Believe to Achieve

wow.  fourteen miles?  my longest run since sgm.  this was unplanned for today.  was going to happen tomorrow.  but i found myself far from home....again.  wind was brutal at times.  was thinking of stopping completely at walmart in cedar hills and calling my husband-- the10 mile mark and what i was really going to run.  but i weathered the long run storm and got it done.  mentally and physically out of shape.  left hip burning with some pain.  my left ear still slightly full of air feeling.  really hope i am surfacing soon.  trying to find good in the majority of the things i do.  really need a diet makeover.  but not a wicked fight i want to work hard against this season.  january 1st sounds good as that is also when i am getting tested for all my allergies.  i want to put the expense towards deductible next year since it is december.  so four weeks before actively weeding out my diet of the problem foods.  AP today 8:11 for 14 miles.  my abdomen was bright red when i got back.  eeks.  and this was a 930am run. 

6 miles @ 1% incline-- 8:41, 8:27, 8:13, 8:00, 7:47, 7:35.  Then off TM to stretch.  Back on (took 15 seconds to get TM to 6:58 pace) 1% incline TM to run 1/2 mile at 6:58, 1/2 mile at 6:49 x 3 then the last mile  with  1/4 mile laps at 6:58, 6:53,  6:49, 6:44  but increasing every few second to end at 6:00 pace.  AP for last four mile 6:53 with which includes the time for the TM to get up to speed.  1/2 mile CD at 8:20 AP.  Foot Dr. appt (finally) today.  PF hurt throughout the run except the speed.  Best that it acts up the day I go to the Dr.  It will be interesting to hear what he has to say.  BTW-- if you haven't already read AmberG's latest post (I think) on building ourselves and others.  So well put.  Have a great day everyone!! : D.   AP for all 10.5 miles = 7:38.  Later, about an 1 1/2 hours later before showering-- stretched and did 50 pushups-- 5 by 10 (guy kind). First did cheating kind for 10.  Felt ridicuolous.

Couldn't sleep,  SOOOOOO  13 miles at 3:38 AM before work in the wind chill but really not cold at after drinking a warm glass of water and eating a part of a banana before heading out.  OH   and I must not forget the POWER of my 80s PULLOVER.   Saves the day everytime.  Had to take off at mile 1.5 then back on at mile 6 then back off at mile 8.  With it tied around my waist it keeps my abdomen from turning bright red!!  Too bad for my chest.  AP felt extremely easy, so very glad.  13 miles at 8:11.  First mile 9:01.  Last mile 7:40.  Really enjoyed my solitude running looking at Christmas lights along the way and dodging snow drifts.  Ran all around my town venturing wherever.  : D. 

Slept until 4am but NO way was I about to run in THAT bitterness of DEATH (below 15 degrees).  So I fell back to sleep accidentally til 6:10am and headed to the gym by 6:25am.  Ran 8.5 miles before needing to get back to my daughter.  AP 7:37 for 8.5.   First 3 miles 8:03 AP.  Last 5.5 miles at 7:23 AP.  1 % incline.  Feeling like my running self the past few days.  Whatever was ailing me is (knock on wood) is in remission for the moment.  I looked back through my blog from last year and I had a very similar "attack" last year at the exact same week but this year it just lasted longer and more painful.  Varying "attacks" in degree of severity from SGM on.  I feel so light on the TM now (haven't lost weight) and my muscles feel normal again.  Crossing fingers this lasts until Boston.    I was SOOOOOO Euphoric at work Saturday after my 330am run for 13 miles because I felt good for the first time in three months.  Normal.  Whatever the definition of normal is.  : D.   Finished off with 50 pushups.  Perfect form.  Feeling strong.  Steroid shots working miracles for both my feet.  PM-- 330pm (the polar opposite of 330am runs : D) run with pullover of course (cause HELL-O with the ice cold weather!!).  I was so very perfectly warm on this run with some WINDchill.  Just a little short, easy pace run (thought I was going much slower so that's good).  4.12 miles at 8:14 AP.  Ended too quickly.  : D.

late start morning. I  was hibernating : D.  Got to the rec at 930am with my poor husband who had to run extra just waiting for me to finish.  Also--- I got in a POLITE argument with the TM cleaner-guy.  He turned off several TMs and I told him HE COULD NOT DO THAT TO ME AND that he should talk to the front desk woman who knows I always get my runs in and blah and blah and blah.  Finally since he heard I was running 12 miles (probably in shock) he let me turn my TM on.  By the end of my run he only had to wait about 8 minutes for me to finish.  He had finished cleaning all the other TMs in the room and I was last.  He was in his 20s and his dad was supervising.  Anyway plan was (and I stuck to it) to run easy progressive run.  Not part of the plan was keeping the incline at 2 percent the whole time.  So some extra work needed on my part.  But it still felt easy.  Progressive miles-- 8:57, 8:49, 8:41, 8:34, 8:27, 8:20, 8:13, 8:06, 8:00, 7:53, 7:47, 6:44 to 7:41 pace for last mile all the while the boy parked in front of my TM waiting patiently to clean it : D.  AP for 12 = 8:14.  2 % incline.

If anything read the last highlighted part for some fun times!!  Plan was a little speed, like 4 x 1 miles repeats with 1/2 mile rest BUT NOPE.  Just DID NOT feel like it at all when I got there and ran a four mile warm up.  SO,  I improvised.  First of all, I got to the rec right when it opened.  530am.  Next to me was a guy running roughly the same pace.  He started out faster (I couldn't see his TM but he looked to be working harder).  I started out at 8:49 (all miles 1 %).  And to reduce the BOREDOM phenomenon that comes to me on the TM when running long-- I have like ADHD with MILLS--- I increased the pace 0.1 mph every 1/4 mile.  Pretty much like this 8:49, 8:41, 8:34, 8:27, 8:20, 8:13, 8:06, 8:00, 7:53, 7:47, 7:41, 7:35, 7:30, 7:24, 7:19.......THEN SUDDENLY at 3.75 miles my TM turned OFF.  WELL....I had noticed the guy next to me had just cranked up his TM pace to definitely over a 9mph pace and with me at a 7:19 pace THE CIRCUIT bailed on us.  OUR tms were plugged in the same outlet.  I hopped off ENERGETICALLY  and talking to the guy about how the TMs do that with sudden surges to over 9mph and he said he was almost to 4 miles and I said I was too.  BUT what was funny to me was that he was HUFFING and puffing and dripping sweat like no other.  AND could BARELY talk to me.  I was hopping around like a rabbit trying to help the situation. Finally under a deep breath  he said "I will go tell the front desk".  As he left I just went to an open TM that had my OWN socket.  I started off where I left off.  This time I had a great view of the track and got to watch several of my friends circle me a dozen times.  Ahhhh not as bored now.   So to carry on with my TM story I continued like this...7:13, 7:08, 7:03, 6:58, 6:53  (those were 1/4 miles) then 7:41 for one mile, then 1/4 miles again 7:35, 7:30, 7:24, 7:19, 7:13, 7:08, 7:03, 6:58, 6:53, 6:49, 6:44, 6:40 (actually down to 6:11 around the last bend), then 7:41 for  1/2 mile.  Then 7:35, 7:30, 7:30, 7:24, 7:19, 7:13, 7:08, 7:03, 6:58, 6:53 (actually down to 6:18 pace for most of it).  Did I ever tell the blog how much I love NUMBERS?  I remember them very easily.  I could tell my friends what times they ran for all their half and marathons, 10ks... etc... if they wanted to know..  VERY odd huh?  Anyway Visiting Teachers here.  AP for 12 miles = 7:28.  BTW STEROID SHOT HEAVENLY--- MY FOOT is SO HAPPY!!  Hence why I am running better.  However my left foot neuroma is not feeling the love.  The pain has somewhat dissipated but I can tell I favor how I position that foot to prevent it worsening.  Darn thing.  I absolutely do NOT what another steroid injeciton.  But I don't want surgery either.  Hopefully when I switch to my Altras (zeroed shoes) my neuroma will stop acting up.  The shoes are for Christmas.  I have them but I can't wear them until after Christmas since they will be wrapped under the tree : D.  Silly parents.  Oh yah did 52 push ups. Perfect form of course : D.  YOU KNOW YOU ARE COMPETITIVE WHEN.....you go to a work Christmas party and with  a TMJ disorder you are one of two FINALISTS in the drink down an ounce of breast milk (EGG NOG in this case) from a baby bottle with a  nipple on it of course.  I have two BRUISES on my tongue from my teeth clenching the bottle to hold my tongue in place.  I could hardly chew almonds this morning.  OUCH!!   My jaw is spasming!!   BABIES ROCK!!!  They have the strongest tongues and jaws!!

430am run around PG.  8 mile loop that I extend on to at the end to get in just over 9 miles.  COLD but not too bad with my SPECIAL WOOLY-like 80s jacket.  Love that thing!!  Chin frozen but CORE toasty!!  Ran easy after yesterday's TM run.  8:33 AP for 9.1 at under 20 degrees!!  First two miles 9:18, 9:04.  Ahhhh the way I like my recovery runs!! :D.

Worked all day yesterday then went to my daughter's choir performance with my family.  So....more tired this morning getting up to run a bit over 8 miles. In fact I awoke to my alarm.  I usually wake before my alarm.  I was wondering if I should just roll over for another hour.  But nope got myself out there in the FROZEN tundra.  Forgot that I had some hot flashes last night and while running my thighs were really cold and stiff....why?  oh yah, my hotflashes on my underclothing froze in the air and created a freezer effect.  Dang.  Should have changed out of them.  Oh well, after 6 miles my legs were warming up and felt quite light.   Feeling like my normal crazy running self.  The way I like it.  : D.  AP for 8.41 miles =  8:14.   First mile 8:58.  I so love a slow start.  : D.

First hope you all didn't miss the Lunar Eclipse this morning.  Aubrey pointed it out as she heard about it from the news last night.  And sure enough the moon was almost halfway covered as we started out on our run and at precisely 7:05-- the Eclipse!!!  Pretty cool!! None of us had a camera though.  My cell phone was frozen when I got back from the run so it wouldn't have helped either.  This was coldest run of the year so far.  Josse and I drove to Spanish Fork to meet Aubrey and McKenzie for a long run at 6am.  FREAK out.....so very cold.  17 degrees but feels like 8 (due to humidity).  My feet were numb for the first two miles.  My thighs never quite unthawed so they were super tight.  Aerobically it all felt easy but I was ridiculously stiff as a board.  I lagged behind a couple times but not far...but then finished with a quicker last mile.  I had my garmin in overall time mode so I didn't know our pace untiil mile beeps.  I was surprised we could even move below 8 mm pace in this freezer weather.  AP for 16.15 miles = 7:51.  I was on my own for my last mile as the others were only running 15.  I was going for that 70 mile week.  Since my foot is miraculously healed from the steroid shot I am feeling more and more like my winter running high mileage self.....will cut back come Jan. 1st before Boston Marathon training.  No time goal for Boston just yet.  It all depends on how I feel. 

Sore throat started Saturday morning.  Thought 16 miler would kick it.  But alas no. Vitamin C and probiotics and a few short naps is all I could do.  Woke this morning  to a worse sore throat and major bloating from Olive Garden Saturday night.  Too much Caesar Salad and Lasagna Rollata and three bread sticks!! yikes not to mention a 1/2 a piece of triple chocolate cake!!! (shared with my husband).  Got it free for a mixed up order.  As if I needed that.  BuT it was very yummy.  The scale just did not like all the salt and cheese and choclolate.  Five pounds in two days.   Yay!!  Sooooo....I hit the mill for some speed.  HAD TO WAIT 15 minutes for a TM!!!!!!  For WALKERS casually walking and talking on the TM!!! WHAT EVER!!!  So I did the stairs.  I like that machine.  Level 10 for over 10 minutes.  Got my heartrate up well enougth!!  I really tried to talk myself out of speedwork today because I am so full of fluid.  I am NOT joking when I said I puffed up with five pounds of fluid weight!!!! Man alive.  Legs  like LARD to the Nth degree.  Ran five mile warm up  at 1 %:  8:34, 8:20, 8:06, 7:48 (sped it up to make it to four miles before a potty break so an AP).  Off TM for about three minutes for EMERGENCY potty break.  That broke the momentum and desire for speed.  Felt even more lardy.  Got back up to pace and ran a 7:41 for 1/2 mile then back to 8:00 mm for 1/2 mile then right into SW.  Plan was 6 x 800 but THAT FELL THROUGH after the FIRST one because YES I can DEFINITELY say that it was THE SOCKS that STARTED the ENTIRE CRUMBLE AT SGM.  I wore them today (the company sent me the duplicate pair I wore for the marathon, along with four other kinds).  Well this kind is thin and with my shoes, the double layers SWISH around in my shoe and at FAST speeds my foot moves around and I can't hold ground.  It is like trail running FAST.  It takes a lot of concentration to try and not let the feet to move around in my shoes.  AND THEN BLISTER O'rama feeling in my feet.  YUP UTTERLY THE WORST nonSTRATEGIC moment of my running career.  New socks the day before a race.  AND this pair had been washed several times.  So washing would NOT have helped.  On short slow runs the socks would not bother me.  This is all PRETTY COMICALLY SAD FOR ME!!  If your FEET HURT ALL OVER (reflexology), YOUR WHOLE BODY WILL BEGIN TO HURT!!!  At least a few months later I can have a sense of humor about it : D.  Okay on with my work out--- since 800s at a time was creating too much pain in my feet I narrowed it down to 1/4 mile repeats with 1/4 mile recovery runs to break up the pressure on my feet.  So I ran 12 x 1/4 mile repeats.  On paces were 9.9 mph, 6:03 min/mile  x 8  and the last four at 6:00, 6:00, 5:56 , and 5:49 (1 percent grade for first 6, 0.5 percent grade for last 6) with recovery pace at 8 mph for the first one (7:30 min/mile) and 7.5 mph (8:00 min/mile) for the last 11.    Cool down .75 miles at 7:45 AP.   Warmup AP for four = 8:11.  Speedwork including cooldown 8.03 miles at 7:04 AP.  Total AP for all 12 miles = 7:26.   Came home and did 50 true to form pushups : D.  And 25 situps--using just my core, well at least I tried : D. 

6am run at rec center.  Was only going to go ten miles but squeezed in another 1.5 miles.  RAN all the miles at 2 % incline.  Progressive run with short pickups at the end.  8:49, 8:41, 8:34, 8:27,  8:20, 8:13, 8:06, skip the 8 pace on the TM : D, instead 7:53, 7:47, last mile 7:41, 7:35, 7:30, 7:24 quarter miles, then 7:50AP  for mile 11, and AP for last half mile about 7:45.  AP for 11.5 = 8:08.   2 % incline.  Should have run outside as the snow was really sticky.  I didn't know this until I ran into the rec in FRONT of the crowd to get to the mill before the herd : D.  No slippage.  Just sticky .

No ZIPidee to my DO-Dah.    Luckily I was supposed to run easy....so AP just that 8:56 for 8.51 miles at 430am before a LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGG busy day at work.  Legs LARDY.  My mother took my sister and I out to Outback Steakhouse last night.  Just what I needed more fluid and fat retention meals!!  yummy though--- sweatpotato with steak!! Salad and bread.  You know.....hey but I skipped dessert!!! 

I just did not feel like running this morning even after nodding off a bout 9:15 pm.  The alarm went off at 530am and I was still tired.   Waited 15 more minutes then got dressed and out the door slowly.  Saw that there was extra FROST every where when letting out my dog.  So I grabbed a neck warmer and a very THICK hat and of course my wonderful pullover.   Brrrr.....I was so creaky and a bit stiff so I just rolled along and decided NOT to look at my watch until 10 miles, not even the mile splits.  BUT the best part of this run was the third SONG that came on my iPod that my thirteen year old daughter put on there-- "AS SISTERS IN ZION".  It sent chills (the good kind) through my body that I played it over and over as it woke me from a spiritual depression to a spiritual "I can do good" in the world feeling.  I played it about 25 times for my entire run, over and over and over and you know what?  I felt like running the moment I heard the words of the song.  Sometimes are spirits are sooooooooooo very dehydrated.  I certainly got a refill this morning.  I needed it.  I am so thankful to my daughter for putting it on my ipod.  : D.   What a sweetie!!!  I didn't care that it was freezing out (I even removed my pullover just past the first mile and wrapped it around my waist) and I didn't care what pace I ran.   I felt light and good.  That is all that mattered.  When I got back I found out I ran 9:55 for the first mile.  It felt it.   I was not happy in my run....but when the song played my running tune changed....I still ran slower than usual but I ran by feel and not by staring at my watch.  And I loved every moment of it.  Soaking in the feeling of the song with my body running in the cold morning.  Last mile was effortless at 7:36.   When the chorus of men sang "We are as the army of Helaman..."  the hairs (not that I have any) on my back stood up : D as I neared the "finish" line to my 12 miler.  AP a glorious (and  I am not kidding)-- 8:45 for 12.01 miles!!!  so needed this run afterall!!!   : DDDDDDDDDDDD

LOTS of PEAKs and ValleyS in this 18 miler on the MILL.  Yup...you might wonder why JULIEC did not run this outdoors in the freezing temps....well....opportunity arouse-- Grandma, to come get my kids ready for early start day of 8am (usually they are B-track and leave at 9:15) so  I didn't have to worry about coming in and out of my 18 miler from outdoors and since I had time....I went to the gym.  Troy and I are going Christmas shopping before the girls sing at school at 1pm.   Vacation starts today so not many more days to shop without their knowledge : D.   18 miles on the TM (not as bad as my 20 miler last spring ; D) well...it gets monotonous.  So  I broke it into 6 mile runs x three. Since the TM shuts off at one hour anyway this worked perfectly.   6 mile warm up (geez from the start my legs felt like lead even at a slow pace.   First six miles-- 8:57, 8:49, 8:41, 8:34, 8:27, 8:20 (all at 2%)=  51:34.   Potty break, brief of course.  Second six miles--- 8:13, 8:06, 8:00, 7:53, 7:47, 7:41 (all at 2 %). = 47:20.    Water break, brief of course.  Ate four chomps for entire run and 20 ounces of water.  Last 6 miles (with four under 7mm the plan)-- 8:00, 7:53, 6:58, 6:53, 6:53, 6:40.  (all at 1 %).  = 43:14.    Those last four were not easy.   Legs tired.  Had to focus on NOT wanting to slow down.  AP for all 18 miles = 7:54.    dArN the TM for taking time to get up to speed so actual mile paces actually ends up with a longer time interval--- when rebooting the TM it takes about 20 seconds to get the TM where I need it.  Wasted time on the clock.  So silly I know but it bugs me.  I wish our TMs would allow longer than 60 minutes!!  I am the only one at PG rec that ever goes over an hour anyway. 

Brrrrr!!  frosty the snowoman run at 430am run around and around my town.  I ran a four miler in one direction then turned around and ran it the other way back to my house with a slightly different ending to add on 1/2 mile to my 8 miles but since I was close to had a little bit of time (ran faster than I thought I would) I ran 9 miles instead.  I had found my turtleneck that is for running.  Ahhhh much cozier.  I felt heavy on my run with all my gear but at least I was warm. My quads felt stiff but expected after an 18 miler yesterday on the mill not even 24 hours ago.  My stomach was bright red when I got back.  AP for 9 miles = 7:51.  Worked in the nursery today.  Three boys born in three hours.  That's it.  Sure cute kids!!  Three baths to make them all sparkly too!!  They don't like bath time much. 

Had outfits ready last night before bed for TM run at the rec or outdoor run.  Chose the outdoors.   SO glad.  Left at 7 AM. Had a very nice run.  Wore a pink neck warmer that I had to take on and off a few times but as the wind and snow drifts picked up I left it on for the last 5 miles.  I wore my grey 80s pullover around my waist for most of the run.  Put it back on once, briefly, when there was a wind  chill freezing my sweat on my arms.  That helped warm things up nicely.  Felt pretty good the entire run even though it was less than 20 degrees.  My body seems to be adjusting to it.  The inversion hasn't seemed to bother me lung-wise.  It is pretty thick currently.  As long as there is no perfume and cologne or detergents blowing on me I am fine in practically any weather outside (except SG in the 90s).  First mile my usual warm up pace 9:05.  Last three miles felt easy but I put them as fast because they were under a 7:30 pace--- 7:23, 7:16, 7:09.    Actually the plan was to run 12 miles and again  I found myself further from home then getting back there for 12.   What's new?  Just running like myself again so I will go with it.  AP for 14.02 (I need every little .02s I can get on my way to reach 3,000 miles for the year, OH YAH!!, gonna HAPPEN!!) was an easy 7:59 AP.   : D. 

READ BELOW FOR CERTAIN AND CHECK IT OUT!!!  I suppose I coud count some more miles as fast considering 2.5 miles were run at 4 % incline.  Who knows.  There really was no plan but to run 12 miles with some speed.  Then out of the blue I decided to run some hills since I haven't been.  Soo......I warmed up starting at 2% incline and 8:57 pace.   I upped the pace every quarter mile 8:57, 8:49, 8:41, 8:34, 8:27, 8:20, 8:13, 8:06, 8:00, 7:53, 7:47, 7:41, 7:35, 7:30, 7:24, 7:19to 6:58 pace then 2.5 miles 4 % incline-- three 1/4 miles (laps on the virtual TM track)  at 7:41, four  1/4 miles at 7:35, two 1/4 miles at 7:30, one 1/4 mile  at 7:24.  Just about every part of my clothing is soaked with sweat!!  It is rather warm in the rec center.  Could feel that from the very beginning of my warm up.  ALSO I forgot my water bottle.  So  after the warmup and hillage and a one mile cooldown at 7:41 AP (1%)  I got off the mill and guzzled some water at the fountain.  Needed to pee but the bathroom was locked.  Did a few leg stretches before hopping back on the mill.  Was going to do two miles of 6:27 but just did one.  I was done and with still another 70 mile week after this one I need to tone it down.  I will have FOUR 70 mile weeks in a row.  A record for me I  believe. I will have to  check my blog.  The ending on the mill went like this--- 1/2 mile at 7:53is pace 1% incline then 1 x 6:27 mile, followed by 3 miles easier ( I was getting hungry and thirsty!!) -- 7:41, 7:30, and 7:24 with some kick work at the end to just a 6:27 pace.  AP for all 12 miles = 7:35.    BTW BLOGGERS (women) check out   activeheadbands.com     a runner friend in my ward, well her sister, makes very secure darling head bands.  And she guarantees the lowest price!!!  They are SWEEETTTT!!  check her out on Facebook as well and say you like her and she will send you a coupon for percentage off.  She is VERY talented!!! 

Ran with Kim for the first time in over two months!!  She sacrificed spin class for me so we could finally run together.  She has to run her long run on Friday and I work.  I am run my long run Saturday-- Christmas Eve.  Plan 12 miles between 7:45 to 8 AP.  Told Kim that so she would run with me!  She never runs slower than 8 pace these days.  Normally I would have run easier today but with Kim it felt quite good.  We ran into Highland and through Lone Peak Park.  We even treated ourselves to a drink of water at Subway inside the Walmart.  I have been running most of my miles without water/fuel.  Just a water bottle when  I remember it at the rec.  Nothing on Monday for my 14 miler.  Turns out our pace averaged 7:45 (for me) and a little faster for Kim as she gets to run downhill to meet me a 1/2 mile into our run and I have to  run uphill.    Noticed just in the past few hours a twinge in my LEFT foot plantar area--- the exact spot of my fascitis problem on my RIGHT foot.  Seriously?   Must be my seriously OLD running shoes.  They each have well over 700 miles on them.  Christmas is coming....so new running shoes are too!!!!!

8 "vacation" miles from all the other 12 + milers lately :D.  Ran before at work at 430am.  Ran one of my usual routes and ran into a "scene" with a police car at one my previous ward members homes (ward split) and asked "what's going on?"  He told me there were several 911 calls made from the house but the house was all dark as if the family was gone for Christmas.  He told me to alert their neighbors so they could make sure it looked like they were home if they were away.   I asked "doesn't that spook you out?"  It was quite eary looking at the house that had supposedly had calls from....kind of like Halloween (the movie part one, super freaky!!!).  So glad I don't watch those kind of movies anymore.  Lasting impression.  Got back to running my next 7.5 miles wondering.....but eventually tuned it on with some uplifting music.   AP easy 8:10 for 8 miles.  Legs feel great even though it was incredibly COLD out and WINDY causing the temp to feel even lower!!!  YIKES!! 

EASY FREEZING miles at 415 am.  Had to leave earlier because I had to work at UVRMC in Provo, a 20 minute plus drive from my house rather than my two minute drive to AF hospital by my house.  AP 8:05.  First mile slower than yesterday -- 9:05 but somehow I "woke up" by mile 3.  I was so  VERY SLEEPY tired as I started out.  Worked all day in the NICU.  LONGGGGGGGG LONNNNGGGG shift.  Time passed slowly.  Lids were at times very heavy. 

CHRISTMAS EVE 6am FUN LONG RUN WITH FRIENDS!! :DDDD  in PROVO.  We started from the Kneaders Restaurant and did a loop up by Rock Canyon pharmacy and down by Will's Pit Stop and back before meeting up with the other half of our group.  First group-- Josse, McKenzie, Aubrey and myself then group two the same plus Melody, Amanda, Desiree and Marie.  It was about 13 -15 degrees!!  However I didn't feel as cold as I usually do but my sweat would freeze to icicles as soon as I removed my pullover so I had to put it back on each time I attempted the removal.  BRRrrrrr!!  The second loop we ran up through BYU campus and down 900 east over to the overpass in South Provo by the Provo Towne Center, ran along the river trail briefly and came back on Freedom Blvd.  Was a wonderful run chattering with the girls.  We warmed up in Kneaders but I wasn't hungry but gave me the idea to take my kids to the Kneaders in Highland after showering.  I was getting pretty hungry by then.  We pigged out on all you can eat cinnamon french toast with the whipped butter, buttery syrup and strawberries. YUM.  The place was packed but we didn't wait long at all to order or get our food.  Just got back from delivering presents to my girls' friends.  Now I am on my way to work for 6 hours in the Admit Nursery.  AP for 16 miles-- 7:53.    Love that the sky is blue now!! : DDDDD and the stars were out for our run!! 

Had to be tricky with my miles today-- soccer game at 7:40am and had to leave house by 7:15am.  Ran outside at 6am for 7.5 miles easy-- AP 8:02.  I didn't wear my grey pullover to see if I would sweat less.  No change in sweat production and I came inside with icicles on the front of my shirt by my abdomen!!  So of course my skin was bright red in spots.  Took a two minute shower (didn't wash the hair) and got in cozy clothes to go watch my daughter Brooke play her soccer game.  Then got back home at 8:45am.  Left with husband and two of my girls to go to the rec for the remainder of my miles on the TM.  My daughters went to Kidfit and Troy also ran on the TM.  I felt quite energetic even with downing a piece of toast, cereal (whole wheat), milk and half of left over Kneader's french toast.  I could tell I ate something for the first three miles but my body was very willing.  Plan was to run another 7.5 miles to get in 15 miles for the day.  Not sure if I will get pulled at work the next two days so I don't want to lose miles due to having to get up earlier so I am making them up today.  Felt so good I started out at 8:20 pace (all miles at 1% incline) and quickly moved up over the first two miles to 7:41 pace then got to 7:30 pace before mile three (2.75 miles) when I upped the pace to 9.7- 10 mph for 1/4 of mile then back down to 7:30 pace for 3/4 mile then to 9.8 -10.1 mph for 1//4 mile then 7:24 for 3/4 then 9.9 - 10.2 mph for 1/4 mile then 7:19 pace for 3/4 mile then to 10- 10.3 mph for 1/4 then 7:13 for 1/4, 7:08 1/4, 7:03 1/4 mile, then 10.3 mph for the last 1/4 mile.  Then 7:19 for one lap, 7:13 for last lap (to 6:58 for a bit the last few yards as the kids were right next to me ;D ).  AP for the 7.5 miles = 7:15.  Felt so very nice.  Feeling really strong.  Loving these 70 mile weeks!!  : DDDDDD  If only the neuroma on my left foot was not acting up then things would be perfect!!  Total miles 15.03 miles @ 7:37 AP.  First 7.5 miles outside in freezing temps @ 8:02.  Last 7.5 miles 2.5 hours later on the TM @ 7:15 AP.   It felt quite warm in the rec center. 

19 degrees as I passed the Good Earth thermometer in American Fork around 7:45 am.  Brr...but I had my new gear on and I was cozy.  Wish I had new gear for every day I ran but luckily I run at 430am  often so no one can see my lack of fashion sense.  Ran 12.17 miles running up the back way to Cedar Hills via the Art Dye Park and through there and down to my house.  NEVER looked at my watch.  Could hear the mile beeps but refrained from EVER looking at my pace or splits.  Just was going easy.  Guessed I was going about 8:20 to 8:30 AP but nicely surprised with 8:12 AP for 12.17 miles.  Miles were quite progressive actually-- however with a quicker first mile than usual-- 8:37.   That was my slowest mile.  Last mile was the fastest at 7:42.  Last .17 was 7:34.   Followed later after a little snack with 50 pushups (5 x 10 pushups).   I can only do 10 in a row to avoid excessive pressure to my head.  I have to be careful due to my brain problem (chiari malformation).  I was apparently having a recurrence of my headaches due to the strain I was LITERALLY placing on my brain-- mainly my brainstem blocking my cerebral spinal fluid which led to uneven fluid balance and then headaches.    I had surgery for it in 2004 but the CSF fluid still was not flowing well to the back of my brain stem on followup MRIs.  I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation FINALLY (after having dizzy spells, headaches, numbness, tingling, heartrate problems) after telling my neurologist about how worse it got with lifting weights in 2003.  A light bulb went on in her head and she had me do an MRI with breath-holding which revealed my malformation even more and my low CSF flow to the brain stem.  When anyone lifts weights,  it exerts a lot of pressure in our head.  Basically I have to use low weights.  Nothing more than 10 to 12 pounds and less for certain exercises.  How is that for an explanation????  Getting closer to 3,000 miles!!  Almost taken out by a car stopped at an intersection that continued to drive thru after it stopped briefly and nearly clipped me.  I had to speed up to avoid him.  Wow, goal among other things would have been completely out of reach if that happened!!! 

8.17 miles at 4:20 am.  Warmer than usual.  About 25 degrees.   New fleece jacket (8 dollars clearance at Target) so very cozy!!  A lot lighter than my 80s pullover.  Was VERY tired starting out as I went to bed late after watching a movie with Courtney and Troy-- Cowboys and Aliens.  Thought the movie was pretty good actually.  Was pulled to Utah Valley Hospital so had to wake earlier this morning to run.  Questioned running but knew it just had to be  done.  Didn't want to have to make up miles in one day.  AP easy 8:27.  First mile 9:24 : D.  

So NOT feeling the love.  Bloated and well bloated.    Okay and slightly stiff in the legs from standing all day yesterday working mom/baby at Utah Valley.  Busy.  Tired.  Watched another movie last night with hubby and Courtney.  Miss Congenialtiy with Sandra Bullock.  Pretty funny.  Hadn't seen it in a while and my daughter had never seen it.  We had a few good laughs.  Went to bed at almost 11pm so didn't feel like running early.  Outdoors was calling my name but I just couldn't get moving.  When Troy came downstairs at 9am ready to go to the gym I decided I would just go with him.  We didn't leave until 9:45am.  As usual to spruce up the monotony of 10 miles on the mill I thought of doing some hills in the same fashion I have been doing SW lately--- .25 miles at a time.   Here is what I came up with:

2%  0.75 miles  8:57 pace

4%  0.25   8:49 pace

2.5% 0.50 8:49

4.5%  0.25   8:41

2.5%    0.50   8:41

5%  0.25   8:34

2.5%  0.5   8:34

5.5%  0.25  8:27

2.5%  0.50  8:27

6%   0.25  8:20

2.5%  0.50  8:20

6.5%  0.25  8:13

2.5%  0.50  8:13

7%  0.25   8:06

2.5%  0.50   8:06

7%   0.25  8:00

2.5%  0.50  8:00

6.5%  0.25   7:53

2.5%  0.50  7:53

6%  0.25  7:47

2.5%  0.50  7:47

5.5%  0.25  7:41

2.5%  0.50  7:41

5%   0.25   7:35

2.5%  0.50  7:35

4.5%  0.25  7:30

2%  0.17   7:00  Troy waiting for me so done.  Went over 10 miles because the mill stopped at 60 minutes (I forgot that it would do that) and I was in the middle of a lap (7.17 miles).  I didn't want to have to think about mileage too hard so ran three more miles to still look at the laps evenly.  This work out was easy pace but sweaty on the uphills for sure!!  I was working hard at times but nothing drastic.  Totally doable!!  AP for 10.17 about 8:09pace. Forgot to look at the time before hitting the stop button twice.   ON a non running note:  TODAY is my BABY'S NINTH BIRTHDAY!!!  Wow they grow up way too fast!!!!  She has a good friend over.  We will take her to Cold Stone and watch a movie she picks out and we got her a car for her littlest Pet Shop Pets to drive.  It is electric.  : D.    Lastly  23+  miles to go until 3,000 miles!!!

Oh boy....a 17 miler (turned 18.24) on my own.  But thankfully Mother Nature was looking out for me this morning.  I left my house grudgingly at 8:10am.  The first mile is always the hardest (mentally) for me.  And it is ALWAYS the slowest.  Started out with my almost traditional over 9 mm--  9:17 to be exact.  Oh yah!!  I wore a short sleeve only under my new 8 dollar black fleece.  Well I warmed up too quickly but kept it on until mile four when I got up into Highland.  My arms were a chillin'.  But I felt extremely good.  Just going easy because the plan was to run the last four of the 17 miles under 7mm.   My garmin was giving me grief about running out of live data due to the history getting full and eventually the warnings came more often not just at mile splits.  So....I stopped around mile 7.5 and deleted history as quick as I could so I could start running again.  Boy was that somewhat of a mistake that I did NOT forsee.  After staring at my garmin and flipping thru past workouts and deleting many ones that did not matter (perhaps about 2 to 3 minutes of time I was stopped), when I went to start running my blood had turned to sludge for some reason and I felt crummy.  I have no idea WHY???? this happened.  I was feeling great when I stopped.   I was mesmorized and QUITE irritated at NOW feeling like a slug and I still had over 9 miles to go.   I decided to take my chocolate gu (yes the one I bit the dust with at SGM that has caffeine.  I am trying to get rid of UNwanted GUs with caffeine.  I have two left now).   About a mile later I started to feel dizzy but my legs (or blood) was reviving.  NO water on this run until Alpine ETERNAL WATER FOUNTAIN (mile 12).  I think if I had some water with this Gu I wouldn't have felt so dizzy.  Around mile 10 I was feeling the LOVE again.  I was in Alpine and just had climbed that big hill there.   My music was helping as well.  And the day was just so beautiful.   Knowing water was coming up was also a sweet reward!!  The water was nice and COLD.  Ahhhhh.  It was flowing slowly so I had to take lots of sips to even amount to anything.  I probably only stopped for 60 seconds or less.  I was not really looking forward to FOUR FAST miles coming up in one mile.  Looking ahead I realized this route would actually be 18 miles or so and not 17 but I still decided to start running fast at mile 13 in case I gave up or something and these miles were more honest and not very downhill as mile 18 would be.   The only problem with starting fast at the point I did was the intersection at 4800 north in Alpine/Cedar Hills (about a  mile north of Lone Peak).   I didn't want to stop and it was busy with cars so I improvised and watched the lights closely as I narrowly made it acrosss before the cars could go, slowing only briefly to be a little safe.   I didn't have my garmin in current pace mode so I was guessing I was on track and thankfully I was.  Splits for miles 14-17--  6:47, 6:44, 6:41, 6:36.   Then I knew I was a bit over a mile from my house.  I just slowed my pace and cruised in.  I was surprised that mile 18 was still 7:05!!  Last 0.24 miles-- 7:00.   I feel great.  Stretched and did 50 pushups before showering.  18.24 miles @ 7:50 pace.  Pretty happy with this run.  So VERY close to 3,000 miles.  What to do after I get there?  Got to have some goals.    I was thinking of waiting to run my last few miles to 3,000 at around 11pm tomorrow night (New Year's Eve) to make it more EXCITING  instead of before work.  Anyone want to join me?    I do have family coming over.  Maybe I can get my little sister who is trying to get back into running to get out with me.  I told her I would train her and get her through her next marathon.  She ran SLC in 2006 (I think in 5.5 hours) and has had three more kids since then.  She has 7 kids total.  A set of twins at the end.  Busy woman!! 

FIRST things FIRST  3,000 +  MILES for 2011.  OH YAH!!!  Baby you are a FIREWORK, up in the the sky, ah, ah ah!!  : D.  Happy NEW year.  Bring it on!!  I am excited for a great 2012 running year!!  ALONG with all my FRB friends!!  

So this run was postponed because I watched Batman The Dark Knight-- about three hours long, which I didn't realize and when it was over it was 1120pm!!  Troy thought he could read in bed after I was overstimulated with that movie by the pychotic performance of Heath Ledger playing the Joker.  I just could not fall asleep.  At midnight Troy turned off the light and five minutes later hurricane-like winds!!!  Or tornado.  Just would not stop....kept up well past 4am!!  So NO way was I going to bring down the 3,000 miler barrier in a shielf of debris and wind resistance training.  I watched the clock turn past every hour and dragged myself to my closet to get dressed for work at 5:45am.  Yup.  15 minutes to get to work.  Clocked in on time.  Worked over 12 hours worried something would happen that would prevent me from reaching my goal but alas I got home and took only a half hour chatting and then promptly taking off into the DARK COLD night.  It was in the low 20s.  Bummer.  But I was so focused on my goal in a half asleep way and with heavy legs I plodded thru the first mile in 9:05.  Wore for the first time my MINIMALIST shoes-- Altras.   They feel like I am wearing slippers, flat slippers.  LIGHT.  VERY light.  My feet felt great in them.  My legs swollen from a long shift and 18 miler yesterday but afer two miles I was in the groove.  Was going to run 8 miles but decided to go for 74 miles total for the week so added 2 plus miles on.  AP easy at 8:21 for 10.23 miles.  It was pretty cold.  I think I mentioned that.  But the night was clear and the stars were bright!!  Even got a great display of some fireworks and Christmas lights were all on (unlike 4am runs).   This run was run a lot on sidewalks.  Pretty much risked my life SEVERAL times in the dark streets wearing black fleece and tights on New Year's Eve with people rushing in their cars here and there.  I just prayed I would make it to 5.22 miles at least.   A police car roared down the street as I neared the 5 mile mark.   He was going pretty fast.  Cars veered off the street as he passed by.  So many times I avoided catastrophe!!   : D.    Just finished playing cards with my mother in law, Troy and Courtney.  I am so very tired.