Training in Montana

4 TM miles this morning at the Y. I didn't feel horrible, didn't feel great. I hate not running on Saturdays but I got up early to take my son hunting then was too tired to run later.

This run was decent. The last bit I ran 1/2 mile at 6:27 pace, 1/4 at 6:15, and 1/4 at 6:00 and still felt pretty good. I'm hopeful for the Turkey Day 5K and 1 mile races, although snow is predicted Tuesday and Wednesday so the roads might be crappy. We'll see.

4 TM miles at the Y during lunch. Went slow to get ready for the Turkey Trot tomorrow. After warm up kept it at 6.9 mph. 

Turkey Trot this morning, did the 5K/1 mile double. Good news is the high today is supposed to be 50; bad news is it snowed 4" yesterday, Billings doesn't plow side streets, and the temp this morning was 28. Warmed up 2 miles or so on the side streets to see how bad the roads were. Pretty bad, totally slick and icy in most spots. I stuck to the edge and there was traction.

5K race started at 9 am and about 50 people took off and I kept a steady pace. I left my watch home so no idea of pace. I was hoping that meant I'd run faster not knowing how fast I was going but that didn't work so well. The race starts and ends on good clean roads so the first and last 3/4 were on clear dry roads. After 1/2 mile there were about 15 in front of me and I was paired up with two girls. We kept together until the last mile, then one girl dropped off and one dropped me. I was struggling with thoughts of walking so I didn't follow her. My breathing was labored but steady. My legs were feeling sore. I kept going steady and had an okay kick the last stretch but nothing fantastic. 

I gave it about all I had today. I wish I were in better shape, but alas. No idea how much time the bad roads took from me but I didn't feel like I could've given it more. Having to worry about the bad roads probably cost 15 seconds, but I don't think I could've found another 15 to break 20:00. No worries. I felt great about the race as I finished 15th out of 1900 finishers and 1st age division. Not bad for an old fat slow guy. 

An hour after the 5K the 1 mile started. Not near as many people raced this one, but my entire family was in the race. I decided to race it. My 16 yr old nephew and 15 yr old son took off and I held it steady and picked off people. One guy ahead of me looked to be a Masters runner and I knew this was the RRCA Montana Mile Championship. If I could win it again that would be fun. I passed him with 1/2 mile left and not long after that passed my 16 yr old soccer stud nephew (I'd passed my son pretty early on - he's not a distance runner). I don't think I passed anyone else but I kept it moving, right next to my nephew. With 150 yards to the finish I sprinted it in, passing the lagging 5K walkers. I was hauling butt (for me, anyhow) and finished in a slow 6:17. Nephew came in 4 seconds later, 15 yr old son at 7:05, 13 yr old at 8:06, 8 yr old daughter 10:56, wife 11:05. A fun day. I stuck around for awards and my 15 yr old took 3rd age group, nephew 2nd age group. I took 1st in age group and 1st Masters so I'm the two-time defending RRCA Montana Masters champion in the mile. Nobody runs this race. I got a nice medal for that and a really cool hand made metal thing for 1st place age division.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! I'm thankful for my legs, my health, my family, my running friends, and so many other blessings in my life. 

4 TM miles at home tonight. Running in a room with a fire going in the wood stove is optimal for summer training. I'm not exactly training for a summer race, but I felt like it tonight. My legs were sore, probaby a combination of the 5K/1 mile Thursday double and 5 minutes of Boot Camp yesterday. Walked a couple times in there. Hopefully will have better weather next week and can run outside (5 degrees and -15 wind chill at 7 am; got colder throughout the day).