I'm not crazy...I'm just bored!!

PANSY = ME

My neighbor who I usually run with in the mornings had a death in the family and wasn't able to make it this morning (too much stress and crud to deal with - she needed sleep). So, I looked out and even on the plowed part of the roads you could see the ice shimmering underneath. That plus a HIGH today of 19...well, I went back to bed :) I think I'd be okay running on the ice, because there was a nice crunchy layer of snow and heavens knows I've been out in colder this season, but I get worried about cars when it's icy. I'm afraid that they'll see me and try to turn or stop and not be able to and then either hit me or another car. So, my pansy-ness overcame me and I decided to hit the TM at the gym today.

I had about 85 minutes at the gym before I had to leave for meetings, but I spent the first 15 talking to Kelli and Wendy - so I got a good jaw workout :) However, then I only had time for 7 on the TM when I was thinking I'd do 8. Oh well, there is always tomorrow :)

AP: 8:47 first 4 miles were at 8:57, I know it's just under a nine, but I like when I can run this speed and it feels just nice and comfortable so I stayed in the groove. Mile 5 was 8:49, 6 - 8:41 then I went to 8:34 and down every quarter for the last mile, finishing with a 6:58 for the last .15 of a mile. Finished feeling good!

Now I'm off to try and get stuff done - heaven help me to step away from the computer today!

Oh, and another reminder for anyone who didn't see yesterday - a 5K for a good cause! HERE

Sick baby = no gym time and no sleep time or getting up early.

Translation: forced rest day.

I'm thinking I may go late tonight and get some miles in after dad gets home.

I didn't get anything in last night, because I made a Dr appointment for baby because he was still not sleeping well and just miserable and feverish. I couldn't take another night of getting up every 60-90 minutes with a miserable baby, so if I could find out what was wrong and fix it for him I wanted to get it done, if it was just a virus and we have to wait out then fine, but I didn't want him to be miserable anymore if I could help it! The appointment came out that everything (ears, throat, lungs etc) was fine, just a virus and manage pain and fever. In a way I'm glad, but another way I hate to see him miserable and not be able to help. 

So, after another sleepless night I didn't get up to run early. Today was my neighbor's step-father's funeral so I figured she wouldn't show anyway. I was resigned to another day of cuddling sick baby, and maybe getting a nap. I got the kids off to school and crawled back in bed with baby. I thought about doing something, but I was tired. 2 days off wouldn't kill me. However, man was I ornery this morning! This is my biggest thing with no running/exercise. I get ornery fast - I need my endorphins. So, my wonderful neighbor had offered to watch Adam for a bit while I got a run in and I figured it would do me (and the family) some good if I got out and ran. She called me back and said she could take him about 11:00, so I got dressed dropped him off and went to the gym.

There was only one other person in the gym so I had Sports Center to keep me company - boring! I had brought my ipod, because I'd finally (first time in 2 years) downloaded some new music, that would keep me going. Nope! Somehow the songs didn't download onto my ipod, so I still had the same old songs I'd had forever - blah!! Either way, I was feeling good. I started at an 8:34 pace and figured I'd just hang there the full run, but it felt so effortless that after a couple miles I went to 8:27, then 8:20 then 8:13 - mile 5 was an 8:00 and the last mile I did progressively faster from 7:30-6:58. I just really felt good! That is what a full rest day does for you :) AP for the run was 8:20.

Jumped off the TM and with only moments to spare raced back to pick up baby before my wonderful neighbor needed to leave for work! I am SO blessed! For wonderful friends and a healthy body - the mind is another issue. Baby is doing better today and I think he'll be good to go to daycare tomorrow so I can get a 'normal' workout in. I'm looking forward to a nice long Saturday run now! Anybody have any plans I can tag along with?

I got 4 hours of continuous sleep last night and it felt like a DREAM! Got to the gym with my ipod full of new songs and I was ready to hit a good run! Started at an 8:34 pace, I love days when I start at MP and it just feels like a breeze. So after a few miles I hit it up to 8:20 stayed there for a couple, then mile 6 was at 8:13 and mile 7 was 7:47, but for the last .15 I took it up to 6:53. I felt good the whole time and ended with energy to spare. AP: 8:20

Then I finished of the last 30 min of daycare time doing weights. Arms, back, core, quads and abductors for stability. Set repeated 3X. I felt good as I left, but started getting the little shakes and I knew I need something to eat, so I grabbed a protein bar and ran off to get errands done.

When I got home and turned the car off my 3 year old said "MOM! Turn the music back on", I did but the song was over. So I told him since I'd just downloaded a bunch of new songs we could listen to them on the stereo inside and have a dance party putting away groceries. Well, it was so fun, I think this dance party might continue on for a while :)

Anyone up for a good outside 15-18 tomorrow?

Oh man, what a run! The wind out there is some of the worst I've ever run in. It wasn't too shabby when we started out and then headed East, but even when we turned around mile 5 to go North the wind sometimes nearly blew you UP hill as you were running down. Then when we turned and went West it was pure misery! I got vertigo from being blown all over and I was only at mile 9 and ready to quit. It really was terrible.

So, I hatched a plan: if I could get hubby to come pick me up I could run downhill and East with the wind at my back and get a few more miles. He was up for it, so I continued on. The wind was still terrible and would blow me forward as I ran sometimes almost feeling like I was getting knocked over, but I got it in and feel good now that it is behind me.

Another memorable run with Becca, I was having a hard time getting up and out this morning. I'm glad I had her to be accountable to, or I might still be laying in bed deciding if I am going to get up and run.

AP: 8:46 splits: 8:49 (my puppy Lucy decided she needed to run this morning, so I took her out on the mile loop before heading off), 9:21, 8:50, 8:43, 9:06, 8:49, 8:10, 8:57, 9:45 (this was the uphill into the wind. It was the HARDEST mile of ALL of them!), 8:40, 8:24, 8:30, 8:06, 7:45 (last .10).

Sleep, sleep I just want to sleep...

I was sore all weekend from my mini weights session on Friday! Today I actually felt like I could move, but I'm just tired. Got to the gym and needed some warm-up time. 15 min on the elliptical @ L14 = 1.5 miles.

I've decided I want my regular running pace to improve, so I'm going to start at 7mph/8:34 pace on the TM consistently. This will get some speed back in my legs and get my body used to a faster paces as well. So, since I had an hour left I hit the 8:34 pace and went to it. Honestly the pace feels fine, I think if I was trying to have a conversation with someone it would be more difficult, but when I'm just going alone it's not a problem. At 5 miles I put it up to 8:20, then for the last mile I did 8:00 till the last .25 which I took at 6:57. Feeling good!

I'm glad I did the run even though I was tired and had little motivation this morning. Now to see if I can be as happy about getting laundry done, the kitchen cleaned and the checkbook balanced...

What a perfect winter morning! Blue skies and my world covered in freshly fallen snow. I love to make foot prints all over the neighborhood :)

Due to slick roads we stuck to the Stake 5K route this morning, there is only one stretch that is on a busier road, but there is a good shoulder. As long as you stayed on the fresh snow the traction was fine, but if you tried to run on where they had plowed it was very slippery! 

My garmin only got the first mile-ish of my run with my neighbor, but sometimes it's liberating to run with no technology. I stayed on the course for 2 more loops after she left, since I know the distance by heart. I felt really good on the uphills - it was a nice push trying to keep my pace up on the hills! I also liked seeing my footprints, because the first loop my feet were 'dragging' into the step, but then the 2nd loop I had a great solid print with no 'drag' which to me means a better mid-foot strike, the 3rd loop I didn't get to see, but I felt it was more like the 2nd. Either way, good times on a beautiful morning!

Afterward I hit the gym for total body class - good workout, legs and arms! Baby wasn't happy in the nursery though -I think he may have an ear infection from the congestion left over from last week's cold :( So, I had to head off right after that. Onward and upward for a busy day!

I conquered the Mexican Mountain Goat today! I feel good about it, although my legs may be complaining tomrrow. 

After a leg workout yesterday in class and not much sleep last night, I was doubting myself. However, I knew I could do it...I just need to do it! I got a good warm up on the elliptical 20 min @ L12 - 2.0 miles. Then I hit the TM...

I knew it wasn't going to be pretty when my 'normal' 8:34 I was planning on maintaining throughout the run was feeling hard at 0 incline during the one warm up mile, so I bumped the speed down to 8:57 and then started up:

2 min @ 2% incline, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6% - with a 2 min rest @ "flat" between each increase throughout the workout.

1 min @ 7%, 8%, 9% ---oh heaven help me!!!

I did the hard part, now I get to come down, but I was running out of time (daycare - pphhbbttt!). So I did a bit of a skip down:

1 min @ 9%, 7%, 2 min @ 5% ---then, the day care lady came out, REALLY?!? Honestly though, I'd never been happier to change a diaper. I was exhausted!

Started back up where I'd left off and finished up:

3 min @ 3% and 4 min @ 2%, then I had a few minutes to run it out and cool down. After a couple minutes the 8:57 pace I'd kept steady the whole time finally felt easy (of course it was 'flat'), so I bumped it up a little bit the last 2 min and finished the last 30 seconds at 7:30mm. Honestly, that was SO much easier for me than those hills! I will conquer hills! This workout left me feeling so proud of myself for getting it done, that I think I may just have to put it into the regular routine!

Total of 6.75 miles and an AP of 8:53 for my first Mexican Mountain Goat!

After a leg workout Tuesday and Mtn goat yesterday, my legs were feeling quite a bit like lead today! Even without my neighbor coming, I still got up and out and got the miles in. It was slow, but we all need a 'recovery' day now and then, right? 

It was a lot colder than I remember it being for quite some time today, I had to keep hiding my face to keep it from freezing. Got home and showered and warmed up, then out to yoga. I really love yoga and I think I need to do more of it!

AP: 9:26 splits: 8:54, 8:55, 9:02, 9:38, 9:54, 10:04, 9:37

I decided to x-train today because of my dead legs and tired body. I'm trying to hit 45ish miles each week until mid March when I'll start increasing for UVM training and I am already at 30 for the week and I'll do at least 15 tomorrow, so I figured I'd let my body recover a bit before pounding it out tomorrow. Not to mention I've got a wonderful head cold I'm dealing with.

At the gym I hit the bike and got on my favorite one, but forgot Kelli said it was broken the other day when she was on it. You can't increase the resistance, so you have to do a program if you want to do anything other than 1. So, I did the 'interval' program - 60 min and 14 miles later I felt like I'd gotten a good workout. It varied from 1-18 resistance, I'd say averaging around a 10.

With some time and book left I spent the next 20 min on the elliptical, I put the ramp up higher than I regularly do and had it at 10 on L12 for 20 min and finished 1.9 miles.

Good cross training day, enough to feel like I did something for myself, but not the beat down I gave myself at the first of the week.

Oh, I knew today was going to be early, but I still hate it when that alarm goes off! Especially after my baby has pulled a fast one on me and woken up 3 times in the short 5.5 hours I'm trying to sleep. I went down to Lehi and met Becca at the JRP, because she had been so wonderful and come up here the past couple weeks, plus - I love the JRP in Lehi! 

It was dark and cold and I was whining about it. I wanted to go back to bed and be warm, but then we started the run - once you start a run you stop whining and just get it done. The first three miles went SO slow and were so hard, but by the time we turned at mile 6 things were a ton better. Only a few people out on the parkway, probably the least crowded I've seen it in quite some time. 

Got back to the cars at 11.35 grabbed a quick drink before we got cold then headed North and through the neighborhood to finish up to 13. Well, I took the long way and we ended back at the cars at 14 miles - meh, oh well - no worries what's an extra mile?

AP: 8:41 splits:  9:07, 8:47, 8:38, 8:34, 8:41, 8:45, 8:37, 8:29, 8:42, 8:39, 8:35, 8:44, 8:38, 8:38 - good and pretty consistent splits, I like that!

Becca was going to do 16 total, but after telling her about the 5K she decided to come along - why not? It's for a good cause! So, we headed back out to Herriman and got there just in time to get our stuff and shiver uncontrollably from the cold. We decided to wait out the last 10 min or so before the race in Becca's car and the second time getting out it wasn't so bad. I was still dressed in all my cold weather clothing and had even put on my race shirt to keep warm(er). This was a decision I'd regret!

As we were waiting for the start we met Chad and it was obvious from the crowd he would take a win here! We'd decided to just take things easy and not race, but once we started that race mentality took over and, well... let's just say we didn't really take it easy. The first mile was hard to get moving. I was all stiff and cold from the previous 14 miles and my body wasn't too happy about starting this again, especially at a faster pace. I pushed on and at about mile 1.5 things finally loosened up. It was also about here that we turned and I could see that Becca just a little way in front of me was probably 1st place in women and there were only 3 ladies between us. Well, now this would be worth the effort! The only discouraging thing to me was that this was the uphill portion (you must remember, this is Herriman you MUST go uphill and it always comes LAST). I knew everyone else was running the same hills though and I kept on, knowing I've run this hill too many times to count - I could do this!

Slowly the ladies fell away, the last one put up the hardest fight. I could hear her foot falls keeping up with me for quite some time, I felt relieved when they finally faded. I found out later this was Missee  from the blog. This was also the time I was regretting the extra clothing, the sun was up and I was HOT, but I was feeling good on the hills and I could see the finish and the last hill...I could do this! I now only had men in front of me to catch, Becca had a good 30 second+ lead on me. However, as this was a local race I knew a few of these guys and after all, I do have my pride :) I think I picked off about 5 men during this last stretch and 2 of them were on the last .4 of the course, they didn't like being passed in the end by a girl. This was quite evident from the sideways glance I got as I passed. Always feels good to finish a race strong!

On the last downhill push to the finish I though, yeah this effort was well worth a good 22 min or so...HA! When I could finally see the clock it said 24:50, what?!? Yeah, well, I'm slow I guess I should be used to it by now. Official finish time was 25:01 then right after I finished a girl came up to me "Congratulations! 3rd Place Female!" and handed me a $20 gift card to Wasatch Running - SCORE!!! Becca got the same for 2nd place, so I didn't feel so bad about bringing her :)

AP: 7:44 splits:  7;39, 7:39, 8:01, 7:07 (last .23) - kind of bummed I couldn't keep that last full mile under an 8, but since this was the hardest part of the hills I really can't complain about the pace (especially after finishing 14 miles just an hour before).

As we caught our breath we had a good chat and met Missee and found out she was from the blog and my email to the chumps had brought her there. Made me smile! Becca was done, but since the course was long I couldn't leave my mileage at 17.23, I had to even it out to 18. So, Missee and I ran a flat cool down around the parking lot. Only bad part is that I didn't get to say a proper good-bye to Becca and a thank you for pushing me (well, pulling) me through the race. It was great to hit some strides on fatigued legs - THANKS!!

I stayed for the raffle and they had some REALLY good prizes. If I would've seen them all I probably would've bought a few extra tickets. But, I won a signed football and Maurine won Larry Miller's autobiography (she couldn't run so I picked up her shirt and raffle ticket of course!). They also had a silent auction of some pretty cool stuff too! I ended up winning the auction on a limited edition signed print that was professionally framed and had the certificate as well, it is BEAUTIFUL, and I got it so cheap I felt like I was stealing it!

I had a wonderful time at the race and a great morning! I felt good about the paces I hit on the hills - I will conquer hills someday! Thank you Mexican Mountain Goat, we shall meet again. It was also nice that some of the people I passed commented afterward to me how impressed they were that I could keep such a good pace consistent up those hills and wished they could've kept up. Always nice to get compliments from others! Gotta love a good fulfilling morning of friends, running and prizes!

Now I must address a different topic (if you're not bored out of your mind and have actually read all this! Just know, I had to type it up twice - I know better than to write a long report and not save it STINK!). So....if anyone is willing and able I would love some company on a nice 31K trek on Tuesday morning to celebrate my 31 years of life I've enjoyed! :) Let me know if you're interested and we can work out details!

Since I'm going to try and run 31K (19.22 miles) tomorrow I decided to not do my 'normal' run today but take things easy. So, I went to my step class (the teacher I love is finally back after having to go through 2 open heart surgeries with her baby!) and man oh man did it kick my trash! I loved it! Sweating like a fool and doing something other than 'forward' motion, I'm glad she is back, because I forgot how much I love this class!

I then went out and hit just a 5K on the TM nice and easy. About a mile into it everyone on the TMs left and I got bored so I kept increasing the speed and finished with an AP of 8:32. I couldn't tell you splits, because I was all over the place. Either way it was a good 'loosen up' run for the trek tomorrow.

If anyone would like to join me PLEASE let me know! I would LOVE some company. I think I'm going to go to the JRP, probably in Lehi since I love it so much down there and start around 8ish. I am flexible on place and time if anyone wants to come and can't make it at that time...or you could come later and meet me for the 2nd half? Just let me know!

Well, that was fun...now that it's over :) I've always wanted to do something like this, but have never been able to until today. So, I did it! I ran 31K for my 31st birthday!! I was SO happy that the weather was to be unseasonably warm and beautiful, that Becca was taking the morning off just to run with me and that I got to sleep in (well, that is a whole 'nother story - suffice to say baby wasn't nice about it being my birthday and I had one H#$$ of a night and didn't sleep much at all!). 

We met at 9800S and JRP ran the bit North that we could then turned to head South to the end of the county. The only problem was the gale force winds - I shouted curses to the wind over and over! I thought for sure once the sun was up it was make the wind die down, but nope. More than once we contemplated what we could do to NOT run into the wind, but we came up empty handed. It was crazy! 

Mile 10 we hit the Maverick in Bluffdale on Redwood Rd and got some energy - gu and gatorade and water. I finally felt like I could take the last 9 back to the cars, especially with the wind at my back. Things went well until about 11400S, man was I tired! My legs were falling out from under me and I wanted a drink. We were SO close, nothing to do but keep on at this point. Becca suggested stopping at Lifetime for some water - dreamy! So we did and I think that really helped get me through the last 2.5 back.

Finished strong and now that I'm recovered and looking at my paces I'm feeling really good! We had a long hard run (thank you wind) and conquered it in good style with decent paces to boot. I'm glad I got my 31K in for my 31st birthday!! Now to go eat back all 2400 calories I burned at Benihana....mmmm!!!!

AP: 8:45 splits: 9:06, 8:45, 8:48, 9:00, 8:54, 8:55, 8:45, 8:58, 8:51, 8:45, 8:37, 8;26, 8:37, 8:41, 8:37, 8:37, 8:40, 8:31, 8:34, 8:42 (last .26)

I don't know how you people do this! (yes, YOU PEOPLE - you know who you are!) 

My legs are just dead! 2 long runs within 4 days is killer and I'm used to a rest day after a long run, so trying to get going at the gym wasn't the easiest thing. I figured I'd rest a bit on the running and just do a few miles. Well, I talked too much and only had time for 2 :)

Started with boot camp - oh man, that class really does kick my trash! Heidi did intervals 20 seconds on 10 off for 5 minutes. Things like burpees, JUMP jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks, mtn climbers and lots of other fun stuff, then add a killer core workout on top of it. Yeah...good times!

Then (after too long of a chat) I hit the TM and had to start at a 10mm just so my legs didn't kill me and run off. I was able to hit an 8:34 for the last quarter, so I warmed up a bit and I probably could've done a few more miles, but I think I'm good. Ended with an AP of around 9:20 for the 2 miles. Just enough to get the legs moving and work out some of the soreness.

I really didn't want to get up this morning. It was cold and I was tired and it was the first time in 3 nights my baby slept, but since I hadn't seen Sandra for over a week I decided I'd just do it. I found out yesterday that yoga was canceled due to a death in the teacher's family, so since I wasn't getting yoga this morning I decided I would do the extra miles at the gym. 

Sandra decided she wanted to start doing 4 miles and start a bit earlier, so this was our longest run and she did pretty well! The hill at the end really killed her, but the other 3 miles were good paces. 9:48, 9:40, 9:44, 11:11. I was happy to get inside and get warm and snuggle back into bed for an hour!

Went to the gym and although I had found out yesterday they are up and closing on us (seriously, don't get me started about how CRAZY upset I am about this. It will cost me $80 in JUST daycare to use the new rec center and it isn't even open yet. What am I supposed to do in the meantime?!?) I figured we would get our last good day in today, but when I showed up the daycare was closed. I was ticked! I was going to just put the baby in his carseat infront of the TM and get my hour in, but they wouldn't let me. A neighbor of mine that was there and leaving offered to take Adam for me while I ran, how sweet!

So, I got my 7 miles in just under an hour (AP: 8:34) and did a nice progressive run. It took a while to get myself warmed-up and I started at a 9:20, and just increased speed every 1/2 mile until I hit 8:34 and stayed there. Then, a good song came on and I upped it again, then again...well, before I knew it I did mile 6 at an 8:13 pace and mile 7 was a 7:45 pace for the mile and I finished the last 1/4 at 6:58. I really felt good. I honestly didn't think I'd feel good running again until next week. I guess all this stress from the gym closing put a little skip in my step :)

Well, since I now have no gym anywhere near me my sweet neighbor offered to let me use her TM this morning. She works so I waited until morning nap time for baby, grabbed the monitor and the leapster for the 3 year old and we were off to across the street. It wasn't too bad having baby sleep and Nathan did well entertaining himself as well, of course it wasn't very long, but baby steps!

I was going to just do a short 5K, but then I got thinking about how I'm at a weird total for the week (.34), so I would go just enough to round that out. finished with an AP of 8:45. Their TM is a lot different than I'm used to, but I was finally getting into the swing of it towards the end.

Then I came home and borrowed my other neighbor's p90x video and did biceps and back and finished it off with Ab ripper X. Good times and I now feel like I can function today...although now I want to run some more, 3 just wasn't enough!

Oh I had a wonderful run this morning! I was worried about the wind and rain when I woke up, but I got down to Lehi JRP to meet Toby and it wasn't raining and the wind wasn't nearly as bad as it was at home. 

We took off and jumped right into a wonderful pace and kept it pretty consistent the whole time, which is usually pretty hard for me. Chatting with Toby made the miles fly right by and before I knew it, the 5 miles were up and it was time to head back. Despite the weather this was a fantastic and enjoyable run! Seriously, running is my social time and as long as I have good company I swear I could run ALL day! Thanks Toby!

After Toby left I grabbed a bag of stuff I needed to take to my friend that lives just off the trail and ran to her house to drop it off. The poor girl is due Tuesday and in early labor, but couldn't even really talk through contractions. She'd been to the hospital through the night, but they sent her home saying she wasn't progressing at all. Honestly, she was an emotional wreck. Any woman who's been there knows what I'm talking about. So, I stopped and visited with her and I think she really needed something to take her mind off of it for a while.

After leaving her house I ran around her neighborhood a bit and then back to the car, I only had .5 miles left to finish up to 14 so I did a short out and back on the parkway just to even things out and hit the highest mileage week (only ONE other week higher) in over 18 months. The best part is I feel good and if I had more time (wouldn't have visited so long) I probably would've gone a few more miles. It is just wonderful to finish off a high mileage week and feel good and still have some energy left to function :)

AP: 9:02 splits: 9:29, 9:08, 9:13, 9:10, 9:16, 9:10, 9:12, 9:12, 8:59, 9:07, by my lonesome: 8:55, 8:46, 8:31, 8:14 - I love when I can do a progressive run outside and especially when I'm not even trying!

Well, the gym shopping has begun. I'm on a week trial membership at Lifetime and it is a nice gym, but it's a good 20 minute drive from my house. I was kind of bummed today, because I looked at classes and wanted to do a 7 mile run for one hour and then the class for the other hour, but the sales guy had to show me everything and so I only got 1hr 15 min to work out by the time it was all said and done with.

So, I started on the TM and wow, are they nice - very cushy compared to what I'm used to. Plus, the 8:34 pace I started with felt like a breeze! I'm hoping that part was me and not the TM :) Just 1.25 mile into the run I hear my name on the loudspeaker to go to day care *sigh* maybe this isn't worth the drive after all. Well, it was only a dirty diaper and then I could go back to finish my 2 hours. So, I was able to get another 6.25 in the next 50 min and then I had a few minutes for some resistance stuff before picking up kids. 

The run felt great today, which is really nice after a high mileage week. AP: 8:20 for the 6.25 and mile 5 was 8:10 and mile 6 was 7:30 and the last .25 was at 6:58. It's crazy, but that 7:30 mile actually didn't feel all that hard. Not easy, but more comfortably hard than I would've expected it to be. Nice to FEEL improvement! Now, let's just hope Riverton Paul doesn't get on here and tell me how poorly the TM's are calibrated!

Early morning with Sandra around the 'hood. 4.2 miles with an AP of 9:58. She did really well and the uphill mile at the first was the slowest and then she was able to pick it up afterward, definitely a good run!

Headed out on my own for a few more. I was happy with what I was able to do pace wise. I really thought it was colder than it has been lately this morning. I took the route with a full mile up the hill of despair and my goal was to keep the pace under 9:20 - how happy was I when I got home and saw it was 9:17, hills are becoming easier!

AP: 8:43 splits: 8:47, 9:01, 9:17, 8:34, 8:02, 8:17 (last .3)

Hit the gym for a class before my Tuesday meeting. The class was called "strike" and it was a lot different than anything I'm used to, which is good :) I worked mostly core and arms but a decent leg workout too. It was kind of like kick-boxing, but more focus on weights and resistance. Now it's off to the races for the day!

Another fun day at the gym! Today I again tackled the Mexican Mountain Goat and I was amazed at how much easier it seemed this week. I may have to increase my speed or time next week - scary! 

1 hour on the TM, started with an 8:34 warm up for 10 minutes and then bumped it down to 8:57 for the remainder (well, until the last 3 minutes).

2 min @ 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6% then 1 min @ 7%, 8%, 9%  (2 min rest @ 0 incline between each interval)

Then I started back down and did the same thing in reverse, except by the time I got finished with the 4% I knew I wouldn't have enough time to finish so I did only 1 min rest. When the hour was up I had only 1/4 mile to go to finish to seven, so I bumped up the speed to 7:30 and finished off the miles.

Afterward I hit the bike for 45 minutes and did a random program at L10 - I'm going to need to better figure out these bikes, because it wasn't all that hard. What I would really like is a spin class! They have them, I just need to find a way to fit it into my schedule at the gym.

Oh man, I am so tired and sore. I haven't been this tired and sore for a LONG time! The strike class on Tuesday left me with some seriously aching muscles, the back of my body and arms are the worst, and when I started running yesterday it was a struggle just to move my arms to run. Today I was just tired and slow.

My first 4.15 miles with Sandra were okay, I finally felt decent around mile 2-3, but by then she was getting tired and then the uphill mile home was just too much for her and the pace got slower. I find it amusing sometimes how she is always off and running the first couple miles, but I'm just shaking it all out and getting warmed up, then I'm ready to go and she is petering out for the run. Complete opposites!

AP: 10:04 splits: 10:04, 9:33, 9:42, 10:57, 10:12 (last .15)

Took off on just another 5K loop, I needed some faster miles and just a few more for the day. I didn't pick up the pace much, but I was moving a little faster anyway. The effort really seemed a lot more than the pace was giving me. I wish I could have recovery 'slow' days like some of you at 7-8mm!! But, I don't get that - I just shuffle along...

AP: 9:27 splits 9:21, 9:41, 9:21, 9:01 (last .1)

Came home and did "The Shred" L1 - a good short workout. Just enough to push, but not too much (I needed THAT today!). Thank you sweet sister for my favorite birthday gift!!

Headed to the gym for Yoga. Holy Moly - could you cram a few more people in that tiny room? It was very crowded, but a good class. Much more intense than I'm used to. I prefer Wendy's stretching yoga - I still miss my gym :( I was called out about 3/4 of the way through because my baby was fussy. I got him to settle down and sleep so I went back for the last 10 min then did some stretching on my own afterward. I'm definitely ready for my easy day tomorrow!

ahhh, magnificent rest day! My running muscles and legs need a break from the regular pounding today. I busted my butt to get to spin class at the gym on time and I barely made it! It was a good class, but the bikes are different from what I'm used to so I'll have to learn to adjust them better. The teacher threatened us within an inch of our lives if we got up (even just out of the saddle) for the first 30 minutes - I didn't dare get off to adjust my bike after that!

It was a good spin class, but different from what I'm used to. They had a big screen with a video of a bike race during class. It was fun to watch, but I think sometimes I got too distracted from the 'workout'. Also, I don't know if it was just my bike or what, but the tension didn't really adjust all that much. I couldn't tell a difference (well, much) between 2-4 turns up, like I said this new stuff will take some getting used to. I did get an amazing workout and kept the HR up there the entire time. 

The teacher gave some good pointers about form as well, she is very knowledgeable but also a little too prissy for my taste :) Not to mention that she was wearing a v-cut tank and her double D's were bouncing all over with no support and nearly falling out as she leaned over the bike during class. I now know why the guys like to go to her class! Anyway, I digress. After class she did a good 15 min stretch class that was great and just what I needed. However, don't make any suggestions about stretching or a good way to stretch a certain part of your body to anyone asking or she will bite your head off and basically tell you that you know nothing and that SHE will tell them the best stretch. Sorry, digressing again.

Finished off with an easy 1.75 on the elliptical in 20 min on L12. They have lots of my favorite ellipticals just like the ones at my old gym, so I felt at home for a bit :)

Holy Moly chuck a rolly! I knew Becca wanted to run 20 miles earlier in the week, but as the week drew on I kept trying to think of ways and reasons to back out of it - well, at least 3 or 4 miles of it. However, when push came to shove I just did it. 

I had a really rough day (emotionally) Friday and baby was up nearly every hour all night and I must've subconsciously  decided I wasn't going early in the morning, but Becca has Adam to thank (he IS the best running partner) for waking me just 3 minutes past the time my alarm was supposed to go off (I hadn't turned it on) so that I could get up and out the door.

We met at 6:30 at the Olympic oval and decided it was time to get dizzy! Since I had given Maurine her counter back and not bought my own, I devised another creative counting system :) 11 pennies:  11 laps = 3 miles. So, we spent the next three hours passing pennies back and forth. I would pass to her 11 times (having a 2 man system helped if one of us forgot to pass) then she would pass them back (my hands still smell like dirty change!). Sixty-six laps later I was done...not sure I really wanted to do the last two miles, but it was only two...I could do it!

During the run, my R hip and L knee started telling me they weren't all that happy - running so many miles on a one way track will do that to you. So, we turned and were polite about it, but ran against traffic to 'unwind'. BLAH! There was some guy yelling at us each time we passed about the fact it was "against rule #7 to run the wrong way!" We finally felt guilty enough for breaking the rules that we turned and went the right way. Well, after crazy guy left (there were other runners that said "he yelled at us too!") we again ran against traffic again and it felt SO good! Then, we began to have a following - many others joined our 'wrong way' crowd. It was nice to be the trend-setter.

I took and needed TWO gu's this run (mile 9 and 15). I think more than anything I'm just mentally exhausted. My HR was fine and so was my breathing, but at what I think was about an 8:50ish AP my legs just wanted to die and I wanted to quit. I really just wasn't in 'the groove' this run. Each time I took a gu it helped rejuvenate me a little bit.

Well, the last 2 miles (I was SO happy to drop 4 pennies at the bleachers and only take 7 with me!!) Steve Ash and Tim joined us. It was nice to meet Steve and chat a bit (I again got to complain about 'barbie' gym - I'm a great whiner!) and he was kind enough to run slow with me and Becca and Tim took off and finished about 20 seconds or so before Steve and I did. Honestly, those last 2 miles went SO much faster than I thought they would. Becca literally had to PUSH me to get me going those last miles.

Now that it is all said and done with I'm glad I did it and that I didn't wimp out and take a smaller mileage total. Becca was doing SO well, I wouldn't be surprised if she ran a few more after I left :) I am VERY grateful I had Becca to drag me out this morning and to push me through the 11 cent run, I needed it today - oh so very badly! Thank You Becca! I also had a great time chatting with Steve, made me feel a lot better about my sad slow mileage - Thanks Steve!!

Hit the TM and it was nice to see my SIL Annette at the gym this morning! Had a great chat as I ground away the miles. Most of them at an 8:34, but sped things up around 5 miles because I felt like I was just out on a Sunday drive :) Finished with a 6:40 for the last .2 which rounded the AP for the entire run to 8:20. 

Then I did a class called "FIT" - oh man, it was GREAT! They used bosu balls the entire time for plank, lunges, squats, jumps, and then resistance bands and weights for upper body. My favorite x-trainer so far to strengthen core and those 2ndary muscles we use to 'balance' that help stabilize a runner to prevent injury! I'm really liking the classes (even though it was my favorite "double D" spin teacher that taught the class - amazingly she DOES own a sports bra!).