Yes Running Is Fun

Still tired and not feeling the greatest from all my races and miles (this is all still new to me).  I went at an ok pace.  Not too much happened.  I did two seperate runs for these 10 miles.  The first seven went as follows:

Time- 58:18

Pace- 8:18

Elevation- 926 ft

Calories- 1,198

After my cousin Tom met me.  He's about 37 years old and recently started running.  He's lost 20 pounds in 2 months and is training for a 5K.  I expected us to go pretty slow but he actually went at an ok pace.  I was impressed.  It's fun running with new people!

Time- 29:28

Pace- 9:47

Elevation- 403 ft

Calories- 517

Didn't have my watch for this run.  Was at work today and expecting to go biking with the boys.  However, when we got to the trail, one of the boys forgot his helmet.  So, since I head my Altra's on, I gave him my helmet and ran with the group.  The boys were super impressed that I could run faster than most of them could bike (little do they know that it is easier to run uphill than bike).  I even beat a lot of them going downhill. No data for this run

Today was another slower run (my legs are still super dead).  My energy is very low still.  Tried Leatham Hollow for once.  Very very pretty trail.  Kind of overgrown though.  I was covered in webs throughout this run.  Good climb and nice shade.  When I'm feeling less tired I'm going to do a lot more of it.  

Time- 1:02:43

Pace- 10:27

Elevation- 1,707 ft

Calories- 1,188

Did a 4th of July run with Cody today (well we planned to run).  We were both super tired and sore so we ended up hiking a lot.  We started in Mantua and headed up to Ben Lomond (the original plan).  We only ended going up to Willard Peak.  Cody was tired and his insides weren't feeling the greatest.  I was just tired and felt like puking.  When we got to Willard Peak I started feeling a lot better.  So Cody and I split up.  I wrapped around the southern side of the peak and Cody headed straight down the way we came up.  On the other side I saw a heard of about 8 mtn goat.  That was cool.  I eventually caught Cody.  Poor guy...he looked terrible.  I kept going.  I eventually got to where we started and about 5 min. later Cody showed up.  I guess on mile 14 he found couple on an ATV and caught a ride down.  Wasn't the best run in the world...or trail...super technical and overgrown.  But, it was good to get out.

Time- 3:46:58

Pace- 12:35

Elevation- 5,260 ft

Calories- 3,540

Well, I backed out on TIm and Cody and didn't do go to Hard Rock (for money reasons).  So, I got a long run in today.  And what do you know...I was DEAD.  And it was HOT.  Did Richards Hollow and went to the four corners.  Not a lot of people out today.  Saw a cute girl hiking.  I was too tired to try and talk to her..but, I left a note on her car with my number.  Haha we'll see if she calls.  Not a lot happened.  Definitley a good heat training and 100 mile training run.  

Time- 2:42:16

Pace- 10:49

Elevation- 2,819 ft

Calories- 2,677

Recovery from the past few weeks is taking way too long.  Did the River Trail today and went super slow.  I just have no energy and can't get moving fast.  Boring run overall

Time- 1:31:49

Pace- 9:10

Elevation- 1,039 ft

Calories- 1,729

Today's run probably made it in top 3 most miserable runs of my life.  I did the Deer Fence trail.  That trail is deceivingly hard.  But the reason today was so miserable is because of the heat.  It was so bloody hot...and exposed.  I felt so dehydrated and just wanted to roll over and pass out under one of the few trees on the trail.  I need to take it easy the next couple days

Time- 1:17:34

Pace- 9:41

Elevation- 846 ft

Calories- 1,369

Gave in and did a road run today.  I needed something pretty flat.  Today was another super hot day...very very humid.  I was pretty soaked with sweat by the time I finished.  Felt good to not have any hills.

Time- 1:23:39

Pace- 8:22

Elevation- 

Calories- 1,666 

Went to Idaho Falls for the weekend with Jason to see Matt.  Started doing a road run and saw an ATV trail next to a river.  It wasn't an ideal trail but much better than the road.  Went pretty quick today which felt great.  Haven't ran under 7:45 in quite a while.  Finally getting better.

Time- 49:44

Pace- 7:06

Elevation- 37 ft

Calories- 1,150

Did the same trail today except I cut the road section out.  Went slower today.  

Time- 47:41

Pace- 7:57

Elevation- 37 ft

Calories- 985

Taper week for Speedgoat has begun.  Did the Deer Fence Trail.  Went by much better than the last time I did this trail.  Finally getting energy again.  

Time- 1:09:07

Pace- 8:38

Elevation- 845 ft

Calories- 1,369

Today Jordan and Lindee got married in the Brigham City Temple.  Since I work in Brigham city and had an hour and a half to spare between the wedding and work, I brought my shoes and ran in BC.  Did the trail I did a few months ago.  Very steep and very hot and very rocky.  Good speedgoat training

Time- 1:10:52

Pace- 11:47

Elevation- 2,105 ft

Calories- 1,208

Did an easy road run today.  Final run before Speedgoat!  

Time- 32:32

Pace- 8:08

Elevation- 24 ft

Calories- 667

Today was the Speedgoat 50K.  I was a little worried that I'd do a terrible job considering my night last night.  We couldn't find a camping spot so we just parked on the side of the road.  Joe and Jenny slept in the car and I rolled my sleeping bag out and slept on the pavement.  Between that and hearing a bunch of college students arguing about who should drive home (at 3 a.m.) I just didn't sleep that well.  

Anyway, at 6:30 the race began.  I decided to take this race a little slower at the first.  I read an article saying that you preform better if you start out slower than if you start out too hard.  So I decided to try that.  The first 8 miles were pretty intense.  Straight up to the peak.  I met a man named Kyle.  He had the same race vest on that I did so we started talking.  It was fun talking to him.  He's a great guy.  Once we got to the top we started our long run back down a couple thousand feet.  On the way down I saw Cody and Beth observing.  It would have been better seeing him running with me.  

Once we got to the bottom of the next valley we started going up again for a couple miles.  After that, we began a pretty terrible run down the otherside.  Super super rocky for a good two miles.  I was trying very hard to not roll an ankle.  

After the next aid station, we had another solid six miles uphill.  I was feeling pretty great at this point.  Holding back helped my usual running sickness out.  I never felt sick.  Just completely dead considering there was a lot of climbing.  As I was heading up, a good amount of poeple were passing me.  It was really hard to hold back and not push myself more.  But, as the race went on, I slowly found myself passing them and many more.  

As we headed up to the peak again, there was a 1/2 mile to mile climb that was straight up.  It was absolutley brutal.  Towards the top Cody and Beth were there taking pcitures.  It was nice talking to them for a brief minute.  

Then I started heading over to the peak.  Just as I about got there, the trail took off to the side and went right back down to another valley.  Ugh...I thought most of the climbing was done.  Once I got to the bottom, it was time to turn around and head straight back up.  Wow oh wow was I tired.  But again, I was passing people which felt great.  

As I got to the peak again I was so happy and ready to be done.  5 miles downhill was all that was left...I thought.  Karl added an extra climb towards the end.  It was a surprise and during a very hot time.  Very brutal and annoying.  

Finally, after some surprise and very long switchbacks, I finished.  58th place.  My goal was top 100 and I achieved that.  I was very happy to be done.  

12,000 ft of climbing

Over 5,000 calories

Around 13:00 miles I believe (watch died)

Was planning on not running today.  But JJ called and asked if he I wanted to join him for a run.  So...naturally I said yes.  We did Ricks Canyon.  Boy I was sore.  Probably should have taken the day off. But, it was good 100 mile training

Time- 58:25

Pace- 9:39

Elevation- 1,125

Calories- 1,082

Did green canyon today with JJ.  I can defnitely say that this run was in my top 10 most miserable runs.  NO energy.  Very very very hot.  All around terrible.  Another great 100 mile training day

Time- 1:31:04

Pace- Around 10:00

Elevation- Around 1,200

Calories- Around 1,400

All guesses considering my watch died right away

Did Prov canyon today and went to the waterfall.  Went pretty slow today.  Still recovering from Speedgoat.  The waterfall was very pretty.  First time seeing it.  Very refreshing sticking my head under it.  

Time- 1:23:33

Pace- 10:19

Elevation- 1,945 ft

Calories- 1,565

Kept it fairly short and easy today to be ready for tomorrows long run.  Did Deer Fence.  I've decided that I hate that trail.  So hot.  I was pretty worried about seeing a rattle snake on the whole ran.  Ran with a rock in my hand to throw at one in case it snapped at me.  

Time- 1:12:32

Pace- 9:03

Elevation- 846 ft

Calories- 1,371

Woke up and planned on doing an 18 mile run....Leatham Hollow to Richards Hollow loop.  Mapped it out on Map my Ride and everything.  Well, I ended up getting a little lost and did 27 miles.  On the way up Leatham I was feeling good.  About six miles away from the start I ran into a pleasant surprise...a spring.  Little did I know that that spring would save me again later on the run.  

Towards the top of the road, about 2 miles from the spring, I ran into some ATV riders. I felt a little lost and flagged them down and asked how to get to Richards Hollow.  They gave me directions and off I went.  Well, they either gave crappy directions or I suck at following them....before I knew it, I recognized where I was running.  But, I wasn't expecting to recognize the Logan Peak Trail run course.  According to my memory, I was 2.5 miles away form the peak.  So, I changed my route in my mind and decided to go to the peak.  

Another miracle happened...ATV riders stopped and gave me a bottle of Aquafina water.  Those great people.  That was a huge life saver.  Got to the peak and took a nice break.  I've been to the Peak 2 other times...during the race.  I never had the chance to sit and enjoy the view.  Today, I was able to do that.

So, I headed back.  It was so hot.  That spring saved my life.  Got to the spring, and drank and drank and drank.  Probably too much but I didn't care.

The run finally ended, and I got 9 extra miles in.  Even though it wasn't what I planned, today's run was quite enjoyable.

Time- 5:19:43

Pace- 11:50

Elevation- 5,730 ft

Calories- 4,974

Took the boys to Jackson for the week.  Was planning on taking the week off from running.  Did a couple hikes.  But, some of they boys asked if I could taked them running on todays trail: Palisades creek.  We didn't go fast.  Took a lot of breaks.  Saw four moose in front of us that we had to wait for before we kept going.  I'm very proud of the boys for pushing themselves and trying their hardest!

Time- 1:32:37

Pace- 13:13

Elevation- 1,659

Calories- 1,423