Terry's Running Blog

Noon run, sunny, temp. 70'

Nice day on the JRP.  Maybe a 4 miler tomorrow and then call it quits until the SGM.

Time 38:22,  Mile avg. - 7:40

Morning run, temp. 53'

All ready for SG.  My only issue is my Tendon-bum-itis on my left side.

Time 30:30,  Mile avg. - 7:35

Rarely do the elements combine to give near perfect weather at St. George, but today got as close as it can get down there.  Originally, I had thought I'd go for a 3:05 but with the cooler weather and a tail wind at the start I decided to try for a sub 3.

I tried to get enough sleep this week and stretch and do enough good things so I'd have a chance at a good marathon.  Also, staying with Tom and Kim Lee always helps take the stress out of the hotel experience.  Plus they were invited to this awesome prior neighbor that now lives in SG and I tagged along.  The food was great and we got to watch the BYU/USU game.  Again no stressful finding a place to eat the night before the race.

Notes for self.  Took 4 salt pills, one prior to race, at miles 5,11,17.  Maybe I should have had another one at mile 23.  Also took an excedrin pre race and at half way.  I drank at every aid station and some of them I had two cups and I was still slightly dehydrated after the marathon even with the cool temperatures.  How much do you have to drink?

My goal was to not run any miles especially the downhill miles faster than my plan.  That was hard.  Good thing we have GPS's to let us know when we are going to fast.  A few times I'd look at my watch and it would be reading 6:05-6:10 and I'd have to slow back down.  My problem isn't hitting the wall it's that my legs cramp up.  The cramping happens sooner if I run a mile or two on the faster end, which then ruins the race because I have to slow way down or do the walk jog thing the rest of the way.

The start was good because like the weathman predicted it was blowing from the north and it was cold, maybe around 40.  I hit the porta potties and did about a 15 minute walk with a 1 minute jog with Tom and called it good for the warm up.

Miles 1-7, felt good, kept checking the watch so I wouldn't go out to fast. I like cold weather running so I took off the long sleeve shirt I was wearing at mile two.  At mile 7 I also got ride of the gloves I was wearing.  I questioned that idea for the next few miles as my hands got pretty cold, but I new the sun would make its appearance and everything would be fine.

Miles 8-13,  Took about a 35 second potty break at the bottom of Veyo hill.  Still feeling great and keeping the running under control.  To my suprise the 3:05 pace group passed me at about mile 10.  I didn't let it affect me because this is my 9th time running this and I had a plan.  They got about 200 yards ahead of me at one point.  I did want to tell them they were going out a little to fast but I didn't think it would really help anyone.  I was 92:46 at the half way point.  Just were I wanted to be.

Miles 14-20, Still feeling good, I really wanted to cruise the down hills miles of 15 when you get a view of Snow canyon but I resisted the urge.  Usually when I see the hill at mile 19 I dread it but this year it was no problem and I may have taken it a little to fast.  Also, I did pass up the 3:05 group at about mile 17 or 18.

Miles 21-26,  I really wanted to let loose and run some 6 even miles but I again resisted because I don't trust the cramping in my legs.  It was a good thing I resisted because at mile 23 my legs started the signs of cramping.  During mile 25 my right hammy cramped up and made me walk for about 10 steps before I felt I could try running again.  At that point I new I was on pace for sub 3 with my energy but had little time to spare for the slow down of cramped legs.  Thats when you start praying, pleading and hoping you can make your goal.  On mile 26 my legs were grabbing all over the place, calves, quads, hammies and I just had to try to run as easy and light as possible.  The last few hundred yards I was doing the staight legged funny run cause if I bent my legs to much they would cramp.  I made it by 4 SECONDS!!!   YEEHAW!!   According to RunPix I passed 62 people the last 7 miles and got passed by 4, or a gain of 58 people the last 7 miles.  Now that's how I like to finish a race.

After the race it took me awhile to be able to walk because my legs just wanted to cramp.  So I went very slow for awhile until they started to return to normal.  Loved eating ice cream, chocolate milk, yougart and bread after.  I'm all for free food.

I'm sure there were a lot of PR's and great times due to the weather.

Noon run, sunny, temp. low 50's

First run since the marathon.  I would have gone earlier this week but I've had a cold all week and been working 12 hour days.  Everything felt pretty good exept for when I finished the easy run both my calves immediatly got a light cramp.  It took about a minute for the cramp to release.  Guess my legs still need some recovery time from the marathon.

Time 40:20,  Mile avg. - 8:03

Morning run, temp. 40'

Did the lower portion of Butterfield canyon.  I did move a dead deer off the road so it wouldn't be a traffic hazard.  Did the last three downhill miles in 6:20 avg.

Time 1:18:20,  Mile avg. - 7:50

Noon run, partly sunny, temp. 50'

Time 47:36,  Mile avg. - 7:56

Noon run, sunny, temp. 49'

Tried to push the pace but my brain didn't have the energy to push hard.  Good thing I didn't feel like that at SG.

Time 28:40,  Mile avg. - 7:10

It was a nice morning for the race.  It was cool as you'd expect in late October about 37' and a light wind as is normal for South Jordan.  Taunia dropped me off just a little over a half mile from the start and I jogged to the start.  Only had to wait about 10 minutes before the start.

I was thinking that this race was way to close to the St. George Marathon but I had a free entrance and it's my home town so I had to run it.  After the first mile I felt great.  I was hoping that a miracle had occured and I was totally recovered from the marathon.  After 4 miles I was in 4th.  It was about then that I could tell that my legs weren't as fresh as I'd hoped but still feeling good enough to finish well.  I got passed around mile 7 and mile 10 to put me in 6th place.  The last mile my legs were getting tired and complaining, but I finished well.  I think the course was a bit short this year. they started up a hundred yards closer and the course was no different.

I just looked online and I came in 5th overall out of the 588 finishers.  Now I'm doubting my abilitiy to count to 6.

Noon run, sunny, temp. 55'

Nice day.  The legs weren't recovered from Saturday's half but felt pretty good with a slower pace.

Time 40:50,  Mile avg. - 8:10

Noon run, sunny, temp. 64'

What a nice day.  Legs still not fully recovered but it's always nice to run.  Did one mile faster at 6:55 pace.

Time 63:44,  Mile avg. - 7:41

Morning run, temp. 42'

Won't be 100% recovered by Saturday for the Halloween half but hopefully, I'll be able to turn out a decent race.

Time 31:24,  Mile avg. - 7:51

They changed the course last minute and had us start at Deer Creek Resevior instead of Sundance.  Probably better for my old man knees but I didn't get to fly down those first few miles.  It was a near perfect morning for late in October.  No wind and no clouds.

It was fun seeing all the different costumes before and after the race.  I got up near the starting line and got off to a good start.  After a mile I was in about 12th place.  Shortly after I got chicked by a beautiful pirate.  I thought, not so bad If I only get chicked once, however, after a few miles Cruella DeVille passes me like I was standing still and then passes the Pirate.  I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't run these Halloween races.  They're scarry.

Miles 1-5 6:03, 6:23, 6:53, 6:19, 6:32

I was hoping last weeks SOJO half didn't burn me out and it didn't.  I was still feeling pretty good.  I slowly started passing people.

Miles 6-10  6:36, 6:44, 6:19, 6:14, 6:13

Around mile 10 I passed a guy that was nice enough to point out that I was old. He asked me my age and when I said 48, he said that's my age.  Always nice to know who your age group competition is.  Around mile 11 I passed the Pirate.  Nice, back down to only getting chicked by one.

Miles 11-13   6:26, 6:24, 6:31

My garmin has recorded the last two half marathons at right around 13 miles even.  Don't know if it is the watch or the races.

Just looked at the stats.  The women outnumbered the men 2 to 1.  No wonder I like this race.  There were 506 men and 1,028 women finishers.

Morning run, temp. 45'

Legs doing ok considering the Half on Saturday.  Maybe a few more days to get back to normal.

Time 27:52,  Mile avg. - 7:58