Running For Trevor

Just a few easy miles with the pup.  Payson Onion Days 10k tomorrow!  1 year ago this race was my first time ever running 6 miles.  I just drove the course and it is pretty flat with a few gradual inclines.  I am really hoping to set a PR and finally beat 44 minutes!

Payson Onion Days 10k this morning!  This race kind of snuck up on me but I was excited.  This was my very first time running 6 miles ever last year and it is kind of fun to start repeating races for the first time. 

I ran up to the start from my house 2.3 miles.  Picked up my packet, used the bathroom and was ready to go. I met Rachel, JulieC, and Melanie from the blog at the start and it was fun to chat with them and meet them in person.  The race started right at 7:05 and we were off.  I had 3 mini goals in mind for this race.  A: Set a PR! B:  Run consistant 7 minute miles.  and C:  Not melt down the last 2 miles.

Mile 1:  6:38  I felt like I was going slow and was trying to force myself to slow down.  But in my defense this is the fastest mile of the race.

Mile 2:  6:58 perfect pace and felt great.  Passed 3 guys in this mile.

Mile 3:  7:00 right on track

Mile 4:  7:06  running into the sun but still feeling good and not losing too much time.

Mile 5:  7:33 what?  Minor melt down!!!  Gradual uphill, stopped for water, and just mentally crumbled a bit.  Got passed by a girl.  grrrrrr!

Mile 6:  7:11 was able to pick up the pace a bit but was ready to be done.

Mile 7: (.22) 6:48 caught up to the girl that had passed me and she crossed the finish line 1 second in front of me.  Grrrrr

So I set a PR which is awesome but overall I was initially dissapointed with my time.  I was hoping for (and fill my fitness) is at 7mm.  But 7:03 is still good and without my little meltdown at mile 5 I would have been right there.  The silver lining is that I beat my time from last year by 5:06!!!  It is incredibly exciting to see the progress I have made in one year and I can't wait to see what this next year brings.

I planned on cooling down by running home but I won a picnic table at the raffle.  So Lily drove me home and I went out and ran a 3 mile cooldown.

I still feel that 3:20 is within reach at SGM for me.  I just need to lose 5lbs to get down to a lighter race weight and end this week on a high note.

10 miles this morning.  First 6 were in the dark so I basically ran around in circles by my house until it felt light enough to go out towards Santaquin.  I am really hating that the sun is coming up so late. :( 7:52 AP.

15 minutes of elliptical after the run.  I really am determined to focus on my nutrition, add volume, and lose 3-4lbs before the marathon.  I know that I run better around 116-117 and I can do it!!

PM:  I got my new shoes today so of course I had to try them out.  2 easy miles.

8 treadmill miles, 1% incline, 7:30 AP.  This run felt way harder than it should have and I probably should have slowed down but I was in a hurry because I had to be to work early for a meeting.  I did manage to fit in 15 minutes of weights after the run.

PM: 2 miles really easy.

I planned on waking up early to run 10 with Lily, Merri, and Sue but I just couldn't drag my butt out of bed at 4:30.  When I finally woke up at 5:30 I dragged myself to the gym and did a progressive run on the treadmill.  Started at 8mm and finished the last 2 at sub-7minute miles.  I kept the incline at 1% except the last mile when I dropped it to 0.

My calves are still sore from the 10k Monday and I know it is because I did the race+warm up+cool down in my racing flats.  I am going to stop wearing them completely until after SGM.  Hopefully I feel 100% by Saturday for the Mt. Nebo half.

Ran my Friday 8 mile route. 7:58 AP.

I am off to Lagoon for the day (good thing I can still walk:) so here is a quick report of the race today.

Warmed up alone 2 miles.  Breathing felt heavy but that is normal when your at 9,000 ft elevation I suppose.  Met up with JulieC at the start and we were off right on time.  My only goal for this race was to run sub 1:30.  I knew it was way downhill but I did not want to kill myself and had no idea what to really expect.

Mile 1-3:  6:24, 6:15, 6:13.  Felt good, was breathing well and was enjoying the scenary.  I started out as 3rd female and my goal became not getting passed by another female.

Mile 4-6:  5:55, 6:04, 6:09.  Still felt really good but was worried I was going too fast.  I tried to stay with Andy (from the blog) because I know for a fact I am not faster than him and that staying with him would be smart.  But of course I just could not control myself on the downhill and ended up passing him at mile 6 I believe.

Mile 7-9:  6:07, 6:07, 6:16.  Passed two guys and was feeling pretty darn good for so late in a race. 

Mile 10-13.1:  6:23, 6:50, 6:41, 6:28, 5:28:  The course flattened out with a few mini climbs.  It was tough mentally but I just kept on pushing.  Andy caught up with me at mile 12.5 and I was determined to stay close with him until the finish.  Pushed it really hard for the last tenth and felt really good.  It was a proud moment running into that shoot.  Not necessarily because of my time but because I just felt so good like I could have kept going if I had to.  (normally I feel like death at the end of a race.)

jogged a painful 2 mile cooldown with Julie!  I was so proud of Julie, that girl is amazing.  I tried to keep her in sight for most of the race but lost sight of her towards the end.  She is just awesome!!

I know that this was a very aided course and that my finishing time is not realistic.  But the good thing is I felt good the entire race.  I never crashed and my slowest mile is not too shabby like most races that start downhill and finish flat.  Overall I am proud of myself and excited about my progress.  Also my cousin ran his very first half today and finished right behind me in 1:27!!  So so proud of him.  Okay calves are sore but it is off to lagoon to walk it off. :)