Yes Running Is Fun

Well....my legs were shot today.  Kept it short and slow.  Went from my house to the mouth of green and back

Time- 53:11

Pace - 8:49

Elevation- 569 ft

Calories- 1,006

Did green canyon today....I felt like I was on mile 90.  I couldn't get moving.  My quads are complete trash right now.  Ugh....but, it was a bit chilly and the trail had no one on it....so, it was a great run

Time- 1:28:04

Pace- 9:45

Elevation- 1,188 ft

Calories- 1,555

Legs felt better today but I decided to keep it shorter and an average pace so I don't over-do things.  Did BST and Upper Canal.  Nice, cooler day.  Zion 100, I'm ready to destroy you!

Time- 1:01:07

Pace- 8:41

Elevation- 778 ft

Calories- 1,247

Kept today semi-easy.  Did Jardine Juniper but did it with my cousin.  We went at a semi slower pace.  But, I keep getting surprised when I run with Tom.  He did pretty awesome today.  He's improving very fast.  The upper loop was pretty muddy and had some patches of snow.  But, it was still an awesome run.  I'm looking forward to summer.  Ready for Zion!

Time- 1:37:53

Pace- 9:46

Elevation- 1,939 ft

Calories- 1,818

A boy at work was stressed so I decided to take him for a run.  Nice and easy around Mantua Lake

Time- 34:00

Pace- 8:18

Elevation- 34 ft

Calories- 680

Did a final taper run.  Up to the mouth of green and back.  Feel ready!

Time- 34:54

Pace- 8:40

Elevation- 332 ft

Calories- 668

Today was the day.  My second 100 mile race.  I came into this one feeling pretty confident and ready.  My knee was feeling good.  I've been training hard.  Had a good pre-race meal at Red Robin.  Life was good.

The race started at 6 a.m. and went up the first mesa.  For this section I met a man named Adam.  We stuck with each other for a good 10 miles (he later won the race).  It was nice having a buddy to talk to for that long.  I was about 5 minutes behind first place by the time I reached the Dalton Wash aid station (mile 15).  My dad was there waiting for me.  What a guy.  Dedicated a whole day, by himself, to help me out.  By the time I left, I met a gentleman named DJ.  He was awesome.  We became best friends instantly.  Stuck with each other from mile 15 to mile 75 pretty much.  Every aid station we came in within 5 minutes of each other.  

After we lefrt Dalton, we headed up to another Mesa.  It was pretty up there.  Again, we were about 20 mintues behind first.  We then headed back to Dalton, and I left DJ and headed towards Gooseberry.  I was actually feeling really good at this point.  When I got to that beast of a climb into Goosebump/Gooseberry, I made some good time and passed 2 100 mile runners.  I was moving so quick I actually beat my dad to the aid station.  However, the next 10ish miles was HELL.  I hate running up on Gooseberry with a passion.  Rolly, hard hard hard hard rock.  It was destroying my back and legs.  I had to walk a lot of this section.  

By the time I got to the second Goosebump aid station, I met up with my dad.  Then headed out towards Grafton with....DJ!  He caught up.  As we were heading down the first section of road from Goosebump to Grafton, I felt a big burst of energy and started flying down the hill.....but, that was short lived.  At mile 45, I got a major side ache....that didn't leave me til mile 69.  No joke, I had a side ache the entire time.  I was worried I got a Cody disease....Rabdo.  Every step my kidneys/side were in so much pain.  I had to walk a lot.  I got to Grafton and took a good 10 minute sit, hoping that my side ache would leave....it didn't.

I then headed to Cemetary...again, a lot of quick walking/running for a few seconds before my side hurt.  Somehow, I wasn't getting passed.  DJ passed me while I was sitting at Grafton for 10 minutes.  The trail down into Cemetary was basically just as steep and rocky as the trail to Gooseberry.  That destroyed my sides.  I got to the Cemetary aid and quickly ate some food and left (wanted to make time on the climb out of Cemetary).  DJ was taking a break at Cemetary.  I didn't see DJ for any of the next section.  The uphill saved me cause I was able to walk really fast.  However, between Cemetary and Grafton on the way back, I puked 3 times.  Threw up pickles each time.  That took away so much energy.  Couldn't breath well....felt terrible. 

Got to Grafton, sat a little more, then headed out.  Within 30 seconds of leaving Grafton, I was feeling very light headed, puky, low on energy, and my side ache was killing me.  I stopped for a minute and contemplated dropping.  I felt so terrible.  But I kept going, and was able to do a waddle/run/walk on the way back to Gooseberry.  I beat DJ by 1 minute to this station (mile 67).  Ate Ramen, a sandwhich, and left.  The decent from Gooseberry was TERRIBLE.  Sore quads, sore side.....I felt even worse going down this.  But, miraculously, by the time I reached the bottom, my side ache finally left, and I was able to start running.  

I got to Virign Desert Aid feeling half decent.  Got food, and headed out on the first loop.  I again lost a lot of energy on this loop.  My legs were in a lot of pain as well.  Someone doing the 100 was right on my butt.  But when I got back to Virgin, I took Ibuprofen, drank a RockStar, and headed out.  I got a lot of energy back, my legs went numb, and I made up a lot of time.  The guy behind me left two minutes after me....and I was able to get a 20 minute lead on him during the next loop.  I was moving.  I then made it back, and went out for the final loop.  Went at an average pace.  

Then, I reached the Virgin Aid for the last time, drank a Mtn. Dew, and hauled to the finish line.  I was moving pretty quick for how I was feeling.  I was determined to get under 20 hours.  And I did just that.  Even crossed the finish line before my dad could see me (he was taking a nap and didn't expect me to cross so soon).  

This was a very tough race.  Mentally, emotionally, and physically.  But, 5th place.....under 20 hours, I'll take the results.

Time- 9:18:31

Pace- 11:52

Elevation- 10,169

Calories- 17,022

Did a simple road run today to loosen up.  My feet are still pretty sore.  

Time- 18:20

Pace- 9:01

Elevation- 149 ft

Calories- 337

Went and attempted green canyon today.  Only did 4 miles.  My quads and legs surprisingly feel great.  The top of my feet felt awful though.  They hurt so much.  So, I took it easy.  Don't plan on going that far at all this week.

Time- 38:23

Pace- 9:31

Elevation- 527 ft

Calories- 689 

Started running BST from green....but, this freaking snow storm.  The whole BST is fresh powder.  So I headed down towards campus.  My right foot and knee is a little tender.  Going to try 8 tomorrow

Time- 53:36

Pace- 8:53

Elevation- 245 ft

Calories- 1,001

Feeling better.  My right foot and right knee are both a little tender still.  The downhills really hurt my foot.  But, should be 100% next week!  Just did my house to first dam and back.

Time- 1:02:16

Pace- 7:45

Elevation- 398

Calories- 1,333

Did BST to Second Dam and back.  Pretty much back to normal.  There were times when my foot and knee hurt.  But improvement from yesterday.  Going to take tomorrow fairly easy and get back to it next week!

Time- 1:23:18

Pace- 8:22

Elevation- 904 ft

Calories- 1,762

Had the day off from work and school.  Feeling decent....so, decided to do a long run with a good amount of climbing.  I've been wanting to tag Berdineau peak for the past 5ish months.  So, I decided to start at first dam, take BST over to green, and do the loop.  I started out feeling fresh....but, got tired very quick.  The traverse on the ridge towards Berdineau killed me.  I went pretty slow. But, I finally tagged the peak.  It's pretty up there. Not my favorite peak, but still awesome.  Then I headed back, and then cut off towards the wind caves.  I then went up to crimson, wrapped around, then headed back to first dam.  Great run.  Great day.  

Time- 5:00:27

Pace- 12:32

Elevation- 6,267 ft

Calories- 4,780

Did a group run tonight.  As much as I love racing, I will admit the main reason I hate racing is because I miss group runs due to tapering and recovering.  It was great being with the group again.  Zack, Cody, Fan, Erik and Nuckles.  Did the Ricks and Steel canyon loop.  I was struggling for the first 3-4 miles.  Very tired.  But towards the top, I felt fresh and was able to push it.  The run down into steel was awesome.  Top was snowy.  Broke through the ice/snow and got cut up.  But we were able to push it on the way down.  Fun run

Time- 1:49:39

Pace- 9:00

Elevation- 2,393 ft

Calories - 2,237

Did green today.   A slow, enjoyable 8 miles.  Had some pretty dead legs

Time- 1:17:06

Pace- 9:34

Elevation- 1,095 ft

Calories- 1,398

Did a run between classes today.  Did BST over to River trail and up past 2nd dam.  I was super tired.  Very tired.  I'm pretty worn out.  

Time- 1:33:48

Pace- 9:20

Elevation- 928 ft

Calories- 1,748

Have a sprint tri tomorrow for work.  Kept it short today

Time- 52:01

Pace- 8:37

Elevation- 580 ft

Calories- 1,008

Did the Ghost Town Sprint Tri today.  Haha I was pretty nervous for it....cause of the 300 meter swim.  I know 300 meters is super short....but, I suck at swimming.  Part of me hoped that since I swam a couple years ago, I would be fine.  Sure enough, after 30 seconds, I felt like I was going to drown.  Had to take about 10 breaks. I'm a pathetic swimmer.  I probably looked ridiculous on the bike....my mountain bike.  Everyone else had their super nice bikes.  But I actually went at a good pace.  15 miles at a 17 mph pace.  Not amazing, but for my 3rd bike ride in a year, I feel good about it.  The run I surprisingly did well.  Thought I'd go slower cause of jello legs.  But I maintained a 6:07 pace for a 5k.  Finished 3rd in my division, and got the fastest run time award.  When I got home, I went for a 5 mile post run.  Good day

5k race 

Time- 18:30

Pace- 6:08

Elevation- 78

Calories- 496

Post run

Time- 40:38

Pace- 8:04

Elevation- 465 ft

Calories- 840

The weather was so amazing today.  Couldn't resist doing longer than 10 miles.  Did the green canyon half at a pretty decent pace.  I'm so ready for summer trail running

Time- 1:46:46

Pace- 8:13

Elevation- 1,909 ft

Calories- 2,294

Did an early run with Cody.  Have a final today and I wanted to get my brain working.  Went from his house to first dam via roads and canal trail

Time- 1:12:28

Pace- 7:59

Elevation- 230 ft

Calories- 1,503

Did Prov canyon today.  Saw my first snake of the year....ugh.  Went at an easy pace.  Held back some.  Kept the heart rate at an average of 135.  Beautiful day

Time- 1:28:01

Pace- 9:38

Elevation- 1,904 ft

Calories- 1,643 

Did a group run tonight with Nuckles, Cody and Fan.  Went from first dam to wind caves trail via River Trail.  Went up towards Berdineau ridge.  We had a mini race to the top to get the course record.  Cody and I were pushing it.  He was a few seconds a head of me until the final half mile or so.  Cody got it by 5ish minutes.  I finished about 1 minute after Cody.  Then we headed down into green, the took the BST back to first.  Good, hard run.  My ANT agent is acting funny again...they are sending me a new one.  Will update the blog next week when I can upload my data

Time- 2:29:50

Pace- 9:23

Elevation- 3,228 ft

Calories- 2,988