Life is Good

So, There was a marathon that ran THROUGH my neighborhood and I didn't know about it until it was started!  Can you believe that?!?!  Seriously, how did I not know?????  (In my defense, it was the 1st year, but still!!!)  Why do I have emails with racing events come to my inbox if they aren't going to tell me when there is a race so close I can actually cheer on the runners without going anywhere? 

Anyhow, I still ran my 16 miles, even though there was a marathon going on.  I did Usery's Pass, Bush Highway, Coons Bluff (up and back) and Phon D Sutton.  And it felt good.  There was some serious head wind on the way up Usery's Pass, but it didn't get the best of me.  I even sprinted to the finish.  And, I only stopped twice.  Once for the light at mile 1... and once at mile 12.5 to kiss Melanie's finger because apparently she got some cacti in her finger while hiking (the family was hiking Coon's Bluff while I was running... The girls really enjoy it!)

Good times.  Only 7 weeks until my marathon (one that doesn't go through my neighborhood... and that I have to go out of town to get to... can you tell I'm a little bummed by this discovery.  Next year!  Next Year)  I honestly think I am in good enough shape, I could have ran that last Saturday.  I mean, the only uphill in the race was actually going through my neighborhood, and I clearly know how to handle that.  sigh. o-well.

3.05 Miles with Noelle and Oliver.  I love that Noelle thinks I'm super fast, even if I'm super slow.

I need more sleep.  I gave decided

Noelle, Oliver, and I went a different route today, through the Red Mountain Park.  Noelle saw lots of puppies and duckies and was pretty happy.  And I had a pretty good workout pushing her. :)  Happy Friday.

P.S.  I'm a little nervious about my long run tomorrow.

According to my training plan, this is suppose to be my rest week, and I'm suppost to go 12.  Next week, I should be going 18.  Well, next Saturday I am speaking at a baptism in the morning and making/decorating a wedding cake for the evening.  running 18 miles just doesn;t fit into the day.  So, we decided to switch the weeks, 18 this, 12 next. 

Then my dad invites us to breakfast.  Instead of getting an early start to running, I started at 9 after breakfast.  It wasn't too bad, but it was hotter.  I ran up Usery's Pass, did a 2.5 mile there and back thingy North of Bush Highway, then ran up Bush to Coon's Bluff.  Originally my plan had been to run down coon's bluff, wave at my family (who were hiking/picnicing at the bottom), run back up, then back down.  That would get me my 18.  But with the late start, when I got to the bottom, I could tell they were just tired and ready to go.  I thought I'd yell to them "pick me up at the top" but some car came and stopped in a weird place, making me have to run over to tell them.  The girls came running over and were giving me hugs.  I didn;t have the heart to run off... plus stopping and starting is not a specialty of mine.  So there you have it.  That is my reasoning for running less than my original plan, but I'm not worried.  I still have 6 weeks until the marathon.

So, I love that my husband is so supportive of my running.  I was almost trying to talk myself out of it, and he says "you need to go running"!  And I did!  And I'm glad I did!

Thank you hubby!!!

so, after becoming a horrible running blogger last week, I decided I better start fresh again this week.  I had a good run today. 

so, how about this crazy weather?  I loved the rain last weekend.

Wow did this run not go the way I had planned!  Actually, so far, I could say that about the entire day!  Here's to hoping for a better second half!

Today was an adventure.  Noelle, Oliver and I did a little "off roading" with the stroller, came up close and personal with 2 very large, very loud geese, and saw some friends in the neighborhood.  Noelle sang to me while I ran, and is a great running partner ("Mommy runs super fast!"  It's far from true, but I love hearing it).

One of my favorite people, Ms. Lybi, asked me to run in this special 5K to help support the YWs in her ward.  I believe this fundraiser was to help them get to girls camp.  Of course I agreed! 

Originally I was going to run it slowly and the run another 12 miles afterwards, but last minute decided to run it like the 5k it was and see how I would do.  There was no way I was ever going to place when the first person in was in my age and gender bracket (that chiqa was amazing!), but I did come in 4th of my gender... and am super happy with myself... and, can I point out that I just had a baby 4 months ago?  Even *I* think I'm crazy.

But, I have also fallen a little behind on my marathon training.  I still plan to run it in 4 weeks; however, I'm thinking it's time to watch "The Spirit of the Marathon" to get my dedicatino back.  It's time to "do this thing"

Thank you, Ms. Lybi, for asking me to participate in today's 5K.  Not only did I get to see you (which I LOVED), and run, but I really enjoyed the race.  Everyone was so nice and clearly excited about the fundraiser.  Remember me if they do it again.

So, I was daydreaming while running, and next thing I knew, I was on my street and forgetting to sprint in to the finish.  I don't remember much in betwwen, only that I know I went on  my regular route.  Very funny.

So, I will have to admit to "sleep running" again... at least the first part of my run.  I seriously was side tracked, missed my turn (which I made up), and almost missed the light I was waiting for because I didn't realize the little green man was granting permission to go until it was almost too late.  Wow!  Not sure what is going on my with my mind, but it is definitely else where.  This could be percieved as good or bad... Good:  I'm clearly in the zone and not thinking about any running aches and/or pains.  Bad: I could potientally be running harder if I weren't day dreaming.  O-well.  I'm not really too concerned about my speed.  And I did manage to get back in the amount of time I told Brandon I would be gone, even stopping at all the lights, so it couldn't be too bad!  I'm so silly though.  Seriously!  
 

On another note, we have been blessed with fun girls in my house lately.  Not only mine, but friend's children as well.  Yesterday we had two cute little girls over for a play date (and I got to have a friend over too, which is extra special... Thanks Lybi!)  And today I babysat for my sister in law's sister (can you follow that?).  This little girl was too precious and my girls just loved her.  It has been fun.  I'm happy to say that we will be getting OUT of the house alittle bit the next few days though, which I think we all need!  ha ha!

I met a really nice man by the name of Harley after mile 3 and we ran together for 4 miles.  He is also training for a marathon.  He told me some good stuff... and next thing I knew, I was going down hill.  I didn't even realize we were that far.  He turned around and I kept on keeping on.  At mile 15.5 I met the hill I was dredding.  After I started up it, I decided to walk it (1/2 mile).  There was no point of giving myself a heart attack.  At the top, I started running again (more up hill).  I ran out of drink and had to fill up with water at the park and ride.  I used the restroom in Del Taco (which was not a good place to stop... the greasey smell in the place after running was awful!!!)  I would have used the restrooms at the park and ride, but it was locked.  Then I ran 2 miles to my neighborhood, walked a 1/2 mile to the park, then ran the last 3/4 mile home.  At that point, it actually felt better to ran to walk.  My hips hurt when I walked. 

Now to catch up on my conference. (and eat)