running for my mind

8 - pretty routine at this point

Don't know what I will do exactly tomorrow. Thinking 16 for my laster long(er) run. Legs are starting to feel more fresh and less heavy. Don't know if I should push for some marathon pace miles tomorrow or not. Anyone have suggestions or thoughts on 2 weeks out from Ogden? 

15 from Liberty Park through downtown. 

Ran 13 with Daniel before he had to take off for a work meeting. Neither of us felt very good the entire run. Still managed to do a few mile progession at the end. Took a gel at mile 8 and gagged. Something was just off today. 

Went up to my folks in Summit County and hung out for the day. Hopped in the hot tub and massaged some sore spots on the legs. Need to find a way to live up there sometime before retirement age. 

6 easy on the parkway.

So far I have not gone water skiing, played with chainsaws, or taken up karate lessons. I will hold off the urge for another 13 days! #projectdontbustaribbeforeogden

6 out on the parkway with a few striders in the middle to catch back up to Jeff.

I am still succeeding at #projectdontbustaribbeforeogden!

Met Fritz at HHS and ran 2 outside Sugar House loops at marathon pace with a couple minute rest in between and then 4x1min on. The track was "closed" due to construction of a new football field so we ran up on 17th. 

This was my last workout before Ogden and I felt pretty good. My miles around Sugar House felt smooth and the effort was controlled on the downhill. Was nice to speed up the legs one last time. Now, time to rest and only easy running for me until I PR on the 16th.

6 easy without a watch.

Awesome morning temps after all that rain last night. I don't think I have seen it rain harder at my house then it did last night at about 8:30.

6 more easy miles without a watch.

Legs felt a little heavy for the first mile or so and by the end I was feeling better than I have in a long time. Another week and I will be itching to race.

The clouds over the mountains this morning were like nothing I have ever seen. I wish I had a camera with me. 

10 in and about Holladay (house hunting) and Murray with Daniel, Jen, and Emily.

Picked it up for 2 miles to marathon pace and felt good. 

I started at 6 and ended right after 7. Missed the rain. They continued on without me.

5.5 easy on the parkway. 

Race Week!

Avoiding any aches and pains. Toeing the line Saturday. Running a PR and sub 2:50. That's all for now.

5 

Started to notice a little head cold or something coming on last night. Pumping myself full of vitamin C and have a difuser running in my office this morning. This - 

Ain't nothin' gonna to break my stride
Nobody's gonna slow me down, oh-no
I got to keep on movin'
Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride
I'm running and I won't touch ground
Oh-no, I got to keep on movin'

3

it is likely going to rain on saturday. i have accepted that. i respect mother nature and i am not going to curse her. i say, "thanks for the rain to keep me cool as i run sub-2:50 in a few days!"

Mandatory rest day.

Spent about 40 minutes in a hot bath and stretched.

I got that "excited/scared" feeling. Like 98% excited, 2% scared. Or maybe it's more - It could be two - it could be 98% scared, 2% excited but that's what makes it so intense.

Well, it is hear. Race day tomorrow. Always an intense time. I am excited to race. It has been a while since I toed the starting line. I am a little nervous, but that is a given. 

My training cycle has been solid. I have put in the miles and done some solid workouts. I have consistenly run more miles each week this cycle than ever before. I averaged high 60's and low 70's. Easily a 10-15 mile increase compared to going in to St. George last year. My track workouts were less structured, but I clipped off some of my fastest intervals chasing Fritz, Noah, and Daniel. My mental game is also stronger. I have more confidence. Also, I don't have a broken rib!

The weather is not looking the best. It is likely going to rain. I am ok with that. I thrive on colder temperatures, so that is good for me. Predicted a 39 degree start. I hope there is no wind. As you all know, you can't push against a wind. I plan on running sub-2:50, but I need to realize if there is a headwind I will need to back off a bit and run a smart race. The training and time spent with friends is what has been great this year. I have grown as a runner and developed some great friendships. Thanks to Fritz, Daniel, Dan, Tyler, Jen, John, Josh, and others for keeping me motivated and pushing me.

Now, time to PR!

The race is the reward for everything done up to that moment. When you are prepared, racing is a celebration of life, fitness and the determination it takes to get to that point. Enjoy it! It will be great! - Josh E.

I ran the Ogden Marathon 2 years ago...in the rain. I ran it again this morning...IN. THE. RAIN!

I ran over 10 minutes slower than my goal, at one point was so cold I was scared, yet had the best marathon experience to date. It is going to take a few words to explain how the previous sentence makes sense. So, bear with me and read on if interested. 

My goal going in was sub-2:50. My training would dictate that it was possible (so would the first 16 miles of the marathon). My mental game was sharp going in. All around, I felt good. I had accepted the fact that we were likely going to get rained on. I just didn't want a headwind. I am not capable of holding pace against a wind. Thankfully, the forecast looked decent when I went to bed Friday. 

I woke up and ate my typical race-day breakfast of toast and peanut butter in the car on the drive north. I met Ben and I sipped my water and Gatorade and ate a banana on the bus up the canyon. We camped by a car in the field with Leslie and chatted for an hour and fifteen minutes. We were kind of rushed to the start. I saw and wished good luck to Fritz. Talked with Devra for a second and we were on our way.

I planned on taking it easy and just getting in a groove. I ran the first 3 miles with Devra who had a goal of sub-2:50 as well, but really wanted quicker than that. So, at about 3.5 I let her go ahead and stuck to my plan of 6:25s for miles 2-7. The temperature felt great to me. We started getting rain around 6 or so, I can't remember when it officially started, but it was coming down hard by 10 for sure. That is when I was in a little rut. I ran the first 9 miles without much change in the order of runners. Zac was about 50 meters ahead of me until I passed him on a slight climb just before 10. He looked so smooth. I was jealous of his form and how effortless it looked.

I was in that rut until about the half-way point. One of my friends was cheering at mile 11 and that boosted my spirits a little. Around 12, a kid in an orange jersey came up to me and we spent a mile together. He chatted a little and it took my mind off of things. When I hung the left after the half-way point, I was feeling good again and was ready to get through 14 and the one significant hill. 

I made it to the hill and slowed down up the climb. Still feeling good and happy to not be in a rut any more. This mile was set to be my slowest, but I was still on pace. I was pleased and was ready to start hammering down and getting into a little quicker turnover again. Some time between 14 and 15 my left leg started to feel heavy. It was right when I needed to drop the pace. [let me interject some background now on my left leg]

I have had a lingering pain in the back of my left leg. Likely one of the multiple pieces that make up what we refer to as the hamstring. In my typical weekly training, it did not bother me. Yet, every so often I would feel this light pain while sitting at work or driving in my car. I came to find out that it was aggravated when I would do speedwork. If I ever dropped down to 5:15-5:30 pace, it would flare up. It flared up on one particular workout at Sugar House Park and the only way I could describe it to Fritz and Noah that day was that it felt like my left leg wasn't firing. I felt like I was having to drag it along to keep up. The last couple weeks of training, I avoided my top speed so I wouldn't aggravate the left leg before the race. However, I had that same lingering pain while sitting. [now back to the race]

So, here I am at 15 feeling good and knowing I am still on pace for a 2:49:XX. My left leg starts to flare. I knew then that I had 2 choices. I could fight through it, push the pace, and risk a more serious injury of my hamstring. Or, I could back off the pace, run easy, and try to enjoy myself. I don't want to lose time with heavy PT and possibly not be ready for other races this years, especially the Wasatch 100 this fall. I didn't have to think for more than a few seconds. I was going to wear a smile on my face and have fun! I backed off to a comfortable pace and started smiling.

My friend from mile 11 was at the dam. He asked if I was still in a rut. I told him that my leg was hurt, but that I was having fun. He smiled and said that was all that mattered. I spent the rest of the race smiling at and thanking all of the volunteers. I gave high-fives and danced through aid stations. I had a blast. It was the most fun I have had at a marathon. I was passed by a few people and I told them good job and wished them luck. In the canyon, I started to pass some half marathoners. It was inspiring to see them. I cheered them on and they returned the sentiment. 

Around mile 19 I got really cold. For a few minutes, I was legitimately scared for how cold I was getting. My assumption is that the slower pace just didn't keep me as warm. I started feeling better a mile or so later, but was glad to finish and get in the warm tent.

So, I didn't get my goal of sub-2:50. I didn't race to my ability. But, I turned a bad situation into a good one and realized the power of one's attitude. Sure, I wish I was writing a report of a 2:49:XX or faster. That will come another day though. For now, I am happy with the race and my experience. I love running. I love the community and the support that is so abundant. We are all on the same journey and I am privileged to be a part of it. 

Huge thanks go to Whitney and my folks for hanging at the finish in the cold with my two daughters. I couldn't have gotten to the start line in the shape I am in without all of those I get to train with and get tips from. If I start to name them, I am sure to forgot more than one. You know who you are and I give you a sincere Thank you!

I will post my splits below for fun. I am grateful I am in the shape I am where I can back off and run easy and still finish at 3 hours. 

Mile   Goal   Actual
1        6:35    6:31
2        6:25    6:30
3        6:25    6:20
4        6:25    6:21
5        6:25    6:24
6        6:25    6:23
7        6:25    6:26
8        6:29    6:29
9        6:29    6:31
10      6:29    6:37
11      6:29    6:31
12      6:37    6:39
13      6:41    6:51
14      6:41    6:42
15      6:49    6:58
16      6:17    6:52
17      6:17    7:13
18      6:17    6:43
19      6:37    7:20
20      6:17    7:24
21      6:17    7:06
22      6:17    7:08
23      6:29    7:09
24      6:29    7:31
25      6:29    7:37
26      6:29    7:44

 

A photo posted by james e clissold (runmehappy) (@james_clissold) on May 16, 2015 at 4:00pm PDT

A photo posted by runmehappy (@runmehappy) on May 21, 2015 at 8:02am PDT

Easy and not breezy.

Headed out to the parkway for the first "run" since the marathon. Just wanted to loosen up a bit. 

Going to have quite a shift in my training now for a few different reasons. Slower pace and more trails. Time to rehab my leg and avoid a bigger injury.

10 - 8:20 avg. - 1,300 ft. - roughly 1:45 on feet with stops etc.

Davis Creek to Wolf Hollow and up to Canon Flats on the way back. 

A couple of my goals include more trail, more elevation gain, and more time on my feet. I am not too concerned about distance or pace right now.

Easy 8 with Jeff on the parkway. 

Hopefully I can get to the trails 2-3 times a week and use the parkway for some easy flat recovery runs. Felt pretty tired by the end of today. Ogden Marathon still lingers in my legs.

10.2 - 1,500 ft. - 1:45 on feet

We went up to my folks in Park City and I did 3 loops behind their house. Each loop is 3.4 miles and has 500 ft. of elevation gain.

If interested, I am planning a run on June 19th at this loop. We are starting at 8:00pm and some are planning on running 30+ miles. Should be fun. Let me know if you want more details. Or you can click on this link if you are on Facebook.

14.25 - 3,065 ft. - 3:15 on feet

Happy Memorial Day! 

Up Mueller Park to Rudy's flat and on toward Burro Peak. Had to turn around early so I could get home to work on my yard. Putting in a paver patio is a lot of work. Quit digging and moving dirt at 4 and then stood from 6-11 at a concert. One of the longest days awake and on my feet in a long time.

5.5 - 1,900 ft. - 1:40 on feet

Fernwood park to the cabin and back with a lot of meandering. Mostly a hike as about 1,800 feet were covered in less than 2 miles. 

10 - 3,000 ft. - 2:20 on feet

Met a group of 10 at the top of Hilltop road and essentially I street at 4:30 and ran the Wahsatch Steeplechase course to the top past the crags and back. 

Fun (early) morning. 

10 - 7 ft. - 1:20 on feet

Easy on the parkway with Jeff. My legs are beat up from yesterday and were slow moving this morning. Nice to just take it easy and enjoy the conversation and the weather.

5.75 - 1,744 ft - 1:38 on feet

Slept at our cabin in Mt. Aire Canyon and tried to get to the peak of Mt. Aire. Failed. Again. Ended up bushwhacking for too long and really didn't love that part. Will have to try another day.

Spent the rest of the day on my feet finishing my paver patio in the backyard. Mowed my lawn by the light of my headlamp and finished right at 9:59 PM. Long day!