Training in Montana

Started out with a nice easy run - beautiful day today. A decent climb up through the local college then back towards town. On a little trail by the road I was going along at a 7:30 clip unintentionally so I picked up the pace and was in the 5s for a short stretch. It felt so good! Wish I could run like that anytime all the time.

Bicycles 1:15; Plank 1:15, 1:00; side planks 1:00 each.

4 miles from the Y. Started off with a plan to do 9-9:30 miles but then saw two women from work ahead of me and I had to catch them, so cranked it up to a 7:30 pace for a mile or so and of course I had to keep that pace after I passed them otherwise I'd look stupid. After hitting the end of the street I turned around and slowed my pace. It was a tough couple miles to finish up the run. I think I'm still not fully healed from my race 10 days ago plus I was feeling it from pushing at the beginning of the run. Anyhow, felt good and gave my lungs a nice stretch.

Did 3 sets of squats, shoulders, and curls afterwards and 1:00 plank.

5 mile run outside. 51 with 20 mph wind gusts. Wore thin gloves out and glad I had them on, but took them off on the way back as the wind was behind me and I heated up quickly. Overall a nice day for a run. Probably pushed it a bit more than I should have but felt great at the end.

AP 8:58, splits 9:32, 9:15, 9:07, 8:46, 8:07. Avg HR 146.

2.7 mile mostly easy run outside. I keep letting my ego get the best of me. I saw another runner one block away from me running the same direction and we were about the same speed so of course I had to pick it up more than I had planned. It only lasted until we got to the local college then we split off, but I wonder if I'd act like this all the time if I lived somewhere that had more runners? Am I a normal goofball?

AP: 8:59. Splits 8:54, 9:08, 8:52. Avg HR 148.

3 sets of squats, shoulders, and curls. 1:30 plank; 1:00 bicycle, 20 pushups.

Total Far Side moment on this morning's run. Saw a deer trip over a fence and do a complete somersault before running away. She's fine, but obviously embarrassed. It was hilarious. During the run I starting planning a possible race to benefit our school sometime in the future. We live in Blue Creek and the next community over is Duck Creek. We could start at the Yellowstone River, run up the hills past my house and over a gravel road to Duck Creek, ending at the Yellowstone River. Would be tough but a good challenge. Could wrap in a fun run and 5K/10K at the starting line. I'll keep thinking about it and talk to some folks who've organized races before.

Anyhow, nice run this morning. Perfect weather. Wore a long sleeve tech shirt and my hands were cold part of the time but not frozen. It's a nice steady climb mostly on a gravel road. On the way back wind was behind so warmed up a bit but not too much.

AP 8:54. Splits 9:41, 9:09, 9:03, 10:05, 9:41, 9:10, 8:25, 7:23, 8:37, 8:32, 8:15. Avg HR 149, Max HR 169.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/83990962