The Perils of Self Betterment

March 28, 2024

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Location:

UT,

Member Since:

Jan 17, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

yearly mileage totals (actual running miles, not crosstraining etc)

2008 - 1,317

2009 - 2,654

2010 - 2,578

2011 - 2,618

2012 - 3,083 (ran everyday this year. PR's in half and full marathons, at age 48!)

2013 - 1,177

2014 - 1,716

2015 - 1,060

2016 - 951

2017 - 786

2018 - 1,058

2019 - 1,211

2020 - 1010

2021 - 1064.9

2022 - 1135.9

Short-Term Running Goals:

reacquaint myself with my long lost running freak, and then proceed to get my running freak on

run faster

increase mileage in the Spring 

keep running

 

 

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

run

 

Personal:

born in 1964. married 25 years. one wife one dog

6 ft tall, nation wide

"Engaging in a little suffering — however self-imposed, arbitrary and contrived — before breakfast each morning tends to demand some humility and injects some marked relief into the rest of the day, making things sharper, more inspired, more immediately aware of the powerful presence of being. And that seems really worthwhile." A. Krupicka

 

"I cruised down hills, churned up hills, and floated over the asphalt, existing in a world that seemed to lack the confinements of such ubiquitous rivets as time, obligation, or pain. I knew then that this was destined to be one of those serendipitous runs for which so many of 
us strive yet so rarely achieve." J. Nevels

 

 

 

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Switchbacksblack Lifetime Miles: 176.50
Kinvara11(2) Lifetime Miles: 362.50
Kinvara11blue Lifetime Miles: 327.70
Rincon2 Lifetime Miles: 262.40
Spg 4’s Lifetime Miles: 135.50
Skechers Razor3 Lifetime Miles: 160.90
Rincon2(2) Lifetime Miles: 85.50
Asics Noosa14 Lifetime Miles: 73.00
Sauconyaxon2 Lifetime Miles: 73.80
Mach 4 Lifetime Miles: 34.50
Total Distance
10.00

10miles. 11:32 avg. Fastest mile 10:09, slowest mile 14:35.  Started at the East Kaysville wilderness park, I think the Wasatch 100 starts somewhere around here, and headed North along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Ran out 5 miles and came back with a 2:17 negative split. Awesome run! Partly cloudy skies, 85 degrees, but a pretty strong South wind kept me feeling cool. I remember running this last Summer and being all excited about it then, though I ran it a bit slower last time. Garmin shows 2500 of elevation change over the course. There were a lot of climbs. I started off just ahead of 3 mountain bikers and we leap frogged most of the way out as they passed me on the flats and downhills, then I would pass them on the uphills. I was about a quarter mile ahead of them when I turned around to head back. They must have gone out about the same distance as me because after I had come back about a half mile they passed me for the last time. I saw them when I finished, they were loaded up and just pulling out of the parking lot. What a beautiful run. The BST is mostly single track and runs along the hillside parallel to the mountains on the East side of the valley, running north and south. It dips into the various canyons, where the vegetation and trees grow thicker, providing shade and technical challenge and then climbs back out providing big views of the valley and across to the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island. Lots of wildflowers in bloom right now. At one point I was acutely aware of how fortunate I am to be healthy enough to see this place as only a runner gets to see it. The highest elevation was just under 5900 feet. About 3.7 miles into the run there is a big parking lot/bathroom/water fountain. Well placed. I passed it on the way out but stopped to refill my water bottle on the way back with 3.7 miles left to run. I felt good most of the way out. Coming back I started to notice how leaden my legs were whenever I hit a hill or even flat section. At around 8.5 miles I walked for the first time up a steep section of trail. Most of the other climbs were of the "I could probably walk this faster than I'm "running" it" variety. From what I understand, it's common for ultra runners to walk the hills in a race. Still after today's paltry 10 miles, I really wonder at folks ability to run 10 times that in a 100 mile mountain race, and how I'll ever get my body to do it.

GSS 3 (2) Miles: 10.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Carolyn in Colorado on Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 19:51:57 from 198.241.217.15

That sounds like a beautiful run. All this talk of trail running on people's blogs lately makes me think I ought to venture out onto the more remote challenging trails around here. The thing that stops me is that I'm afraid of getting lost.

From KP on Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 19:53:54 from 198.200.158.140

sounds like an awesome run!

carolyn, just go for it! if your trails are anything like ours, they should be pretty well marked. look for blazes on the trees. or even find a 5k/10k trail race to try out this summer. i bet you'd love it!

From april27 on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 08:33:43 from 99.188.251.180

I wish I had trails near my house! there needs to be a Jealous button!

From Lysa on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 10:37:31 from 174.52.15.101

That is sooo cool!! Good Job JD! What a fun adventurous run! I loved reading about it. You are such a good writer that whenever you explain with that much detail, I feel like I'm there! Love it.

From Snoqualmie on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 10:57:03 from 24.18.192.33

Re: last sentence - are you planning to run a 100???

I liked the entry too. Lots of good detail, and I appreciate the value you place on being able to see sights as a runner.

From Nevels on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 12:53:40 from 131.204.15.93

I'm with Sno... is your last sentence indicative of some as of yet unpublicized aspiration?

Good description of the trail and the run; the Wasatch 100 is definitely on my to-do list.

And regarding hills, depending on the runner and the hill, walking up can be a great way to take a break from the running exertion (i.e. bring the heart rate down and use some different muscles to conserve for the long hours ahead)...

...and hills can also be great opportunities to pass those walking up them...

From JD on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 16:52:31 from 70.96.78.157

Thanks -

I don't see how I'll be able to avoid running an ultra someday. The idea has been trolling around in my brain for awhile. Add to that the propensity for guys my age to make choices that don't always coincide with reality, also add the access to the blogs of talented ultra runners here on FRB such as Crockett, Nevels and Jon, and the inspiration they provide. Also, I've been following the mad antics of one Anton Krupicka for awhile (reading about his training makes one re-think the boundaries of human foot travel), and well, I have no choice but to give it a try. Wasatch 100 is a natural choice for me because it takes place in my back yard. I paced Chad a few years back through a short section of the course. So, if my body holds up well through some test runs during the next few months, I may register for the 2011 run, which takes place in the Fall. We'll see.

From Lysa on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 17:00:18 from 174.52.15.101

poetic and wise

From Nevels on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 17:01:38 from 131.204.15.93

Excellent. I tend to follow Anton's blog as well, and it is rather interesting to see the extremes to which he'll go for his running/training.

Pacing is a great way to get acquainted with the ultra world. If I had any suggestions for getting into it, I would say that perhaps you might want to try a 50 miler before you hop into the Wasatch 100 (amongst 100's it's one of the tough ones), but then, once you've gotten a feel for the whole ultra scene, by all means, go for it.

You'll appreciate the incredible sense of camaraderie and more laid back approach that most ultrarunners seem to take to their running (which I'm sure you noticed pacing Chad).

you know you want to.... come on over to the dark side...

From auntieem on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 17:05:21 from 24.18.77.246

Sounds like a new run for you, and a beautiful one! I have no doubt that you could do a 100 miler, but why not start with a 50, or even a 50k? I am going to sign up for the 50K here again next year. The training for it is just so much fun!

From Lysa on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 17:48:09 from 174.52.15.101

spazzes. all of you.

From JD on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 17:48:23 from 70.96.78.157

The 2011 Wasatch 100 is something like 15 months away. I'll be taking baby steps. Hopefully I'll be fit enough next Spring to run Jim's Buffalo run at Antelope Island (I think a 50 miler is amongst the offerings). This Summer, as I mull things over, I'll be dipping my toe in on some heretofore un-run distances. If I can manage a thirty mile trail run (or run/walk as the case should be) this Summer without wanting to slice off my ear, then I'll try another long run, then another...and so on, and so on. This is a long term plan. Who knows, my body might refuse to go beyond the marathon distance; there's only one way to find out. I'm not intending to jump into a hundred miler next week.

Nevels, I can't even get my mind to consider the hours and distance. Is it required that I comprehend the task before attempting it?

From Nevels on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 17:54:12 from 131.204.15.93

absolutely not.

actually, it's probably better to not comprehend the task at hand. all you really need to know at any given time is the name of your imaginary friend that you're hallucinating...

From JD on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 17:55:15 from 70.96.78.157

Oh boy...it's getting dark in here...:-)

From Lysa on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 19:14:33 from 174.52.15.101

dont worry JD I will jump out of the bushes at the opportune moment and talk you through those hallucinations.

From Lysa on Thu, Jun 17, 2010 at 13:26:36 from 174.52.15.101

Everyone, Stacie and I need advice. Go to her page and help us out please..

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