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

Hit the gym for step class and the TM...too lazy to get up and run with Lucy, poor girl is suffering from my laziness - guilt is adding daily! 

Step class started slow because of my horribly sore quads, but once I got warmed up things were better. Then went to the TM to do just 3, but I hit the stupid emergency stop on the TM with .2 to go! So, I got it back up and running to finish, but couldn't leave the TM showing only .2 - I do have my pride! So, I stuck it out for another mile and went over nursery time :) 

Starting the run was hard (easy 9:34 pace to start didn't feel easy!), but I would up the speed just one notch at the beginning and end of each commercial so I finished at 8:30 mm. Total time I think put my AP around 9:10 or so. Quads aren't being friendly today, but getting them moving again was the best thing!

Volleyball tonight, a new league! YEA!! This one is only 5 weeks though. I'm not sure if I'll start again after the holidays. Being gone Monday evening is taking a toll on the family :(

*if you didn't get a chance check out the fun we had Saturday...pics are up!*

Why do my kids always get sick at night when I have to wake up early??!? My 8 yr old daughter was up at 3 puking this morning. I'm hoping it's just a few hour thing like my son had last week, but either way it really cut into my sleep...this afternoon is going to be difficult!

Went to late miles and got a fun tour of South Jordan. Hung out in the trailing group, we just like the fast people to work harder and have to run extra miles to loop and wait for us. We're really just helping them :)

Afterward I was feeling good (despite tired legs and still sore quads), so I wanted to hit an extra mile. However, I over ran the 'out' and I was at 7.25 when I got back to the car, so I decided I'd round it off to 8. The moon was bright and so I didn't need my headlamp in the dark, and then the sunrise was gorgeous as well! What a beautiful morning. It was just one of those where you feel so good you remember why you love running and you could do it ALL day!

AP: 9:05 splits: 8:56, 9:19, 9:02, 8:59, 8:50, 8:59, 9:26, 9:08.

I'm off to the gym for 45 min of personal training and then I'm going to try and spin some of the soreness out of my legs for a little bit on the bike.

Slept in after yesterdays short night! Got up and dealt with crazy children then finally got off to the  gym (I think they are on a perpetual sugar HIGH - candy needs to be chucked today!). Went to boot camp aka kick-boxing, and had a GREAT workout. We did .6 miles during class and so when I got on the TM afterward I thought I'll just round it down to .5 and do 4. However, I got to 4 and decided to do another .4 to make it an even 5. It was nice to have Kelli to chat with on the TM, made time go by SO much faster! I believe the AP for the run was around 9:15, did my commercial trick again - up the speed one notch each one, and stayed at an even 1% incline. 

Met the BBK's along the JRP. Weather was perfect and a little warm at my house, but when I got there the wind had taken over the river bottoms! YUCK! It was nice to take it easy and just chat with Leslie. Everyone else took off and were out of sight quickly, so in fear of danger (and foxes) we stuck together! I think the lead group got an extra couple miles just turning around trying to 're-group' with us :)

I've decided to sleep in and do normal miles, then do extra if I desire afterward (I have 45 min after group ends to get home).  That way I get my sleep and miles too! Today Debbie finished the last couple with me and on the way back we had a 9:30 mile that felt like it should've been under 8 due to running into the wind!!!

AP: 9:11 splits: 9:19, 9:28, 9:06, 8:57, 8:49, 8:51, 9:26, 9:34

Now I get to head off to yoga and zumba!! Then this afternoon I'll venture North to the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden, the children have been looking forward to it for a long time!

ahhh, I slept in as long as I possibly could this morning! No good reason to wake up, so I didn't! When I did wake up I got the children going and got off to the gym. Did 4 miles at 9:20 pace on the TM, met a new lady at the gym and it was nice to chat with her as time and miles passed. Then I hit the bike and did 11.5 miles in 30 minutes at 3% resistance. Nice easy day to ramp up for 16 tomorrow (5K of that will be a fun run with Lucy at Wheeler farm!). 

Ran a segmented run today to get all the miles in. It was rough waking up early after a late night last night, but it was the most fun I'd had in a LONG time! Thanks Luz for having the birthday, Michelle for hosting and to everyone there for a fun time and AMAZING food!

My 10 mile run this morning turned into 11 by mistake, but it turned out well in the end. Just did a loop here at home and hit some nice Herriman hills, running around home could really help my endurance and speed if I wasn't such a pansy and did it more often!

In my numbers I'm trying something new. I want to record and track my heart rate as well as my AP and splits, so enjoy the numbers if you do...if not, feel free to skip and ignore!

AP: 9:05 (150) splits: 10:04 (148), 8:31 (146), 8:35 (143), 9:00 (146), 9:05(149), 8:57 (153), 8:53 (149), 9:40 (154), 9:35 (155), 9:25 (153), 8:15 (153) - what is interesting to me here is that my HR goes up during the hill miles. I have a much slower pace, but my heart is working a lot harder to maintain a slower pace. Well, except the last mile which I pushed to finish the last .5 that was flat. hmmmm.....

Got home and got the family and Lucy (my puppy) loaded up and ready for Wheeler Farm. I got to see Leslie as soon as I got there, which I was very happy about, because I had left her number at home! Got to the start and was a little bummed when the race all of a sudden started and I couldn't move (no chips), and didn't get to start running for the first .20 mile (or so according to my garmin). I didn't want to 'race' but Lucy had other plans and wanted to chase down the other dogs ahead of us. Once I started at the pace she set me at, I couldn't stop and I liked passing plenty of runners. The problem is that racing with a dog is a lot harder than you'd think! Especially around 100 other dogs, chickens, goats, runners and dogs in their own yards barking at us. Not to mention that every time she saw Craig and the kids she would want to cut over and see them (she must've thought she was done)! Then I had a nice push for the finish, but she was spent and I had to use my push to 'drag' her in - her fast start finally came back to bite her!

I figured finishing in 23 and change I could do pretty well, but nope! The 3rd and 4th place finishers in my AG were about 30 seconds in front of me. Oh well, I'll blame it on the late start. Honestly, I wasn't a fan of the 'loop' course. I thought that running the trails around Wheeler Farm would be an easy 3, but we had to loop over 2.5 times - kind of messes with my head!

AP: 7:30 (172) splits: 7:39 (163), 7:15 (175), 7:37 (176), 7:18 (177) last .15 - I'm honestly surprised my HR was only just over 170. I'm trying to keep it at/under 160, I knew I was over but I'm happy that it was just over. Shows me that I can push it a little more than my 9mm without too much recourse.

Finished off with 2 miles of cool down, one was running in with Leslie. I had such a wonderful time with her (even though we didn't get any prizes!) and meeting her wonderful family!!

Went to plant flowers at Grandma's, came home ate, went rock climbing, went to dinner and now I'm off to a late night movie! I don't know why I think I can act like I'm 16 again and not pay for it tomorrow...oh well, live it up while I can!! :)

oh, forgot to record as a side note...ITB's decided to start aching at mile 2 at the race? WHAT?? I seriously don't understand these things! The only thing I can think is  that it was harder on them due to needing more hip stability since Lucy was tied around my waist taking ME for a run.

Easy day step and a 5K at 9:22 pace. HR was around 145 each time I checked it...nice. Talked too much after class and didn't have enough day care time to do my normal 4. I'll have to make it up somewhere else this week.

Here is my shout out to my AMAZING sister!  She finished her first marathon yesterday, WOO HOO!!

Feel free to give her your own shout out: charmaigne.fastrunningblog.com

"The Quiet Pirate"

Met the BBK's at Monarch Meadows park to run the pumpkin run in reverse (UP first!!) Started out nice and slow and got to chat with Michelle for a while, then when everyone stopped to regroup I kept running and Kelli came along with me (I knew those speedsters would catch back up). Once we hit the park we did an extra 1/2 mile out on Butterfield Park Rd so we'd finish with a full 6. Had a wonderful nice easy downhill run back, then decided to take an extra loop with Kelli and Becca that turned out to be about 1.5. Since I was now pretty close to 9, I decided to go for it and make it 9, so I ran with Kelli back to her house and then the last part of the loop again. I totally missed the addition/guessing of miles, because back at the car I finished at 9.87....so I finished up at 10. 

AP: 9:20 HR(147) splits: 9:17 (151), 10:03 (153),  9:43 (156), 9:01 (143), 9:12 (140), 9:03 (144), 9:18 (147), 9:07 (144), 9:27 (148), 9:06 (140) - again it amazes me how I can tell the hills not only by the slower pace, but significantly faster HR.

Now I'm off to the gym for weight training (45 min) and then I'll ride the bike for another 1/2 hr or so to spin these legs out!!

Crap crap crappy day! Just...so....tired. Slept in with just enough time to get to class, but still showed up 5 minutes late. Then during class I had to leave to change a diaper, but when I got the diaper from the car they nursery workers unlocked the door for a 6 year old to go in and use it first, waiting, waiting, waiting.... Finally got back to class 10-15 minutes later. Then I tried to run on the treadmill, got one mile done and it was painfully hard. Stopped for a bit then did another. Stopped one final time then decided to tough it out for just one more (I'd planned on 4-5 today!). AP for the run was 9:30, so I certainly wasn't pushing the pace.

Long busy day today, but it will all be fun! Waiting for 9:00 to come so I can sleep.....

WARNING: This is a whining blog entry today, if you don't want to hear it stop now!!!

After sleeping all night (I got out of my 7 PM appt) on the couch and in bed I still woke up feeling blechy. I just feel like all I want to do is sleep. I don't think I've missed running group, as my own decision, for MONTHS!! However, last night I decided I wasn't going this morning. I have also done something to my right hip flexor, I can barely limp on it. Last night in bed as I tossed and turned I would wake up each time due to the pain. I felt it a little yesterday on the TM, but it is out of control today :( Seriously, why do we have to fall apart all at once?? 

I got up and went to yoga thinking it would warm me up and then I would feel good to do zumba, but not luck. I couldn't even do most of yoga class! So, I packed up and came home. We are supposed to listen to our bodies right?? I really wish I didn't have to, but right now I need to. 

I hoping that with a good restful day today I can get back at it tomorrow and hopefully finish with at least 30 miles this week. I'm really kind of bummed that I won't be over or at 40 this week :(

Feeling better today and the hip flexor wasn't as loud as it was yesterday, so I slept in and went to the gym. Did the spin bike for 21 miles at 3 resistance in an hour then decided to try out a mile on the TM before I had to leave. The mile went well, and the hip flexor actually seemed to like it better than walking. 

nothin' - absolutely nothing. Got to bed late, so I didn't want to get up early. I had to be dressed up and at church for the primary program practice by 9 to set it all up. Figured I'd do an afternoon run when it was a little warmer - HA! Got home at 12:30 and it was a MESS...so I stayed home and made rolls for our family Thanksgiving tonight (hubby's parents are going to Australia over the holiday, so they wanted to do a dinner before they left). Now, I'm just letting the pumpkin pie settle in well :) I figure a good weekend's rest will set me up nicely for a GREAT week next week.

Good restful weekend, and I was able to tolerate eating before exercising today which always helps! Went to the gym for step class and then ran 4 on the TM VERY slow afterward (like a 9:45 pace). Great company to keep my mind off the miles, so I got through them - one problem with running slower is that the miles really do go by slower!!

Resting and eating well today...then volleyball tonight!! :)

Got up early to run with the BBK's because I knew that they were doing 5K's and that if I whimped out after just 3miles I could go home. I made it the full 6, despite my ITB causing some wonderfully exciting pain around mile 3.5 or so :) Gotta love that STUIPID, ROTTEN, GOOD FOR NOTHING, CRAZY, STINKING thing! I've got a call into the doc, we'll see.

AP: 9:11 (152) splits: 9:24 (144), 9:18 (153), 8:51 (151), 9:23 (153), 9:00 (155), 9:11 (154) *HR comment today is that I guess I don't understand why I seem to be working harder (HR wise) for the same pace I was carrying a 140 at just a couple weeks ago. Poor body must be done!*

Went to the gym for my final training session. I want to keep doing resistance, I just can't take his punishment right now.  Afterward I tried a new class: Body flow. Interesting, tai-chi, yoga, pilates, and stretching all in one class. Honestly it wasn't too bad, but when putting your head below your stomach makes you want to hurl right there on the floor and standing up at a 'normal' pace makes you get light headed...it may not be the best class for you right now!

Boot camp and TM....just not feeling it today. Mostly walked on the TM afterward, high incline and slower pace. Did a short .4 to get to at least 1 with the .6 I ran in boot camp.

This is long, but I wanted to put it out there for my blogging friends that aren't on FB...so read on if you'd like to come hang out Friday :)

Friday may just be another day for some of you, but for me it a day full of sorrow, heartache, joy and memories. Three years ago Friday, my father passed away from Non-hodgkins lymphoma. After a three year battle, he finally was overcome with the disease and given a terminal diagnosis and two months left. We were graciously blessed to be able to spend the next three and a half months with him! We got our last Halloween and almost Thanksgiving...things we had only wished for a couple months earlier. Thankfully, his last few days of suffering were few and he was able to leave quickly.
When my father first told our family that he was done fighting and could eat all the ice cream and candy he wanted (being diabetic these were few and far between, well they were supposed to be) we were all crying and upset. He did live in a house full of women after all (3 girls and my mom)! He told us "you know, it's okay to cry, but when you're done crying you need to get up, brush yourself off and move forward." Some days are easier than others, but they are ALL moving forward...sometimes too fast! A few weeks after his announcement I found out I was expecting our third child, Nathan. Knowing that this baby would never know his kind, loving, generous, fun, sweet, amazing grandfather weighed heavily on my heart. However, knowing that they could be his angel for a few months was always reassuring, so Nathan is grandpa's little angel. Looking back, I can hardly believe three years has already gone by SO quickly! Here we are doing the same things, loving the same treats, sharing the same memories, and I'm STILL pregnant! Okay, well maybe it's with another child, but still....kind of made me laugh when I thought about it last week.
My father was an amazing man and had an incredible life journey. One of my favorite memories of him was when I was a teenager and being difficult every morning as he would leave for work he would tell me "Rachel, I love you and I'm proud of you!" I knew he had nothing to be proud of, but had to love me regardless. Somehow, though, this made me want to make him proud. No amount of yelling or lecturing would've made that kind of difference in my life, but him being him...THAT made the difference. He was raised by a single mother after his father passed away when he was only 18 months old. I asked him once if anyone ever stepped into that role for him...he quickly replied with a resounding "NO". He, however, would always help the single mothers in the neighborhood and would always help them out with their children. He also never forced you to do anything, when Lauren was born and we would go visit and I'd want to show off her latest trick she would inevitably NOT do it. So, I'd try to get her to do it "She's not in the circus" he'd say, I'll see it later...when she's ready. One of my last memories of him is when my sisters, their families and me and my family were all together for the last time. We SO desperately wanted pictures of him and us, him and my mom, him and all the grandchildren and on and on and on; however, again, kids will be kids. They didn't all want to stand around for forever posing for pictures. My sister captured on video tape my dad saying "oh, don't force them to do it. You can't force anybody to do anything." What wise counsel. Loving guidance and example can do SO much more. He didn't live a perfect life, actually far from it. Ask anyone who knew him between the ages of 10 and 45 and they'll be able to tell you some GOOD stories of bad examples :) In 1990 he made the commitment and decision to be sealed to his family in the temple, since then he never looked back. He simply grew from the journey and tried his best to fulfill every part of that commitment he made.
In honor of my father his life and his memory, I have decided to host an annual party at my home. At time to remember what life is REALLY about! Making and sharing memories, living life to it's fullest and remembering what it's like to be ALIVE. It all goes so fast and is often gone too quickly. Lets take a day out of our crazy lives to LIVE! Come join the fun from 10-4 (open house...anytime), eat (my fathers FAVORITE thing!), visit and have a good time! No...no twilight party not at all (not that I won't let you talk about it, just no theme!). Feel free to bring your favorite food to share so we all can enjoy, or just come enjoy everyone else's food. I would love to see everyone and anyone...come one come all, come and remember to live, it's really all we've got!!

cortizone shot in the ITB yesterday...so nothing today. I would go to the gym and do yoga, but my knee is in terrible pain from it! Plus I was in a ton of pain last night (not just ITB) and couldn't really sleep...I'm tired and blechy and in pain. So, nothing today. Well, except cleaning my house for Friday. My husband would make me cancel the party if I even attempted to let anyone in my house while it looked like this!!! I've neglected the thing for quite some time now.

Remember, anyone and everyone is invited tomorrow (see yesterdays post)!

Benched...at least until December 1st! So, nothing 'pounding' is allowed - trying to remember there are more important things going on in my body than needing to run....trying, trying, trying!!

15 miles spinning on the bike at 3 and 3.5 resistance for 45 min.

(2) sets of 20 min walking at a 15% incline. First set at 3.0 mph, Second at 2.5 mph.

Boot camp (mostly resistance) and 30 min on the TM at 15% at 2.7 mph....still just not the same as a good 3 mile run.

Sorry, Tuesday's report was really what I did Wednesday. Tuesday I did nada!

Wow, walking a race is SO SO different from running a race. I resisted every urge to run, especially downhill! However, I beat the OLDEST runner in the crowd and If I was 70 I would've taken 1st in my AG :) Small victories...small victories. 

I had a wonderful time and a good experience. I'm setting new walking PR's already! I got to hang out at Leslie's house before the race, Maureen 'ran' me in, I stayed for prizes...I just KNEW I was going to win this year - STINK! again nothing.... then went to Leslie's to say good bye and got SPOILED rotten with some amazing hot cider...SO yummy!! FUN FUN FUN all the way around. I had a really poor attitude starting this 'race' but am very glad I did it - I also learned some really interesting things about walking v. running! Walking up hill is great, I could push while all the walker/runners around me stopped to walk, but then on the downhill they'd all start running and pass me again.

I met a fellow "speed walker" and spoke to her a little. After the race she tracked me down and told me that I should join the "Wasatch Walkers" because I was so good at it! I couldn't help but laugh. I've been invited to join an 'elite' group on my first walking race...maybe I should switch sports! :) hehehehe

Does standing in a line OUTSIDE Toys R Us in 20 degree weather for two hours then walking around Wal-Mart for 2.5 hours and standing in line for another hour to check out count as blogging for my exercise today?

Got home at 6 AM after being up for 23 hours and finally slept...not sure it was really worth it!

Rode the bike for an hour, easy: 3% resistance and 15 miles.

Walked 7% incline for 2 miles (15mm). I'm liking the speed walking, you really do have to concentrate on your turnover so it isn't painful. Best sweat I've had in a while :)

Dr's appt is tomorrow....looking forward to a 'release' to be able to run a little bit!