Catch me if you can

I couldn't get myself  out of bed this morning to run with the group.  I ran my usual 10 mile route by myself.  I felt great.   Average pace 8:53.  I wasn't tired or sore from the 20 miler Saturday.  I can't decide how much of a taper I should do for Hobblecreek.  I really want to do well there.     

Met the group at Parkway Palisades.  We ran a 2.6 mile warm up.  Then we made our way over to start the hill repeats that we all love.  We ran 4 hill repeats with a recovery after each.  Then we ran some short hill sprints.  I was trying really hard to concentrate on my downhill running.  I didn't seem to be as far behind Michelle as usual.  So maybe there is hope.  Average pace after the warm up was 8:34 including recovery.   

Today was just not my day for running.  I felt stiff the entire run.  I think that all the hills I've ran since Saturday have wore me out a bit.  I'm taking it easy the next few days.  Average pace 9:34.

I ran with Angela and Michelle down on the trail.  It was a nice conversational pace of 8:38.  I'm starting to get excited for the race Saturday. 

I got up at 3:55 this morning.  I drove down to race with Michelle N., Cheris, and Michelle M.  Michelle and I lined up next to Jody at the start.  We thought we were in a good position until everone on the last buses lined up right in front of us.  The first mile was horrible.  We could barely move and waisted lots of energy trying to get around slow runners.    My garmin lost it's signal, so I'm not sure on my mile splits.   The ones I remember were:

The first 5k about 22:40

10k in 44: something

10 miles in 1:11

I took gu at miles 3 and 10.  I only had water at the aid stations.

My actual finish time from my watch was 1:34:56.  Exactly 4 minutes faster than last year.  Thanks Michelle for being there with me those last 3 miles.  We did it.  I am so excited.  Sasha's prediction chart was right on from my Deseret News 10k time.  That gives me some confidence for St. George. 

Great job to all of you that ran today.  Everyone we talked to did great.