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!

Rest Day Quote

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." - Jesse Owens

3/24/09 - 10 miles

I felt much more like myself tonight. My breathing and my pace were under control and I felt strong throughout the run. I have really enjoyed getting back outside for my runs - the time goes by so much faster and I get to enjoy the spring weather. I ran the 10 miles in 1:20:08 which is an 8:06 pace and my average heartrate was 167 bpm.

3/23/09 - 5 miles

It was great to get back home and run in more familiar surroundings. I ran outside tonight and had a good run. Everything felt good and my pace was back to where I expect it to be. I ran the 5 miles in 37:43 which is a 7:33 pace and my average heartrate was 176 bpm. My heartrate was higher than I would have liked but I'm sure not running very much last week contributed to that result.

Rest Day Quote

“You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.” - Steve Prefontaine

3/20/09 - 8 miles

I had planned to run on Thursday but the day went so nicely that I quickly ran out of sun light. The town of Puerto Lobos has no electricity other than generator so it would have been very difficult to run after dark. I ran the same course as on Wednesday but just shortened it a bit. This felt like a good run at a good pace but when I checked my pace, I was surprised by how slow I had gone. Either I'm eating way too much junk on this trip or the sand is having a bigger impact that I realize. I guess I'll know better once I get back home and run. I can't complain about the scenery and the quiet sounds of the ocean. Today's run was more relaxing and enjoyable. I ran the 8 miles in 1:11:47 which is an 8:58 pace and my average heartrate was 162 bpm.

3/18/09 - 11 miles

I finally got a run in this week. We were very busy on Monday and Tuesday getting prepared for our trip to Mexico with our friends the Davis'. We arrived at their place at night early on Wednesday morning. Wednesday was spent enjoying the beach and the ocean but I knew I needed to try and get in a run. After a late lunch, I made up my mind to go. Mason suggested a course to take which was basically running along the beach. I had to run a little over a mile to reach a good beach that would be conducive to running. I then proceeded to run 4.5 miles along the beach. It was a little warm and the air was heavy and humid. In addition, the sand was soft which is great for my joints and knees but it made every step just that much harder. In spite of the difficulties, I had the most marvelous views without any distractions other than the occasional seagull. It was very peaceful and serene. My pace was slower than I planned but I attribute it to the sand and the warmer weather. I ran the 11 miles in 1:39:37 which is a 9:03 pace and my average heartrate was 170 bpm.

Rest Day Quote

"No one ever drowned in sweat."
"Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts." - Dan Gable

3/14/09 - 17 miles

I chose to run at the gym this morning even though I would rather be outside. My schedule called for a 17 mile run with 14 miles at marathon pace. I warmed up over the first 3 miles starting at an 8:34 pace and gradually increasing until I was running at an 8:00 pace at the start of mile 4. I ate 2 shot bloks 15 minutes before my run, 2 more at mile 6, and 2 more again at mile 12. Although I like the shot bloks, I think I am going to use GU for this marathon as I think it does a better job at getting into my system plus the taste doesn't stay in my mouth as long. I felt a little tired during this run which might be from running late last night. I ran the 14 miles in 2:17:56 which is an 8:06 pace. I'm concerned that I won't get to run much next week because our family is going to Mexico for spring break. I hope to at least get in a couple runs and then hit it really hard the following week.

Total mileage for the week: 51 miles

3/13/09 - 5 miles

Ran an easy 5 miles at the gym tonight. Nothing all that exciting to report - just a good recovery run before my long run tomorrow. I ran the entire 5 miles at an 8:34 pace. The run itself was pretty boring - running outside makes the time go much faster.

3/12/09 - 12 miles

Tonight was an easy 12 mile run and I was again able to run outside. I felt really good on this run and didn't have any problems (other than the continuing tightness in my right hamstring). I ran the 12 miles in 1:37:29 which is an 8:07 pace and my average heartrate was 165 bpm. The weather is warming up and it won't be long before I will need to switch my runs to the mornings. I'm hopeful that the weather on the day of the marathon will be reasonable but I suppose I should plan to get appropriate clothing in case the temperature is colder.

Rest Day Quote

"Running is real and relatively simple…but it ain't easy." - Mark Will-Weber

3/10/09 - 9 miles

Tonight's run was a 9 miler that included 5x1000 meter sprints. I did a mile and a half warm up and then began the first of the 1000 meter sprints. The schedule calls to run the sprints at a 5k pace so I tried to run at a 6:30 - 7:00 pace. Then I would jog easy for 2 minutes before beginning the next sprint. I felt really good through the sprints but struggled to maintain the quick pace on the last sprint. I ran the 9 miles in 1:09:44 which is a 7:45 pace and my average heartrate was 170 bpm.

3/09/09 - 8 miles

Thankfully I think I am past this illness which has plagued me for the past couple weeks. It hit the hardest on Friday and Saturday which prevented me from training. I can still feel the effects of the illness especially in my lungs but I'm definitely on the mend. I only have 3 more weeks before I begin my taper into the marathon so I am committed to working hard and getting in the best shape possible.

I ran at the gym tonight after family night which consisted of us attending Tanner's tournament basketball game (they won btw). It felt really good to run after not doing any form of exercise for several days. However, after a couple miles, I could feel the effects of being sick and it was a struggle to complete the run. I stuck with it though and completed the 8 miles in 1:06:14 which is an 8:17 pace.