Training in Montana

I was home with a sick girl yesterday so didn't get a chance to run. Got out this morning and did my 6 mile route. Started off faster than normal as I got started a bit late, and I felt good so kept up the pace. A 16 mph SW breeze so it hit me in the face quite a few times and running on country roads is great when there's no wind, but nothing to break up the wind when it's cruising. I was overdressed as the temp was 40 - could've worn shorts. Overall, a good run.

My 2012 goal is 1800 miles, which is just under 35 per week. I can do it running 6 days a week, which is another goal. If I average 5-6 miles 5 times a week then hit 10 miles for my long run I will get there. Hopefully this will help me get some big PRs and get closer to that elusive BQ time.

AP: 8:02 

Got to bed late last night so turned off my 5:30 alarm and got up at 6:15. Read scriptures for 10 minutes (NY Resolution) then headed out for a quick run. I need to convince my wife to go to bed earlier as it helps me do the same. She's working now & getting up an hour earlier than before so I figured she'd always be tired & hit the sack early now, but she's an election hound and stayed up watching the Iowa returns. Interesting stuff.

5.5 miles in shorts. Wish it weren't so windy, but the tailwind home was nice.

Did planks as we read scriptures as a family. 3 X 60. It's hard to read aloud while doing a plank, but I powered through. 

AP: 8:05. 

6 windy miles. Not too cold out - 30 but with a 10 mph wind. I'm so tired of the wind! Weather man says the wind is what's keeping the warm weather here. Bring on the cold and get rid of the wind! It's such a harder effort. It's making me stronger though, right? Did my normal 3 miles out and 3 miles back. I sure like running uphill on the out and downhill on the back. Makes me feel stronger.

1 X 60 plank while reading scriptures with the fam. 25 pushups. 

Anyone in Billings want to go for a 12 mile run tomorrow? Oh, that's right. I'm the only one in Billings on FRB. Sniff, sniff. I did get one other guy to join but he didn't even last a week.

AP: 8:16  

My 8 year old made a New Years Resolution to run 1 mile a week so I took him out 1/2 mile then came back home and dropped him off then headed out. Decided to do a tougher run today to get prepped for my 50K in June. No time like the present? Anyhow, headed down my road, which is a big downhill, then had to regain most of the elevation to get to the main road, then dropped back down the same elevation on the main road, then headed up again on a busier road, which leads to a long steady sustained climb on a loose gravel road. Footing stinks but it's a good road with good scenery. It was a tough run and as I did it in the afternoon my fueling was off. I should've eaten half a bagel before going as I was Jonesing for some carbs most of the way. Brought along a couple delicious English candies I got for Christmas plus my traditional jelly beans. Starburst dual flavor beans are awesome. Will have to buy me a few bags at Easter.

AP for 10 miles: 8:49. Splits 8:04, 9:22, 8:55, 7:50, 8:56, 9:33, 9:10, 9:38, 8:39, 8:07.

That was a tough run - a few hours later I was exhausted. Finished at 4:30 pm and jumped in the long hot shower as I was chilled. Then just hung out at home as I was absolutely tired. Not sure I'll do that one again for a while - ruined my evening.