This Week in Running 5/20 - 5/28

3rd Place Overall at the Fantasy Run a month ago

Year to Date: 773.25

This Week in Running

It is 5K season here in Arizona.  With the temperatures climbing, the races get shorter.  This is sort of nice in that it forces me to keep my mileage down a bit and keeps me working on my speed.  One thing I have heard is that to get faster is to get do a 5Ks -- a lot of them.

With my half marathon training in the bank doing a 5K is pretty easy.  However, the pain level is much higher (albeit shorter).  I am still trying to figure out what my pace is and I usually hit around 8 minute miles.  There was a time when I ran a 6:15 - 6:30 for my first mile. So it is very frustrating to me to remember those glory days and realize that they are likely in the rear view mirror.

I am still running about 4 - 6 miles most every morning.  If I am racing or recovering from a race I'll keep the workouts pretty ordinary.  However, I have been sprinkling in some 8 - 10 second hill repeats up a steep boat ramp.

My weekly mileage is hovering in the low to mid 30's.  Definitely not as high as I'd like it to be, but running in the morning is a bit rough for me and constrained by time and my weekend races.

Other than mileage, I continue to hit the weights after work.  It is a nice way to wrap up the day.  The gym at work isn't too sophisticated but it has what I need.  I usually warm-up with a stationary bike for a bit before lifting weights.  I try to mix up my workouts -- sometimes it is dumbbells and sometimes I use straps and bands.

I am still homesick a lot and miss Utah.  This has been a tremendously tough transition for me.  I had a really nice setup in Utah and miss my Jordan River Bike Trail.

Upcoming Races

06/09: Arizona Sunrise Race Series 5K #2 - Phoenix Area, AZ (Confirmed)
06/16: Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon - Lamoille, NV (Maybe)
06/23: Arizona Sunrise Race Series 5K #3 - Phoenix Area, AZ (Confirmed)
07/07: Arizona Sunrise Race Series 5K #4 - Phoenix Area, AZ (Confirmed)
07/21: Arizona Sunrise Race Series 5K #5 - Phoenix Area, AZ (Confirmed)
08/04: Arizona Sunrise Race Series 5K #6 - Phoenix Area, AZ (Confirmed)
08/18: Arizona Sunrise Race Series 5K #7 - Phoenix Area, AZ (Confirmed)
11/11: 2018 Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)