Back With a Capital Vengence!

Felt fine after the big 10-miler yesterday so I thought I would go up to Snowbird and run/hike to Hidden Peak and take the Tram down. Long story short I couldn't find the right trails and kept ending up in the parking lot so no Hidden Peak :)

Weird day as in good weird. My hip had significantly flared up over the last 2 weeks, but now it feels like a normal hip with zero hip flexor tightness and zero general hip achiness, which is pretty incredible considering my longest in 2 years run this weekend. We're talking better than before surgery feeling... I guess lesson is, don't get too discouraged with these flare-ups and start planning some bigger and longer runs :)   

PM: 5 miles on the BST from Morris Meadows. Felt great except for the 95 degrees thing. Please tell me all this heat training I am doing is going to pay off in some way.

Mega glute & core workout. yoga.

AM: Pipeline Trail from Porter Fork to Rattlesnake. I had two goals today: (1) run when it is not 95 degrees and (2) run 5 miles at a consistent pace, more specifically Saturday's goal race pace. Done and done.

PM: Hour walk through City Creek with sprinkles and breezes. Now looking at skis :) C'mon winter!

After reading about Jake's heart rate monitor run today I decided to see what my heart rate was like during an easy run this evening and the results are, well... frightening!

PM1: At a little less than four miles at an easy (9:37 average) pace my heart rate averaged 157 beats/minute meaning I am either in the worst shape of my life or I am part hummingbird. I am thinking a little bit of both. Considering I couldn't run for nearly two years, I am essentially starting over from scratch so I shouldn't get too discouraged. Nowhere from her to go but up-ski!

PM2: Townie bar biking! I need to get back out on my bike!!!

PM: An hour of psoas stretching and beating at PT. My SI joint has officially stayed in place for an entire month. Major, major, serious progress - SI PR!

PM2: Rode my bike around the Ave's watching the Tour of Utah. Speaking of Tour of Utah... best sltrib photo essay I have ever seen! Mostly because it is in my old stompin' grounds! Tour of Utah fans "excited" for the cyclists in Stage 2

Running the Park City Trail 15K in the morning. I know a 15K probably doesn't sound like much to all you crazy runner peeps, but to me it is HUGE. It is my first real race in 2+ years and for a good year or so of that I really didn't think I would ever be able to run again. I don't mean to sound overdramatic, but that is the truth. I am nervous for so many reasons and if I make it to the finish I am pretty sure I am going to bawl my eyes out.

Before the race I demanded three hugs from Andrea, I really wanted more, but I was afraid to ask. My goal was to average 10-minute pace, which I was pretty nervous about. I started with the 9-10 minute peeps, but quickly realized that I was a little overly stoked for that pace.

First 2 miles were at 8:30 pace and I felt great so I changed my goal and just went for it and didn't get passed once after mile 2. I ran up a hill, bombed the downhill, and it was so much fun!!! SO HAPPY - oh my gosh! Then brunch, pool time, and great company - exactly what I needed! I have been annoying everyone today, by bursting out, "I CAN'T BELIEVE I CAN RUN, LIKE FOR REALS RUN" at least every 15 minutes.

I am so absolutely thrilled to be where I am at right now and enjoying every minute of it. Not to get all sappy, but I am really grateful for all of the support I had from fellow bloggers through this whole recovery ordeal. I cannot thank both Andrea and Jake enough for taking care of me after my surgery, providing so many kind words, and giving me HUGE hugs today. Okay going to cry now :)

STOKE!!!

My favorite peeps!