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

Well, miracles do happen and I owe this one to Burt! I'm going to try to log my miles. Heavens how I've missed this place. My solace. My friends. My motivation. My miles. I've been running...quite like the fool I've always been with running. But, I've lost so much by not logging it and sharing it with anyone who may care and for ME. I miss looking back and knowing what I'd run, how fast and being able to ask myself for more. 

So, my resolution is to get back to my daily logs. For me. All for me. But, if some of you decide to read and enjoy, I welcome your comments, suggestions, support and humor. Bring it on!

This race I did the first year it was held in 2011 on my scooter with my broken foot. Since then, I've started each year out with a 50K here. I haven't ever finished the 50K in the allotted five hours of time, but I do it because I can't help but do it! It is just my goal and I can't stop until I get there. 

This year I didn't track my laps...I tried, but after 99 my watch just stopped and wouldn't record any more laps! So, when I was done running I checked how many they had me recorded as running, then I ran a few more to get to 115...on a 442M track. Because I didn't run the inside lane the full  time I'm sure I ran closer to 32 miles, but meh...bygones. 

It was a wonderful run with lots of friends. I got to visit with Becca, Kimberly, Kandi, Galen, Curtis and a few others. I love chatting and running on this race and then plugging into my ipod and  pushing out the last hour. I tried to stay up on my fueling but my lack of early fueling took me down the 3rd hour for too many breaks! I think that was my downfall. But, I still had a great time and look forward to doing it again!

 This past year I have been an ambassador for Extra Mile Racing and I've loved it! At the race Jared Eborn gave me a t-shirt quilt as being Ambassador of the year. I was probably the only ambassador that actually kept their participation and work going throughout the year! But, at least I follow through. 

I have struggled with motivation these past few months. I've completed all my "big" life goals. I finished a full IM with the Iron Cowboy on July 25th this past summer. I did R2R2R in Nov 2014 and loved it! I've run a sub 1:30 half and well...I hate 5Ks, so I don't run them if I can avoid it. I also ran the trifecta this past year (3 marathons in 3 days in 3 states) and a total of 12 marathons and I think my lifetime total of marathons is at 43...44 if you count today. I've started lifting and going to Catchweight fitness and boxing and I'm loving the change of pace and new challenges. But, I LOVE running! sigh...I just can't give it up. It fills me like nothing else. But, all my friends have gotten faster or moved or our schedules just don't match up. I don't have people to run WITH. My Newtons group tolerates me and they don't complain, but I hate being the back of the group, running alone and making them constantly wait for me at each gathering point. I have no business running with them. They know it and I know it, but we have such a great time together it is hard to give it up. Plus, I always end up running alone and not getting to visit with anyone anyway. Sigh, it is my last strong hold to the running world, but it is slipping away quickly.  I miss my running family and the great memories and bonds I made over so many miles and years. I just can't deal with the drama on the FB group anymore. That and the chest selfies post run...ugh. Anyway, so I'm hoping that somehow this mortivates me to keep running. Maybe someone will start stalking me and caring about what I run which will force me to run AND log the miles. I have to do it for myself this time.  I'll take this step alone and maybe I'll find my way out of this funk!

Happy New year and welcome back to my long, rambling posts!

No miles today. Legs were a little tired from yesterday :) 

I did tabata this morning, then boxing class and then 5 rounds of sparring. I had 3 rounds in a row and then 2 other rounds. I finally fought a male south paw that gave me a good run for my money. I took a good couple hits, he isn't quite up to skills as far controlling his punches. I have a bit of a headache tonight. I also threw the bar into my lower lip during tabata and split the inside of my lower lip. My face hurts :) But, I guess if I'm going to fight in 8 weeks I'd better get used to it! 

Mondays sometimes become work mornings for me. We have piano at 5:30AM and then until 8:30 is it getting kids up and out of the house. So, then I catch up on work from the weekend and if I have time, will go play volleyball at a church with some ladies. It is fun! But, I didn't today. So, I just worked and took Adam to kindergarten. 

I did get a nice massage for my SI joints that are killing me. Not any more! But other than that it was a pretty lazy day.

I had an incredible run with the Newtons this morning. I truly didn't want to get up. Plus, they started 15 minutes early. sigh. I almost made excuses and went back to bed! But then, as usual, I thought about my sweet 15 year old daughter that gets up at 4:30 every morning to be in the water for swim practice at 5AM. If she can do it every day, I can do it twice a week. Suck it up butter cup! But, as I was getting ready and almost ready to leave, I realized that I hadn't heard her up at all...She had fallen asleep with the lights on last night and I thought she probably didn't set her alarm. Yup. I woke her up at 4:43 and she was in a bit of a panic, but luckily since I was up early and almost ready to go, I was able to help her so that she was able to be ready when carpool came. Tender Mercies....

The run was small, just Dave, Mandy, Mike and me; but it kept it slow :) I wasn't always in the back and I had company the whole time. I'm sure I was running a lot slower than normal, but I felt good and like I belonged and didn't struggle mentally being there on the run this morning. All of which are good things. I'm ready to fall asleep now...but I've got 2 more kids to get up and off to school and one just slept through his alarm.

I'll be off to leg day, boxing and sparring here in a couple hours. Lots of fun...so...much...fun...

a huge headache yesterday left me down and out. I don't think I'm ready to do much of anything today. We shall see...

The regular Shaggy Mountain route with the Newtons. It was actually nice and warm! I got left behind again, but well...that is par for the course. After the first meeting point I always had someone willing to hang back with me.

I did arm day at the gym

boxing class

sparring with Cyle. 

A good 4 hours! 

half mile warm up on the TM for Cyle's personal training session. I'm working on more power lifting. 

Then I did boxing class and stretched and rolled my SI joints out, because it snowed like crazy last night and I spent 3 hours shoveling my driveway and the enitre circle! My back was a little wrecked.

No miles. I'm lazy. I wanted to sleep in. So, I did. Plus, Lauren had a swim meet so I can use needing to take her there as an excuse/rationalization as well.

I did tabata class

Boxing class

sparring - 7 full rounds. Whew. 

I was tired and wanted to go home and do something with the family. I had good intentions to do an afternoon run, but since my motivation is lacking...well, I called it. 

nothing. nope. nada. zip. zero. zilch. 

I had good intentions, but I think I have some SI joint impingment and it is pressing on my sciatic and sends burning, shooting, crippling pain down both of my legs at random times and I basically have to sit down on the ground to make it stop. Like a charlie horse time 1000X 

Since I figured out what it was yesterday night, I've been doing stretches etc to make it better today and they have been helping. Against my better judgement, I'm going to try and run tomorrow...

Well, I ditched the running group, because in the 5 minutes I was up trying to get ready I had 2 crippling attacks. So, meh....I didn't want to be far from home, in the cold and unable to run or walk because of pain. Turned out it was for the best to skip, because Melanie ended up in the ER with her husband and it was just Chad and Mike. They would've hated my slow pace. 

I went to the gym and ran 4 miles before boxing class started, because Adam made me late enough that I couldn't jump into weights. BUT, it was best that way. It took a couple miles and stretching between them and I was able to run the last 2 without stopping at a 7.0 mph or faster. 

I then did boxing and then lifting on my own. 

After lift I ran another 3 miles for a total of 7 miles in 61:00, not too shabby for starting with a 10:20 pace. 

I finished with some good yoga and stretching. It really helped keep my sciatica from seizing up after I finished. 

I was able to get into my massage therapist this evening and she helped work out my SI as well as pirimorfis and hamstrings. I think it will help a ton. It already has. We shall see what the morning brings.

I did 4 full 3 minute rounds 2 with Whitney and 2 with Cyle. I got a good rattling from Cyle, but mastered Whitney. Not a single punch landed :) Hopefully I'll be ready by February 27th. 

Then I did speed work on the TM. I had done a half mile warm-up before sparring, but then I did another half mile before speed work. My first mile was 9:23...then at 10:00 I started my speed. 3 minutes starting at 8MPH and finishing at 9MPH, then 2 minutes at 7.0 to recover. Then I did the 3 minutes faster, 8.5 for the first minute and 9.0 for the last two.  2 minutes recovery and then I did 8.8MPH, 9.0 and 9.5 - 2 minute recovery then the last set I did at 9.0, 9.3, 9.5 and 10.0 for the last 20 seconds. I haven't run that fast in a long time. I like to be slow and lazy....I finished up my miles to 4.1, because I knew what my first mile was and I wanted to know what my 5K time was with the speed work. I finished the 4.1 miles in 31:23, which made my math super easy. 7:05AP with my rest minutes at 7MPH felt like a nice accomplishment. Especially with my crazy back issues (sciatica) that I've been dealing with these past few days. Sometimes I swear I can't even walk normal, so running with some speed was welcome....although slightly painful. 

I then spent 30 minutes doing my own yoga routine to stretch my SI joints, piriformis, hamstrings and spine. I also rolled my lower back and hamstrings. The massage helped a lot, but I still get plenty of zings of pain and tightness.

I was supposed to run Shaggy Mountain this morning. But, when I got up to get ready so that I could head out a little early and get my back warmed up before the speedies caught me, I saw that Melanie had to bail due to puking kids. Sigh. Chad and Dave run SO fast, I didn't want to run alone the whole time. They would speed super fast until they caught up to me and then I'd be going to slow at that point for them to feel like they weren't running in mud. So, then they'd leave me and I'd be alone and they'd be waiting forever for me at each re-group point. I figured I would simply alleviate them of any issues and bail myself. Sigh. I had actually gone to bed early and was looking forward to the run. I just really hate running alone and constantly being behind. 

I made my kids a wonderful breakfast and got them all off to school.

I took Adam to the gym and did my heavy lifting class (all arms today) and then I ran a mile to loosen up the back...which is why I only have one mile. Then I did the full hour of boxing class. Afterward I did my yoga, rolling and stretching routine to keep the back loose. It IS getting better, but man alive I wish it would just stop. 

no running. I did power lifting with Cyle and then boxing class and yoga/stretching. My back always feels a lot better when I stretch.

Then, I headed down to St George with Lauren and another pacer. We got down there late, but got packets and registration. 

Pacing the St George half marathon. I was pacing the 1:50 with Shawna Dibb. I wasn't completely confident in my skills at hitting this pace, especially with my back. I took some excederin and my back loosened up enough that the first few miles weren't horrible.  We settled into an 8:15 quite well and remained about 25-30 seconds ahead of pace despite the hills and crazy course. Mile 7 hill went well and the downhill invigorated me and I was ready to hit the pace accurately. However, around mile 10ish, my hips/back started aching and I was worried about my back holding up. Luckily at mile 11 two of the people who had been with us from the beginning dropped back and were having a hard time keeping pace. So I dropped back with them to encourage them and get them into the finish. It was certainly worth it and a welcome pace for my back as well. I truly wasn't complaining! Finished just at 1:51 and it was nice to watch those two finish strong! 

Lauren ran the 5K just over 29 minutes and was 5th in her AG (15-19).  We took off rather quickly and showered and loaded up to head back home.

at 6:30 I met Cyle and Whitney and I sparred a few rounds. I'm feeling a lot better about my boxing skills and with 6 more weeks I think I should ceratinly be able to hold my own against another amatuer. 

The first time in a long while that I actually got out for a nice run. I ran to Butterfield Park and then up through the cove to the top of Rose Canyon Road. Turned and came back down. My back likes the uphill when it is tight, but my quads aren't happy from Friday's lifting and the half. Averaged just over a 9MM which for the up and my back I was pleased with. Beggars can't be choosers.

I bailed on the Newtons morning run this morning. I hate getting up early and the cold...I'm losing motivation. However, I did get one mile in on the TM at the gym...yay?

I did weights/legs and boxing class with yoga and stretching afterward. 

Besides the ringing in my ears, all is well. 

I was supposed to do sparring and speed work, but with the winter storm Cyle cancelled on me...so I just did my speed work.

15 minutes of warm up and then 3 min at 9.5MPH or higher and then 1 min off (TM stopped, I'd jump and put my cell phone timer on) and 2 minutes at 7.2ish and then back to the 3 minutes at high speed. I did the speed work 5X - so a total of 15 minutes. Finished the 6 miles in 45 minutes - 7:30 AP, not too shabby knowing I had 15 minutes of warm-up in there. 

I then did 20 minutes of Lina's class. Lots of squats and other fun stuff...yay. She certainly made those 20 minutes worth my time!

I blew off the Newtons again this morning too. My head and the ringing in my ears is just getting unbearable. 

I did lifting (arms) and then boxing and sparring. Cyle said it was one of the best sessions yet. I'm feeling better about my preparation for the fight. I just need to make it official to get it off my mind.

A mile warm up on the treadmill while I was waiting to get started with Cyle. 

Lots of power lifting and one of the hardest workouts I've had in a long time. Then we did boxing class with little to no reprieve. 

Everytime I'd hit the bag it would echo in my head. ugh...this darn ringing in my ears (which isn't too horrible today, almost gone) and now my brain feeling like it is bouncing around in there. sigh....

I sat down for 30 minutes and chatted with Angela until my head was clear enough I felt like I could drive safely. 

The infamous Burn 5K. The Draper side of Suncrest...up. So much fun as usual. The field was a lot deeper this year than last year. I think I came in 7th overall female, but I truly have no idea. I don't even know my official finish time. Plus the race was longer this year, because the park we normally stop at was snowed in and so we went an extra .1 - not that it really matters in the long run!

My only goal this year at the race was to NOT stop and walk. I've always taken a walk break every other time I've done suncrest. Not this time. I was determined that no matter how horribly slow I was, I wouldn't walk. I made it to the top passing a few people AND running the whole way. Bring it!

I ran down with Michelle Henderson who was doing the up and down 3X to prep for Antelope Canyon 50miler. I should've stayed and done it with her! But, alas...priorities. 

So, I went to Lauren's swim meet and watched her take 10 seconds off her 500M PR - 6:35 now. She is doing SO well!!!

Then I finally went to sparring and I didn't know that Cyle was going to have Whitney and I spar full force. I had no idea and I wasn't ready for it. Especially with how my head has felt all week. But, I had to suck it up and deal with it. So, I did. I got dazed at least twice and I was not happy about the situation or sparring well. But, I did it. I came home and slept for hours with an ice pack on my head and then did nothing because I wasn't really functional the rest of the day. Shaking hands, headache, nausea...yeah, I love it....

Pity party of one...doctors appointments in the morning and then normal life in the afternoon and lack of direction made this a no go day.

I actually met the Newtons on a run! Amazing, I know. I just needed to get out with people that get me. I didn't do the full 10, I ran from home backwards on the course and met them on Emmeline. It was a wonderful, fun run! I'm grateful Melanie held back with me, because just before the blacktop starts infront of the rec center, I stepped on a chunk of snow or ice and fell hard. Twisted my ankle, banged my knee and hit my head on the cement too. I laid on the sidewalk and cussed for a second. Got up, walked a bit then finished the run. 

I then went to lift and half of boxing. I'd left Adam home to sleep so I had to go get him before kindergarten pick up. 

Another lazy day. I didn't do my speed work because of my swollen ankle. I could've toughed it out, but I'm going through some mental battles lately as well. 

I feel like I need a week-ish off of sparring so that I can recover my brain. I truly feel like I probably have had a concussion or two and each subsequent hard hit makes things worse. The ringing in the ears, pain in my eyes as I look left and right, uncomfortable brain pain as I quickly turn my head while driving, light headed as I simply bend down to pick stuff up. Sigh, so I asked for a week off. But, my coach is going to extremes and not giving it to me. He wants to cancel my fight. Which makes me crazy, because I know taking a week off to heal isn't the end of the world. A 1 minute 3 round first time amateur fight isn't the end all be all pro fight. But, he is acting like skipping a week of sparring is going to brake me. Friends that have done this event say it isn't  a big deal and I'm more than ready, but my coach is making a mole hill into a mountain. I'm trying to talk him down, but not having much success. So, do I suck it up and deal with it or do I just let him go and let my friends sign me up and help me? Ugh. Anyway, since I really only write this for me I'm just writing down my thoughts. I will see what happens when I talk to him tomorrow. A fight isn't worth sacrificing my brain. But, I've been looking forward to this for a while and working hard for it and I'M not willing to give it up yet. I just feel like maybe my coach is making it more about him and his anxiety and showing the world the awesome monster he can create and not wating to watch me lose than it is about me and helping me. But, we shall see....

Well, my ankle was still rather tight this morning, so I got up and went to get ready for Shaggy Mountain, but I was too worried with the uneven terrain and an ankle not 100%. So, I said hello to the Newtons and then went back to bed. I did get up and hit the gym for lifting (arms) and boxing. I then had a great face to face talk with my coach. I plead for his confidence in me. I couldn't let the fight go. I've been looking forward to this for so long!!! Nothing stops me. Nothing. Where there is a will there is a way. After 45 minutes of talking and rationalization he was willing to give me sparring on Saturday to see if I could handle training for the next few weeks for the fight. I left feeling on top of the world and like I wasn't going to give in.  I was going to find a way to make this work. I was going to have my cake and eat it too!

So, I was on top of the world knowing I was going to get to do my fight. But, then I talked to my husband. Sigh. He made me realize that my brain and my family need to be more important than a hobby. I can work through muscle issues, ligament issues...but my brain? I can't re-grow that. I'm 80% sure that after talking to Lisa I've had at least 3 minor concussions. The more impacts I take in sequence the more at risk I put my brain. This sucks. Because of my injuries I've had to put off family and fun stuff and sleep or recover. I can't afford to let days with my precious children slip by simply for a hobby. I can't afford to damage my brain, because it won't recover! So, I went to my personal training session ready to tell Cyle that I was ready to put this goal off. I'd still like to face someone in the ring and put my boxing skills to the test! But, I will wait until I'm ready and healthy. Craig helped me find perspective. He is good about that! 

So, I had a great dynamic lifting session with Cyle and then a huge boxing workout. It was great fun! Other than my dumb back locking up on me I again, I felt good about my decision and felt a weight off my shoulders...if not added on my SI joints and pushing on my sciatic! hahaha. 

So, I'm out of the fight. But, I truly believe it is for the best. I haven't been sparring long enough and I'm not used to taking punches enough to get through training. I'm trying to tell my heart that I didn't give up, I was just smart and put it off until I'm ready. 

So, I guess that means I have no excuses to cut my running anymore...now if it would just be spring.

Well, the beautiful snow storm taking over  the weekend cancelled my scheduled run with Lisa. Sigh. So, I did tabata and boxing and sat out to watch sparring. That was hard too, but I also didn't want another shot to the head. I don't need to take it. So, I watched and enjoyed the sparring, but I should've run while I was watching :) I started running afterward and I only got 4 miles in before Craig came to help me clean the gym. So, I took a break and mopped all the floors in the gym. I had 4 miles in 35 minutes and so after Craig left I took it upon myself to punch out another 3 in 25 minutes to make it 7 miles in one hour. It felt good. I really love running. Boxing is fun, but nothing takes the place of running. It was nice to just zone out on the TM and let my legs move. 

I then spent the evening watching Lauren's region swim meet in Bountiful. Man that girl amazes me and makes me so proud to be her mama! Being only a freshman she is ranked 13th in the entire region (8 high schools) for her 500 free event. I just see her improving and finding her stride more and more every day. I'm just not ready for her to grow up. I miss my little girl. Time goes too fast! My niece took 2nd in 100 breast stroke and at the same time dropping 4+ seconds off her PR! It was an incredible race and we  think it now gets her qualified for state. It was a privledge to be able to be there and watch that amazing performance!

Normal Monday of nothing. I was tired...a weekend of dealing with sciatica was enough and I stayed in bed and snuggled with Adam and slept a couple extra hours. A choice I regret, but? Sounds like my normal Monday routine. Someone pull me out of this funk!

I did get a great massage from Sara and only 4 kids in carpool pick up, so I guess that was a good ending :) 

Yee-Haw! rolling in the miles baby! hahaha....

After the weekend storm and Monday's non-stop wind created drifts of snow that plows couldn't handle. Add to that my fall last week and knowing that many of the roads have no shoulder on our route and the fact that not many shoulders were plowed...I pulled the pansy and didn't go. 

I did get to boxing class and then did lifting on my own afterward and ran 2 miles to run out some of that lactic acid. I wanted to do 7 or 8, but I didn't have the time. I had to get home and get Nathan to an orthodontist appointment. Lucky me, another kid in braces...yay! I didn't even get time to shower until I got home from carpool. I'm doing 5 carpool shifts this week...I'll need a few weeks off! I can't wait until next year where I hopefully don't have so many trips/day to the darn school. Only another 5 months. 

So, I had 2.5 hours of workout, but not much running. Oh, and during lift I stepped down wrong and I had weights on my shoulders and I twisted my right ankle...again...but then fell straight on my butt. I think I broke my coccyx. HA! But really, my butt hurts. Holding the weights on my shoulders I couldn't put my hands down or twist to not land on my tailbone. It was a hard hit. I'm telling you, I am NOT supposed to be whole. I'm just old and broken. 

My two miles were an AP of 8:20....

Sigh, I spent the morning sleeping - I'm lazy and can rationalize sleeping anytime! Then I had too much to do in the afternoon to do anything and I spent the evening working, signing a lease in Lehi. 

I actually got up and ran! Amazing, I know. Even surprised myself. Melanie was the only other person willing to go on Shaggy Mountain this morning, so we pushed the time back to 5:45 and then Wilkey decided to join us as well. So we had a nice slow jaunt around the roads of Shaggy Mountain. I got home just in time to take David to carpool drop off. 

I then went to lift class, came home and got Adam then got to finish half of the boxing class. An excellent morning!

Went to personal training and ran .5 to warm-up. Then we did a lot of upper body - mostly biceps and triceps. 

I then did boxing class, which was a great cardio workout! 

I finished the TM miles to finish the workout off. 3 miles total. Easy enough, but felt good to get a run in, even if it was short. 

Did a good stretch to finish off. 

Kelli was actually williing to let me tag along in her Saturday run! I needed the motivation to get up and run and she was going out at the right time and doing the right miles. It all lined up wonderfully. I ran to her house (the long way...4+ miles) and then we ran to daybreak and on the road around the lake, but over the bridge to cut it short enough to get me back to soda row in time for Craig to pick me up. 

I was planning on doing an early run and then still doing boxing afterward and maybe a little sparring, but I was asked to watch Taylee (my friend's brand new baby!) and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity. So I showered and went and snuggled with a month old baby for 3 hours. It was fantastic! I finished the day off watching my incredible niece at the state finals drill competition. Although Riverton didn't finish how they hoped they would have, they did a great job and it was so fun to watch all those girls who had worked so hard to polish and perform so many dances! 

I decided to actually do something on a Monday for once. I was going to run with Kelli in the afternoon, but then decided to just get my butt in gear and get it done so that I would have the afternoon to get stuff done around the house. So, I went by myself (with some motivation from my peeps on run4fun) and idd a perfect little 5 mile loop. My AP was 8:40 for the miles and with the uphill I decided to tackle I was somewhat pleased with that. Slow, but it was done. I took Adam to kindergarten and chatted with Becca before I could text Kelli and tell her I'd gotten my miles finished. On my way home from dropping Adam off I saw Kelli running up toward my home. I got home and was in the garage chatting with Becca when Kelli ran to my house. I still hadn't told her that I wasn't going to run! I decided I might as well run a couple with her. So, I did. It was a great run and we had a great chat. Another 5 miles down. AP for those miles was 8:48, again it was slow, but heck, it was done. I'd finally started out my week on the right foot! A good run with a friend and a chat with Becca. How could the week not go well??

I actually got up and met with the Newtons! I wanted to start out early, but as usual that didn't happen. I set off with the group and they were SO good to slow down to my crawl of a pace at 8:45 for the first mile and a half. But, with this darn chest cold and then the cruddy air we are dealing with I just couldn't breathe. So, I turned at 13400S and went up to 6400W. I went further to hit 4 miles thinking that I would have 8 total by the time I got back to Chad's house. I was super slow on the uphill to the turn around. The greater the challenge the greater the reward...lots of good downhill. I thought Mel and Chad would catch me, but they never did. I had to run circles around Chad's neighborhood to finish the 8, but I'm glad I did it. Getting up and out is half the battle. 

As a side note for myself, this was the first run that my knee hurt and it was swollen afterward. I don't get it. Almost like I tore my meninscus again, with swelling in the knee joint and pain to bend the joint. But not nearly as painful! Just interetesting. Iced it and put a flector patch on it. 

I then went to boxing class and lift class. We did 90 second intervals with a 30 seconds rest - four sets. yes, my legs are shot. Especially my butt, piriformis. Nice and sore.

Kelli was out for her long run and I convinced her to let me tag along again. She ran extra miles up to my hood and then gave me a 10 minute warning to when she would be at the gas station. The fog was SO dense! It was absolutely crazy. I've never seen it so bad. I wore my flasher and my head lamp just so cars could see me. You could barely see  100 yds in front of you. I thought Kelli and I might wander the gas station parking lot looking for each other, because we couldn't see each other in that small area! We changed the route so we didn't run along Main Street, it has no shoulder! So, we went to the Cove then in my hood we went west and about the same elevation as the church we all of a sudden came out of the fog cloud! We could see blue skies and Kennecott and the mountains...wow! Then we turned around and you could see that we had just run out of that crazy dark cloud and that it was still there...just a few yards behind us. We finished our miles in the sunshine until we had to go back down to my house. The fog wasn't as bad, but then you could see it start rolling in again. Kelli said by the time she got back to the gas station it was fogged in again, just like we had left it. Crazy business!!!

it was nice to get out and get home by 10:05 and I read and snuggled with Adam, fed the animals and got showered before I had to drive kindergarten carpool. It was nice to not have another lazy day. I'm  trying  to get back into the swing of things, but Kelli is being nice and keeping me moving!

I again got up and went with the newtons. Mel got here on time and so I left with her and let Chad do the chase. I knew I'd be slow enough that he wouldn't have to work too hard to catch us. By the time we got to the turn off road he was there ready to take on the rest of the mountain. Again, they were nice and patient to go super slow so I could hang with the group. It took me 1:16 to finish, which is horribly slow...but I can blame the dense fog, nasty air, chest cold, sore legs and ice. It certainly wasn't me! hahaha!

I had a great morning with them and after dropping David off at carpool I saw Kim running down Gina after doing Shaggy Mountain on his own. I drove, he ran and we chatted. It was kind of fun :) 

Came home and got off to boxing and lift. We again did the 90 second intervals, 30 second rest. My arms are SO sore! It was crazy. I seriously wasn't sure I'd be able to lift my water bottle to get a drink afterward. Good thing I don't need my arms to run on Saturday....

Spent the night doing YW basketball...sigh. I'm pretty much done with that. I just don't really enjoy it. But, I do what I have to do.

Personal training at the gym. Working on power lifting to get more explosive power. It is kind of fun :) 

I then did boxing class which is always fun, especially now that Cyle decided to do legs each Friday.  

I finished with 2 miles on the TM, honestly because I saw that my miles would fall just short of 50 this week, so I added a couple! First one at 8:28 and the 2nd at 7:30.

Crazy afternoon then drove to Moab. They even had a parade for me coming! 

Moab Red Hot 33K. 

I was supposed to run the 55K but with my lack of training the past 6 weeks I figured that I could push through the 55K or I could drop to the 33K and run with my sister and enjoy the day. Right now, enjoying running is my thing. So, enjoy we did! 

I was afraid it would be freezing cold, but oh it was beautiful! The mud was frozen, but the sun was out and I even shed my long sleeve throw away shirt before we started. There was still snow on the trail so we brought yak trax just in case. Neither of us wanted a helicopter rescuse for a fall! It was an incredibly lovely morning, blue skies, great company, fun runners around us. Helping others along the way, stopping for pictures, enjoying the aid stations, taking in the incredible view and chatting for hours. It was seriously the perfect day. Great memories with lots of fun and an incredible run to add to it. Our relationship of 36 years was celebrated well! (just in case you don't get it...My birthday is Monday, I'm turning 36 so I've been with my big sisters for 36 years! 

The finish line came all too soon (not for my legs, but for my heart! I could've stayed out there all day) and it was fun to see Lauren and David who had come down with me. Water Boy for my sister was also there. A perfect ending to a great race. Then a shower and dinner at Zax and ice cream and hot tubbing finished off the evening. It was an incredible day. I sincerely wish every day could be like this. It was near perfection! I'm certainly a desert girl and Moab is heaven for me. Luckily, my sister feels the same!

Melanie is so incredible! I'd planned a little low key run with Smooth and Melanie didn't know it and since I was out of town I didn't say much about it. So, Melanie posted that she was declaring a birthday run for me and she would bring cake! So, I invited Smooth, but with Larry's clinic appointments it just wouldn't work. That was kind of a disappointment, I love that lady and she truly makes every day I see her and run with her a brighter one. Kelli, despite a horrid drive home and weekend with Emma in St George, was up and decided to join us. Chad had to work and Dave's calf is still healing and he couldn't run either. So, it was just us 3 ladies on the run and Dave dropped by for cupcakes after the run. It was a great Shaggy Mountain loop. My legs were a lot more tired than I wanted or expected them to be, but Kelli and Melanie were nice and patient. The cherry almond cupcakes were incredible and I still have a few to enjoy tomorrow too! 

After a shower and tax prepping I got a nice 90 minute massage. Plus, I found out some incredible news from a good friend! I'll share it later, when they are ready to let the cat out of the bag :) Plus another friend called me and offered to register me for Spudman! So, I got a great run, good company, excellent massage, a race on the calendar, good news and a perfect family that hosted and provided a perfect day. Days like today make all the bad ones completely worth it! 

Oh, and I love running...yup, truer than true!

I was a little hesitant to do all 10 miles of the loop this morning. But, circumstances were such that I decided I might as well just suck it up and get it done. Chad was late getting out, so Mandy and I started off and he caught up around mile 1.5...I'm plenty slow now a days. They were great and trudged through the slow miles with me. Chatting along the miles just flew by and I was home in time to get eveything done that I needed. I sure love my running family. They mean so much to me and make my life so much more than I ever imagined. 

I then missed boxing, but got to lift class...I figured that I'd done some good cardio already :) Gotta love leg day! 

I had the incredible opportunity to run with Meridith today. We had talked about earlier how Monday and Wednesday mornings were good for us and that we should get together for a few runs. She is going through a double masectomy on Monday and so this was her last Wednesday if we were going to do it. After yesterday's workout I was more than happy to take a few easy miles. I probably wouldn't have run at all if she wouldn't have invited me. I can get lazy like that! 

Meridith is such an incredible woman. She has a sense of humor and determination that I love. Even the first run I met her, long before she knew of the cancer in her body, I loved her. She is just one of those people you long to be around, because of the spirit that they carry with them. I truly wish I was a person like that, but I'm just not. I'm okay with that, because I have other traits that I get to give to the world. 

Anyway, we did a nice loop around Daybreak and took the inner island jaunt as well. I had a great relaxing morning and I couldn't have asked for better company. The weather was windy and bit chilly, but the day was great! 

I didn't do anything else. I took a "rest day" :)

I didn't have the best gut night and I woke up worried about doing the 8 mile loop without access to a bathroom. So, I bowed out. It killed me. I wanted to go so badly! But, the spirit was willing and the body was weak...So Melanie and Chad had to go it alone. I feel horrible. 

I did make it to lift class and got arm day done. Cyle's new program is killing my arms! Always a good thing, right? 

On run4fun, Sheri challenged me to do at least 2 miles and 30 minutes of strength training. Luckily, I had my personal training with Cyle! 

Cyle was having a crazy day dealing with girl drama, so he talked about it a lot more than we usually work out. I hope I helped a little bit though. 

I then had to go home and take Lauren and carpool to school, then I went back for Friday boxing, which now includes a 15 minute leg workout at the end. I then busted out 3 miles on the TM. I had to start slow, but I finised the 3 miles in 25 minutes (9:18, 8:28, 7:34). It was great to have the challenge to force me into getting a few miles in. 

Mandy asked for a running partner and I wanted to get some good miles in AND get to my boxing classes in the morning. So, I obliged. I picked her up and then we  ran from my house up to Kennecott, down to the HS, north on MVC to Old Bingham and then back to daybreak along 4800W and then down the trail to 4000W. Mandy and I parted ways at 11800S at 16 miles, she made another 4 mile loop on the way home. I just finished my mile to catchweight. Seventeen miles at an AP of 8:50. Man I'm slow latley. I'll get it back though....

I was going to have Craig bring me clothes and food so I could do class, but I didn't get them packed and in the car and I was worried about him forcing me to leave early since I didn't have a car. So, he took me home, I changed clothes got food and packed food then drove myself back.  I missed tabata, but I don't think it was that big of a deal to miss it. I'd done lots of strength training. I then did boxing and advanced boxing (technique). I watched sparring (still no head hitting for me) and then did the floors.  It was nice to have it out of the way for the day.

As a family we then went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and we all left 10 pounds heavier. We then went to the Provo Temple Open house. It is incredible how much they put into that tiny building! Stairs, lots of stairs too. I want to do every session I do there. Lots of walking! It helps to keep me awake :) 

A near perfect day. Except I had to let Smooth run alone o the parkway. I truly thought I'd get to join her for a bit. I know it is important to be with family and I know she would want me doing that, but with everything in her life going on, I know she could've used the support and company. I guess we can't do everything...

I slept the morning away and I had to motivate myself to get out in the afternoon. Craig is away on business this week in Quebec and so I can't run in the morning when Adam is home unless I use the TM or go super early before Lauren leaves. I took Adam to kindergarten and then came home and got out in the cold and snow. I just did the typical 5 mile loop. It felt warm-ish, but the snow was pelting me the whole time. I'm still nice and slow on the uphill, but some speed on the downhill is coming back slowly. 

5+ miles in 44:03,  AP of 8:30 - my fastest mile was 7:18 and slowest 9:23

Nothing else today. Carpool takes over my life and I HATE driving around and running kids here there and everywhere. I just get so exhausted and want nothing but to stay at home and do nothing and drive nowhere everyday. My car is my life lately...I hate it. But, I've seen how much school has changed my kids and the stuff they love to do. I know it is worth it, but it doesn't mean I have to like it!

Only Mandy and I were in for the enitre ten today, but we still met at Chad's house.  Dave met us at Juniper Crest and Mt Ogden. We then finished the run all together. Around mile 7-8 I started feeling tired and fatigued. Then I realized that I had really only eaten dinner (pasta and chicken nuggets...super awesome) yesterday. Food is fuel, I forget that sometimes. As we turned into Chad's neighborhood, I had to stop and dry heave just a bit. Kind of sad, but I had litterally run my guts out! hahaha. I finished in 1:26, which isn't too horrible for me lately. Sad, but true. I had a few good miles around 7:30...some of the speed is slowly coming back. Heavens I've lost a lot of speed and endurance. I hope it comes back easier than I'm thinking it will right now. I feel like it will be forever before I can run a decent pace and good miles....

I slept...I got to Lina's weight training class. After leg day Tuesday, it was hard to say the least! But, at least I worked out...right?

What a crazy morning! I did the Shaggy Mountain run with Dave and Chad. We ran through a skunk cloud that I couldn't smell...not being able to smell is really weird! Then just over a mile from home a dog came charging out at us and ended up biting on my upper right thigh. I didn't think much of it and kept running. 

Well, seven stitches later I got out of the doctor's office and did the rest of boxing class and arm day. I called animal control and reported it and then talked to the owner, who has been great to work with. But, it is still just crazy! 

Skiing all day with my 4 kids and my nephew...solo. It wasn't too horrible. I had a great time and I only fell once...on my right hip...the dog bite. Yeah, that was wonderful.

I ran 15 miles with Kimberly. I don't know what my exact finish time for the half was, but I truly had a great morning running and chatting with Kimberly. I love that girl! I got to see lots of other fun peeps at the race as well. Working for Extra Mile racing is a fun option for me! 

Kelli got me out of bed and I was hoping I'd find her on the run, but I didn't. It actually turned out great for me. It was a wonderful morning and I only intended to do 4-5, but I was just enjoying myself and feeling good AND strong/fast on the uphill, so I kept running. Ran past the dog house, gotta get out all the fear. Finished with an 8:30 AP and only 2 miles over 9mm - 9:05 and 9:10. 

I also saw the animal control worker and chatted with her for a minute. I now feel good about my decisions made in the situation. 

I felt so good yesterday I decided to do the full Tuesday 10 even though I should probably be tapering for Saturday. I didn't run quite as fast, but an 8:36 AP for the 10 miles isn't too shabby for me lately. My slowest mile was 9:20, which for the uphill is quite good for me. Sad, isn't it??

After getting kids off to school I took a nap and woke up too late for boxing, but still got legs day in. So much for tapering...hahahaha. 

An easy morning, slept in until the late hour of 6:45. Got kids up, fed and off to school and even got a little nap. Then I headed off to Catchweight to catch Lina's boxing class. I then did the first 20 minutes of her weights class. Man that lady kicks my trash.

I then stopped to chat with Kristy about taking care of Taylee, but luckily she has leave until the end of the month. 

Then I took Adam to school and met Kelli Davey and we ran the Draper canal trail and Porter Rockwell trail for six wonderful afternoon, sunny miles! It was incredible. AP was 8:35...seems like my norm lately. 

A decent run at Shaggy Mountain with Melanie and Chad. I ran past the dog bite house without any issue. I don't think I'm afraid of dogs now...but I guess we will see how I react when I get charged at by a dog again. 

it was a beautiful morning and I'm grateful I have wonderful running partners that will tolerate my slow pace and horrific opinions. 

I did the loop in 1:15, which is pretty slow, but about average for me lately. 

Then after getting kids off to school I went to boxing class and lift class for arms...so much for tapering this week. 

No running. Woke up, packed up the kids and let a couple of them play hookey so we could go skiing. It was a great day, but a little slushy. 

I had to leave early so that I could get on my way to St George for the race tomorrow. I picked up Lisa at the park n ride at the bottom of the canyon, came home showered and then grabbed Chad and Melanie and headed down. Stopped for dinner in Cedar at Cafe Rio. Dropped off Mel and Chad at Lloyd's house and then went to the condo and crashed. A nice long day! 

My favorite Lake to Lake relay with Lisa Western! It really is one of my favorites. We stayed with the same legs that we've done in the past. We both are comfortable with them and know how to handle them. Neither of us had the mental energy to deal with new routes :) 

I did leg 1 & 2 - AP 7:53 for the 11.25 miles. I felt really good and controlled during the entire run. Pushing enough to feel good about it, but not enough to kill myself. I was pleasantly surprised the pace was under 8...it has been a long time since I've run that long that fast. I'm slow, old and broken now! 

I handed off to Lisa and she did 3&4, she did a great job despite her thinking she was slow! 

I then took over at leg 5. I like this leg. Nice and flat with a hill for about 3/4ish mile, but then downhill to make up for it afterward and a nice 1/4 mile downhill finish! AP 8:04 for the 3.95 miles. 

Lisa took leg 6 and I filled up with gas and got a cold coke! It was cloudy and chilly, but getting warm and I wanted liquid sugar and caffeine. Besides, Lisa had gotten a coke on my last leg and it was taunting me! 

Leg 7 is mine. Flat along the Virgin river parkway, then up a hill and back on the trail for some downhill, then flat to finish. A pretty flat run, but this is always the first leg that my legs are just feeling like lead. 8:24 AP for the 4.9 miles.

Lisa takes beast leg 8, up Washington Dam road. It is just a long drag up, up, up. Not horrible incline, but lasts forever! 

My last leg was then leg 9 - I call it little Shaggy Mountain. It is a paved road that goes into red dirt hills...hills, hills! up and down, up and down...I had to walk a couple of the tops of the hills. I felt like a failure! Same way last year. I've got to get down hills when I'm tired. I feel like I just don't have the mental energy to keep pushing myself through. I did tackle the last paved uphill, then let it fly on the downhill and flat for the last 1/2 mile to my air hand off to Lisa. 5.9 miles with an AP of 9:20

She took off for the last leg looking as strong as ever, despite knowing that she was probably pretty darn tired, just like me. I went to the finish to wait for her and Jerry was there waiting for his partner. He had specifically asked me my finish time last year, because in HIS words "we want to beat it." He put together a 2 man ultra team specifically to beat me. Sigh. I don't know what I did to deserve his pointed competition, but for some reason he has to be better than me at everything...whatever. So, he had cramped up on little shaggy mountain and what WAS a 12 minute lead on our team was whittled down to 8 when Lisa took off after Shaun. Lisa didn't realize how the gap had closed or that Shaun was struggling for every step, so she did what she could and walked the big hill to the dam and then around the back side of the lake to take a gu. Then with about 2+ miles left she saw Shaun ahead, walking! She dug down and decided we needed to beat them! She threw it into gear and started throwing down low 7mm! She was cruising and catching him! At the finish line Jerry and I were both waiting and chatting, then he saw Lisa before he saw Shaun! The look on his face was priceless! The fear that we were going to beat him despite his best effort was just too hard for him to take. I just laughed! Shaun was still ahead, but barely and not moving fast. Lisa was closing quickly. We ended up finishing about 30 seconds behind them, but the last .15 I ran with Lisa was a 7:13 AP. If we had anouther 1/2 mile we totally would've won! But, the fear we put into them was enough to make us happy. 

We both came into the race with little training and miles (just look at my January!), so the fact that we finished faster than last year (by only about a miniute, but still) was simply amazing to us both. I honestly think my AP for the legs were similar to last year, so it was Lisa that made up the difference. But, we really just had a great time and closing a 12 minute gap over the last 2 legs was epic. 

We had to take off for home and missed the banquet, but her mom picked up our prize. We thought we would take 2nd ultra, because they don't usually separate men and women, but this year they did! So we were 1st place female ultra team. Epic! Now Jerry can't beat us if he tries. HA! I love it when things just work out. 

nothing today. 

I had to go get my stitches out and then planned to go to volleyball for an easy recovery, but Adam slept until 10:30 and so I didn't get any time to play. I showered after dropping him off, then went and got a massage. Ahhh, that was worth it!

Well, it was a normal Tuesday run. I'm getting really emotional and crazy about these runs. I HATE being slow. It is getting me so worked up and ornery with myself, then I get depressed and sad and well...a nice little circle. 

I am too slow. That is all. I truly don't think I should be running with the newtons anymore, but I like them and they are my comfort zone, so I keep going back. This morning was a hard one for me and there is a reason it has taken me almost 3 weeks to blog it. I know I'm slow and the group is GREAT to tolerate me, but I'm just too slow now. No one wants to pull the short straw and run with me. So, they all run together and I get to run with them for about 90 seconds and then everyone takes off. They are nice and wait for me, but then I again get to run with someone for 90 seconds and then I'm behind again. It gets SO frustrating. I actually broke down crying on this run, because I was just too upset. I'd heard "it is so great to have everyone back on the run again!" but I think I got to run "with" the group for about 5 minutes total. The rest of the time I just watched them fade into the distance laughing and having a good time and I ran alone. If I'm going to run alone anyway, I might as well sleep in and run later. But, I just love the group. My spirit is willing to run fast, but the body is weak! Then I just get so embarrassed that I'm so slow that I just leave and don't say anything. It is such a bad cycle. I just wish I could run a decent pace again. If only for the few miles I get to be with them. 

Sigh. Anyway, feelings out now. I'm going to put my big girl panties on and stop crying and just adapt or quit. And, we all know I don't quit...so it is what it is. Necessity is the mother of invention...

Another 10.15 slow miles chasing the Newtons

Boxing and legs day at the gym afterward

I'm a horribly lazy person lately. But, 2 point classes at catchweight help to motivate me. I slept in, but then did Lina's core and pump class...which always makes me horribly sore. But, always worth it!

Stupid Shaggy Mountain run...

I started early so that I wouldn't hold up the run as much and maybe be able to keep up on the downhill so I wouldn't end up feeling like an idiot again. About 2.5 miles up the canyon I stepped in a pot hole and rolled my ankle pretty darn stinking good! It just made me roll my eyes. I seriously can't catch a break. I finished the run, but my ankle was nice and tight and swollen. Even now, as I blog this two plus weeks later it is still tender, swelling 90% gone...but yeah. It was a good twist. 

Finished off the morning with boxing and arms day at the gym. 

Power lifting with Cyle. Last session before he goes in for his neck/spine surgery. Then finished off with boxing. No running...attempting to recover my legs and find some more speed. Somewhere.

QP came into town Thursday to get stuff going for Sophia's wedding next Saturday so she asked me to do a trail run with her. I didn't realize how snowed in some of the trails up yellow fork were! We spent more time post-holing in knee/hip deep snow than we should've. The nine miles took us 2.5 hours and we were working hard! It was a nice loop and I had an incredible time, even if the mileage was low and the pace was slow. I certainly couldn't have gone any faster if I'd tried!! 

I then got to do technique class and sparring. But I didn't spar. I played with the ball suspended with bungee cords. It was crazy hard! But so rewarding. After playing with it for an hour I feel like the pro on it now!

Seven mile run along the Porter Rockwell trail. Dropped Adam off at school then went for a little run. It was nice to get out and just run. It was an 8:38 AP, so it wasn't horribly slow, but meh...still nothing like I used to run. Especially the way I felt!

Char spent the night and I was up a lot later than I wanted to be, but I also had to do legs day on Monday night so that  I wouldn't have to miss legs on Tuesday, because Sophia is going through the temple this morning :) 

Anyway, QP and I started out early and Mandy started slow with us and Melanie tried, but I made her run with the fast boys :) They didn't catch us until the top of the run on Emmeline. It was nice. Then the group did the same thing as last week and would run ahead and then wait. Then leave us after a tenth of a mile. I didn't mind so much today, because I had my sister with me to run. It was nice to finally have someone to chat with and run with the whole time. I wish QP lived close enough to run with me more often.

No gym afterward. I came home got kids off to school and then went to the temple with Sophia which was an incredible experience within itself. We also were able to witness the proxy sealing of my mom's parents! Just one of the most incredible days I've had in a long time. 

I had good intentions multiple times today to get a run in...well, it never happened. Sigh...I guess I'm super motivated. 

Another Shaggy Mountain run. I didn't start early, but Dave ran a bit with me. Poor guy! Anyway, the run went fairly well until I finally started getting a good stride in on the run at the Mario Kart strip and then the stupid dog behind the electric fence ran out and nipped at my leg. Yup. I got bit. again. It wasn't bad at all! But I felt his teeth on my leg and he ripped the skin enough that it was sensitive to the touch and lotion. Sigh. Seriously. Bite, ankle, bite...Yeah, I am an old and broken woman. The universe hates me. Oh! Add to the top that I woke up without a voice. Yup. Some stupid cold/congestion has burned my throat and I can't talk. bite, ankle, sick and bite...I'm telling you. I'm SO done!!!

I'm leaving tonight for Sophia's wedding in DC. I won't get a minute to run, but being with my family and being there for the wedding was the most fantastic weekend ever!

Flight landed 11:30PM on Sunday and I didn't get home and into bed until 1AM. Poor Lauren had to get up for school. I had Craig take Nathan to piano at 5:30AM. I was just too tired! So, I basically slept through the morning and then took Adam to school and ran around Draper. I thought that although I still had no voice and had started coughing like a sicky, that the run would be good, because I hadn't run for so long. I had a good taper, right?? The run sucked. It was hard to breathe and I felt like I was killing myself to run a slow pace. The last mile took almost everything out of me. Seriously?!? Who put all this bad karma on me? When will I finally be able to be healthy and run again? :( 

I made the official declaration that I was sick. My body is done. It needs a break...I MIGHT give it to it....

The normal Tuesday Ten. I still suck. I'm still sick. I started 5-10 minutes early and I waited for them at the top of Emmeline. I almost took off, but they came around the corner at the exact right moment. Still no voice. I told Melanie and Chad that if they didn't want to run slow with me it was fine. I understood. But, please don't wait for me and run a quarter mile with me and then leave me and then wait again, because it makes me feel like crap. They did wait at the corner of Butterfield Park, but I just kept running. As predicted they left me in their dust about a quarter mile later and no words later. I noticed they waited for me at the corner of Main Street, but I guess they realized I was serious about not waiting and they took off just before I got there. I thought  I was hauling on the way downhill home...ha! I looked at my watch and I was barely keeping an 8:30AP for those miles. Overall it was a 9:06AP. Seriously, I'm slow and I suck. I'm SO SICK OF THIS!!!!

I slept through boxing class, but got to legs class. 

sick=rest, right? It will make things better, right? 

I did do Lina's boxing class just to get my points in and to get my blood flowing. It wasn't too bad. My throat is dry and sore and I'm sick. 

I did work stuff all afternoon after getting Adam to kindergarten a few minutes late due to a printer issue, and had a nice evening with the family. 

All the boys whimped out! So, Melanie and I had a perfectly wonderful (but slow, I mean this IS still me) run around Shaggy Mountain. No skunks, no dogs, no nothing. Just a great run. I wish that 1:10 on that course was my slow pace again...1:17 and 1:18 happens WAY too much!!!

I did boxing and arms day later at the gym. Gotta get it done! 

So, my stupid knee started bothering me on the run yesterday. I felt a strong "snap/pop" and intense pain, but not nearly as bad as with my meniscus tear, but very similar. Anyway, so I'm attempting to rest due to sickness and now becuase of my stupid knee. Sigh. I'll never get back to "normal"...

So, I wasn't going to exercise at all, but I remembered that Nikki's daughter had put together an easter egg hunt for the kids and I wanted to support her. So, I got Nathan and Adam up and off to the gym for boxing class. I also did my #22 pushups for the challenge from Sherrie Shepherd. 

Knee is pretty achy, even at night. I'm taking Ibuprofen to help with pain through the night. So, I figured running wasn't a good idea. So, I decided to just do boxing classes. Craig came too! 

Tabata and then 1 mile on the TM afterward at 8:36AP progressive.

Boxing class - good, but Brad talks too much.

Technique - Brad did more sparring, but Addi was good and didn't hit me too hard. So, no brain issues or headaches to worry about. 

Then Craig came back and we cleaned the gym.

After getting ready I then spent the evening with Lauren and my mom at women's conference. Lauren and I did dinner alone, then we did Leatherby's after with my mom. A fun girls night. 

Nothing today. zip, zero, nada. I slept until 10:45 and then showered and got ready so that I could look decent for my doctors appointment after dropping Adam off. 

I made the call, the one I've been dreading. I had to cancel my grand canyon trip. sigh. My stupid body just isn't cooperating and I know what it takes to get that thing done, and I just don't think I have it in me right now. I will make it again. Maybe if the universe stops dumping all of my bad karma on me, then I might be able to recover and get it done! 

Now I just have to figure out what to do tomorrow...to run or not to run...that is the question. 

Well, I got it done. I wasn't sure I would run the whole thing...or even feel okay about it, but it is now on the books. 

I forgot to reset my watch when I started, so I only have specific splits that I looked at for the last 6 miles. I did those in an AP of 8:15 which is relatively slow for me on that section, but at least it is better than it has been.

I took my phone and listened to general conference while I ran, because I knew I'd be alone. It was a perfect distraction. It was nice that Mel and Chad waited for me, but I just long for the day that they don't have to wait and I can just naturally keep the pace again.

Now I'm up and hopefully will get to at least some of boxing class and all of legs day. Cyle is finally back, so that will make it fun too!

I went to boxing class, honestly just to get my double points. I wanted to sleep! 

After class I decided  I had enough time to run a mile or two...3 miles later I called it quits and had to get home to get Adam to kindgergarten. Total time:24:41 mile 1: 8:37 2: 8:14 3:8:00 - a lot faster than I've ran in quite some time...sad, but true. 

I should know that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction...but, I guess I just figured I had the best luck. The newtons were all out of town or decided to taper for Riverton half. So I got thrown to the wolves. I decided to sleep in and run shaggy mountain when the sun was up. But, I got tired and slept too long :) Okay, I got lazy and rationalized that I could run on the TM. 

So, I did boxing class, arms lift class and then ran 6 progressive miles on the TM. TT: 50:44; 8:34, 8:27, 8:27, 8:17, 8:10, 7:55 - about those times. I had them all in my mind, but now it has been too long! I know the first and last are right. 

This run gave me some sort of confidence that I could do my pacing job at Riverton half. I told Jonathan to give me a slower time, but no one would switch me, so I was stuck with 1:50 - an AP of 8:23. Which shouldn't be too horrible for me. A while back this was an easy daily pace for me to handle. HA! Anyway, I'm hoping I can pull out some miracle. 

Warm up mile for personal training with Cyle.

I've been working on powerlifting with him and now that he is back from his neck surgery I'm back at it. We did power cleans and power shrugs. It had been a couple weeks, so I had to work it out a bit to get my form down again, but by the end I was killing it! :) Okay, maybe not, but to hear someone like Cyle be happy about what I'm lifting and my form and say: "YES! Rachel Moody, you are an athlete!" Kind of makes my whole week and makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile in life  and succeeding somewhere and that my effort and strength isn't all futile.

Finished up with boxing class (15 min of legs to finish off the class...ugh!) and then a good stretch session. 

The rest of the day was a bust. I had lots of plans with my kids, but doing prom hair and makeup for my niece Anna and my laziness took over. It was a fun opportunity to help her for prom. I always dreamed of having a party of girls over for dance hair and make-up, but I'd never gotten to even get close to that before! So, this was a fun opportunity for me :) 

Well, I love a race that starts late enough for me to sleep in! I got David off to skiing with my sister then got out the door to the race. I had a packet for Dave and Jonathan, so I couldn't be late, but I was. Stupid, regular me. Anyway, I parked further away from the start than I thought I had and ran a 1/2 mile warm up there and back. It was good to loosen up the legs a bit! I visited with the pace team, Melanie and Chad and then it was time to take off. 

As we lined up Dr Tom Boud found me. I have paced him every year I've done Riverton half. The first year  I paced 1:55 and it was my first solo pacing assignment. I was super nervous, but because I'd met him just a couple weeks before and he had casted my daughter's arm I knew I had to do a good job! He was barely able to keep up with me and I lost him the last couple miles, but then he caught me so we could finish together that first year. He was one of the people that made me love pacing! Anyway, he was running with me again this year and I found out that he had qualified for Boston and that he was headed there in a couple weeks for his first! It was great to chat about what makes Boston so great and what he should do there. I love running friendships! Even if I do only see some friends once a year :) 

I told everyone I'd been perpetually sick and broken the past few months and so I was doubful I could hold the pace, but that I'd do my best. 1:50 would be the longest, fastest run I'd done since October! I fell short of my 1:50 in St George too. I told Tom more than once that I should give the sign to him, because he was looking strong and capable. I did pretty good keeping on pace or better and faking it for the first 6 miles. But, then at the aid station before the hill I had to stop and drink before I could swallow my gu, because my throat is still dry and with the headwind I was parched and could hardly breathe my throat was so dry. When I walked for those 10 feet I still had 50 seconds in the bank, but I lost my group. They were being a good wind block for me too! I've done my share of leading the draft for the pace group in this race that this year they were kind enough to give it back. 

On the way up the hill I met my neighbor Victor. I've seen him running and have talked to him a few times. He is older (maybe late 50s?), but a great guy. He was worried about keeping up with me and I told him he was looking strong and great and would easily make it in at the pace! I stayed with him and leap frogged him while chasing Tom, the yellow shirt guy, the red shirt guy and the pink tank girl. They were my group before I had to drink. 

There wasn't another aid station until mile 9 and with the hills and wind and my throat, I really could've used more frequent aid stations. Just as we turned onto lovers lane I saw my running peep (I can't remember his name!) and asked if he had water. He got out a full water bottle for me and I held it while I ran for the next mile! I drank every drop and tossed it at the next aid station. I tried to grab a cup of gatorade, but I missed it when I tried to grab it off the table. The volunteers weren't handing it out, we had to grab it ourselves...ugh. 

I finally was able to start getting some speed back in my legs on the last mile. I finished with an AP of 7:55  for that mile. Jonathan met me about 1/2 mile to the finish (he was on his bike, he made the right choice and didn't run). I told him I was going to be 1:52...beause I'd been a couple minutes behind pace each time I had checked the last few miles. I didn't look at mile 12 though...missed the mile marker. I came in alone  at 1:51:35. 10 seconds per mile slower than I should've been. Those hills and the wind just killed me. 

I guess I should've been happy that after 3 months I can still pull off a near 1:50 with little to no training or speed work, but I'm not. Melanie finished 2nd overall female with an astonishing 1:31, Mike and Chad finished just in front of her. It was a rough day for Chad, I think the slowest he has ever run this course. Kind of like me I guess :P I hate to say I run with these people, because lets be honest...I don't! But, I love them like my family and I look forward to the miles I get to spend with them each week. So, I'm going to stop whining about it, suck it up and just enjoy the time I get with them. 

Overall it was a great race and fun to see lots of running peeps. I just wish I could run a normal pace for me again. That 1:50 wouldn't be a tough  pace, but that I could eaily breeze through it like I used to all the time. Sigh. It'll come back....

Nice and easy 6ish loop with Melanie this morning. Since I don't have to deal with all the kids in the morning (half are off on spring break), I can do some other runs now! 

It was a great run to just chat and she was patient with my 9:40 warm up mile, but didn't complain about the finishing 7:40s on the downhill either. Gotta love a good running friend!

I then went and played volleyball at the daybreak church. I told Amy Steen I would play with her team on Thursday nights, so I guess I might as well practice a little bit...

Then I took Melanie's twins with Adam to the aquarium. Adam was well behaved and the twins had a good time too. I really love hanging out with kids that age. They are so much fun! I wish I could perpetually be a 5 year old. Maybe just have permission to act like one for an hour a day :)

Tuesday morning with the Newtons. I got there on time and left before Chad came out with Mandy. They all caught up by 13400 S and then Chad was chatting with me, so I had company up the hill while I couldn't talk. Then Mandy stayed with me on the next hill. I'm telling you, I hate that I am so slow. Things are coming back, slowly, but they are. Just have to keep my attitude positive and not let my demons overtake me. 

I pretty much kept up on the downhill and then I sent them off on a fast final mile. I actually had a few sub 8 minute miles and only one mile at 10:00...exactly. So, almost a full sub 10 minute mile run. Someday :) 

The final AP was 8:45 for the run, 1:28:10 TT for the miles. I remember when I was mad that I'd run over a 1:25 on this course 2 weeks in a row...sigh. Gotta love being old and broken.

Then I did the last half of the boxing class and arms day. Man alive my arms were killing me! It has been a long time since my arms felt that sore. 

I got to watch Taylee this morning, so I took her to Lina's boxing class with me. I don't love Lina's classes, the technique is missing...but they are still a good workout. 

Taylee slept through most of class and then did great during the rest of class and while I ran a mile. Then she started needing a little more attention...So, I only  ran 2 miles and then did the 2nd half of Lina's weights class. More arms and abs. I guess I need it. 

Progressive run with the first mile coming in at 9:04 and then the next mile was 8:00. 17:04 for both miles. The .3 is for the laps around the building we had to take during class...might as well add it up! 

I had a silent goal in my mind. I wanted to run Shaggy Mountain under 1:15...I haven't done that in a long time since I'm so stinking slow lately. I worked hard, but I didn't think hard enough. I kept up better with Melanie and Chad than I normally do on the uphill (they didn't gap me as much), but I really didn't think I was going to make it. On the downhill I was keeping up well and then on the last flat I told them I had a secret goal and to not let me give up. They were good to wait for me and push me to the finish. I was pleased to see I'd finished in 1:11:37. I really didn't think I'd make it, but I did! Maybe I can still run after all....I had the last  1.2 miles at a sub 6 pace, which is always nice!

I then did boxing and leg day, regular mom day stuff, got off to work and then got home at 8PM and went to the rec center for volleyball for another 2 hours. It was a long day!

Got up early (which was hard after yesterday) and met Trina and Aubrey to run a good Friday morning loop. Wan showed up as well...so, whatever. We went all the way to the top of the cove, down Moody hill, around the middle school then back to Aubrey's house. Wan and I then did a short loop through the neighborhood and finished with 9.15 - not a ton, but a good start to a Friday morning!

Then I did my power lifting with Cyle and boxing class. Peggy wanted me to braid her hair and then Nikki wanted hers done too, so I ended up staying for their personal training class where they lift heavy with Cyle. I only had to pay $6 and I got a great workout. 

I met Smooth at her house and then we ran 3.3 to the start of The Burn up the Lehi side of Suncrest and the race was cancelled. Sigh...stupid police and crazy race director that won't return their call. Whatever. So, we ditched going up the big hill and hit Murdock canal trail for a few out and back miles and then to her house. Finished with 11.57 incredible miles with Smooth. That woman seriously makes running worth while for me. I wish I could run with her everyday!

Got home in time for boxing class at 10, technique class at 11 and then sparring was cancelled and so I got right to work cleaning. Craig joined me to finish it up so we could get to a nice afternoon movie with the family. I stayed up too late cooking and cleaning for my mom's birthday, but it is nice to have a clean house again!

I slept in enough to make up for my lost sleep over the weekend, then did an hour of volleyball and took Adam to school and then did a 5 mile loop on the Draper canal trail/Porter Rockwell trail. Slower than I expected, but my legs were seriously shot. 

Tuesday 10 with the Newtons. I met Mandy a little early, because she was only running 9 miles (attempting to taper for Boston) and then we waited for the group at the top of Emmeline. Mandy and I were able to run together the rest of the way and Chad and Melanie gapped us multiple times. They just get chatting and running and it kills me how slow I am! Sigh, but it was nice to have Mandy there this morning. 

I then missed boxing, because I'm babysitting and had to feed little Taylee, but I made it to arms class. She fell asleep there in her carseat so I got a nice shower and some work done at home before she woke up! 

A fun morning run with Kelli. I met her a lot closer to my house than intended, but we made a good loop of it. Then she had her beautiful Jaxson to babysit, so we visited for a minute (okay, okay, it was over an hour) then I ran home. A nice fun, easy run. Just the way running should be! 

Since we talked so long I didn't make it to the boxing gym, but I don't feel too bad about that :)

Another Shaggy Mountain run with the Newtons. I started early and I needed it. I waited at the top of real estate hill for them to catch up. I waited a few minutes for them and I probably shouldn't have. I couldn't really keep up with them anyway and I ran the majority of the rest of the run alone anyway. I really hate it when I can't keep up, even on the downhill. I miss the good conversations and the group jokes. But, I think I've decided to just give it up until I can run their pace again. That may be months, but it just isn't worth my mental energy feeling like a sack of moldy tangerines being left behind constantly. I miss the group. I miss running fast, but it isn't worth getting up early to have my spirit drug through the mud. I'm going to work hard to get back to it. I will. I'm not sure how, but I will. 

I missed boxing because I had to pick up Taylee on the way home and she was ready to eat at 9:00 when I was going to go. I fed her and got to the gym in time for arms class. 

Knowing I had a marathon to pace tomorrow I decided not to run. But, since Cyle is moving to Vegas and I'm losing him for training I want to do all the training I can until he leaves! So, I did power lifting with Cyle and then boxing class. 

I then ran home and got Adam and myself ready for the day. I took Adam and Andie to school, went to my 1PM counseling appointment, got a new pair of gloves from Cyle's shop and then went to the SLC marathon expo. 

Susan hired me to help her sell nuu muu running dresses, motivation bracelets and race dots. So I spent the rest of the day (from 3-9) on my feet.  I didn't end up eating until 9:30PM and didn't get home and to bed until after 11PM. Oh heavens. The night was much too short!

Lisa was wonderful enough to let me meet her at her home and then Dan drove us to the start. It was SO nice to sleep in until 5:10 and not have to ride trax! I need to make Dan a wonderful vegan treat for being so wonderful. 

It took a while to find the group, but we did and all went well and we lined up and were off. We had a few people with us at the start and through the first few miles. It is always fun to meet and chat with new people! Quite a few of them were from out of town and it was fun to hear their stories. I didn't shed my sweatshirt until mile 6. It was a cold morning. Yes, I was over dressed, but I swear I had been cold for the last 2 days! 

I did a gu at 8, 14 and 20. Some people were out on the course handing out oranges, red vines and strawberries. There was  a lot of good support out. Lots more than I remember from years past. The course is a good honest one and you don't get a ton of downhill. You certainly gotta earn it! From the U up to the avenues, down city creek, winding your way up through 9th and 9th and then Millcreek and then to 2300E and out to about 5200S then you get to turn and wind your way back into the city and down to 200E. You still get a few nice uphills in there too. Then the wind was coming from the North and the West, so you were basically fighting it the full last 7 miles too. I was REALLY happy that we had banked 2-3 minutes by then and that we were able to walk through aid stations as needed and keep closer to a 10mm pace than a 9:44. We gathered another big group around mile 20 and we pushed them through until Liberty park and mile 25 when we kicked them out and told them that they were on their way to a sub 4:15 and to go get it done. It was fun to watch them head off in front of us and the one or two that we would catch we would pick them up and give them a push forward. 

We were able to finish and watch a few stragglers that fell off the gorup finish. It was a great day! Pacing is always rewarding. Even if I felt like crap the entire time. Heck! It was a 9:44 pace and it killed me. I was so tired and just wanted to be done around mile 14. My back hurt, my feet felt like they had blisters, my hamstrings were tight, my gut felt crappy (literally sometimes), I felt light headed and overall just wanted to stop running. I have to honor the 26 miles of a marathon. I forget sometimes that even at a slow pace it can kick my butt and I have to be ready for it. I just did too much this week, stood on my feet too long the day before and didn't eat. I finished, but it wasn't pretty. I held it together, but man I did NOT feel good through this race. 

I got a burger on the way home that tasted like mana from heaven, which absolutely disgusts me. blech! I hate fast food, but I was just so hungry. I got home, showered, layed down on the couch and took a nap. I didn't wake up for a few hours, but then we went to play and eat and clean the gym. Oh man. What a day! 4:15 pace for a marathon wipes me out? Man alive, I have really just turned a new stone. 

A nice little afternoon jaunt on the Draper canal trail and Porter Rockwell trail from the kid's school. I can make a 4-9 mile loop out of this and for some reason it never gets old for me to run on. It is peaceful and challenging with the rollers. 

I was channeling my inner Boston as I ran in my jacket (despite the afternoon temps being high enough to wear a t-shirt) and thought about all those people I knew gutting out the miles at the running mecca. It was incredible! I ran faster than I have in a long time, except the first mile. My first mile is always slow. 

AP: 8:03 - 9:04, 8:05, 7:42, 7:34, 7:05 for the last .4

I did also play volleyball this morning before taking the kindergartners to school...but, that is just fun :) 

I didn't do the Tuesday 10. I figured after Saturday's breakdown I'd take it easy this week. I ran from my house up to the stake center, then I saw Chad and Mel rounding the corner at Butterfiled Park Way and so I took off assuming they'd catch me on the flat. I still waited at the corner of main street, but not too long. I then ran with them to the rec center before I turned and came back home up 13400 S 

I don't remember the pace right now, but it wasn't horrible. Better than it has been in a while. At least I got a good mile of chatting in with the Newtons. More than I usually get. 8:34 AP 8:57, 8:37, 7:43, 7:29, 8:53, 9:43, 8:41 (last .5)

I then watched Taylee for the day, because Kristy was sick. I had to feed her and so I got to boxing late, but I still got boxing and arms done. 

Nothing. Zilch. I just was a lazy head. Sometimes we need a rest day, right?

I asked newtons if they'd wait for me and run with me and not ahead of me...I didn't get any answers, so I took the silence as an answer that they didn't want to run slow even if I was trying to hit a good pace. So, I just left early like normal. No company for me. 

I ran the full loop alone. But I had my mace the entire time :) I did stop and wait, expecting the group to catch me at any turn, but I never even saw them. I finished and then walked back to the corner and saw Chad barreling down the street. He was hitting a good stride! Then Mel and Dave weren't very far behind him. They finished in 1:04 and I was 1:11:36 - so faster than normal, but nothing "fast" for me. Good thing I started early. We chatted afterward and it was nice to visit even if I don't get to run with them anymore. 

8:46 AP 10:26 (this mile was LONG!) 9:39, 9:51, 9:01, 8:17, 8:17, 7:36, 7:16, 7:10

I then got kids up and off to school and Kristy brought Taylee over. I then fed her and packed her up in the stroller and did a 5K (which we had to cut short, to 2.85) with byewing. My sister lives right by me now, but she always ditches me on her runs! It was nice to run with her, even at an 11:08 AP

I then did boxing and legs at the gym. Cyle announced that Saturday would be his last day...kind of bums me out. I am going to miss my boxing/lift coach. A LOT! 

I met Melanie at the rec center and we did our 10K loop. I had a great time visiting and running with her. I forgot my garmin, but I was already late so I didn't want to go back home. It took us a total time of 55:04 and had an AP of 8:35...I think anyway. I don't remember exactly and I don't want to do the math :P

I then did power lifting with Cyle - my last session. I really like lift. I like power lifting and it bugs me that I'm not going to have someone to do this with weekly that I trust and have a good relationship with and sees me as a strong athlete. Sigh...

I then did boxing class as well and since Cyle was doing a heavy lifting class at 11:15 with a small group I jumped in and did that one as well. 

A lot for a Friday, but whatever. I've got to get my last Cyle fix in before it is too late! 3 1/2 hour workout done before noon...excellent!

Well, I started out this day with great intentions. I wanted/needed to run the race for the sake of putting in an appearance, helping out and supporting the race. But, I wanted to be back by 10AM so I could do Cyle's last boxing and technique classes. The full started at 7AM and so I figured I'd start with them, do the half finish at 9ish and get home by 10. The problem was that I ran into Laura Western running the full. She is a slower runner, but I love the lady and so I decided I would run the first half with her and then just push it home. Well, about 3 miles in I was having a great time and the wind was pushing at our backs SO hard that I figured I might as well run the entire distance out with her and then have one of the other staff drive me back to the start. So I kind of cheated and ran with the wind at my back (which was often annoying how strong it was!) and never had to face the headwind. But, since I stayed with Laura the full time I was waaaay behind on time and then I had to have someone drive me (super slow dodging cars, runners and boy scout bikers) and I didn't get back to the start until the 2:10 pacers for the half were finishing. Sigh. I still attempted to race home and get to boxing. I was a little late for the 11:00, but at least I got one of Cyle's classes in. I worked with Whitney and I can't believe she is going to fight again. I guess in just 3 weeks. I really wish I wouldn't have gotten so many hits to the head and had brain issues so I could've fought with Cyle in my corner. Sigh...so many regrets. Oh well, it is what it is. Life will work out and all will be well despite all my whining! 

AP: 11:30 splits: 8:44, 8:44 (I spent the first 1.7 miles catching Laura) 11:08, 12:43, 11:59, 11:26, 11:36, 11:36, 12:36, 11:44, 12:11, 12:25, 12:25, 12:42 (last .20)

A great day. Sometimes company trumps speed....

Well, I did my normal Monday morning sleeping routine. Sad, but true. I was going to wake up earlier so I could get my run in and do volleyball, but I slept until 9:45 (after getting kids to piano and school etc all morning). So, I got dressed and got out for a nice little jaunt in the cool, overcast, sprinkling morning. My hands and ears were a bit chilly, but I didn't wear gloves which I think is a first! :D I'm horribly cold and always need 10X more layers than normal people. 

Not running with anyone, I tend to pick up my speed, change my course and add miles and race myself home. I went out on my 4 mile loop and turned it into 5.25 - not too shabby. My paces were decent, even on the uphill. Well, decent for me now. Slow for what I used to do. Maybe someday I'll get my nice speed back. 

TT: 43:23 AP: 8:17 splits: 7:58, 8:38, 9:22, 8:49, 7:01, 6:35 (last 1/4)

I then packed up Adam and went to play the last 20-30 minutes of volleyball. But, I got nothing. They finished early and already had the nets down when I got there. So, I took Andie and headed to school. Bummer! 

I did the Tuesday 10, but from my house. I left about 5:25 and met the Newtons at the top of Emmeline. It was 3.3 miles for me, so I was about a mile shy, which was right where I wanted to be. I did the loop with them until the rec cener (actually keeping up most of the time...well, they were slowing down too, but still) and then I cut back to 13400S and ran home. I hit 10.15 miles (our normal distance) just as I hit the top of 13400S - so my last 2 miles were all uphill. I still was just under 1:25 (by like 5 seconds, but still) and I was pleased with that, given my times I've pulled lately. 

I had 2 8:0X miles and 3 7:30ish miles in there and the rest...well, they were a little slower. But, to have at least 5 miles in a decent pace is nice for me. I'll take it. 

AP for the run was 8:34

I then got 15 minutes of boxing in and arms day workout. Always good times at the gym.

So I slept in again, but my sister invited me to go running with her, so I knew I was going to get out! We did a 4 mile loop and then I ran the 1/5th of a mile home. She is a little slower than my normal pace, but sometimes it is nice to slow down and have good company. 

Just as we finished Jerry called and asked me to pick him up from the hosptial, so I did that and then dropping him off I saw Kelli running by, so I got to chat with her for a minute too. A GREAT morning!

I then did house stuff and babysat Princess Taylee (almost 4 mo old) all day. After dropping her off I went to Mandy's yoga class. I was impressed and had a good time. I wasn't a huge fan of the music and I like a little slower pace, but she really did a great job. I'm going to try and get back there again!

Shaggy Mountain. I'm glad I waited for the group, because Corey came and so I had someone to run with and not just get left behind! He just went up the canyon and back, but Chad and Melanie were nice enough to let me tag along until the hill after the gate, where I slowed (as usual) and they took off. It was nice to visit with them for a couple miles. That last hill I started getting light headed. I think baby sitting has caused me to forget to eat. I need to eat more. I had a couple licks/swallows of an old gu I had in my water bottle case, but meh...I still felt pretty light headed when I got home. 

I then took a nap and picked up the baby again and missed boxing class, but made it to legs day. 

Now I just need to eat and play 2 hours of volleyball tonight...easy, right???

No miles, but I did boxing and arms class...I'm a little worried about pacing tomorrow so I want to have somewhat fresh legs...

A beautiful day! I was worried it would be cold or rainy, but it turned out perfect. I'd recruited Melanie to run with me when I was going to push Reese, but that couldn't happen so she had to run with me anyway! It was nice to have pacing company!

We got there and picked up packets, I gave shoes to Rendi and we took some pictures and then we were off. We had a good group and Paul started with us! That course is kind of a bugger with the twists and turns and ups and downs...the hills never end! But, thankfully a 1:55 pace was just what the doctor ordered for me. 

We lost Paul and another guy Matt that we had picked up around mile 10...we then grabbed Jeff who was struggling with calf issues. We were able to finish with a perfect cushion and then cheered in the guys as they trickled in. All of them made it in under 2:00, so I guess that is a successful race? Or maybe just good pacing :) 

We left shortly after since we both needed to be back (Mel had left her kids at home alone) so I got back to the gym in time to do boxing and technique. But, they changed it to ju jitsu technique and well...I don't really like it. Grappling is fun and all, but I want boxing. I want a sweaty workout on my own punching and dodging punches. Cyle made me love boxing and now I feel like it has been ripped away...sigh. 

I hit a nice little loop around Draper. I guess I was just feeling good, because my AP ended up at 7:58. I guess I shouldn't complain about that! 

I did have a minor breakdown this weekend. Sunday was a bad day. Sat on the couch and ate myself sick. I never even went to bed. Just napped on the couch from 2-5 when I had to then wake up and get kids to piano at 5:30AM. Man alive, I hate depression. It grabs you and pulls you down into the dark abyss and it is SO hard to climb out. I never even changed my clothes...I was in my dress all day and night. Monday before my run Marci called and I talked to her for much too long and vented about a couple things and honestly, it made me feel a lot better. So between that and all the sugar I consumed, I guess I was just primed for a good run! 

The first time in FOREVER I've run the loop under 1:25...I was 1:23:xx

Mandy dragged me on the uphill, and it was nice to work to keep up with her and not let her gap me. It was hard, but dang it, I did it!! It put all my uphill miles under 9mm. Then, I kind of got burnt out on the downhill and lagged behind, but I was still fast enough to finish with my 8:14AP. I truly haven't run that far, that fast in I don't know how long...

I then made it to lift class for arms, late, but I still got it all in. I'm just really unmotivated to go to the gym since Cyle left. It honestly kind of sucks now.

I was lazy and did a whole lot of nothing today...nothing! Babysitting can get exhausting :) 

Shaggy Mountain. Another 1:11 loop, which is good an consistent for me lately. I wish I could hit those sub 1:10's on this route again, but meh...whatever. I'm slow now, slow and broken...

I then did half of boxing and legs class. I thought maybe I'd like Nikki's class, but the lack of technique and REAL boxing skills just annoys me. Legs class was good. 

I finished the day by playing 2 hours of competitive volleyball. My pair of shoes ripped right across the top on a serve! It was hillarious attempting to tape it up so I could serve and still have traction. We did okay...better than last week, but not up to snuff for some of the ladies. I can't help it that I suck!

I did boxing class (ugh...new teacher) and it might as well have been an aerobics class. She didn't know jab, cross or proper foot work or anything. Yeah, it was a good workout, but if I want aerobics classes I'll go somewhere cheaper. I WANT BOXING! Sigh...

Then I did Peggy's arm class. Always a good workout. But, still not power lifting with Cyle. 

We did Lisa's running bridal shower this morning! It was a ton of fun. We met at Ruth's diner at 6AM, ran for 2 hours and then had breakfast. They sat us outside so we could all sit together and we had heaters, but it was still just chilly cold when you're all wet from sweat. Aside from that, the company was fantastic and the occasion was spectacular! I can't wait for her wedding this next weekend. 

I don't know if it is just my depression hang over (which has lasted since more than last week) or mother's day or both...but I didn't want to get out and do anything. Plus, David had an early dentist appointment, then I had to take him to school, then I had to do Adam's star student poster and then get him to school, then do a showing, then do a massage then do afternoon carpool. So, basically I didn't make time early to do anything. I guess I'm just losing motivation. 

Another decent time on the loop of 1:23:xx, but my AP was 8:16, not 8:14 so it was a little slower and I'm 90% sure it was the uphill. I had 2 miles just over 9mm which is because Mandy wasn't pushing me. She was having a crappy, tired day herself and so we both just kind of wallowed in misery instead of killing each other on the run :) But, I liked it that way!

I kept up much better with Mel and Chad, but maybe they were just running slower. Which is probably the case! Then at the end Mel had made cupcakes for Dave and Chad's birthday so we partook of her delightful death by chocolate cupcakes! The girl bakes well. 

I then picked up Taylee for babysitting today and well, this darn motivation and losing Cyle at boxing and depression just set in. I was ready and dressed for the gym. I could've made it to both boxing and lift, but I didn't. I slept with the baby in my arms. I could've done a myriad of things I've wanted to get done at home...but I slept. Sigh. 

If anyone, I mean ANYONE can give me a goal for me to shoot for, something to attain to...please help me! I feel like I'm falling hard and fast. I've done all the goals I've set out to do. Granted, I haven't updated my info, but I did a full IM last year, but really I feel like I've done all there is to do. So, I LOVE running, but I want to find purpose (other than being with friends) again. Because I can't really keep up with any of them anyway. So it makes me sad and crazy. Then my boxing dreams are crushed and gone with Cyle leaving and no one decent to replace him. The techers teaching now know less than I do. I don't like people like that teaching me. If I don't want to aspire to be or have what you have...then I don't want you teaching or coaching me. It is just that simple. sigh...motivation? anyone? anyone? Some goal...something?

I was supposed to meet Melanie at the Rec center for a nice early run before I had the baby all day, but she needed her sleep :) She missed her alarm and didn't wake up, but it got me out of the house and moving. So I listened to conference and ran the 6+ mile loop alone. I was slow on the uphill, but kept a decent enough pace on the downhill to round things out.

AP: 8:33 - 9:08, 9:16, 9:20, 9:23, 7:37, 7:07, 6:51 (last .35) 

Shaggy Mountain with Chad. Melanie cancelled at 4AM, so we were stuck on a date run, but it was nice to have company. I didn't completely suck it up, but my watch died at the top of mother hill...so I had Chad tell me what his time was at and then his finish time. So, I added 20:28 seconds to my watch time and I was at 1:10:58!! My goal was under 1:11, because I've been 1:11:30 the past couple weeks. So, I did it! My downhill miles weren't super fast, but my uphill miles were a little faster than usual. I'll take it!

I sat on the couch all morning, but finally at the last minute motivated myself to go out and run. I wanted to feel better for the wedding dinner. 

I ran a 6 mile loop in 50:20...not too shabby for just a leisurely run. It was HOT! I forget what running in 80 degree heat and sun does to you. 

Pacing 1:45 at Vigor. I got there late, but at least got on a bus and had good friends to chat with. Other than forgetting to register for SGM by yesterday at midnight, it was a great morning. 

Met Lisa at the top and since it was her wedding day, Laura brought all of us running with her a red flower to wear. It was fun! She ran with me until mile 11 when I had to slow down to hit my pace time. Finished right on time and with nice compliments from some great people about my pacing. 

We walked back on the course and then ran Laura and Cahty in, which is always fun! Came home, grabbed a nap, got some stuff done and headed off to Lisa's amazing wedding!

Met Karolynn Kay at daybreak lake to have a nice morning run. She is a wonderful person and I'm glad I made the connection with her. I was late (surprised???) and so we did almost 5 together, so I went out to round out the miles, but just got enjoying the road and so I ran to the top of 10200S so that I could run back DOWN! It was nice and I finished with exactly 7 miles. I love it when things work out well.

AP: 8:24 splits: 8:27, 8:15, 8:33, 8:38, 8:47, 8:44, 7:26

Regular Tuesday 10. Met Chad, Danielle and Mike and we ran the loop together.  I did a pretty normal time for myself, as of late, at 1:23:23 8:15 AP. I'd like to get back to 1:20-1:21 on a regular basis. Slowly but surely, right??? 

It was great to have good company and we chatted pretty much the enitre way! I didn't get left behind :) I always had someone with me. That is just exactly what makes me happy!!

I went on a nice long bike ride with Kelli. It is nice to switch things up sometimes and with Spudman coming I need to get out on the bike more!! A nice 15MPH average pace and we weren't pushing, just a nice chatty ride. I loved it!!

The newtons all ditched me for Shaggy Mountain, so I loaded up the baby and met Kelli at 8:30 and did a stroller run. She was wonderfully patient with my slow pace pushing the stroller into the wind. At least Taylee is only 13 pounds and not Adam's 40!!

AP: 9:00 splits: 8:55, 8:19, 8:38, 9:07, 8:47, 9:14, 9:11, 9:30, 9:21

Loaded up the stroller again and met a good friend Christine Scott on the old Urban trail loop. We just went out and back on the canal road and I ended up with 2 flat tires half way through...so it wasn't easy for me, but she was wonderfully patient with me too! We had a great run and chat and I don't regret a second of it! Hopefully these 15 miles of pushing a stroller will help me tomorrow when I'm pushing Reese for 26.2 miles....

Rainy day pushing Reese. A wonderful opportunity and great time spent with Marci.

I wrote my report and it didn't get saved...I'm being lazy now.

Pacing TOSH with Marci (4:30 group)

lots of new friends, course was .2 short on my garmin and no mile markers...so we finished 2 minutes early, which would've been perfect pacing if the course was accurate to our garmins.

Memorial day celebration ride with Kelli. Down to Cedar Fort and back. A good push, but not enough to kill my legs. Then the afternoon I spent rock climbing in rock canyon with Craig for his birthday yesterday. 

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons 

Pacing the 2:00 crew at Thelma and Louise with Becca.

It was fun to spend the ride with Christine, the night with QP, Christine and Becca and to watch Becca kill pacing at 5 months pregnant. A weekend to never forget. I seriously LOVE this race!!!!

Oh, and I took a cooler of ice cream sandwiches and dry ice down...became the poison car!

slept in...I needed it! Then it was too hot to do anything anyway, so I relaxed and enjoyed working all day :) 

Quick, short run with the Newtons. Attempting to taper for this weekend. 

I did meet Marci for training, but we did mostly arms and core. I really like working out with her!

slept in again, got work done then headed up to Montpeilier to help with packet pick up.

Starts in Cokeville and does an out and back...boring course! But, this year it was cool, the mosquitos weren't out to kill you and between Marci and Kaylee I had awesome company. Just screwed around and stopped at pretty much every aid station. So, the pace is slow, but my last mile was a sub 8mm, so I can't complain too much!

Starts in Montpeilier, goes past the airport, through Dinkel, on the East side of the lake, across the causeway then finishes in St Charles. I ran the first 14 with Marci and Kaylee, but I woke up ornery and just wanted to run alone. I wasn't in the mood for chatting, stopping and everything else. So other than stopping at aid stations I ran a pretty decent pace the 2nd half. Marci and Kaylee finished 15 minutes later. Hot and all the salty snacks were gone...kind of disappointed in the snacks, after you have them the first day it is hard to not count on them and want them the second day. But, I had enough to keep me satisfied. Pope gave me a Mtn Dew at mile 22 and that was exactly what I needed!!!

The last marathon of the trifecta. We started and stayed in front of the attitude ladies. So, even though we all beat them every day it was nice to never have them in front of us today! A great race and I was feeling better and the cloud cover was perfect and so was the weather! Craig brought me a coke at mile 21, always welcome! The kids ran a bit with me around mile 24 and then up the nasty hill they threw in for fun at the end. Marci busted a move up the hill and then raced into the finish. I didn't want to run UP the hill, but I couldn't ever catch her after that. My last mile was a 7:40AP...so, I tried. But after 3 marathons 3 days in a row, I just didn't have the umph. But, Marci deserved to "win" one between the three of us. Plus her family was watching and it just wasn't worth it. 

I love this race series and doing 3 marathons in 3 days is challenging, but being with friends and getting good rest and food makes it incredible! I'm already in for next year...

Mt Wire - 200 ft elevation gain in the 2 miles. Up wasn't the problem...down was! I ran 3 marathons in 3 days and my legs were fine. 4 miles on Wire and my legs are SHOT. But, gotta get the vert training for speedgoat in now.

The Butterfield 10K route up and over to Blackridge. Dave and Chad chased me down and left me in their dust. My legs are SHOT from Wire yesterday. Crazy I tell you, just crazy. A great early morning trail run, hopefully my legs recover quickly...

I then met with Marci Simons to do personal training. It was good today. A challenging workout, but I felt strong and like it was exactly what I needed.