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

I'll have to actually drive the miles and do an official report later, but I'm guessing that's the mileage this morning. I ran up in high country - marvelous foothills that take you up and up and up! :) I had no ITB pain and didn't tape - felt good. Left calf is tight, but I'm stretching like a mad woman today so hopefully it will subside soon. My Garmin was again out of batteries this morning - I think I need to download the data, because it doesn't hold a charge anymore, 5 months of data could do that :) I watched the time and ran exactly 55 minutes, so when I get the miles I can find out my AP. Then I ditched the gym...for something better :) Craig and I went skydiving this morning!!! Holy cow...what a rush, it was the most amazing thing ever. I now know what I want to do for my dream job: be a tandem master! It would only take a small fortune to get certified :)

*update* Drove the course - I swear it was over 6, because I thought the little loop was 6 and I was adding at least 1.5-2. Boy was I wrong!! 6.4 was the grand total for an AP of 8:34, still not to shabby knowing the hills, but I'm going to have to find a way to tack on a little to this 'loop'! I'm trying to find an 8 mile hill loop (with the last part downhill - VERY difficult given where my house is!).

Met BBK's for a little speed work. Garmin got knocked off the charger sometime yesterday so it was again DEAD this morning :( 4 mile warm up, I was really feeling good this morning and I brought my not-pod (thanks for the new name Carolyn!) to try to focus more on my new form and engaging the core as I ran as opposed to the usually chatting I do. I've found that when I feel in good form that its really hard to take it slow...I don't quite understand why. I usually love to linger in a warm-up but kept pulling ahead today, which isn't fun when you don't know where you're going. I need to find a way to keep good form and reduce speed for an easy warm-up.

Then we hit the track, my focused warm-up may have taken too much out of me this morning! we did a 4-3-2-1 repeat twice (400M fast, 400M recovery, 300M fast, 300M recovery etc) Then as we re-grouped got the good news: we get to do it again in reverse! I felt really strong the first set, but the reverse after the 1st 400M fast I had to walk...black spots in front of your eyes and feeling nauseated aren't good signs. I think sleeping a little more and actually eating and drinking before the run could've helped!! So, the next reverse repeat I just pushed through as best I could - basically dragging, but I did it. No idea about pace - I was just in it to feel it today!

No ITB pain or tightness today; however, the outside of my L quad (same side w/ITB issues) is feeling really tight/crampy lately! I guess I'm assuming its from the new form using new muscles I'm not used to as well as the exercises I'm doing to strengthen the hip. Sometimes I feel like stretching takes up more of my day than running does!!!

No miles...I wanted to sleep this morning :) I did make it to kick-boxing which was another AWESOME workout. I really like it, because we work so much side to side as opposed to forward, I feel like new muscles are exhausted! Then I did my ITB stuff and hit the last 10 minutes of ab's class then stretched like a mad woman again. I think I'm going to hit the pool for long course laps this evening when the kids swim, just feeling a swim vibe today :)

Can someone please tell me why although I'm logged in I can't post any comments??? I'm really frustrated!

*went swimming while Lauren swam for swim team. I finished 32 laps, 1 mile!! YEA! It only took 75 minutes - what a pace! hahaha.

Today was a blechy kind of day. I just feel yuck. Met BBK's for the lovey hill run at Lampton View Drive - nice easy warm up (AP 9:13) then the fun began.... 2 mile hill run at tempo pace (hahaha, definintley NOT this morning!) 7:57, 8:42 - short recovery then another one: 8:27, 8:46. Can you tell where the biggest uphill comes??? Then a nice cool down recovery 1.15 miles: AP 9:00.  Into the 2nd repeat about .25 mile I was ready to barf, I've just felt yucky! My son was diagnosed with strep on Monday and I'm really afraid that I'm getting it. I even ate and drank this morning and made sure to drink a lot last night to replace what the chlorine in the pool sucks out of you! Afterward I went to yoga and even there after eating a GOOD breakfast: blueberry waffle and greek yogurt with blueberries and organic granola, I still felt yucky and a couple times I could barely focus my eyes. Really felt like when my blood sugar drops, but I knew it couldn't be that because of the low glycemic breakfast. I don't get it! I'm just going to try to go to bed early tonight and take it easy tomorrow so I have enough energy to pull through my long run Saturday. 

I'll be going to a BBQ with my WBR team to decide legs - I'm in van 2: any suggestions for legs I should grab or avoid???

Got some good sleep last night and had an easy morning at the gym. Just did the recumbent bike for an hour (12.5 miles) at 3.5 resistance, enough to keep my legs moving, but not enough to tire them out. Then I did my ITB stuff and stretched. Wish I could say I was feeling better!

Had a great time at a BBQ for my WBR team last night! Good food, friends and fun. I am in van #2 runner #9. I guess I get the bottom of 'the hill' so I'd better get to working on them! I'm really excited about the race and my position, it looks challenging, but not impossible for me. I also get a night run: my long leg 9+ miles on rolling hills, I'm most excited about this one!!! My team name is: Are You Kidding Me? no idea what our # is. Hope to see many of you there :)

Had a great run with the WBR team this morning! They really are a fun group of people...I can hardly wait! I went early to get some extra miles in, I really wanted to see where my ITB would take me.  The first 6 miles were from Harmons, up to Daybreak lake around the lake and back down; AP: 7:59 (I had to push the pace because I'd gotten there late and was afraid I'd get left for the next run!). Then we again drove out to Copperton and ran back to Harmons, with a break stop at mile 6. The last 4 miles back were of course the best, I just love running down the big Daybreak hill, beautiful flowers and nice downhill...ahhhhh!

AP for the full run was 8:18. Splits: 9:01, 8:13, 7:58, 7:52, 7:33, 7:17, 8:42, 7:59, 8:53, 9:00, 8:09, 8:02, 8:33, 9:01, 8:10, 8:21.

Nice run and thankfully no ITB pain...I did tape it as well, but I was afraid because of the increased mileage. Happy that I was able to get that far with no pain!! Left calf is tight, stretching will again take up a great piece of my weekend :)

Alarm went off and I decided some days its more important to sleep than run...so I turned it off rolled over and slept :)

Made it to the gym and did a great step class and she had us doing a bunch of plyometrics. It was a great workout! 30 min Ab's class afterward. Good workout and now I'm ready to hit the housework! Since I'm feeling good and rested I have no excuse to sit around and be lazy :)

Dang that time change!!! BBK's changed meeting time from 5:15 to 5:30. I woke up ready to go and be there at 5:15, but after brushing my teeth realized I could sleep for another 15 minutes! I momentarily thought about getting there early and do extra mileage, but sleep is the theme for the week :) Set my alarm for 15 more minutes, but it didn't go off!!! UUGGHHH!! Woke up at 5:30 and busted a move to get out of the house. As I was pulling onto the main roads out of the neighborhood I remembered I forgoten my 'running/pain log' for my PT appointment at 7AM...so more wasted time turning around. I got to the HS at 6:05 and missed the group...decided to warm up on the track assuming they were just out on a warm-up mile. After I had run 2 miles I figured that the track wasn't part of their workout today and I was all alone :( Did a few high knee/butt kicks to get ready and then did ONE 4-3-2-1 repeat. I did notice the first 400 was 1:31, which I was pleased with...didn't notice the other sprint splits. Just as I finished my 100 recovery the group wandered into the track - time for me to head off to the PT :(  AP: 8:24 splits: 9:01, 8:49, 7:42 (best 5:18), 7:48(.55 miles). I really felt cheated out of my workout and my group time today - stupid alarm clock and desire to sleep!!!

Got some new exercises for the ITB strenghtening (they're kind of fun and challenging!) and things are looking good...too bad this isn't something that can go away permanently! Strengthen and  stretch is the name of the game to avoid it!

Since I felt cheated on my workout, I've wanted to go on an afternoon run, but other obligations stop me from doing that...so I kicked my butt at the gym doing weights today. It's been a long time since I've done a TOUGH workout. Did a full body workout and included 10 min hard eliptical to warm up and 15 minutes walking at a 15% incline afterward. Stretched to cool down. I'll have to wipe myself out running hills tomorrow, so I don't feel like I'm not running this week! I'll say it one more time - stupid alarm clock and stupid desire to sleep!!!!

I almost slept instead of running this morning...however I remembered how stinky I felt yesterday for sleeping in so after one snooze I got up and at 'em! Did my hill route up in High Country again today. Since I could use my Garmin I finished out a total of 7 miles and found out its almost 900 ft of elevation gain overall! I love the run, because when I first moved here I was so intimidated by the 'hill' just out of my neighborhood and thought "some day I'll run up there" and now I can do it! I tried to just take it easy and not push too much after my workout yesterday and knowing that BBK's are doing hills tomorrow. Kind of have to push hills, or you walk - but I wasn't trying to kill myself. I thought the pace would be a little slower, but my AP ended up at 8:46. Splits: 9:29, 9:03, 9:45, 8:08, 8:01, 8:29, 8:25 -can you tell the downhills? :) 

Came home and had some yummy Lehi roller mills whole grain pancackes (my new indulgence!) with strawberries from my garden! YEA for summer, even though I'm still cold! Hit the gym for kick-boxing, ITB stuff and ab's class. Spent the last 10 minutes over nursery time to stretch...I needed it SO bad after yesterday and today!! Now, to tackle the laundry....

Finally got to run with the BBK's this morning. Nice easy 3 miles warm up...then the fun begins! We ran from 2700W to 4800W and back (along 9800S) I had no idea how steep that road was, until I tried to run it! Good uphill - my Garmin says it was a total gain of 948 feet (over all 10 miles), which is more than my 'hill' run! Now I'm rethinking those hills, of course they are over a much shorter period. I tried to keep up with all those speedy people, but my legs were too tired from the last few days -at least thats what I'll blame it on today :) AP: 8:34 splits: 9:28, 8:54, 8:58, 8:12, 8:43, 8:48, 8:16, 7:58, 8:16, 8:03. I slowed a little after the first mile, but my consolation is that I was able to keep the pace consistant over the next two before we started downhill. Although the elevation increased I was able to keep the pace - always focus on the positive, right?

Afterward I got to go to yoga - then spent the next 30 minutes of nursery time stretching. Ready for a rest day tomorrow so that I can pretend to run the bluffdale race on Saturday!

Went to the gym and did a total body class - a little weights, a little cardio- then did my ITB stuff and stretched. Taking a descent rest day for the run tomorrow.

What a fun race! I got there and helped Michelle with registration, it was crazy - so many people!! When the line was gone I ran to the start and luckily there were a couple of people behind me to delay the start a little. AP: 7:39 Splits:

1-  7:51, with 100 ft of gain. Felt pretty good, actually a lot better than Thursday! Kind of excited to see that I was in 1st place out of the women, for the first 3/4 mile then a lady passed me and I tried to catch her until mile 4.5 when I decided she was far enough ahead that she'd earned it  and I wasn't going to catch her anyway :)

2- 8:03, another 100 ft gain and starting the main descent. Passed the first guy I picked off !

3- 7:46, 80 ft descent and another 100 ft up. From the end of mile 1 to the start of mile 3 I was ready to be done....I missed the 2 mile sign and felt like I wanted to stop and those 2 miles seemed 5X as long as the race!!!

4- 7:29, nice downhill. Picked off another male runner, feeling good and realizing that I should probably pick up the pace a little because I'm feeling good and not breathing too hard - nice change from the previous 2 miles!!!

5- 7:30, more downhill. Nice and comfortable, obviously didn't pick it up...I was happy :)

6- 7:22,  mostly downhill with a little hill at the beginning. My pace here surprises me, because the downhills were faster. I think I pushed my pace to pick off the last guy I could see on the uphill, then he kept trying to keep up with me and re-pass me but I didn't let him and he finally fell back. I guess I need someone to help push me!

7- 6:38, (.2) flat/downhill. It was so fun to see the finish and know there were a ton of running friends there to help cheer me on so I had enough left to push through and I did. Plus, I could see the female finishing so I wanted to close the gap a little anyway :)

This was a great race, the hills were at the beginning and made for a nice push to get through the start then a great coast to the finish! It was also fun to finish 2nd woman and 4th overall AND I got a trophy :) I'm like a little kid...but I earned this one, it's the only one I've earned all the rest I have are 'participant' trophies! BIG thanks to Michelle for putting on an AWESOME race....I would definately run the course and race again!

Step class at the gym (it was a killer today!) then ITB stuff, Ab's class and stretching.

Meant to run this morning, but its just too easy to turn the alarm off when no one is waiting for you to run....

Tapering for WBR also this week, I need to keep my legs fresh for the death march: leg 33!!!!

Holy Cow!!! I learned what it means to be a BBK this morning! There were a few times I thought I was going to have to keep running sprints until noon!!! Can't wait to start the two hour workouts :) 

We started with a nice easy 3 mile warm-up. I love doing the warm-up because jumping in for the main workout is always 10X as difficult!  9:30, 9:06, 8:48

I was pleased with what came next: 4 laps around the track, but push the last 100M of each one. Totally doable!  I felt good keeping up with Peggy while she was taking it easy :) AP 8:06, I still need to figure out how to put the laps for the sprints on my Garmin - I think Kelli figured it out today, so I'll have to take a tutorial!

Then the fun began- push a 200, recover 200, push 400, recover 200 and repeat until Cheryl said to stop. I had NO idea how long this would last, but wanted it over with a lot sooner than Cheryl did!! I finished at 7.6 miles so my next splits were: 7:19, 7:47, 7:44, 7:48. Looking at the patterns on the Garmin I can tell where my push and recovery was and it looks like I was keeping a descent pace at or under 7mm for the sprints and recovering around 8:30 mm.

Okay, so were finished..right? WRONG. Cheryl said we were going to the road and I figured we were going to take a nice cool down, boy was I wrong. 1.8 mile loop at 1/2 marathon pace or better - YUCK, my legs were already jello, its nice to simulate what mile 24-26 feels like though!!! Next split: 7:48 (first 1/2 was in the previous split above). I finished at 8.4 miles and ran another .1 to recover and even things out before we left.

WAIT! wrong again! "back to the track" Cheryl said. If the puke wasn't pushing my head up my chin would've hit the floor! We lined up and pushed another 200, I tried to keep up with Kelli, but my poor legs couldn't match her speed and determination for the last 50 feet. Then we did another 200M sprint, and YES this was finally the end!!! I had one lap left to finish 9, so I took a recovery/victory lap with Peggy. Last split: 8:27.

I really love to push myself and speed up these legs, but during the run I wonder if its worth it...Then I kill my PR in a race by not seconds, but MINUTES and am so glad I have these wonderful people to help me run and puke my guts out to make me better!!! Thanks all you BBK's I owe you one!

Nice night's rest, early to bed and got to sleep in (thank you my lovely children!!)

Got to kick-boxing and it was another good workout - not as horrible as last week, but still good. After the beginning cardio workout we did weight intervals and ran 1/5 of a mile between them for a total of 1 mile - YEA! I get to blog miles. All the runs were easy pace, except she told us to push the last one, I sprinted down recovered the turn then sprinted back with Kelli, I started thinking I was done and would let her beat me, but then I stopped myself and pushed just hard enough to keep up with her until the end. Look! I do have a little bit of mental toughness :)

After kick-boxing I did my ITB stuff and then Ab's class - IT was a good one today, and I only hit the last 1/2!!! Stretched and went home. Now to prepare for WBR...I'm going to Lagoon tomorrow, so its today or never :)

I'm trying to taper for WBR, but when everyone else is running its too easy to tag along! :) It was an easier pace without any pushing today, so that was nice - plus when you're relaxed and can talk while you run things are even better! Did the South Jordan 5K route twice, plus a little recovery, didn't go for early miles just the main workout. AP for the run was 8:25 splits: 9:01, 8:07, 7:55 (could tell we'd sped up on that last one!!), 8:45, 8:25, 8;12, 8:44. 

I'll miss yoga today, its usually the highlight of my week, but I will have a good time hanging around 'The Goon' with the kids. I got home from group and my oldest daughter woke up as I was looking at my run on the computer (Garmin Training Center) and she asked "You went running this morning?" "of course" I answered. Then she resolutely said "you're going to get TOO much exercise today, we're going to be walking a lot between all the rides and the Wii fit says you should get 30 minutes of exercise a day!" I just cracked up, running a marathon, or the WBR doesn't impress her, but running on a morning when I'll be walking around Lagoon all day does! Kids crack me up!!!!

Nice run, waited FOREVER at the first exchange, so I was ready to take off. Unfortunately I did a little too fast. Passed a couple people and one guy pulled ahead of me about 15 feet in the last .2 mile - almost gave up and let him have it. Then I saw the exchange and decided to push it and pass him, did so and as I passed him said "no passing allowed!" I wasn't about to become a 'road-kill' mark on a van window!!! Good legs, and ran Jeff in on leg #6 about .5 and Annette on her last climb on #12 about .5 as well. Went to the HS for dinner -YUCKY, never again and had to take the slow route with runners to the park/lake. Saw Kelli there (YEA!!!) and visited for  a bit then she went to take her runner to the exchange and I dropped off at the sleeping bag for an hours rest until we were called up with 3 miles out....Midnight - cont on Saturday :)

AP: 7:32; Splits: 6:45, 7:35, 8:08, 7:45 (.5) hit my best on the sprint in 4:34mm. Total elevation change -57 ft (52 up, 109 down -.4% grade)

Midnight - take off on our second legs with an hour of sleep under my belt. Missed our #8 runner with a mile to go to my exchange (#21), I suggested going a head and good thing, because she was maybe 1/2 mile from the exchange and I needed a POP!! Got there about 15 feet in front of her and took off, but the garmin didn't start for another 1/2 mile or so :(  It was beautiful!!! Stars were out, nice weather and quiet peacefulness. Just me and the pavement, and all the roadkill I made :) Lost track of how many I passed this leg, it was around 20 I think and again never got passed. The most memorable one was a girl I worked hard to catch then caught up with the van to get a drink, dang she passed during my short walk and I had to re-pass! When I did she said "wow! you're doing great - you're the only person who has passed me." Made me feel good that I was able to push to get through and get a nice compliment like that. I loved running around Echo reservoir and was surprised how many people were walking. I could feel fatiuge, because I thought for sure I was pushing under an 8mm, but AP at 8:11. Definately needed a good drink a couple times, but what an amazing run late at night with beautiful scenery and quiet :) Definately my favorite leg of the race!

Total miles 9.6; AP 8:11, Splits:  8:30, 8:09, 8:06, 8:00, 8:40, 8:16, 7;57, 7:59, 8:04, 7:28 (last .2 I recorded) Total elevation change: 186 ft (497 up 311 down .4% grade)

When we got to the van exchange our van was late, so I picked up the wristband and ran for .5 mile until the van was able to catch up (AP 7:59) it was only a few minutes, but I'd have hated to wasted them sitting around!

After our legs, drove to Ruth's cabin where we got spoiled ROTTEN!!! Beautiful cabin with 5 showers and numerous beds (nice, big soft ones!!). Got a nice private shower and another hour + of GOOD sleep. Then off again to the exhchange. Met up with Smooth and Lowell, it really made my race to be able to visit with them for a bit! I was really hoping that they would catch up to us so I could run the death march with Lowell - however, our team was just too speedy :) Missed them at the end, no one in the van wanted to stay - everyone was ready to go home!

It started to rain the last mile before my #33 death march exchange, so I was in the rain (softly falling 95% of the time) the enitre leg, which ended up to be perfect weather for it! Got to the exchange the exact time as another team...he took off, but I knew slow and steady would win this race! I resolved to just keep with him (he never got more than maybe 100 yds ahead). This mentality kept me running until 2 miles into the run. It was difficult for sure, but I just kept trying to put one foot in front of the other and relax and enjoy the tunes on the not-pod! My team kept me good every .5 mile with water to rinse my mouth out with (didn't have enough breath to swallow! Did take some gatorade though.) Everyone was SO positive on this run. Mud and rocks and a hill from !@?#!!! Other teams cheering you on just for staying strong and running, everyone complimenting you as you went - it was AMAZING!!! When I caught the rabbit from the exchange, we were going back and forth being a stride or two infront of the other - then I finally won. He said "I'm going to have to let you go, you've out done me!" Gave me an amazing confidence boost! I would do this, and do it well - keep on keeping on!!! At 2 miles took my first walk break and would rotate run 2 walk 1 minute for the next 1/2 to 3/4 mile - wow was that long and tedious! I just kept pushing on and sometimes those last 30-40 seconds of running were sheer torture, but I kept on. I did pass  quite a few people walking or walk/running, but also got passed by only a few that were CHARGING up that hill!!! I honestly don't remember the numbers, I was way too concentrated on just keeping the feet going!  around .5 mile left the trail gave a bit, some flat or what felt like downhill to get a good break in. That last .5 mile went quickly and I felt strong, but was ready to pass off. Finished in 41:58, wow! Looking down the hill at that point I felt SO accomplished, a year ago I would've never dreamed that I could do it, but I did it with the best of them today!!! Rough finish of the hill for Cal and then crazy down for Jeff and a fun trail run in for Annette. We met her at the end of the field and got to run her in to the finish. Our team was done in 29 hours even, I felt that was impressive. It was a rough run, but I had the time of my life and LOVED it!! Would've liked a little more sleep and a little more fun chatting, but had a WONDERFUL time and would do it again in a heartbeat...even my leg!!!

Total miles: 3.6 AP: 11:46 Splits: 8:56, 11:53, 14:26, 11:48 total elevation change (1463 ft, 1482 up 19 down, 7.6% grade)

Went to the gym for a good step class and Ab's class. Took it easy, because I think any bacteria or virus that was within 10 feet of me this weekend is now growing in my body! I'd rather take it easy for a couple days than be down for a week or more being sick! Ragnar was amazing and taught me to appreciate myself and what I can do, I loved it!!!

Here is a short story from my daughter's swim coach that I just loved! A little inspiration for all of us, it's intended to apply to children, but I think it hits home with all of us!

That’s Not It

Last week, we had a Mom come to us and “inform us” that her 13-year-old daughter would be gone for two weeks vacation in late June, maybe another week after that.

Her daughter was not much of an age group swimmer, but she has some endurance capacity and comes regularly to workout at 5:30 am and again at 5:30 pm daily. She works hard, demonstrates little talent, but lots of determination.

Her mother is not athletic and clearly does not value athletics. We expressed our dismay that she’d be missing for 2-3 weeks in the middle of the most important training of the summer. Her mother’s response?

“Who cares, she’ll never be an Olympic swimmer, so what does it matter really?”

This is a dagger in the heart to any swimming coach, and it is to me.

If we only cared about and worked hard with, those 52 people who will eventually, once every four years, go off to the Olympic Games, it would be a small, empty and meaningless sport.

My response was “That’s really not it.”

What is it?

It is the fact that young people need to learn to dedicate themselves to something that is difficult, something that requires perseverance, guts and the daily determination to get your butt out of bed and go out and push your body till it can’t go anymore.

Why do they need to learn this?

Because their lives are too easy, too soft, too catered-for. Too many people carry them, make excuses for them, never allowing them to try to be “heroic.” Is it “heroic” to get your butt out of bed and go swim at 5 am? It is if you haven’t done it before. Is it heroic to “make” 10x200 fly on 4:00? It is if you haven’t ever done it before.. Is it heroic to finish your swim and turn around and cheer for the teammate who is even further behind than you are, and is struggling to make the set? Need I say it? It is if you’ve never done it before.

And that is what “It” is about. About doing what you haven’t done before. And learning that sometimes you succeed. Sometimes you fail. If you fail, you go again until you learn to succeed.

It’s not about being an Olympian.

It’s about being Olympian. Learning to be a hero.

And what it takes to learn that.

Or, you can Be Comfortable and teach your child that its more important to be Comfortable.

So, if that’s your choice, I only have one question?

What will happen to your child on the day when they are made “uncomfortable” by life?

Lazy. Decided my body needed sleep more than running this morning so I slept in and missed the BBK run. I was really looking forward to hearing all about the WBR relays, but sleep overtook my need to socialize :) Took the boys in the jogging stroller on a good walk, but then decided to get some run in as well and did a good couple (no garmin...no idea exactly, just an estimate). I forgot how hard it is to run in good form and with any speed pushing a jogging stroller and having a dog tied to it as well! Lauren rode her bike with her friend as well, so we looked like a mini-parade as we wound through the neighborhood. fun easy day!

Does a 1/4 mile of lunges count for any mileage? Good Kick-box class this morning, then ITB stuff and Ab's....good workout, but ready for a nap!

Should've gone to bed earlier, but I still drug my tired bum out of bed to get to group; however, it was my PT appointment more than running that woke me up :) Met at a new church, did the warm-up then ran out to daybreak. The group did some speed work, but I was already having to head back to the car since I had to leave early for the appointment. I was still dragging my lead legs and not ready for speed anyway so I did the temple hill and then headed back to the car 2 miles away. Eric needed to get back early as well, so I was happy to have the company back to the church. I took 'er easy today, made sure HR was low enough I could easily talk - I never had a mile under 9mm, and the AP was 9:32. Seems about right for how I was feeling - still drained! Went to the PT appointment and this will be my last one (pending no pain in the next month)!!! Got a few new exercises to work on throughout the month, I'm really enjoying them, because as I do it I can see the weaknesses in the areas I need to strengthen to be done with IT pain. Came home picked up my baby and went to yoga, I was so tired I took yoga easy as well. Lots of nice stretching! I think I'll take another nap today :)

Another big 'null' on the miles today - seriously, am I ever going to get enough sleep to feel better? I'm just dragging all day and when I do run I feel like I've got lead legs! How long does WBR pull the energy out of you?!? I did go to the gym and did a cardio/weights class, it was good but nothing hard or strenuous. I'm running the Herriman 10K tomorrow, with the way I'm feeling I'm hoping for an AP of 9mm! I'll go to bed early tonight and see how life is treating me in the morning.

So, I get to the race and despite feeling like crap (and eating like crap) all day yesterday I'm actually feeling okay, tired but good. Then my competitive nature takes over and I start scoping out the competition....lots of runners, but do I have it in me to beat them? Due to computer glitches the race started about 30 minutes late, but I had good company to hang with and I was already awake :)

Lined up at the 'start' line and we were off, the first 200 yds in a hill to get out of the park and I knew it was downhill after that so I just pushed it, but as we turned the corner I was done and ready to walk, ooops I still have 6 miles+ to go! The next couple miles actually felt okay and I passed a few people and there were some that passed me (they were going SOO fast, I thought for sure they must've started 5 minutes late!).

The first 2.7 you have some 'rolling' hills, but its a NICE downhill path to warm up on (you loose almost 300 ft of elevation). Then we hit the hills, the course is a loop so you have to recover everything you loose! I actually started feeling good around 3 and was ready to conquer those hills! Funny, but WBR has ruined my perception of hills. I can finally say "That Hill ain't S*@T!!!" I acutally passed about 3 or 4 people on the hill and was gaining on everyone I could pick out. I LOVED it - yes, I honestly truly loved it no sarcasm in the statement! It was great to feel good and run strong up the hill as I saw others struggling. So to my lovey BBK torture squad - THANK YOU!!!! 

The only problem was that at about mile 4.5 I was done, I contemplated walking but the competitive side kept me running and pushing. I had passed one woman on the hill and I knew she wasn't far behind, so I pushed on up another slight hill to the turnaround. Just before that I passed a water station and they started cheering for me and said "yea! nice job! You're the 2nd woman!!" I couldn't believe it, I thought there were 4 or 5 women in front of me...this just increased my mental push, we're almost done let's just kick it home!!

I saw the 1st place lady at the turnaround and she was probably a good 3 minutes ahead of me, so I just concentrated on pushing past some of the men in front of me. Felt good again until the last uphill push (THIS hill was comparable to Ragnar, but only 100 yds or less!) I turned the corner grabed some water then saw Kelli. I was SO happy, I knew she would push me to the finish and keep me strong despite the fact that I felt like I couldn't breathe! At least I wouldn't hear her say "come on, you're not even breathing hard!" :)

The course flattens out then the last .15 or so is the downhill back into the park and I let it go, I couldn't sprint like I would've like to and one guy I'd been leap-frogging sprinted past me, but I pushed to the finish! I was surprised to see that the time was 47:40, because I felt like I had relaxed a bit on the downhill and didn't push nearly as hard as I had on the Bluffdale course a couple weeks ago. I guess it was all my 'tapering' this week :) I was kind of bummed to get my card and see that the 1st place finisher was in my age group (24-35) and so I got 2nd in my AG as well - DANG!! I ran 5 minutes slower last year and still got 2nd in my AG, that's a small town run for you I guess.  

AP:  7:46mm splits: 7:27, 7:30, 7:26, 8:05, 8:00, 8:10, 7:31 (for the .2 finish) Total of 667 ft of elevation gain and since the finish is just beyond the start the elevation loss is 687 - so I guess this was a 'downhill' run - lol!!!

TONS of running around today, plus I got kicked out of my step class :(  STINKY doctors appointments!

Did get in 1200M of swimming, so I'm almost up to a mile...YEA!!

Spin class, Lauren's swim meet, Smart Cookie Company, Volleyball - Perfect 3 shower day! :)