Zac's blog thinger

Treadmill. Didn't feel very energetic today. Started slow and worked upto 8:30 pace by the 1st half mile and maintained that pace through mile 2. I did miles 3 and 4 in 8:00 pace and miles 5 and 6 in 7:30 pace. For the last mile I increased the pace a bit every 200 meters, building from 7:30 to 6:30 by the last 200. From start to finish I felt pretty out of it.

The week is probably just catching up with me. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

Total time was 56:24 or 8:03 average pace.

Weight 169 (goal 160)

Hills, trails, ice, snow, gravel, and pavement. This was a fun run. Total time 1:21.

The first 6 miles were pretty slow. I was climbing through the icy/snowy foothills of lake mountain peaking on a high hill overlooking the Eagle Mountain City Center, Utah Lake, and the beautiful Wasatch mountains. The last peak is a very sharp incline and the sharpest inclined portion also was the most heavily snow covered (covered but not deep - 1 inch maybe). I only had to go to all 4s a couple of times. I'm glad I wore gloves.

All in all the first 6 were a lot of fun and my time was a slow 52:47 or 8:47 per mile. I was now warmed up and mostly acclamated to the cold so I decided to do 4 quick neighborhood 1 mile loops (actually 1.01 miles). It's got a pretty steep downhill and uphill that represent almost half of the loop, which makes it a bit more challenging than running around the track (and more fun). My first lap was in 7:10, second in 7:21, third in 7:20 and for my last mile I tossed off my jacket (more psychological effect than anything) and ran 6:29.

I felt really good. The cold air affected my breathing a bit but all in all it was a fun run. My legs have been a little sore since the run because of the hills (I believe), which were pretty extreme.

Average pace was 8:04.

Average treadmill day. Legs felt a bit sore from running so many hills on Saturday. Around 56 minutes total time.

Weight 171 (goal 160)

More treadmill fun. Ran mile 2 and 3 fast. Total time was 11:43 or roughly 6:05 the first mile and 5:38 the second mile. My legs felt it (those dang hills on Saturday). It took me a little longer than usual to recover and ran a bit slow for a mile or so afterward. Total time 55:05.

Weight 171 (goal 160)

Treadmill. Worn out. I was up a lot last night with my daughter - maybe that was part of it. Legs felt heavy. Total time was 56:28.

Weight 171

Treadmill. Decided to pick it up a bit. My goal was to have the 7:00 mile feller beat by the end of 7 miles. I took the first half mile slow to ease into things and then was going about 7 minute pace at the half. After the first mile was complete, I noted that I would have to make up a little over a minute over the next 6 miles and, not feeling too energetic, I was a little worried about how it would turn out. Every fourth quarter I picked it up a bit and then dropped back down to 7:00 pace (easy to do on a treadmill). My last mile was just barely sub-6:30 and my total time came out to 48:52 or 6:59 pace.

Anyway, I didn't beat him by much but I caught the rascal in the end. That's probably my best 7 miler in a couple years. I'm slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things but I still have a long way to go.

On a more energetic day I think I could probably cut off a good 15-20 seconds per mile. Ignoring the first half mile slow start, that would get me close to the 6:30 pace that I'm shooting for. I'd like to be able to run a marathon at that pace (long way to go) and eventually, I'd like to run a marathon where my average time dips a little below 6:00 pace (that's long-term). That would be sub-2:40 (I'm entitled to at least dream).

It's just fun to be running.

Treadmill. Never really pushed it. Started very slow and slowly built up to 7:30 pace and then eased back down. I was just trying to relax. Total time 57:56 or 8:16 pace.

It was so cold and I was so tired. The week had worn me out and I was up late wrapping presents and stuff. Anyway, it took me several minutes to actually get from my bed to my running clothes, and then finally out the door. I ran it in a very slow 1:34 or 8:37 pace. I just did not want to be out there. It reminded me of mornings, my freshman year of college, when Sasha would come by and knock on my door trying to wake me up and I did my best to ignore him and go back to sleep. I missed a great opportunity then, I don't want to screw things up this time.

Anyway, I hate running in the cold. I need to find someone in Eagle Mountain, equally stupid enough to run at 5:30 am on a December Saturday morning to keep me on pace. That would make it easier.

I'm glad to be running and I can't wait until it warms up.

Out to Libery Park, double loop, and back run. Colder than I had thought. I was a bit underdressed I think. 37 degrees at the start and 41 at the finish. Pretty slushy, snowy, and even icy in some spots, especially at the park but most areas of the road and sidewalks were fine. Total time 52:20 or 7:28 pace. That felt pretty comfortable but I was definitely picking it up in some areas to try to catch runners also doing loops in the park. It's too tempting to try to catch and pass people. This guy out running today was tougher than most.

It was a fun good run.

Weight 172 (goal 160)

ALSO, there is a free race on December 29th, following the pony express route. It's actually a 100 mile run and its more for fun than for great race times. It starts at 6 am at pony express elementary in the Ranches of Eagle Mountain. There will be rides back at mile 30 and 55 and, of course, 100. The pace will be very slow but you are welcomed to run as fast as you want but most of the trail is not marked (just follow the map). I'm going for 30 miles. At the pace they're planning to go that will take about 6 hours so that's all the Christmas vacation that my wife will let me sacrifice for this run.

It should be a fun learning experience. See the following website http://www.ponyexpress100.org/ if you are interested and contact Dave Crockett and let him know that you want to run.

Slow treadmill miles. About 60 minutes or 8:34 pace. I didn't plan to run so early. I was trying to be a faithful LDS and I went to the Jordan River Temple arriving at 4:50 only to find that it was closed until the 19th. I forgot to check the December schedule.

Anyway, I was halfway to work so I headed over to the our fitness center and put in some early miles. My legs felt a little tight but overall it wasn't bad. Man the news is quirkly at 5 am.

Comfortable run to Liberty Park around the outside twice and back. Perfect day, just enough rain to compact the grass but not enough to make it a muddy mess. Didn't push it too hard. 53:51 total time or 7:41 mile pace.

Weight 173 (goal 160); I've been eating too much holiday garbage.

Around the neighborhood at 4:45 AM. Can't remember many details. 58:30.

Around the neighborhood. Slow and cold. 58:20.

Cold and icy 5:30 AM. 1:30 or 8:55 pace. Very slow. I hadn't gotten much sleep this whole week and it caught up with me. Hope to do better next week.

Treadmill. Ran a strong 5k after a slow first mile. I only intended on running 2 fast miles but I felt pretty comfortable and continued. I ran a 6:00 pace through the 3rd quarter of mile 3 and then I picked it up a bit for the last little bit. My time was 18:27 or an average pace of 5:57. I felt pretty comfortable and I believe that I could have increased the pace throughout. In a real race I would have to make a deduction for air resistance but it would be minor.

This is a good sign for me. I just need to be patient and keep racking up the miles. I've been running about 45 per week, which is at least 5 less than I'd like to be doing, but considering the darkness, cold, etc., I'm not too upset with myself. Around the first part of February, I'd like to up my miles a bit.

It would be nice to slowly work it up to a steady 55-60. More than 60 would probably be too much burden on my family right now. In time, as our little ones get a little more independent, I'll probably be able to find a couple more hours and approach the 70 mark. Who knows? I'm trying hard to be in no hurry. I've got to allow my body time to catch up with my over-active hopes and desires.

Total time 51:40.

Weight 172 (goal 160)

Treadmill. I was very tired today. I was up late getting things ready for family coming for Christmas. Also, I think yesterday's speedwork played some part in it. At any rate, it felt like a lot more work than usual.

Time 58:40 or an average, slow 8:22 pace.

Weight 171 (goal 160)

Treadmill again. I know, I need to be running outside but man, it's cold out there. I ran a pretty slow first 5 and then picked it up a touch over the last 2 miles. Total time was about 55:30 or so. I forgot to look.

Weight 170 (goal 160)

Treadmill. Legs were sore today and my gut was acting up pretty bad but I made it through. Total time 57:22 or 8:11 pace. The treadmill can get very boring and if you're not feeling the best it can make it more excruciating because you have few distractions to keep you from thinking about the problems. Of course, the treadmill is much warmer than running outside.

I'll be leaving my crutch behind from tomorrow until the 2nd of January. I'll be on vacation and so I have to run outside. I need to give my legs a break and just run really slow so that I'm not too worn out next Friday when I run 30 miles of the Pony Express 100 miler. I'm running with the 100 miler guys so the pace will be slow and comfortable. I'm not running for time at all. I just want to enjoy the experience and hear the pony express and 100 miler lore. It'll be fun.

Don't recall much but it was cold and early and dark and slow.

Don't recall much but it was cold and early and dark and slow.

Well, I got up to run but decided that of all days of the year, Christmas was one day that I should consider taking off. SO I DID.

Don't recall much but it was cold and early and dark and slow.

Trail run through a lot of snow. Pretty fun run. Lots of hills. I don't recall the time but with the ice and hills it was slow, but it was a good work out.

Felt terrible. I was a bit sick and extremely tired. I haven't felt that bad in a very long time. Knowing I had a race the next day I didn't go long at all. It was just under 10 minute pace.

Did 25 (maybe a touch less - between 24 and 25) miles of the pony express 100 miler. It was extremely cold - sub 20 degrees at times with colder windchills! The windchill really got to me. I didn't have the right equipment and as my clothes built up more and more sweat, I got really cold around mile 20 or so. I was supposed to run 30 miles but I kind of lost it and didn't want to end up walking the last 5 miles so I hitched a ride.

There were a lot of things going against me such as sleep deprevation (sick baby that has been up practically all night for a couple days), poor equipment (I got very cold), no preparatory long runs (typical long run - 10 miles), etc. but the reality is that I just didn't have the mental strength to push through a few shortcomings.

Anyway, all in all it was a lot of fun and I only fell on the ice once, which left me a nice bruise.

So far, I feel pretty good afterward.

Cold, icy and dark. Felt pretty good despite the previous day's run. I ran pretty slow though, giving my body a chance to recover. Total time 1:09 or just under 10 minute miles.