Training in Montana

Only 3 miles again today but I'm ready for more. I'm getting my groove back! I took it nice and slow on the first mile and pace is still slower than I'd like but I'm okay with that. Closing in on my 1.5 turnaround point I picked up the pace and on the way back was in the 7s for quite a bit. It felt good but not strained. Looking forward to getting some nice runs in while in St. George later this week for Spring Break.

AP: 8:10

1X90 plank (or so), 10 pushups (was running late). 

Ran at lunch today from the YMCA. I haven't run this routes in many moons and I missed my dirt roads and shoulder. It took a bit for the GPS to start up so my first mile is off, but most miles were in the low 8s to mid 7s. I pushed it but it was feeling good so I kept going. I definitely can tell my fitness lost a lot, but there's a lot still there. Ran on the grass as much as I could to protect my foot. Overall, good run. Beautiful weather - temps about 55-60.

Ran 5 miles with my 22 year old nephew while in St. George. Youth stinks. He barely runs and I was huffing and puffing to keep up with him. I wish I would've figured out running at his age. I knew I liked to run but didn't know how to have a plan and be smart about it. Rats. It was a good run. After a warm up first 1/2 mile kept the pace around 8 minutes per mile up the river trail. The last mile I picked it up and we sprinted in to the end at a 6 minute pace. Slight downhill, but felt good. He was pleased that we tied, but I was pleased just to keep up with him.

4 miles in St. George. It was cool-ish at 47 degrees so wore a long sleeve tech shirt & gloves. It was mostly the right choice. My legs were tired from yesterday and from having a 3 week layoff. I wasn't sure I'd get to 4 miles but at the turnaround another guy was coming the other direction so as soon as I turned around I thought he'd pass me and I must have upped my pace. He never did pass and I got to around an 8 minute pace and held it most of the way back. Overall a good run. Nice to run on tired legs every now and then.

AP: 8:32

3 running miles with Peg in St. George, then 5 brutal hiking miles in Zion National Park. Took two of my boys & their cousin to the top of Angels Landing. Awesome hike, scary at parts. Since 2004 six people have fallen to their deaths on this hike. It is crazy the last 1/2 mile. Fun though. After getting to the bottom my right outside calf muscle was aching - the normal spot after a long run. Went & soaked in the river and felt better, then took some vitamin I after getting home and all pain went away. Ah.