A bit of catch up here on the training log after a hectic few weeks:

Week Ending June 27

Mon - 4 mile jog on the bike path in Squaw

Tues - 4 mile jog on bike path in Squaw

Weds - 4 mile jog with Ian T. on bike path in Squaw

Thurs - 4 mile jog with Ian T & Nick L in Squaw

Fri - 4 mile jog with a slew of runners, pacers and crewers.

Sat - 100 miles (18,000'). Western States. 16:05.

Sun - Off.

Total: 120 miles (18,000').

Felt out of sorts the whole week on the running front, but then there is little intelligence to be gleaned from a four mile jog, so I wasn't sweating things. Obviously overjoyed with the race itself, but that's all in the (lengthy) report.

Post-race interview here, if you're interested.

Week Ending July 4

Mon - Thurs: Off

Fri - 5 miles easy (1,000'). Horsetooth rolling. Felt good for the most part. Nothing of note, just a bit of lingering soreness in the legs.

Sat - 6.5 miles (1,600'). Fancied a jog to the top of Horestooth. Kind of corny, but went up to say thanks to the mountain for getting me in such great shape. Park was packed. Felt great climbing, still a little sore coming down.

Sun - 5 miles. FireKracker 5k with a couple miles of warm up.

Total: 16.5 (2,600').

Legs have been feeling good this week with some lingering heaviness and a bit of downhill soreness, but for the most part they feel like they're ready to go again. Will probably begin ramping things up a bit this week on the mileage front to a goal of maybe 70 miles per week within the next couple of weeks as I get ready for Pikes. Obviously the emphasis now becomes quality over quantity, which I'm really looking forward to, especially with this huge base I'm working from.

I've already decided that Wasatch will not get nearly the attention that States got, and I'll likely be somewhat undertrained for it, but I'm cool with that as I'm just looking at it as a fun day in the mountains.

The focus for now is definitely Pikes and possibly a road marathon towards the end of the year if I can find one that works timing- and location-wise. I'd like to post something in the low-2:30s, and think that is possible if I can motivate myself to spend some time training on the roads. Time will tell on that one I guess.

Anyway, off to pace Nick Pedatella this weekend at Hardrock. I've got the graveyard shift from Sherman to Silverton. Hope I can stay awake. Can't wait for that sunrise. Watch for Nick to go top five, or top three if he goes well.