Training in Montana

Ran 3 miles this morning from home because it wasn't smoky outside and I'm a wuss and didn't go sooner. Simple little run, not too slow, not too fast. Felt like walking at 1/4 mile out but kept going and warmed up and felt better. I'm getting fatter and my motivation is waning. As in mostly gone. Need... Race... Now....

I started Boot Camp at Noon but after running a warm up and going to the first station I decided I wasn't in the mood for burning various muscles. So I left and ran outside. I thought it was 84 outside so I ran slowly for 4 1/2 miles knowing I'm not used to running in the heat. Turns out it was 92 the entire time I ran. The 20 mph winds helped move the air around and the houses blocked the nasty wind. It was actually a pretty good run, nice and slow.

AP: 9:10

This occasional running thing needs to stop... oh well, at least I finally got out. My wife left town Friday night and I had to take one of my boys a couple hours away to Bozeman for a Saturday soccer tournament so I knew I wouldn't get a run in. Monday I meant to get up early and run but I just couldn't do it. I'm really struggling with early mornings lately.

I ran at lunchtime from the Y and it was great weather. 64 with low humidity, a gentle 10 mph breeze and sunny. Ah. I just ran. But I remember now why I normally wear bright colored shirts. I nearly got hit 3 times by cars pulling onto the busy street I was running down. The worst time was going through an intersection. I had the green and a lady pulls up to turn right on a red and came a few feet away. If I were a few feet further back she would've plowed me down. Dork. I yelled a few choice words at her but I don't think they ever escaped my lips. It still felt better.

AP: 8:17

​4 TM miles at the Y in the morning.

6 miles outside at lunch. Running is hard. 

AP: 8:13

I headed outside to run 10 but it was later in the morning and I had a lot to do so I never started. #epicfail. Next time I need to wake up earlier.

6 is the new 10. I ran my new route at lunchtime and it was quite nice. No watch, so no idea of pace but I was sweating heavily afterwards, so it musta been good. And no cars tried to hit me. Flourescent colors are fantastic.

I can't believe I once tried to run a marathon just over my 10K pace time. Silly boy. Today I ran an AP of 7:35 and it was really hard. Last year I tried to run a marathon in 7:15 pace. What the what?

Perfect weather this morning, 55-60, and flat roads. I ran in town while waiting for my 2nd oldest to get done with his seminary class. It was really nice running on no hills. It would be even nicer to run at sea level.

AP: 7:35

4 miles at lunchtime from the Y. Felt pretty good, nice weather, 65F.

AP: 8:02

1 TM mile at night. Not sure what's wrong with me and my motivation lately. I knew we were leaving at 8 am to drive South for some soccer games, so I set my alarm for 5:45 to get up and run. At 4:30 I rolled over and switched off my alarm, knowing I didn't want to run. I totally should have, so after a long day of watching 3 soccer games and going to a historical site nearby, I put on the running clothes and headed to the TM in the basement while the fam was watching football. I would've liked to run outside but didn't feel that was fair to the crew. I hopped on for a mile and then I was done. No motivation to run further. Must. Find. Race.

I shore do like this new 6 mile route. It takes me longer than 1 hour at the gym, more like 1 1/2 hours total, but I've been having to stay late to pick up my son from football practice so it all works out. It's been nice to get some sun on the shoulders also to prepare for the whiteness of winter. Best to stock up now.

I decided to run fast-ish on the 2nd to last mile, and I got it down to a 6:58 pace. It was much harder than it should be. Guess I need some speed work. My goal pace on Turkey day is 6:30 but I really doubt I can hang onto that, especially at 1000 feet higher altitude than here. And prolly some smog.

AP: 8:30 or so. The GPS didn't get a signal until I'd run 0.35 miles so the paces were a bit off.

10-15 degrees warmer today than normal, and with my black singlet at lunchtime I figured hey, why not run on the Rims where there's no shade? It was very warm out, 81F with not much breeze, but there won't be much more of this until next year so I soaked it up. Getting to the Rims is a nice 600 elevation gain so not a quick run, but some nice ups. On the way back I ran through a park with rain birds spraying and doused my back really well. That helped the last mile to the Y.

AP: 8:53

5 miles this morning from home. I actually woke up early and went running. Amazing. By the time I got out the door I didn't need a headlamp, so that was nice. Only had time for 5 so that was my mileage. It was a nice solid run. I don't remember my AP. 58F which is really warm for 6 am this time of year. The high today is supposed to be 94 which is a record. Glad I'm not trying to run at Noon.

11 miles while my son was at a soccer clinic. Ran from the soccer fields to the rims and back. 

AP: 9:18

Noon Boot Camp. I'm getting flabby so I need something other than running to tone my non-chiseled body.

6 miles from home this morning. Beautiful bright moon illuminated the gravel road so I left the lights at home. A nice breeze, cool 43F so I wore gloves. I'm back to running and it makes me happy.

Was in Sheridan, WY for the night and ran on the hotel TM this morning. It was wacked! 6 mph felt more like 7 mph as I was completely winded and Sheridan is the same elevation as Billings. I walked a couple times as I was gassed. It said I only ran 4 but I know my TM speeds and it was more like 4 1/2 or 5. Oh well, pretty good run.