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Easy miles in Bear Lake from cabin up Hodge's canyon in back. 7:26 average 44:51 total. A few accelerations. I have some psoas pain on both sides.

Race tomorrow!

Not as much fun as I had hoped. I found out Saturday they were giving out some Altras and thought that might attract some runners. I was right when I got my packet and saw Walter signing up. The next morning Steve was there as well. The course is technically 1100 feet up but that's really a net elevation climb. It is a series of steep rollers for 9.5 of the miles starting at about mile 1.5. Garmin has it at 2,017 and my eyeballing of the hills puts it at least 1700 ft up. It was a very tough course.

I also didn't have a strong effort in me. I don't really want to list excuses but foremost would be a lack of competitive fire. I don't mean to take anything away from Walter or Steve. They are both still faster than me and had run a half on Saturday/long run on Sunday respectively. I am not disappointed in my time or place, but my effort. Steve pointed out the altitute and that's the first time I think I've ever felt it and knew that what I was feeling was the altitude. I couldn't seem to get a satisfying breath - like there wasn't enough oxygen to breathe! Highest point was 6,917.

It was a nice overcast morning but it was a bit humid which made it feel warmer in my warm up. When we started, my watch was locked so I had to wait a bit for it to unlock and missed perhaps the first .05. Even with that, my Garmin measured it at 13.23 total in 1:34:10. Stayed within contact of the leaders for most of the time, but fell back when they started busting out sub 5s on the steep downhill. Not sure what the official time is yet. I am counting the three GAP miles sub 6:20 as marathon pace effort. I was going to use my HR strap but simply forgot. Hopefully this week will be better than the last.

This tells the story best: http://www.strava.com/activities/79611816

Didn't feel like running today. Did a 30 minute recovery run after a 5 minute bike and lunge/leg swing warm up. Felt a little sore but more just tired. So perhaps the run yesterday wasn't all bad. It must have been a great work out.

I may run 30 minutes more this evening but that usually doesn't happen.

No run today :)

AM

Up at 5. Run at 5:15. Easy up memory grove and city creek. Turned around and did 1.5 in 7:45 or 5:10 average with 330 feet down. Did a few more murphys, tripped on N Temple and main, then did a 400 in 69 seconds on the west high track during mile 9. 9.38 in 70 minutes total with 800 feet up.

Legs were feeling fresh after a day off yesterday. Hopefully I can get out of this mini rut.

Lunch

Wasatch out and back. 7.02 in 50:11 minutes with 500 + ft of climb. A bit warm in the low to mid 80s.

Left from work at about 10:30 am. Went up Emigration since that's the coolest on a warm morning. Still warm in the mid 70s to low 80s. Maintained a 6:59 pace until the turn around at mile 5.5 with 700 ft up. Then turned into a headwind and back down. 6:40 pace through mile 10 (1:06:38) then 7:53 for the final mile back up to work (1:14:31 total or 6:46 avg). Total of 900 ft up. Felt strong today.

Planning a long run tomorrow at 6ish then the Alta Peruvian death dash!

AM

Sluggish run this morning. I had about a two hour window and didn't take advantage. I ran too hard the last two days perhaps. Loop from home to liberty and sugarhouse and back.1:59:53 with 700 ft up. I am still hopeful I can race well this afternoon. I have run in these Kinvara 4s 9 times and I've had 8 subpar runs in them. I am starting to wonder if it's the shoes.

PM

My first downhill dash. This is by far the best racing event in the state that I have experienced. The competition is great and the experience of PRing with each mile while having my shoes catch fire will be unforgettable. I have about a 2 inch blister on the outside of my foot because of the seem on my left shoe. The other interesting thing about this race is that most run/race in the morning and then do it again just letting the dowhill make up for any shortcomings.

The race itself. Starts just above the lodge as the road crests to a steep grade. I began running and my body immediately protested the pace. I was running with Rob, Kevin and James for the first bit and I was unsure whether I should continue the pace. By mile 1, the blister was already formed and my foot was on fire. At some point in mile 2, James passed me and I followed him through mile 3. I then passed him and chased Walter who was not flying down the hill like I would have guessed. I almost got him but ran out of road - I later learned he was dealing with some sort of upper body distress and each step was hurting him pretty bad. Splits were 4:53, 4:57, 5:03, 4:58 and 4:41 for the last near mile. I think - don't have my Garmin now. My feet were on fire, but otherwise it wasn't painful. Afterward, there was a great awards ceremony, dinner and hot tub. The goal was sub 5 every mile so disappointed by mile 3. Very fun evening and nice to officially meet a few more bloggers.