El Burro Blanco

3 miles in the morning over to Hidden Valley and back.

6 miles over along River Rd. and back with the team.  Great weather this afternoon.

6 miles this morning over to Santa Clara and back.  

No run this afternoon due to driving to California with the kids for the Footlocker race.

6 miles from our hotel in Diamond Bar up along the road just exploring California.  Lots of Asian restaurants and markets.  It was fun seeing the school crossing guard in winter apparel when the weather was 45 degrees.  He said he was freezing.  I had to chuckle when I heard that.

3.10 miles on the Footlocker course at Mt. SAC.  It is a lot more gnarly then I remember.  The kids learned what a real cross country course looks like.

We then spent the rest of the day at Santa Monica Beach.  It was fun seeing the filming of an online dating service commercial.  Nothing like the life of show business.

Ran the Footlocker race this morning in the supporter/coach division.  I wasn't planning on anything spectacular.  I ended up running a 4:58 first mile and then I proceeded to hit all the hills which slowed me down.  Sort of happy with the finish.  A fair amount of fast people in the race.  2nd cross country race ever.

I was happy to see the kids race well.  Many of them were happy about the race but a little disappointed as well because of times.  It was a great experience and they will all do better next year.  Lots of fun though.

Now it is time for me to really grit down and focus on my training for Ogden.  Here we go.

3 miles in the morning over to Hidden Valley and back.  Nice run to start the week off.

Ran another 6 miles this afternoon with some of the boys.  We looped around the St. George Golf Club.  Absolutely perfect weather this afternoon.

I did yoga again tonight with Katey.  Another solid 20 minutes.  I know this will help me loosen up more and really help my running.

6 miles in the morning.  3 over to The Spectrum and back and and then 3 more over to Hidden Valley.

Nice 8 mile run with my boys this afternoon.  We started at the high school and went out towards George Washington.  Nice weather and happy to feel good.  We averaged 7:26/mile overall.

3 miles in the morning down along the golf course.

5 mile loop around the St. George Golf Club with the kids and then weights at the high school after wards.  Did arms today.

3 miles in the morning over to Hidden Valley.

14.50 miles in the afternoon.  Ran the same loop as yesterday and then met up with the guys at the club run tonight.  We started at the DC and then looped our way over into Bloomington and back.  It was a good run, good conversation, and a little cooler temps.  Little more mileage than I wanted but it allows me to do a little easier day tomorrow.

3 miles in the morning over to The Spectrum with some of the kids.

4 miles in the afternoon with some of the kids again.  We went down by the duck pond and just enjoyed each other's company.  Great day for a run.

On a side note I made it all the way to the championship match of the ping pong tournament.  I ended up losing by 5 points but I was happy.  The kid had his own paddle with its own carrying case.  I guess I am not that into it.  It goes to show you that you don't need the nicest equipment to be competitive. 

Met up with Dave, Clyde, Aaron and Steve this morning.  We decided to run the new half marathon course.  It starts at Fossil Ridge and then meets up on the DC trail for a big loop.  It was a little chilly at the start but warmed up once the sun came out.  We kept the pace nice and steady and then slowly picked it up naturally for the last 5-6 miles.  I pushed with Aaron to hit some sub-5:30 miles at the end.  We averaged 6:31/mile overall.  It was a good run.  Great way to end the week.

I like the new course.  It is not easy but is pretty honest.  Looking forward to doing it in just over a month.

3 miles in the morning over to Hidden Valley and back.  A little warmer temps this morning.

7 miles in the afternoon.  I ran with the kids over towards Little Valley and back.  It was nice and relaxing.  65 degrees today which made the run enjoyable.  I finished with one mile on the treadmill at 6:00 pace and then lifted upper body with the weights.  It was a good start to the week.

3 miles in the morning over to Hidden Valley Park and back.

8.40 miles this afternoon with some of the boys.  We looped around Webb Hill and then went over into St. James down to 2450 and then looped around on to Tamarisk.  The pace was honest and we averaged 7:14/mile.  Nothing fancy but we got the job done.

6 miles in the morning.  Hidden Valley and back and then extended to The Spectrum and back.  Warm temps this morning.

5.5 miles this afternoon.  4.5 miles with the kids and then we hit the weight room for a leg and core workout.  I wanted to do a progressive mile on the treadmill.  I started at 6:00 min. pace and then worked my way down to 5:00 min. pace.  The kids said I was gliding on the treadmill.  That is always fun to hear.

 3 miles to Hidden Valley and back this morning.  Got a little wet but kind of refreshing to run in the rain.

12.35 miles this afternoon.  I did 5.25 miles with the kids around Webb Hill.  A little chilly but no rain.  Met up with Clyde at club and it started to rain.  We ran up to the corner twice and then did the 5 mile loop from the Dixie Center.  Slightly chilly but enjoyable.  7:05/mile overall.  A little water logged tonight :)

3 miles in the morning and 3 miles in the afternoon.  The rain was pretty cold today.  One more run in the morning and then I am up in the frozen tundra (Logan, UT) for a week.  I need to meet up with Paul to keep me sane.

Met up with Steve, Clyde, Dave, Aaron and Tyler S. this morning.  It was early but it was nice to get the run in.  We did a 3 mile warm up and then did 7.75 miles at tempo pace and then a 4.7 mile cool down.  After the warm up, I dropped my gloves, hat, and jacket.  It was a little humid.  I thought the tempo was only going to be 5 miles but it ended up being a little longer.

I took off with Aaron and stayed together for 3 miles until he stopped to use the bathroom.  I kept after it and finished the tempo right under 5:30/mile for just under 8 miles.  It was in a little rain which made me really happy since I was able to push through it.  This was a good workout and glad that I felt good.  

Great end to the week and hurried over to April for a massage.  It hurt so bad!  Now I am in Logan after a long drive.  I will be in Logan for all of next week so hopefully I can get some runs in with Paul and survive the frozen tundra. 

Slept in a little today and then hit the roads in snowy Logan.  It has been raining non stop for the last two days but it turned into snow last night.  The new snow made it icy and a slick to run the roads.  I went from the in-laws up along 1600 East and then made it almost to Paul's house.  The temps were not bad but the people spraying me with slush made the run enjoyable.  I could see across the valley which was really pretty.  I averaged just around 7:10/mile.  Not bad considering I haven't run in snow for a long time.

Now to enjoy the rest of the day with Katey while celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary.  Yikes!  I am getting old.

I ran at noon today and it was a nice 33 degrees. It is kind of ironic with the weather being good in Logan and it being really bad in St. George.  My thoughts and prayers are with those who are in need at this time.  I haven't heard anything about our house being in trouble but we need to talk with family to have them check on things.

I ran from the in-laws down by First Dam and then into River Heights.  I came back and went down by the university which made the run turn into a nice loop.  Once again I was overdressed.  I averaged 6:26/mile.  It was a perfect day for a run.

Ran with the great Paul Petersen this afternoon.  I warmed up from the in-laws to Paul's work.  We did his North Logan loop in which I did about 8.25 miles with Paul and then looped back around to my in-laws.  I averaged 6:45/mile which included the warm up.  It is nice to run with Paul again.  He really puts things in perspective and the conversation is always great.  I think we are going to plan something fun for Friday.

Same run as Monday except it was extremely foggy this morning.  Pretty warm but weird not being able to see to far ahead.  6:45/mile.  Nice to get another solid run in.

Met up with Paul again today.  We drove to the start of the TOU half and then ran up 5 miles and then came back down for a total of 10.  Nice little headwind on the way up and then enjoyed it on the way down.  6:07/mile.  Paul said it best about Blacksmith Fork Canyon.  There is something magical about running in this canyon.  Beautiful scenery and worth the drive over there due to the sunny skies.

I decided to start a new tradition this year since Norah is almost a year old and I will be doing fatherly duties on Christmas morning and need to spend more time with the family.  I went out at midnight on Christmas morning and did 3 loops around my in-laws house.  This included going through the university.  My family looked at me as they were all going to bed and I put on my running clothes.  They all told me I was crazy!  I guess I am a little bit.  It was 30 degrees and nice and quiet.  Nobody was on the street which made the run perfect.  I encountered 3 deer which scared me quite a bit but it kept me on my toes.  Other than that I didn't see much else.  I ended up with 11 total miles with a 6:40/mile average.

I was thinking about other crazy running experiences I have had in the past while I was running at 1am.  Top of the list next to this was running 16 miles on a treadmill the morning of my wedding.  I was so nervous the day of my wedding so I decided to get a long run in.  I don't even know if Katey knows that. 

I was glad for a solid run and now I can spend the rest of the day with the family without any interruptions.  I am planning my midnight run for next year if anyone would like to join.  I think it would be fun to have a big group of people running at a crazy time of night.   The location will need to be somewhere in Logan since I spend Christmas at my in-laws.  See you all there next year!

Same run as last Monday up towards Paul's house.  Lots of snow and the roads were really icy so I didn't wear a watch but just enjoyed the run.  Really nice scenery looking at all of the snow.

Last run in Logan as we head back home today.  I ran from the in-laws and did a loop down by 1st Dam and then through downtown Logan and then up towards North Logan and back to the in-laws.  Cooler temps but the sun was out which was nice.  I did an 8 mile mini tempo at 5:47/mile and then cooled down for 2.5 miles.  Great day for a run.  

I have lucked out this last week and a half running in Logan.  I have run with Paul twice and the weather has been great.  I couldn't ask for anything better.  Now back to the real world and not doing the vacation thing anymore.  Dang!!!

Brisk run in the rain this afternoon.  I went from the house over into Santa Clara.  I felt like a school boy running in the puddles and getting splashed.  

Yoga for 20 minutes in the evening.

Club run tonight at the DC but it was only me.  I was a little bummed to not see anyone else there but that is the way the cookie crumbles.  I ran down the trail and then came back out towards Bloomington Hills.  I couldn't believe how much water was in the Virgin River.  The flood came all the way up on to the trail where we do our mile repeats.  The trail is breaking up and has tons of mud on it.  That is crazy.

I wore the balaclava due to the wind and cold.  I was freezing.  I ran 10 miles at 5:57/mile.  Very pleased with the run and am looking forward to a long run in the morning with Clyde.  It should be fun.

On a side note, I saw a guy mowing his lawn this evening.  I guess I am not in Kansas anymore, Toto!!

Met up with Clyde this morning for a 20 miler in balmy 16 degree weather.  I wore the balaclava again and was glad that I did it.  We did two 10 mile loops around Clyde's house.  Nothing crazy today but we did end up beating the 7 minute guy.  Nice to have a solid 20 miler in.  

My balaclava and moustache were frozen when we finished the run.  I guess that means it was cold.