14 mile LSD by Jerel at Garmin Connect - Details

14 mile LSD by Jerel at Garmin Connect - Details

I am going to try to get back to blogging about my running adventures since right now I am committed to run and train for a couple marathons.  I am 8 weeks into a 16 week training program that will have me ready to run the Mesquite Marathon on November 17th.  I haven't registered for this race yet since the fees don't increase until October - I wanted to be sure that I was ready and that no injuries popped up during training.  I have registered to run the inaugural Phoenix Marathon on March 2, 2013.  This should be a different experience because I won't have to travel for this race.  I am optimistic that I can PR in both of these races and have the kind of race that I have envisioned.

Today's run was good although I started about an hour later than I had planned.  The morning temperatures have actually been pretty nice lately and the last 3 miles were all the shade from the orange groves so it was a very pleasant run as far as the temperature goes.  I felt pretty good on the run and ended up running a quicker pace than I had planned and faster than it felt.  I ate a GU shot at miles 5 and 10 and drank Powerade every 2-3 miles.  I felt a little "full" after the 2nd GU so I think I'll try going 6 miles between GU's next long run.

5/08/10 - 12 miles

Today I completed my longest run in over 3 months and it wasn't too bad.  I got up and ran early since the rest of the day was packed with activities including preparing to honor our mothers.  I ran a route that I haven't ever done before which kept me from focusing too much on the distance and more on what I was seeing.  I ran the 12 miles in 1:42:55 which is an 8:34 pace.  I drank Powerade at miles 3, 6, and 9 and had a GU shot at mile 6.  I felt pretty good but my right hamstring continues to be a problem area for me.  I am going to do some extra stretching in that area and hope to get it loosened up in the next couple weeks.

5/07/10 - 5 miles

I'm back!  Not that I ever really left but I haven't had a race that I was training for so I didn't see much reason to post my runs.  I have continued to run after completing the Salt Lake Marathon last year and have documented some of the races on our family blog.  I have debated if I wanted to run another marathon and if so, which one.

Over the past couple months, I have felt an itch to run another marathon.  I was very disappointed with my results in Salt Lake as a result of cramping.  I want to run the race I imagined and this has driven me to search for another marathon to run.  I contemplated running St. George again but the dates conflict with General Conference (Tanner's first time to attend the priesthood session).  I looked at the Utah Valley Marathon but again the timing was not good.  So yesterday, Camille was looking at our schedule since we are spending a week in Provo in July at Aspen Grove.  She saw that one of the events associated with the Days of 47 celebration is the Deseret News Marathon on July 24th.  We will already be in the area so this should be perfect.  The race is less than 12 weeks away but because I have already been running, I should be okay.

I have a renewed commitment to get out and run at least 5 days a week and adjust my eating habits to those of a runner.  I'll admit that I'm feeling a bit of anxiety because I know that training for and running a marathon is hard work and requires discipline.  But I'm also excited to improve my time and complete the race without the injuries that have plagued me previously.

Today I got up at 5:15 and ran an easy 5 miles before family scripture study.  The days have been warmer lately so my running will primarily be in the morning or at the gym on a treadmill if later in the day.  I ran the 5 miles in 39:13 which is a 7:50 pace and my average heart rate was 169 bpm.

Rest Day Quote

"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse." - Ann Trason

3/28/09 - 20 miles

My final 20 mile run before the marathon. I ran the 2 previous 20 mile runs on the treadmill so I wanted to get outside for this run. I got up around 6 am and ate a couple granola bars and drank some Gatorade before heading out. I ran north along the canal banks for 5 miles and then turned around and return to my starting point where I left a couple bottles of Gatorade. I then completed the same loop. I ate 2 shot bloks at mile 7 and then ate a clif shot at mile 14. I carried Gatorade during the run and drank a swallow or two every mile or two. I felt really good during the first 15 miles. The last 5 miles I started to feel the distance and my right leg again began to act up. I am going to a massage therapist next week and I'm hopeful that I can get some relief from this pain so I can perform better in the marathon. I ran the 20 miles in 2:51:18 which is an 8:34 pace and my average heartrate was 162 bpm.

3/27/09 - unplanned rest day

The schedule called for a 4 mile run but instead I went and practiced riding my brother's motorcycle followed by Tanner's baseball game. I am going on a day ride in about a month with my brother and some other motorcycle enthusiasts in my ward. I haven't ridden a bike in a while so my brother offered his bike for me to practice on.

3/26/09 - 10 miles

I had so many things to do in the evening that I decided to get up early and run this morning. Because it was still dark, I headed to the gym and ran on the treadmill. It was a good run but time seems to slow down on the treadmill and today was no exception. I ran at an easy, comfortable pace and felt good throughout the run. I ran the 10 miles in 1:25:32 which is an 8:34 pace. I ran the last 5 miles at a 1% incline to make it a little more difficult. I enjoyed a good stretch afterwards - there is nothing better than a good stretch after a long run!