As we run, we become!

We traveled to St. George yesterday and the temperature was near 100 degrees. I'm not an early riser, but I knew I would have to get my run in this morning. I found a couple of bike paths to get me from my sister's house to Bluff St. And then I ran up the hill. I was happy that I could keep my average pace under 8:00 all the way up. The entire run took 72 minutes which was alright. Most importantly, I beat the heat.

I went for a run along the Virgin River with my wife and dad. We ran really easy for the first 3 miles and then I took off. I ran the next 3 miles at about 6:30 pace with some variation but a consistent effort. Then I decided to run as hard as I could for the last mile. I was really excited to clock in at 5:45. That was the fastest mile that I have run in several years!

Recovery run around Coral Canyon. My legs were tired and tight from yesterday's run. It was difficult just to make it through the run. I was so happy just to be done.

Late afternoon run up Çity Creek Canyon. My legs felt so much better today than they did yesterday. Hopefully I can get another 30 miles in before the end of the week.

Lunchtime run up City Creek Canyon.  Legs are back to normal.  Hopefully I can make it through a 20-miler tomorrow morning.

Long run on the Mountain View Corridor.  I concentrated on running four different quarters within the long run.  My goal was to keep an even pace for all four quarters and finish in about 2:30.  

The first quarter was right on pace.  The second quarter I picked up the pace a little, as I hit a long downhill with a good tailwind.  Of course the third quarter was the most difficult as I faced the opposing forces that had only recently been in my favor.  

The best part of my run happened at Mile 16 when I crested the final hill and knew I had the energy to pick up the pace.  I felt the euphoria that comes every once in a while, and just as I started to feel it spread throughout my body I saw a baby antelope (I am a sucker for animals).

I started my final push on my favorite part of the run and ran my fastest four miles of the run, each one faster than the last.  I posted a 6:28 for my final mile and clocked a 2:26 for the run.  It was a great run, but the best thing was I felt like I could have run farther.  Hopefully, I can replicate this run when I attempt the marathon in seven weeks.