Joe's Running Blog

Easy run this morning, didn't know how much time I'd have to run before Myles woke up, so I figured I'd play it safe and shoot for 35-40 minutes, and attempt to duplicate that this evening when it cooled off. Left hip is still hurting, seems to still be at the "irritating" stage. Hard to believe Chicago is just over 3 months away, my training is on track to run well there. July and August are key months. This week is a heavy training week, with a threshold/tempo run, a long run, and a fartlek workout. Plus, I want to run the 10K at the Huntsville 4th of July, so I may substitute that for the threshold/tempo run.

P.M.

Forced myself away from my homework assignment for tomorrow's night class and out the door for who knows how long, and pretty much no clue where I wanted to go. Started out on the canal heading eastward, then onto the trail above the orchards at the bottom of North Ogden Divide. Worked my way over to 2750 north, found a porta-john (I suppose it's one good side effect of so much housing construction), and decided to go down a street I've never been down. Doubt there have been many runners down 2650 north, as most homeowners stopped and stared as I ran by. I thought to myself "What, they've never seen a half-naked man run through their neighborhood on a Sunday evening? What's wrong with these people?". Clocked 41 minutes, which is good because I had no intention of logging 80 minutes total today. Hip felt better, and I even have a few new ideas for my paper due tomorrow night. Thanks to Paul, Bill, and Chad for their comments, I'm excited about keeping this blog and keeping current on other runners. Chad, thanks for the heads up about Chicago, thanks Paul and Bill for the encouragement.

Scheduled to do Daniels' "TL" workout, meaning threshold and long run. Amounted to 2x10-12 minutes at threshold pace, with 2 minutes recovery in between, then 60 minutes easy running. I decided to jog over to Weber High's track, do the 2x on the track where I could closely monitor the pace and distance for each set. I figured I'd do 2x10 mile, with the goal to be under 10:32 for each two-mile set. Legs were a bit fatigued from running so late last night, but not too bad. First set, 10:29. Two minutes recovery flew by, but it was easy to get back into the rthythm for the second set. Pushed the last 400 a little, finished in 10:25. Jogged a recovery lap, then jogged home. Still need to get in 40 minutes or so to get the 60 minutes, but need to finish homework assignment for tonight's class. Will try to get out after class when it cools off.

I believe having a blog will help anyone who wants to get better. Not that a blog itself will help one run faster, but there is strength in analyzing workouts and tweaking them to improve. To James in Logan, no, I don't believe we've met, but yes I recognize you from several of the races. Good luck in your training.

Easy 10 miler, headed out west on Elberta drive to Hwy 89, then up the very steep access road for the gravel company who is making the hillside disappear one truckload of rocks, sand and gravel at a time. Headed hom on the canal road at a modest pace, feeling the effects of yesterday's hard workout in my legs for certain. Not too concerned about that or the race tomorrow, it's more of a "fun run". There is almost no possibility of other "studs" showing up tomorrow, I believe everyone will head to SLC for one of the two LDR races.

Corbin helped me on a job in Layton, it's always good to spend time with that guy. Amazing runner and an even better person. I'm excited to help him out for the Wasatch 100 in September.

Spent too much time in the heat throughout the day, was parched all evening long as we went to friend's house Nate and Kami Wilcox's for dinner. Watched my first episode of "The office". Quite interesting, I like the subtle humor. Don't have a goal or clue for tomorrow's race, other than it starts at 7 a.m.

Arrived in plenty of time to get registered and say a few hellos and do about a mile warm-up. The race is an interesting one, the 10K, 5K, and one mile fun run all start at the same intersection in the middle of Huntsville,and they take off in different directions. Steve Shepherd of Weber State was there for the 5K, and like I presumed, no other horses in the 10K. I was chatting with Nate Wilcox in the middle of the intersection--no where near the start line--when the gun went off. Luckily, my pickup was about 50 yards into the course, so I stripped off my glasses and shirt and wadded them up and tossed them into the bed as I went by. Weaved in and out of people for a block or so, then open roads. I wasn't trying to be skeptical, but skeptical I was about the mile marks' accuracy, and it seemed that each mile confirmed that. After mile 1, I shifted into "enjoy the scenery" mode, with a sizable lead and enough left in the tank if something should happen. Mile two was on a dirt road, which continued for some time and then spilled out on what I believe is middle fork road, heading north at a slight incline. Reached the turnaround point, which was spray-painted on the ground--nobody there to direct traffic. Not poor race management, that's just how the Huntsville 10K works. However, I noted that this year's turnaround was spray-painted 150 yards farther up the road than last year's faded painting. Oh well. Made the turn around and had just over 2 miles left, with a slight downhill and the Huntsville town in sight. Ratcheted up the tempo to roughly 5:20 effort, and started passing other runners headed for the turnaround point. Kept it steady the last mile, though it seemed like each mile was long. Finishing time was 35:02, and second was at least 5 minutes back. Won a trophy and a medal, despite rumors that Peak Performance was giving shoes for the winners. That's okay. AnnMarie and Myles came up for the awesome breakfast after the race, pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, etc. Nate Wilcox ran 23 minutes for his 5K, and several of my former students ran either the 5K or 10K. Always good to see them out running. Sure beats video games or iPods. Jogged an easy cool down with Nate, then cruised around the booths at the park with AnnMarie and Myles. Headed over to Pineview for some fun and sun with the in-laws, and decided to try my hand at slalom skiing after a several-year hiatus. Managed to get up on the third try, and enjoyed my time for a few minutes before my skiing rustiness and general fatigue signalled an end to the days' skiing. Came home and napped, will avoid the heat until this evening's fireworks light up the sky. What a great country we live in to be able to do so many things in one day. We are blessed.  

Sore from water skiing, especially my traps and bi and triceps. Oh well. Decided to mow the lawn at 5:30 A.M. while AnnMarie went running, and I was surprised to see it so windy and warm--80 degrees nearly. Met up with Justin Nipko on the canal, then we turned around and headed east and worked our way over to the trail at the bottom of north ogden divide. I wanted to explore what I thought was a new trail just below the power lines at the base of Ben Lomond Peak, and was pleasantly surprised to find a new trail indeed. Very well shaded, flat and a nice overlook of North Ogden and Pleasant View. Kept the run at conversation pace until the last mile, on 3300 north going west until 450 east. Justin and I picked it up, probably because we were ready to be done with the run but also because we were hungry. Made it home and AnnMarie was making french toast--yummy! Justin stayed for breakfast, and found out his mission call is at the post office as of this morning. I think he's going to Provo South mission, or Boise, or Butte, Montana. Someplace exotic, that's for sure. Headed to Cokeville this afternoon for a few days, I'll get my long run in probably saturday. Tomorrow will probably be a recovery day.

1st official run in Cokeville, Wyoming tonight. Still very sore from skiing on the 4th, and feeling a general sense of fatigue. Wanted an easy run, and ended up hooking up with Nathan Fiscus, a local boy who will be running for Weber state this fall. Nathan recently returned home from the same mission I served in, England Manchester, so we had plenty to talk about. We just went out on the west end of Cokeville, heading south for 26 minutes, then turned around and headed back into town with the breeze at our backs. I never got into a rthythm, so I was glad the run was over at 50 minutes. AnnMarie and Myles were on the bike and bike trailer, so when we got home we switched and AnnMarie ran for 50 more minutes while I pulled Myles in the bike trailer. We a homemade sign at the local "Country Shopper" grocery store advertising a local 5k, the David Dayton Memorial 5K, on July 21st. I called the number and offered my services to help put on the race, and was eagerly accepted. I'm in charge of timing/placing, marking the course and well, it will probably be more by the time the race rolls around, which is fine with me. Cokeville is definitely a small-time country town, on our run, we came up on a mother skunks with 6 little skunk-lets following her. It was kinda comical, if you've ever seen skunks walking up-close, they sort of have a shuffle which looked like a little black-and-white parade.  

Ran again with Nathan Fiscus, the local boy headed to Weber State this fall. Headed east of town and got on the sheep trail--hold the jokes guys--which is a nicely maintained dirt road that is essentially a frontage road on the east end of town going north/south. Turned around at approximately 40 minutes and headed back into town by the local landfill. Saw several locals out walking, a couple out jogging, and some biking. Have noticed there are very few overweight people in Cokeville. No McDonalds, no Golden Corral, no Chuck-A-Rama. Kids are out riding their bikes rather than talking on cell phones and playing video games. What a nice change of course. Anyways, back to the run, totalled 74 minutes and feel like the soreness in my arms and back is finally beginning to leave.