Welcome

I decided to run on the trails behind the cabin. It was still wet muddy and snowy so it made for a messy slower run. The Altras aren't made for trails and they tore in a few spots. 60 minutes total with more than 1100 ft of climb. 

Back home. I ran in the afternoon before the rain hit. I wasn't feeling it for the first 7 miles but felt strong toward the end as I climbed Capitol Hill. To Liberty Park and around on the wood chips. 600+ ft of climb and 56:28 total. Track intervals tomorrow.

5x1k at 5k pace wtih 2 minute active recoveries.

I went to McCarthey Track and did .63 intervals on the outside lap in 3:29-3:32 per (5:32-5:37 pace). 2 up, 2 down. Felt good - weather was nice.

58:11 total with 400 ft climb.

Easy around the Zoo and up Wasatch. 59:20 total with 600ft of climb. I did 8 murphys during the latter half.

The zoo was a mad house with all the Spring Break kids.

On BST to Sunnyside and up Emigration. 4 murphys, 2 up 2 down. 52:58 with 1000 ft of climb. Very windy going back down the canyon. Felt good.

On the bus up, it dawned on me that my Garmin was still in my bag. Despite all my best laid plans, I had to run by feel. The weather was perfect and the wind was a nonfactor; a slight headwind breeze. I did a short warm-up up the canyon and I have no idea how far I went.

I went out trailing Albert Wint who I trailed in the Striders 10 miler. That didn't last very long and soon I found myself behind the first ten and running by myself. In mile 7, Rob Murphy caught me and we crossed mile 8 together. I know I was at 47:20 or so at mile 8. Rob continued on and, knowing he was targeting 1:18, I tried to stay close. At about mile 10, my outer quads started to tighten. Its at this point in a race that my legs start to get heavier and I start to fear breaking down. I kept pace as best I could but I knew the miles were slower; its also a slower part of the course. At the main intersection in Eden close to mile 12.5 I am guessing, I picked up the pace and was surprised by how light my legs felt. I bounded to the end including a hard sprint to try to break 1:19 and felt strong finishing.

Based on the 8 mile call out by Rob, I ran 5:55 average for the first 8 and 6:13 for the last 5.1. The goal was 1:18 with a 1:20 worst case. This was my fourth half and my previous PR was 1:28:08 officially, though that was the Haunted Half and the timing was off - it was about 1:27:30 on my watch. So an 8+ minute PR!

I am happy with the result but as usual, it leaves me wanting more. I have progressed faster than I anticipated and I am feeling confident that I will exceed my goals for Ogden.

I ran a bit of a cool down with my wife in the grass near her parents farm.