Giddyup

Got July off to a good start.  Took it easy this morning, up to T's, Eagle & back home.

After basically taking off last week I kind of had a hard time getting myself back into it.  Went out tonight once it cooled down a little.  Tried out a new route involving 2 local HS's and their tracks - I think it could be a good way to have a route that I can adjust the mileage fairly easily.  I liked the loop too, it was just the right amount of challenge.  Felt good, but didn't concern myself with going too fast.  Just wanted to get in some miles.

Early run - woke up well for only getting about 5 hours sleep and having run 10 8 hours earlier.  Again, took it easy on the speed - I'll try out the high gear soon enough.  Want to have a couple easy runs before going for 5k pace.

Got out this evening too - started out a little warm but again, I just took an easy pace and also took on some hills.  Beautiful run tonight, got up to the temple just around sundown and from there hit the shoreline trail - great views.

Short this am - shoreline run out to the north.  Me, D, T & E.

Weak run this am - out to little willow bridge & back.

I think this is only the 2nd official 5k I've ever raced.  It was really fun - was kind of nice to push the high gear after a couple weeks of just taking it easy.

Ran 2.08 miles to the start really easy, was a perfect warmup.  Got my number pinned, met a couple friends, streched & the gun fired.  Isn't there something about an actual gun firing to start a race that makes you take off like someone is actually shooting at you?!  Got off to a good start - hit 1 mile @ 6 flat just turning onto 132nd S which is my favorite section of my 5 mile Fort Rockwell loop - just a super gradual down slope.  Turned onto Fort 1/2 mile later which is the parade route.  There were a very few early birds on the parade route saving a spot.  Hit mile 2 @ 5:53 which really surprised me.  At this point I figured I had a real chance at coming in under 19 which was what I was hoping for.  Fort street slopes up just a little before the turn at Pioneer where it really turns up for a short distance then turns into the library - got passed by a couple sandbaggers & didn't have the juice to reel 'em back in.  Hit 3 miles @ 6:17 (I think).  And then it was over.  Definitely was pushing hard as my thighs were threatening cramping as I walked around.  Got some water then did another loop of the race course with Matt.  Got back to the park just in time for them to announce Matt won his AG - Congrats Matt!  I also got 2nd in mine (1st in my AG was 4th overall with a 15:xx plus 1 & 2 overall were my AG - guess I lucked out that they removed them from AG contention - I'll take it!).

 After the 2nd loop of the race course I ran home another 2 miles just in time to turn around & head back up for the parade.  What a great start to the day.  I'm going to have to do a few more 5k's - it really was pretty fun - the next inevitable goal will be to average sub 6's.  This does, however, officially kick off my 100 training so I probably won't be hitting the high gear to much more in the next 7 weeks.

Easy one this morning - not sure how far but I'm sure it was at least 4.

Up the Eagle climb this morning.

A new modification of the former bridge loop on the shoreline - pretty sure it was at least 4

Oh what a dreadful run - left at 12:20pm somewhat deliberately to run in the heat but also because I was just too tired for an early morning run.  Just ran out State to 90th, up to 13th & home.  Felt horrible after 7, got some ice water & a new gatorade that did me right, felt better after that.

Morning run on the old bridge loop - was really nice to do this loop again.  Have not been able to do it since the mudslide...is really a great loop.

 After work, snuck up to the Albion Basin and ran from the end of the pavement up to Katherine's pass and back down.  Got a little peek of what the last section/Saturday's run will look like.