Running on Eddie: This Week in Running

Showing posts with label This Week in Running. Show all posts

Saturday, August 8, 2020

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:

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

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

This Spring in Running - May 2020

Current Mileage: 616 (as of 5/12/2020)

Updates on Running

Well, with Coronavirus in full swing it has left the racing season in total disarray. As of mid-March there hasn't been a race to be done. All my planning and pre-registering at the start of the year went down the tubes. Initially, I had had hopes that the race season would resume in mid-May. But I was wrong. As I write this now, most races are canceled clear out to the summer and I have my doubts whether there'll be fall races.

Most of the races I had lined up offered very generous deferral policies. So I've already got a full plate lined up for next year. I think I've only lost out on one race.

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you'll notice I do a lot of my training on the Jordan River Trail. Around late March I made the realization that it was just too crowded to run there any more. Utah had fairly relaxed quarantine restrictions: more or less don't congregate and things were okay.

But most people took their families onto my stomping grounds and made it -- at least in my opinion -- unsafe. So I've had to switch up to sidewalk / street running. I miss my bike trail and not having to worry about cracks / bumps in the sidewalk. On the plus side, I am seeing less than a dozen people on any given run versus 20+ on the bike trail. Plus it is easier to move out of the way given the few people I do see.

It is nice to get a change of scenery and explore some new areas. It also gives me more hill variation, as the bike trail tends to be fairly flat. It also makes me appreciate my bike even more.

With summer heat soon arriving, I'll be able to jump on the bike trail again, albeit at 4:30 AM. I am hoping there shouldn't be any runners out at that hour.

Also with no racing on the schedule, it allows me to dial in my training. Weekends consist of a long run or a 5K time trial. And also midweek I usually can knock out a hill workout. So far, the results are promising.

Weight Loss

Fortunately, I am still employed and am working from home. I was never super happy with the idea of working from home -- especially all the time -- but I am quickly finding it has some advantages. Now, I move my car -- at most one or twice a week -- and two, I am saving a lot of money on not buying lunches at restaurants. As a side effect, I am losing a lot of weight.

My old routine at work wasn't too different from what I am doing now... with the exception that I would pretty much go out to eat every day. I wasn't eating burgers and fries and soda pop but I was eating high calorie lunches - Chinese food, buffets, pancakes. So it wasn't too unusual for my lunch to consist of 1000 calories. In addition, I was running to the office pantry nearly every day and inhaling 2 - 8 finger-sized candy bars. I figured maybe a pair were 50 - 60 calories.

I was astounded when I found I was taking in about 125 - 175 calories per pair.

So with the work from home routine going on my ability to snack and over eat has gone WAY down. I eat a normal breakfast. I try to have a small snack mid morning consisting of fruit or nuts. Once in a while I'll grab ONE cookie. I'll have a normal homemade lunch followed by a mile or two walk around the neighborhood.

After work, I'll run or just go for another walk. And then finally for dinner, I'll have a sensible dinner.

I am still eating chips, sugary pop and the occasional cookie, but I am definitely eating less.

Also, I am no longer eating massive buffets at the casinos. In fact, I haven't had restaurant food more than once in the past 2 months.

The results: Before the quarantine I was pushing 190 pounds. I had a feeling I was going to see 200 pounds before too long. Within the first few weeks I dropped about 5 pounds. I suspect that was mostly as a result of anxiety (I don't eat when I am nervous). But with the smarter eating, I checked in at 178.6 this past weekend. And best of all, it is all off my gut.

I am hoping this translates to some faster times. I feel stronger and I don't feel like I am walking around with a spare tire around my waist. It has motivated me to really focus in on my training so that once racing resumes, I can impress myself and others with some decent times.

In Conclusion

Let's hope that the Coronavirus wraps up soon so we can get a sense of normalcy. I miss seeing my running friends as well as having something to look forward to on the weekends.

Stay safe / healthy gentle reader.

Upcoming Races

07/24: 2020 Alien Midnight 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)
08/01: Ruby Mountain Relay - Lamoille, NV (Confirmed)
08/15: 2020 PC2PG Race 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)
09/26: 2020 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
11/07: 2020 Snow Canyon Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)
11/15: 2020 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

Saturday, December 8, 2018

This Month in Running 11/8 - 12/8

Miles Year to Date: 1786

Running Update

Well as I write this, I think I am done running races for 2018. I did a quick count and I figure I have run 39 races, which is likely a new record for me. I started off 2018 with a bunch of half marathons. And once I moved to Arizona (albeit briefly) I rekindled my interest in doing 5K and 10Ks.

So as I start the winter months I am torn. Do I continue to train hard or do I dial it back a bit and recover?

In years past I've dialed it back and I come out flat in the spring. Plus running, is more or less my life, so when I do "rest" it usually leaves a bit of a void in my life. However, in looking back at a few of my weekly totals, I have reduced my mileage about 50% -- hitting about 20 - 30 miles per week.

I do have a half marathon in January -- about a month away and I need to keep some speed as well as endurance to finish that. So that is my key race and one I like doing well in. It sort of sets the year off on the right foot when I can run well there.

In the next few weeks I'll be posting a year end wrap up.

Marathon Dreams

2018 was the first year since 2009 where I did not do a marathon. Since 2009 I've done about 27 marathons (I've lost count, but more or less it is in that range).

After 2017's Las Vegas debacle I haven't really felt the need to do another marathon. But part of me doesn't want to end my marathon "career" on that note. Will 2019 have one? Perhaps. I am not feeling a super strong desire to do one, but we shall see how my training is coming along. I don't think I'll do a giant race -- but more or less a small more intimate feeling marathon.

As they say, stay tuned...

Looking forward to some destination races this spring.

Upcoming Races

I've definitely been taking advantage of the race discounts. Cyber Week and of course the upcoming Christmas "deals" means I should be able to save a few dollars I am being mindful not to run too many half marathons in a row. I truly burned myself out last spring...

01/19: 2019 St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

02/09: 2019 South Davis Recreation Center Sweethearts 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
02/16: 2019 Saints and Sinners Half Marathon - Boulder City, NV (Confirmed)
03/02: 2019 March Madness Half Marathon - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
03/09: 2019 Sand Hollow Half Marathon (Flat and Fast) - Hurricane, UT (Confirmed)
03/16: 2019 Lucky 13 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
04/13: 2019 Slc Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

05/05: 2019 Reno Half Marathon - Reno, NV (Confirmed)
07/26: 2019 Legacy Midnight Run 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

This Week(s) in Running 10/8 - 11/7

Fall colors along the Jordan River in Salt Lake City

Miles Year to Date: 1651

Running Update

With the cooling temperatures, I am finding myself a little more motivated to run. I am also finding that my pace is a little better too. I am itching to see if this translates to any faster times. The last week or so of training runs have exceeded my expectations. My volume is a little down, but I think the quality of my runs are better.

Hiking up behind the state capitol building

I also haven't been doing as many races in the month of October and early November. Usually I go on a decline this time of year on account I am preparing for the Vegas marathon, but this year I don't have that on my plate. I just really have enjoyed putting in ordinary runs and still having some energy to do some hiking.

Cat Update

Faithful readers may recall that I have been feeding a cat the past few years. When I came back from Arizona in July we finally "reunited" and it was super excited (I believe it is a female cat) to see me. In fact, she ran up to me and started to rub against me and meowing a lot.

We have since generated a pattern and she meets me on the bike trail at the same exact spot around 4:30. She is now there every day waiting for me. I dump food for her and she eats it and I give her some rubs and clean her up a bit. I am tempted to bring her in, but so many things can go wrong when bringing a cat -- particularly one that might be a feral -- into a house and to make it worse, I already have a well-behaved cat. Sometimes adding a new cat to an existing one is a recipe for trouble.

Las Vegas Marathon

In September I realized my training wasn't going well and I just wasn't motivated to do the full marathon again. It would've been my 10th year in a row doing the Vegas one. The last half dozen marathons I've done haven't gone very well and I didn't want to put myself through another one.

So I dropped down to the half.

I am sort of okay with that. Part of my ego is bruised and the streak is going to be over, but I am going to be participating in the race. It will be year #10 of making a presence. I am getting a special bib and my name on a banner, so that is cool but this year won't be as brag worthy. I can't think of too many things I've done 10 years in a row so this is pretty special. Also it is pretty cool that I had the "nutz" to sign up for this race in 2009 and head out to Vegas solo and do it.

In that time, I've moved from Illinois to Utah to Arizona and then back to Utah. I've had nearly half a dozen addresses and 4 jobs. Still amazing all the races and miles I've put in since I started this marathon "thing" back in 2009.

However... this year I finally get to race it. I am running pretty well and am eager to pick up the pace and if the weather and situation presents itself (I can maintain a decent pace), I'd like to really try hard at this race. The weather looks ideal but they are forecasting 20 mph winds...

Also this year I can finally enjoy Las Vegas. When running the marathon I had to stay off my feet, watch exactly what I ate (and most of the time failing), and obsessing about the weather and whether my training would hold up. That pressure is gone.

Fall Running

Finally, I love fall running. The weather is usually perfect. It gets dark earlier and the leaves are changing. It is just a joy to run. In years past I've sort of missed it as I was tapering for the marathon -- and just about every run was dictated by a schedule. This year, I've really enjoyed just logging miles and enjoying the fall weather. If I feel like running 12 miles at half marathon pace, then that's what I do. I've really enjoyed not having a marathon on the horizon.

Upcoming Races

11/11: 2018 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

11/22: 2018 South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving Day 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
11/24: 2018 Lamoille Turkey Trot 5K - Lamoille, NV (Confirmed)
12/01: 2018 Santa Run at Gardner Village 5K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
01/19: 2019 St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)
02/09: 2019 South Davis Recreation Center Sweethearts 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
02/16: 2019 Saints and Sinners Half Marathon - Boulder City, NV (Confirmed)
03/02: 2019 March Madness Half Marathon - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
03/09: 2019 Sand Hollow Half Marathon (Flat and Fast) - Hurricane, UT (Confirmed)
03/16: 2019 Lucky 13 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
04/13: 2019 Slc Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

05/05: 2019 Reno Half Marathon - Reno, NV (Confirmed)
07/26: 2019 Legacy Midnight Run 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

Sunday, October 7, 2018

This Week(s) in Running 9/17 - 10/7

Pineview Reservoir

Miles Year to Date: 1462

Random Updates

The past few weeks have been good as far as running goes. Now that I don't have the stress of a looming marathon, I can dial it back a bit and do a few other things on my weekend.

Overall, my training has been okay. Nothing stellar, but I am getting in a good amount of short races to work on my speed as well get used to just showing up. It's been fun doing the shorter races versus the longer ones.

I have been struggling a bit with allergies, however. Or at least I think it is allergies. After most runs I do find myself unable to swallow real well, which leads to a gagging sensation. This has come on in the past few weeks and hasn't been getting better. It doesn't bother me to run, it more or less comes on in the morning or when I have completed a run. It isn't fun when I get an attack either.

Hoax Race?

This past Saturday I signed up for a 5K. It was a haul... like up in Ogden -- about an hour away. I don't normally sign up for a race that far away but I figured I was desperate for entertainment and I could probably find something to do up there after the race. Also the money went to a good cause.

So Saturday morning I drove up there only to find no one was there. I drove up and down the street looking for someone -- anyone -- and no one was there.

Now the first week in October is limited as far as racing goes. There was a Ragnar and the St George Marathon is happening, so out of a business sense, racing pretty much is shut down.

Whether I was taken in by a scam race or the race was canceled -- I am not sure. I would think I wouldn't have been the only one taken in and that there'd be other runners there, but I was the ONLY one there.

Having driven all that way and with the threat of rain looming I didn't really feel like hiking was sane. So I wound up driving up Ogden canyon and doing a run around the west side of Pineview Reservoir. I also ran along in Eden.

I've run around there before but it was nice not to have stress of a race and just be able to do my own thing. It was a really enjoyable run and I got to take in a lot of bucolic scenery.

Upcoming Races

10/13: 2018 Antelope Island 10K - Antelope Island, UT (Confirmed)

10/20: 2018 South Jordan Half Marathon - South Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
11/11: 2018 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
11/22: 2018 South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving Day 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
11/24: 2018 Lamoille Turkey Trot 5K - Lamoille, NV (Confirmed)
12/01: 2018 Santa Run at Gardner Village 5K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
01/19: 2019 St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)
03/02: 2019 March Madness Half Marathon - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
03/09: 2019 Sand Hollow Half Marathon (Flat and Fast) - Hurricane, UT (Confirmed)
04/13: 2019 Slc Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

Sunday, September 16, 2018

This Week in Running September 1 - Sept 16

Some pronghorn antelope in West Wendover, NV

Year to Date: 1351

Update on Vegas

Well last week I made it official: I am running the half marathon for Vegas this year. Last year at the expo I had signed up for the full marathon with the full expectation of running it for the 10th time. However, after last year's rough experience it left a sour taste in my mouth.

This year I fully expected to get revenge. However, with all the twists and turns life threw at me this summer, I really didn't put in any base work. And once I was able to get some miles in here in Utah I just found that my desire to run 26.2 just wasn't there. My long runs seemed to be a lot harder and my excitement over the upcoming event was more "oh crap"

So the fine folks over at the Rock 'n Roll marathon allowed me to fairly painlessly switch distances. I am sure standing in the corral before the race I'll be sort of sad but by mile 10 when the full marathoners split from the half, I'll be counting my lucky stars.

I do feel like I punked out and I was sort of down on myself for a day or two, but now I have a sense of peace over the matter and I can probably enjoy Vegas a little bit more.

2018 will probably go down as the first year I have not run a full marathon since 2009!

Exploring out in West Wendover, Nevada

Running in General

Now that I don't have a monkey on my back as far as training goes, I have been logging about 30 to 40 miles a week in. I have been using short races to work on my speed. In addition, I've been doing a lot of stride work -- roughly a mile of them after a general run.

My long run sits at 16 miles. I did one last Sunday and the first 12 or so went well enough but the final 4 turned into a death march. I think it was on that run that I decided I better switch distances.

In short though, I've been having fun. I've been cross training doing some weekend hiking which builds cardiovascular and leg strength without the pounding that comes from running. In addition, I've been doing some trail running out in West Wendover NV (I seem to be finding myself out there quite a bit now that I am back in Utah).

I've always enjoyed exploring canyons -- even as a cigarette smoking teenager in California. I'd just poke around on the various trails and seeing what I could discover. As an adult, I still have that wanderlust. I know it probably seems weird -- seeing a near 50 year-old man running out in a desert canyon where only ATVs go, but that's me.

Overall my training is fairly routine. And I am enjoying being a casual racer and yet still carrying a full training load.

Upcoming Races

I am sure my race card will fill up soon again. I've been taking it week by week in determining what I want to race. I hope to be doing a "cool" race soon.

09/29: Jordan River 5K - Murray, UT (Confirmed)

Monday, September 3, 2018

Running Update from August - Early September

First lap of the Green Eggs and Ham 5K

Year to Date: 1277.25

Running Update

It's been a while since I've posted an update. My training has been hit and miss. I've been logging some decent miles but nothing spectacular. On average I've been hitting anywhere from 35 - 40 miles per week. Mostly easy miles with a weekend race. In fact, I've raced at least once a weekend since May.... that's quite a stretch.

All said and told that isn't too bad, but there isn't a lot of structure to it. I have a full marathon planned in November but I don't seem to have a lot of focus for it. I am on schedule for it and have managed to get in a few 14 - 15 mile runs in, which have gone okay, but not great.

I like to have a large base of miles going into marathon training. At least a 50+ mile week or two and I am finding it just isn't there. My motivation for training also isn't there.

I still love getting out for a run and I look forward to it but doing the actual work for a marathon isn't there this year. I really sort of think I lost too much of my base in Arizona. Also, let's face it, I am not having much luck in marathons of late.

Plus, I've been focusing on shorter races.

So....

Las Vegas Marathon

More than likely I am going to skip the marathon this year. I will, however, change my entry from the full marathon to the half. Last year's performance left me with a sour taste in my mouth and lately despite my best efforts at training hard, marathons just haven't been fun. I still do get a sense of accomplishment out of them, but I am just not getting any better at them and feel that my efforts might better focused to shorter races -- and there are other weekend activities that I'd like to do.

Training on the trails in Big Cottonwood Canyon

For instance, the training has really worn me down. In years past, I could do a 16 - 18 mile run and then do something else with my day. Now, they leave me wasted and spent on the couch. And one of my pet peeves is loafing around the house -- even if I am supposed to rest.

During some of my long runs, I've been getting more and more clues that if I do attempt the marathon it is going to resemble a lot of what happened last year.

Am I done with marathoning? Maybe but probably not. I am sure I'll get the bug to do it again but for right now, the motivation to put in the work isn't there. I also seem to enjoy smaller marathons. The Vegas one is just crazy big because it is combined with the half and I feel so insignificant there.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy pushing my limits, running and staying fit, but running for 4+ hours and then feeling like a steam roller rolled over me? No... not this year.

I'll probably make it official sometime this week.

Upcoming Races

10/20: 2018 South Jordan Half Marathon - South Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
11/11: 2018 Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
11/22: 2018 South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving Day 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
01/19: 2019 St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)
04/13: 2019 Slc Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Running Update For July - August 2018

At the Bellagio Gardens in July

Miles for the Year as of August 13: 1176.25

It's been a while since I've done a running update and I had a few minutes tonight and figured why not crank out an article.

So how is my running since returning to Utah? Not too bad. Although my endurance is completely gone -- it would seem. I lived in Phoenix for nearly 60 days and my longest run there was about 11 miles. The last 2 of it was done at a shuffle, largely because I was dehydrated. Suffice to say training for distance in Arizona -- particularly in the summer -- was tough.

I have been trying to build my mileage back up as well as my endurance. With the Las Vegas Marathon coming up in November, I sort of feel like I am behind the 8-ball as far as training. Looking at some of the training charts, though, reveal I am pretty much on target.

The weather in Utah is warm but not insanely hot. We have had some bad air though from the surrounding fires. California's largest wildfire's smoke has drifted into Utah causing really poor air quality. So my training has been hit and miss.

I have been getting anywhere from 30 to low 40 miles per week with usually a short race and a long run on the weekends. Doing a 13 mile long run seems to be a challenge though. Hopefully that will change. I am using the shorter races as speed workouts. I haven't really seen much of a change in my overall times though despite a steady diet of short races.

I know what I need to do to get marathon ready though.

Other than some general fatigue / soreness, I feel pretty good.

Bad air quality in Eastern Nevada

Weight

My weight hit a high of 188 pounds in Phoenix. I am not sure why, but it seemed like as soon as I hit town, the scale creaked at a 188. When I came back, I've been routinely seeing 184 - 185. Not sure what happened or if it an altitude thing. But I have been focusing on eating better and really watching my portion sizes.

Done with Marathons?

I've sort of lost count of the number of marathons I've done. Yeah, I know I can go over to Athlinks.com and count but it is somewhere around 27 or 28. Last year's marathon left a bad taste in my mouth and I really haven't had a burning desire to run another one. I had signed up for the 2018 edition of the LV Marathon last year. This will be my 10th time participating in the race and each time I've done the marathon.

Presuming my training goes well, I'll attempt this marathon. I suspect, though, that it'll be my last one. I don't have a strong passion for it any more (full marathons that is) and clearly I am not getting better at it. Also the payoff has gotten less for me.

I could totally be wrong. Maybe I'll have a great race or the spirit of the marathon will come back, but the last half dozen marathons haven't been very "fun" experiences. But I am sort of bracing myself to say, I've done enough.

Cat Update

Faithful readers may recall that for the past year or two (or more) I've been feeding a feral cat on the bike trail on a near daily basis. When I first ran into the cat I couldn't get near it, but anytime I left food, the food would be gone -- sometimes in minutes -- but always by the next day.

In the spring, we had a pattern down. The cat would wait for me at a ditch around 5 PM and I'd swing by and drop food. It would give me a cautious meow before eating the food in the safety of the tunnel. In short, I never was able to touch it or pet it in any way. Remember this is a feral cat... the same as a wild squirrel.

When I left for Arizona, I was concerned about the cat and made arrangements with several people in order to feed it. And it did get fed.

When I got back, I spotted it but our times never really synced up. There is plenty of mice to be head, so I suspect it hunts every day and doesn't need my assistance.

The other day I was walking along the trail and I spotted it in the open field and I wound up dropping some food for it. It watched me for some time, meowing and basically excited to see me. Then the surprising thing happened -- it came up to me and started to rub against me. Frankly, I was shocked. This cat had NEVER done that before. It was very emotional to have this happen and made all the efforts that I have done over the past few years worth it.

In the subsequent weeks I haven't seen it but as the weather gets cooler and the hunting gets a little tougher, I am sure our routines will get synced back up again.

Back in Utah

In short, I am tickled pink to be back in Utah. I reported on this before, but pretty much everyday I want to wake up and kiss the ground. When something is just a bad fit and you just need to get out, your freedom is priceless.

I still need to take advantage of the things here. I've only done a few hikes since being back but I've already been to Wendover twice and done a hike or two. I also have my running route.

I am still discovering people who don't know that I am back and they are shocked to see me as I sort of had sad good bye to the area and in all honesty had gave up on ever coming back.

Moving to Arizona was a bit of an expensive experiment. I had to leave my current job, try a new one and then come back to my old job (luckily I am on good relations with everyone) and I had invested in license plates, driver's license, and paid a bit of money for food and rent.

I did get some new life experiences and came to realize what is important to me and what makes me happy. So in some respect, while painful, I learned something about myself and about life as a result. Sometimes you learn a little when you make a mistake or a wrong turn and this is one area where I felt like I grew a bit.

Since I've been back though, I almost, want to kiss the ground. I am definitely very grateful to be back.

Upcoming Races

08/18: Arizona Sunrise Race Series 5K #7 - (Virtual) Phoenix Area, AZ (Confirmed)
08/18: Green Eggs and Ham 5K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
08/26: Ruby Mountain Relay Half Marathon - Lamoille, NV (Confirmed)
09/01: Midway Swiss Days 10K - Midway, UT (Confirmed)
11/11: 2018 Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
01/19: 2019 St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

Friday, July 13, 2018

This Week in Running 6/25 - 7/12 - Back In Utah

Miles to Date: 1010.75

Life

Things were a little rough in Arizona of late. The temperatures kept climbing and my running seemed to suffer.

My plan was to get up at 5 AM most mornings, run 4 - 7 miles and get it done. For a while this worked. Temperatures were in the lower 80's and by the time it hit 5:30 AM, the sun was blazing. Most mornings I could tolerate but by the end I was pretty dehydrated.

Once July hit there was another level of hot. At 5 AM I found it in the low 90's and 4 miles suddenly became challenging.

To compound matters, I just found myself kind of bored. After my run or race on the weekends, I'd find myself updating my blog, taking a nap, and then going to a restaurant and eating way too much food. Then I'd come home, watch some more TV, nap or sit by the pool. I was 100% bored. It wasn't fun going outside and I wasn't willing to drive 2 - 3 hours one way each weekend to seek out cooler temperatures.

In short, Phoenix wasn't a good fit for me.

Finally, I don't think the new job fulfilling my dreams either, but that's another story.

So after some soul searching, I opted to return to Salt Lake City. I hadn't sold my house (or even listed it here) and I was renting a room from my brother, so I had very little reason NOT to return to SLC. Some of my best years were here and I felt like I had traded down instead of up.

So I made a phone call or two and managed to return to my old job and my house. In writing this, I have been here only a few days and I feel a huge sense of relief. I have my old bike trail as well, which I love.

Running

I am a little behind in terms of overall mileage as to I'd like to be. One of my goals was to hit about 2000 miles for the year. I came in about 10 days shy. I haven't ramped up for any mega races (marathons) but I have been running fairly consistently. I haven't been able to get the mileage in that I'd liked to have had either in Arizona due to the heat.

On the plus side, though, I have been focusing on shorter races. The start of the year found me doing a ton of half marathons -- in the middle of summer -- I have been focusing on 5Ks. This has translated into focusing more on speed than endurance. Unfortunately, even getting in a 7 mile run since returning has been challenging. I've lost a bit of my endurance. So I'll be focusing on building that back up.

Hiking

One of the first thing I did upon returning is to visit Little Cottonwood Canyon to see the wildflowers. I had been thinking of this canyon ever since July had rolled around. Usually around this time of year the wild flowers are in full bloom.

With time in between jobs, I opted to do a my 5 mile jaunt. It was quite a workout at that altitude, but the altitude didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

I got some fantastic pictures and I was so thrilled to be back home.