Every Race is an Adventure!

I'm blogging this a few days late, but better late than never I guess. I ran up to Provo Canyon to the Timpanogos Park and back with Larry and Wayne. On our way back down the trail we passed Josse and group of runners she was with.

The run was rather uneventful until about 1.5 miles from home. I had been running towards the center of the road all morning because it was dark and I didn't want to step on anything on the side of the road. We had just turned a corner and I looked back to see if Larry's dog was still with us. As I turned forward I was suddenly limping in pain. I had apparently stepped on something on the side of the road and rolled my left ankle again. Larry was a little behind me and looked around in the early morning light for what I had stepped on. He said I must have tripped on a shadow. I always have to find what I stepped on so I limped back a few steps. I couldn't see anything either, but then I saw the round golf ball-sized rock less than a foot from his feet. It was well disguised.

As usual, I tried running it off as we headed home. It wasn't long before it started feeling a little better. It hurt pretty good all day Saturday, but I was able to walk on it.

I didn't run this morning. I'm letting my ankle heal a bit.

After 16+ years, today was my last day at Novell. It was a little bittersweet. I'm really going to miss all the good people I got to know there over the years. On the other hand, I'm looking forward to new opportunities in my new job working for the LDS Church in the Family History division. I start next Monday. I'll be working in the old WordPerfect buildings in Orem, where my running buddies Kerry Southworth and Kevin Jessop also work a couple of days a week. Since it's only about a mile from my house, Larry and Wayne have also talked about maybe joining me for a noon run, especially during the cold and dark winter months. I hope it all works out.

This morning I went into work and chatted with a few friends then filled out the exit papers and turned in my office and work badge. A dozen or so of us had an informal farewell lunch at Winger's. It was also Dave Steck's last day. While chatting with my coworker Lee Lowry, he mentioned that his sister-in-law had taken 2nd place in the St. George marathon. That's when I first made the connection between Michelle Lowry and Lee Lowry. Michelle is married to Lee's brother Paul. Not too long ago I also learned that Jack Tobiasson, who also used to work for this team as a tech writer, is Josse Tobiasson's father-in-law. What a small world.

I decided to test the ankle this morning. The odd thing was that while walking down the stairs I noticed that my right ankle (I rolled the left one) was more sore than the left.

Larry and Wayne weren't at the corner so I walked towards Larry's house. I noticed Wayne's truck in front of Larry's house and walked up. We waited a bit, but Larry's house looked dark so we headed out and wandered the streets for about 4.6 miles in a light sprinkle/rain. My ankles felt pretty good.

I ran 3 easy miles alone in the snow this morning. The roads were clear when I started and snow covered when I finished as I ran through the falling snow. I could have done with a little less wind, but it was an enjoyable run.

I ran some easy miles with Larry and Wayne this morning. We went out a little later at 8:00am. It was beautiful...sunny and cool.

My ankles are feeling good, but my left Achilles is still a little sore.

I start my new job on Monday. I'm going to focus on getting settled in and may not do too much running next week. Once I get my new work schedule figured out I'll focus on a new running schedule.

There have been a few hiccups getting settled in my new job, but things are going well and I'm more excited about my work than I have been for a decade or so.

I went home at lunch time and ran the water tank hills. It's great to work so close to home now. It felt really good to run again. I have access to the showers in building K now, and checked them out today. The Novell fitness center is much nicer, but they're not bad. It will be nice to settle into a running routine again. I hope that happens soon.

I almost felt like a runner again this morning. Larry, Wayne and I ran on the canal road this morning. Larry's wife Jolene joined us for the first part of the run.

The weather started out cold but it wasn't long before the sun came up. What a beautiful morning for a run. We actually averaged under a 9:00 pace for the first time in a while. I pushed one mile in 7:11 in the middle, but it didn't come as easily as it should have.

My left Achilles is hurting just enough to be a nuisance.

Larry and Wayne had conflicts and couldn't meet me at noon as planned so I went alone. The showers in Building K worked out well for me today. Tom Creighton was returning from his run as I finished up showering and I talked with him a bit. It sounds like there is no real group running routine; there are a few guys who just run when they can. That will probably be my plan as well, so I guess I'll fit right in.

The weather was awesome today, especially for being mid-November. I ran up to Provo Canyon and back for a total of about 6.5 miles. I satisfied my curiosity today about where the canal road goes SE from the old WP buildings. It basically follows the canal to 800 North then ends. I didn't look too well used and now I know why. It's a much nicer run to follow the streets through that area and avoid having to run on 800 North to the canyon.

My Achilles didn't really bother me today, but I didn't push the pace too much anyway. I averaged 8:21/mi for 6.5 miles.

I ran 6.2 miles on the canal road at noon. It was sunny and warm. Karen made me a scrambled egg sandwich for lunch. I think going home at noon to run might work out well.

I ran 5.2 easy miles with Larry and Wayne this morning wandering the hills and looping through Lindon.

Larry, Wayne and I ran some easy miles on the new Lindon path down to west Lindon and back. The sun was just coming up as we started and soon took the chill away. It was a beautiful and enjoyable run.

My left Achilles was great for about 4 miles but bothered me a little the last half of the run. I wonder sometimes what it would be like to be able to run as hard as I want without having to worry about injuries, but where's the fun in that?...actually, there would be a lot of fun in that!

It's my Mom's 70th birthday today. I called her this morning to wish her a happy birthday. She seems to be doing great. We're going to visit next Thursday for Thanksgiving. Where would I be without my angel mother? I dread to think. Throughout my life, I've always known that there was at least one person in this world that loved me no matter what. And I love her back with all my heart. So much of what good there is in me is because of her. I love you, Mom! Happy Birthday!

I've not been feeling well the last couple of days. I decided to see if running might put some zip back in my life. I think it helped. I ran some easy solo miles this morning (4.8 miles @ 8:41 pace) and quite enjoyed the brisk morning.

My left Achilles feels fine until about 4 miles into the run then starts hurting a little. It isn't getting any worse, but I don't dare push the pace or distance too much. I think I'll play it by ear and probably just continue with an easy running schedule through the holidays.

Tomorrow I'm planning to come home at noon and get a run in.

I skipped playing in a Turkey Bowl for the first time in many years, but I did manage to find time to sneak in my own personal Turkey Trot 5K, just a few easy miles.

With the kids out of school I was able to play basketball with my son Andrew and the old gang again this morning for some cross training. I had a great time and came away uninjured, except for a few small blisters.