Training in Montana

Broke 500 miles in my Brooks trail shoes. As they've almost exclusively been used on soft surfaces I think they'll last much longer than 500. I guess time will tell.

Cold weather is back in Billings as it was 16 degrees for this morning's run. No wind, so didn't feel too cold. My calves are a bit sore from Saturday's effort but not bad at all, just a bit tight today. A nice controlled short run. Will hit Boot Camp at Noon.

AP: 8:19

Noon: Boot Camp. She kicked our butts. In the beginning I was thinking "I'm crazy! I just did a solid 14 a couple days ago, not fully recovered, did 4 this morning, and now this? Leave early." At the end I was envisioning "3:14:51" in my head as I cross the finish line. I wanted to give myself a few seconds of leeway. It was a killer, headband-dripping-sweat workout. I need one of these a week to give me that BQ edge.

23F with a skiff of snow and a slight breeze this morning. A beautiful spring morning. It felt about the right temperature for whomever was responsible for the marathon bombs yesterday. Let's find them, strip them down to their skivvies, and leave them tied to the stocks in this temperature. There are plenty of coyotes in my neighborhood who would love to help usher them out of this world. I won't write too much about this tragedy as I believe the best way to honor those who have lost their lives is to continue on with my life, with a heightened sense of the nothingness of man, an appreciation for the bounties of life I enjoy, for gratefulness for all that God has created, and a deep and sincere prayer for peace to all of those affected.

My body is feeling the effects of a good Boot Camp. We did lots of deep knee bends, wall sits, and other leg & butt-busting exercises. Good stuff. I took it nice and easy this morning and this run was all about "don't stop running". I really wanted to a few times, but knew it wouldn't be an amazing challenge to just keep going. And I did. Very small victory, but I'll take it.

AP: 8:37

8 miles up Keller Road. The cold spell continues as it was 19F this morning, but with fog so no wind. Interesting running in fog. Even though it wasn't all that cold my eyelids kept sticking shut, I guess with all the humidity of being in a cloud. That was cool. Legs felt a bit better this morning, althoug 2nd day soreness abounds. Kept the pace slowish but steady and ran MP on the last two miles. Prayers for Boston. Frequently.

AP: 8:25

10 killer miles for my 40th birthday plus 40 push-ups. Ran up my Veyo hill and maintained strong pace on the way back. Heading out of town for a weekend getaway with my wife now, hoping for a 12 miler tomorrow.

AP: 8:06

Staying in Bozeman for the weekend. Got a nice little run in this morning before breakfast. Glad I didn't try for more than that. Tired legs, now heading to Yellowstone for the day.

AP: 8:37