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

I was going to run today, but Wednesdays are crazy days at the gym and baby got whiny (surprise, surprise - he is still a bit whiny from being sick last week) so I didn't get everything in that I wanted. 

Started on the stair climber and I have decided that that machine is THE beast! Sweating like crazy, a good 'tempo run' cardio workout and the stairs never stop or slow down - they just keep coming! A great workout. Had to take my little guy to/from swim lessons during the workout, so I only  got 25 minutes total in, but 125 floors conquered.

Then I hit the weight area to do some hip flexor exercises to help recovery. Then after those and some planks Sarah came and got me for volleyball. I love my Wednesday smack down! Good workout volleying around. Problem came that the racquetball courts we play in (helps limit chase time when you shenk the ball) are right across from where the baby is and when they took him out to take him to the main room he saw me - and well, it was over at that point. I did talk them into letting me go do 5 min of stretching before, so I got the most important part in.

Lots of chatting at the gym and maybe not so much workout, but it was still good :) I'm now ready for a good hill climb tomorrow!!

Oh yikes, trying a new route can sometimes be good and sometimes it can be ugly. Today it was a little of both.

Met Cal for a good hill run, I warned him that running with me he probably wouldn't want to share his splits and I was right! I took my hi-country route, but went around the backside of the foothills and dumped onto Rose Canyon Rd above the cove and came home that way. I'm glad I found a little different loop to come home, but I'm not sure I'll do it again :)

After the regular hills we started on the new portion of the route - holy moly crust anloy! There were at LEAST two big nasty hills that were practically straight up. When the sun (that has been up for about an hour) sets again when you are at the bottom of the hill, you know you've got a problem! One of the hills was a dirt road and it was very Ragnar-esque and the other was at least paved. After hitting hills for 4 miles, scaling those ones wasn't easy. Let's just say there wasn't much chatting going on.

The last 2ish miles of downhill home made it all worth it and since I'm then recovered when I finish I feel good about my awesome hill conquering run! I got almost 1,000 feet of gain for the run and Monday's run up the canyon was about 870 - so it was a very good hill run.

Now I'm off to yoga for a good stretch to wind down the week. I'm feeling a ton better with the hip flexor and am almost to the point where I don't feel it with every step. I can actually forget about it sometimes, even running, which hasn't happened for a LONG time. I only had that for a day or two before Ogden, so hopefully with an extra week of care I can tackle UVM and not run myself into the ground again and have to start recovery over at square one. Proper warm-up, cool-down, stretching and nsaids are key right now!

Friday spin - back into the swing of things. 

A good hard class today - man I felt like I was biking a mountain and then would have to push sprints as well. I hope my body appreciates what I'm doing for it :)

Afterward did her 20 min stretch, PT and core stuff and then a few more minutes of stretch to finish off.

Great morning and looking forward to a 'long' run tomorrow!

Oh, the stinkin' miles... I just noticed this run put me almost over the top to 29 miles this week...yeah, uh huh...I really AM training for a marathon, why do you ask?

Despite the lack of mileage lately I am feeling better. I was a little worried about what the extended miles today would do to the hip flexor, but I am pleasantly surprised! Things had been feeling better and honestly they are even better after the run than before. It is still there and I have to gimp along a little to start, but once I warm up things go nicely!

I met Smooth, Toby and Karen at the PRT this morning at 6:30 and took just a couple minutes to get the leg moving with some dynamic stretching and a short walk - then we were off. Old rusty hinges getting back to work. I didn't even notice pace (or care, really) I just chatted along the way and had a GREAT time with the ladies! At the turn around I saw the real Smooth come out. You set that lady on a trail and she is OFF! I was having a hard time keeping up as she effortlessly darted around the bushes and plants on the trail - I think I now know her niche.

On the way back down we were discussing SGM and on the rollers I just kept thinking of how deceptive that race is and how I felt the same on that trail! We thought we'd stop at a drinking fountain and grab a quick drink, but it was off - poo! So, we ran on and came to a box with a jug of water and gatorade and cups. We figured we would help ourselves and thank those that had kindly left us some fuel (there seemed to be plenty!). It really helped get us all back to the park with some energy. Well, especially after Smooth heard the beep for the last mile and said "let's go ladies - finish strong!" Toby took off like a shot and left us in the dust just chatting, but I decided I would go for the race and push to catch her. I could hardly close the gap, and as soon as I was making progress doing so she noticed I was chasing her and gave me a good run for my money! I was going to push out the last .1 at the park (Toby stopped just before the street), but the cars didn't stop so I had to and then I couldn't pick the pace back up to finish out, so I just jogged the last bit until I hit 12. 

The pace again was slow, but I really can't complain when I can at least get out and run and have excellent company to boot. I honestly was having a hard time keeping up at some points as well, so it was perfect for my old rusty body today. Know the effort this pace took, I really don't see UVM being the race I want it to be next week. This isn't really a bad thing in my mind. I don't mind changing plans and not PRing, it really honestly doesn't bother me at all to just run and have a good time. With all I've been through in the past couple months I'm just glad I can show up and finish. I still have SGM to race and if I don't get to do it there, oh well. Running is about more than setting PR's for me. If you can't have fun and feel good when/after you run, why do it?

AP: 9:29 splits: 9:51, 10:00, 9:44, 9:49, 9:44, 9:48, 9:22, 9:27, 9:18, 9:26, 9:18, 7:56 (Thanks Toby!)

On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again...

It is SO nice outside I need to start getting to bed so that I can wake up in the morning and run. I really hate the dreadmill! 

I just did 6 today. The plan is 6, 5, 4, 3, off, UVM. A short little taper for little to no build up before the race :) I did a good 5 min warm-up on the stair master just to get the hip flexor moving. Then I did a good 90 second stretch and jumped on the TM. The 9:50 I started at sure seemed a lot harder than it should've been :( It took a while, but when I would get comfortable at the pace I'd increase the speed. Finally by 3 miles I was at 8:57 and feeling 'normal'. The first 4 miles were uphill, then I put the TM on a decline (-1%) to test out some downhill miles for Saturday. I was nice and comfortable there at an 8:20 which gave me some hope. Stayed there for the last two miles (but with a fast finish of the last .4, sprinted at 6:30 for the last tenth). I finished 6 miles at exactly 54:00 - 9:00 even AP, nice!

I skipped fit class to not tire myself out too much and just did some PT stuff for the flexor/quads, and then some planking and push-ups for good measure. Finished it off with a good 15 min stretch and roll-out. Felt like I finally got a decent workout in at the gym.

Nice easy normal 5 route with Cal this morning. It's nice to have someone to drag my butt out of bed - or I might just sleep! The morning was nice and cool, but still warm enough to wear a skirt and t-shirt. It's nice to have these days back again. It was probably only around 50, but better than we've had in the past 8 months, so I can't complain! 

Almost kept a decent pace...almost. I will blame it on Lucy today, it is NEVER my fault! :) 

AP: 9:10 splits: 9:35, 8:45, 8:44, 9:13, 9:32 (uphill home, I lose it every time!)

Did a short warm up and a nice cool down then came home and stretched. Oh, the anxiety about Saturday is killing me. I just really wish all these aches and pains would go away. I can't wait to run happy and strong again without feeling everything ache! Blah!!

Now I'm off to boot camp, but will do a workout like the other ladies there - 2 for the regular 25 of everything in the set :)

Slacker...yup! That's me :)

I was going to run 4 today on the TM, but Wednesdays are crazy at the gym because I have to take my son to/from swim lessons in the middle of my time and it's hard to get the motivation to run on the TM anyway. Also, my legs didn't really want to run - so I argued with myself about doing it or not. This close to the race, it doesn't matter. I can do other stuff and keep cardio, right?

Well, I did 20 min on the stair climber, swim lesson break, 25 min on the bike,  swim lesson and shower break (for the little dude), ran into my SIL chatted then Sara came and asked if I wanted to do volleyball...well, that was it. I went and played volleyball until the end of my daycare time.

I don't feel guilty about not running either, I wish I had the miles to add up, but I think my leg enjoyed the break. Better every day, still only about 85%, but better. PT appointment on Tuesday to asses the damage from UVM :)

Came home and spent the next 3 hours on my feet taking care of yard stuff (disease control, fertilizer, garden fertilizer, watering, tie downs for the trees and weed control. I figure time on my feet makes up for the lack of 'miles'. Now off to do all my normal house stuff for Wednesday...

The first mile is always the hardest.

I seriously felt like I was running the last 5K of a marathon as I set out this morning. Tired heavy legs. I didn't think I'd been doing all that much this week, and maybe I haven't, but my legs feel blech! Not nice and fresh and recovered. I kept thinking "It shouldn't be this hard to run this slow!" Didn't exude a lot of confidence about Saturday.

I ran into Sandra just after mile 1, she'd gotten in late from vacation last night and wanted to sleep in so she didn't text me to meet up. At 6:30 she couldn't sleep due to allergies and got up to run on her own. We should've coordinated better, because we both only did 3 miles.

AP:  9:07; splits: 8:49, 9:30, 9:07, 8:07 (had to get a fast finish, I was actually in mid/low 7's the last .35 of the run - gotta love the downhill)

Ever since my daughter started running the mile at school for presidential fitness (her fastest time was 8:30 - and always the first girl!) she has asked to run with me. Well, today was the morning. I came home and got her to run just one mile, my son also wanted to come so we all got out to the mailbox for an out and back mile.

My 6yr old son made it a 1/4 mile before stopping and my daughter only stopped to walk at the turn around for a couple house lengths. They've both got congestion and cough going on (just like Kelli - I had it 10ish days ago), but I certainly was proud of the effort they made! Lauren (10) finished in 10:22 and David was a few minutes behind us, but had a fast finish as I challenged him to race me the last .10 home, as dad and baby were on the porch cheering us in. I'm sure the neighbors loved us! All in all I ran 1.25 with them. I've never had anyone in my family even want to run with me, so this was a fun thing. Surprisingly, my legs felt the best the last 1.25 :)

Now I'm off to yoga and am going to sit on my patutie and be lazy until Saturday at about 6AM.

Warning....VERY long, even for me. But, I hope it's worth the read :)

Today was the most emotional race I have ever ran. I've never felt so much. 

Friday night was just kind of disaster control and lets just say I wasn't having any of it. Then to top it off my son woke up the baby while he was getting pajamas on and although I haven't had any problems with the baby sleeping he wouldn't go to sleep! I felt trapped in a nightmare and I just wanted to run away. Baby and I finally drifted off to sleep in MY bed (ugghhh) around 11:30, making my 2:30 wake up call VERY early!

Problem was...alarm didn't go off. I had set 2 alarms (or so I thought) which I have only ever done for one race. I set my phone for the last possible minute to get up as my just in case, and I shot out of bed like a cannon when I heard it. 15 minutes later I was out the door on my way to Provo. Picked up Smooth and we had a great chat about how we were just going to hang in the back and whine and complain the whole way down - misery loves company! Until Smooth (the wonderful woman she is) gave me my mini fireside for the day as we drove down. I was feeling better, but still guilty about being a grumpy/bad mom last night and I was still ready to run my 26 miles away from it all!

The ride up was quite enjoyable chatting with JohnnyV, Matt and Teena. Even though our bus was one of 4 or so that got lost, we still had more than plenty of time upon 'landing'. At the start we found Luz and Cath (who we'd ditched for fear of lines at the buses) and had some wonderfully fun conversations.

When the gun went off I was sitting in a POP. HA! Always good times. It was our second trip there and I needed both due to my rush out of the house so early. It is nice to have a chipped timed race that starts when you do! We were about 5 minutes behind the gun, but between Lowell and the Luz and Cath duo (they'd ditched us as we dropped bags on the way to our late start :) ).

The first few miles were slow and painful, yes literally. Hadn't warmed up or stretched properly before hand and I was paying for it. The hip flexor was doing okay, I was just rusty and creaky all over everywhere else. Lowell caught us just after mile 1 and THAT of course brought up the entertainment factor. I love running with that guy! He makes it SO fun and chats with everyone. However, I got separated somehow at the first aid-station from them and that was all she wrote about running with friends (that weren't strangers). This started my downward spiral.

Running alone can sometimes be a good thing and sometimes a bad thing. Today it was a bad thing. My beaten up mental state took over and by mile 4.5 I was choking back tears and trying to hold it together thinking about my family as well as my dad (who passed 4.5 years ago).  Then my phone rang. I was going to ignore it (I had enough on my mind to not add whoever was calling's problem!), but I decided to answer it. As I pulled it out of my pocket I saw it was my sister bye-wing. She had called earlier at the buses (gotta love a time difference that makes that possible!) and I was just SO happy to hear from her and get her encouragement. I told her I was at mile 5 and then it happened. The flood gates opened and I just started bawling uncontrolably. I don't think she realized I was crying and not exhausted she said good-bye I said "I love you" and hung up. Nearly the next full mile (and aid-station) I spent bawling as I was running. No one said anything to me (thankfully!) and I since I couldn't stop I thought maybe my ipod would be a good option. Nope...first song just made it worse!

By mile marker 6 I'd gathered myself and was doing well. Feeling better too. I kept picking people out to chase (another good thing of starting so late!) and I'd run them down. Well, after passing one of my 'victims' she asked if I was Rachel. YUP! It was Michelle from Colorado. She runs with Carolyn and she had a baby a few months after I did last year and was in town for the race. I was hoping I'd see her, but couldn't have imagined the circumstances that it happened under. I had a good chat with her for a bit then left her to tackle the first of the few rolling hills.

Feeling MUCH better at this point I shut off the ipod and blasted up some hills (relatively speaking) and tried to encourage others walking. Then I got another faint "Rachel" spoken as I passed them...I turned to see Luz! Due to the hill we didn't chat much, but I said a few words to her and Cath just ahead as we crossed paths. Life was going great!

True to fashion I wasn't looking at my garmin and just paced along what was comfortable. I knew a PR wasn't possible from the beginning, so I was just there to finish. I lost track of the next few miles until 11 and I realized the next quickly approaching aid-station would be mile 13 - half way baby! Met another good chatty runner Jennifer at this point. She'd also run Ogden, had a good chat for a while!

At the 1/2 point I checked to see my split...2:00:30 yikes, this wasn't going to be pretty! Ogden was faster at 1:57 - and more enjoyable and comfortable. I figured I'd try and open it up and go for that elusive negative split, which has never happened to me.

Somewhere in the next few miles as I kept passing folks down the canyon I would surge for a short time then recover. I was feeling good and put together a good mental finishing plan! Since I got reprimanded the other day about my definition of 'family' I decided that the last 7 miles of the race would each be given to a member of my family that inspires me to run. I knew this would keep me focused on just one mile at a time and the individual and NOT on the pain.

Mile 19: The first dedication went to my favorite pirate...of the quiet variety. I mentioned that to one guy I passed and after 'favorite pirate' he said "Oh, Jack Sparrow" ha! nope! I just finished "of the quiet variety - THE Quiet Pirate." So, everyone I passed I would say "c'mon pick up the pace or ye be walking the plank!" Then I'd raise my fist and give 'em a good "Haaarrrrrhhhh!!!" I'd also shout the "Aaarrrgghhh" at the spectators as they'd cheer. Got lots of good cheers from that :) It was fun to watch the racers faces light up with a smile.

Mile 20: Bye-Wing got this one. My sister working every day to achieve her goal of running the Des News 10K. She may kill me for ousting her as my sister, but I can't help it. I love her! Since Bye-wing is a Thai phrase that means "go run" everyone I passed got a "c'mon, let's GO RUN." I got a few that would latch on and run a bit with me. Doing the dedication of each mile and getting to chat with each person I passed motivated me to run faster just to say 'my line' :) To the spectators I'd say "you know you wanna go run!" Again, good cheers and lots of energy.

Mile 21: Lauren Rachel, my first born. I knew this one was going to be hard, but I had to make my daughter proud of me. The song "Just the Way You Are" came on and I thought about her sparkly eyes and beautiful hair and just how Amazing she really was. She has been running the mile at school and finishing as the first girl and I told her to try and hit 8:30 - my marathon pace, and she did! So, since I wasn't really running my marathon pace my dedication to her was to hit my marathon pace to make HER proud. Huge hurdle came when the aid-station was just after the mile marker. Ugghhh, I had to walk through to get some liquid, but I had to hurry! I needed to still hit 8:30. It wasn't easy, but when the mile hit on my watch I had done it! 8:11! Even with the aid-station! Which means I was most likely in the 7's most of the time. She now has a new goal to hit in the mile :)

Mile 22: David A, my oldest boy. I like to call him Crockett (Davy Crockett?) and so when ever I'd pass someone, I'd tell them "Rock it like Crockett!" Not understanding the words, but feeling the encouragement I'd still get good smiles from the racers. I was just happy to not be running another 8:11! :)

Mile 23: Nathan Craig, my funny guy. Lately this 4 year old has just had one funny thing to say after another. His latest thing is everytime he wants something he'll say "Mooooommm, if you let me (watch a movie, play the wii, etc etc), I'll be your friend!" So, I decided every person I'd pass I'd say "if you run with me, I'll be your friend!" I couldn't believe the responses from this one! It was great! I actually ended up with about 4-6 people running with me. Others would say "you're going too fast" I'd reply "we'll help you out!" I couldn't believe the response!! One girl actually stuck with me and we made it to the end together. SO Amazing!

Mile 24: Adam Dekker, my baby. For my sweet baby as I passed people I would say "c'mon baby!" "you got this baby!" or some other encouraging phase finishing with baby. Kept my mind on my favorite running partner and the days we spent shuffling along together. My friend that was still with me from the last mile I told her "marathons are like labor...painful and horrible, but we do it for what we get when it's all done." Pride obviously, not the medal :)

Mile 25 - finish: Craig, my husband. Since I'd had such a cruddy day yesterday I figured that come what may, this amazing, wonderful man has covenanted to stay with me to the bitter end. Come what may and love it! So, as I passed people I'd proclaim with a raised fit "To the bitter end!" The crowd loved that one too :) As they would cheer I'd shout it out and they'd respond with a little more. He had to take me....to the bitter end.

I finished to a shouting crowd as I shouted back at them and encouraged them to "give us something! We've been running for FOUR hours! C'mon!" It was nice to have an energetic crowd to bring me home. 

Starting so late I didn't know how far behind the clock I was, so I had to look at my garmin. I was happy to see that I'd just eeked under 4 hours and achieved my negative split...maybe just barely, but I had.

I cooled down and had some chocolate milk, found Smooth after she'd finished and walked her circles in the corral with her - which I was doing MUCH less painful than I had anticipated! I loved seeing everyone at the finish and hearing their stories - good, bad and ugly (sorry Slick!). Picked up my Grand Slam Schwag bag, soaked my feet in the 'ice tub' (a hot tub full of ice water - SOOOO cold!) and chatted with Becca and new marathoner David about his debut BQ performance and wedding talk. Finally ready to head home I grabbed my drop bag and headed off.

I got in my car and decided to take one last detour. My father is buried in the Provo cemetery just blocks from the finish. I let him hold my medal and talked to him about my day. I know he isn't there...he was with me SO many times during the race. But sitting there and chatting with him was just the therapy I needed. I thanked him for all he had left me. No, not money, notes, pictures or even memories. MY FAMILY! It truly is the best thing I have and the only thing you can really leave behind. If it wasn't for my family I wouldn't have made it to the end...at least in such good fashion and spirits. I need them. Sometimes we run from home: kids, spouses and problems. We run to get a break from it all and sort it all out. We run away. Not today for me. Today...I was running home. I'm comin' home. They'd forgiven my mistakes. It was time for me to come home and show those I love the most just how much they really mean to me. I'm comin' home.

AP: 9:06 splits: 9;56, 8:59, 9:09, 8:48, 9:05, 8:28 (my bawling mile - ha! must've helped), 8;31, 9:39 (hills!), 9:29, 8:44, 8:50, 9:36, 9:10, 9:31, 8:52, 9:24, 9;08, 9:07, 8:49, 9:09, 8:46, 8:11 (Lauren's mile!), 9:03, 9:22, 9:36 (fading HARD! but, still happy), 9:24, 8:22 (funny, this was my goal race pace for this one before injury!) for the last .31 on Garmin.

TMI alert! Don't read this if you don't want TMI! Don't say I didn't warn you...

Note to self - do NOT run a marathon while PMSing. After being pregnant and nursing for a year your body goes CRAZY with all those hormones and doesn't know what to do and you CRY in a marathon. Just.don't.do.it.  

At least now I know why I couldn't hold it together :)

I didn't think my legs were quite up to running yet today (I took yesterday off and just did a ton of house work), but I wanted to get out and move, I needed to!

So, I put the older kids on bikes and the younger ones in the jogger and Lucy on the side, then took off on a walk. Went about 1.5ish walking up to a 'neighbors' house to return some things and had a nice break visiting for a minute.

On the way home (flat/down) I decided I wanted to try a little run. I'm sure it was horribly slow and ugly, but it felt good so I kept on! Finished the round-about way home and I'm assuming it was 2 or more. Felt good at the end and I'm sure I couldn't run tempo, but I think I'd like to try a few short miles tomorrow morning as well.

I'm trying to take this week off to let my body recover 100% before jumping into SGM training. I'm going to try and find a program to stick to. Although I hate them, I think I may give it a try.

Went to the PT in the afternoon and got a plethora of information! Good exercises to help me get rid of this dumb hip flexor issue. The best thing is he gave me overall core strengthening to do, because it seems like all of my injuries lately are due to a weak and unstable core. Also I need to work on strengthening my feet and ankle muscles. Not for any barefoot running, but to help some ankle/shin issues that are creeping up. So, heres to a good season with no more injuries! and some speed? :)

Tonight after dinner we loaded up the family parade of bikes and went out for an hour. While the kids played with dad at the playground I went to the top of the cove and back. When I got back hubby wanted a go at it, so ALL of us headed up. It took some recovery stops, but we made it up. It's always worth the ride back down. A good fun family outing!

Swim Day!

It was great to be in the outdoor pool and splashing around :) It was a perfectly warm and sunny morning. It really felt perfect to be in the pool!

Finished a mile in 37 minutes, well ish. I wasn't officially timing. Then I took my boys to the outdoor pool, but they didn't last long. A little to cold to 'play' in the water with the breeze. Finished up at home with my PT exercises.

2 kids down (stomach flu - YUCK!) and the rest of the family to go. How fast will it move? That is the question on my mind. Well, that and when will I have my 'last meal'?

Just an easy 3 with Sandra and tag along Lucy. Seeing as the AP was 9:42 I would like to say it felt easy...but it didn't. You forget how much a marathon takes out of your legs - and for how long! I'm sure some of it is the injury, but it really is feeling much better (90%). Just lead legs!

Now I'm off to yoga, still not sick - and hoping I can avoid it!

I'm thinking I'd like to do 12 easy miles Saturday - flat. Anyone game for Lehi JRP? anytime?

Oh, if you can see my new picture it is when I went and shared my medal with my dad for a while after UVM. Thought I'd post it in honor of father's day this weekend.

Spin! It's been a couple weeks since I've been to spin and the regular teacher was out for Ragnar and I really liked the sub. Good sweat fest!

Did my PT stuff afterward (core and hip stabilization) and then stretching. Ready for tomorrow!

Oh, and did I mention I love my body? :) Last night when I went to bed I had swollen glands. Hubby got the flu yesterday and so with the swollen glands I thought for sure I'd wake up puking this morning. Nope, I feel great still! I was cheering on my white blood cells to fight away the flu last night and I think it worked :) See? we all just need a little encouragement and belief now and again.

Fingers still crossed though, Baby, 6 year old and I have yet to get it....half way there....

I knew if I didn't meet someone that I wouldn't get up and out this morning, so thanks to everyone who accepted my invitation to come run! I couldn't/wouldn't have done it without you!

I had a great run and despite my legs still feeling like I was running at mile 20 only about 3 miles in, I had a wonderful time chatting with some of my favorite running buddies. Even though my breathing was more like I was racing a 5K than on a leisurely Saturday run.

My biggest recollection this run was when Maynard pointed out that Smooth had just ran over (literally, OVER) a snake and I looked down and freaked out as I saw it slither away! I HATE snakes!!! I think I would've screamed if I wasn't breathing so hard. Got a nice adrenaline shot that carried me through the next mile :)

It was nice to see the 8's again for an AP. Maybe just barely an 8, but it was still nice. Thanks again Smooth, Karen, Maynard, Scott, Chad and Annette for a great run!!

AP: 8:58 splits: 9:05, 8:53, 8:57, 9:02, 8:51, 8:55, 9:00, 9:00, 8:52, 9:11, 9:08, 8:41 (I tried to keep up with Smooth's final push, but just didn't have it in my legs! Nice to see the last mile the fastest though. I may recover some speed after all)

I wonder if my speed will ever come back to my legs and if the pain will ever fully go away. It seems SO far away at this point. 

Had to take the first couple miles to warm up, so they were slower paces (like 9:30+), but then I was able to keep it down for the last few. Finally felt good the last little bit as I added some speed. Finished at a 6:30 pace. Overall AP: 9:12

Went to FIT class afterward and got to do the bosu workout in bare feet! It was SO much nicer than with shoes and since I need to work on balance/stability with my feet and legs it was perfect! I really love this class. I just wish the teacher would do a few different combos and not the same ones each week. Gets boring knowing what is coming, almost like watching a video.

Hello Mr 8. It is SO nice to see you again :)

I still have more trouble running than I really think/remember I should, but the leg is getting better - slowly, but surely. 

Met Sandra and a couple of her WJ running friends at the lake for a morning run. They just did 3 miles (one loop) of the lake, but I am trying to do 5/day this week (M-Th) and a long run to hit 30 this week as a build-up/recovery, so I went for 2 loops which ended up at 6.4, but I couldn't stop there - had to finish out 6.5.

The first loop was a comfortable warm-up @ 9:21 pace, a little faster than Sandra and I usually run, because I was running with one of her friends and she and the other friend did a walk/run behind us. We'd occasionally loop back to grab them. When they left I took note of the AP up to that point and made a goad to push it under 8 by the end of the next loop.

I started off strong, but quickly realized how horribly hard it was to run fast. I still feel like I'm running through mud. I was breathing like I was running a 5K pace! I just kept telling myself it's only one loop - c'mon girl, this is easy! There were lots of runners out and I was running scared trying not to get run down the first mile, but after he passed me I caught sight of a couple girls running in front of me and I made the goal to catch them. Thanks to them taking the wrong way and ending up on a dead end, I did finally catch them about 1/2 mile before the 'finish'. Gotta love when karma works with you!

AP: 8:46 (booyah! Pulled it down 35 seconds!) splits: 9:38, 9:12, 9:15; 8:37 (first .35 was with the ladies), 8:08, 8:15, 7:45 (love me a fast finish .5 miles).

Came home and caught a nap for about 45 minutes before loading up the stroller and older kids on bikes and heading to the church for Boot Camp. Holy Moly my arms better be tough as steel after that workout, because I don't think I will be able to wash my hair tomorrow with all the shoulders she did! Great workout!

Now to celebrate the first day of summer my children are doing a parade for the neighborhood. Complete with taffy to throw and everything. Don't ask...it was something they wanted to do for their summer vacation. I may have to take pictures :)

A year ago today I wasn't running...I was in the hospital having my sweet baby. Baby Fartlek is now ONE year old! Heaven help me, it went too fast and I still have 15 pounds to lose!

Quick gym workout while Nathan did swim lessons (Dad was home to take him, so I didn't have to break up my day today). 5 miles at AP 8:30 - if I would've been smart enough to figure it out before hand I would've pushed to go just under, dang. Progressive with first 2@8:57, then 8:41, 8:34 and the last one faster as I felt it to finish at 6:29. 

Then I did all my core/PT work and a good stretch and roll. Now it's off to baking and fun for birthday!

Back with the BBBK's! (okay, one too many B's, but still can't quit singing it)

Great run back with the speedsters. I wish my pace felt easier today, but I'm glad I just did it and was out with wonderful people on a beautiful morning! I never regret getting up once it's done, but at 5AM I have a lot of reasons to talk myself into sleeping.

We did the Riverton 10K race/Country mile loop, and I sure hope the next time I run it I can go a little bit faster. Just a little.

AP: 8:54 splits: 9:19, 8:54, 9:01, 8:54, 8:54, 8:32, 8:34

Grabbed a nap at home then went to yoga. They had a kids yoga class my 2 older ones did and they didn't like it much. Can't blame 'em, the little I went to wasn't all that great.

Came home and grabbed some good shoes and went hiking up Yellow Fork canyon. Beautiful day for a hike and a picnic. We took Lucy as well, and she is SUCH a good trail dog! Better than a running companion by far. She is just VERY well behaved on a trail and listens and stays close, but has a good time. The kids definitely earned a snow shack, so I treated them to the first of the season. Now I'm relaxing inside and they are outside being water monkeys.

Spin on baby...spin on.

Good tough interval spin class today. Finished up with my PT/core exercises and then grabbed the kids. We spent the next hour or so splashing around in the pool and enjoying the sun. I spoiled them and bought them lunch at the pool while we dried off. Finally time for a shower and chores! :)

****I am wanting to run up Butterfield Canyon tomorrow. It is still closed to motor traffic (at least it was yesterday) so it would be a beautiful road run up the canyon. It isn't too steep and with no traffic it should be wonderful! I would love to have anyone/everyone join me! PM me and I can send you directions to my house (I start here, then I get a little more gradual up before hitting the canyon climb). Start time 6:30ish? I'm flexible, just trying to avoid heat and still sleep in a little :) ****

Holy Moly, I'd forgotten how nasty that canyon is! I did end up heading up Butterfield canyon and unfortunately the canyon was open. Luckily we didn't see many cars. 

Met Cal and Annette bright and early and we headed up to the canyon. After just the first one mile climb out of my neighborhood I was exhausted. My only thought was "this is going to be a LONG 6 more miles" and I didn't disappoint :)

I dropped water at the canyon gate and I'm glad I did. I wished I had brought it to the top! The canyon starts nice and easy with some rollers and it was SO beautiful! Shade, babbling brook, quiet, cool breeze, beautiful flowers in bloom. Amazing! Then the real work starts about 2.5-3 miles up the canyon. Oh, those rollers stopped and it was climbing...just climbing. I felt like I was just crawling up the road. But, I knew I had to make it so I just pressed on!

Finally reached the 4 mile turn around and wow...I was exhausted, but ready to fly downhill, until I did. OUCH! After pushing so hard up, your legs don't like to turn around and pound down! Took a while and a couple flats to get my feet under me again. Then I had a wonderful easy paced run down the canyon where we saw a mom deer and two TINY babies follow her across the street. I've never seen deer that small/young! It was nice to finally chat a bit. There was NO way I could've talked up the canyon.

Stopped at the gate and chugged the rest of my water then headed home. Only 2 little hills to go on the way home. Cardio and breathing were finally happy, but legs still felt like lead. I just keep wondering when running will feel easy again. I think I need to add this run to my schedule more often, and cut off the last 1/2+ mile :)

AP: 9:43 (sad, I know!) splits: 9:50, 9:45, 10:23 (I don't know why this one is so slow), 10:51(start of canyon), 10:59, 11:09, 12:02 (feet were still running...that is all I can say!), 8:42 (downhill? why yes!), 8:38, 8:39, 8:44, 8:43, 8:53, 8:49 total elevation gain on garmin: 2628 ft.

Back in the saddle. 

The run felt better today than running has in quite some time, but not up to what 'normal' feels like for me. Still feeling sluggish and slow, but getting better. My hip flexor is getting better all the time, but I still have to get it warmed up and the first bit of a run is still more limping than I'd like. Still SO much better than even a week ago. I can hardly even feel it now while I just walk around. 

Hit the TM at the gym. Plan was to do 5 miles, but when I got to 5 and still had over 6 minutes left to hit my 'time' I decided to go for another one and just push through having to reset the speed a couple times during the 'cool down' (it decreases the speed 50% each minute, so it's annoying, but whatever).

First 3 miles @ 8:57, nice warm-up/recovery from Saturday. Quads are sore from the downhill! Mile 4 @ 8:49, 5 @ 8:34 then the last mile was under an 8:00. I don't know how fast, but I started at an 8 and went progressive to a 6:58 for the last tenth. The last mile I went for a decline. Since I'd done 5 miles of uphill, I figured I deserved some down :) So, the pace was faster, but effort about the same - until the last 1/4 mile sprinting. AP: 8:43

I then did FIT class. I really like doing that class, especially now that they let us do the Bosu work with our shoes off. I feel like it really helps my stability/strength in my feet, ankles and hips that I lack.

Ran home and then got my oldest daughter off to the orthodontist. She got braces today. Crazy, I'm not old enough to have a child that can get braces! I'm only 22!!!

On the track again...just can't wait to get on the track again. 

Oh my! I made the mistake of meeting up with the BBK's this morning. I knew that the track was on the docket, but I figured I would just run. We did about 1.5 warm-up then went to the track and started a speed workout.

100's sprint/recover for two laps, then 200's sprint/recover for two laps. My problem was my pride. I had to try and hit it. I couldn't let everyone else go without me, so I pushed. That first workout certainly wasn't my best, but it helped me warm-up the legs for the next one.

400M  at goal 1/2 marathon pace, then 1200M recovery at pace +40 seconds. My goals were: 7:40 1/2 pace and then 8:20 recovery pace. We did 3 sets of this one. I tried to watch the garmin and stay on pace, which is always hard for me, but it kept me a bit more honest. I figured that my AP for the miles should come out around 8:10's - and I was nearly right on the money! There were a few times on the paces I noticed I was too fast, but it was nice to be able to slow down a little. Problem is, I'm bad at 'feeling' a pace and keeping it consistent so the next time I'd look down it was too slow. Glad it all evened out :)

We then went out in the neighborhoods for a cool-down. The meanest trick was that the first part was uphill. I was spent! We got back to the cars at 6.6 miles, and I couldn't help it. I had to even out the miles. I would've stopped at 6.5! Oh well, so I went to the other end of the HS and back to round it all out.

AP: 8:41 splits: 9:27, 8:49, 8:10, 8:12, 8:12, 8:52, 9:05

Boot camp was cancelled this morning due to the lady that does it having to drive up to Youth Conference. So, I just came home and did Jillian's Shred level 2. It really is a nice good burst of strength and cardio. No gym today. Work, meetings, babysitting, housework, airport and getting to see family!!! At least the day will end well :)

Easy little 5 miler this morning. After a late night, we were all exhausted and I just couldn't help myself with sleeping in. Didn't get up until about 9, it was wonderful. 

Got to the gym later than normal, but no biggie - except it was hotter than normal in there, and I was in a different place, so I had no breeze. Blech. Started at a 9:13 pace and went progressive every 1/2-3/4 mile finishing most of the fourth mile at 8:34 pace. The last mile I took my downhill liberties again and went sub 8:00. Most of it was at 8:00, but I did a fast finish at .25 going to 7:30, then the last .1 at 6:53.

Did my PT/Core work and then some stretching, then got the heck outta Dodge.

Days have been so busy lately I now have 3 days of housecleaning to catch up on before dinner...blech. So, I'm turning off the computer now. Have a great mid-week!

Another early morning with the BBK's. It is SO much easier to get up and run in the summer than the winter! Even if I still insist on staying up until 11:30 PM.

Luckily, the BBK's were just out for a nice easy run this morning. They are all running the Riverton 10K on Saturday, so I was actually able to almost keep up. Always a good thing in my book. I think only one person did the prescribed tempo run. Legs are still coming back, but I think I twisted my ankle on my Saturday run (stupid truck made me run on the dirt) and it keeps getting tender and swollen every day. No pain with running or walking, but tender and swollen. I tell ya...one injury to another this year!

AP: 9:06 splits: 9:31, 9:16, 8:53, 9:12, 9:00, 8:59, 8:38 (last 1/2)

Working early again this morning and I'm hoping her ride comes on time so I can go to yoga. If not, I might be a little ticked off! I really hope I have the energy and availability to get all the crap around the house done that has been on my list and not gotten done all week!