Run fast

Happy Easter! Ran from the gym up to the Legacy Bridge where I met up with Andrea, Allie, Jake and James. I ran 8.5 miles of the SLC Half course then went back to the gym and they continued on. I figured that I didn't need to remind myself of the State St. death march and hill two weeks before the race.

Cross training day. A couple of hard miles on the elliptical at the end. Feeling good.

Perfect morning for running.  Ran around Millcreek and Sugar House.

PM: 1 mile on stairmaster then lots of hip abductor reps. 

Early morning easy run with JAJA and the new addition, ACorn.  This made the group an even 6 and for once I wasn't the 5th wheel.  I won't say anything else about that.  Finished up the run with 1 mile on the treadmill at the gym then some hip exercises.

Ran around Millcreek and managed to get in 1 mile on the track at the Highland.  Weaving through and avoiding the student drivers was the most exciting part of the run.  Averaged around 6:35 for the run with two 5:20ish miles.

PM: 1 mile cross training then hip exercises. 

At the grocery store a women asked me if any good marathons were coming up because she noticed that I was wearing a running shirt.  I told her that the SLC Marathon was a week from Saturday.  A guy next to us heard my response and said, "So are they ruining the traffic again?"  To that I said, "Once a year" and left it that.  Funny how people get all bent out of shape when, for a few hours on ONE Saturday morning a year, they might get delayed for a few minutes on their way to the grocery stodre, hair dresser, home depot, gym, shopping mall, McDonalds or wherever else they might be going.

Cross training day and 1 fast mile on the treadmill to prep for the big 5k marathon tune up tomorrow. The hip is feeling much stronger but I still think these cross training days are helping it get back in shape.

I ran the Running for Relief 5k this morning.  It's a well organized and attended local race hosted by the Christ United Methodist that starts at the church (33rd S., 2375 E.) and then loops around the neighborhoods to the east.  Allie, James and James' friend also raced.

I jogged to the start from my house which was 2 miles then did another mile before the race started.  The race started promptly at 9 and the first half mile went straight up the street until it turned north on 27th east.  It went north of a block or two, turned left then another left then loop back up to 27th. From there it went north to 27th south, east on 27th for a few blocks, left on about 24th east then winded through the neighborhood to the finish.  Possibly because I haven't been doing many fast workouts this felt like one of the more difficult 5k courses I have ever run.  The first stretch up the straight up the street really gets your attention and then there are several other 1/4 mile climbs mixed throughout. Splits were 5:25, 5:30, 5:30.  Definitely not fast at least I shocked the system enough that the marathon effort next week should feel like a breeze. :)

I cooled down for a few miles after the race with the 5th place finisher then hoarded some frozen burritos with a grab bag.  Reser's is a sponsor and apparently they give out frozen burritos every year.  Plus they were handing out free car air fresheners.  Now I won't need to worry about leaving my gym clothes in the trunk.  I ended up winning a few tickets to the Hale Center Theatre, a night at the University Guest House and a hand crafted coffee cup.  Pretty nice.  They also did a raffle for a St. George Marathon entry and almost everyone won door prizes.  The organizers did a great job.