A clydesdale no more!

I'm not sure if I should log these are running miles or not but it was a lot of work so I am going to count them.  I needed one of those "clear your head" runs so my intent was to run to Elephant Rock.  I didn't realize how much snow there was on the trail.  The first little bit was packed snow and I was able to run on it.  I then had some sections of just muddy trail and thought that I was in the clear.  Shortly after the clear trail, I got into 2 foot deep snow (a little less than 2 miles into the run).  I started walking and decided that since my plan was to go to Elephant Rock I was going to keep going until I got there even though I knew it would take a while.  It didn't take long for me to realize how stupid this was.  I was walking in 2 feet of snow with only running shoes, and shorts.  I wasn't cold but since my lower legs were exposed they were getting scraped by the frozen snow when I would break through the snow.  I continued on thinking that my destination was just around the corner but I never found it.  I got to the 3 mile marker (I never noticed the mile markers before) and thew in the towel.  I had another 1/2 mile to go and I wasn't having fun anymore.  Coming back down was a lot easier than going up.  Once I got to the section where I could run again, my feet were too cold and soggy to maintain a decent pace so I just slogged along.  It was an adventure and I'm glad I did it but will be better prepared next time I go.

I took a nap yesterday while the kids where with their mom and OD'd on caffeine while at the Hannah Montana movie last night so I had a pretty restless night.  Got out the door a few minutes late due to work and could only get in 7 miles.  My knees and shins felt pretty beat up from yesterday and I really couldn't get into a good groove.  My garmin was dead and I couldn't find my regular running watch so I'm not sure of the time or pace (probably a good thing).

Excellent temperature but it was a bit windy and it started to rain towards the end of the run.  My legs still don't feel like they should but it was better than it was yesterday.  My shoes are approaching 500 miles and I can feel that they need to be replaced.  I'm not sure if I will be able to get a new pair of shoes after finding out about the sizable donation that I have to make to the IRS.

A cold, wet, soggy run. The rain was coming down really hard.  I was due for some hills so I ran up to Bountiful Blvd. then back home.  I felt like I was in cruise control and really didn't push the pace. 

I'm putting this in writing because otherwise I won't stick to it.  I am going to stop drinking soda pop.  I have gotten in the habit of getting one 20 oz bottle a day and I'm starting to feel the effects.  I allowed myself to drink it because I want to keep my weight up and figured all of the extra empty calories would help in that regard (I know that doesn't make sense for a runner to say that but I have my reasons).  I don't really like the way I feel so I'm going to go without for awhile to see if I feel better.

My legs didn't feel very strong this morning.  I'm going to blame it on the cold weather.  It's got to start warming up soon doesn't it?

My girls had a soccer game at 9 so I couldn't meet the running club this morning.  I did see Kathie on the LPT so that counts for something.  My plan is to start increasing my weekend mileage slowly.  I felt really good during the run.  I averaged 7:28 for the run and it never felt like much of an effort.  The only time I pushed the pace was when I was approaching the trail head where I was going to jump off the LPT and I could see a couple of runners ahead.  I made it my mission to catch them before the turn off.  I was able to catch them just before the trail head.