This week in running 6/28

Day	Mileage / Workout	Comments
Sunday 6/22	8 miles	This was a balls to the wall hike. Not really running but I hiked up to Lake Blanche in 75 minutes. So that's 3 miles, 2700 feet elevation climb.
Monday 6/23	4 miles	Medium Pace with strides at the end
Tuesday 6/24	5 miles	Solid effort throughout. Last hard run before the half marathon
Wednesday 6/25	4 miles	Easy. Horrible run. More on this below
Thursday 6/26	Off	No exercise today
Friday 6/27	13	2014 Provo Midnight Half Marathon
Saturday 6/28	Off	Off
Total miles for the week: 26 - YTD: 892.5

This week wasn't bad at all.  I meant to take it easy and I was really happy with my hiking performance on Sunday.  I was passing people half my age.

I had a bit of a shocker on Wednesday.  I ran 4 miles, but stopped after 3.  I was 100% completely drained.  I had nothing, and when I stopped I was ready to throw up, I was dizzy and I was about ready to take off my running shoes and throw them in the Jordan River and forget running forever.

What was the problem, you might ask?

Let me make a list:

1. I quit caffeine.  The coffee at work is good.  I admit it.  But the coffee doesn't like me.  Heart burn, anxiety -- it is just too strong and I was paying a price for it.  Call me a wimp if you want, but it wasn't doing me any favors.  
2. Poor diet.  Wanna hear what I ate: at least a dozen Oreo cookies, a sugary soda, 2 bowls of Lucky Charms, and probably a handful of other sugary goodies.  Talk about putting cheap gasoline in a Lamborghini
3. It was warm. I ran pretty quickly after work and the temperature was easily in the mid 80's.  Granted I wasn't pushing the pace at all, but it was warm
4. I was tired.  I wanted to get some exercise, but at the same time my body was asking for a break.  I've put in nearly 100 miles the previous 2 weeks.

On Thursday I made it a point to eat clean. Other than a finger sized Crunch bar, I want to say I accomplished that goal.  No more cookies and I am ready to pitch my Lucky Charms (which seems to set me on edge), just fruit, protein and healthy stuff.  Hopefully I can continue the trend.  I did have an ice cream sandwich bar after the race on Friday night but after running 13 miles, I deserved it.

Upcoming Races

I am planning on going to Wendover on Thursday.  I checked and they have a low-key 5K on Friday morning for the 4th of July at the golf course.  It looks totally informal (I think they were asking for $7) so it'll be fun and an opportunity to see where I am at 5K-wise.

I am on the fence for two half marathons in mid-July.  I am tempted to do my Legacy Midnight run up in Bountiful.  On the other hand I met the race director of the Heber Valley Half Marathon and from the sounds of it, he has a very unique experience.  You get to ride the old "Heber Creeper" train to the starting line and run back to the station.  So I have some decisions to make.

Running Photo of the Week

I admit, I took this photo about a week ago, but it always brought a smile to my face when I saw it.  They have since fixed the signage but it stood that way for the better part of a month.  I would figure uptight Utah would've taken care of it within hours...