Seeking a better country...

I had 2 concerts yesterday, from noon till ten, so I didn't squeeze in the long run until this morning.  I ran from home to Farmington Canyon, down past the pond, home along Highway 89.  I've felt a little cold waiting in the wings at the back of my throat for the last 4 days, and thought about skipping the long one, but I don't notice any change after the exertion.

I forgot to start the GPS until I was at the reservoir.  I ran 8:30 type pace most of the run, never really pushing.  The road and trails on the mountain are in great shape, aside from 4-5 places where you dive east to cross streams.  These are icy with very bad footing.  I'm curious to see if I really pay the price for this run in the coming week.  3 of my kids have been home sick all week, including vomiting, so I hope not; although a few days of lounging about the house sounds somewhat appealing... 

Reading and back, after work.  Overall pace was 7:50.  The sun was brightly shining, but February is back!  The temp was in the 20's with a breeze.  I felt warm enough, but my pace says I was pretty cold.  My left kneecap hurt initially, but the pain subsided by the end of the run.  Today it feels fine.

5 tm miles after choir.  I pity the poor baby on the MTV show about pregnant teenagers.  Too bad they keep them so often.  Trashy tv doesn't seem to make the miles pass more quickly.  Maybe tivoed trashy tv would work better. 

7:48, 7:32, 7:09, 7:17, 7:18.  Lovely rainy night.  Home, Jennings Lane, 400 W, home.  I was overdressed, and ended up taking off my reflective vest and pullover while running across 400 W.  There was very little traffic, and the low clouds made everything seem pretty dark.  I got home and went to tuck in my 5 year old, and she wouldn't have anything to do with me because I was so wet/sweaty.   

I ran Centerville Blvd. to Freedom Hills park.  For the 1st mile climb I did zero stopping, and posted my fasted 1st mile ever.  After not being a quitter, I decided to continue not being a quitter, and didn't walk in any of the usual spots.  Felt the BURN.  The north exposures remain icy, but the rest of the trail/road is in great condition.  The eagles were soaring outside Ford Canyon.  I'd like to find their nesting area.  Overall pace was 8:12, not bad for 4 trail miles.  9:35, 9:31, 8:44, 8:14, 7:27, 7:21, 6:32.  

This was a heavyweight, toe-to-toe slugfest.  I got back from a funeral around 2, and just headed out.  The day was nice enough temperature-wise, but the headwind running south was considerable.  I'm glad I went south for the first half.  I ran from home, looped around the pond, and went to marker 2 on Legacy trail, then back.  I was under hydrated, having consumed my 15.4 oz of powerade by mile 8.  Luckily the sponge was open for golfing, and I got a good drink at mile 13 to get me home.  My ankle started off sore, I think from wearing old shoes yesterday, but it wasn't a problem on the run.  I had salt trails on my face when I got home...that hasn't happened for a while.  The usual toes blistered up, and by mile 10 I was cursing myself that I didn't try out the glide I bought.  Now I've been home 2.5 hours, and feel okay.  Time to start doing laundry.  I had one good mile, around 12, where I fartleked the reflectors at the side of the road.  Oh, the games we play.  Overall pace on the pancake-flat course was 8:02.  I stopped the watch for my pit stop at the golf course, but it was only a minute.  7:35, 7:29, 7:36, 7:59 (headwind begins), 8:33, 8:10, 8:09, 8:13, 9:04 (drink, stopped to stretch hip flexors) 8:06, 8:05, 7:21, 8:13, 8:07, 7:48.  Not a bad effort for a meaningless run on a windy Saturday afternoon.