Training in Montana

4 miles at lunch time along the end of the marathon route. It was nice to run backwards along the route then turn around and finish the route, but with a much bigger flourish than I did last week. I pushed it and ran faster than MP for much of the way.

AP: 7:48 

5 miles this morning. Legs a bit tired from the race and from yesterday's faster-than-normal effort. I pushed it a bit more than normal and survived it. Felt pretty good actually. I need a winter race! The funds aren't there right now to travel to a race so maybe I'll just have to make up my own and recruit a few people for a nice long run in a few months.

Wishing I was at the Huntsville marathon this weekend. Go Kam and others! I may have to try that next year. 

AP: 8:22 

Ran just over 4 miles after a Noon conference call. I was pretty tight from not running yesterday, plus some hard efforts Monday & Tuesday. A couple of times during the run my lower back cramped up on me. Weird. It literally has never done that. I stopped and did minor stretches and wasn't an issue, but worried it would creep back in. Didn't. Near the end my right shoulder started hurting and it hasn't done that in a long time. Weird. Glad the creaks & pains came out after the marathon and not before.

No watch, no headphones, no idea of time. I did have a headband so I was happy. 

I forget about post-marathon legs. They are leaden. Didn't get enough sleep last night but was determined to wake at 6 and run so I did. Planned on 5 miles but after 1 and wanting to walk I turned around at 1 1/2 so got in 3. I'm planning on 10 tomorrow during a Scout campout, but we'll see how I feel. No rush to get back into it, but I am back to feeling the need to run. I just need to run slower and for not as long until the legs return.

Camping last night at a Stake Merit Badge Day. I love camping at this spot - it's at a member of our church's place, about 45 minutes out of town. Fantastic spot. The boys were working on badges by 9 am, I helped clean up breakfast and prep for lunch then decided to go for a run. Headed East on a dirt road and felt pretty good. It was a steady up, probably 300 feet of up over 5 miles. I couldn't figure out why I was so warm and why the air was so still. I wondered if I had a tailwind and after turning around realized that it was a pretty fierce wind. Heading back was nice. Had wind to cool me down and a steady downhill. Got back by Noon, had lunch, hung out and did things and we left at 5 PM. I smelled pretty awful the rest of the time. Hopped in the shower as soon as we got our stuff put away. Ahhh. Very successful day.

AP: 8:48