Believe to Achieve

Disneyland loop times two= 7.2 miles on course tool.  Starting and ending at Park Vue Inn just across the entrance of Disneyland on Harbor Blvd.  Pace first lap 8:33 second lap 8:03.  Thought it was slower due to lots of walking at Disneyland.  Avg pace 8:16 for 7.2. 

7.2 mile loop again in opposite direction. First loop pace 8:23, second loop 7:50.  It takes me a bit to loosen up all the soreness from the Disneyland walkathon the day before.  Average pace for total run 8:06.  Hope to get in this run every day while here and perhaps a three looper to make 10.6 on Friday am before I work that night and Saturday night. We fly back Friday at 1pm. 

Shorter loop.  Left late and tired and achy with scratchy throat due to cheap hotel air conditioner without a filter change in like years.  Pace 8:45.  Slower today for a rest.

New loop then second new loop thru Downtown Disney.  58 minutes for 6.85 miles.  8:30 pace.  Relaxed run day.  Getting pooped out from the ten hour Disney Days.

Just had to sleep in since I work tonite.  So my mileage suffered.  Ran only 6.3 miles at 8:06 pace.  Felt stronger today.  Perhaps the sleep helped.  Had to run around other tourists so not always able to keep a good pace.  Sorry to get back to Utah.....non-greenery, no palm trees or beaches.  Blahh......  wonder what weather awaits me.

Brrrr....but not as bad as I thought changing climates.  Got in just under 10.  8:39 pace.  Post night shift.  Scratchy throat, decreased appetite.  Hoping to war off my daughter's fever and sore throat that hit on our way back from Disneyland.  Not a good combination with working nights, cold weather, long runs (that is why I took it slower).  Felt good out there after the first two miles.  So decided to go long and see if I could detoxify.  Just ate whole grain pancakes (my grinded whole wheat), oats, flax and blueberries.  Totally yummy.  I put on a real butter spread and 100 percent real raspberry organic jam.  Extra yummy.  No syrup here.  I am going natural, it makes me feel tons better.  Off to shower than off to night two at work.  These runs at 2pm will be difficult when Summer hits.  Will have to invest in running sunglasses!! 

Slept from 10 pm until 4am after taking melatonin (the natural sleep hormone).  Man did that hit fast.  I was reading scriptures and then I vaguely remember my husband removing them from under my hands.  I think I read one chapter from what I can remember.  Then I got up still very tired, got a drink of water then slept well until 920am when my mother in law came to the door.  My kids were already up and playing, yet my husband and I were sacked out.  Ahhhh....Anyway finally got my butt out of bed, ate a banana and off to run a few.   Felt very groggy.  The melatonin 1 mg may be too much for me.  Perhaps I will cut the pill in half.  Managed to wake up at mile two.  No music today.   Ipod not recharged.  Good to do often as to remember the days of listening to the outdoor sounds instead of drowning out the world with rock music.  I could hear the birds chirping and the waters running...Spring is almost here.  Can't wait for the weather to catch up.  Ran 8.3 miles at 8:12 pace.   Started slow ended at a 7:44 pace.  It is interesting to juggle night shifts and any sort of quality runs.  No speed work going on here.  I use my races for that.  Off again to work tonite.  

Worked last night and was tired at 3 am but managed just fine.  Slept on and off until 2pm.  Sun out so went out at 3pm for originally only 4 miles but then had to use the potty and conveniently American Fork High School was nearby and I decided to tag on some more by trying different routes.  So ran a nice loop that course tooled at 6.2.  Pace 8:24.  Last mile 7:30.  Felt free running without  my iPod that last two days.  I could hear the sounds of Spring and feel the sun warm me even in the chilled air.  Just a very nice relaxed run.  I am going to try and run more iPod free to get back the spirit of running in my system.  

Ran with Troy.  Took him up 1100 North.  He made it.  I needed hill work so I kept my steady pace and he had to slow down.  Understandably since he isn't consistent.  His breathing was labored so I was glad he backed off.  He can be a good runner if he runs consistently.  The cold slows him down.  He avoids running if weather is bad.  But I am proud of him.  He did the "Rockie Moment" run.  1100 North is STEEP!!!  I ran the downhill with him and did a nice easy down hill so shins don't scream tommorrow (and hamstrings).  Avg pace for me up hill, taking it easy:  9:33.  Still don't know the incline but it is a doozy.  Pace on the way back varied from 8:04 to 8:12 when I tagged a little more on for myself (more uphill).  Troy went straight home.  Usually a 5.2 mile route.  I felt great like I could have run to the top of 1100 north again at least.  Getting ready for my trail run coming up-- pretty steep inclines there.  In fact, at some points you have to walk to conserve energy on Antelope Island.  This weekend after my two night shifts I am doing a 22 miler on the Canal trail.  It is so much easier on your legs than concrete.  I might be alone on this one as Melanie has a church activity (she is trying to find a way out of it, dedicated runner). 

Busiest baby delivery night that I have experience in 16 years.  8 babies born in three hours then another three before the end of my shift.  Could not fall asleep.  Stayed up til 8am.  Slept only four hours.  Nice and sunny so went for run.  Felt good after first mile.  Total 5.42 miles (pace 8:33).  Wiped now after pruning bushes too.

Two loops starting at my house picking up Kim by her house aroun 8:05am.  Slow and steady wake up pace at first so average pace after first loop was 9:04 (11.5 miles).  Ran second loop (ran backwards to reduce monotony) alone after refueling at Kim's with a banana and water.  Had one Gu on first loop and one on the second loop.  Second loop after making it to the Canal road (long uphill, steep) I got a burst of energy and decided to pick it up already.  So last 11.35 miles were at average pace of 8:08.  Last mile 7:10.  So I was pretty happy being able to run 22.85 miles.  Big "race" day is in two weeks and I work the same shifts before that run too so got to see if I can get it out of me.  Certainly won't pull off all 8s there as it is a hill/mountain trail run.  Yippee, it is done and I feel good and relishing in the fine foods I can eat all day, mainly wholesome fruits and veggies and some justified cadbury mini eggs. 

Ran with Troy for 6.22 miles, then another 1 1/2 miles by myself to 7.72 miles. Course tool having issues so run probably a little longer, had to do all straight lines because I kept having to OK "elevation not found" after each point to point. May have to write Sasha if it doesn't work itself out. Anyway pace east (last mile 7:48) but average pace for all including easy 1/2 mile cool down (8:38). Off to work in a few hours after the early school out and gymnastics.

This was one of the post night shift runs I dread.  Like "day of the living dead" .  I got up at 2pm after a restless non sleep.  Like ridiculous.  I was up all night easily until 6am when shift change happened and I just couldn't wind down well at home.  Drifted to sleep til just 1047 am from 715 am.  But then on and off stared at the clock.  I then ate and waited for kids to get home to school (my littlest went over to a friends).  I dropped the kids off at piano for an hour and just started my run there in AF.  Went up the long 200 East parallel to Alpine highway and crossed thru Lone Peak High School.  Talk about pulling a rabbit out of a hat, I felt I was going at a snails pace, like some out of body experience and my brain just wasted with exhaustion.  Turns out I ran a 8:36 pace average.  Glad the course tool problem is fixed thanks to Sasha.  I am still spaced out.  Like how am I going to run this 31 miler after 5 night shifts between now in then-  Friday, Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night?  How do you spell fatigue----- J--- U----- L-----I---- E       Where is my reprieve?  In this market nurses can work, husbands are losing jobs.    I just have to keep going......my everready battery needs recharging.   

Same route that Troy and I ran about three weeks ago up 1100 north to canal and over to Lone Peak and home. 8.4 miles in 1:15:02. Not bad considering the start was slow at 9:35 mainly because well I am wasted and the newly tightened braces are bothersome to my whole head. I am achy and probably over doing it, as usual. I was not sore at all after the 23 miler Saturday (weird) but I think my brain fatigue and hence my body's response I am feeling the affects. Our pace was 1 second faster than the last time we ran it. Funny, our first mile was slower but our last mile was faster than last time but I was just as fatigued so I was glad to take it slow. My muscles didn't feel tired when I say fatigued but more my brain, it seems really foggy. Out of body moments again. Loving the Spring weather and birdie sounds while running. It helps me awaken some. Avg pace 8:56. Last mile 7:07.

Exhausted....achy in joints and just plain worn out... however Troy managed to talk me into taking the girls up to ski from 4pm to 9pm. Orignally my idea a few days ago but with the fatigue I was copping out. Anyway we went. Only $59 for all five of us to ski and it was sooooo nice. We had a good time. It was daylight until 8pm so only night skiing for one hour. It was our last hurrah for this season for skiing. Got a good work out. Not sore at all, in fact felt great skiing with all the nature smells, evergreens and fresh air.

90 minutes of running, 10.67 miles, pace 8:26.  A little tired from skiing yesterday until 9pm and getting home at 10.  But loved the first day of Spring weather (happy birthday MOM!!).  Didn't like the headache I got from the day after burning on the entire canal trail.  But it went away as I left it at mile 5.4.  I don't think burning is good for the environment, air quality-wise-- do they use accelerants?  Hope not.  Held my breath in areas.  Feel fine now.

I write all my miles as slow.  But really did my 5K after an awfully busy night shift and not much sleep, out of body again, in 23:58, relaxed pace but head tired.  Pace 7:44.  Overall pace 8:03 for all 5.7 miles.  Made it to 40 miles without having to run around my cul de sac being short.  That would have been a bummer!!!  Off to work, again tonite.  Not liking all this weed burning.  My chest and head are hurting.  Really dry kinda thick air right now.  Would like some rain (please no snow).

addendum:  apparently I ran just under 40 miles by .07,  I am sure jogging in to work from my car counts.  how funny.

Ran slow at first (tired, migraine, nothing working to get rid of it....need good sleep).  First mile 9 flat.  Wanted to run 7 then taper down to 4 by Thursday and zero on Friday after my two night shifts which fall before the big "race".   Not really going to race it...trying to look good while finishing it.  Okay back to today's workout.  So I decided to do a couple fartleks up hill.  Felt really strong on uphill cause I have been running a lot around here I guess.  Then just eased up on the straight away until the last two miles.  Did a 3:15 1/2 miler at my 800 meter road then ran .3 miles to the last mile mark before my home and decided to get a fast mile in and see how well I could do....and ran a 6:07!!!!  like where did that come from?  I am now having visions of doing an under 20 minute (and perhaps 19:30)  5k at the Springville Art City Days.  I think it is possible.  That mile didn't feel exhausting, like I could have done that pace for at least two more miles!!!  Wish my headache would go away but I tend to get them when a storm comes thru.  I am a walking weather station.  Finished up today with a  slow 1/2 mile cool down (9:26 pace) and good stretching.  Weather snowy but not too depressing.  It is supposed to end by Saturday.  Was glad to see that.   Don't want a repeat St. George Marathon (3 1/2 hours of Rain).  Total average pace (including cool down) 8:21   for 7:85 miles.  

Bringing the miles down each day as the countdown begins. Ran with husband, first two miles 9:15 pace. Eventually picked it up (Troy did a lot last mile, I stayed back, he isn't running 31 this Saturday). Last mile 7:29. Avg pace for 5.15 was 8:27. Not bad considering the nice relaxing start. Cooler air today. Looking for a warmer breeze Saturday.

Ran in rain and snow with Troy.  He tried to go fast (both of us with ipods on) and I held him back.  I felt like I was running a 10 minute pace it was so nice and relaxed.  Ended up being a 9:10 pace.  Working tonite.  Hope to get some sort of sleep before the 31 miler.  Sleep was not restful last night.  Will try to take a nap today.  My daughter Amber fell on her chin, splitting it, while I was bringing my other two girls to dance and doing a price reduction on dresses brought for Easter and saved 25 dollars .  So I come home to my husband having two bandaids on a split chin....stitches (25 dollars plus)?  Being a nurse and a mother I would say it was close to needing them but I decided to clean it then put a steri strip on it to keep it closed.   Hope that was the right decision for my beautiful daughter's chin.  I feel the guilt of being gone and somehow could have prevented the mishap.  Why do we put ourselves thru this worry/guilt?  It is so counterproductive.  She is so active she scares me daily.  She was playing hopscotch up our cement stairs to our front door when she slipped.  She often jumps from high places too.  She doesn't sense the risk.  She is completely out of hand skiing.  NO fear as she zips down the mountain having only skied four times.  

Nice and easy post night shift run at 4pm. Planned taper- ran 3.04 miles at 9:22 pace. Nice cold headwind. This better clear up before Saturday. I am slightly concerned of my ability after also working tonite then waking early 5am Sat morning to drive to Antelope Island and begin my first ever 31 miler on trails.

All day rest for Antelope Island 31 miler. Eeeeks. Ate a lot of chocolate chip cookies (thanks to my husband). He made them to cheer up my kids who accidentally left the cage door open on our hampster and she is no where to be found and it has been almost two days. Her name was Cookie. She was a good hampster. She has had this privilege before twice and we found her early but this time we didn't notice all night until the am. Hamsters are very busy at night.

  Official Race Report: Okay I am ready to try again. 615 am picked up good friend and speedy runner Melanie from Lehi Park and Ride. Drove 70 miles to Antelope Island, picked up pre-race bag at entrance (Brrrr as we got out of the car to get them, a little worried and sleepless). Drove to race start and parked. It was 730 am. Thirty minutes to start. Quickly got things together and waited in potty line and talked about what we should wear or not wear. I kept on my wisk moisture away turtle neck and long sleeve tech shirt with long nylon winter pants. Okay enough of the boring pre race stuff.

New trail made the last year so we got to start closer to the actual trail instead of run on the dirt road/parking area. However we started immediately running up hill for 3.5 miles. Oh yah!!! Then down for almost a mile then back up for almost a mile (Steep here) when we walked about .3 miles of it. Our plan was to take it easy the first loop. Didnt want to die the second loop. I have run the 25k two other times and felt I would never want to run the loop twice ever. Apparently that message never made it to my long term memory. Okay back to the course...got to the rest area (only one that you hit twice, like a figure eight, then at the finish, so total of five aide stations that we stopped at for 1 to almost two minutes each). The next part is down hill for two miles then comes the uphill rockie terrain and the switchbacks for another two to three miles. Oh yah!!! Melanie and I talked the entire first loop. Like hey this is easy no problem. Hope we feel this good the second loop. Passed several people in our glory. Actually stayed ahead of them the entire race.

Got to the halfway mark in 2:35. Took our longest break and took a deep breath and said "lets go do it" "we're all over it". We are feeling pretty good after 16 miles. Side note: a 50K translates to 31 miles but much to our surprise it was really 32 to 32.1 miles on everyone's individual garmins, didn't have one, glad for that, didn't need that mental trauma. Anyway. Loop two I am feeling strong on the uphill and thank Cedar Hills and 1100 North for that. They kept me honest. Hill runs are a necessity for a trail run. Melanie had been doing treadmill runs and the difference was my strength on the uphill. However Melanie is speedy downhill. Like really. 1:30 at Moab. So I figure I better stay strong on uphill so we could end up together in the end. We get to the 2nd loop first aide (remember the figure eight) and take off down the hill and the shin splints hit. They were hitting on the last downhill but I got to walk a bit on the uphill like the first loop so I thought the pain would go away, but oh no it did not. I am trying to find some inner strength here and Melanie is zooming down the hill, me close behing but in pain. Great I am gonna hit a wall and we are at about 23 miles here and have the switch backs and rockie uphill to get thru. I am saying a mantra over and over and telling Melanie about my shins. I stopped myself and decided to change the negative energy to positive, focus Julie, focus, one leg in front of the other, no pain, no gain, just keep running and the finish line will come. I got in some brain numbing zone but my lungs were burning like I couldn't breath deep, asthma-like. I simply said "too bad lungs I ain't stopping for you either" and if my heart even thinks about skipping more beats it may as well just sing a different tune, I am running and that is final. I am not going to die I am going to push myself. IPod music blaring and I don't care about what song is playing just as long as I can occasionally hear the music.

Oh but of course three sets of five horses come trudging along the narrow trail hogging the path...excuse me I am on mile 26 here (a guess) like could you get more in my way? Instead of thinking of this as an excuse to stop I keep running but I have to go off trail into bigger rocks to jump over and that is some feat considering the heaviness of my legs and the burning muscles that are screaming at me. Too bad muscles it has to be this way. Oh I get by the ranch-dudes just fine huffing a little more and then I reach for my water bottle wrapped around my back and lazy footing causes me to go flying thru the air with the greatest of ease (kidding here, it was painful, hands scraped and one bloody and hip yelling for help, near chin split, alleluyah). A few PG-13 explatives and I was on my feet, brushing myself off while running hoping my new running pants for the winter were intact (they were amazingly). The fall got my adrenaline going even though I ached in more spots now so I just kept going angry at myself for not being more watchful. Now I was. No way was that going to happen again. Melanie and I got further apart but knowing her I was sure she'd speedily find me on the last of the gradual downhills to the finish. The pain of stopping was just as painful as running so I figured I'd better run to get to the finish faster. Mind over body. I love this kind of sick masochism. My left knee and leg were just dragging me down. Like my back was out of whack. Come on leg like give in already, a few miles to go. It just wouldn't listen. It intended to be the thorn in my side. I didn't dare pick the pace up too much near the end because it was rockie and steeper downhill and my memory of the last fall kept me at bay.....no women near in front and none as far as the eye could see in back...so I just stayed steady and crossed the longed for finish line with such gladness...it was over. I did it.

I worked two night shifts in a row (Wed and Thurs) and miraculously mother nature made it a perfect weather day and I ran, for myself, a pretty good first time ever ultramarathon. What could I do if I actually got to sleep this week? I am amazed at the power of the mind. One thought could put you under and one thought could put you over the top. That is running. All about the mind controlling the body. After years of running, I realize that one true fact. Treat the body though, it can't take daily punishment no matter how thoughtful you are. Sleep necessary, eating well necessary. Positive attitude, necessary. Pace 10:06 (including the five stops). 2nd in age category and fifth overall for women. Congrats to all attempted and/or finished this awesome run.

Ran a lactic acid removal short run:   3.04 at 9:40 pace.  Right Hip bruise felt and coccyx to the hip on the left down to the side of the knee reminding me that I just ran a 32 miler but not as lactic as post SGM last year.  In fact I took a week off after SGM.  Not sure what your supposed to do after an ultra?   One day off yesterday and tomorrow I am taking PALS course (pediatric advance life support) so decided to give myself a break and run every other day this week real easy.  Speed work in two weeks, marathon pace tempo runs in prep for Ogden Marathon.  Just hope to get under 3:30.  Less than seven weeks to go.  What do you think of this weather?  I mean quite the tail wind then turn around and quite the headwind.  My husband took one look at the snow blowing around and said "I am going to sit this one out".  What is wrong with me?  I looked at it as a challenge to myself, I told my body I was only doing two and snuck in another mile before it noticed.  Good enough and now I need to study.