Rich's Running Blog

Nice fun run with my dog and my friends to start the new year off great.

Nice slow easy training run.

Easy slow training run.  It got progressively colder and windier as the morning went on.  I was glad to be done.  I felt really slow.

Finished up a week of bad weather and being sick.

I felt ok.  I really haven't done any speed training since St. George and it showed today.  I was a little dissappointed that I was 1 minute slower than last year.

Slowly recovering from going on a cruise and gaining weight.  I have to rebound fast because I have a Marathon on the 7th of March.  I also have a few pounds to shed.   I was happy to be able to run 75 miles on the ship though.

I woke up with a sore foot today it felt a little sore yesterday but really sore today.  I am kinda worried.

I am so happy my foot felt better today!  I also received some running advice which made it seem easier to run faster today, I had a much faster run today.  I am now feeling more positive and excited about next weeks marathon.   

Snickers Energy Bar marathon in Albany, Georgia

www.albanymarathon.com

Nice easy paced run, I am feeling a little cold coming on.

very, very slow and easy run, still feeling effects from cold.

Serious concern! After a slow easy run I collapsed when I returned home and felt feverish and sick all day.  Marathon Saturday is scarey, no running till then.

I had to climb a uphill battle, my headphones broke last night and I was sick wednesday and I haven't run since then.   At about mile 18 I didn't have much left so I just held on the best I could all things considered I beat last years time but I was a little dissappointed I wanted to break 3 hours again.  

A Little inside track work to recover from the marathon.  Travel day on monday so no running.   I did go on a nice walk Sunday which helped recovery.   I felt really good today.  I was happy with the scale as bad as I have been too.

As slow as can be and running out in the cold was really cold today.  Also my weight caught up with me.  I am determined to be better and get back in the 160's this month.

Felt pretty good slowly picked up the pace and the last mile felt good and it was almost fast.

I felt slow and tired today.

Actually picked up the pace for a couple of miles, I feel like I recovered from this marathon maybe better than any other. 

Nice easy run, felt pretty good.

Felt pretty strong today, I didn't really plan on going so long but I just felt great and kept going.

Certainly slow today, but easy does it for race day coming up on Saturday, also I am going to ease up on the miles the next two days.  It's just a half so it will be no problem but I want to do my best.

I didn't feel great today, but I was trying to take it easy and I did. I was snacking all day yesterday as I just felt hungry and my weight Blossumed! Dang! I really want to get back in the 160 range. Looking for an easy run tommorow then a Fast Half Marathon on Saturday in Moab, hoping for a PR.

Not a great race, i really didn't have it today dang it.  At least it's just a measly half marathon anyway.

Nice easy run, nice and long.  Feeling a little slow and sore from the half.

really easy slow day, I met up with some friends and got some extra miles too.

Kind of fun to have some friends to run some easy extra miles with this week 20 miles today was fun.

Wow, about 12 miles into my run I was caught in a brutal hail storm miles from home and I just had to make my way home, I am proud of my 18 miles today, these miles really owe me when I get to Boston.  

I can't tell you how much fun it has been this week to run with friends it's been great, slow but good.  miles are really adding up this week.

I went on a long run with a group today and I got separated from the group and got more miles than I anticipated as I didn't really know the course,  what a week certainly more miles than I planned but I felt good.  Hopefully this will really prep me for a great Boston--  Just over 3 weeks left.

If I said I was slow today that would be an understatement.  The snow was everywhere sticking to my shoes and I felt so slow and tired today.  I worked and still put in a good effort, I was glad to be done.

6 Weeks after the cruise I finally return to the 160's in weight, it has been so slow.  I pushed much harder today to go faster and I did pretty good.  It was nice not to have the snow.  I wasn't as fast as I would hope but It was decent.   Tomorrow will be less miles and I will taper on the week end as I am running the Provo Half on Saturday.  Boston is fast approaching now --- 20 Days.

Nice easy going 13 mile run.

Last night I had personal things to work on and I was up till 11:30pm and I was so wiped out that when my alarm went off I did get up and go but I knew my energy was poor so I just took a really easy 8 miles and came home.  At least it's better than not running at all.

I had a nice run today I actually felt pretty strong and ran through some nasty weather too.  I am happy I am feeling strong even with this weather.   I am still having questions about my pace as I need to pick up some speed.

I ran 5 miles with my dog as a warm up early this morning at about 8 minute pace.  I enjoyed my run and it was fun.  I setup with a better strategy for race day today, I committed early not to take off as fast as I could, I committed to stay at about 6:40 pace early, I didn't do perfect at that as I ran my first mile at 6:05 but I recognized it and I slowed myself down and stayed with my plan at about mile 10 I saw a window and picked my pace up a bit and pushed to the end, I even passed a few runners that I had trailed the entire race.  It wasn't a PR for me but I felt really good about my overall race and certainly a confidence builder going into Boston.  I didn't feel spent after the race, I actually felt great, here comes Boston -  2 weeks away.

Started out with intentions of a good training run and really felt great today and just decided to go long.  It was a great confidence builder especially my last two miles were my strongest.

Very slow run today, I just didn't feel strong at all, I guess that could be after yesterday.  I just took what  my body had and took it easy.  

Weird drop in weight and a pretty good run.

Certainly a slow run, but I felt pretty good as it was very rainy and windy outdoors today.  It would have been easy to stay home and I got 16 miles instead.  I'm very happy I went.

I was a pig yesterday so that was my big motivation for running long.  I had dessert for the first time in a long time and that was a huge mistake I couldn't stop.  I felt so guilty from eating that I knew I had to go long this morning so today I am determined to eat better and get back to the 160's tomorrow.  Next week will be a taper week for sure.  Tomorrow between 15 and 16 will be fine. 

It was a nice easy slow pace distance run.  It was a nice way to finish out a good week.  Next week will be an easy week for sure, every day back off a bit is what I am thinking.  Only 9 days till Boston.

Overall a great experience.  I took what the race gave me early on and I took the hills in stride and just kept a good strong pace and never let up.  I wish I would have turned it up a little more down into Boston I think I could have broken 3 hours but overall I really think I spent my energy well.  I am pretty happy with the overall race.  I have never seen so many fans in my life what an event.  I hope I get to go again.

Just something to get my legs moving

easy recovery run probably too much, I will do less tomorrow.

really slow and I am still sore but better than yesterday.

Getting closer to recovered everyday.

Boy it felt great just to move my leg at a normal pace today for a while. I am almost full strength. Still a little soreness but a good run and with tomorrow off I should be ready for a great work week next week. I am looking forward to Ogden in 3 weeks.

Easy slow plane as I had to catch a plane this morning.

Nice easy quick treadmill workout as it is dark and raining in Chicago and I don't have any rain gear.

A little more difficult treadmill workout.  Boy, I sweat indoors when I run.

I ate a lot yesterday on the way home and I got home really late 1:30 to bed.  I still woke up at 4:45 but I felt awful and ran awfully slow but at least I did it I guess.

Now, that felt better a nice workout, I felt like I was pushed and I had to stay strong in Windy conditions.  Overall it felt great to get back going again.  Sometimes the best motivation is a slow day.

This morning I had a nice 10 mile run with my Dog then I went to Provo and ran a little 10k on the Trail.  It was pretty fun except I was SOAKED.  I feel pretty dang good for being just under 2 weeks removed from Boston.  Just 2 weeks till Ogden, and I am excited, I hope the weather isn't like today though.

I got carried away on the downhill start to the race and it carried me to about 10 when I started to weaken, by 13 my pace had slowed up the hill at 14 I maintained ok till the Dam and then I sped up for a couple of miles, I was fine until I hit the park out of the canyon when I started hurting.   I got a horrible side ache which brought me to walking a couple of times.   I have to figure out how to deal with a side-ache as I never have them in training.  I was at 2:40 with 3 to go and really fell apart including a 9:31 mile 26.   Overall,  I am very discouraged with this race.  I don't think it's a bad time I just have worked my butt off this spring and it didn't pay off today.  I do think that the Sun is always a difficult factor for me as I train so early in the morning.  I look forward to a 6am start at Utah Valley.

Really not fair, I ran a marathon this weekend and gained 2 pounds.

High altitude run in the mountains, it was tough (8200 feet)

The last hurrah before a nice family vacation leaving today.  I hope this training will take me to another level at the Utah Valley Marathon.

Rest Day, Traveling on Vacation

7 easy treadmill miles, if you think treadmill miles are easy.

another 7 miles on a treadmill

alright so i tried to pull some marathon pace miles on the treadmill, not easy with the ship rocking

running on the treadmill is getting old

last day on the treadmill YEAH!!

rest day travel back home

I felt like I had lead legs today, I didn't get to bed till 11 and traveled all day yesterday and didn't get a good meal till my PB&J at 10pm so I felt gross.  I hope the weight isn't real.  1 week to get back on my game before Utah Valley.  Hopefully this week didn't doom me.

I needed a confidence builder after Saturday now just a couple of normal running days then easy Thursday , Friday and UV Marathon here I come.  I am going to break 3 hours in this one.

I miscalculated my time with 4 miles to go and thought I had made my Sub 3 again.  The Last 4 miles I averaged about 7:35 and it killed my chances at a Sub 3.  I really hit the wall at 23 and I held on and finished well.  I was excited because I really thought this years race was as hard or harder than last year, and this year I didn't get passed by anyone coming in last year I was passed by 2 guys in the last two miles, this year I passed two guys in the last 2 miles, much better feeling.  Although I am disappointed to miss Sub 3, I am still confident I can do it this year.

Five easy pace miles with my sister, nice recovery day.

Pretty good course, I went to my sisters in Las Vegas and she took me to this State Park and it was pretty nice.  The first 5 miles was pretty uphill and steep, the rest was pretty downhill and easy.  Probably a little to quick to get back to this much distance, but I felt great.

very easy miles

Yesterday I came home from work and laid on the floor of the bathroom for 3 hours ready to heave, I was so weak this morning NO RUNNING TODAY!  DANG, I still had to go to work too.  Back at it tomorrow.

ok, so I was looking for  a little redemption run here after missing yesterday.   I over did it today as I was really week all day. 

Easy and SLOW, and not too much.

So, I was ready for a good run after feeling groggy and crappy all weekend, I didn't go out to get this many today I just felt good enough to go for it.  Friday and Saturday this week I will be gone too.  All in all I am happy and felt good.   It also is good to see my weight coming back down since the cruise a few weeks ago.

Pretty good run, nothing really fast but a good steady pace.  

Nice fun run up the canyon

Wow, What a great Fun Run in San Francisco, from Pier 17 to The Golden Gate Bridge and Back.  It was AWESOME!!

Another fun run to The SF Golden Gate Bridge

Wow, the last fun run in San Francisco for quite some time.  I'm excited to get home and run in Utah again.  It's actually really pretty chilly here.

Travel back to Utah from SF, No Run all work today DANG!  16 Miles short of my 2000 goal for half way through the year.

Slow running day, up a rough dirt trail but beautiful going to Stewart Falls with my dog.  It was beautiful, wish I had taken my Camera.

Two semi fast miles but not real fast.  Good feeling run though.

What a fun run down from TreFoil Ranch to Grandview hill in Provo.  BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

Nice morning run then a fun 5k with my 7 year old.  Fun 4th of July for Sure.

Nice run but my dog pooped out on me.  Had a fun run with my baby sister, she is going to do St George for the first time in October, I'm so excited for her.

Fun run up and down Hobble Creek with my sis.

This mornings run was not easy, partly because I was alone and I think because it was a little warmer too.

Really felt tired today, don't know what my issue is this week.  Work has been extremely stressful though.

Beginning to work more on fast miles and not just distance, really need to go to provo to join the URC runners for some real training.

Very easy slow run.  Getting tired of running without friends

What a crappy day, no running and I felt like garbage all day.  Good motivation for tomorrow.

Nice easy run with my dog.  Then a really fun run with Mary, MattK and Sasha.  Sasha pushed me for one mile and I got pretty tired but actually I felt great.   I am excited to take 2 or 3 days a week and come to Provo and find a couple of guys to push me.   Thanks guys.

Slow run, really too slow.  I ran with some friends who didn't want to pace faster than 8:45 and it was really a little hard to stay with them.  It was a nice easy run but I really enjoy about a minute faster more.

Nice easy morning run with the dog.  Then I went to Provo and met Sasha and Jeff, I enjoyed my run with them and felt great except on the end of the Fat mile I just didn't have the finishing power to make it to the end.  I am determined to fix that problem and show Sasha that I can do it.  Next week I am going to show him my kick and finish the fat mile in a decent time.

Pretty fun to actually see how I could do.  I actually pushed pretty hard but I left wondering if I could have pushed harder.

Pretty good confidence building long run.  I ran 3 miles pretty quick and 1 fat mile felt pretty good about also near the end.

very little sleep last night and I was really slow today.

Pretty slow run except for 4 pretty good miles including a marathon pace mile 18.  I felt good after too.

I got up this morning and went through my entire drill to get ready and headed out the door only to find that there was lightning striking all over the place and I had read the previous night about a runner who was nearly struck.  So I took the day off and I was crabby about it all day.  Maybe will pay off on Saturday at Provo Rivertrail.

Easy slow run and felt bloated after eating poorly on Thursday and no run.  But I was happy just to get  my legs moving.

I felt pretty good the whole way.  I started out with Sasha and Jeff for about 2 miles and then I let them go.  I was passed shortly after that by a couple others.   I am glad I really pushed the first 4 miles I think.  I held onto about a 6:20 pace the rest of the way including mile 13.  My average was 6:12 so I was pretty thrilled as it was a PR for me.

I felt good today and it was pretty fun to go out for a nice long run.  I'm hoping for a good strong long week then back off for a real easy week next week before the Park City Marathon. 

Celebrating today, my wife gave birthday yesterday at 11:47am to a new baby boy.  My little inspiration Boston is his name.  He and my wife are both healthy and we are thrilled.  What a great day and today I was just glowing and my run was a fun awesome time.

Nice easy run, taking it real easy this week and maybe I will be primed for a peak performance at Park City Saturday.

Really a very tough race.

 I started out too fast as usual

Mile 1 - 6:05

Mile 2 - 6:34

Mile 3 - 6:51

Mile 4 - 6:39 -  In 1st Place till the end of this mile

Mile 5 - 6:47  -  Took a little potty break on this mile too

Mile 6 - 6:54

Mile 7 - 6:19

Mile 8 - 6:53

Mile 9 - 6:57

Mile 10 - 6:53

Mile 11 - 7:00

Mile 12 - 7:04

Mile 13 - 7:19

Mile 14 - 7:35

Mile 15 - 7:59

Mile 16 - 8:53  -- Really I was having a little trouble eating a bar I brought and I walked

to try and get it down.  I was passed by 2nd place here.

Mile 17 - 7:04

Mile 18 - 7:12

Mile 19 - 7:13 - Included walking up the end of the steep portion where I was passed

by 3rd place.

Mile 20 - 7:35  - Meet my friend the WALL!  I was struggling here

Mile 21 - 7:27

Mile 22 - 7:40  - Still Struggling on both of these miles stopped looking a the watch just

hanging on.

Mile 23 - 7:16  -  Actually got a little inspired and passed some half marathon runners, felt pretty good on this mile.  Almost enough inspiration to make a move on 3rd place but not quite.

Mile 24 - 7:30 - Hanging in there pretty good, now I know I can finish just trying to hold the pace and not give in.

Mile 25 - 7:51 - Really a little mental lapse, struggling a little and looked a my watch too many times on this mile to see if it was over.

Mile 26 - 7:33 - Ok, so I picked it up a little because I knew this was it and I could finish stronger.

Overall 4th Place, pretty sure I won my age division, the course was even tougher than expected really, probably the toughest course I have experienced.  I was pretty disappointed that the awards ceremony was cancelled.

Considering how stressful this week has been and how tired I have felt I am pretty happy with the result.

Tough to get started, definitely sore but I felt much better after the run than before.  I am happy to get going again.  Good start to the week.

I was very excited to have a PR at Top of Utah

Mile 1 -- 6:07

Mile 2 -- 6:07

Mile 3 -- 6:14

Mile 4 -- 6:11

Mile 5 -- 6:19

Mile 6 -- 6:25

Mile 7 -- 6:25

Mile 8 -- 6:11

Mile 9 -- 6:15

Mile 10 -- 6:29

Mile 11 -- 6:25

Mile 12 -- 6:23

Mile 13 -- 6:23

Mile 14 -- 6:06

Mile 15 -- 6:13

Mile 16 -- 6:45

Mile 17 -- 6:36

Mile 18 -- 6:41

Mile 19 -- 6:50

Mile 20 -- 7:07

Mile 21 -- 6:46

Mile 22 -- 6:58

Mile 23 -- 7:41

Mile 24 -- 7:15

Mile 25 -- 7:07

Mile 26 -- 7:12

Certainly fell off a little at the end, but not bad.  The second half is certainly tougher in this race.  The weaving through town definitely gets old.

 Overall a very happy day!

I actually feel great.  I feel like I am back in full gear after TOU and ready to go at St. George.  Last Marathon of the year.  I don't even know what the next Marathon will be so I really have to capitalize on this opportunity to race.  I am stoked.  Now just to go easy and slow the rest of the week in preparation.