pace with Adam.

Grapevine. Quicker pace in the heat of the afternoon.

Same loop as Monday but we turned before the elementary. With Adam.

CC Trail. 

City Wells

Landfill

Grapevine. Having a tough time getting out lately.

Fields with Adam. Ran from the double churches toward the airport 3.5 then back then I continued home. pain was worse than its been in quite a while. It started radiating across both sides instead of just sitting in one spot like it had been doing.

City Wells. Warm warm but took a water and stopped at the usual spots. Much better on the pain.

Grapevine. Quicker run so I could get back for family activities.

Prospector. Nice to get out on the trails. Its just a different type of running and is a nice break from the roads. Died pretty bad toward the end but it was suprisingly good temps for a mid morning run.

Sullivan park to George Washington and back with Adam.

Highland.

Sullivan park/GW. Ran to the park then hit 8 with Adam at 7:25.

CC Trail.

City Wells.

Landfill/Parkway. The idea was to hit the landfill route and let the super moon light the trail but the moon wasn't out until I got to the landfill and it wasn't up far enough to give any light. So I cut back early and then hit the parkway loop. Saw a few hawks several rabbits a small buck and the huge moon coming up over the Hurricane cliffs.. That is why I will never live in or near a big city.

AM - 2 down to the soccer park then 4 with Adam. Goal was 8 but he had run downhill Saturday and was hurting pretty bad so we cut it short. Got a little sprinkle but mostly just muggyness.

Afternoon - 6 - Parkway. Warm but I survived ok. Im sure the pace was slow because of the heat.

Summer Tempo route

3.5 warmup, 7 tempo, 2.5 cooldown.

Not very good tempo but its a start I guess. 6:25,6:20,6:16,6:29,6:42,6:57,7:08

I was done after 4 but kept going because I had to get back to the car somehow.

City Wells. Nice "cool" evening run. The light sprinkle of rain made everything smell awesome.

AM - 6- Grapevine. 

PM - 6 - Grapevine. Pretty bad run. Body is worn out and of course the heat didnt help any. P7

Started from the Dixie Center with Dave and Clyde and went down into Bloomington then the back way to Clydes house. Stopped for a drink and a gu. I was just about done by then and they picked up the pace a bit so I ran the rest of the way around the fields and back to the trail alone. Not very enjoyable after the first 9 miles. P9 for most of the run.

8 with Adam then 4 on my own. Not much ab pain today but super stiff and sore and that was making me run funky.

CC Trail. 

Landfill. 

Fields.

Highland

Pine Lake. Down from camp to the road then north for a way and back with Dave. Had a good talk and kept a decent pace the whole run. 

Pine Lake. Up the road towards Powell Point trail head. Not as far but held a good pace the 4 miles up then harder back down.

Pine Lake. Down from camp to the dumpsters toward the landfill then back. Again was able to keep a good pace even back up to camp.

Pine Lake. Around the pond to the look out then extended out west and back.

Pine Lake. Dropped off the car 8 miles from camp then ran back with Dave. Got a drink then ran aound the pond and down past the car and towards Bryce a couple miles then back to the car with the team. Felt good from 8-16. Picked up the pace between 16-19 and paid for it the last 2. Good run overall.

 Pass via Main. Trail was nice and clean from the rain but the body was really worn down for a Monday.

AM - 6 - Grapevine. Better than yesterday by quite a bit. Should have gotten up in time for the tempo but late bed times are killing my mornings.

PM - 6 - Grapevine. Tried to hold a fast pace the whole way but Im not sure how well it went.

Firestation.

Treasure Valley park.

City Wells. 

Southern Parkway. Ugly ugly run.

CC Trail.

Stucki Farms.  Couldnt fall asleep last night so I bagged going to run early with Dave and went out on my own a little later in the morning.

1.7 warmup then 7 tempo then 1.7 cool down. Watch had no charge so no splits but I got the start and end time so I was able to figure an average pace of 6:18. Felt pretty good all things considered.

AM - 6 - grapevine

PM - 6 - Parkway

AM - 5.9 - Fields. Looped around the fields with Adam this morning.

PM - 6.1 - Kiln.

City Wells. 

STG course. Started at Veyo with Mike and we hit a good pace down to the volcano. Started speeding up and just before Winchester I decided to try and it the last several on a tempo pace. Hit 9 at 6:16. It was smooth and not hard at all until the quads started arguing about the beating they where getting around Cougar Cliffs. Even with the beat legs I was still able to hold a good pace the last few miles so things are coming along. Bad shoe choice for the downhill but they are the only ones left that dont need to go to the trash.

AM - 9 - Nice rainy morning run. Had fun even with the super sore legs from Saturday.

PM - 6 - Legs are still pretty sore but it was nice to get out again.

AM - 7.5 - Parkway to Buena Vista with Adam. 

PM - 6.5 - Grapevine

Highway91/Pepsi/CC. 

AM - 6

PM - 6

AM - Grapevine

PM - Highland Park

Fields to Little Valley ball fields to Sunroc and back home. Legs were dead the whole run. Was going to attempt a few tempo miles but could bearly get down to 7 so I bagged that and just jogged.

City Wells. Tired but it was super nice to get up the trail before anyone else messed it up with horses or whatnot. Really wanted to run for much longer but my body is so worn out right now I dont think it would be smart.

AM - 5.5 - Parkway loop

PM - 8.5 Landfill. Saw a really pretty tarantula walking up the trail. He was pretty good size too. A touch bigger than the palm of my hand.

AM - 8 - Highland Park.

Had Emily drive me up towards the top of Highland and then ran to the start of the race for a small warm up. My goal was to have a higher mileage week and put all the miles before the race then try and race on a tired body and see what happened. Worked out pretty well. Went out a touch quicker than felt comfortable and was around 6-7th place I think after a couple miles. Im glad I didnt look at the watch as I might have gotten frustrated with the pace cause it felt like I was working much harder than I was going but I was able to pass a few people before the soccer park and then 1 more at the dr's free clinic. Legs protested most of the race but held together pretty well. 5:47,5:45,5:59,5:56,6:06,6:04,5:57,6:00,6:01,6:03,6:05,6:08,6:00,5:44(.1)

AM - 6.5  - Grapevine. Legs are tight from the race.

PM - 6.8 - Parkway. Still pretty tight and sore.

CC Trail. 

Dino Tracks x2. Felt pretty good the at first then just lost all energy and then legs went on vacation. The last 7 was not very fun.

AM - 6 - Kiln

PM - 6 - Parkway. Body starting to come back around from the race.

Landfill. Still pretty warm when I went out to I loaded up the bottle with ice water and poked along for most of the run. Didnt feel super but I got it done.

STG course. Went up with Bill, Mike, Dustin and Cody. Only Cody and I went 18 so I was alone for the whole run and my music died after a couple miles which was fine. Love running this route especially in the dark but there is WAY TO MUCH traffic any more for it to be safe. Add into that every dickhead in their dodge truck pulling their 4x4, trailer, motorbike up the road and purposly trying to run you off the road and its just not worth it. Thinking this is the last one for me until the race this year.

St George Steel. Legs a little beat from Saturday but not unusable.

Firestation+/Sienna Hills. Really nice night time run. Quads got really sore so its time to toss the Kinvaras I think.

Treausre Valley park. Beautiful morning with nice cool temps. Thankfully there were restrooms at the halfway point or things would have been ugly.

CC Trail.

City Wells. 

Southern Parkway/Airport. Not one of the better runs ive had. Went easy till about 10 but the quads hurt from almost the start and the groin has been moody the last few days. Tried do a tempo section on the way back but only got 3 miles and 6:45 was the absolute fastest I could get the legs to go so I called it after that. The rest of the run was painfull and very slow. Not sure why this happens every so often to the quads but it was bad this run.

Stucki Farms. 2 mile warm up, 8 mile tempo then 2.1 cool down.

Felt really good on the tempo. First time in a really long time that my stride felt right, easy and not forced. Almost like it used to. Fun to have a good faster paced run. 6:17,6:13,6:12,6:19,5:59,5:47,6:03,5:59

Parkway/Buena Vista/Sienna Hills. Thought id gone further on this one. Oh well.

Telegraph/CC/Gilbert. 

Landfill. Not a super good run. Worn down and hot out.

Parkway. Great run. Body felt great and had a touch of rain.

Touqerville. Missed my run on Monday so everything got moved back a day but it ended up working out well. It was dark for all but the first couple miles but there wasn't much traffic so it wasn't bad. Nice rain smell and lots of pretty stars to squint at. Tried to hold what I was hoping was around 6:45 for the whole run. Checked at 15 and I had only hit 7:04 avg. Turned up the parkway to maverick to add a few more miles but took it slower.

City Wells. Really easy today. Desert is going crazy because of the rains. Everything is green and flowers are growing everywhere. So beautiful. Haven't seen this much green in quite a while.

CC Trail/Highland park. Took a water and went pretty slow because of the heat but it was a nice run.

Treasure Valley Park. Nice morning run. Time to get some new shoes though.

Parkway-Greensprings. Quite the lightning show going on during the run

Treasure Valley Park. Thought Id throw one more workout in just because. Didnt end up going as good as Id hoped. Just havent been on it like before Boston I guess.3 mile warm up 6 mile tempo, 3 mile cool down. Warm and cool down where fine. Felt like I was pushing pretty good on the tempo but the times where not anywhere near what the effort felt like. 6:27,6:14,6:09,6:13,6:03,6:13,6:19. Looks like id better adjust my brain so I dont get angry when my STG time is slower than I want. Getting old blows.

Landfill. Nice evening run along the river.

City Wells.

Highland park. Really super nice day. Saw a desert tortise up by the freeway cut. That makes two ive seen this year and both of them in the same area.

Parkway. The first three runs this week felt great aside from having aggravated the groin on the right side. Today was not good. Groin hurt really bad and it was affecting my stride bad. Hopefully a day off and icing will calm it down.

What a run! First marathon as a Master and was able to PR by over 2 1/2 minutes!!!

Coming in to this race I wanted to do good and felt I could but was second guessing my quality and quantity of harder workouts since Boston that would help be break that elusive 2:40. Before that start Dave told me today was the perfect day to PR and to just go for it. That finalized my decision to take it out harder than usual and see if the training was there. We had a great tail wind for the first several miles and I was shirtless by 5 which is pretty early in the race for me to be getting naked. That wind combined with the late start and warmer temps had me drinking at every station which I should be doing anyway I suppose. The legs were feeling the pace around 6 but I just kept telling myself to keep pushing. Made it up Veyo without any issue and it was actually nice to have some rest from the downhill. Pushed up Dameron harder than in the past and was able to catch Amber just as we crested the top of those hills and tried to pick it up some more. Came through the half at around 1:21 something and was pretty beat and was thinking "dang it I went out to hard again." Thankfully I didnt bring music and that help a lot with being able to focus on racing and not just running and was able to buckle down for the pounding that was to come. Between the 1/2 and Chuck-a-Walla is kind of a blur but I think I caught and passed a couple through here. I was hurting but could still keep the legs moving and tried to use every scrap of downhill I could cause I knew once I had to climb or it flattened out I was going to slow. I saw Steve up ahead just before heading into town and he was coming back to me. I thought that if I could catch him we could work together to sub 2:40. He kept looking down at his watch so I knew he was after something and he started picking up the pace and it was more than I had in me to catch up. The legs finally said they had had enough around the turn onto Diagonal St. Up until that point I was able to get something from them when I pushed but it was going fast after that turn. Hit a little bit of a 2nd wind for a couple blocks here and passed another guy but then it left and it was a battle like I have never fought before to keep up a decent pace. One of the clocks on the side of the road was at 2:38 just before making the last turn to the park and I tried super hard to pick it up in hopes of still getting that sub 2:40 but I was out of juice and too far away. As I neared the line I was thinking this might be the race where I go down after crossing the line cause my legs were done! About three steps after stopping and before I could collapse I was caught up in a great big bear hug by my incredibly AWESOME little bro (who once again rocked this race!!!) which was not only great but it kept me from falling down. I am in awe after every race of his ability and determination. So not the sub 2:40 but still was able to get much closer than before and PR so Im really happy with how things played out. Ran as hard as Ive ever run a marathon and stayed mentally tough the whole race. Two things Ive never been able to combine in a marathon. It is really nice to have a marathon play out in a positive way after years battling injury and so-so races.

6:08, 6:18, 6:02, 5:51, 6:05, 5:57, 5:57, 6:46, 6:29, 6:19, 6:36, 6:15, 6:11, 6:05, 5:51, 5:41, 5:54, 5:53, 6:19, 6:03, 5:49, 6:10, 6:00, 6:15, 6:18, 6:26, 1:45(6:17)

Grapevine/Sienna Hills. Really enjoyed not running last week and had a hard time talking myself into getting back out there today. Legs felt ok. The usual post marathon soreness and stiffness.

Landfill.

City Wells. Nice evening for a run. Legs are coming around a little.

Cc trail.

Parkway.

2 - Went with the JD and Gabe to the parkway and back home. 

6 - Parkway. Good run and great weather couldnt ask for much more.

.9 - Ran with Ada, JD and Gabe up around Daves and back home. She is such a good little runner.

1.3 - Up to the dirt mile with JD and Gabe then home.

6.5 - Main/Parkway/Sienna Hills. Felt really good again and took it a little harder for the whole run.

Staheli Farm. Legs are coming around. Felt good tonight.

CC Trail.

Landfill.

City Wells.

Highland park. Had good legs today. Wanted to go hard but held back to a reasonable pace.

Landfill. Good run at a faster pace

City Wells. Warm warm for the end of October. Took a couple days off feeling yucky. Its still there but not getting worse so I decided to get back at it.

CC trail. Pretty good run. Got a touch chilly with the storm moving in.

Coral Canyon/Gilbert Dev. Nice run but it was a touch chilly running into the wind on the way out.