Dare to be great!

I had plans to go run in the morning... really I did...woke up and started putting my running gear on when the power went out. I checked outside and saw a ton of snow on the ground. I probably would have ran anyway but I wanted to make sure the kids got up on time for school and the driveway was shoveled for my wife. It felt a little too good climbing back into bed and sleeping an extra hour and a half. Managed to run around the hood a bit in the afternoon to keep the streak alive.  My legs are still somewhat sore from last week so I think it will do them well to rest another day or more.

Most of the snow is off the roads. Ran up to the trails leading towards the hot springs then followed the foothill trails past the mouth of the canyon for a few miles. Just took it easy as my legs did not feel as they had much energy. The trails had a couple inches of snow so it was nice. Saw quite a few deer with a handful of big bucks still packing around their antlers as well as a big herd of elk. It was nice taking my time and looking at the beauty of my valley.

On the dirt road south of town, headed up the hill a ways by the end. Legs are coming around and felt decent this morning. Still got a good run this morning and saved the legs for a harder effort tomorrow. AP 8:17 with about 550' of climbing.

Nice trail run this morning. Drove to Richfield and started ran the Red Rock Trail, ran up the canyon past the shooting range, really beautiful canyon up there. Ran until the trail ended and headed back.  Tried to keep it easy on the inclines and moderate pace on the downhill.  Tomorrow we are headed to Moab as a family so probably won't have time for any quality runs, just lots of hiking.  AP 9:07 with just under 1200' of elevation gain.  

Hike about/jog with the kids searching for fossils outside of Moab.

Spent the day in Arches hiking around with the family. Jogged some of it to keep the streak alive... Great day with my family.

Hit the dirt road from bishops towards Poverty.  I like this route as it has some rolling hills but not too much to slow you down all that much.  Plus there is nothing out there and the solitude is nice.  Just wanted to get the legs turning over again.  Stopped at eight to keep the legs from getting overworked for the race in less than two weeks.  Felt pretty good during the run averaged 7:42, with the first four around eight and the last four in the low seven minute range.  Of course with the time change I'm back to running in the dark for the run.  Had the light of the moon for most of it.  My running partner is at grandma's being dog sat while we went to Moab over the weekend.  I miss having her to run with during the mornings.  

Long day, had to travel to Salt Lake County for training early, then wrestling practice as soon as I got home, then had scouts after that... ran around the block when I got home from scouts to keep the running streak alive - 69 days 

Ran the country loop this morning, kept the pace easy and I am starting to taper off the mileage this week, AP 8:02

I wanted to get some turnover this morning without pounding the legs. Decided to run up poverty flats on the dirt road. Gradual uphill the first 3.1 miles, about 150' per mile. Kept a comfortable push on the way back to get the lungs working some averaged 6:48ish on the way back. Felt really good and comfortable, got my running partner back from being dog sat over the past week.  She loved running through the sage chasing rabbits again...

Relaxing Friday morning... took the dog up to the hills and did some trail running/hiking.  Just explored around new areas off the trail.  Saw chuckars, elk, and deer...  Didn't find any antler sheds was hoping to run across some to pay for my running shoes.

Spent the morning playing paintball with some other dads and their kids.  Ran a lot laying the hurt on others who could not shoot what they could not catch... good times.  Did my run in the afternoon to acclimate to to the heat some.  I could tell I have been used to running below freezing every morning.  Good run along the dirt roads and 4-wheeler trails from bishops into Poverty Flats.  Just kept it around base pace with the climbs.  Tried another route this afternoon as I felt comfortable exploring different areas since it was light out.  Pretty good route, I'd definetly do it again.

Day 74:  Taper run from the house, broke out some new lone peaks 1.5's I have been saving.  Nice and easy 8:29 pace

Couple easy miles circling the hood. AP 7:41 the taper continues

Couple loops around the hood again, legs are starting to feel like they want to run fast for this weekends race 7:41 pace, the taper continues

Day 77: Ran home from wrestling practice with the kids then went around the block with TJ.

Ran around the block in the morning to get the wiggles out of the dog.

Ran the Buffalo 50K on Antelope Island.  Drove up the day before and slept at the starting line in the back of the van.  It was fun watching the 100 mile racers coming through the aid station before I went to bed.  Actually got some decent sleep for the night before a race. 

Wasn't sure how my legs would hold up over the distance.  Started out conservative and took it really easy on any uphills.  I had a drop bag at the Elephant Head aid station and would switch out my bottles as I came through.  Seemed to work out pretty well.  Came throught the half way point feeling fairly well but knowing I had another loop to finish.  I think I came into the half way aid station around 2:36ish.  Started the second loop again very conservative and easy on the uphills.  My last 50K I cramped up badly the last miles so I tried to make sure I was getting enough fluids.

After the last aid station my legs were still in ok shape so I tried to push the pace.  It was fun to get a good push the last few miles into the finish getting quite a few passes along the way. 

I still have to work on my endurance and hill running so I can have the confidence/faith to run harder at the beginning/middle of a race.  All said and done I got beat by a 54 year old woman who finished right before me.  She was able to run well on the uphills and I would catch her on the flats.  She was amazing to watch running the hills and I made sure to tell her she ran the hills like a machine.  I can run hills ok but didn't want to blow my legs up at the end.  Just need more experience I guess...  Note to self... learn to run hills efficently.

Overall I am pleased with my race and learned a lot.  It was great seeing old friends and making some new ones.  I miss the running community now I am living in the sticks. I will probably sign up for a 50 miler most likely Bryce this June. 

Splits for my records:9:26,10:55,9:22,8:17,8:03,1:33,7:17.10:56,11:58,10:11,10:13,7:45,10:24,8:18,8:52,8:12,12:55,12:04,10:34,9:38,9:23,13:54,8:51,13:09,14:30,12:29,11:23,9:31,11:20,8:16,8:13,7:36,8:00,8:00

My quads are in rough shape from the race this past weekend.  Me and my wife did a recovery hike in the morning and it helped to loosen the legs up some.

Went with the family for family night for a hike through the foothills.  Trenton found a three point deer shed and we explored some caves and saw hundreds of deer.  It was fun getting them out and stretching the legs.

Morning hike/jog about around the mouth of the canyon.  Really rocky and full of cactus so I was forced to hike and let the legs recover.  I started to loosen up towards the end and I imagine I will run again in the next few days.  My quads feel better running up hill the down

Nice little trail run this morning up past the hot spring up the canyon behind them.  It was a scramble on the way up but I found a trail for the way down.  I wish it was lighter in the morning.  Sat at the top of the overlook and enjoyed the beauty of the valley below for a few minutes before heading back down.  Legs are starting to feel better and I was able to open up on a few sections.  Legs are feeling strong just some lingering soreness...

Parked at the mouth of Monroe Canyon and ran up to Monrovian Park then along the single track trail along the stream until I could go no further without getting really wet.  Dark run on the way up as my headlamp was losing battery power.  I know I need to work on my uphill running so this will become more common.  Legs are coming along nicely still some soreness on the downhill on the way back and I did not push the pace much still some miles in the low 7's on the way down.  

I am thinking about signing up for the Bryce 50 miler in June.  

It was a calm morning the stars were out and the deer and rabbits were running in front of my car as I made my way to the trail head this morning.  I started before dark on the old sawmill trail up Monroe Mountain.  My black lab, Laci, was running out ahead of me exploring the sights and smells.  About a half mile up the trail my breathing settled down and I was getting into a steady hill climbing pace watching my breath from the cold morning in my headlamp when I was struck with the most awfull odor...Skunk.  It was strong and could see my little girl running in front of me from the light of my headlamp.  She was still running strong but I saw her shake her head... the odor got worse.  I called her back and she kept shaking her head and pawed... I knew we were in trouble now.  It didn't take long to realize she had been sprayed by her first skunk.  I was almost half tempted to continue up the trail, but knew my hopes were useless so we cut it short and ran helterskelter back to my pathfinder at the trailhead.  I was too far from home to let her run home so I had to take one for the team and threw her in the backseat and drove like Mario Andretti back home with the windows down.  Found a concoction online on the way home and my good wife had it waiting for us upon our arrival.  Got her lathered up and spent the next hour washing the foulness off of her.  It was a long cold drive into work this monring with the windows down in my pathfinder.  Hopefully she learned her lesson to not mess with the little black and white devils...PU

Day 85: long day at the State Wrestling Tournament.  My youngest is now the state champ,  Woo hoo.  Great to see all his hard work pay off.  Ran around the block after we got home to keep the running streak alive.

Headed back to the Sawmill Trail, aka trail of the skunk, for a redo after the stinky incident with the dog last Thursday.  My only goal on the way up was to keep "running" I could have probably powered hiked faster in some places but kept running until I hit around 3 miles.  About 2300' of climbing in those miles on a rocky trail.  Saw a baby bunny siting in the trail on the way up, just say there as I stood over it, probably blinded by my head light.  Sat down for about five minutes at the top and enjoyed the view.  Saw around 80 elk and quite a few deer.  

My back was a bit tight and my stomach a little upset on the way down so I just took my time.  No skunk sightings this time and my dog made it home nice and clean.  I think I will try to get two serious trail climbs a week another faster/flatter trail run, a longer  termpoish road run, then a weekend long run hopefully at elevation for training..  It should get my legs prepared for the Bryce 50 if I sign up.

Need to work on my hill running and power and keep my speed up.  Weight was down to 154 after my run this morning.  I lose more when I run less due to not needing as much calories. Should be pretty light I it all goes well.

Trail run along the powerline trail.