Rich's Running Blog

I was planning a 20 this morning until I woke up to a pretty rainy morning.  Rain is one of my weaknesses, fortunately I don't live in Seattle because I wouldn't have a chance of reaching 3,000 miles there.  I have only had like 4 mornings this year that have had major rain.  This morning I did however make a pretty brave venture into the rain and stuck to my 6 mile course and I got pretty wet.  I would have done 3 or 4 more if my partner would have showed, but I felt good about 6 wet miles and my pace was decent even though I ran with my dog and she slows me a little.  

Easy training run just trying to build miles back.

Another day just trying to get the miles recorded on my body, still getting back in the groove after gaining 6 lbs on vacation and missing a week of solid running.

I am feeling stronger but still just taking the pace smoothly and not to hard.

Nice easy run I know tomorrow is race day so I had to take it nice and slow.

So I got up and did my usual early run with my dog which was a very smooth and easy run not fast at all.  Then my friends were planning to meet with me before the race to do what I thought would be 2 or 3 miles and it turns out to be almost 7.  I was very nervous about the race but I felt great in the race and felt good about my performance.  I hope it translates into success in Top of Utah and St George.  I don't really have lingering soreness or problems.

Easy run, I felt good today a little sore from Saturday but good. .

Slow run, I felt kinda tired and out of energy.  I was happy I was low on weight afterwards.

Just another nice easy training run, I felt good.

I am feeling like I am getting back to marathon strength.  The longer runs are getting easier.

We had a really fun run today down the Provo river trail starting at Treefoil ranch.  Nice easy training run, boy it was cold at the top.

Fun easy Saturday Training run with my partner.  It was good.  I guess easy wind down next week in preparation for Top of Utah.  I am excited.

Easy slow run

Another easy slow run, just trying to gear up for the weekend.

Last long run of the week, the rest is a wind down.  Nice and slow.

really slow and really short.

Nice easy run last day before marathon.  Here I come Top of Utah!!!

What a thrilling day for me to break 3 hours in a marathon, 5th time is the charm.  I am very excited to finally pull it off.  I had several hurdles on the day.  First early in the week my shoes that are barely 2 weeks old the rubber flapped loose and I took them back to the store I got them.  The store attended glued the rubber back on and assured me they would be fine or he would change them for new ones.  I told him I was nervous because of the Marathon, but he contended there would be no problem.  After 4 miles I could feel the rubber flapping and I didn't know what to do, I decided to just ignore the problem and I finally forgot about it.  Then at about mile 2 I was running through a neighborhood and I went the wrong way!! There were no other runners in sight ahead of me and I didn't notice any markings ahead of me, someone in a truck came by me and told me to turn around, I ran back and added about a 1/4  of a mile.  I was really discouraged for about a mile and that was my slowest mile of the race.   I also was ahead of the runner behind me by at least 100 yards when I made that mistake, when I came back he had me by more than that.  I hung on though to pull back mentally and finish pretty strong, I think I would have been close to 2:55 if I could have avoided that problem though.  I feel like 2:55 is a realistic goal for St George.  Overall what a great day, and talk about perfect weather for running.  Also I was impressed with the aid stations and the race overall.  I think I will be back in 2009.

If ultra slow was an option I would have to select that.  I felt pretty good today though.  This is probably the best I have ever felt post marathon.  I am keeping my fingers crossed, and continue to balance recovery and workouts.

Another nice slow recovery run.

I am just trying to hold on and keep the runs easy, slow and try not to go up to fast on mileage.

Pretty easy day, it was pretty warm today.

Today felt good and I went longer, I still feel I am in recovery, I would say I am about 60% of normal.

I felt really pretty normal today.  Still just a few twinges of soreness but not enough to worry me.  I am getting excited about St George.

Nice slow training run, now time to ease up

Just another easy slow training run.  I love the cool fall air.  I think I am back to near 100% after the marathon,  fastest recovery ever for me.  Can't wait till Saturday at St. George!