April 30th

(nick) Met up with V at the park to take on an extended version of anthem. We dropped some water off at the 5 mile mark (ok it was 6) then headed off on the usual run. We started at 8:30 and the weather was still nice out. At the 6 mile mark we followed a path that led us into Seven Hills. It was pretty cool combining two run that I really enjoy. At the 9.5 mark V realized that she didn't have her key with her and we began to panic. We kinda jogged/walked the rest of the way back to the car to find it unlocked with her key in the back seat (thank god!). I had a ton of fun on this course! Definitely one of my favorites!
(Vanessa)- Nick summed up really well. This run was long and fun. Cut a mile short because of my panic from leaving my keys in the car. My feet were really not used to such a long run and the blisters that were healed, have resurfaced and are really painful tonight.

April 28th

(Nick) Woke up and decided that Anthem needed some attention. Met with V out there around 9. Yesterday really beat up both of us so we stuck to a slow pace and enjoyed the old course and put in 7 miles. This course always makes me happy.
(Vanessa)- Anthem was a great- as usual. The park we meet at is extremely busy with soccer games on the weekends. Once you get away from all of that though, it's one of the more peaceful routes and the view coming down Hampton makes me really happy. I wanted to compare this mornings run to the many runs here is a few older runs:

April 27th

(Nick) went out to six tunnels, I feel really out of shape, probably the worst since starting the training for these marathons. Its become too difficult to go even three miles without stopping now. Seems like everyday I get worse.

April 26th

Met at southern highlands. Was really annoyed at how hard this run was. Because this route has always been our easier run. But today my legs felt like weights. It's building up inside me. Each time I attempt my 5k record and don't make it, I feel worse than the last attempt. It sucks. Tomorrow we are running at my favorite course- six tunnels and I'm hoping it'll give me that little bit of confidence that's been slipping away.

April 22nd

(Vanessa) ran in seven hills. It was so hot even at 9am. Decided to run the loop. It's a little shy of 3 miles and pretty hilly so it was kinda hard to keep a good pace. The good thing is that there was some shade. The bad is that the trees and plants around us are all in bloom and my nose was on fire. I got a little taste of this yesterday so I brought tissues. Nick reminded me that this route was too short for us and I am thinking of ways to make it longer. The route I did yesterday didn't have the shade that we needed at 10 o'clock to make it a 10k I'm going to try to sleep earlier. And put an effort to run earlier because this 9 o'clock stuff isn't the greatest. Overall, the run started out kinda slow because of being hot/tired/hungry but it ended up being a pretty good run.

(Nick) Vanessa was mrs winey pants this morning, not too much of a morning person. This run was filled with overwhelming smells from the plants. The course was very fun with lots of elevation changes. Just way to short, by the time I got warmed up it was already over.

April 21st

(V) This morning I decided to explore seven hills and found a few routes that I am excited to try out and show Nick. So close to my house- reminded me of anthem. The one I ran today was shorter than I expected and was out and back, which generally makes me lose my concentration. As I headed out, I saw a sign that pointed in the direction that I was already going and read: Pat's run. I imagined Pat making these signs on his computer and posting them for his friends that he plays gin rummy with on the weekends, that were just getting into running. Pat seemed to know where he was going so I followed the rest of the signs and it led me through two more parks and along the henderson airport. along the way, there were paths that forked off into the unknown. Super tempting but I stayed on pat's run. I came to another park that led to three communities and they each had a lock so that was the end. I was hoping Pat would lead me back onto seven hills parkway but I had to turn around and run back the way I came. There were a ton of people out. This trail was no secret. Everyone was walking their dogs and jogging and wearing light colored clothes that looked comfortable and I looked like an outsider: no music, in all black, with a black watch and black hat, over heating. there were two boys that looked about 8 running together probably to the next park over and one of their shirts read, "Love, Peace & crabs." It was probably from joe's crab shack or something. As I was losing my momentum, I saw real runners coming my way and I figured I better conduct myself so I got a little taller and looked hecka focused so I didnt have to make eye contact. But then I saw that there was many more of them, all in red. RUNNING TEAM- FUCK. some were wearing football gear. GYM CLASS- WHEW. and as I passed them I read their shirts that read "Pat's Run" and realized Pat had died. and they were running in his honor. As I approached the end of my run there was a nice finish line that I'd be crossing and a banner that I had to run under. On either side of the sidewalk there were lawn chairs and people waiting to cheer on Pat's runners. It would have been very obvious to just bee-line into the glass and around this so I continued through to the finish line. First place.

(Nick) went out to RRRC for my Saturday morning buttkicking. I felt like I was in good shape for the run and was happy to see that Jason from last week was setting the pace. This one was really gonna work me. The run did not go great at all. At the 2 mile mark right at the light to cross Stephanie my legs just gave out. It was so frustrating and embarrassing to have to call it quits so early into the run. I wanted to jog back and get to my car as quickly as possible but my legs wernt moving any faster than a brisk walk.

I can't help but think that all the speed sessions this week have really put a beating on my body. Usually the longer runs hurt. But after this week of short sprints my legs feel like sand bags. There's always next week to redeem myself.

April 20th

(Vanessa)- met up at 8 and headed to boulder. Didn't get on the course until 9 and it was already super hot out. Nick went back to the car for his cough drop and I headed out for my fastest 5k. I was trying to pace myself and felt alright after nick handed me off my water as he passed but I quickly got so hot. I poured the water on myself but at 2.5 I was dying. I didn't charge the gps watch that nick got me and still have yet to put any miles on it. It wasn't a bad run though- I had a nice even pace up until I stopped and my phone said I was running at a 9.11 pace, so I would have stomped my 5k but it's alright. I'm glad to know the course is there.

April 16th

(Nick) the last few days have been horrible weather wise, overcast with tons of wind. But the days off gave my legs a much needed rest for today's run. Went out to boulder city, didn't really have a certain distance in mind, didn't really have a solid course in mind either. I walked around and noticed a section going out towards the lake, on the opposite side of six tunnels. I watched some cyclists come and go and thought it would be nice to change it up and try something new. I then decided trying to break my 5k would be nice since my strength was back and nothing was sore. After the 0.5 mark gps alerted me of a 6 min flat pace, I made a snap decision and decided to try and break my 1 mile record. Shaved 16 seconds off and finally got into the sub 6 minute club (if there is such a thing).

It was really hot out today and instead of continuing on further I decided to double back to the car to get some fluids. I rehydrated and decided to try my 5k. Made it 1.7 at a 6:22 pace before my stomach decided to void what was inside all over the sidewalk. I was pissed! My legs wernt overly tired, my breathing was still somewhat under control but my stomach just wasn't having it. I jogged back to the car content that I still got a 5:51 mile out of the day. It sure is warming up now and it's gonna be a whole new game trying to stay hydrated. Still need to work on my nutrition and carb loading.

April 12th

(Vanessa) I did not try my hardest today. I feel permanently tired from this training but I know that two days off in a row is not good. I showed up -fashionably late- and we ran four miles. I didn't have energy for pick ups. So the pace wasn't good.

(Nick) the run today was fun, sunny with a cool breeze. Did 2 miles at a 10:30 pace which isn't as bad as Vanessa makes it sound. She's been working her ass off all week and I forced her to work hard and she didn't disappoint. The last 2.5 we tried some intervals which left me pretty tired by the end of it. It was a good runnin for me. V should be really proud of the work she put in this week, I know I am.

April 10th

(Nick) went to the summerlin 5k loop today with V. The course is hard. The first half is all uphill and wears you out quick. We opted to do intervals on the second half. Just 5k today.

April 9th

(Vanessa) Went out to southern highlands to beat 5k. Started off too fast. Felt great up until about 2.5 miles in and then my pace went downhill fast. I did beat my current record by 2 seconds. 30:47. Looking to get it under 30 minutes.
Each time I attempt this 5k, I have this disappointment that I wish I could shake. The kind you wish your running partner didn't have to see. But it's real and it's really ugly. Maybe because I know I can do better, I have seen little sprinkles of progression and want to be better than the records show. I'd like to say I am doing my best. I'm not always. Today I think I did. Overall, I haven't put in the workouts to get better. 3x a week need to be more like 5x. I am left wondering a few things: Should I add more speed sessions? Are speed sessions how ever fast I think is my fastest for how ever long I feel I can go? how do they differ from what I just did for 2.5 miles? supposed to try every day until I see it? Does one great run downhill really constitute progression if it breaks a record? Annnnd If so, then am I slowly finding every downhill route and feel like signing up for every downhill half to build my self esteem and PR?
Now that allergy season has made its presence known, I am learning that I should stay off sandy ridge and grassy areas and stay somewhere open. Anyway ending with a positive- I've got good knees and feet now, and want to take advantage of it. It came to my attention that I am only 6 months into my 10 year running career so I have time to work through these obstacles so i feel okay at the end of the day. I honestly cannot wait to do it again. So addicted right now.

April 7th

(Nick) New shoes, new shorts, new 5k and 10k PR, and new distance record.

Put on my new shoes and shorts and headed down to green valley to RRRC for the group run. Three new people there this time and they were amazing runners. Pace was set at 7:12 and by 6.25 I knew I had beaten my 10k record. By 6.5 the group started to pull away. I just couldn't maintain. Ended up finishing strong although I got disoriented at the end and went the wrong way to the finish. Still very happy completing 10 miles in 75 minutes.

Drove straight to anthem to meet up with Vanessa for another 7 miles. She brought me a banana and shared her delicious coconut water with me! (so gross) I refueled then we headed off for a pleasant 7 miles through one of my favorite courses. No music or gps just conversation. The weather was great. Saturday's are turning into my long run days now and hopefully I'll be able to stick with it till the next race.

I ate 3000 calories yesterday and I think it helped me out immensely on my efforts today. Nutrition really needs to become an everyday thing.

Went and drank post run smoothies with V. What a good day!

April 5th

My shoes have reached their end. Out with the old, in with the new!

April 4th

(nessa) Today was supposed to be a rest day but I felt the urge to run. I thought that if I dressed in something other than workout clothes that I would get over that urge and rest my legs so that I could give 100% tomorrow.
Didn't work. Nick talked me out of running on the treadmill and when I went to the gym I didn't touch the treadmill but I did go on the elliptical for 10 minutes. Harmless. I left and thought that would hold me until our run tomorrow but I was still in my gym clothes, and thought I'd just throw it out there that we could do tomorrows run tonight. after all, it is almost tomorrow.
Nick brought his butt down all the way to Henderson and we drove around in the dark trying to find the towers that I'd run at before.
We parked in the neighborhood nearby because according to Nick, parking at the trailhead on the street is too "suspicious"
The towers are at the top of two steep hills. We ran up and over the the first hill once and then up the first then second hill twice before we called it a night. It was harder than I remember. nick seemed equally as beat up. But I don't think we went as long as we could have. Once we heard a truck behind us, I got too freaked out and nick decided to tell me about hills have eyes and I have a feeling we will be running these hills earlier next time.

April 3rd

(Vanessa) Ran with nick at the 10 mile course that he's been running with red rock running. It was a really good run. Brought ALMOST enough water. Now my legs are going to fall off. Soaked them in Epsom salt and I swear that stuff is magical. The difference was immediately evident.

(Nick) This run was so much more enjoyable at a slower pace! No music or gps, just took to the road. The weather was beautiful, even got a little sunburn on my shoulders. Felt really great after this run today. I need to find shorts with a nice pocket!

April 2nd

(vanessa) Another attempt at 5k started well, I set gps to alert me at 3.1 exactly so I wouldn't have the same mishap as a few days before. I tried a different route but was worried at the halfway point that it may not quite being long enough and that I'd be running in circles towards the end trying to complete the distance. So I added a little turn around and felt like I was just running aimlessly. My shoe became untied and I knew this run was not planned out well. I pressed pause and tied it and then kept going. I finished my 5k running uphill towards my house at a reDONKulously slow pace. I didn't beat my time because I pressed pause to tie my shoe, but I wasn't too beat up about it because this run was all wrong from the beginning.

March 31st

(Vanessa) Saturday morning I decided to drive out to California to take a look at the laguna course. I ran on Huntington beach. It was windy but an overall a nice little trip. I'll be glad to be running somewhere other than Vegas. A little concerned with how many people will be on this small path with us.

(Nick) Met up for a group run with the Red Rock running company this morning at 6:30. It was a very hard run, they had a very quick pace, faster than my last marathon pace. I over dressed in pants and long sleeves, my shoes kept coming untied. Just wasn't a great day for me. I did meet a fellow runner from Cali who I got to talk with and shared the same race time as me, we both felt pretty fatigued running with this group. He talked with me about his training and lots of great food ideas. Running with this group is really going to make me a better runner and I can't wait to get back out there this Saturday. I did however develop diarrhea and horrible stomach cramps after the run. Hopefully wont repeat that again.