Terminator

AM:  Track workout. 10 miles. Met Toni, Spencer, and Reed at Lone Peak High School. 4 mile warm-up, then 2 laps of pick-ups on the straightaways, then a quarter pick-up.  Then, did a 5k on the track in 16:29. Felt strong and relaxed. Didn't over-do it; had quite a bit left in the tank. Plenty for today, though. The others looked great.

Wore Saucony's for the first time ever today. Last week I bough a pair of the Kinvara 4's (first time I had ever tried a pair of Saucony's on). I shouldn't have :) I'm officially addicted. Absolutely loved them.

PM:  5 miles easy up and down Provo Canyon with Spencer. It's hot out! Hamstring and upper body weights.

AM:  10 miles from my home with Reed, Toni, Karl, and even Zak James! Fun, easy run.

PM:  5 easy miles up and down Provo canyon.

10 easy miles from my home with Spencer and Riley. Yes, the famous Riley Cook! He is in town on vacation with his wife's family. Great run, great company.

AM:  Provo Freedom 5k. 16:18. I'm not pleased with my time, but I am pleased with my effort. I felt strong the whole time; I just couldn't go any faster. I have no excuses. I do know that I need some speed training, though (gradually and using wisdom); 5k pace is foreign to me right now (I've done no training at 5k pace). First 2 miles were flat, most of 3rd mile was uphill. My mile splits were 5:07, 5:14, and 5:25. Had a fun time. Great competition today. I've got a lot of work to do. I'm pleased with my effort today (but certainly not satisfied).

PM:  5 easy miles in the Uinta Mountains while camping.

AM:  12 easy miles in the Uinta Mountains while camping.

AM:  21.5 easy miles in the Uinta Mountains while camping, from 7,200-8,200 feet of elevation (out-and-back; up first). Gorgeous running up here the past few days. Can feel the elevation while climbing, but that's a good thing. 

AM:  10 miles easy from Scott's home with Reed and Scott. Nice temperature this morning.

PM:  5 very easy miles (grass loops at Orem Kiwanis Park). Hamstring and upper body weights.

5 am Track Workout, Lehi High School. Healthy crew (Mike, Reed, Toni, Karl, Zak, Scott, and Dave). 4 mile warm-up, 1.5 mile warm-down. 6 x 800's with one lap jog between intervals (2:29, 2:28, 2:29, 2:28, 2:26, 2:23). I took turns leading intervals with Scott, Mike, and Zak. Definitely fun (in a sick way). I felt really good. Felt relaxed and controlled, and felt like I held back. Definitely a deposit. Could have done more, but I stopped so I wouldn't over-do it (since I'm not used to these yet). Group pain is sure more fun than solo pain.

AM:  10 easy miles from my home with Scott and Mike. As always, great run, great company, and great conversation.

PM:  Hamstring and upper body weights.

AM:  8 miles up and down Provo Canyon with a large crew. Fun times.

4 easy miles from my home with Mike.

A decent race for me. Thought I had a faster time in me today, but I'll take it. This course is deceptively tough. Although it definitely has a net elevation drop, it has rolling uphills the entire way, which can be a momentum killer. I was quite apprehensive about this race. My stomach has not felt right the whole week. The last time it felt this way was the week of Utah Valley 1/2 last year. That race was a disaster, I had to take a major pit stop, and I was vomiting and had diarrhea all day after the race (sorry -- TMI.) So, I was nervous about this one. I registered for the race 3 days ago. My stomach worsened yesterday, and I even took Pepto Bismol several times yesterday. If I hadn't already registered for the race, I likely wouldn't have done it. I'm sure glad I did it, though. Although my stomach was right on the edge for the whole race, it was never really a factor. This helped build my confidence in racing when you don't feel 100% physically.

I was surprised to see the rolling uphills, but I actually enjoyed it today. The reason is because the jarring of the downhills really put my stomach right on the edge, but my stomach felt great going uphill (probably because of less jarring). I couldn't wait for the next uphill because of this (and there were a lot of hills). 

Initally, the lead pack included Justin, Mike, myself, and a very fit SUU runner (who apparently can run a 5k in 13:50 and recently ran a 10k in 29:xx). At about 4.5 miles, the SUU runner (can't remember his name) made a very strong, calculated move. This strung the lead pack out. I went with him for almost a mile, but then he pushed harder to break me. At that point, I realized he had an extra gear that I didn't have today. He extended his lead and ran a 1:08:3x.

I had the honor of running with Mike and Justin. Mike started to fall back at about mile 5 (he had stomach issues today). Justin and I worked together. There were a couple times I had a bit of a lead on Justin, only to hear his footsteps quickly approaching. He is such a strong, talented runner. Talk about an endurance fiend! Not to mention a great guy and a class act, through and through. He really helped me during the last 5k.

All in all, it was a great morning. And a lot of fun. Had a blast traveling with Mike to and from the race, catching the same bus, and warming up together. What a top notch guy. He didn't have it physically today, but we all know he could have run many minutes faster today had he been firing on all cylinders. Spencer was kind enough to bring gatorade for Justin, Mike, and I at miles 9 & 11 (and to cheer loudly with his kids). Thanks, Spencer!

My splits:  5:22, 5:18, 5:18, 5:15, 5:10, 5:16, 5:18, 5:22, 5:26, 5:25, 5:27, 5:29, 5:50 (mostly uphill), :31 (.11)

Here's some pictures, courtesy of my wife, Elaina. I had to include the one that looks like Justin is about to hurl, and I'm reacting with a weird look :) Justin actually just had a swig of gatorade in his mouth. You can see Spencer cheering on Mike. And look at the ultimately-ripped Tongan Tornado, Toni. Didn't have any pictures of you running, Justin. Sorry -- next time.

My guess is that, while I'm writing this, Justin is out on at least a 50-mile bike ride!

AM:  10 easy miles from Scott's house with Reed, Toni, Spencer, and Scott. My legs are tired.

PM:  3.5 easy miles (saucony shoe testing with Jake). Thanks for letting me help, Jake. I'll tell you what folks, I'm becoming a huge fan of saucony. Unbelievably comfortable shoes. Upper body weights.

AM:  10 easy miles from my home with Mike and Ty.

AM:  10 easy miles on Jordan River Trail with Spencer, Mike, and Chad.

PM:  5 easy miles up and down Provo canyon.

AM:  10.5 miles up and down Provo canyon with Zak, Karl, Scott, Mike, Toni, Ryan, and Ty. Great crew. 1.5 mile warm up. Then, did 3 mile tempo up the canyon (into a significant headwind):  5:38, 5:42, 5:55. Felt great. The 5:55 was the toughest mile (quite hilly and windy). Zak and I worked together. Uphill tempos are tough, but they are sure good for you. Then, ran 1.5 miles easy. Then did 2 mile tempo down the canyon at 5:12, 5:15. Felt strong. Could have kept going (Zak and Karl went 1 more mile down), but I stopped so I wouldn't over-do it given my race last Saturday.

PM:  5 easy miles on Murdock Canal Trail.

AM:  10.5 easy miles from my home (Thanksgiving Point loop) with Brandon and Reed. Great company.

AM:  16.5 miles up and down Provo canyon with Mike, Ty, Brandon, and Toni. Great run, great morning. Fun crew. Did 10 miles easy, then did 4 mile progressive tempo at 5:24, 5:21, 5:13, 5:12. Felt very strong and relaxed. Mike ran 1.5 miles with me, then did a 4:50 mile. He looked great.

8 easy miles from Scott's home with Mike, Reed, Scott, Spencer, and Toni. Great morning for a run. Nothing like starting a day with a run. Keeps things in perspective.

4 easy miles in Chicago. I'm in Chicago to take my Oral Board Examination for Orthopedic Surgery. It has been brutal preparing for this, and I expect the exam itself to be brutal as well. It will be great to get it over with. Time to move on with life.

I'm staying at the hotel where the exam is administered. I learned there is a $10 fee to use the fitness center. I've never paid money to do a training run! So, I went to the fitness center at 5:30 am, paid my $10, and went to find a treadmill. I soon found out that every treadmill was taken, and there was no sign that anyone would be done any time soon. So, I left (and tactfully demanded my money back on my way out, which I was granted).

I decided to just chance it outside. I'm in downtown Chicago, so the prospect of running outside, without knowing the area, was not overly comforting. After about 3/4 mile, I learned I was right near Lake Michigan, so I headed toward the lake and found a nice trail.

This run was definitely the way to start my day today. While most of the applicants appeared to be stressed out and wandering around the lobby, I was out running. Definitely the best way to prep for my test today. Cleared the mind and calmed the nerves.

Deseret News 10k. I always love this race. Not happy with my time, but it's all I had today. Thought I had another minute in me today, but I was wrong. Felt strong, but I progressively slowed down. Perhaps I started out too fast, but I enjoyed it -- and that's the way this race goes. My splits:  4:41, 4:52, 5:12, 5:08, 5:18, 5:27, 1:07 (.22). Out-kicked an East High kid during the last 1/4 mile (he was the only runner within reach). Results aren't posted yet, but I'm guessing I took about 15th (and 999th in my age group :) actually, I have no idea -- I may have even won my age group).

I never like to admit that outside factors may have affected my race, but this may be the case for this one. I've had a very brutal past few weeks and months (but especially the past couple weeks). The reason is that I had to prepare for my Oral Board Examination in Orthopedic Surgery, with I took yesterday in Chicago. The amount of preparation required was unbelievable. Most of the other applicants didn't leave Chicago until today. But not me. I intentionally arranged my flight schedule so I could get home for this race. Others probably thought I was crazy, but I wouldn't have changed a thing. Just knowing I'd be able to race this 10k, as soon as my exam was finished, helped get me through the examination process. Running, if approached in a wise manner, helps everything.

So, immediately after the exam (I was in downtown Chicago), I rushed to the airport (via subway), so I could catch my flight. Had a layover in Phoenix. There were some delays. Got 2 hours of sleep last night. 

I've been nervous for the exam for several days. I've had a hard time sleeping for a few days (which is completely unlike me -- I usually sleep soundly), and I've not had much of an appetite. The prospect of yesterday's exam was daunting. My best analogy:  the way this exam made me nervous (in a good way) for a few days prior -- this is the same feeling I would have before a national championship race in college.

But, I survived the exam. And it was incredibly brutal (but I expected this). I won't find out results for a month. I think I did well, but you just never know.

I stole this picture from Jake. Great pictures, Andrea!

10.5 miles easy from my home (Thanksgiving Point loop) with Brandon and Scott.

10 easy miles with Scott from his home. Great conversation -- made the run fly by.

20.5 miles with Mike up and down Provo Canyon. Awesome run. Mike was kind enough to join me crazy early for this one. After running 10 miles, did 8 mile tempo at 5:31 average (5:24, 5:26, 5:27, 5:37, 5:28, 5:34, 5:37, 5:33). Just went by feel on this one. Certainly could have gone faster, but this pace felt right today. I have no desire to break records during a workout. Still feeling the 10k in the legs a bit.

AM:  10.5 miles easy in Alpine and Highland with Toni, Spencer, and Mike. Nice morning.

PM:  6 easy miles along Murdock Canal Trail. 

Track Workout at Lehi High School with Mike, Toni, and Reed. 4 mile warm up, then did 3 x 1 mile at 4:59, 4:55, 4:53 (with 800m jog between intervals). Felt very good. Left feeling like I could do more, which was one of the goals of the workout. Mike and I ran together the entire time. He looked great.

AM:  10 easy miles along Jordan River Trail with Toni, Mike, and Chad.

PM:  6 easy miles with Jake (saucony wear testing). Wore 3 different pairs of saucony's. They all felt great. I've become a huge fan. Until about a month ago, I had never even tried on a pair of saucony's. Couldn't be more pleased.