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

5 miles on my normal 6 mile route, but I cut out the last loop because I snoozed a little too long. Felt great this morning!

Remembered my Rools and kept pace on the uphill - very pleased with my splits. If it wasn't for the first mile, I'd call this nearly a full tempo run. I was really pushing up the hills, breathing was harder than I've pushed for quite some time! But oh how good it felt when I was done.

AP: 8:36 splits: 9:23, 8:21, 8:05, 8:26, 8:42. Those last 2 miles are all uphill, what I call my 'hill of death' because it's the long slow climb back home. I was SO surprised to see them under a 9mm.

Heading off the the gym for step class - love feelin' good and running well - now to put my diet in order :)

**step and abs class at the gym - it was a good sweaty workout, and thankfully ab's was a little easier than last week!**

I got to practice running from insurgents in a war zone this morning. Camp Williams was up playing war games this morning and when you don't have an ipod to drown out the blasts you have to use your imagination :)

Some 'little' friend of mine decided to turn my garmin on for over 13 hours as it sat by the computer yesterday, so this morning it was dead. I was going to try a new route, but decided to just do the 5 mile loop I did yesterday backwards, since I wasn't sure how far exactly the new loop would be. Downhill at the beginning and end was very nice! I like the loop this way better, I think.

Pushed on the hills, but nothing like yesterday. I'm sure the effort was around a 9:20 AP, but it's nice occasionally to run without the garmin - as long as I know how far I'm going.

Adam is 6 weeks old today - wow how time flies!!

***went to the gym and did total body/resistance/lifting class, then ran off to doc's for my last appointment. She cautioned me against losing any weight if I wanted to continue nursing. Has anyone ever done marathon training while nursing (or know someone) that could give me advice? I don't like dragging along these extra 20 pounds, but I also HIGHLY value nursing my babies until they are one. I need some advice..***

Long story short, I didn't get to bed until midnight last night. I figured I'd take a rest day mid week, I was tired and I deserved it - so I turned the alarm off, snuggled Adam and went back to sleep.

After getting up and getting the kids ready for school I wanted to run. My mom and sister came over to weed for me (my poor mother was terribly embarrassed by all my weeds during family parties a couple weekends ago!), so I figured I could leave my 3 year old to 'help' them - which he'd be doing anyway - and take baby in the jogger for a short stroll.

Turned out both Adam and I needed a good run this morning. Same 4 mile loop I did with the jogger last Friday, but a little faster today (letting those Rools sink back in, especially hills and headwinds). It was later and hotter, but cloud cover and a breeze made it tolerable.

Came home, helped with a little round-up and supervision duties and then I even got taken to lunch, and it was even better than the $ menu at McD's! However, I did have to buy my own cookie :)

Sleeping in, run, weeding done, lunch, cookie and now a nap - NICE day!!

AP: 9:13 splits: 9:10, 9:36, 9:45, 8:28

I love what these thunderstorms are doing to the sky for sunsets and sunrises! It truly is beautiful!!

Reflective morning, lots of wandering thoughts after getting passed by a young man like I was standing still. Am I really cut out for this? Remember when I was fast...and thin? Good thing I came around to remembering that I run for me because I love it and not for others or to compete with anyone but myself!

Felt slow and tight this morning, but around 4 miles finally felt good and in a nice rhythm. The downhill was faster, but the uphill (last 3-4 miles) was a stronger, more focused effort.

When I started out I saw 2 mommy deer and 2 babies running across an alf-alfa field. I don't know if the babies were twins or just out on a play date with moms, but it sure was neat to watch them. Stark contrast to the freshly hit raccoon on the way home :(

AP: 9:04 splits: 8:58, 8:29, 8:34, 9:14, 9:20, 9:35, 9:15

Slept in knowing I could easily do 3 on the TM at the gym (and hoping I could run with Kelli too!). It was nice to get a bit of extra sleep, but I did miss the sunrise :(

Total body conditioning class, then 3.25 on the TM - 2@9:20, then slowly increased pace during the last mile to end at an 8mm for the last 2 min of time (30 min total time), so I don't know the split I'm assuming around a 9mm. 

I had a GREAT time chatting with Kelli, and I'm glad she got stuck in training so I could run a bit with her. I sure do miss long runs with friends, just chatting the miles away! I hope I get brave enough soon to get back to long group runs on Saturdays.

headed out early for my run AROUND the lake today. About 1.5-2 miles in I had a guy join about 100 yards in front of me. He was running a slow enough pace I knew with a small steady increase I could take him :) Caught him before the light (my goal) and got chatting. He was going down to the lake as well, so I asked if I could tag along with him. We had a nice chat (a fellow marathoner) for the next few miles then he turned at the lake...and I went around.

Just a 1/4 mile later or so, I was blessed to run into the BBK group doing their long Saturday run! I had seen the email and thought if I was lucky I'd run into them at the lake or between there and the new HS. Sure enough! I couldn't keep up with the lead group's pace, but I wasn't too far behind :) It was nice to see and chat with them for a bit though!

The last 5 uphill miles home were slow, hard and lonely. I was very grateful that I had carried and dropped water at the HS so I could stop and drink @ 10 miles. I needed it! If I wasn't afraid of running with a sloshy belly I'd have drunk the whole bottle! I also got to walk about 1/3 of a mile home, which was a nice cool-down.

Overall it was a good run, but reviewing splits I think I started out too fast (with the first guy) and it pulled my energy the last few miles of the run. It didn't feel fast then, but those last 3 I could definitely feel the energy drain. Lesson learned!

Now that I'm home, rested, stretched and rolled I'm feeling good and thinking I could've run a few more. Nah, slow and steady - NO injuries!!

AP: 8:55 splits: 8:50, 8:06, 8:18, 8:29, 8:46, 8:55, 9:02, 9:04, 9:26, 9:07, 9:29, 9:42, 9:34 (last .10)

wow...faster than Ogden 1/2 (best 1/2 time so far this year) and highest mileage week since the first week of November (just before SF).

I woke up and felt a little ambitious...so I did my high country loop. NASTY uphills in the foothills between Butterfield and Yellowfork canyons. I haven't attempted this run in probably nearly a year!

Hills were tough, but I felt good. Mondays always seem to be good running days for me, especially after a rest day Sunday.

AP: 9:00 splits: 9:47, 9:41, 9:46, 8:34, 8:12, 8:18, 7:55(last .3) 641 ft of elevation gain over the loop, uphill is obviously first :)

**step and ab's class at the gym...I'm tired!!**

No ambition today. 

Confession: shins have been bothering me a bit, but it usually fades by the first 1/4 mile or so. It used to bother me after a run (funny walking) but they have gotten better with icing, stretching and my style of scraping them. This morning, it never faded - they hurt the whole darn cotton-pickin' time! Icing is now on the docket for the rest of the day.

New 4 mile route - hill of death in the middle. It's not too bad, it's just 1+ miles of gradual decent uphill. I do like this better than the other 4 mile route I usually do with the jogger though, so it will probably become a regular. Nice flat/downhill at the beginning and end. It's nice to begin and end on a good note :) Felt slow and heavy the whole run, I hope these shin splints go away soon!

AP: 9:11 splits:  9:09, 8:57, 9:45, 8:59, 8:38 (last .25)

Kept the miles short, because I'm hiking with my sister today. DN gave you a free tram pass for Snowbird, so we're going to take the tram up then hike down -yup, the lazy way :)  I think it's about 4-5 miles, so I didn't want to overextend my legs since I want to try and hit 7 miles tomorrow. It will just me her and I (and baby Fartlek of course), so it will be nice to not have any kids to motivate/bribe down the trail. It should go much faster.

I've been a bad blogger lately! I haven't been around enough to check on all your blogs, so I apologize. Thanks for supporting me and checking on me anyway. I hope to get out and make the rounds on blogs today...so make it a good one for me! :)

Nice run this morning, the shins felt better - not cured, but SO much better than yesterday. I opted for my 6 mile, more uphill miles, route  instead of my planned 7 that does the first 3.5 downhill. Sore quads from 5 miles of hiking downhill from the tram at Snowbird. I seriously don't know how you trail runners do it! I'll stay snails pace on the trails for now :)

I'm going to baby these shins again today and do the scraping/massage tonight again (it seems to help the most!) and then take Friday completely off running to rest for my 15 on Saturday.

I think I need some running company. Everyone I see out running I think I recognize...I thought I saw an old friend from HS today, but nope just wishful thinking :) I also picked out Teena, Kelli, Barnes and Julie from the gym. None of them were really them, I tell ya...I must be going crazy, or am just really lonely. Anyone up for a 15 on Saturday? I'd appreciate some company so I don't imagine I'm chasing you all during the run anyway :)

AP: 9:02 splits: 9:41, 8:37, 8:51, 8:47, 9:20 (my hill of death - so proud I kept it under 9:30! and kind of by accident as well), 9:04, 8:30 (last .2)

**Boot camp class kicked my hiney today! we ran 3 repeats of our .2 loop in the back of the gym, so I did 2 more at the end to round out an extra mile. The last one with the class I was sprinting (practice for my race with KP), then the last 2 I'd sprint down, then recover back. Good little shot of speed work**

Cool, crisp morning with the sun back lighting the Wasatch Mountains. I almost felt like I needed gloves this morning! What happened to summer?

I was a little scared of the 7 mile loop today. My quads and calves were so sore from the downhill hike and boot camp, but rolling and a bit of ibuprofen last night did the trick. Still a bit of stiffness and the shins a tad sore, but nothing horrible.

Saw the same guy at the beginning of my loop and then just past 1/2 way. I'm pretty sure it was the same kid that passed me when I did this loop last time. First two miles honestly felt effortless! It was nice to just coast on downhill. On the way back I made a conscious effort to follow the Rools and increase turnover on the last hill climb of death, but I still barely pushed a 9:30...shoot! Someday before SGM I will run this loop and have that mile stay under a 9:00! I will, I will, I will!

Now off to yoga...ahhh! Best part of my week. Then tomorrow will be a 'rest' day to give my legs a healing day to hopefully be good and ready for 15. I'm still open for any takers that would like to join lonely 'ol me....

AP: 9:01 splits:  9:00, 8:34, 8:50, 9:14, 9:19, 9:29, 8:53, 8:23 (last .25)

Rest day today :) I was SO excited to sleep in and not worry about if baby was going to wake up at the right time or sleep after I left - ahhh! 

Hit the elliptical for 60 minutes on L9. Good reading time :)  Baby had a blowout that I had to go take care of, so it was broken into a 40 min and 20 min session, but either way it was a good relaxing morning and I just got to work a little more soreness out of the legs.

What a wonderful run! Baby got up at 3:45 and I was afraid he'd wake dad up and need to eat before I got back from my run, so I had to leave a bottle. However, miracle of miracles when I got back everyone was still nestled all soundly in bed! Just added to the beauty of the morning.

I got out and ran our stake 5K loop to get 3 extra miles in before my SIL came to join me for a long run. It was also nice to get a home potty break and drink! She is also training for SGM and it will be her first full, so it's been fun rehashing marathon training advice. I probably need it just as much as she does! She was on a 12 mile long run and I was 15, so I did mine first  so she could sleep in and we could end together. It was SO SO SO stinkin' nice to have company! Made the miles fly by, with baby situation and everything this morning, I think next week  I may try the 'drive and run' long run - so give me your best offer for a 16 miler next week! :)

We did what I like to call my 'borders of Herriman' run. We run past or close to the N,S,E and W borders of the city a nice tour of the land :) There are 2 nasty parts of this run...Emmeline up through the foothills, but it's a decent grade not straight up. Then the 'hill of death' home, if you notice this is a constant part of my runs - since I live in the foothills I always have to run up this long uphill grade to get home. No wonder I like to 'drive and run'! My SIL is the first to come with me up the hill of death and see just how fun those 2 miles of uphill grade really are :) It seriously isn't a bad uphill...it just goes on and on forever! Especially at the end of a long run, it gets to be really fun!

Note to self: only did a drinking fountain stop about mile 8.5 - I need more fuel for anything longer than this. I think it will help my legs carry through better, but oh how I hate the gu! Must find a way to drop or bring fuel and water for next week.

Either way it was a beautiful early morning run, and we got to see some tri folks getting ready for the Herriman tri. Always fun to catch some of that race day excitement! I felt good the whole run, and felt that I kept the pace nice and easy, and maintained a consistent effort on the uphill portions. Shins are probably  a 1 or 2 of 10 on a pain scale which is magnificent compared to what it used to be. I think getting new shoes will help a lot as well. I'm pushing over 400 on the pair I've got now, I just hate shelling out the dough for a new pair. Any suggestions on a good cheap place to get some new ones?

AP: 9:07 splits: 8:39, 9:30, 9:08, 9:13, 8:52, 9:01, 9:17, 8:38, 8:55, 9:18, 8:46, 9:17, 9:24, 9:37, 9:12, 8:35 (last .1)

I need a good Sunday rest to decide to run my hi-country loop each Monday :) This is the hills from h$!! loop that I love SO much! I started out with the thought that I wanted to conquer these hill, remember my ROOLS and keep the pace up. If I started whining - pick up the pace! Only one time did I feel like I wanted to stop and walk...pushed on!

I was really pleased with my efforts and finally broke the 9mm pace mark I've been hovering just over for the last weeks! PLUS, to do it on this route really pleased me for the effort I put in. I really tried to keep my flat and downhill at a good effort as well, and it all paid off in the end.

Ran by 13 deer this morning, all alive, but that is to be expected up in 'them thar hills' :) Ipod has also been resurrected so I had some tunes to keep me motivated. All in all a great start to hopefully a good week!

AP: 8:49 splits: 9:19, 9:20, 9:48, 8:24, 8:25, 8:17, 8:09

The first 3 miles are ALL uphill - 705 ft of elevation gain according to Garmin - then I get a short downhill break and then climb again, but not nearly as bad, through mile 4. Then it's flat/down for the remainder less a few short, but sweet, hills on the way home.

Now I'm off to step class and ab's class...onward and upward!

Tried out a new 7 mile course today. Downhill to start and finish, and hills in the middle. I don't know why, but when I can do hills in the middle and not my 'hill of death' back home, they seem SO much easier! I'll definitely have to try this one again.

AP:  8:55 splits: 8:53, 8:29, 9:01, 9:26, 9:24, 9:03, 8:10, 5:54 (for 30 feet beyond the mile mark until I hit the stop button :) I normally wouldn't include it, but at that pace I just had to!). Slower than the harder hills yesterday, but I didn't go out with speed on the brain either...more of a GA run today.

Tired this morning...I really need to start heading to bed earlier.

Now of to total body fitness class (resistance with a light cardio mix), then I may hit a few extra miles on the TM. Especially if Kelli is hanging around doing the same after her personal training :)

Is everyone going to be doing either Hobble Creek or PC this weekend? I'm looking for about 16 miles....

***total body class was a nasty one today, the teacher LOVES to work shoulders like nobody's business and was true to form today - at least it wasn't legs! Then I hit the TM for another 3.2 miles at an AP of 9:20. Had to start slow, but finished with 20 seconds at a 7:30 pace. How in the WORLD did I ever run a 1/2 Mary faster than that?!?***

My stupid shins were yelling at me again this morning. I've honestly felt not a twinge since Saturday, I guess a couple days of slacking on the stretching and rolling is paying it's consequences. Or, maybe they just don't like this loop! It was the same one last week they were nasty on.

Sore calves, gale force winds and attempting the 'conquer the hill of death' route made for a nice slow recovery run this morning :)

AP: 9:23 splits: 9:21, 9:13, 10:04, 9:30, 8:54, 8:45 (last .15) The uphill is from miles 1.5-3.5, coupled with the headwind I was pushing what I could up that hill of death, but dang it all for getting a 10+ mm!!!

Well, off to boot camp and then some elliptical reading time, since this will top out my miles for the week with tomorrows HBK run and Saturday's long run. I'm really trying to keep my miles on a slow steady increase so as to avoid injury.

Much better on the shin front this morning! Met Cal for a run up Rose Canyon. Again this was a run I haven't attempted in quite some time, always good to conquer those routes!

Nice run, even better company and I'm working on those hills. Veyo is starting to scare me, but I know if I keep plugging along and working on a shorter stride up the hills it'll all turn out okay. I'm not really shooting for a time at SGM, just a finish. I know I'm not in good enough shape to hit a PR or BQ, so I'm just going to run what I feel and do what I can. I just want it to be a GOOD race!

AP: 8:54 splits: 9:26, 9:48, 9:52, 9:13, 8:02, 7:58, 8:04, 8:23 (last .3)

It honestly wasn't as bad as I remembered, which could be a good thing, but it may have also been the fact I had good company to distract me! I was excited to see a sub 8 mile on the return and a sub 9 AP for the run. Onward and Upward! One thing that did catch my attention was that it is only 50ft more elevation gain (total) than my hi-country loop. So, between these two runs I should start getting some good hill work under my belt!

Now off to yoga, my favorite part of the week!! I'm getting into my book now and so I'll probably take a little bike time to read after wards, but it won't even be enough to work up a sweat. Free daycare time! :)

Cal, thanks again for keeping away the mountain lions (or the mental perception they are around every corner). I've gotta work on my speed so I can out run you...just in case we see one :)

Rest Day!! 

Got to sleep in (which was much needed after a restless baby night which we haven't had for a LONG time), and then went to the gym for some reading/elliptical time. 

90 minutes @ L10 - great book as well.

Didn't have the patience to wait for shipping on shoes, and I needed some fuel for tomorrows run so I don't bonk like I did last week. So, I went to Wasatch running and got some new shoes, insoles and other fun running stuff :) NOW I am ready for my run tomorrow.

Short night last night...but aren't they always? *sigh* it took longer than expected to get my butt out the door this morning, but luckily Wendy was willing to wait. Wendy is the yoga teacher at the gym training for her 1st full: TOU. Kelli has been her long run coach and will pace her to the finish on race day, so since Kelli is out of town I got to take over assistant coach duties today :) Or...maybe we both just needed some company and I was willing to run a bit slower with her and keep her from stopping and walking.

It was nice to head uphill first and be able to finish with a mile of downhill today. A tad different, but we still ended up going out to the lake - 2 loops around and home. On the way home we got to see the tail end of Barnes' 4 mile race for the new HS X Country team. It seriously gave me a bit of a boost there on that last uphill push. Race adrenaline is SO much better than Gu, even if you're not racing!

We finished a tad before expected on the route, so I pushed the last .35 to round out my miles for the week. Then we had a nice 1/2- 3/4 mile walk back to her house. The run was slower than normal (and we stopped more than I normally do for drinks etc), but I sure didn't mind the company in lieu of speed today! I also got the first few miles on my new shoes and insoles - happy feet! :)

AP: 9:40 splits: 11:09 (holy moly! no wonder it felt so easy going up hill!), 10:03. 9:17, 9:37, 9:20, 9:26, 9:25, 9:25, 9:26, 9:24 (wow, I don't think I've ever had such consistent miles!), 9:45, 9:33, 9:31, 10:04, 9:43, 9:40, 9:33 (last .35)

Tried out a new loop today - copied Cal's RC out and back, but I think I ran it wrong. It was a mile longer than anticipated, which was fine except my hubby didn't appreciate having to wait longer to get off to work. Oh well, 10 minutes isn't too bad. 

Interesting how this run was uphill both ways...out and back. It's a gradual uphill climb along the foothills, then a crazy downhill stretch, then the long gradual 2.5 mile climb home. It honestly was a good route and I'm excited to try it again.

Along 13400 S there is a dirt trail for about a mile that Wendy helped me discover  on Saturday. It's a lot nicer than running the shoulder of the road there, but I think it makes it a tad slower because of maneuvering through the dirt piles and uneven surface. Who knows...

Worked hard on the uphills and on one of my uphill miles home that I usually hate I hit almost a sub 9 (9:06) I'm getting closer to that sub 9 goal on those hills! Feel really good today, rest days and a bowl of ice cream always seem to do that for me :)

AP: 8:51 splits: 9:01, 8:43, 9:12, 7:59, 8:16, 9:06, 9:42, 8:51

Now I'm off to step class and ab's class - onward and upward!

**as a side note, I can't wait for Onion Days in 2 Weeks!! My fun run of the year with family, Marion's killer syrup, good friends, parade and a great race. I don't think I'll be placing in my AG this year, but it will still be exciting!**

I truly live in a beautiful place and am blessed to be able to run every morning and enjoy the beauty I'm surrounded by!

Tried a few Fartleks in lap 3 along the nice flat road - every other light post, I don't think I'll be gathering enough speed back before Onion Days 10K to place this year, but I will always go out and do my best. I honestly think the speed is there, it's just getting drowned out by the extra 20 pounds still sitting on my hips and I think I've forgotten how to race hard and push myself for a long time. Hmmm, we'll see I guess.

AP: 8:48 splits: 9:21, 8:19, 7:56 (Fartleks), 8:45, 9:15, 9:37, 8:23

Now off to Body sculpt and I'll probably hit the TM for a few extra.

***3.25 on the TM, 9:13 AP***

ugghhh, it was one of 'those' nights...followed by one of 'those' mornings. My feet were moving in a semblance of running, what more do you want?

No focus on the run other than just to get through it and what I can of the day so I can take a nap this afternoon, well maybe depending on how all the issues from last night work out...

It was another beautiful morning though, and if I wasn't half asleep I probably would've enjoyed it more. Sunrise and Moon-set, simply amazing!

AP: 9:06 splits: 8:52, 8:53, 8:59, 9:14, 9:13, 9:35, 9:17, 8:50 (last .1)

I'm going to need my time at the gym today. Boot camp and then either a few more miles on the TM or ellilptical/reading time to finish up my book. Stay tuned....

**ran just over 1 mile during boot camp, then hit the TM for 10 min to do one more mile and finished up the time to 8:40AP. Then did the elliptical for 20 minutes and finished my book - excellent read! "The Lonely Polygamist"**

I need a nap....

My hi-country loop is nothing to be messed with; however, today I taunted it and toyed with it as I ran half asleep and it chewed me up and spit me out! I probably should've chosen a different route for 6 because of the way I was feeling this morning, but I just had it in my head to do hi-country, so I did.

Running is like my morning coffee...gets me energized and going for the day, but today it has had a short term effect. Came home and got the kids off to picture day at school, went to yoga (definitely a highlight!) and now I've got 2 bazillion things to do around the house since I've been 'working' all week, but all I want to do is sleep...

AP: 9:36 splits: 10:14, 10:20, 10:27, 9:21, 8:59, 8:47, 7:52 (last .3)

Oh how amazing to sleep in! Plus baby slept until 4:30 ate and went back to bed, so I finally got some sleep (only one interruption all night, not the 4-5 of the last couple nights!). Now I just have to get to bed on time tonight so I can wake up at the crack of dawn for my 18 miler with the croc runner :)

Rest day: did just 90 min on the elliptical @ L10 = 6.0 miles and caught up on one back issue of Runner's World. Good reading as always.

Good luck to all the racers tomorrow!! Love reading weekend race reports!

What a GREAT run! We had a nice crowd show up and I got to run with Cal, Allie and my SIL

I haven't gotten to run with a crowd for SO long it truly made the morning amazing and the miles flew by! It felt more like a 10 by myself than an 18. I was able to keep a decent pace and although I felt done at the end, I knew that I wouldn't be exhausted. Give me a few minutes to recover and I probably could've pulled out a few more miles. So, with hitting higher miles this week, keeping a faster pace and all the cross training classes as well, I'm feeling REALLY good. I might just be able to conquer SGM after all.

Maybe it's just all the good vibes that Allie puts out :) I'm certainly feeling like a rockstar today because she came out to run with little ol' slow me! Thanks Allie for being willing to come out and run with me -even though I tried to ditch you before the run even began :) for the yummy bananas that made me a rockstar when my kids got a treat when they saw me, the AMAZING company, and the opportunity to hang out with the famous Allie-croc in her inaugural long 'red' run! I've decided I'm going to have to try out the crocs on a run (another big thank you!), I probably won't give up my pampered princess shoes, but it's worth a try.

I think I'm now going to name this route "Cal's run" since this is the stretch he runs all the time. Thanks for showing us around Cal! I had a great time, as always, chatting away the miles with you.

Oh, and for anyone out there interested: You have to run on a bit of dirt, but you can run the JRP under 11400S bridge now. So, we were able to do 8 miles straight down to Bluffdale and then turn back starting at 9800S. Annette was the one that showed us this new connection! I was a little relieved I didn't have to run up and out of the river bottoms to get through.

The bugs were the only drawback from running the JRP (water ways in SL County aren't necessarily pretty). I think we were all redecorated with a nice slather of bugs when we were finished. Maybe that's why I felt so good on the run - the extra protein snacks :)

AP: 8:48 splits: 9:30, 8:50, 8:59, 8:50, 8:52, 8:46, 8:59, 8:47, 8:58, 8:54, 8:39. 8:42, 8:37, 8:45, 8:38, 8:38, 8:33, 8:36, 7:58 (last .15).

With a bit of a progressive run like that, it really gives me hope for SGM - as long as those darn stupid, stinkin' ITB's will cooperate!

Had a beautiful run this morning! Adam got me up early, so I decided I could fit in a good 9 miler. As I left my hubby said "but it's thundering" "yeah, no big deal" and it sure wasn't! It was sprinkling just a tad when I left, but quickly stopped. I ran up to Butterfield Park through the cove, then did the Pumpkin run route down to Monarch Meadows, then came back the same way.

I honestly couldn't have asked for better conditions. I got to watch a beautiful thunderstorm roll across the Northern part of the valley, a beautiful sunrise in front of me and to the South, the headwind was on the downhill miles (which is VERY rare, it usually comes out of the canyon which is all the uphill), and it was just a bit chilly! Then as I was about 3/4 of a mile or so from home, I heard a huge crack of thunder and was excited that I'd get to watch another storm. However, these big black clouds were coming right over the mountains behind me! On the last stretch home there was a beautiful rainbow with the black clouds behind it...seriously beautiful! I walked in the house, let the dog in got a drink and it started to HAIL! I BARELY made it home before a hail storm and down pour for the next ten minutes! WOW! Super lucky this morning. I got rained on by sprinklers more than clouds.

AP:  9:02 splits: 9:28, 8:51, 8:41, 8:35, 8:55, 9:21, 9:35, 9:24, 8:30, 8:43 (last .25)

I didn't feel like I was pushing the pace, but just tried to keep a strong effort on the uphill. Kind of bittersweet - last time I ran this race (almost a year ago), I finished the 5 mile race in an AP of 7:17 to take 1st in my AG (last race in that AG). I don't think I could hold an 8:17 now!

Now it's off to step class and ab's class, safely inside the gym. It'll be cold, but at least it will be inside :)

Regular ol' loop on a regular ol' morning, except that it is freezing cold! UGGGHH! Where is the heat? It's only August :(

Garmin must not have been put away correctly yesterday, because it was dead this morning, so I have no pace to give. However, I felt pretty good on the run. Did a few fartleks on my mile flat stretch. I'd do two lamp post sprints, rest one. I've got the endurance back in my legs, I now need to work on the speed.

Felt strong on the hills, stronger than normal, but not fast. When I would feel my pace slowing I'd make a mental note and pick it up again. I'd like to say I was pulling around 9:20's on the hills, but who knows. It is about effort anyway, right?

Off to body-sculpt for my resistance and then I'll hit a few more on the TM at the gym.

***Got locked out at the gym. The scanner thing to open the door had fallen and the whole gaggle of us were waiting outside (and I guess some had been for over an hour) to have someone come open the door with keys. At least I wasn't late to class like I usually am :)

Class was good, and we just went a little longer to complete the full hour after we got inside. I hit the TM and decided to try a bit of speed work to switch things up a bit. However, as I got going I felt good about the paces and kept pushing the pace and length of the speed work, and sped up the pace of my recovery time. So here is what I did in my extra 30 Minutes:

5 min @ 9:30mm

2 min @ 8:00mm

5 min @ 9:22mm

3 min @ 7:53mm

5 min @ 9:13mm

4 min @ 7:47mm

4 min @ 9:05mm

2 min @ 7:30mm

This gave me a total of 3.5 miles for the 30 minutes which becomes an AP: 8:35 - not too shabby. The best thing was I felt good on the speedier parts. My breathing was under control and the minutes went by quickly. I think my legs just need to learn to feel speed again. I've gotten so used to listening to and not pushing my body (pregnancy forces you to), that my legs and body have just really forgotten what that extra gear is like. This gave me a bit of confidence for Onion Days, I'm still not sure I'll hit the paces and time I'd like, but it won't be as bad as I've thought it would be. ***