This Summer in Running 2020

Current Mileage: 1044.25 (as of 8/8/2020)

Updates on Running

It's been a long, hot summer.  The weather systems pretty much flipped the switch around July 1st, when we lost most of the cooler June weather and it turned into 90F+ degree days.

I always intend to run in the morning but forcing myself to get to bed early and then subsequently get up early is a challenge.  I am a total creature of habit and I like to go to bed after 9 PM and my alarm has been set for 5:55 AM for a very long time.  Switching it to 4:XX AM is just not in the cards.  So it makes summer running painful for me.

So that means I usually work throughout the day, eat dinner, lay low for a few hours and then start my run anywhere from 7:15 PM until 8PM -- depending upon how hot it is.

I am still logging anywhere from 3 to 6 miles 6 days a week.  I am also getting in a fair amount of weekend hiking as well for cross training.

I try to get in a semi-long run on the weekends followed as well as one "quality" workout.  Either quarter mile repeats or hill repeats.  Most of the time I've been nailing my goals as far as doing that.

I pretty much ended my 10+ mile runs at some point in June.  It got too hot and the runs got too humbling and resulted in me having heat issues or just feeling totally wiped for the rest of the day.  Plus I really don't have any half marathons planned until late fall.

Race Scene

With Covid-19 still in full swing the race scene is more or less at a minimum here in Utah.  There are races however.  But a lot of my favorites -- often community events tied with festivals are more or less postponed for the year or have turned virtual.  

I am not a virtual runner.  I'll do one for charity I guess but I have a hard time treating it like a real race.  I've got more medals than I know what to do with, so earning another one doesn't do much for me.  

But there are races... and instead of having a bunch every weekend, you more or less have one to choose from.  So for someone who really enjoys racing, it's been a challenge.  But in another way, it has been good in that I can focus on training and being really ready to perform.

I've been mostly choosing small races and avoiding putting myself at risk for large events.  Also races that advertise themselves as "covid-aware" are usually picks in my book.  I am also registered closer to the day of the race, just in case I get sick OR the race is unceremoniously canceled.

But there is a definitely an element missing from the races.  You basically show up, run and get the heck out of there.  I am just happy some races are back though.

Weight Loss

Since the pandemic began, I've really worked on my diet.  It has been a challenge for my and I've written about it before.  

I am happy to report that I've gone from 189 (or 190) pounds to about 172-174.  That is nearly a 10% drop.

I feel better and without too much additional training (I am actually running less these days) my times have come down.

Some things that I did to drop the weight:

1. Walk every day at lunch -- at least 1.5 miles
2. Skip restaurants -- or at least eat there sparingly
3. No buffets (easy -- since they were closed)
4. Stick to 100 calorie dessert sizes
5. Instead of eating candy, eat fruit
6. Eat more vegetables
7. Reduce dinner portion sizes
8. Avoid sugar but don't be afraid to have some
9. Avoid soda (but allow myself one, once in a while).
10. Reduce potato chip consumption.

This didn't result in a massive and sudden, overnight weight loss.  But it has come gradually without a whole lot of sacrifice.

Upcoming Races

08/15: 2020 PC2PG Race 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)

09/05: 2020 East Canyon 10K - Emigration Canyon (Confirmed)

09/07: 2020 Labor Day Pun Run 10K - Lehi, UT (Confirmed)

09/12: 2020 Rock the Canyon 10K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)
09/26: 2020 Witch Run 5K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/10: 2020 Antelope Island 10K (or Half) - Syracuse, UT (Confirmed)

10/24: 2020 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
11/07: 2020 Snow Canyon Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed - but likely not going)
11/15: 2020 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Canceled)

03/27: 2021 Havasu Half Marathon - Havasu, AZ (Confirmed)
04/XX: 2021 Eggs Legs Race 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
04/XX: 2021 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
05/XX: 2021 Ogden Half Marathon - Ogden, UT (Confirmed)