run, run, run

I entered this race hoping to improve on my BQ time. If I could finish under 3:10 I could register on day one. I started out feeling good. I ran with Neil and we had a similar game plan -- run about a 7 mpm pace for the first half and then hold on to something below 7:30 to the end. The first part of the plan worked out really well. At the halfway mark we were a few seconds under a 7 minute pace.

The second half of this course is kind of difficult. It flattens out and has a few uphill stretches. I lost Neil at about mile 15 and started slowing down. By mile 20 when I saw my wife, I knew that 7:10 wasn't happening. So, I just kept running as fast as I could and kept telling myself that Neil is somewhere behind you and if you let him pass you, you'll never hear the end of it.

I finished with a time of 3:22:19. Not a PR, but my second best marathon and a good effort. My legs were in a lot of pain immediately after, but about 30 minutes later, it went away and I was ready to go home and watch the Cougars beat Ole Miss.

One thing that went really well is that I didn't have the gut ache that I experienced in my last few marathons. I made sure I sucked down the gels slowly. I think that's what was giving me the gut bombs -- dropping a whole gel in one shot.

Now I wait two weeks to try to get into the Boston Marathon and hope that it hasn't filled up by Wednesday morning.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:32

Easing back into it. I walked a few miles on Monday and Tuesday. Don't want to make the same mistake I made after Ogden.

Boise, ID 6:45 am

Pace: 7:21

Another short, not to hard run. Making sure I don't injure myself. I'll probably go 7 tomorrow.

Meridian, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:18

What a great time of year to run in the morning. Cool and comfortable.

Boise, ID 9:45 am

Pace: 7:39

I was up late watching the Eagle-Capitol football game, so I slept in. That might have been a mistake because I wasn't feeling very good during the run. The temp was up to 82 by the time I finished. Too hot.

Grand Junction, CO 6:30 am

Pace: 7:39

Slept very little last night. Feeling it this morning. I hate the first night in a new hotel room.

Grand Junction, CO

A nice 9-mile loop. Feeling much better this morning. Some good hill work. Spent yesterday watching faster people sign up for Boston. My turn comes tomorrow morning.

Grand Junction, CO 6:30 am

Pace: 7:40

I ran from the hotel up Monument Road for 3.5 miles then turned around and came back. Nice cool morning.

When I got back I registered for Boston. They said confirmation goes out Friday morning.

Grand Junction, CO 6pm

Pace: 7:39

I was lazy this morning and didn't run. So I went out after work. Luckily it was a nice cool evening. I parked at the Albertson's and ran up Monument Road and then turned on S. Camp Road and then back on Broadway. It was a pretty good run, but I felt really fatigued afterward. Tomorrow I fly home.

Boise, ID 7:45 am

Pace: 7:35

I didn't run yesterday. Travel day and too much to do when I got home. But I did get my Boston confirmation, so I'm in. Pretty excited for that.

It was a nice chilly morning. Wasn't feeling great on the run, but it was good to get it in.

Boise, ID 6:15 am

Pace: 7:27

First time running with Randy in a few weeks. Ran pretty strong this morning.

Dialing down the calories starting today. Going to get more consistent with lifting too.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:35

It's getting cooler in the mornings. I started working out with the weights and abs yesterday. Starting over always sucks.

Boise, ID 6:15 am

Pace: 7:32

Randy only went 5 miles this morning. His foot was sore. So I did 2 more.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:38

Not a bad morning run. Temps staying in the 50s these days. Wearing a long sleeved shirt and shorts. Not ready for the really cold weather yet.

Boise, ID 11:15 am

Pace: 7:30

I took my wife to a doctor's appointment so I didn't run in the morning. It was pretty warm by the time I got out. It's surprising how seldom I've run in the heat of the day this summer. Most of my runs are in the early morning.

Anyway, the run was ok, I felt kind of sluggish from the heat and from still having breakfast in my gut. Finished pretty strong though.

Boise, ID 8:30 am

Pace: 7:32

I slept in for a while this morning, but was still able to get a run in before it got hot. Cloverdale, Joplin, Mitchell, McMillian and home through the Heather Meadows. First 50-mile week in about a month. I have to keep reminding myself to get out there and enjoy it before it gets cold.

Boise, ID 6:15 am

Pace: 7:27

Felt really good this morning. Feeling fat and out of shape, but running well.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:50

Ran slower than usual today. It was a good progression though. Another nice cool morning. Great time of year to be out there.

Boise, ID 6:15 am

Pace: 7:37

Randy only wanted to go 5 again because of his sore foot. So I got my iPod and reversed the course. Ran faster during the first half. I've been working out more during the day and cutting calories this week. I think it's making me tired.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:53

Kind of slow this morning. I've been on a diet this week, so I think the calorie deficit is sapping my energy a bit. I think it will just take a week or so to get my body used to the new eating routine.

Boise, ID 6:15am

Pace: 7:55

Woke up really tired this morning. Didn't sleep well at all last night, so when Randy said he only wanted to run 5 (foot still sore), I was all over that.