Mark's Running Journal

We came home from Tahoe today.  We got an early start, so I didn't run this morning, and I had some Skyline kids over to do strength training after we got back.  So, by the time I was ready to run it was fairly late.  I did 3 miles on the treadmill at an 8:47 pace.

 The doctor's office called today and said he doesn't want me to wait until next month for my surgery, so I rescheduled it for Monday.  It is no big deal, laser surgery on a vocal cord, but I suspect they won't let me run for awhile.  I guess I'll find out on Monday.

This morning I took Thatcher to the Draper Days 5k.  I didn't race, but I got a run in before the race started, plus I added some more later in the day on the treadmill.  8:41 pace.  If I had realized I was so close to 30 miles for the week, I would have done a bit more.  I'm having my vocal cord surgery on Monday, so I don't know how much I'll be able to run next week.  

I had my surgery this afternoon.  I still feel a little woozy from the general, but other than that I feel amazingly well.  I feel like I have a sore throat, but that's about it.  Now the hard part begins....no speaking at all for one week, almost no speaking the following week.  Oh, and no running for a week.

The doctor told me no running for a week, so I figured this is close enough.  I did it at a 10 minute pace on the treadmill to avoid the post run throat clearing, etc.  Still no talking, though!

OK, went to the doctor yesterday afternoon and was cleared to start talking!  It has been a difficult 8 days, with no speaking whatsoever, but it is over.  I am supposed to limit my speech to 25% of my normal amount as I continue the healing process, but that should be no problem. 

I got back outside this morning.  I'm still going to take it easy with the running for a while, because when I run hard I end up clearing my throat a lot, and sometimes coughing, all of which is really bad for the vocal cords.  Ran 5.28 miles on Wasatch Blvd at a 9:01 pace.

Ran on the treadmill this morning, 8:50 pace.

Staying up to watch the Olympics has really taken a toll this week, so I slept in until 8 a.m.  That is really late for me.  I headed out at about 8:45, and it was a beautiful day for a run!  Nice and cool, especially running in the shadow of Mt. Olympus.  7.17 miles on Wasatch Blvd, out and back.  8:39 pace.

4 miles on the treadmill, 10 minute pace.

4 miles on the treadmill, 10 min pace.

This week has been a disaster.  Between going to education week at BYU, trying to fit in some time at the office, and trying to watch the Olympics, my running took a real hit.  Time to get back in the saddle!  Today I ran some while Thatcher and Duressa ran a 5k, and added some more after we got home. 8:39 average pace.

Time to adjust to a new schedule and routine.  Taylor started school today, and the twins head to BYU on Wednesday.  We are going to try to do family scripture study right before Taylor leaves for school.  I figure it might work since there will now only be the 3 us.  That way (as opposed to 5:50 or whenever we did it last year) I'll be able to get my run in first.  I will need to be at Skyline at 7:30 for XC strength training every other day.  I'm going to have to get up really early on those days.  Today I did 5.05 miles on Wasatch Blvd

Last night was a disaster, woke up and couldn't get back to sleep for 2 hours or more.  So, I slept in and didn't run until tonight.  Got 3.22 miles in before dark.  8:39 pace.

Got up this morning and went to my first Skyline strength session at school.  Came home and we took the twins down to BYU (sniff).  When I got back I had to mow the lawn at the duplex and do some other stuff, so I did 3 miles on the treadmill.  8:58 pace.

Ran to Wander Lane, not quite to the end, and back with A'Lissa.  5.03 miles, 8:00 pace.  We didn't really set out to run any "fast miles", but this run was sort of right on the line between fast and slow, so I counted it half and half (the effort on the way back seemed a little greater, after all).

A'Lissa and Taylor ran the Salt Lake Half Marathon this morning and Gamechu and I paced them on the final 4 miles or so.  We dropped the girls off at Mountain Dell, drove to the finish, and then jogged up just past Ruth's Diner.  We went really slow so I would have plenty left on the way down.  I met A'Lissa there and paced her down to the finish, and Gamechu did likewise with Taylor.  I helped A'Lissa really push it and she managed to pass a few women.  We were sub-7:00 minute pace the whole way, probably close to a 6:45 pace.

A'Lissa and Taylor both won their age divisions, A'Lissa in 1:37 and Taylor in 1:49.  I ran 7.33 miles, 8:34 pace.