Believe to Achieve

7 miles in 7:48 pace.  Not bad after three days off due to not caught up on sleep after a 12 hour night shift on Friday.  Didn't get to sleep until Saturday night.  So I missed out on my usual Saturday run.  Some adjustments with being back to work full time.  Thighs sore from race Thursday.  Feel good right now though.  Headaches better last few days (knock on wood).  No major exposure.  I wear nose plugs these days and it works when in areas of perfume.  Darn Trigeminal nerve.  If my nose is plugged well I don't get a headache.  Amazing. Was suppose to sign up for the 50 miler today but now with working nights How do I Train?  I better sign up soon. It is probably closed, I just remembered I was supposed to do it today but due to work I didn't write it down.  Anyone signing up? 

Christmas light run.  Just felt like finally getting out there and that was at 7 pm tonite.  Very scenic with all the lights.  Highly recommended.  Ran the first 3.3 in 8:04 pace.  Then a little half mile cool down at 9:04 pace.  Used course tool for mileage.  Able to get more exact with the course tool when I zoom in.  Didn't realize this before so liking the course tool more.  Even after harsh winds weather felt warmer than usual.  I am glad I got my run in.  Hope to tomorrow before two twelve hour night shifts Wednesday and Thursday.  (sleep would be helpful too).  Goodnight!!!

10.2 miles.  First mile 8:15.  Last mile 7:29.  Decided to slow it down since I work tonite.  Avg pace: 8:17.  2 1/2 minutes slower than last week but was intentional. Didn't want tired legs tonite.  Taking tomorrow off to try to sleep before the next shift and piano recitals. 

Worked last night so slept during day until 2pm.  Went running at 3pm (nice to see sunlight).  Ran a two mile loop then remembered to pick up daughter and friend from school just in time then ran another two mile loop (different route) Took it real easy as plan on running long tomorrow (12 or so) morning.  Avg pace:8:59.

Ran with Kim to just north of her road then over and down to manila Elem west up hill and over to 1100 north to the canal road.  Followed canal to Lone Peak High School then turned south to Mt. Timp Temple then turned right on 700 north in American Fork to 300 East AF then left to 200 North AF which turns into 1800 north in PG then home down 1300 west where Kim and I parted for 1/2 mile.  Chatted the whole time.  Glad we thawed out after the first mile and 1/2.  Kept mind off cold to chat a lot.   Pace decent but muscles chilly so no real force of pace just easy for all of 12 miles.  Avg pace: 8:49.  Busy running week so good to take it easy on my second long run.  Two night shifts tired me out a bit.  Should catch up on sleep tonite.  Get to do day shifts this next week.  Yahoo!!!

Adrenaline running out.  Felt fatigued during run and before.  Felt a bit better after two miles.  Avg. pace 8:48

Just didn't have time to run with dentist appts and piano and sheet washing.  I just didn't make time as time was running out.  Considered a night run but talked myself out of that too quickly.

Worked dayshift from 6am until 645pm.  Sooooooo I just didn't run since I "ran" all day.  I am running tomorrow.

Met with Kim at 1045am.  She had to push her little boy.  He cried sadly for about 5 miles despite a lolipop and attempts to sing (while running) for him. We ran faster near the end it was quite to up hill course with some down too.  With the course tool it came out to 7.85 miles.  Avg pace 8:30.  I was tired from the start but felt good midway thru then fatigued again by the end.  Last mile 7:38.  I guess our uphill with the stroller put our pace slower.  I offered to push for a bit so my shoulders are burning.  I use to do the stroller thing now my babies are grown.  At least I got a decent run in with decent weather.

Got out early when thought about going later then realized the forcast.  Calm before storm best time to go.  Pressed for time as part of activity group for our ward and Christmas Breakfast soon.  So I ran comfortably hard up 1100 North had a "Rocky" moment at the top swung around the pear tree line and back down at a swift yet far from all out run down hill.   (pace here about 7-7:20) depending on grade.  Avg pace 8:38 as the steep climp I was at 9:40 pace.  Didn't feel the need to run it hard so took it nice and "easy".  Wish I had more time because I really felt like I could do another five or so.  Off to the breakfast, busy busy day happening. 

Ran with Brenda up 1100 north to discovery park to farm rd to my 800 run.  Thought it would be real cold but surprisingly comfortable.  Enjoyed my first run with Brenda.  She is just getting back into running after kids etc... Avg pace: 9:30.  The calm before the storm... like Saturday am run before the cold winds.

Am I the only one that went out in the snow today? Call me nuts but I LOVE to run went it is snowing.  The drivers out there are another story.  I just move from one lane to the next to give me all the room in the world away from passing cars.  It is a system I have of conquering the scary drivers who still try to text and talk on their cell phones just after pulling out in the white stuff.  Wow they are talented.  Hope they don't hit a crazy runner.  Amazed I was even able to go at an average pace of 8:56.  Slick roads, couldn't push the pace EVER.   Cause when you do, SLIP.  I slipped about three to four times  (just the feet)  and one big slip on a downhill.  Good old left knee took the hit again.  Ran it out and convinced my knee it was Okay to keep going. So I continued on another four miles.  This definitely is an adrenaline rush run with the dodging of cars and careful footing.  I need to take the advice in the Runners World and screw in some screws in the bottom of my sneakers for traction.  My 80s music really kept me going!!!  Time to go Skiing. 

Treadmill time.... to slippery and snowy outside. Called Brenda and she was nice to let me use her treadmill since I work tonite and won't plan on running tomorrow like yesterday after Tuesdays night shift. Fun treadmill. It had a bounce to it that made it easier on my joints. Left knee and IT band acting up due to fall on Tuesday. Hope it doesn't last long. Pace avg. 8:45. Last mile 7:30. Also did five minute cool down. Ran just after lunch so felt winded with the food in there. C'est la vie.

Running in a Winter Wonder Land... in the Winter you can ....So Pleasant Grove, and Cedar Hills needs some help with the plowing and the shoveling.  But I did manage 10 miles in this terrain (three with my down-hearted husband who headed home to make just under 5) I felt the need for a loong run since I work the next three night shifts in a row.  Yeah that's right, down right not good for runnig.  Avg pace 8:57.  Was at a slow pace with my exhausted hubby but made it up in the next 7. 

Ran on Kim's treadmill after only sleeping four hours after my night shift. A little wobbly at first due to tiredness but woke my body up after mile one. Kept picking up the pace even got to 6:11-6:20 for several minutes but mainly ran at 7:00 to 8:00 pace. Felt good. Kept it at a 1%incline. Cooled down over 7 minutes. Ran 7 miles. Avg pace with warmup/cool down 8:08.

Ran in the Winter Wonder Land.  Slick snow blocks for roads but did okay in spots.  Course tool reads 4.84.  Pace 8:40.  Two dogs came up behind one with a loud growl but lucky he deterred.  I thought I might miss a butt cheek, phew.  That happened to my friend and since hearing that I am more paranoid.  She had stitches where no one would want them.  Ouch!!!!Happy Holidays (and Running, of course!!).

Okay so I wasn't the only NUT out there in the sub-zero temps (with the wind chill in Cedar Hills).  I actually saw one guy by himself (he went straight as I turned right just seconds before I would have passed him).  My racer spirit lost out as I decided to keep to my task of completing a 10 miler for some obsessive reason.  I was competing against the elements. I had some gross nausea the last few days as my littlest daughter (5) threw up the last few mornings to add to my weakness.  So on I went on my windchill and icy road run (no melted ice along the way for reprieve) thru the neighborhoods of Cedar Hills.   NO sun until Alpine highway down thru Tri City Golf Course when suddenly Ahhhhhhh NO wind and some Sun shine melting areas of the road to a nice slush that sticks to your shoes and makes for careful footing as I again meet the ice patches (about 90 percent of the run)  Using the course tool I ran over my goal at 11.4 miles.  Average pace: 9:07.  I think with all the intense conditions I did pretty well.  Glad again for 80s music and my iPod.  Oh and glad all the "in shock" drivers had their cell phones out of site and their eyes on the road (and me).  I am sure I got points for being a definite NUT today.

Got out again but this time at 11am with the sun shining (at least).  It felt better as there was really no wind.  Went 4 with Troy then went out for two more.  Course tool put  me at 5.91 miles.  Probably 6 with all the weaving in the streets to avoid major slippage.  But got to write it this way so I can work harder.  Avg pace with Troy 9:01.  First mile 9:23, last mile 8:31.  Pace on my own (icier route) 8:47.  Sun decided to hide on me so I flaked on my goal for 30 miles this week (which goal I made while running today, so I am not too disappointed).  Anyway glad still hanging tight with the outdoor runs.  I do not like treadmills.  If I had a treadmill it would need to be out in the woods.  Really.  You just can't beat the outdoors. 

My baby's birthday.  She turns 6.  Had a party from 3-530 with 6 of her friends.  We went to jump on it, ate cake and found the hidden presents (and of course opened them).  I worked the night before so getting only four hours of sleep was a bummer.  But Happy Birthday AMBER!!!!

Ran up 1100 North.  Quickest time so far in 22:20.  Not the quickest down by about 30 seconds due to the icy roads near my home.  1100 North was pretty good.  The hill is quite the incline.  Anyone know how to figure out grades?  meaning the slope of a hill?  1100 is quite a work out.  2.5 miles uphill and very steep in parts.  So my heart and lungs deserved the "Rocky Moment" at the top.  Or is it Rockie?  I don't remember.  Pace on the way up after first mile at 8:40 was 9:06.  Did the resting .2 loop (some lovely flat area up top that goes around a line of flowering pear trees.  Then picked it up down the hill to a 7:12 pace avg.   Had to slow down a bit near my home due uncleared roads.  But nonetheless quite a work out .  Did a cool down run of .45 miles around my home.  Avg pace for 5.2 miles 8:10.  Cool down nice and easy.  Have to work tonite again which messes with my muscles and brain.  C'est la vie.

Ran a route up to cedar hills minus wind. Went after incredibly long shift at work.  Many babies being born to beat the new year.  Didn't get a break for lunch and could only sleep three hours with my kids at home.  Slept another hour when I kicked them out to friends.  Then decided to get my last 2008 run in. So I did a nice hilly route to cedar ridge elem and through their snowy path (kind of fun).  Roads are much more clear.  Beware of black ice though.  I try to stay on snow pack to avoid it.  Ran an 8:42 pace for 7.6 miles.  Slower on the up hill (9:22) so obviously around 8 to 820 on the downhill. Did .5 mile cool down.  Body felt fine, head had lack of sleep feeling.  Hope to make it to midnight playing games then setting off fireworks.  It will be tough.  Happy New Year All you fun running friends.  Make sure to run tomorrow and ENJOY!!!