Rob's Running Blog

5 during lunch in North Logan.  7:30/mile AP.

5 slow miles in the evening.  Stomach not feeling well at all.  I was barely moving.

12 miles in the evening up and down Smithfield Canyon.  Stomach was feeling quite a bit better.  7:30/mile AP.

I enjoy Smithfield Canyon.  This 12 mile run has me doing about 1000 ft. uphill (including the golf course hill).  When your up to the top at the half way point, it feels like the workout is pretty much over--it is pretty much downhill from there.

6 miles in North Logan during lunch.  When I started, the front was moving in--windy for the first two miles.  Then it rained for the next two miles, and stopped for the final 2.  7:40/mile AP.

Went to my daugher's piano concert in the evening.  Was going to run 6 afterward, but it became very stormy--more wind and rain.  Decided to postpone it until tomorrow morning.

Woke up early, helped the kids with their newspaper route, and then went and ran 6 before work.  Nice slower run.

After work I was working on my truck, replacing the ignition cylinder.  I was under the stearing wheel, twisted, and somehow threw my back out--painfully walking like a question mark.  We'll see how it affects the 20 mile run I'm supposed to do tomorrow.

Tried to get up in the morning, but my back was very sore so I slept in until 9:00 and loaded up on IBUProfen.  Got up, did some chores to try to loosen my back up, which included pushing a lawn mower around for a while--big mistake.  I had the kids finish mowing.  My  back was and is sore.

In the afternoon, I got ready for the run.  When I started it really hurt.  I thought I may only make it about a half mile, and then walk home.  I started out slow, about 8:45 pace.  At  about a half mile, my back started loosening up, but still was sore and hurt, but felt ok to run.  I slowly sped up my pace to 7:45 / mile, but didn't dare go any faster.  I ran from Smithfield down to the road in-between Smithfield and Hyde Park, then turned and went up Smithfield Canyon.  I got to the campground at mile 10, stopped and drank a water bottle I placed, and ran back on the same route. I drank three water bottles I had placed.

While coming back, I passed a few hundred runners starting up Smithfield Canyon from MAC Park doing a 5K.  Surprized me--I didn't know they were having one.

I completed the 20, but this was the most painful run I've done.  I averaged about 7:55 / mile, and was happy about it because I don't think I did any more damage to the back.

Three weeks until a marathon.  I don't think I will do a full three week taper.  I will probably try a two week taper and see how it goes.  I'll take the next few days really easy and see how it goes.

Was glad to hear Conner had a great 1600 and 3200 today at the Davis Invitational.