Run and Be Happy!

I joined my old running group on their long run. I knew they were going 17.5, so I was planning on turning early to get 14 or 15. I didn't turn in time, so I stuck with them and I planned on walking after 15. We went from Indian hills up valley view to snow canyon parkway, then went all the way to Ivins, then back down through Santa Clara. The sunrise was so pretty because of the few clouds in the sky. The sun was up as we ran through Santa Clara- it is such a cute little town. We ran past Jacob Hamblin's home and I think I'll take my kids there soon to check it out. I kind of trailed the group most of the time with Jessica, but overall it was a good pace for me for that long of a run & with the hills. Ave 9:10. My energy felt great, I did eat 5 honey stingers and I know I could have run the whole way, but to save on my hip, I stopped and walked  at mile 16 for about 1/2 a mile and I was going to walk all the way back. I got a little too bored and cold, so I just decided to run the last mile. This was probably way too far for me to go right now, but I will stretch out my hip a lot and maybe bring my mileage down a little next week. Very mentally encouraging post-baby run!

6 miles with a few intervals. Out n back through Bloomington hills, 14 min warm-up, then 5x 3 mins a little faster, w 2 min recovery. This was supposed to be at 5k pace, but I could never seem to go much faster than 7:30-7:45.  Maybe it was the hills, or just tired legs from Saturday's run. Overall my ave pace was under 9.  when I got back, I struggled through ab ripperX.

I was planning on running Snow Canyon this morning, but Annalise was sick and up in the night about every hour, then she finally slept from about 4-7. So when my alarm went off at 4:30, I was way too tired! I ended up on the treadmill during Annalise's nap. 8 miles is my new treadmill record! This was really boring today, but it was cute watching Alex make a train track and play with his pirates while I ran.  I averaged about 9:10, I did the first half at 9:30, then got faster until the last mile was at 8:12. Maybe I'll make it to the canyon next week.

Annalise was up again in the night and really needed her mommy at 5:30, when I was planning on meeting up with my friends for the Friday loop. Instead, I stayed in bed and cuddled her- so nice!  After getting the kids off to school, I had about 30 mins to run outside before Paul left. Nice to be outside! Started out pretty slow and easy and sped up gradually. Felt good. First mile was 9:00, 8:00 by the end.

This mornings run I went with a couple of neighbors.  I did a mile loop around the neighborhood before we started, then Amy, Karen, and I headed down to Bloomington around the loop. Amy took the shorter way. Karen and I ran into Debbie, Bruce and Becky, so we ran with them for a little bit then we went up Tonaquint, we caught up to Amy as we came under the freeway.  Those miles felt good and easy, about the next 4 miles as we came back through Bloomington Hills were painfully slow with lots of walking breaks, but I wanted to stick together, so I just took advantage of the restful pace. Karen and I sped up a little for her last mile, and then I did one more on my own a little faster. My energy was great but I did feel some hunger pains. I brought 3 honey stinger chews- that didn't get rid of them. Overall I enjoyed this big loop/ tour of S. St. George! Ave pace 9:50

Treadmill workout:

10 min - started at 6.0- ended up at 6.5

2 x 10 min tempo - speed between 7.5-8.0 w 5 min recovery @ 6.3

9 min cool down

8 miles out and back from coral canyon to Washington dam rd. Overall pace 9:15. Fun to run on the dogtown 1/2 trail again. Felt great going down and had a good pace.  And kept a pretty good pace for 5 miles. Then I hit the 12% grade uphill and slowed way down. I kept running though and did not stop to walk. I did stop for a few seconds at mile 7 to catch my breath. Those hills were tough! Also I realized I didn't really eat dinner last night and I was feeling pretty depleted. It felt great to be outside and in the sunshine! 

20 minute easy run to try out my new shoes - they felt great and super light!

Long run with my old running group. Ave pace 9:04. Wow- this was tough! Maybe because of the many sleepless nights I had this week with the baby. It was fun to go with the group, but I didn't get to chat with them much because I had a hard time keeping up and was running a little ways behind them. We went up around Ivins again like 2 weeks ago.  It was so beautiful and the sunrise was amazing, It is a pretty hilly route. After 12 miles we stopped in Ivins and I told them not to worry about waiting for me. I still kept an ok pace, but I was able to stop at mile 15 & 17 for a few seconds to stretch without pressure to keep up. I was only going to do 18 miles, but the rest of the group ended going 22.  I ran to 18.5, then walked a while and one of my friends who had parked close by to cut the run short, was able to pick me up and take me to my car.  My legs felt ok except my hip twinging a little the last few miles. My issue today was low energy and the paces I was running seemed harder than they should have been.  I think because of not eating or sleeping enough this week. For nutrition, I had 1/2 a bagel on my way over, 5 honey stinger chews from miles 5-9, then a gu mile 12- gross! Not sure I ever want a chocolate gu again.

Easy 3 to shake out my legs. They feel good. Nice sunny warm day today.

Treadmill workout. 10 min warmup, then 5x5:00 at about 7:30 pace(between 7:00-7:47) with 2 mins easy recovery, 10 min cool down

good, hard workout, my new shoes feel great 

Easy 5 mile run to Bloomington hills.  About a 9:10 pace 

Dogtown 1/2 marathon - 1:45:47.  first post-baby race. This was a tough workout, but I ended up just where I was planning to finish. My goal was to finish between 1:45-1:50, so I'm glad I was able to do that. I didn't get much sleep the few nights before with the baby still sick and pretty fussy, so I felt tired when it was time to wake up and get going. Pre-race I had a slice of toast with PB & a banana. Not sure if that was enough with this late start. During the race, I ate about 2/3 a pack of honey stinger cherry cola gels. Gross! I guess I should have tried them first- I don't think I'll use that flavor again. The lime or the pink lemonade are definitely better than those.  Overall my splits were pretty even other than the first & last miles faster, plus a couple of fast downhill miles, my slowest mike was #10 with the big hill on Majestic Rd. At least I made it up without walking. Paul did great in this race and he hasn't even been running much. He ran ahead of me on the early downhill miles. I almost caught back up to him on miles 7-12, and was only about 15-20 secs behind him. Then at mile 12, there was a little out n back on the course. Right after Paul turned around, he saw I was right there, slapped my hand, and he took off! I think that must have been his fastest mile of the race. He ended up finishing 45 secs ahead of me.  I think he was pretty thrilled to beat me in this race.

Overall I enjoyed the course, the great weather, and it was great seeing some of my running buddies and the running community getting together.  I felt good after the race, but about an hour after and throughout the day, had an upset stomach and was nauseated. Not sure if it was because if the gels or from exerting myself, or both, I guess.   It is definatly easier to run fast  with less weight, but I guess running fast isn't what is most important right now. I do still want to be able to nurse the baby at least another month or two if I can.  I am excited for my next race- just 2 more months til Boston!

Crazy week! Squeezed in this treadmill workout while Annalise was sleeping and watched little Einsteins with Alex. I ran 1 slow mile, then 1 faster (7:30), .25 slow, .5 fast (7:15), .25 slow, .5 fast, then cool down. My kids have had 1/2 days every day this week which seems to really throw off my grove. Also I was in charge of our Cub Scout blue & gold banquet and did lots of cooking, setting up, and cleaning for that.  Anyway- it turned out great, but glad it is over. I'm hoping to somehow get in at least 27 miles this week.

With this crazy week, I haven't run much and I've been feeling really overwhlemed.  Today's run was totally an insanity-prevention run.  I left around 4:20 with 4 of my 6 kids home.  Abby was watching and listening for the baby while I ran outside the first 4 miles.  I started out slow, then pushed it a little for 3 miles.  Came home and ran another slow one on the treadmill.  The kids are fine and Mommy is happier now!  

The back of my calves are a little tight/sore.  Probably from this new style of shoe I've been wearing.  The kinvara has a lower heel to toe drop than the Brooks Launch I've been used to.  I will have to switch off with those old shoes more until I get used to this.