Journey from 238.5 lbs to 2:38:30

I'm guessing 7.5, messed up the watch due to skunk in trail and had to run through the golf course around the skunk.  The trial closed signs were put up this weekend.  The Jordan River Trail will be closed between 1500 North and the north turnaround from Spring 2010 to Fall 2011.  Send an email to udot to find out exactly when it will be closed so I can warn Thanksgiving point that their course for the half marathon will probably be closed the next 2 years.  This closure really sucks for my runs now.  Now both sides of the JRT are blocked by bridge construction.

Went out early, going south on the JRT.  Decided to work on form, efficiency and speed during the run.  My middle 7 mile splits were, 7:13, 7:15, 7:18, 7:23, 7:05, 7:10, 7:14 with a total average heart rate of 155.  After the 10k saturday this quicker pace feels much easier than it did before.  And it really helped my motivation to go out and push myself to be faster and longer.  

 Ran another 5 miles at lunch in Lindon.  Ran up 2000 for some hill work, ran with co-worker, trying to get him back in shape for trail season.  He is the one who inspired me to start running last year and got me from 238 pounds down to 193 last summer and ran my first half marathon. 

Ran a good 9 miles, felt tired from the 2 runs yesterday.

Went North on the JRT, they have started construction around the trail, so not sure how much longer it will be of any use.  Udot got back to me about the trail and supposedly the contractor will have the trail available for the thanksgiving point half in April.  

Was not feeling good most of my run, which I'm not sure if it was from what I ate yesterday, or just being tired, or both.  But it was still very good to get out and get the blood moving.

This was a half marathon race/training race from Orem to Highland put on my Utah running club.  It was a nice morning for a run, cool, a very light drizzle at times.  I went out with no expectations, no goals, other than to finish and not wipe myself out.  First time I have tried to keep any speed for this distance for 6 months.  My splits were, 7:03, 7:03, 7:05, 6:49, 7:03, 7:07, 7:00, 7:01, 7:24, 7:51, 7:17, 7:25, 6:37 with an average heart rate of 160, which is where I wanted to be.  The finish was actually higher in elevation than the start, with a couple of nice hills in the middle, mainly the temple hill.  Took me a couple miles to recover speed after that one.  Was pleasantly surprised that I ran as fast I did for the course, and in such a relaxed state.  Really enjoyed the run.