cheryl

We met at Peggy's house and ran 9 miles. Originally we planned to run 8, but when we got back to Peggy's we had run a little more than 8, so of course we had to go to 9.  My brain was programmed for 8 miles and it did not like going the extra, but maybe it was good to override the programming.  I think our pace was right about 9 minute miles.  Later I did a little pool running, so that's where I got the extra two miles.

So I must have been half asleep when I set my alarm last night because I set it for 5:10, and there's no way I could get to Riverton High by 5:30 because my morning routine is so intricate.  I showed up at the track about 5:55 and ran a few stairs to warm-up a little.  We had a pretty good sized group.  Jody joined us again, which I was happy about, plus we were privileged to have Walter join us for the first time.  We'd been stressing about Walter coming because we know how fast he is and we were wondering what workout would challenge him.  Fortunately, Peggy was in charge, so I didn't have to worry about it too much.

We ended up running some intervals on the track, but I didn't do very well; Walter lapped me at least twice.  I just didn't feel like I had much "umph" today (is that a word?)  We also ran about a 2.5 mile tempo, then did some more track stuff.  I was mad at myself for doing so poorly that I went home and punished myself by running 7 miles more on the treadmill.  Maybe that wasn't really punishment, maybe I was just feeding the addiction.  Those treadmill runs really get the endorphins flowing.  Man, it's great.....  (Read Walter's blog and comments if you need an explanation.)  Anyway, enough about that.  Let's hope I do better next time.  It was great being with everyone this morning.

I had a busy day with helping my daughter with some school stuff and then I had a dentist's appointment (no cavities!) so my running took a hit today.  I needed kind of a rest day because my ligaments hooking my hamstrings to my glutes were quite sore today (I bet some of you didn't even know you had ligaments hooking hamstrings to glutes.  The things you learn being a runner and dealing with injury.)  I still managed to get in a quality 4 miles.  Now for tomorrow and the three 5-k's!  I can't wait!!

I met with the group this morning.  It is now totally dark at 5:30am.  We had some new people join us like Kelli and Michelle N.  And Jody and Walter were there again.  I feel like Walter should be leading the workouts, not following what I say.  Maybe one time we'll let him be in charge, and then if we like it we'll put him in charge permanently.  Anyone who can beat Lance Armstrong in a race deserves to be the leader of the group.  Maybe he doesn't want to be the leader of our group, though.  Anyway, we did one of our classic workouts, three 5K's around the old So. Jordan 5K route.  My times were:  26:02, 25:01 and 24:17.  So at least I got faster on each one.  Last year about this time I was able to do this workout in 22:56, 22:43, and 23:22.  So I'm not as fast this year, so maybe a SGM PR is not going to happen this go around, unless something really kicks in the next month and a half.  On a good note, I went to the chiropractor and he said my problem muscles weren't quite as tight this time.  He even said he might try some hot laser on them to get things to loosen up and heal better.   I think that would be cool.  I did run a little more later in the day, to make my total 12 for the day.

When I woke up, I felt like a truck had hit me.  I was still recovering from yesterday's running.  So I thought maybe I would just take today off or maybe pool run only.  I ended up going to the Rec Center, doing a few exercises, looking at the pool, debating whether to pool run, looking more at the pool, and finally feeling like I could run on the treadmill, so I did four really good miles there.  It ended up being a nice run.  Sometimes it takes a while to talk myself into running.  That's why the group is so nice, we have a definite time and place to meet, and there's no hem-hawing around about it.

My 9 year old had to be at football practice at 7:30, so that messed up any early morning long run I wanted to do.  What I did instead was run for about 65 minutes on the treadmill, which was 7.5 miles, and then later I went for a casual 30 minute run on the canal road with my dog.  So I did not get in the traditional long run, but I got in some miles, so I guess some is better than none.