2025 October Running Report

Morning runs have been my staple all summer.

Running Updates

I haven't updated my readers in a few weeks, which is just "odd".  As someone who frequently races and reports about them, I am sure some faithful readers may be wondering "What happened?"

After the Swiss Days 10k I felt like I turned in a subpar performance.  It was a culmination of a series of races that I just didn't run well at.  I was frustrated, sore, beat up and just fatigued.

Spotted a fire in the mountains at 4 AM

I had put in a long summer of training. Lots of early morning sessions, races most weekend, and loading up on a fair amount of miles.  From about June 1st to the end of August I had run on 84% of the days and sometimes twice a day.  I was training really hard and not seeing any results.

It was time to take a step back and analyze what I was doing to myself.

Got to visit Illinois and do some runs there!

Changes

So first I had to address the overall fatigue and soreness.  Running easy wasn't cutting it. I figured that I could skip a rest day and do 2 - 3 miles "easy".  These easy runs were indeed easy, but offered very little training value.  They were done at 12+ minutes per mile.  Sure, they helped my mood and burned a few calories, but it wasn't a 100% recovery day, which is what I needed.  I took several days off and now have ditched the low value runs into total rest days.

Perhaps the easiest change was quitting signing up for races.  Fortunately, there was a lull in the race scene and to be honest, I was just really busy with life changes.

The Glacial Trail in Richmond, IL

Pizza post run!

I dropped the mileage by about 30%.  This helped give my body a break from the 40+ mile weeks.  I've lost interest in the "long" runs over time and without a big half marathon on deck, I was okay with dropping the mileage.

I opted out of the shorter interval workouts I was doing and started doing more threshold work.  I felt like I needed help sustaining a solid pace, versus blasting a few minute intervals.  The pace isn't as intense as the shorter bursts and I don't feel like it beats me up as much. In addition, I can do them a little more often.  There is the promise I'll get faster.

I've also ditched a lot of the super easy runs and bumped up the pace a little.  The "zone 2" or "80/20" plans didn't really do much for me as far as my fitness went.

So far, I've felt a little more invigorated, but I don't feel particularly fit, nor speedy.

Future Home site

Life Changes

It looks like by the end of the year I'll be relocating, permanently to Las Vegas.  I've always wanted to live there and at one point, I was gung-ho to move there. I sort of  figured it would have to wait until retirement.

Through a series of events, we opted in on Las Vegas. For a while, we were seriously considering Reno but I think Las Vegas offered a little more for me.  

Cardio Moving!

I work from home so I can virtually live just about anywhere.  It is an over 55 community and I'll have access to a pool, biking, and other fitness equipment at a very nice gym.  I am just hoping the running community is as strong as it is here in Salt Lake.

I still figure to be a regular at the Southern Utah races and I don't doubt that once in a while I'll make my way northward for a special race or two in Salt Lake.

So with some apprehension, I am looking forward to new territories to run in and new friends to be made.  But in a way as well, I am saddened, because the last 13 years have been a blast here.

All the packing and moving and preparation though, has left me fatigued and have added considerable stress.  It was yet another reason why I opted to take a step back from running.

Stay tuned for races, hopefully soon!

Upcoming Races

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)