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

Leg feels better than it has in sometime! Was it the massage? The run? The optimistic and 'throw caution to the wind' attitude? Who knows and I don't care. I ran.

Six TM miles in 50:50 = AP 8:27. Did a progressive run with the first mile @ 8:57 then just went down from there finishing the last mile at 7:53 and faster until the last .15 was 6:35ish. Best part was after I finished and walked a bit to cool down the lady next to me said "That is AMAZING, how do you do that?" Made me feel like a runner again :) Get some speed and miles on these legs and getting a little credit and envy for it is always good as well!

Went to finish up with my traditional Monday FIT class. That bosu ball work, I think, is going to do more for me in the coming months that a lot else I do for myself. I will conquer that stupid balancing/stability thing - I will!

Well, Sandra and I are back on - like donkey kong! After taking a break she feels a lot better (had 3 different infections, including strep) and I can run again too. Sh wasn't sure she could jump right back into 4, so we did a route that ended up 3.7 - just perfect.

The wind today on our one south bound stretch was wicked! Holy moly I don't remember running in wind like that for some time now. The pace was slow, but I kept in mind to keep knees coming forward and pushing off the toes. I've foud that outside the best way to keep me from over-extending m stride is if I can see my toes in my peripheral  vision I need to bring the knees forward more and push from the toes in the back. Then I see knees not toes!

Picked up Lucy and ran another 2.3 with her, she was glad to get out again too! It sure was nice to feel the Earth move under my feet again.

Now I'm off to boot camp workout, then an afternoon massage!

I seriously feel SO much better than I have in probably over a month! I had a great massage yesterday and the guy found the 'line' in my quad where I'd been having issues and beat the thing into submission. I could feel it a little on the run today as I started, but that is to be expected after a good beating :)

I did 6 miles in 50:15 - an AP of 8:22. Started at 8:34 and didn't touch anything until past mile 3, then just went from there. The last mile was all under 7:53 with the last .1 @ 6:39. Good speed settling into the legs!

Finished off with master step class - if you aren't paying attention you get lost. I could always tell when my brain would start to wander. 5 min stretching and I was outta there.

I broke the trend of 6's - just had to! :) 

Had another good morning run with Sandra, she struggled the last mile-ish, but that is to be expected after not running for a month. Pace was better today though! 9:58

Grabbed Lucy and headed out for 2, but I should remember: every time I take this route I always feel good at the last turn off, so I add an extra mile. Oh well, it was good. Even with the hill of despair I kept the pace: 8;49, 9:06, 9:19 AP: 9:05.

I was feeling light headed and tipsy toward the last half of my three miles, I need to remember to eat something before I go out so I don't fall over!

Now I'm off to yoga to unwind for the day and hopefully get some good stretching in. Happy Mexican Food Day :)

Spin, just spin. trying to save what I can for a long run tomorrow...

I've never experience SO much self doubt as I had going into this run. I nearly made myself sick about it on Friday! I was so worried I just couldn't make it, I'd have to make Becca leave me and drag/walk my sorry butt home. Confidence has been revived!

Met Becca early at the JRP - well, she got a nap in waiting for ME because I was late - very late! I just underestimated the time it would take for me to get out the door, I'm used to going to the gym and not preparing fuel, water, breakfast etc before I go. Add having to feed baby before I go as well and yeah, just too much for 30 min lead time.

We set off and after 2 miles I was ready to quit (wind, tired and bad mojo in the brain). Becca got me involved in a good conversation and I quickly got to forgetting about running and just enjoying it. We got to the turn around and I was afraid to look at my watch - I just knew it was going to say only 6 miles and not 9! I just knew it! Well, it was 8.5...acceptable. Grabbed some water and threw back a gu and we were off again.

The way back is nice - more downhill and the wind at your back. I started losing it again about mile 13 (I think, again, I refused to look at how far we'd gone, I knew it would only bring disappointment). I just keep my eyes focused on the Lifetime roof where we could stop and get water and I could throw back another gu to finish out. I was happy to see when we got there we were at 15.5 - only 2.5 to go, I can do this...I CAN do this!

The march back to the car wasn't all that pretty inside my head (or body, well, that was the story I was telling myself) but, I did it. Finished it off and although it was horribly slow for Becca I was pleased it was under a 9mm. I really thought I was going a LOT slower than that. I am glad to see I didn't lose much more than confidence over the 3 weeks I had to back off running, but it is a bit frustrating to try and come back when I have only 2 weeks left until I have to do my 'trainer' up in Ogden. Hopefully, my confidence comes back quickly.

I got home and took a therapeutic ice bath - oh SO cold!!! But, my quad didn't bother me much at all during the run and doesn't bug too much now either. This is all good news to relate to my brain so that it will allow me to have confidence in my running. The KT tape didn't hurt either :)

I'm grateful I had Becca to drag me out this morning, I think I probably would've chickened out otherwise, or just done 12 or 14. Thanks for keeping my mind away from itself today!

AP: 8:52 splits: 9:08, 9:07, 9:05, 8:49, 8:47, 8:47, 8:50, 8:42, 8:49, 8:52, 9:07, 8:44, 8:48, 8:49, 8:41, 8:54, 8:56, 8:36 (nice to see the last is the fastest).

Pbbbbtttt! A piddlety three today. My legs were just still so sore and stiff I didn't want to do any damage, plus my stomach wasn't as happy as it normally is. So, I took it easy.

20 min on the elliptical @ L14 (didn't see the mileage when I got off).

30 min on the TM; 3 miles @ 8:45 (finished the last mile in 8:20) then a cool down walk to finish out the time.

Fit class on the bosu - good times and sweaty hard work!

Stretch for 5 min to finish it all off.

I hope the rain stops before I run outside tomorrow....

Well, I redeemed myself a bit from yesterdays sad miles. I went out this morning with Sandra and had  a nice typical 4 miler (4.1 to be exact) with her @ 10mm pace.

I came in and grabbed Lucy so we could do s little 2 or 3 mile loop. Well, I got 4 mile-ish loop in my head and started off, wondering if poor Lucy would be able to make 4, but well...too bad. If she wants to come with me sometimes she will just have to push through.

First change of plans came up at the cove. I was running around the round-about and decided I would run to the top, I'm really challenging myself with more hills lately and this seemed like a fun idea at the time. Got back on the route, then on the way home I again got to the crossroads where I always choose to add the extra mile and today was no different. I ended up just a bit short of 6 and I thought about just doing 5.5, but 9.5 is SO close to 10 I just couldn't leave a half mile hanging...so I took a couple loops around the church to round off to a nice 6 miles by myself.

They weren't all that fast. I was really just enjoying the run - isn't that what it is all about? Just enjoying it? With the hills I threw in for good measure I'm actually not too disappointed in the pace - especially for not pushing myself. AP: 9:16 splits: 9:34, 9:38 (can you say uphill?), 8:47, 8:57, 9:42, 8:58. One thing I have also noticed lately with my running is that when I start out at the slower pace with Sandra it is that much harder to push myself afterward, when I am alone, to a more normal pace for myself. But, I enjoy the company so much I guess I'm okay with it!

Now I'm off to Boot camp at the church - not sure I'm ready for the beat down, but I will rise to the occasion!

Nasty, horrible, good for nothing, cruddy day at the gym. Honestly, I really don't want to talk about it.

Massage day, just a good deep massage on the quads to loosen up the stiffness/pain.

Spin class - harder than I've pushed for a while, had some stress to get out. Did her stretch afterward and then finished up with hip flexor strengthening and core/PT work. Nice sweaty couple hours.

Rare Saturday just hanging with the family...resting the legs and hoping to recover.

A good six miles, nearly pain free. The first mile back is always the hardest - feels like your heart is beating out of your chest! But, I lost track of miles between 1.5 and 5.0 so I'm counting that a good thing. First 2 miles @ 9:13 and 2%, 8:57, 8:41, then 1% and 8:34 then some downhill -1% at 8:00 - finished up a little faster, but I think it was an AP of around 8:00 for the last mile.

AP overall: 8:49

Went to FIT class - man it kicks my trash. Gotta love it though. Finished up with my stretches and some rolling.

I have a bit of hip flexor stiffness now, but it's not all that bad. Not nearly as bad as it HAS been. I've scheduled another beat down massage for tomorrow and hopefully we will be able to work out the last of the crud in my legs before Saturday. Can't wait for Ogden!

On that same note, I am wondering if I can hitch a ride with someone? I would be willing to chip in on gas and meet you somewhere at/near your home. If anyone is driving up that morning and would be willing to let me tag along will you PM me? Thanks.

A nice early morning with Sandra. We took the 'country run' route and with the rain storm that had just passed through we had beautiful views and smells from the freshly watered fields. The first mile is uphill on this route and we both struggled to find our legs, but once on the flat/downhill things kicked in and were a good pace, and Lucy got to get out with the girls this morning! She was good and only tried to chase the farm animals once (yes, she is on a leash). An average 10mm over the 4.05 miles.

Came home and inside (which I normally don't do) and baby was crying so I took a break to feed him and snuggle him back to sleep - okay, he got shoved in bed with dad, but still. When I got up after feeding him I noticed he had poopy pants and that it was coming out the back, of course I then stuck my hand in it trying to pick him up! YUCK! So, I got him wiped down and changed before dad got snuggle time. Washed my hands and although I was tired and now cooled down decided to head out again.What I didn't notice was that the poo had gotten all over my pants while I was feeding him! The worst part: I didn't notice until I'd gotten home from my run and since I run in the 'hood for shorter miles and it's time for most to head off to work I had lots of people I know pass me and wave - with the big poo stain on my pants! Maybe they were all just trying to tell me something....

I headed out on a 2 mile route, but it was a little bit longer than 2, so I made it a 5K by wandering through the 'hood a little bit. I was really feeling good as I started out, so I figured I'd get some faster paces in rather than my normal shuffle pace. It turned out to be a progressive run and the best part about it was that the uphill came at the end during the faster miles! Excellent! I'm getting more and more confident with hills all the time.

AP: 8:14 splits: 8:41, 8:20, 7:46, 7:21-last .1

Felt good to get some decent speed out of the legs and not feel like I was dying. I honestly didn't expect it to be progressive, I was just trying to keep the effort consistent. I guess as my body warms up I have to run faster to keep the effort consistent. Crazy - who knows.

Now I'm off to Boot camp and then meetings. This afternoon I have my last massage before Ogden to hopefully get the last of these nasty 'niggles' out of my legs! Fingers crossed.

yoga.

Oh what a race. I have learned much about marathoning in the past 2 years AND 2 days! #6 is in the bag and right now I have NO earthly idea how I will do this again in 3 short weeks. 

I had the best time with Smooth! The people around us may have been annoyed to all get out, but it was one of the most enjoyable marathons I've done. I love being around other amazing runners and feeding off their energy - definitely worth paying for my last long trainer before UVM. 

Things I learned this time around: I must still respect this distance. 3 hours of sleep and not eating well the night/week before to not go well with asking your body to keep you moving at a decent pace for 26+ miles.

*I like hills :) yes, I said it. Don't expect me to ever say it again :) When the hill came at mile 14 I was SO happy and the flats afterward were a dream. I usually look forward to the canyon, but after that first big drop after the dam my legs wanted more hills. I was excited to see little ups on the canyon road and trail.

*Taking a few moments to walk and drink/gu through the water stops is totally worth it! The splits may not seem very nice during the short walk, but being able to get in fuel makes my belly happy and my mind!

*Smooth is an amazing person and I need her on auto-play during every marathon I run!

The day started out much to early - especially since I didn't go to bed like planned and only got 3 hours of sleep. I was SO very grateful for the ride I got up to Ogden so I didn't have to drive home in a delirium afterward. Plus, it was excellent company as well.

The bus ride up is my least favorite part of a marathon. They drive me for what seems like an hour up to the middle of no-where and drop me off and expect me to get back all on my own two feet?!? Yeah...head games.

Waiting at the top was fabulous, got to see a ton of fellow runners and feed off their energy! Also, Smooth got me an extra pair of shoes to wear in the mud - a priceless trick I won't soon forget. Then we were off, started just in front of the 4:00 pacers - perfectly positioned. We started probably a little too fast, but we were just enjoying the run and were definitely at a comfortable pace. Mile 9 was Terry's - a pacemaker eliminated him from our group today and I have some excellent memories of running my first 11 miles with Terry 2 years ago during my first marathon. We ran like horses and enjoyed the perfect weather.

Mile 14 as the hill hit Smooth had forgotten to take her inhaler early and had a small attack on the hill. I'm amazed at her ability and determined mind and body to get through. I tried my best to distract her and get her relaxed and breathing smoothly again. I think I failed miserably, but about a mile later she was back to her regular breathing and sounding a TON better. The dam was next, the uphills were VERY welcome preceding the dam and I almost missed them as we started down the canyon.

My legs started telling me they were done...tired an getting heavy and achy. Lack of training and running starting to rear its ugly head - on my favorite part of the downhill -shoot. I felt like I was just whining and complaining to Smooth every step of the way, so I just shut up and watched the river. It was SO full and raging down the canyon, I would watch the river and imagine floating down it instead of pounding myself to the ground on the road. It helped, a little. Mile 21 Smooth's son joined her and since I wasn't doing her any favors at this point I just pushed on and left her in fresh hands, knowing that if I fell apart she was right behind me and I could wait for her and she and Eric would be there to drag me in.

The best part of the last 5 miles was getting to see my favorite allie in her crossing guard uniform and flag making sure I didn't go off the road and cross the bridge over the river. Good thing, I was planning on it :) But, she got a big sweaty mile 21 hug! Like it or not, I was giving it to her - and had warned her before hand. It was totally her choice to be there and get it!

I tried convincing myself I was out on my normal 4 mile loop with Sandra. Super easy miles, you got this - but my body wasn't buying it. I felt like I was doing more passing and keeping a decent pace, but I knew I was no where near MP and I just stopped looking at my watch. I had passed the 4:00 pacer and I knew I was under that and just pushed through to the end. The faster you run, the faster you finish - c'mon girl.

Finished well and turned to look for Smooth, she was just a few minutes behind me and when I caught site of her Eric was with her - then I felt bad, I knew she had cramped up! STINK! After walking around the finishers area with Eric (good thing he was there - I was SO useless at this point, too much pain and soreness in the hip flexor) we headed off to the car to head home. Another wonderful ride and great company. I just honestly can't say enough about the wonderful woman Smooth is and the amazing family she has! I am truly indebted to them.

I feel good (now) about this race and looking at my splits I didn't fade as much at the end that I thought I did. I guess the mind did overcome the body - the pep talk worked. I'm still not sure about UVM in 3 weeks -  I honestly don't think I could've run this one step faster, my lack of training is showing like nobody's business and I think my time goal at UVM might just need to be re-evaluated. But, I will try not to think of that today...recovery and get back at it.

AP: 9:02 (for the 26.34 I recorded) splits: 8:41, 8:58, 8:46, 8:43, 8:45, 9:13, 8:54, 9:07, 9:14, 8:52, 9:11, 9:29, 9:03, 9:33, 9:52, 9:27, 8:51, 9:05,  9:20, 8:57, 8:33, 9:07, 9:06, 8:59, 8:57 (last .34). Looking at my splits some of them are actually quite remarkable for me, especially knowing that they included a walk to GU and drink. I like that the last couple miles were just a bit progressive. Not intended, but pleased.

Recovery from the marathon is going well! Going from an 8 on the pain scale Sunday in the hip flexor to a 1-ish today is a near miracle in my book. Other than that, I have felt little soreness or tightness from the race, or maybe it is just overshadowing it too much :) Having a baby with Pneumonia (almost 30 hrs on antibiotics and still feverish :( poor guy!) has helped keep me benched these past few days. No gym daycare for me this week and sleepless nights lead to turning off alarm clocks in the morning! I did get out for a walk with Sandra Tuesday morning, it was slow and awkward to walk for 45 minutes, but totally worth it!

I went to the doc today about the hip and found out nothing I didn't already know - hate it when that happens, but at least now I know I'm on the right track. RICE and stretching on the docket now. I was told not to run until I can do it painlessly...hmmm, so if I don't listen to the pain I can run, right? No SF or anything involved, just a strain of the hip flexor (iliopsoas) (you should see me try and cross my left leg over the right - rather humorous!)

So, until the baby is feeling better it is just walking at home while the weather is good and some shred with Jillian. I may try and get up early tomorrow for spin class just to move a little bit! I keep making reservations at the gym in hopes of getting there, but then having to cancel the morning of. I think I should just put it on the back burner until Tuesday. Still hoping I can run the State Capitol Half this Monday....

Looking forward to a better week this week. I may have done too much too soon, but oh was it lovely today! 

I decided to run up yellow fork canyon. I knew the hills would keep my pace naturally slower, more of a recovery so I didn't push myself too much and then I could just relax on the downhill. Well, it worked. Nice poky slow pace up the canyon - but gaining 900 ft of elevation over 3 miles isn't too shabby. I love the run up the canyon and the weather was just a tad cool with a slight headwind up, but I guess I was just so happy to be out I didn't care. 

The plan was to run one mile up and if I had pain to turn and come home...I didn't :) turn around that is. The pain wasn't too bad, but I could tell it wasn't good either. I probably should've stayed closer to 4 miles today, but darn it, I just couldn't! The canyon was beautiful and the creek was full. Coming down the canyon I had BEAUTIFUL views of the full valley and some scattered showers moving across the valley. Oh, how wonderful it was to be out! The bottom of the canyon road was lined with American flags as well - I tell you, it was a GREAT run! I just wish my iliopsoas was cooperating more. You'd think after a week off it would be nicer to me.

Did a good .25 mile cool down walk came home and promptly stretched, stretched and stretched some more then threw some ice on and some ibuprofen back. I will get through this - I will. Baby is feeling better, still whinier than I'd like - maybe 80% back, but SO much better than this past week! Glad to be back.

Midnight movie madness kept me up late, so I slept in, but the problem comes as what to do with 2 munchkins since I don't have time to get to the gym before meetings at 10:45. So, since the weather was marginal (better than it's been for a while, but still cold for almost JUNE!) I packed up the jogger and we were off. 

The plan was to push the nearly 60+ pounds of stroller (and Lucy tagging along too) up to the top of the cove - just walking. This would give my hip time to warm up and not to mention a killer workout anyway! Then, if I was feeling good and ready for it I could chase (run with) the stroller down hill until I landed myself at the church about 3 miles later. Well, luckily things did work out that way...almost.

On the way home (just about a mile out) I ran into Kelli going the other way, it was nice to chat with her for a while. I miss my little gym! I got a phone call from the school as we parted ways and my almost 7 year old had another migrane and was in the nurses room. This complicated my time line and route. I now had to get HOME instead of to the church and I was going to be late for the meeting (I'd also packed all my crap I needed in the stroller, so I was pushing around a couple of unnecessary pounds now). Luckily everyone was running late and so it wasn't too inconvenient for me to run and grab my little dude and get him home and in bed before I ran (drove) off to the meeting.

I tell ya...always an adventure. I thought it would be good running downhill with the stroller, but dang! That thing is hard to chase and control going down those hills. I was more than grateful for the flat and rollers at the bottom of the Cove.

It was nice to get out and although I'm not back to my normal crazy running self, things are still feeling okay. It isn't getting worse and I would almost say slightly better. So, with this happening while still being able to run a few miles I'm gaining some confidence back about UVM. It certainly won't be the PR race I'd planned, but I think I will do okay - a finish is all I need anyway, right?