As we run, we become!

I went for a run at lunchtime up City Creek Canyon.  I haven't run longer than 4 miles in a while so it felt good to push myself just a little bit.

I went for a run up City Creek Canyon at lunchtime today.  I went just a little bit further today.  The last month has been really difficult to train, but I really want to commit to my training.

I ran with the FRB crew for the first time and had a lot of fun.  I have Scott Keate to thank for introducing me to the group and this blog.  I was surprised at how much it helped to run with the group.  I've always been kind of a loner when it came to training, but it was a great source of motivation to see all of the other runners.  I had not run longer than 6 miles in the past month so I cut the run short but I met my goal for the day, finishing in 1:40.  I was surprised at how good I felt.  It definitely seemed like some of the strength training helped. Although my back was sore later in the day, I didn't have any problems while I was running.

I swam 2500 yards in 49 minutes before running 6 miles on the treadmill.  I warmed up for 1 mile and then I increased the speed three times until I began to really exert myself.  I felt really good considering I had run 14 miles on Saturday.  I tried to focus on a quick turnover, which is the first thing that goes when I start to get tired.  

I went for a run up City Creek Canyon at lunchtime today.  I tried to take it easy, to let my legs rest up for a longer run tomorrow.

Swam 2500 yards in 48 minutes tonight.  I felt really tired when I started, but I am getting more and more comfortable at this distance.  I just hope that it translates into faster times at shorter distances in open water.

Late afternoon run up City Creek Canyon.  It will be my last run there for a while because of the office move.  I feel like the Canyon has been such a big part of my running over the last couple of years.  It was a little sad to pass the gate at Memory Grove and head back into downtown.

Went for a run on the Jordan River Parkway with a small group from Lehi.  The pace was brisk on the way out, but I didn't bring any fluids or nutrition with me and I started to feel the effects of nutrient loss and dehydration around Mile 12.  I was by myself on the way back so I didn't slow anyone down, but I definitely bonked the last two miles.  I still finished in about 2:03, so nothing to complain about, but I definitely need to figure out my nutrition.  

I usually feel great until 1:30 into a long run, which is why I am a much better half marathon runner than marathoner.  When I jump up to the marathon, I can't maintain the same pace.  I've always thought it was a training issue or a health issue, but I'm starting to think it's nutrition deficiencies.

Any comments regarding nutrition would be greatly appreciated.  Keep in mind that I have a very fast metabolic rate, and I consume a lot more calories than I can count in a day.  I'm mainly looking for foods that are easily digestible while running.  I've used GU and other similar products and I am not convinced that they make a significant difference in my performance.

Looking forward to another 2500 yard swim tonight after the kids go to bed.  It should be a lot slower than earlier in the week, but this week mark my best swim mileage ever and my best run mileage in about 6 months.  Something to celebrate! 

I swam 2500 yards in 47:30 and I felt really good.  My endurance is improving with each swim.  and although my technique isn't great, I don't feel as sore or tired after a swim, which I can only assume means that I am using the right muscles.

After my swim I jumped on the treadmill and ran 5 miles in 34 minutes.  I felt good about that considering my plan was to take it easy.  I think I just like running fast too much to ever really take it easy.

I had to wait until this evening to get a run in so I logged these on the treadmill.  I ran an easy mile to warm up and then I played with my speed for the next 5 miles.  I ran the 5 miles in 33 minutes and I felt really good.

I swam 2500 yards in 46:30.  I felt really good especially during the middle portion of my swim.  I was really happy with my effort level.  I didn't get any faster during the swim, but I maintained the same speed throughout.

I hadn't run along the Jordan River Trail in Midvale for almost 10 years.  It's funny how going back to an old route can bring back memories.  It was cold outside and I had to go to the bathroom, but I pushed the pace and finished the out portion in 27 minutes.  I was happy to get back in only 28 minutes.  With my change in office location, I'm sure it's a route that I will get reacquainted with.

I swam 2500 yards at the Gene Fullmer Rec Center (GFRC) next to my office.  I noticed the chemicals in the water a lot more than I do at the pool in Lehi, but it was nice to get my final swim of the week done before the end of the work week.  I was a little bit slow, but I took my goggles off to speak with the lifeguard when it became apparent that a bunch of kids were getting into the lap pool.  That was a bad idea because they fogged up and leaked for the second half of my swim.  I got a headache too.  Just wasn't my best day in the pool.

I ran 3 slow miles on the treadmill in 24:00.  I was trying to take it easy to recover from yesterday and to make sure I have the energy to go long tomorrow.

I ran the Suncrest Loop with a great group from the blog.  I had my reservations about completing the 18 mile loop, but I managed my nutrition well today and I felt great at the finish.  I was a little bummed by my total time of 2:27 (8:10 pace), but when I logged into Garmin and saw that the course covered a 2,000 foot ascent/descent I was really satisfied. Then I looked at my splits and saw that I was as fast at 18 as I was at 10.  That really made my day.  I struggled so much last week over 16 miles on a flat course that I really focused on getting calories in early today and it made all the difference.  

Road my bike to work for the first time today.  I think it was about 35 miles roundtrip, but the wind and the hill by Camp Williams made it feel a lot more difficult.  I was dressed way to warm for the temp, which came as quite a surprise.  I thought my hand and feet would freeze , but I was plenty warm.

I decided to skip a run today and take this week easy to recover from the the last 3 weeks of increased mileage, as well as Saturday's monster run.

 I swam 2500 yards tonight and felt really good in the water.  My time was just under 47 minutes, but I still had a lot left in the tank. 

I thought I would take it easy tonight by running on the treadmill, but my left knee flared up around 3 miles, so I finished the 4th mile and did some weightlifting.  Then I ran 2 fast miles on the indoor track and my knee never bothered me at all.  I think I have a much harder time maintaining my form/stride while on the treadmill.

I ran at lunch today on the treadmill.  I finished the 6 miles in 41 minutes.  I felt a lot better than I did yesterday.  Maybe running slow on the treadmill is what causes me to have problems.  Haven't quite figured it out yet. 

I didn't exercise today at all.  I have a mild cold, but when I went upstairs to change for my workout I got light-headed.  I had to remind myself that this is supposed to be an easy week.  So I stayed home and relaxed.  I am going to take tomorrow off.  Maybe I will feel good enough to get a good workout in tomorrow.