Emily's training blog

Wow.  It's been one thing after another this past month.  I know this is a training blog, not a journal, but running is how I deal with my stresses and feelings.  Therefore, I think it is entirely appropriate to post the events in my life that effect me.  Besides, it's my blog and I can write what I want.  (except for bad language or Sasha will kick me off.)

So, we found out Saturday night that Teren's brother has cancer.  It is in his plasma cells.  That has been hard to wrap my head around.  He is only 44 with 5 kids.  Today he finds out how widely the cancer has spread in his body.  Something like this changes your perspective, quickly.  In addition, Teren's dad had triple bypass surgery around Halloween.  Then, there's our little adventure with the toilet bowl cleaner . . . It's a crazy time for our family.  I think the holidays are going to be rough.

It felt good this morning to pound out some stress and organize my thoughts.  Running is definitely therapeutic, and I am so thankful for that.  I warmed up 2 miles and then ran 12 x 1 min on/off.  Then, I ran 5 hill repeats up the Canal Road Hill (about 200 meter hill) and then ran home.  My paces were not spectacular.  ( I really need to get back in shape!)  But, it felt really good to move.

I broke down and busted out the Christmas music this morning.  I just felt like something different to run to.  So, I put my ipod on the Christmas music station.  The music was fun.  The dj's however are far too perky for 5:30 a.m.   I'll probably return to AC/DC and Eminem tomorrow.  

I ran my Costco loop extended to 6200 S, and back along the canal road.  It was so warm this morning.  I was shedding layers the entire run.  I'm still dressing like it's normal Utah November weather.  7:31 pace.  The 4 miles uphill into the wind slowed me down.  

Extra early running this morning.  I warmed up 3 miles and then ran a 4 mile tempo.  I originally planned 5, but I was not feeling it at all this morning.  6:05 average.  Then, I cooled down for 10 minutes.  Now I'm done.  The end.  So much excitement this morning.

It was drizzling when I woke up. I contemplated going back to bed, or getting on the spinning bike, or running on the treadmill.  Then, I just decided to toughen up and get outside.  It wasn't bad for the first half of the run,  The drizzle turned into a pretty steady downpour by the end of the run.  Winter rainstorms aren't quite as pleasant as summer ones.  But, I'm glad I went out and ran.  

We mention a lot on this blog about making "deposits rather than withdrawls" during our workouts.  Today, I was thinking that running in adverse conditions provides a different type of deposit.  It's a deposit into our "mental toughness" bank.  When race time comes around, we can draw strength from all the times we pushed through rain, snow, wind, heat, sore legs, upset stomachs, sleepless nights, or tough times in our personal lives.  I like knowing that I can do hard things.  Nothing in a race is as difficult as the day to day commitment to training.  

Now, I just need to remember this when the temperature drops 20 more degrees!  It really wasn't too bad out this morning!

Easy run + Zumba.  There is a free zumba class next Friday at my health club if anyone cares to join me!  I'm sure you are all going to be beating down my door to come!

I met Jenny for a run this morning.  We tried out the horse park loop.  It was a nice place to run. We made three laps before we got bored and headed out on the roads.  We did a loop through Holladay, and then back to Cottonwood Complex where our cars were parked.  

I've decided that the worst thing about cold weather running is that it takes the rest of the day to warm back up.  I'm still shivering!