Hit the Dusty Trail

Did a New Year's day run with a few of the same friends as yesterday.  Same trail, same good time.  No hangover, Bonus!  Actually went to bed at 10pm last night.

Started at Rainbow Garden and went up to Malan's Peak.  About 3000' gain.  3'-4' of snow on top there.  pretty cool run.  We had well over 100 mile visibility.  Could see Pilot Peak in Nevada.

AM-4 miles easy plus 700 yard swim.

PM-6 x .25 plus 1 mile warmup and 1 mile cool down.

Joined the Clearfield Aquatic Center.  They have a 9 lap/mile track.  Whole lot better than running on the t-mill.

Ok, threw up my 2011 calendar.  Pretty aggressive schedule.  4 100-mile runs, a couple of 50-mile runs, a few shorter races, some long fun runs (GC double, Zion traverse), my first tri (a half ironman).  Either I'm going to be in the best shape of my life or dead after it's all over, maybe both.  My mind may try to cash checks my body can't handle.

5 miles on the hamster track at the gym.  guess it beats running on the t-mill, not entirely sure though.

didn't have much time this morning and managed to only get in 3 miles.  Went back to the gym and swam 1200 yards after work.

Had another training run on the island.  Biggest turnout yet for the season.  I think about 15-20 showed up.  Only a few did the entire 18 miles, most cut it short.  My little group decided on 12.  Saw bison, coyotes, lots of antelope (they sure blend into the surrounding brush), an owl.  Trails weren't too bad of shape, snow covered, but mostly 2-3 inches.  Made for a little tough pushing thru, but good for the legs.  Actually had a few people that had never been to the island and had never been on a trail run.  Lots of fun.

Did some nice easy miles on the 'mill while watching some tv.

Went to Clearfield Aquatic this morning.  5 miles around the gerbil track then 1000 yards in the pool.  Lots of people doing laps on the track.  Must be those new years resolutions.  I imagine the crowds will taper off in a few weeks.

Five miles on the track at the YMCA in Rockford, IL.  Visiting out daughter and her family.

Another few miles at the Y

Anytime we go somewhere, I look for a local race to run.  We're in Rockford, IL for the week visiting our daughter and I happened to find a little trial 10K.  It's put on by the same person that took over my race I started when I lived here, the Rock Cut Hobo Run.  About 200 showed up to brave the 20 degree temps and nice little breeze. 

The start was at noon, so I didn't have to get up early.  Once the race started I warmed up pretty quick and never did get cold until the finish.  The course took us around Pierce Lake, in Rock Cut State Park, some of my old trail stomping grounds.  We also got the chance to cross the lake twice for a total of about 1 mile on the lake ice.  Makes for a little different run.

My time wasn't too bad figuring that I was running on some treacherous single track, 4-6 inches of snow, hopping logs, and getting stuck behind slower people with no way to pass.  Oh well.  I figure I probably finished in the top third.  I'm happy with that.

Little run around the indoor track at the Y

On the mill.  Been a little spotty with upkeep of the mileage here.  Doing plenty of running, just lazy when it comes to recording.

Ok, the half ironman training started in earnest today.  Been doing some swimming along with my running, but now we'll start recording it.

Swam 1000 yards in the morning.  After work got on a stationary bike and pedalled for 20 minutes.  The butt was sore.  AFter that did 5 easy on the indoor track.

Oh, and I started a new job today.  I'm the Compliance Manager for Smith Optics in Clearfield.  The new job is only 200 yards from my old job.  How convienent is that?

5 miles after work at the aquatic center, swam 1000 yards at lunch. 

Actually jumped on a stationary bike today at lunch.  Did that for 30 minutes.  Ran an easy 5 after work.

Swam 1200 yards at lunch.  Ran 5 after work

Easy 5 on the 'mill

22.7 miles of dirt, 50 feet of pavement, 40 feet of mud, kind of.  It was a good day.  Ran the Mountain View Trail on Antelope Island.  Came close to running even splits.  2:02 down to the ranch, 2:07 back.  Not too bad.  I feel better now that I have a long run under my belt.

Had big plans to run in circles at the aquatic center but forgot my running stuff.  Had to settle for the t-mill.  Did 1200 yards in the pool at lunch.  The swimming part of the tri I'm doing this summer no longer scares me.  Now it's the bike portion.  My butt is already complaining and I've just started.

Did 8 miles on the stationary bike at lunch, then 5 around the track after work, ho hum

Did three around the track in the morning, then jumped in the pool and swam about 650 yards.  I was asked if I wanted to join the master's swimming program by the coach.  Must be my superior stroke technique and speed.  Not a bad deal, free, six days a week in the mornings, do as much or as little as you want.  The coaches put together a daily workout that provides some structure beyond just swimming laps.  Think I'll try it for a bit.  Maybe not the full six days a week, but for the days I am scheduled to swim, it might be a good thing.

Ran a few miles on the hamster trail at the gym this morning.  63 laps, ugh!

As usual, I hate this race within the first two hundred yards.  Still, I ran my fastest time on this course this year, so I'm happy with it.  Conditions were pretty good.  Warmest I've ever run the race, in the mid 30's.  Actually ran the race in shorts and was fine.  Saw lots of friends which is aloways a good thing.

Looking forward to a nice 30 mile trail run tomorrow.

Ran Mtn View trail on Antelope Island again today.  Had the company of three good looking ultrarunning women along .  It was a good day.

A little speedwork at the gym this morning.

Easy lunchtime run.  Nice weather finally.

Had the Feb. training run today on the island.  30+ runners showed up.  One of the best showings ever.

Ran 5 easy after I did a spin class.  The bike in the spin class said I did 19 miles there.  Heading back to the gym to swim at lunch.

It was a speedwork kind of day.  Lunchtime was a swim, run after work.

300 yd warmup

8 x 100 yd with 30 seconds rest

150 yd cooldown

6 x .25 around the track, 1 mile warmup 2 mile cool down.

Easy five after work.  Should've done it harder, oh well.  Moab on Saturday.

Ran the Moab Red Hot 55K today.  I've been wanting to do this race for a couple years, but events have conspired against me.  This year my wife and I went down for a little vacation in Moab. 

All week the weather was looking iffy, but in the end it really wasn't too bad.  Occasional showers that didn't really get you too wet, a little bit of sunshine, mostly clouds, oh and the wind.  That was the thing.  The wind was blowing at 30-40mph all day long.  Down in the little canyons and washes it wasn't too bad, but there were times when we were on top of slickrock and the wind was full in our faces..  You know it's bad when you have to push to run downhill.  Ultimately it was all good.  I could have stayed home and ran the Striders 10K, but that wouldn't have been nearly as much fun.

So, how did my race go.  In a nutshell, so so.  I was hoping to go under 6 hours, but the course was more difficult than I thought it would be.  The first half was pretty quick.  I actually hit aid station three (half way) at 2:30.  I thought I'd have a sub 6 in the bag.  Nope, the second half is much more difficult, technical, etc.

Lots and lots of slickrock running.  Think of pavement only harder.  The bottoms of my feet were pretty hammered after it was done.  A fair amount of soft sand running, or hiking as it were.  The legs weren't too bad.  My achilles didn't bother me at all during the race.

Too bad we didn't have Sunday's weather for race day.  It was beautiful, sunny, no breeze, cool.  Oh weel, can't have everything.

Saw some others from Fast Running Blog down there, Cody Draper did well.

Fueling, did 1st Endurance EFS Liquidshot, 2-1/2 flasks worth, so roughly 1000 calories.  No ther calories, water only.  I did mix one flask with a bottle of water.  Tastes better, not as strong, but I think I wasn't getting enough calories fast enough.

Gear, two water bottles in a Nathan waist pack, couple of long sleeve t's, wind shell, beanie, gloves.  I went and forgot my trail shoes and ended up running the entire race in my old road shoes.  They worked just fine, no traction issues at all.

I think I'll go down and do it again next year.

Jumped right back into the training.  Spin class (18 miles), followed by 5 miles around the track.  Going to the pool at noon.  The run actually felt pretty good.  Very little soreness or tiredness, until I went down the stairs to the locker room, then I felt it.  Still, actually ran pretty quick.

Did a tempo run after work at the gym. Also put in about 8 miles on the stationary bike at lunch.

Easy run this morning at the gym. Ran the last mile barefoot. Definitely a different feeling. You can tell different muscles are worked.

Hit the pool at lunch.  1250 yards

Pushed a little bit while on the mill.  Didn't feel like going outside.

Did 22 miles on the spin bike during class this morning.  Followed that up with a 5 mile run around the track.  Felt good.

Did a few intervals at the gym today.

Stopped at 2 miles.  Just wasn't feeling it.  Been fighting a cold all week.  OTOH, I did go swimming at lunch and managed 1 mile in 35 minutes.  I was happy with that.

Ran early at the gym.  Did the last 1.5 barefoot just for something different.  You can definitely tell that barefoot works your calves different and put a little more stretch on the achillies.

Last training run for the Buffalo Run.  Had over 50 show up today.  Perfect weather, 40's, 50's.  Trails were in great shape.

Did 20 in spin class and followed that with another 5 around the track.

More around the track.  Need to get outside.

Finally hit the trail after work.  Went north of Rainbow to the Polk trail and back.  Trail was in excellent shape, just a few small areas of snow or mud on the north facing parts.

Another trail run after work with Aric.  Good times.  Little windy.

5 at the gym in the morning. 

Ran the 10 mile today.  Wasn't sure I wanted to race it or just go for a hard run.  I missed the 10K so I'm not in contention for any age group awards this year.  With that the motivation to go harder isn't as high.

Still, this year's race time was 12 seconds faster than last year and 2 minutes faster than 2008.  So  I guess I should be happy with my time. 

I don't have any mile splits, but I know I did do a few sub 7's (downhill), and on that one hill I had to finally walk a few feet. 

Ran up to the radar towers at the top of Francis Peak today with a friend.  5000' gain.  15' snowbanks in places.  Gorgeous day for the run.

Only managed 1 mile.  The achilles was hurting a little too much after Sunday's run.  Did manage about 20 miles in spin class though.  So not a total loss.

Some lovely dirrt running after work.  Nice enough to wear short sleeves.

Little bit of speed work at the gym.  4 x .5.  Also swam 1.2 miles at lunch.  Most I've done in about 30 plus years.  43 minutes for the time.

Managed to get to spin class and do about 19 miles on the spin bike before my run. 

Well, I did no running over the weekend. Spent my time instead getting stuff ready for the Buffalo Run this Saturday. Things are starting to come together. Should be a good time with over 700 runners on the island. I might get one run in tomorrow, but then no running until Friday evening when I pace a friend running the 100 mile event.