This Week in Running 12/18 - 12/24

The calm before the winter storm

Day	Mileage / Workout	Comments
Sunday	4	Medium paced workout
Monday	6	4 @ half marathon pace, plus strides. Solid effort
Tuesday	7	3 Miles hard, rest easy
Wednesday	5	All Easy
Thursday	6	4 @ .5M with .12M rest. 3:55. Felt slow
Friday	5	Medium to easy. Running in the rain.
Saturday	9	First 7 pretty fast. 2 miles easy with strides
Total miles for the week: 42; YTD: 2183.5

Week's Summary

Well another week of pretty solid training.  The extended "soft" winter continues and I've been taking full advantage of being able to run in non-icy, relatively comfortable temperatures.  I even managed to get in some quality workouts.  On Thursday I ran some .5 mile repeats.  My legs were not happy with the speed work and I felt heavy and slow.  Some days are like that; your head tells you you want to run fast, but your body just says no.  I did finish off the workout but instead of coming away positive, I came away discouraged.  I used to run .5 mile repeats so much faster.

No long runs this week.  I didn't really have time on Saturday and I still haven't figured out what I am doing -- marathon-wise.  I am really starting to think it isn't going to be in the cards.  Which is disappointing because I have time off and a few extra bucks to do a race.  The races that are convenient are states I've already done.  While I can certainly do them, I am actually trying to do the 50 states.  I just haven't really been putting in the work to maintain my endurance.

Felt like a spring day on Saturday along the Jordan River

Weight Loss

I practically had a heart attack when I jumped on the scale this past Saturday.  185 pounds.  Jesus. Highest ever.  This holiday season can't end soon enough.

Nevada Trip

Totally not running related, but I did make another trip across the border for Christmas Eve (sort of sacrilegious I guess, but I am largely family obligation free) and spent the night gratis in Wendover for food, gaming and some Jacuzzi time.

I didn't run -- I was too lazy and I hadn't brought any super cold weather running stuff.  But I did get an unexpected "gift" from the casinos.

They have a goofy spin and win game on Sundays.  I've been there enough Sundays to know that at best I'll get $10 in free play.  More often than not you'll get some (semi-worthless) slot points.  But I spun on Sunday morning and was jazzed to see that I won a $300 free play voucher.  I created quite a scene when I saw the wheel land on the coveted spot.  Let's just say I had a lot of fun with that and made some extra moolah to fill my wallet.

Marathon Plans

As stated above, I am not sure my training indicates I am marathon ready.  I still have some time to make up my mind, but with the weather turning colder and icier in Utah, it is going to get decidedly more challenging to log quality miles, especially long runs.

Right now I am focusing on trying to get some speed back in my legs for the St George Half.  I am under no illusion that I'll place anywhere close in my age group for that race, but when I ran it earlier this year, it turned out to be my best race.  We'll see what I've got.

Upcoming Races

My race calendar is filling up.  Keep sending me nice coupons in the e-mail race directors, and I'll continue to sign up in advance.

01/14: St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)
02/11: Winter Striders Race Circuit 5K - Ogden UT (Confirmed)
02/25: Winter Striders Race Circuit 10K - Ogden UT (Confirmed)
03/04: Legacy Half Marathon - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
03/18: Winter Striders Race Circuit 10 Mile - Ogden UT (Confirmed)
04/08: Winter Striders Race Circuit Half Marathon - Huntsville, UT (Confirmed)
04/15: Salt Lake City Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed) (2017)
04/29: Winter Striders Race Circuit 30K - Huntsville, UT (Confirmed)
06/24: Utah Midnight Half Marathon - Provo, UT (Confirmed)
07/07: Utah Midnight (Legacy) Half Marathon - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)
11/12: Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)