Training in Montana

Not feeling well yesterday or today. Just a cold. Will hopefully get better for the 9 hour drive on Wednesday to Utah for family time, and some nice runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Cache Valley.

Finally felt like running after 3 days off with a cold. Had a nice 8 hour drive yesterday, arrived at 2 PM, had a nice nap then got some good sleep as well. Feel much better now. I had planned on running the inaugural Turkey Trot (Run Turkey Run) in Billings today but my wife decided we needed to be with her family so off we went. I believe they had over 1000 runners and I can't wait to do it next year.

Staying in North Smithfield so took my SIL's advice and ran up 4th North and into Smithfield canyon. Gorgeous run. Hopefully I'll be able to do a long run up there on Saturday. I felt pretty good on the run. Used the inhaler a couple times before and no coughing during the run. Plenty afterwards, but not during. 28 degrees with sun out is much different than 28 degrees in the morning with no sun. I wore warmer pants and a warm top plus a tech shirt and on the way back I was just running in short sleeves with no gloves or hat. Very hot and sweaty. Burned off 800 calories - bring on the food!

AP: 9:02

6.5 miles through Smithfield, up to the bench, down near the golf course, and back to my in law's home. Gorgeous morning for a run, and I beat the rain and clouds. Only meant to do 5 but I saw that hill, and I saw someone in a red top going up the hill so of course I had to reel them in, so mileage no longer mattered. I finally caught her just after the top of the hill (and gave her a bit of a scare - guess her headphones were a bit loud) then got to stretch my legs a bit on a slight downhill. I think I followed part of the Turkey Trot 10K course as the paint looked fresh. If that was the course, that's a tough one.

I think my AP was 8:22 or so - I don't recall. I ate way too much at Thanksgiving yesterday and my stomach was out of wack the rest of the day. No pie yet, and downed some Alka Seltzer so I could go to bed. It might have been some headache medicine my FIL gave me just before dinner. I'd never had it before and maybe that did the trick? Off brand with acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Maybe I don't like aspirin? Regardless, feeling better today and ready for a turkey sandwich.

Had a great run this morning up Smithfield Canyon. It was nice running in the shoes of the great Paul. Seems like he runs this route regularly, and I can see why. It was gorgeous. A bit nippy out, I think 18 or so but it felt much warmer. My belly was cold most of the run and the legs a bit chilly but other than that I felt great. I don't know how much elevation gain there is to the point I turned around but must have been healthy as I kept it in the low 7s most of the way down. Felt pretty good. Afterwards went to the USU-Nevada football game with the family and it was awesome! Great game and we got a few breaks and came away with the win. First winning season since I was an undergrad and had no kids. Go Aggies! Now driving home to Billings in the morning - had a nice Thanksgiving weekend in Cache Valley.

AP: 9:03