Running Updates plus one week until the Casper Marathon

My taper continues to be going fairly well.  I've managed to reduce my mileage without feeling too nervous and I had a solid training run on Saturday (10 miles at just about half marathon pace, about 1:27).  This is probably too much and too fast but this week is going to be extremely light in training and I was feeling pretty good.

The plan is for next Saturday for me to head out early to Casper Wyoming and run their marathon on Sunday.  I picked this race because I ran into some people on the bike trail that said it was a good, small town event and I would like to take Wyoming off my states list (WI, MI, NV, IA, UT, ID have been claimed).  I haven't been to Casper before and have driven through Wyoming twice -- first when I moved out here to Utah and the next time when I moved all my belongings from Illinois to Utah.  Sadly, I-80 is pretty desolate and boring so I am hoping that the detour I take through Casper will change my opinion.

I don't have a goal time for the race but I suspect I'll come in just above 4 hours.  I'll be at higher altitude (about 5700) and there is no way to guess what the wind and the temperature is going to be like.  I have my hotel booked and a list of things I want to do and see both before and after the race.  I aim to be back home Monday evening. On the list of things to do: Casper Mountain, Independence Rock, some museums, and Alcova Reservoir.  I am looking forward to seeing and doing something new, although I could do without the long drive (about 6 hours each way).  So I need to assemble my Cds and a friend of a mine from Tech Armor send me a car phone charger, so I can fire up Tune-In and listen to whatever I want as well with that.

Once I return from that race and assuming I am in one piece, I am looking at doing the Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon.  I had a fabulous trip back there last September and I am told the flowers will be out in force at that time.  The race date for that one is at the end of June.

I am also looking at doing the Wendover 5K on the 4th Of July.  Last year I discovered this race by accident and hadn't prepared for it (so I didn't do it).  I have a free hotel room for the 3rd, so I figured why not.  I think the race is on their bike trail, which is a tough course.  I've tried to run fast on it, but the altitude, dryness, sand and rolling hills make it a beast.  I suspect it will be a low key event, but anytime I can tie Wendover, a race, a buffet (or two or three), Nevada and gambling into a trip I am IN!

Next Wendover trip is the weekend of June 14th.  I have Beach Boys tickets (it's sold out too) and we may hit up either Jackpot, NV or Elko.

My last long run stats: 3 hours 15 minutes, 20 miles, 9:46 avg pace