cheryl

We met with Air Darkhorse at Alta High and ran a warm-up for about 15 minutes, and then ran a continuous run where we did two minutes fast, two minutes recovery. It was raining slightly when we got there, and then cleared up and it was a nice morning to run. I liked that we got in a lot of hills. Ever since I started heeding Steve's and Sasha's advice to just run easy miles, running has been a lot better; I don't feel a need to kill myself on every run. So today was very pleasant and nice to be out running with my friends. Michelle's GPS said we did about 7.2 miles. Sasha--are you happy I'm no longer a lurker?

PM-Ran a VERY easy 30 minute run on my treadmill; pace was between 11 and 12 minute miles.  Made 10 miles for the day

Ran with the group today.  At least, that was the intention.  We met at 5:30 at the River Front park and ran for about 20 minutes, then started the real workout.  Realized my legs were tight and achy and just did not feel like I could do the workout, which included hills.  So Debbie, Kris and I just decided to run easy, so we took off and ran to 9800 So. and then got on the parkway trail and ran there and up into the Parkway Palisades neighborhoods until we got in our mileage.  Felt bad about leaving our fun group, but didn't have it today.  Ran easy and flat, which was nice.  Looks like Peggy had a good workout for the others.  Probably need to take it easy this week so I feel good on Saturday for Ogden.

Then after getting the kids to school I went to yoga class at the So. Jordan Rec Center.  My difficulty in doing many of the poses shows I have very tight hips and hamstrings.  That is most likely the cause of many of my running issues.  Will work on more flexibility!

Since I've felt fatigued the past couple of days, just decided to take it easy today.  I ran 3 miles and threw in some faster one minute runs during the workout.  Did 15 of them.  My legs felt a little better today, maybe the yoga yesterday helped.

Met with our So. Jordan group today up in Daybreak and ran 6 miles.  Was a nice workout because we got both uphills and downhills.  Tried to keep things at half-marathon pace.  Then I went to yoga class after and really enjoyed the stretching.

Well, Becky and I did this same marathon relay last year in 3:27, and this year it was 3:36, and it wasn't Becky who was slower.  I was 9 minutes slower than last year; I chalk it up to hip/hamstring/piriformis issues that I've struggled with for the past few months.  Oh well, it was good to get the mileage in.  Overall, I tried to keep the pace from getting too uncomfortable.  Peggy was nice enough to run me in the last I think 3 miles--everything was kind of hazy there at the end, and it was nice to have her there to talk to and to keep my mind off the misery.  The others from the blog and my running group did really well.  Cheris and Julie were both well under 4 hours, PR's for both of them, so fantastic job ladies!!  Peggy ran a great half marathon and then ran several more miles, so it was a great day for her too.

  So I ran the Painter's half in January in 1:44, the Moab half in March in 1:47, the Salt Lake half in April in almost 1:56, and this half in 1:51:40, so for the first time this year I haven't gotten slower in a half marathon; I'm hoping that means I'm on the road to recovery.  We'll see.  Congratulations to all the other bloggers for some great races; it was fun to see all the fast running blog singlets go by at the lead of the marathon when I was waiting at the half way point.  Sasha, do you ever acknowledge the people cheering you on or are you in a zone?  I thought for sure you would finish 3rd when I saw you, so congratulations on finishing 2nd.  After the race I went to BYU for several hours to watch my son run in the state track meet, so I saw lots of running today.   What a great day!!