Believe to Achieve

Long run with Kim for the New Year.  Could hear the answer machine go off downstairs 20 minutes later got out of bed to see who called.  It was Kim my running partner so I had to call her.  We (she wanted to do 7 or so) ran 12.07 miles.   Kim got a garmin so our pace was pretty good even with the special footing on black ice and the up hill thru cedar hills.  Chilly but runnable.  Enjoyed the conversation run at 8:24 pace.  Some miles 8 some 8:45.  But way good New Year run.  Thanks to Kim getting me out.  Was pretty tired after only sleeping three hours yesterday running 8 miles then staying up for the New Year Fireworks (held at my inlaws).  Got to see the movie 7 pounds before in theatres.  Brother in law got it somehow.  Hadn't even heard of the movie.  Good movie, though provoking, terrible tragic.  A Real tear jerker.   Sobbed too. I just do that at those kinds of movies.  A must see especially if you use a cell phone.  HAPPY NEW YEAR and HAPPY RUNNING!!!!!!!!

ATTENTION MUST READ:  Afternoon:  Went sledding with three kids and husband.  Actually I was a nervous wreck.  We went to Tibble Fork (The Bowl) and it was unorganized chaos.  My worry has history.  I crashed into a tree while sledding when I was six years old, got sixteen stitches in my forehead (hairline, upside down V, think Harry Potter), knocked in my baby teeth (they were hanging loose, and dislocated my jaw.  Soooooo... I stood in awe over the many stupid sledders including my own husband who defied me and continued to take my girls up.  If you know the bowl (opposite the lake of Tibble Fork) people come down from different angles without looking, at least the majority and the others stand at the bottom where sledders come flying thru and knock them down like bowling pins or jump out of the way if they are lucky.  But of course I am just standing telling my husband how worried I was (on the incline away from sledders...I thought) then bammmm I was taken down by a flying saucer sled driven by a kid about 12 years old.  It was like someone took a sledge hammer to my ankles (luckily I had Moon boots on, yes I still have a pair from the 80s) snd I fell straight to the side landing hard on the right side of my body.  I currently have a wicked head ache and lots of muscle aches and pains.  I was a lunatic up there.  I couldn't wait until it was over and all my little kids were in one piece at the end.  Amazing how an experience can change you.  I feel like I was the one that did all the sledding with the hit and run.  Arghhh.....well at least it was the right side, lately my injuries have been on the left so I am now evened out. Be careful if you go sledding, really.

My 5K in 24:53.   Sloshy afternoon WARM run.  There must be a storm tomorrow?   Ran relatively swift in the slosh (8 min avg) at 230pm.    1.3 Cool down and .45 warm up. 

Night: Neck and back pain setting in significantly.  Need a nice long snooooze after a nice warm bath and a nice bowl of peppermint candy ice cream.  Oh yeah. 

Also thinking of visiting my chiropracter to re-align my spine after my tree-like fall to the ground.

So....Kim and I were supposed to meet to run at 8am.  I am so glad she called at 750am to cancel as we both could hear the howling of the wind.  It wouldn't be so bad if it were already cold but to have a nice warm front yesterday to yikes weather is too uninviting.  So....I slept in until 9am.  Oh yeah.  Sore arm/shoulder all night with headache so I got up to get out all the kinks and work the muscles.  Didn't get to the bath last night as my kids needed to take showers and we have poor water pressure and if I take a bath when they are they find me (my 8 and 6 year old) and try and succeed to jump in with me.  No relaxing there. 

Anyway....I made it out in to the frozen Tundra and thought...hey yesterday short sleeves and slosh but today geared up and ice skating?  Yes my first mile was shear what the heck am I doing?  What am trying to achieve here.. breakdown and go over to Kim's on her treadmill I thought.  But as I neared her turnoff at .8 miles I kept heading straight and things got better from there. The frozen tundra had begun to thaw as it neared high noon so my body all dressed in black began to also thaw out with the bright sunshine.  Thank you sun.  I was feeling good.  The adrenaline rushing as still dodge car gaming is an added bonus to my midday run.  Amazing how I stood and waved (or at least flapped my arms about) to get the attention of a cell phone driver pulling out of the Mt. Timp Temple parking lot and she did not even blink an eye as she nearly clipped me.  I stood back to let her pass thinking of course it would not be in my favor to show her.  It is really quite fascinating.  Yesterday a little old man in the knick of time saw me and swerved further to the middle.  He could barely see over his dashboard of his SUV.  I figure with all these near misses I am meant to linger here on earth a long time.  Ran a total of  7.2 miles in 8:32 pace.  First mile slow due to extreme ice skating conditions (9:35) last mile 7:57.   Hope you all got out there too!!!

Got out again in the frozen tundra.  Saw one walker and had to wave as hadn't seen any one for 6 miles.  I would have froze to death if I walked.  First mile 8:04 even with jumping around icy roads.  Went up hill after that for 2.4 miles (Cedar Hills) so pace was avg at 3.4 mile mark (8:34).  Last half over to Lone Peak High School and through some ice terrain neighborhoods still kept faster pace (mainly to stay warm).  Avg pace for 7.85 miles was 8:02.  Pretty happy with that as my muscle were cold.  Last 1.5 miles pace 6:56.  I had to jump areas to avoid ice but sidewalks for once were a welcome site.  I guess we all shoveled our walks on slush day. Too bad the city didn't get out then to do the streets.  0.3 mile cool down to avoid blood pooling.  Getting better at getting stretching and cool down runs in since it is supposed to be good for me.

7.85mi/8:02

8pm everyone outside having fun in the snow and I was being enticed to the elements of snowstorm running. So I got dressed in casual running gear and went out. Nice snowfall from the sky and on the ground. It was a very nice run for some odd reason. Roads were snowpacked and no pace could be had but that wasn't the point of my run as it was to just get out there in the glorious weather. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 3.81 miles in 37:28. Last mile 9:04. Good for legs to do some digging and lifting high to get good footing. Going longer tomorrow am and I look forward to it. Oh by the way worked all night last night and slept only 3.5 hours today so feeling really functional for the lack of sleep. Work kept me busy consistently all night. Not much of a break with nine patients to watch out for. Need my runs.

"Running in a Winter Wonder Land (sing with me)... in this weather you could be considered inSane, but pretend that you don't give a darn.  We'll be having lots of fun with Mrs. SnowRunner Woman.  You can too,  if you're in Town.  Later on we will perspire as we take a warm shower"....I could go on, I hope anyone reading this caught on to singing it to Winter Wonderland.  Okay got out for a long run in this stuff.  It was fun.  Tried to own the roads to keep safe moving from one side to the other on the busy streets to give me a wide shoulder.  Lot of "your Insane" stares but like the song above I didn't give a darn.  Ran 10.35 miles (probably longer with all the swerving from side to side)  in 1:28:35 with  terrain deep to the shins at one point for three minutes around the hidden Highland pond off of West Park Rd from Alpine highway or Lone Peak High School if you are on that side.  Amazing when I got through the unplowed part of the parkway the entire park was plowed to the pond and around... I was thankful but come on?  The traffic there is miniscule yet our public streets to our homes remain Unplowed.  Could someone enlighten me here? 

10.35mi.  (1:28:35)  Avg pace 8:33. 

Had to take my Ford in for hopefully minor repair (did not pass emissions).  So after doing two car pools, successfully getting 9 kids to school on time, I drove to the auto shop in my running gear and iPod in tow.  Took off running a varied route thru out PG and AF.  Started across street from Purple Turtle and zigzagged my way thru town and past AF hospital then up by the Temple and back over to my home.  I am actually loving these snowcapped packed roads.  I rarely feel uncomfortable with my footing lately(knock on wood) and it is getting to be challenge-trail-like so it makes it fun and more of an all around work out.  Ran 7.2 miles (last mile felt easy and was a 7:16)  then my round the block .5 mile cool down and lots of fun stretches at the end.  This has helped immensely with recovery.  Also does everyone love salmon?  Perfect post run treat, grilled with salt and pepper and a little lime juice.  Way good for you, those omega 3s you know.  If you think you hate fish but haven't tried salmon, it is a must.  It doesn't even smell really (like tuna does).  Happy running!!

7.2 miles in 1:00:15 (8:22). 1/2 mile cool down 4:28.

Nice running happening out there.  Hope everyone tries it.  After a while (a few runs outside) you get used to the footing.  Ran 1100 North to Canyon Rd thru Ivory Homes up 600 west to Farm Rd to Deerfield Elem to next road past it on west side down and over to my 800 rd (did this in 3:40 at comfortable pace for me even with the slosh), last mile 7:19 with a lot of maneuvering due to a car and lots of slosh/ice melt.  Did the usual 1/2 mile cool down slower today 4:32.  Glad I got the miles in as I work tonight (6pm to 6am) and tomorrow night.  Hope to get in a couple of miles tomorrow afternoon to make it 40 this week.   I think the first time ever in at least 14 years.  No joking.  I was never big on miles but lately I am finding a big rush in doing it and it is helping my pace a great deal.  Hope to have some PRs as I pass 40 soon (February 7th). 

Avg pace:  8:28 (for 7.82 miles) ; 4:32 (1/2 mile cool down).

Woke up at 2pm (after all night shift, briefly awake at noon).  Got out to run by 255pm.  The sun and bright white snow was calling me.  Roads clearing quite a bit.  Some not so good still amazingly.  Ran slllooowwww (first mile 9:45 in sleepy head mode, body felt okay brain just not able to tell it move quickly, so obeyed the signal).  Must have picked it up cause pace avg just below 9 by end of 7.33 miles.  So I was glad about that.  Still feel tired-head like and can't tell how hungry I am.  So I guess  I will just eat to see if it wakes me.  Off I go on in two hours back to an all night shift.  No running tomorrow just sleeping and resting up for a new week of running.  I made a new record for me of over 40 miles of running (45+ WOW!!)

7.33 miles in 1:05:47.  (8:58 avg pace). 

So my day consisted of gearing up for a year in (bet you can't guess)....BRACES for not crooked teeth (minor imperfections of course) but for a way OFF bite that has caused my TMJ/jaw pain and  from what I understand could be contributing greatly to my occipital neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia trigger points (daily headaches).  My jaw has been locking up for years and pops like crazy every time I talk, chew, bite whatever.  So after long struggle with myself I decided one year is a good trade off for total cure (rather than unnecessary jaw surgery even though there is bone wear from my three decade problem).  I guess as my teeth have moved as I got older the problem along with daily stressors which make me clench my teeth have progressed the problem to what Dr. McMillan calls an interesting case (meaning one he finds more challenging for himself, which he stated he likes).  I got back from the upper teeth teenage makeover at 1045am and said alright now lets see how my body likes running with them.  I dawdled around my house cleaning here and there (worked two nights in a row and you know how the house can get without a mom)  and didn't get out until 1105 so since Amber gets out at noon I had little time to get my wanted miles so I booked it at first thinking just get the five in a be happy at a easy pace but then I felt unusually great (like my teenage body was back) and I just kept going and going (like the energizer bunny).  I was surprised to see my pace on the last mile was comfortably 7:30 or so, so I looked on the course tool to map my run and WOW I had run 7.74 miles in 7:29 pace.  First mile was 8:03 too.  I am the bionic woman with my new teenage attire.  Hope it lasts.  Eating with them was tragic (like from the movie (cartoon) Emperors New Groove and the Emperor asks Isma as he looks at her smile "How long has that been there?" and it was a piece of green stuff stuck in her teeth.  Hope you enjoyed my entry.  Sorry so long but a lot to say today I guess.  The usual 1/2 mile cool down at the end brings me to 8.24.  Yahoo!!!! Wish I was doing Painter's.  Going skiing with the family instead.  Must make sacrifices so family can handle my addiction.

7.74miles (Avg pace 7:29).  1/2 mile cooldown (4:18).

Ran at first relaxed but stressed as had orientation meeting for two hours with manager this am and was pressed again for time.  But this time husband home so didn't feel so bad staying out extra 20 minutes to get run in.  Ran a varied route up to Deerfield elem by way of 1100 north and canyon Rd. etc... and back down my 800 rd (3:41).  Last mile I wanted to slow down but downhill for first half so 7:19.  First mile 8:31.  I just feel good and the pace feels easy.  I hope that means well.  No aches or pains (KNOCK on wood) except I am probably going to lose weight on the BRACES DIET.  It feels weird to bite into food.  I am on a soft food diet and not much appetite with all this metal in my mouth.  Sadly chocolate chips don't even sound good. 

Total miles:  8.12:  7.62 miles (avg pace:  7:57), 1/2 mile cool down(4:24).

Ran a varied route with husband.  He has been running the treadmill sporadically and I think I was pushing him too hard. The outdoor air was hard on him.   I slowed down for him which was good for me to do.  Should give my body a break.  Ran 5.76 with him (9:09 pace) then 2.62 on my own (8:30 for two then 8:46 the rest). 

8.38 miles (Avg pace 8:59).

Sleepless in PG run.  Slept four hours after 12.5 hour night shift.  Took forever brushing teeth/ flossing with these darn braces.  Getting less sore though.  Manage to go out for a run at 1pm felt sleepy like.  Moved slow or rather had no sense of pace since had no sense of self.  Mother-in-law dropped off some organic blueberries and black berries.  MMmmmmm good.  Ate some blackberries  then made my whole wheat blueberry pancake recipe minus refined anything.  Great antioxidants they are especially when the next nurse coming on shift piled on the perfume that others were complaining of burning eyes and I was getting my usual headache and memory issues.  I also had the burning eyes.  IHC is smoke-free now but need to pay more attention to the policy about perfume free. 

5.38 miles (Avg pace 8:30).

Actually slept for five hours after getting back from all nighter.  Woke at noon, walked around picking up then decided to do run and kill two birds with one stone and stop at my daughter's elementary school to do the homework papers.  It is only one mile from my house but  I took a four mile loop before stopping the 2.9 miles more plus a real slow half mile cool down.  Stretched well then ate yummy blackberries again and some more whole grain blueberry pancakes with organic raspberry jelly on them.  Yumm!!!  The braces diet has helped to lose another pound so far but I don't think I need to lose too much.    I was 123.5 this morning after a tall glass of water.  But I do think it is helping my joints and frame not to be carrying extra weight which makes a me more efficient runner.  I have been concentrating on form, relaxed hands so shoulders stay relaxed and running with my jaw splint in helps me not to clench.  So far no major headaches (just from perfume overload at work at change of shift) but if I control my breathing then do yoga breathing out in the cold fresh air after I leave the headache dissipates yet I can stilll smell perfume residue on my clothes as I am changing out of them.  I usually take sauna like showers to try to detox and of course eat nutritiously.

6.9 miles (avg pace: 8:25); 1/2 mile cool down (slow didn't time).

Got in a long run in 30 minutes before leaving for a long day skiing.  Our first out this season and my six year olds first lesson.  Freedom for two and half hours was great but she caught on quite well.  Better than one day on the bunny hill last year with me placing her between my legs (not a good idea if you don't want to feel wasted at days end).  I didn't have to do any of that this year, just ski backwards to have her follow my tracks and keep an eye on her.  She even got off the second stop of the chair at Sundance.  She was a little trooper.  I am wiped now.  My run this am started at 630 am.  I ran just under four and then met at Kim's.  Kim didn't want to go as early as I had plans to leave at six.  I ignored my alarm then but got out soon enough.  Ran an additional 6.3 miles with Kim.  Kept good pace for all of it so we wouldn't freeze our tails off.  Had red marks on my stomach and thighs and those two large things I carry around for added fat storage.  Even a hot shower didn't diminish the redness.  I had to do the triathlon-like shower/change/dress take off so as to not tick off my husband for getting in just before 8am with plans to leave our house by 830am.  My kids were flaking without me there so we got out at 840am.  Not too bad.  Avg run pace for 10.12 miles (8:01).  Avg sprint for the ski day pace (6:30, just kidding but it did feel like it was like MOVE!!  MOVE, MOVE!!).  Now I am home feeling completely tired and ready for bed.  Hope everyone did well at Painters.  As for me I finished with a personl best biatthon here in Utah County. 

Do I get to count skiing as miles?  I guess when I skated and used poles to get places uphill or flat.  But I didn't put on the cross training mode.  Don't know how to change that yet.  Nonetheless, spent a beautiful day skiing at Brighton. Our first as a family and my second since college years (1987).  High speed quads are the way to go.  My 6 year old went down without fear for her second day skiing.  Later got a lesson and now refused to go on the Green Circle runs (easiest).  She was skiing and seeing ABBA songs from the movie Mama Mia.  It was quite a site.  She followed her sisters and I through the trees on the trails made off main courses.  It was a heck of a lot of fun and the weather was warm, my hands were sweating.  We can't wait to go back.  Opted out of running in the am as I had to work tonite (Monday) and we needed an early start (didn't want "the look" from my husband either).  I was put on call but was called in just as I nodded off for 20 minutes at 950pm.  C'est la vie.  At least I got to unwind a bit after the big day of skiing. 

Lately my pace is speeding up so technically some these miles are fast but I guess now my fast has to be faster since my usual fast speed is my regular speed now.  Slept 4 hours after the night shift.  Woke and ate a nutritious lunch of blueberries, ricotta cheese and black beans.  Tried to nod off again but the sun was calling me out to run.  So I got out there at 230 pm and ran 6.15 miles in 7:55 pace and 1/2 mile cool down at 9:02 pace.  Inversion made me nauseated.  Chest felt tight didn't help that an intern came into my work at 5am wearing extremely strong perfumed lotion.  Instant nerve pain on the side of my head thru my spine down to my lumbar region.  A fellow nurse also with allergies (but asthma) told her to stay away ruder than I would be but I was glad she was told but still this young girl made no attempt to wash it off after the suggestion was made.  She was also updated about IHCs policy about not wearing perfume.  I feel bad that she was "attacked" verbally by my co-worker but at the same time glad I didn't have to be the only one to have try to say something.  It affected my thinking the rest of my shift which luckily was only an hour and 1/2 longer.  Perfume fumes make me lose memory.  It sounds funny but I am like a stroke victim when I smell it.  My heart even starts to skip beats (lots of them).  ON and on I went sorry.  But I feel really strongly about the chemicals we are putting into our environment and how it affecting EVERYONES health even if the person thinks it is not affecting them.   I will stop here.  A topic for another blog perhaps. 

6.15 miles (7:55); 1/2 mile (9:02)

Shortest run in a while.  Felt very heartburn/indigestion-like as I left for my run at 2pm.  Kind of felt that way yesterday too in my run but this time it went to my intestines and the rest of the story is too graphic to describe...basically I had to track down a cell phone (spotted a postal worker in her truck and asked to use it) and call my husband for a ride home as I was too grossed out.   Anyway the pollution seems to be the problem for me these last two days running.  I felt more tightness in my chest and I think along with the perfume at work and lack of a good sleep schedule my overall body burden was high.   I decided it wasn't worth getting out there again today.  Headache this am should have been a clue but I tried to rise above it.  Didn't happen.  Plan to run at least 8 miles down the drain.  But you know what, I am sort of glad, cause I was getting a little obsessive with getting in my miles and now I can just give myself a hug and say "it is okay"  and run better tomorrow or the next day.  Life isn't all about running even though some days  I focus more on it than what should truly be important.  Got to take a big recertification test for Neonatal Rescutation (passed) and got home at 8pm to get my kids one at a time on the piano, then say our prayers and listen to one of my daughters read to us from the scriptures.  So all in all I got a lot in today (oh and also did my visiting teaching, in place of the am run I was going to do).

3.4 miles (8:31 pace)

Too much SMOG stayed inside and read for the first time TWILIGHT.  Pretty much read all day.  Got a little into it.  More than I thought I would.  Figured half the population (woman) around here couldn't be totally off on it being a "can't put down" kind of a book.  Think I will see the movie now.  I saw some trailers which look like they changed the ending to the way I wanted it so I am glad.  NO RUNNING, again.  Very low miles this week and I don't care.  The unhealthy alert status on air quality scared me away a bit.  Indoor quality poor with all the cleaners at rec centers so I was stuck, had to read a good book.

Dragged my lazy self out to get in a good 7.71 miler (8:06 pace average) which pace started real slow (9:30 first half mile).  I was taking advantage of a clear, but brief blue sky evidence that perhaps the air quality was better.  However by the end (last three miles) going by a few trucks and a laundromat I was beginning to feel the pollution again and SEE it for that matter.  It was scary to see that I was running into it.  The haze once again taking over the community.  The break in the clouds lasted only so long.  I picked up the pace the best I could (last three miles at 7:48 pace average) but chest feeling the grime rubbing in my lungs, no joke.  I couldn't even stretch well outside due to all the exhaust smells.  People aren't paying attention well to the news (at least five homes were wood burning as  I passed them).  Okay enough at least I finally went running weather it helped my health or hindered it more I don't know.

7.71 (8:06 pace).

Afternoon post night shift run.  Up to Cedar Ridge (good uphill).  Work tonite so hopefully the long run woke me up.  Avg pace for 7.76 miles (8:06).  Last mile 7:13.  Babies falling from the sky so work is very busy. 

Ran with Troy for 5.13 in icy snow. Pace 8:59 (stopped watch when waited for Troy but still went slower to stay closer to him). Ran a second loop at a 7:55 pace. I love the post-snow runs. It makes it an adventure. 1/2 mile cool down.

Ran 4.16 with husband in the FROZEN TUNDRA!!!!!  Holy Cow!!!  Brrrrrrrrr!!!! I went another 1.32 without him.  He fell but didn't tell me as I was a few strides ahead but noticed a wet mark on his sweats.  He said "I'm fine".  He likes to be the tough guy.  No emotion (about falling).  I can still feel the effects of the inversion, the cars all smell awful getting into my lungs.  I need to be up in the mountains.  Pace with hunny (8:29) pace on own 7:52.  Glad I got out there.  But glad it is over.  My chest still feels tight.  Running felt fine (thanks to endorphins) it is a muscle tightness like I get with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue.  Hope it passes soon.  

Three night shifts in a row started last night.  And busy busy busy I was.  So too overwhelmed to consider running plus too involved in the second book of the Twilight series New Moon, couldn't put it down after waking with only five hours of sleep before going into to work again.  Bye running, for now (just two days off)

Done with that stupid (but intoxicating) book. Don't have the third in the series so I am safe from distractions today. Actually slept five hours got up for two and 1/2 then slept again for almost three. My dreaming was distracting as I dreamt about immortality and true love. Wish I felt like running. Body extremely fatigued, brain the culprit. It doesn't like sleep deprivation. It likes to sleep at night not during the day. One more night alleluyah!!! My sister in law had her baby right before my shift so I get to take care of her just after delivery and my very adorable nephew weighing in at 8 pounds 12 ounces. This should help the night pass more quickly.

Just had to get out and run even though for some reason  I couldn't sleep my usual first five hours.  It was broke sleep.  I woke at 1000am then struggled to get back to sleep but stayed in bed until noon.  Just got in my running gear and got out there.  Felt better and better as I went out.  Actually used my new running shoes for the first time (Christmas present ).  Loved them but probably pay for running over nine miles in them without first getting used to them by walking around in them for a few hours.  They are the same make and model so shouldn't be too much difference.  I did a hard run up 1100 north to the top for the Rockie Moment at the top and I even went to the base of the trail up there and turned around.  I ran a good pace considering the major uphill.  Ran and Ran to get out the two days off kinks. Pace 8:18 average for the 8.65 miles.  1/2 mile cool down at 9:02 pace.  I feel utterly and completely mentally depleted.  Two more hours until bed for me. 

Kim and I ran our long run together ( in the hours just before sunrise, arghhh).  She wore a garmin, I wore my usual lap watch.  The course tool put me at 8:28 average pace.  Her garmin 8:45.  How?  Our fastest mile was 7:44 on her garmin, slowest 9:10. I am just trying to figure this out.  We did meet and my course was longer but she helped me to go faster so what is the deal?  I suppose the cold plus my three night shifts in a row and no sleeping well at all last night just made it seem like I was putting forth more effort, but for calculation purposes I am going to my course tool average since that is what I have been going by.  We shall see when races come up how well my running has been this Winter.  I have actually run with people with their garmins and some would read a fast mile and I would be like my idea for the mile from ones I mapped out is here (another 20 or so seconds down the road), so now it is the opposite.  The garmin made me slower.  

I guess I sort of figured it out.  I ran .82 miles longer than her and at a 8:00pace.  Quick when I started due to freezing temps (tried to warm up) and quick to end (glad it was over).  This makes up some of the discrepency.  Getting over it.  Just trying to see if I GOTTA GET A GARMIN......NOT!!! (yet at least).

Vampire books taking all my energy.....no really this time it was that and the TMJ therapist plus massage (awesome).  I am just starting the fourth book and I really am irriated with Jacob (such a hormone) ,and at Bella for being weak.  This is why I run.  Because reading gets me too involved.  I feel like I am part of the story.  My life experiences, besides the vampire/werewolf thing are quite similar and it struck a chord.  I don't like to have those emotions of choices.  Hence  I run.  I run to escape what I may be feeling that day.  Not good for me probably but the only way I escape painful feelings in order to feel better for the moment.  Sometimes that moment lasts longer than others.  After only 2.59 miles (cut short to go to the movies with Troy and the kids) I didn't get to get past it all.  It isn't about the book so much as what it brought out of me.  Hope not too many read this.  I will snap out of it.  Gotta run some more.  No worries.

2.59 miles (avg pace: 8:29)

Wicked migraine last night so was sent home from work at 11pm. I was so grateful since I knew it was from those three nights in a row last week, not getting enough sleep due to some intense reading material and a niece over wearing strong perfume.  Recipe for a disastrous head problem.  I so wanted to pick up the fourth book and start it but my common sense side won over.  Get sleep.  Get things done for that matter.  Then read.  I am so glad my obsession is not reading.  I wouldn't get anything done because I would be totally confused at who I was.  I am very analytical.  Not good to add reading to as Marion put it another obsession.  I will stick with running.  No major harm there.  I know there has got to be running in heaven.  Right Marion?  Anyway, ran 5.71 miles with husband (8:39 pace).  Rough for my dear husband who is a fair weather runner.  He is getting there.  "Come on" I say  "doesn't it make you feel better".  He says "when I get to the end I always feel better it is over".  Ha Ha.  In the long run (no pun intended) he'll be thankful for my "good intentions".  Went and ran another 2 miles at 7:58 then 7:55.  Felt easy.  Glad cause I am stepping it up this year.  The clock is ticking.....I will be turning 40 on Saturday.  This Saturday, February 7th.  Since I will be working the night before and the night of I will have to make sure not to sleep all the way thru the change in decades. 

Ran just to get my head back together.  Didn't run long enough though.  Hope to recover soon.  

4.17 miles (8:47 pace)

Didn't like book four after midway thru (liked the island getaway though).  Gets too supernatural. But really liked the first three books.  Actually its just that immortality is hard to vision.  But the way she describes it as a vampire well....I think I would get bored if I didn't download by sleeping.  But perhaps a major dose of adrenaline everyday would keep me awake with no need for sleep (like running superfast like the vampires do).  I was actually siding with Jacob for a bit and then he weirded out by imprinting...  not going to give out too much info there.  Hope no one wanted to start the books too soon for the first time.  Don't want to give away the story or anything.   Got out and ran 12.15 miles to get my brain in the game again.  Ran slow at first, but it was an uphill first half so got a really good long run in. 

Avg pace: 8:28 (12.15 miles).

Ran with hubby.  He is getting stronger.  Last mile he picked it up so I did and then well then he was wondering why it felt hard.....it was a 7:23 last mile (half 1/2 mile up hill).  Guys and competition.  I felt fine, at least my heart.  Breathing no problem, just achy all over lately part of the fibromyalgia/chemical allergy ridiculousness.  It is burning pain all over.  It is hard to describe but for some reason a good massage helps me focus off the burning pain. 

Avg pace for four miles (8:19).  Running time 32:55.

Run on 40th birthday.  Worked last night, work tonite (Ugh!!!, long birthday).  Pace okay but mind tired.  Went out to Olive Garden for lunch before next shift.  

7.33 miles (8:07pace); 1/2 miles cooldown 8:08 pace.  Last mile 7:18.  

Ran first with husband.  Slowly...well I stopped and waited for him four times.  He was not excited about getting out in this slushy, cold weather.  He ran slower than usual (I doubt I was running faster, it felt too easy).  Pace for me probably 8:30.  Him over 9 or so.  Ran another 3miles by myself at 8:07 pace.  I have a wicked headache that goes from the right side of my skull down to my hip/back.  Ate lots of wrong foods being my birthday and all and worked two night shifts in a row.  I hate when it gets aggravated (the usual sequelae to my headaches) then it lasts way too long.  New running shoes probably not helping either.  My body doesn't like change.  My old sneakers were pretty molded down where I needed them.  Got three in a row night shifts coming up tomorrow night and a little shift tonite to help a coworker out for three hours.  Not sure what kind of running I can put in this week.  Hope to keep up to at least 35 miles.  

Brrr run.  Got out with husband for only 3 at 840pace or so.

Worked last night, work next two nights.  Got out for afternoon run.  Got in 7.88 at 8:13 pace. Night shift working hard on my endurance and allergies.  But felt good getting out kinks.  

Nice loop backwards from when ran it with Kim (thru town and up thru ivory etc..) after second night shift completed and slept four hours. Have to go in to work at 4pm for staff meeting and work again all night. Long shift. But last one the three nights off. Suppose to go skiin Saturday at 1230 to 9 pm at Brighton and currently 1/3 in charge of valentine's dinner for ward tomorrow. Will I ever sleep? IHC put out a statement in its employee today booklet telling us that night shift workers don't get enough sleep and it is not deep enough and that we are more risk healthwise. Hmmm? But it said our circadium rhythm can't change so it important to rest at times at work...hmmm? Can't do that I would be "out" for the night like a light. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming is my motto from Little Nemo. Ran 6.66 miles at 8:16 pace.

Didn't run yesterday.  Slept until ward Valentine Dinner I was part in charge of (but delegated to husband).  The three night shifts with one day break before they started  (basically I worked last Fri and Sat night, part of Monday night for a co worker, then Tuesday, Wednes, and Thursday night shifts).  I got out today and ran amazingly 15.38 miles at about 1120 am in the snowstorm/flurries.  OH yah!!  Some clearings at times and one BIG HUGE TIRE SPLASH (thanks whoever that was).  I guess it is better than being nearly run over, nice of them to move over to the center with the tire right in the slush at about 40 miles per hour.  That chilled me momentarily but I was in a  zone some how.  Thanks again to my 80s iPod music.  My pace surprised me...8:03 !!!  First mile 8:30 last mile I was shocked it was 7:05!! Something is paying off.  Certainly could not be the night shifts?!?!  I had to pick up my miles as I am running the Antelope Island 50K March 28th (30+ miles).  I am crazy I am sure of that.  It is trail running,  two loops.  I plan to go easy the first loop.  Hope all of you each had a great run too!!  Can;t wait to eat now.  So hungry.  Off to see Twilight this afternoon, YAY!!!

Skied all day at Brighton during the bipolar weather.  First cloudy, then snow, then snow and pelting wind, then snow, then  cloudy, then 20 minutes of sun, then cloudy, then snow, then snow and pelting wind then fog then snow then cloudy then clear then snow..  You get the picture.  When it was clear/cloudy we warmed up and felt great.  Skiing was awesome except the times with snow and pelting wind.  Not fun when on the chair.  On the ground we hid in the tree trails.  I can ski and have skied since I was six.  But nothing can prepare you for a snow-butt-boarder falling on their front and creating a BOARD BLOCK one and 1/2 feet high and four feet wide. I had two seconds to think and first second I thought here goes the rest of my life without running and the next second how can I come out of this in one piece?  Visions of twisted arms and legs and a ride down the slopes on a stretcher filled my mind.  This is how it happened.... my daughter Brooke yelled "mom look at me" I turned for a fraction of a second and then turned around to see the snow boarder crash I had no choice but to crash into her road block I somehow flipped over on to my left shoulder and neck then felt the whiplash take over as I went backward then forward with my head very suddenly and quickly (I ended up in a head roll), I saw a flash of blue light and thought Oh my this is not good for me (with the headaches I already get).  The whiplash was intense for that moment and I layed there on the ground holding my head and neck, not sure if my skis were still on or not but felt they were.  Since I am a skier the bindings don't give well since we are supposed to be able to do tricks and have them stay on.  So my kids and husband stood in awe as they missed my fall but only saw me on the ground and heard the snowboarder say "sorry" and ride away.  I didn't hear her but she was gone nonetheless.  She must have been scared.  It took 10 minutes and then I got up.  I could feel my body.  For that I was thankful.  But I knew what kind of injury this would be for me. Whiplash neck muscle injury.  I would have to skip tomorrows run, hopefully just one day.  I can't believe my thinking.   It could have been a lot worse, like Christopher Reeve who ended up paralyzed just from falling forward off his horse.  I feel like definitely that was not my lot in life because the fall was quite painful it could have been my fate.  I still skied the last hour but I was very careful as my neck and head continued to get tight.  Ibuprofen helped the initial inflammation but I was off to work and couldn't take anything stronger.  I dreaded my twelve hours of working all night but glad when I got home to take a muscle relaxant and sleep for four hours.  Yes only four.  I like to see a positive in a negative so I hoped this fall somehow wacked my brain and neck into place and perhaps my headaches would improve...wishful thinking. 

Got a massage after my TMJ changing of my braces wire appointment.  His daughter does the massages.  She is awesome.  She really understands the body.  She helped the stress in my neck a great deal.  She also added "whiplash injuries aren't good for TMJ"  I responded "I know I saw the poster in the waiting area that says whiplash can cause TMJ" .  Just my luck.  Doesn't matter, I am still going to try to run tomorrow.  I pondered my life without running and it was a dreadful site.  Someday I do have to give it up.  Certainly I can't be one of those 80 year olds with wrinkled legs and arms at the finish line?  I mean, am I really ever going to be that old?  My husband gave me a life expectancy test (it uses health history of self and family) and apparently I will be up and running until 102!!!!!!  By then we should know how to reverse the aging process, right? Troy will only live until 76.  Wow, like what kinds of things from 76 to 102 will  I be doing without him?  Grandma, great-grandma things?  I definitely would place first in my age category then.  No competition.

I began the two week cleanse program again (didn't finish last time).   I am hoping this will help with my chemical allergies.  It is called First Cleanse.  A bunch of herbs that should help out each of my organs to clear out toxins etc..  I will keep the blog posted of any good/ill effects.  I did make it out for a good run.  Got to up the miles as I missed two days.  Troy thinks skiing counts as a  run day.  I don't.  Anyway I got him to run just over 6 miles.  The pace was getting to him so he stayed behind the last mile as I was going to go off and run another four after a potty break.  Average pace for 6.05 (8:23), first mile 8:48.   Unable to lift head off the floor when lying on my back (neck muscles too strained) but running seemed fine.  Yahoo!!  A little tight but no problem getting in the miles, quite sore to turn to the right to look for traffic so just tried to stay looking ahead.  Ran another 4.14 miles at 7:57 pace.  Again I was surprised that this pace felt good.  Just like an easy run.  Of course I just take two steps forward in running then one step back by falling (See Monday's report).  What is it with me?  I am a magnet for getting hurt.  I thought I already took the "toughness test", why do I have to keep taking it?  Along with the "tolerance test" and the "patience test".  I keep having to take them over.  Some day I will get an "A" and many of my tests will be accepted.  Apparently I haven't reached near that point.  I still have a lot left to learn. 

No that wasn't a typo.  I really needed to get my long run in as my 30 mile trail run is coming up March 28.  I meant to do 17 but when  I Course Tooled my run I apparently ran over.  I thought I was running slower, but gladly I wasn't.  However it was one of those runs when you just are struggling to mentally and physically get thru it without a runner's high for some reason.  It is probably lack of calories- or let's say lack of chocolate (and this detox cleanse thing I am doing).  I have been chocolate free for several days.  It is difficult.  I have to say.  I probably will give in today.  Headaches have been at bay and my neck muscles are getting more normal, a little sore but definitely improving.  Pace 8:23 for 17.62 miles.  First four I ran with Troy then I was off on my own.  For a long time it seemed.  Glad it is over.  I feel fine now that I am done.

Ran 3 miles with Troy (I was lucky to get him to do that much) at 8:46 pace then went out on my own.  First mile 8:10.   Half uphill (Cedar Hills) so pace varied but kept strong so average pace for 4.5 miles was 8:08.  Last mile 7:14, felt easy.  Did a very slow 1/2 mile cool down like it felt like a really good resting pace, just under 10 pace.  Did 10 minutes of stretching.  I work tonite and tomorrow nite and unexpected family is in town so in order to get my goal of at least  40 miles I had to run longer today.  It really started out as a four miler then I kept adding miles in my head and decided to just go for it  so I only had to do five or less tomorrow before going out with the family then working all night again.  Should be a warm run tomorrow, possibly 50 degrees?  Yahoo!!!

Got out in the nicer weather about 1:15pm.  Ran 5.03 miles at an easy wake myself up pace (8:48).  Only slept 4 1/2 hours then got up briefly and tried to sleep another hour.  Fruitless so got out for run before family picture event with extended family and trip to the Pizza Factory for dinner.  I am off to work in just a few minutes.  Run was exhilarating.  Got myself awake and enjoyed the warmer weather.  Right now I am getting really tired....must stay awake for 13 more hours though.  You should try it.  It is so fun!!!  NOT!!  Actually my job keeps me busy all night.  No time to really sit or think about sleep for too long.  Talk about ceasing the day....my days don't ever end.  

Ran to school to watch Amber receive a creativity award then ran back home.  Ran with husband for over four miles.  Pace slow.  Waking up pace.  Still recovering from the two night shifts and yay I get to go back in tonite then Wednesday and Thursday nite.  Never a dull moment.  Pace 8:25.

Very achy.  Got sent home early (midnight) last night but didn't fall asleep until 2am.  Felt flu-like as  I started out with husband (lucky for him) so first mile was a 9:26.  Asked Troy if he wanted to run to the canal and run down it.  I was really expecting a firm "no" but instead I got "sure".  So I made my body perk up as best I could as 1100 North to the canal is steep!!  The achiness subsided briefly after we reached the plateau of the canal but waxed and waned throughout run until last mile.  I took care of a patient that half her family that visited were heavy smokers (all the nursing staff were affected) so I think I got some fume exposure intensely.  Even with my nose plugs in I could smell them.  It hit my head and then it was over.   Lucky for me it was my turn to be sent home if overstaffed.   Anyway, it was a warm spring-like run and the canal was muddy in parts so it made for interesting footing and we ran half the time on the side so as to avoid extreme mud conditions but all in all it was nice to be back on the canal.  It slowed our pace but I was proud of Troy as he wanted to keep on the trail when I thought we were turning toward home.  So it became an 8.4 miler.  Pace 8:57.  Last mile 7:14!!  Congrats to my dear husband for sticking it out.  He is competitive so I know he has it in him to become a great runner!!  He played soccer for years, it is his passion.  He is very good. So running is in there. I still feel very achy.  Time to try some advil/ibuprofen. 

First ran by self for 4 miles at 8:03pace.  First mile 8:38 then a burst of energy apparently to get my pace to that average.  Then out for 3.13 with husband  (8:54 average), last mile 8:19.  Tired this leg.  Sore and leg muscles tight from planting Alaskan Daisies my neighbor gave me as he was tilling his garden.  I have been coveting them for the last few years so of course I had to take some and plant them.  Troy just so happened to till the earth and take out flowers/shrubs I didn't want an hour before hand so I had a perfect spot for them.  Can't wait to see if I can keep them just as beautiful.  They grow to at least 3 feet high!!!! 

Post night shift afternoon run after 4.75 hours of sleep.  Ran 4.2 miles at 8:30 pace.  Nice warm run!!!  Really tired as I leave for second shift at Utah Valley Pediatrics.  Just brain tired, will snap out of it soon.  Hopefully.  Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.  Got my 19.7 mile run planned with Melanie Saturday morning.  Yahoo!!! 

Wow, we did it.  Melanie and I left at about 610 am in the freezing, butt cold weather with our gatorade and water in our hand (forming icicles as we ran, no kidding) on the canal trail starting at Lone Peak High School then running to and just past the Orem Soccer Park and back.  We started to thaw out around mile 15.  Our water we left on the way out was frozen when we got back.  Like we knew it was cold but we didn't think it could be THAT cold.  Needless to say our pace before the turnaround as ice ladies was 9:04 and 8:45 on the way back.  Like we did everything we could to just be in survival mode, no overdoing it.  Our sweat froze, actually I don't think we really sweated much.  Now I am in Anaheim CA with my family on a trip to Disneyland and the weather here is balmy.  Ahhhhh...  I can't believe the difference.  The greenery is refreshing to see.. we flew here this afternoon.   We plan to hit Disneyland, Sea World and the beach.  Oh and I should get a few runs in with my shorts on...now that sounds so much nicer. 

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.  

Finished the PALS course, passed the test and got certified.  YaY!!!  It was a great course and well organized.  Got home after visiting a good friend for a bit and felt I needed an afternoon run.  Ran while kids were in make-up gymnastics.  Ran a nice loop up Locust Ave and then up to the canal and back down Battlecreek Drive and back to REC center.  The cool air was actually quite nice and didn't need my gloves after a mile and felt really good but still took it easy to let muscles repair.  Ran 5 miles in 9:08 pace.  There was a nice uphill and a good head wind but effort felt easy.  Thought I might be running 10 pace. 

After Wednesday's PM run and despite my desire to get out to run I had to listen to my body. IT band on left acting up stemming from my left lower back to hip to knee to foot. So....I should be smart and take time to let my muscles/tendons heal after the 32 miles Saturday. Melanie and I both had the same feeling after trying to run even though the post race soreness/fatigue didn't last as long after an all out marathon for us. I didn't run for a week after SGM and resumed running then gradually increasing to prerace over the next two weeks and my body was happy with that. Now trying to be there after just a few days my body is saying "stop, listen and let me heal". Darn when actually this weather is drawing me outside.... Must think longterm gain not short term reward.

Still hip and leg has been having spasms. Applied heat and a great massage thanks to Troy and a good nights sleep. Back to night shift work Saturday. Loved being normal this past week with no night shifts. The roads keep calling for me,,,,I am trying not to hear them.....but that didn't work at 1050 am I just had to go running after stretching my hip etc...and the pain was subsiding.  Ran 6 miles in 8:23 pace.  Hip pain at bay.  Stretching really helped.  Could feel a little bit of the "nag" near the end but not a worry "nag".  The headwind was a bonus!!!  Love the challenge.  Someday real Spring will be here. 

Met Kim to run 10.  Ran 10.75 at 8:28 pace in the wind and snow.  Felt warm enough for me.  We talked thru it all ran on the canal trail for 3.5 miles where we saw  uno deer, no other runners.  On the road we saw two walkers and two runners.  The weather to me was fine.  I am getting used to the white stuff flying and wearing my gloves and headband.  The only difference now is hearing the birds chirping "it's Spring".  I hope the birds aren't too confused as well.  I am sure this happens every year it is just seems longer this year.  Thought of those running the Provo Half.  At least it was downhill is all I can say for the timing of this run.  Kim and I hit several good graduaal uphills.  Downhill part steep to want to speed up too much considering last weeks race.  Last mile 7:40.

Ran an awesome run up 10 percent grade 1100 North to the Canal and headed south (I usually head north to Cedar Hills).  Actually I don't know the grade it is just steep.  A gain of over 270 feet!!!  Anyway went to 400 north in Lindon and on to Locust avenue.  Surprised to see a lawn mower but hey it's Spring.  The canal is such a nice run.  Ran up past Central Elementary, darn more hill cut my pace from 7:31 down from the canal on Locust at 8:12 to 8:25.  Tiring here.  But able to get last mile in at 7:40.  Oh and my pace up to the canal was intense for the grade,  I was trying to push myself on my "Rockie" hill.  Pace there 8:33!!  No change in pace on the steep part, I just dug deep and focused.  Avg pace for 9.7 miles = 8:03.  1/2 mile coold down at 9:52  Ahhhhhh........  Lots of stretching.  Loving the song "Dare you to Move!!!"  from Twilight.  It has the words "Dare you to run!!!"  I take it out of context but hey it works for me. 

Easy, well not so easy, lets just say I went out slow.  Not quite awake.  Slept only 41/2 hours of broken sleep.  I can sleep only from 7 am until 1020 am when I get back, no matter how dark I make my window.  I then get a snack and try again,  it only last like an hour.  Then I try to consider being normal.  Decided to go running when I drop girls to piano for an hour.  Leave car there and started an awesome run up past AF high school around the Developmental Center (across from the Temple) and on to some undiscovered  (by me) trails.  I am so excited!!!  The tree cover helped with the added heat, Can I Say Yikes It Was Warm.  Body was in shock.  Wanted to throw off my over dressed SGM Tshirt, that thick green one from three years ago and run in my bra, but my tummy is WHITE, and not tone, not happening.  Ran the first half rather dazed and amazed at my new discovery, on the way back (I had to turn around as I didn't feel like climbing over a barbed wire fence sleepily) and I was glad with that so I could discover more of the trail.  I felt like I was on a mountain.  They are right below the developmental center and Tri City Golf Course.  It was surreal and I just wanted to go and go but I had to get back to my kids.  Avg pace for 6.2 miles 9:15, had some steep trail climbs and moments of AWE!!!!!, stopping to take it in and watching footing.  Mostly the trail was dirt and rock with grass on the sides but deep in the woods it got steep and you had to side step downward and reach for a tree to hold onto.  I think I am an Ultra Girl!!!  .

7.13 miles in headwinds and cooler weather, yet I still wore my shorts in open rebellion. Come on yesterday a heat wave and I had long sleeves on mistakingly!!   Last 2 miles did some speed work (my you with a good head and side wind)-  800 meters/1/2 mile in 3:13 (6:26 pace) and last mile slower than last week due to fatigue running only 15 hours ago and wind but still acceptable  6:31 .   Average pace for 7.13 miles 7:50!!!!  Yay!!!  Had only an hour to do a workout, wanted to get 10 in but limited on time today due to TMJ dental appt and massage.  The massage was upper body but it still worked wonders for my shoulders and neck.  Now I am off to skills day and then two nights in a row of 13 hour shifts coming up for me.  PS  I got back from my appt and still no husband.  No cars missing.  He shows up at 1150 am sweating and breathing hard.  I had made a comment last night to him that my nurse friend and I find it funny how guys think they don't have to work out and women put a lot of pressure on themselves.  I didn't think he would take it that literally so soon.  He was gone for over two hours.  I am about to course tool his run for him.   He probably did around 13 miles!!!!  Wow, impressive. 

Slow easy run after a nice rain at 1pm.  Love the smell of the air after rain, refreshing, rejuvenating.  Ran 4.65 miles at recovery pace 9:02.  Yay I get to work at the Valley tonight on Mom/Baby.  I hope babies aren't pouring from the skies, as cute as they are.  Three nights off after this.  Rinse and repeat.  

Afternoon run with Kim down South Fork Canyon up 800 north in Orem over to Canal and down 400 North in Lindon.  Ending at the Lindon City Park.  We ran at 230pm in the downpour!!!!!!!!  We both couldn't run in the morning for various weekend engagements and vowed to run in the afternoon.  Of course that is when the expected storm came in.  It was wet.  I was even wetter than SGM last year and it was just under 15 miles!!!!  The canal was of course muddy and I could barely move my hands to look at my watch.  No water and luckily good conversation.  We both felt winded the first few miles.  It was the afternoon affect.  We did manage an average pace of 7:40.  Down the canyon we were at 7:18 to 7:20 at times.  It was difficult cause Kim's garmin wasn't charged and died the first few feet.  I had to course tool it and try to use the numerous markings on the Provo River Trail.  Done.  I want real sleep.  Forever.   Okay I will take eight hours.  Please. 

Started out slow on a run with Troy. Needed too. Tired from Saturday's 2pm run in the storm. Ran three with Troy then off on my own up the lovely 900 West Hill that lasts for 2 miles to Cedar Hills. Felt strong and pace was faster by 30 seconds per mile from the start at least. Got down to 7:42 pace for last mile. Just wanted it to be done even though nice day. I work tonight and I got to go on a little run with the kids. Ran 1st of the year 1/2 mile run with my three girls ages 10, 8 and 6. My youngest is my strongest and fastest (4:23!!). Next was Courtney, my oldest at 4:40 and then Brooke who has the mental capacity to endure much longer ran in at 5:00 with Troy. It was fun!! They liked it too. Then of course they had to have an Easter Treat. At least they worked it off. What to do for Spring Break? Average pace for 9.25 miles = 8:40.

Slept until 115 pm and then was bombarded with the kids wanting to go swimming. We told them swimming indoors would happen when it was bad weather out on Spring break. So of course I gave in. We went to Lehi's Legacy Center. It woke me up so I did some laps about 1/2 mile worth, a few laps of butterfly that left me more winded so I just toned it down to freestyle, back and one lap of breast stroke. I have a big run planned (long training run) and don't want too tired of muscles along with the brain. It was relaxing at the pool even though it was rather crowded. 1/2 mile swimming equals 2 miles running?

Yes I ran in this WINTER WONDERLAND.  Average pace:  8:53  but last 5.8 miles pace 7:42.  Last two miles 6:45.  In the snow storm and horizontal wind.  First half extremely slow because I felt extremely gross, nauseated and achy bones, really really grossed out feeling.  Wanted a 10 miler no matter how I got it so dragged my feet literally and this still didn't feel good...first mile pace 10:50.  Second mile 10:23.  I was just concentrating on my music and the fact that it didn't matter how fast I went just to be out there.  And then the high winds and pelting snow fall.  Like completely and utterly ridiculous.  I got some good stares.  My pace gradually sped up when I was just cruising and got in a zone at 6:44 pace for a couple of miles while rubbing off inches of snow from my sweatshirt.  HELLo!!!!!!  Done.  Managed 10.45 miles with some good marathon pace in there (7:40?)  I actually don't know what to expect at Ogden.  It only drops 1100 feet whereas SGM drops triple that I believe.  Any thoughts out there?  

Ran with Troy in the snowy surroundings.  Sunny thankfully.   Nice easy run.  A scenic route, with good uphill in the middle ending on a downhill around my neighborhood.  Troy not up for much mileage and mom in town so short run today.  Plans for a 17 miler tomorrow.  Did I just write that?  Not sure if it will really happen.  Work Friday and Saturday night, again.  Getting down to the wire on when to get this long run in.  More marathon pace runs planned for next week and two weeks before.  Yay!!!  Pace 8:38 for just 3:43 miles.  Last 1/2 mile 7:40 pace.  Feeling real comfortable at 7:40 so I hope I can manage that pace at the Ogden Marathon which puts me at 3:22!!  Who knows if that is possible on a much flatter course.  I need some input on how to run Ogden????

Had all intentions of getting up at 6am but turned the alarm off at 1220 am having not been able to fall asleep.  I am turning into a night owl working nights.  Anyway got up at 8am finally hemmed and hawwed and just had to get out there.  Took my ultra waist water bottle carrier thing that can hold up to eight gus and started out.  First mile 8:28 so I knew I was going to be pushing myself.  Went up hill to the canal from my home in PG and got on it by Lone Peak High School.  Ran on it to 2000North in Orem (lots of muddy areas to navigate and kept footing on guard, at one point I had at least two inches of mud on my sneakers then I would find a snowy area and "skid" around on it to remove it).  2000 North was my welcoming moment.  The rest would be paved road.  I turned right onto 400 East until 400 North in Lindon and then turned left to Locust Ave then left again onto Battlecreek and right past Fire Dept in PG to Cementary.....to home a long back way to make 17.03 miles.  Avg pace 7:56.  I hope the hills and the mud account for the slower pace.  I felt like I was pushing it.  Glad it is over.  Just four weeks to go. 

Ran nice and easy after yesterday's 17 miler and last night shift.  First mile 9:38.  Last mile 8:25.  Love the cool springy smelling breeze.  Surprisingly warm out.  Avg pace 8:59 for 6.27 miles.  I like to take it easy after a night shift to download my exhausted brain/body connections.  It seems to work well to get me ready for the next shift.  Enjoyed to day.  Hope all you SLC marathoners did awesome!!

Watched the Boston Marathon Elite Women and Mens from start to finish live and could hardly wait to get out and run speedwork.  The adrenaline was in overload.  Ended up having only about 70 minutes to run before my kindergartner got home so did a crash course in speedwork.  Been a while since I have done a real speedwork.  This is what I spontaneously came up with:  Run to Manila Elem 1 mile then up to my other one mile mark from my house which ended up being another mile then did a mile of speed work back to my house (circle loop).  Repeated times three.  So nine miles. First set: 1- 7:53(half downhill,half uphill)  2-7:58 (all uphill)  3- 6:26 (half downhill)  Second set:  1- 7:13  2- 7:32   3- 6:19  Third set-  1-  6:56  2-  7:28  3-  6:14.  1/2 mile cooldown.  Goal was to run three miles fast and the rest at marathon pace.  Mile 2 in all sets  I purposely relaxed the pace to gear up for the fast mile coming up.  I think I like this kind of speedwork.  I do not run on treadmills.  I can't run indoors due to my allergies to chemicals.  Now I am at work and it is 430 am, no rest for the weary.  I hope I can manage a good run at Ogden.  Avg pace for 9 miles =  7:07. 

Ran a post daytime sleep run. Pace for 3.43 miles 8:38. Felt nice. No music run so I could enjoy all the sounds and smells of warmness!! Nice weather, YAHOO!!!!!

Hill workout. I was only going to do five miles since I got out at 115pm and it was quite warm out but then after climbing 1100 North for 2 and 1/2 miles then up the canyon trail for just over 1/2 mile, I came back down by the canal, where I felt a strong need to turn on to it which added another 4.38 miles. At that point I was averaging under 8 minute miles. Avg pace for awesome uphill workout 8:38 for 9.38 miles. Off to work, AGAIN!!!

A little (understatement) sluggish today from yesterdays hillwork and working all night. I sound like a broken record, but has anyone worked full time nights and felt their running didn't suffer?  I am trying to be creative and trying to overcome the difficult in working with sleepless muscles hoping it will make me stronger.  As Deanna Kastor said in the Spirit of the Marathon, "it is quite a concept to keep running while fatigued".  So there is hope for me to still get PRs.  It is mind over body.  I think I can.  It should be fascinating to experience.  Since I ran Antelope Island 32 miler having worked Wed and Thurs night shifts before had and did pretty well  I feel now I should be able to overcome anything.  Luckily, I got the Ogden Marathon weekend traded off so I now just work Sunday and Monday night shift the week before the Marathon.  This will give me some normalcy Tues, Wed, and Thurs night.  I barely sleep the night before a marathon.  I figure trying to run 7:40 to 7:50 will be harder than a trail run for 32 miles at 10 pace so I didn't want to be without sleep.   I was just lucky coworkers were glad to work it out for me.  Anyway...nice breezy and sunny day for an afternoon run.  Ran 3.32  miles at 9:18 pace.  Won't be running tomorrow.  Have a tempo run planned for Saturday Am with Melanie so I got to rest up as much as possible.  Off to work in a few hours.  Everybody enjoy a good nights sleep.....I will be taking care of newborns and their mommies.    

Oh yah!! Uh huh!!!  Glad the last long run before Ogden is over.  The weather held up too.  The rain cover from last night made the green stand out with the white clouds around the valleys and mountains.  So beautiful!!  Met Melanie and Kim at Lone Peak High School at 6am and ran a challenging course first thru the Highland park behind the high school then down Alpine Hwy for 3/4 mile then west almost two miles then north a mile to Freedom Elementary in Highland then East to 6000 west then north to go up and around Alpine.  Good hill there.  Melanie wanted hills since she has been treadmilling.  We ran thru town and over to 300 north in Alpine then to North Bench road, nice climb there up to Healey drive over looking Cedar Hills.  Then down a nice steep hill back to flat going towards Lone Peak on 4800 West where Kim headed back (she is not running Ogden) and we continued on the Golf course parkway trail up to AF canyon.  More hills and one steep one that is right there at the mouth of the canyon as you head south onto Canyon road.  We continued on Canyon until Cedar Hills drive then turned right there and then left down the farm road right past the fire dept.  Glad to have some downhill.  It was fun at  this point as we realized we were "part of" 5K race just starting out doing the exact same loop I planned for our ending.  We saw kids finishing with their parents with the mile (opposite direction as us) and then caught up to the 5kers.  It was a hoot.  Even saw my Bishop's wife standing by a cone waiting to direct the course.  She gave me a high five.  This was at miles 16 to 17.5 so it helped energize us.  Starting out on this run I was tired and muscles tight.  My husband as supportive as he has been had set my alarm for me, thankfully. I am still just lacking several good nights of sleep.   I didn't think I could keep up at first, my legs were so fatigued but I just kept at it and eventually finished quite strong next to Melanie speedster.  Ran 18.25 miles in 2:28:46  (8:07 avg pace).  I think that we did quite well considering the hammering hills!!!  This next week another tempo run planned for Monday (or Wednesday) like last weeks except I will do four loops so 12 miles.  Hoping there to have about a 7:05 average pace.  Two nights to sleep at a normal hour should help.  

3 by 3 miles, like last week.  Improved greatly on the in between miles even without the adrenaline rush from watching the Boston Marathon last week.  Wasn't sure I would be able to get into speedwork after doing visiting teaching all morning.  Got out at 1050am.  Started off with gloves and sweats over shorts.  Took them off at my house on the grass after the first round.  

Here is the breakdown:  Set One:  1-  7:23 (uh oh hope I don't have to measure to this pace, already 35 seconds faster than last week and I always like negative splits) 2- 7:18 (yikes (40 seconds faster), 3-  6:20 (headwind but still six seconds faster).  Set two:  1- 6:50 (oh no should I slow it down? how will I get negative splits)  2-  7:03. This is getting ridiculous.  Maybe air quality better than last week with all the burning on this route going on then.  Just one small area of burning on mile 3 on all sets noticed.  Last week it was on miles 1.5 to 2.  3-  6:18  (headwind again but down hill, not steep or anything, for first 3/4 miles then uphill.  Set three:  1-  6:47 (wow still a negative split from last mile 1!!! Told self if I got a negative split here I would be able to go easy on mile two to reward myself but by the end of it I decided to try and still get a negative split but missed it by 3 seconds.  Too much to make up for at the slower beginning.  2-  7:06.  Still happy about this considering I was near the end and reaching my threshold.  Hoping to do well the last mile.  3-  6:18 (three tenths faster, wooo!!, still counts as negative I guess)  Cool down two miler at 8:25 to 8:30 pace.  Stretched and then helped kindergartener do homework and read her book from school two times.  Finally took shower and cleaned kids bathroom.  Now I am feeling the workout as I write this.  Wish I didn't have to recover working a night shift in a few hours.  C'est la vie.  Avg pace for 9 miles:  6:50!!!!!  I should end up with a doozy of a headache.  A time for miracles may give me hope.

Boy was my mind and body tired today, not sore just tired from absolutley no break in my shift last night.  At least I continued to drink water all night to stay hydrated.  Anyway on my run I turned up my music to dull my senses even more and closed my eyes 3/4 of the  way and tried to sleep jog.  Pace was very relaxing  (10:20), just wanted to wake myself up and not put any stress on my body.  Got plans for a hill work out tomorrow up 1100 north and up into Grovecreek canyon for an exploration. 

Hill work.  Adventure run up 1100 north and then to Bonneville Shoreline Trail (not canal) that starts up at Grove Creek Canyon and I headed north.  So BEAUTIFUL, but a little anxious at times when I saw what I thought was the leg of a cougar on the trail or a dog that has legs that look like a cougars.  Felt I was being "watched" at times so turned my music down to safe guard my senses but mostly felt an incredible high from this new countryside.  Too awesome I could have gone on for a while.  Have to go get lower braces on after visiting teaching and get kids off to school.  Average pace for 7.39 miles (8:23).  I highly recommend trail running.  Go For It!!!

Easy run before the last big tempo/long run before Ogden.  Ran 4 miles at 8:30 pace.  First mile 9:20.  Last mile 7:47.   Ahhhhh relaxing.  Tomorrow I am thinking two miles at 8 then 13 miles at marathon pace of 7:40.  Not sure will be on canal after the climb to it. 

That's it. I was fine until mile 9 then I just was plain tired. Do you think running on the canal slows you down even when you are trying hard to run fast? I was thinking the dirt has something to do with it. I am beat. Too much this week I think. My first mile I knew I was taking off too fast at 7:51 on an uphill mile to the canal. Oopps. Then I was doing 7:31 for a good two miles then just had to slow down. I was trying to run just 7:40s. Came up short at 1:59:05 for 15.4 miles so 7:43 pace. I really am tired and have a headache. The bottom braces being put on my teeth on Wednesday have really been painful. And I can't shut my mouth all the way -- teeth do not touch now--so I am bumming about chewing. Only 9 months to go. I am so tired of my jaw hurting and locking all the time, even though my teeth were "straight" enough as anyone elses I chose to do this to get my jaw aligned correctly, my bite was way off apparently. Anyway, I am glad I was able to do this run in all this pain so I can at least try to be strong at the marathon after working 7 of the next 11 nights. How do you spell relief? I don't know at this point. I keep pushing myself masochistictly. I don't even think that is a word. Oh well , just not a feel good kind of run day. Where is the sun? I feel cold too. I will stop now. I think I just feel this way due to the oncoming work schedule. It is like this every two weeks since last November and still I am not used to it.

Wasn't going to run but had to shake the head to wake up in order to be alive for the night shift.  Left at 4:55pm.  Ran 3.49 miles at 8:43 pace.  First mile 9:10 pace last mile 8:15.  No soreness from Friday's long run.  The wet roads made the greenery even prettier.  Slight sprinkle for two minutes of the run.  Woke me up thankfully.  Clocked in at work for 6pm shift.  I just keep going and going....

So far no miles. The energizer bunny has actually stopped moving I can barely type this message. I feel drugged. My body has taken a licken and frankly just can't keep on tickin' at the moment. Friday night I worked on pediatrics and took care of three infants that had different "bugs" but the same symptoms (cold/flu like). I had to gown and glove (which I did meticulously) before entering each of their rooms all night long. I was spent after this shift, I could feel the viruses floating in the air, lots of suctioning on the little ones too. Anyway top that off with having run my 15 miler that morning before the shift then returning to level 2 nursery at AFH where a baby started showing the same symptoms that I came on to and the dad walked in with a mask. Great...resistance just being shot at. My own daughter, at the help of grandpa, took her to Artic Circle and let her play on the playset (I don't let my kids do this in outbreak seasons) and her lighter cold has turned into a sess pool of drainage....and coughing. Right now all I feel is INTENSE fatigue like no muscle or tendon wants to move. I think since I didn't get sore from Friday's exhausting run the lactic acid is slowly leaking into my system and tiring me completely out. I rode my bike one mile with my littlest to drop her off at school and was like a drunk.....dizzy and light headed and out of body. So I am done today unless someway naturally I wake the heck up. I probably will call in sick for tonite if nothing changes by ill call time at 1pm. Plan for doing speedwork with Saturdays Five Miler on the Blog.

Trail run after the climb up 1100 north with Kim at 6am.  Couldn't sleep well.  Still feel very achy in head, neck, spine, fingers, wrists.  Not sore muscles but tired tendons etc... hard to explain.  This has been happening to me on and off for years and I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.  I pinned the cause on chemicals and fragrances.  For example if there is a plug in (candle) at the orthodontist office (like my daughter's dr. yesterday) I can't stay in the room or I would pass out in a few minutes from intense fatigue after an initial headache.  Work is hard because I have to plug up my nose to survive the chemicals used there and coworkers perfumes.  It works but I still get affected some, some times more than others.  I don't have the money to go to the environmental health center in Dallas, I  am close at times to desperation to figure this out.  I am tired of Drs.  Drs. who don't seem to care to look further instead say it is stress related here is a drug you can take.  Sure stress causes us all to be out of balance.  I just can't live in this environment like everyone else seems to.   Every strong fragrance puts me over the edge.  At Ogden I will wait on the outskirts from the crowd because usually there is too much ben-gay etc... that I can't breath well.  If anyone has heard of this problem and found answers please enlighten me.  I have been to Dr. Remington and have been on his diet (lost 23 pounds) and feel generally a lot better than I was last year at this time but today and yesterday I do not.  I feel the same overwhelming fatigue.  I rarely get a regular cold or flu I just get these weird neuromuscular symptoms.  My neurosurgeon thought for sure it was MS and that it was a matter of time for the damage to be seen.  I fight that diagnosis since noticing my chemical sensitivities.  My grandfather had MS and used to run and then was in a wheelchair.  He worked near a chemical plant.  My grandmother died of breast cancer from working with those chemicals.  Anyway... I am on the prowl.  Sorry for the long entry.  It is when I feel this badly that I contemplate the last several years...hoping I am onto something and that I will be better, normal.  

Ran with Troy for just over 2 miles then we parted so I could add on.  I ended up running 6.19.  I was told by Troy to slow down, so that was good that it felt easy when picking it up.  However I still have extreme fatigue symptoms, sinus pressure (which my ortho warned me about from the bottom braces) causing histamine release.  I can't remember if histamine release can cause fatigue.  Since benadryl is an antihistamine and people get drowsy on it so I am not sure of the answer.  Any way still intense fuzzy fatigue in the head with dizziness and muscle/tendon fatigue.  Again not sore just tired.  I will probably go in to see Dr. Remington.  It is a pattern for me to feel this way in the Spring even when I was a teenager in track by mid May I would fatigue out and couldn' t move and become extremely depressed.  I don't understand it.  Dr. Remington would have tons of ideas.  He is into wholistic healthcare.   I should probably test my adrenals--the stress gland.  Okay back to my run.  After the first mile in 9:00 I was able to wake myself up into cruise control and do the remaining 5.2 miles at 7:49 pace that is with a steep hill by AF Temple on 700 north (last mile 6:55). 1/2 mile cool down at 8:34 pace. I will only run four tomorrow real slow after I work tonite. Then try to do a good run for the Five Miler from the blog.  It depends on how messed up I get after working the next two nights.  Ran 32 miles after such schedule the end of March.....but I didn't have this much fatigue then.  So we shall see.  This is an extreme taper probably only 27 miles this week.  I think this will benefit me.  Avg pace for total mileage: 8:01.

2pm--Ran while six year old daughter road on skooter.  Did a 1.33 mile loop three times.  The second loop Amber road her bike and the third loop she toughed it out by running, stopping a few times but she did awesome and we had a good time exercising together.  1st loop 13:15 minutes, 2nd loop 12:22 and last loop 14:26- slowing it down to help my cutie, she was running for an otter pop at this point.  She was getting tired.   Avg pace for 4 miles 10:00.  Nice warm weather with a cool breeze.  Off to work I go tonight.  Last night was a good shift.  Didn't get tired until 515 am!!  Still didn't sleep well during the day.  Got about 4 okay hours and 2 get to sleep already hours.  

Excuses first. I AM TIRED. Brain tired. Like it won't shut down but needs to. After Thursday night shift I could only sleep four hours. All day felt this fuzzy headache thing and just couldn't fall asleep. Finally at 11pm I nodded off for an hour and 1/2. Got back to sleep on and off and felt crumby. Muscles okay just brain tired. So at 7am I left to pick up Melanie at the park and ride. I knew she would smoke me in this one. Longer races like the 32 miler after no sleep eventually wake me up but short distances speedy ain't happening. We got there at 720 am so we ran the gorgeous Provo River Trail, bringing back tons of memories for me as I used to live 1/2 mile from the 1.5 mile marker!!! It was beautiful scenery thankfully as truly my eyes wanted to close but I was determined to stay awake and try to tempo this run today. We ran four miles nice and easy. We got back three minutes to the race start. It started at 8am. It was out to the lake and back. This way I could cheer Melanie on. She did awesome (2nd in 31:51!!!). I on the other hand came in at 34:10. Fast enough for 3rd place but for the time standard for a cash prize for a master was 33:40. 30 seconds and I could have been paid $20 to run this tired. One more night to acclimate back to a regular sleep cycle then I believe I could have done under 33 minutes. Sasha wasn't sure of the actual lost speed but he did say it was significant cause of neuromuscular fatigue (working nights) for a woman and being over 40. Some day I will work days again. I don't even feel sore I just feel this "final leg of the Wasatch back relay feeling" after being up all night. If anyone has done the relay this is how I always feel running after night shifts these days. Pace even split at halfway mark more uphill on way back so good with this even split. 6:50 pace for five miles. Ran another 2.5 miles after the run to make that 11.5 miles total. Here's to two more night shifts then sleep, sleep sleep until Ogden!!

Started out slowly, sleepily at 9:38 pace. Ended with a 7:18 mile. Avg pace for 4 miles 8:24. 1/2 mile cool down at 9:00 pace. Lovin' the warm weather and beautiful greenery and flowers blooming!! Work again tonight then off until Ogden. I am going to rest like crazy. Oh yah!!!

Ran an easy run. Stretched out on my grass breathing in all the freshness. First mile 8:55. Last mile 7:58. Tommorrow I will run five with some pick ups then Thursday 3 miles and Friday 1-2 miles. I am getting pretty excited. Not sure of what to think of Sasha's comment that I probably fit enough for a 3:10 to 3:12 at Ogden. He said to try a 1:36 first half and see what happens. Yikes. I feel more in shape but I just don't know. Time will tell. Day of race feelings should tell me how to run it. No overzealousness here on my part. I strive for negative splits. Looking good at the end would be nice.

Ran a very invigorating loop I just found when running the shoreline trail last week.  First I ran to Manila Elementary  (7:54 miles) then up 600 West (eased the pace way up) then right on  White Church road (2600 N. PG)going east and crossing over Canyon rd.  Then straight on to the canal thru a scenic byway.  Ran south on Canal to 1100 North.  Ran down 1100 real easy (don't want tired out quads for Saturday). Sadly I couldn't impress the cop clocking speedsters down 1100 north.  It is definitely a hill one could catch air on, in a car or running.  Last mile picked it up to remind myself of fast running (7:19).  1/2 mile cool down  (9:00).  What is with the cool wind?  Wind definitely dehydrates me, I felf very thirsty on my run.  Run felt easy but head still a bit tired.  Tonight I should sleep well.  I look forward to it.  Avg pace for 5.37 miles 8:26.  

Zero miles.  Cleaned out my house today, clothes, toys, books, etc.. and donated to DI.  Too much pent up energy.  Now I am about to read a book my mom said was fantastic, called "The Shack".  A best seller.  A tear jerker, a soul searcher the back reads.  Anyways.... just waiting around now.  So far so good.  Thinking 3:20 is more my goal than the 3:12 Sasha put in my head.    Not sure if that is going to happen either.  I am going to go with the flow. 

I slept okay from 11pm until 4am.  Then couldn't fall asleep, my stomach was bothering me. Ridiculous.  Then I stared at  the ceiling for a good amount of time.  Drifted on and off but not restful.  Try as I may I wasn't thinking of the marathon consciously.  So of course my subconcious was and really got my brain all in a tizzy.  Relax think of something totally boring or way off the subject.   Finally at 8am I got up in bed and began reading the book I started yesterday.  A little heavy reading and a rather different view of the trilogy.  Got to keep reading to find out about the meaning of all things--in the book.  Later... though got the kids up and to school then ran or should I say "trotted" 1.22 mile route around my neighborhood.  Pace about 10:46.  Slow motion to me but honestly I felt too flul-like to care.  I was trying to get the cobwebs out, new and old.  I feel very nauseated and achy.  My daughter came home at 1030 am from school yesterday with a stomach ache--- I washed my hands diligently...she also has very swollen glands.  But really this kind of thing happens before any big race (unless I am too tired from working nights to notice).  It is like my body knows what it is up against and is trying its last futile attempt to bail out.  My mind won't allow it.  Wish the body would just give in already.  Doubt I will sleep more than two hours tonite.  It is part of who I am.  I don't unwind easily.  You should see me at the Wasatch Back Relay.  I am going and going and my van is falling asleep on me.  I was the last leg for two years.  I had to look alive.  I had to wait the longest.  NO ONE looked alive when I ran.   It was rather humorous actually.  I think I should like to take on Ragnar.  No more unbelievably steep downhill terrain  (on no sleep and 100 degrees) !!!!    Sorry got off subject.  I am not running Wasatch this year but really had a blast the two years I did.  In less than 24 hours I should be closing in at the finish line in a matter of minutes.  I am getting nauseated again. 

Skip the first paragraph if you already read it. Details start in the second. Good run!!  despite starting with sore quads, not a good sign but just meant I would have to focus more on keeping my mind in check so as to not give in to my body.  Will write more later...lots of fun, funny and not-so-funny details to come!!!  A PR for me, and at Ogden....that is something I am proud of.  I even won some money.  It pays to be 40, apparently I am a master in something.  And the competition is slowing?   Not!!!  3rd overall was 41 and came in at 3:05:15!!!  (incidentally last year when she was 40 she ran a 3:30, I guess anything is possible).  I am also glad I am not terribly sore today...but I am taking the week off just to be safe.  Life without running....blahhh  but I work three night shifts this week so healing time is a must.  

Fun details: Divsion winner (even though the real first place for my age was third overall. So not exactly first. But hey, I got $75 for being third master overall. WOW!!!! Paid to be insane.

Okay funny details: WE MISSED THE BUSES TO THE START. We being Melanie (incidentally she was fifth overall) and I. Melanie is my hero. Five kids and a speedy runner. She is going to kick butt at St. George. Sasha was forcing her to drink gatorade the last few miles as he ran next to her screaming at her to keep going. She had her iPod blaring so she said it could have been loader. It makes me laugh and I can see Sasha doing this. I just wish he had enough energy to come back for me. Miles 24 to 26.2 were not pretty. I was hot and lonely. The water was gross but not so when I threw it on myself. Oops got off the subject. So we missed the buses cause we were staying at mile 13 at Wolf Creek Inn and we didn't take the "only one bus loading" literal. We arrived down the canyon at 540am and a girl on a walkie talkie looked at us and said sorry no more buses and you will never make it to such and such a place by 6am. Oh yes we will I told Melanie. She was panicking. I was calm as could be. You just watch. We'll talk our way up the mountain. And we did. Amazingly all the officers were kind and let us through. We parked just above the start at the pub. That got our adrenaline going!! Wouldn't recommend this kind of stress to anyone race morning though. Up and down the canyon, enough already. Fun and not so funny details:

1: 7:30 Better slow down, no overzealousness.

2: 7:49 Hey my quads, or rather inner thighs feel sore. Geez. Better go with more brain power.

3: 7:32

4: 7:41

5: 6:33 No way, that had to be short. Anyone?

 6: 7:18

 7: 7:24

 8: 7:31

9: 7:36

10: 7:34 Tried to get some girl running my pace to crack a smile. She was too focused (no iPod) she couldn't even muster a "hi". She looked young and I figured it had to be her first marathon. First timers are usually way serious. I used to hate it when fast runners would pass me while talking. Like who can talk and run fast? I must have been bugging her. We stayed together until mile 18 when she pulled away, far away but then I slowly gained on her but she was ahead at the end by 30 seconds. I made her smile when I went up to her at the finish line. She actually gave me a high five. Yup it was her first marathon and she was in her 20s. That was all the conversation for the most part.

11: 7:34

12: 7:32

13: 7:42  Here I read a sign saying "Run like a Kenyan", where I yelled back "First I must look like a Kenyan".   

13.1: 1:38:14 Double that and that's 3:16:28. Somehow I could not trust myself to hold on to that. Demon miles ahead (24 and 25). I would at least try.

14: 7:38 Hill coming up. Going intentionally slow down.

15: 8:24 Thank you. I know myself too well.

16: 7:39

17: 6:46 How did that happen? Another off mile most likely even though the next mile is not slow for me.

18: 7:27. Downhill and I can't seem to allow myself to fly. I am scared of the last miles.

19:   7:32 

20:  7:40 

 21:  7:23 

22:  7:33 

23:  7:16    The last of adrenaline used up.  Here comes the crash. 

24:  8:00.  Spectator perfume takes my breathing up a notch.  I can't catch my breath well, plus it is hot plus we are on a winding parkway plus I have a weak mind at this point.  Old demons from 3 years ago here when I did the half and hit a big wall.  I feel I am somehow back there in 2006.  Replaying the whole nightmare to my body.  It gives into the nightmare.  25:  8:32.  Whatever.  Let's just go for the under 3:20 goal okay body?  I still need to hear that the finish line is right up there, it is looking MIRAGE-LIKE.  Fuzzy and surreal.  Let's get there already.  But I am like running in place or something...no umph at all.  Tank empty.  26.2: 10:26 (1.2 miles at 8:41).   I managed to find my husbands hand and slap it before "sprinting" 20 feet to the finish line.  Yippee, a PR and another rip roaring good time!!!  Really.  Feeling good overall about this run because at the start I knew my mind would have to get me there.  I was physically tired this week but knew I could get my goal (3:22).  In a few weeks I will run the  a 5K in Springville, then two 10Ks in July and two halfs in August then its SGM again!!!  Where I intend to really put it in gear (3:10 do I dare say?) .    I am excited for a Summer filled with more running and family fun!!!   I think I might even try to get some better abs.  They are a little floppy.  Cross training maybe helpful too.  Swimming sounds nice.  Good times!!

Aching to get out and run and soreness pretty much all gone.  Went out at 740am.  Ran 3.68 miles at 9:05 pace.  First mile 9:18 last mile 8:24.  Right hamstring sore/tight after first mile so just shortened stride and didn't lift/bend leg much, this seemed to help.  Enjoyable easy post marathon run.  Plan to run 2 Friday and 6 Saturday with Melanie.  Work next two nights.  Monday night shift was interesting.....I was still working out soreness and achy joints but got to do it walking all night.  Had to take ibuprofen (2) by morning.  It felt like I had ridden a horse or just given birth by moving all into the night.  Luckily I could keep drinking lots of water so I was more hydrated than if I were sleeping.  

Pace fast cause I was on a wake up mission.  Ran 2.42 miles at 7:27 pace then a cool down at 9:12.  Ridiculous.

Trail run with Kim.  Ran up 1100 North.  First uphill mile (not as steep)  8::35.  Then steep uphill climb to the shoreline trail.  First 2.5 miles 9:05 (includ. that first mile).  Then it gets ridiculously steep for a portion then evens out along the "shoreline" with up and downhills at short intervals.   Too awesome of a run.  Went all the way to just about the mouth of American Fork Canyon and crossed over to N. Cottonwood rd. and down on to Cedar Hills Park way trail.  Stopped at this gorgeous nestled in park (when we were still on shoreline) and found a potty with the door open.  Amazing.  Even a water fountain by the pavillion up in the middle of nowhere.  So cool.  I was parched and my right hamstring issues from Thursdays run (due to the marathon)  turns out to be sciatica because it goes deep in to my butt and tender on the lower back.  Going for a massage later today!!!  2 for 1 today, me and Kim.  We are so there!!!  Okay our run ended going down past Deerfield Elem.  to my 800 meter road and down 1300 west.  That was an exhilarating run.  Was going to do just 6 today but Kim needed to do 12 for her training for Wasatch back.  So I thought what the heck, it ain't a marathon and my mind is willing even though my sciatic is not.  Too bad.  Average pace:  8:30.   Made up time on the downhills. 

Hill work.....again with Melanie this time.  She wanted me to join her in Lehi at the Legacy Center.  We met at 645 am and ran her hill work on the only hills really in Lehi.  Up to Freedom Elementary then back to Micron Hill as I call it but it is below micron.  It is a pretty steep decline then incline, intense but brief enough.  Turned around at stop sign and repeat and head back thru same deep dip and home free (downhill) after that.  Average pace for 8:  8:20.  First uphill to freedom I was winded, talking lots and legs heavy from 12.5 mile hill run on Saturday so pace was 8:50 for first 3.42 miles.  All in all it was refreshing.  On drive home I got to see the end of the 5K memorial run ending close to Albertson's in American Fork.  Cheered on first two guys and then came Mary Ann.  So I cheered her of course.  Looking fast.  Then headed home for a ward Memorial Flag Ceremony.  

Wake up run at 2pm. Quite warm out. Should acclimate well for Hobble Creek having to run at 2pm after I work a night shift. I will call those runs my sprinkler route here in a few weeks when it will be so blazing hot I will have to run from sprinkler to sprinkler. Since there is a rule for the even numbered houses to sprinkle during the day I should have no problem, hopefully. I will also do the hose down route by coming back to my house every few miles to hose myself off and then take off again. 3.32 miles at 8:30 pace average. Last half mile 7:36 pace. Started to wake up then. Now I am again tired. Oh by the way I signed up for the Bryce Canyon 1/2 marathon July 18th. I should love the 6am start (not so hot) and the 7400 feet above sea level start that is downhill like hobble creek, so I am told.

1040am run with Kim up to canal via 2600 north PG then North on canal past Lone Peak and back thru scenic mountain like trail by Tri City Golf Course, single runner only at this point for about 3/4 mile coming out by some large open fields north of AF high school then up 700 north past Mt. Timp Temple and back home.  Last mile 6:29 (last 1/4 3:11).  1/2 mile cool down at 9:00 pace.  Avg pace for 8.86=  7:42.    Tired but glad to push it.  Still some sciatic pain in right hip.  Used to be only on the left so not sure why it showed up on right since marathon.  Summer Time is HERE!!!

Easy, but not so easy run. Body achy all over, joints etc....but just wanted to try and tough it out.  After two miles I got my adrenaline going to give me strength to do the rest of my planned 5 miler.  Ran through a couple of sprinklers even though not quite as hot as I thought it would be.  Visers sure help to make me feel much cooler.  Slowly acclimating...not near 100 degrees yet.  Hope weather gradually warms up so it doesn't shock me.  Pace for 5.15 miles:  8:26   

SPEED WORK, HIP HIP HOORAY.  Not sure who is winning the battle-- my body or my mind?  I wake up feeling sick, the way I always do before a workout I know I am going to push myself in.  Brain controlling body, or body controlling brain?  So...got the kids off to their last 1 1/2 hours of school and took off on my warm up run of 2.81 miles at 8:48 pace, a long route to Kim's house to use her treadmill for some serious speedwork....since before the marathon.  I only did three official speed works before Ogden, one being the five mile blog race so I need to get it in gear to get some PRs this year starting with the Nestle Art City Days 5K next Saturday.  This is what I did ... (all premeditated from yesterday and with talking to Melanie, who is up to two 10Ks of treadmill speed work at 6:30 and 6:22 pace, which  lesser workouts gave her a 3:07 at Ogden!!!!!!).  Kim's house is relatively perfume-free and I could open the windows in her basement to give me the outside feel.    Okay here is what I did Sorry for the long introduction:   first gradual increase of pace on treadmill to avoid injury and "frog in hot water" panic attack for 5 minutes then the work began of  6.5 minutes at 6:31 pace increasing to 6:27 second quarter of first mile and 6:22 for last 30 seconds;  two minute recovery run at 8:49 pace; then starting at 6:27 pace increasing to 6:22 the second quarter of second mile and 6:18 to 6:15 last 30 seconds;  two minute recovery at 8:49 pace; then last mile starting at 6:22 pace last quarter of third mile at 6:18 and last 30 seconds at 6:15 pace then 2 1/2 minutes recovery run at 8:49 and 2.35 mile run home....AHhhhhhhh the feeling of accomplishment!!!.  Kept incline at 1%.  Felt really good actually especially the first 3 to 4 minutes of the first mile. The sweat poured down on me during the second mile.  Hoping that means my max VO2 capacity is increasing.   Felt very focused staring at Kim's electrical outlet...got to get her to post an inspirational poster in front of her treadmill.   Kim will try this workout on Monday as she is now inspired!!    Work the next two nights...got to slow down at some point...wish my life was family and running....but must pay the bills too I guess. 

Nice relaxing wake up run.  Good hill work too.  Of course I can't have an easy run be completely easy.  Ran some roads I never before ran on...and I thought I have run them all around here.  Nice change of scenery.  Pace for 5.9 miles  8:41.  Last mile 7:41.  

Ran at 9:05 at PG High School track from PG pool while kids finished up first swim team practice.  First meeting so got out too late to do a long work out but felt dragging anyway at first due to huge headache yesterday from lack of sleep.  Just couldn't get any quality sleep after Saturday night.  I might as well had stayed up after I got up at 1015 am (getting in bed at 7am).  Still trying to figure out the best way to not feel too badly after a night shift.  Boring conversation... on to running.  So I began, after two laps, to actually feel like a runner.  First mile 8:46 but last quarter 1:58 (7:52 pace).  Second mile still just gradually eased up on each 1/4.  Ended with quarter of 1:43 which felt very easy (7:06 pace) but actual mile was 7:27.  I was in the zone.  Last mile easy at 8:17 pace around track. Then had to go as kids out of showers (nice that I can see the pool from the new track).  Total miles here 3.4, then got home and ran another 4 miles starting nice and easy (loving the cool breeze and overcast) with last mile at 7:03, which felt really good.  I think that even just the one treadmill speedwork last Friday increased my leg turn over and oxygen capacity.  I usually do a 7:41 at the end and have that feel easy.  Time will tell for Saturday's race.  Still got three night shifts this week to work through.  Avg pace for 7.4 miles=  8:22.  

oh my, my stomach was in knots, nausea, heartburn, 8pm run. I tried to see if was better to stay up a few hours after getting home at 645 am from work and see if that would help me to sleep longer my dragging it out until I can't take it any longer. Well I only succeeded in sleeping from 830 until almost 1100am. Absurd. So I got up fixed the kids lunch, coached them in their chores (started a new chore chart for the Summer). Went back to bed at 130pm, could not fall asleep so took half a soma (muscle relaxant, which helps with my headaches and relaxes my brain, I try not to take anything). Wow I woke up at 6pm....like what day is it? Felt medicated wanted to run but ate first with the family and then tried to go out and the stomach just was so grossed out. Pace 9:55, then 9:12 for second mile. Was ready to hurl, took a shower sipped on 1/2 an otter pop.

Killer workout while kids at swim team. Ran up Battlecreek Drive 12-15 % grade (actually saw a sign wtih the grade at 14% on a similar hill while running south).  Ran up to top past water tower to Kiwanis Park (why are there two parks with this name?). Pace 8:48 Wow!!!  Then I headed back to where I saw the Shoreline trail about two-tenths down.  Hadn't ever run this so was in for an adventure.  What an adventure.  The BEST!!!  No word to describe, TRAILS GALORE.  Some shaded with trees and low lying bushes, single file.  The trail was wide at first but in order to avoid a man's property one has to divert on this awesome single trail which is clearly visible but had tall grass on both sides and beautiful purple hues surrounding as you look east.  Unbelievable.  How could I have missed this the past four years living here?  It twisted and had various turnoffs I chose to stay down as I had to be back soon to get kids.  I ended up north of Orem boundaries going south (I think 1250east, not sure) over to 2000 North Orem and down to the canal trail and back over on it to Battlecreek drive.  Pace swift for some reason.  Wasn't sure of pace as I was just on a natuarl high I guess.  Cruised down Battlecreek to Memorial pool.   Pace for 8.65 miles=  8:01.  With all the uphill I was surprised and felt parched and strong at the same time!!  Wish  I didn't have to stay up all night the next two.  I really love my job and coworkers, it is just the sleep factor.  At work I am up and functioning quite well.

PM run, blah feeling, before last 5 of 7 night shifts.  Smoky smell in air.  Someone burning ruining the usual nice fragrances of outdoors plus kind of warm out with a gentle breeze not so refreshing.  Probably my mood.  Only slept 4 1/2 hours all broken up through the day.  Ran 3.47 at 8:29 pace.

A BIG GROSS RUN FOR ME, although some may say my time is good (20:54) I was at least last Friday (before my 5 of 7 night shifts) felt I could break 20 minutes. But it just wasn't in the stars.....Kim on the other hand (I keep getting my speedy friends 9 years my junior to these fun races) did awesome (19:52). I think I am a better coach. So....I am not too down, I really feel I can break 20. The best part about the race was my 1st in Age Category Win. I guess it pays to be 40 : ))))) Mile Splits: 6:49 (uphill), 6:45 (slight downhill), 6:42 (a lot of downhill) After race went out and did another run around the course plus a 1.5 mile warm up before the race. Last two miles were at 7:25 pace.

First dropped off my 10 year old daughter at Lindon Elementary to leave for Clear Creek for the week.  :  ) for her  :(  for me.  I will miss her.  Then picked up other two girls and brought them to swim team.  Ran from PG pool up to canal (9:30 pace).  Quads a little sore but not too bad.  Just a wing it kind of run.  Decided to keep running north on canal trail to just over canyon rd and back.  4.75 miles of tempo I decided to muster cause I began to feel strong- pace for 2  miles  7:26 to turn around and  then go uphill (south) on canal and timed self on same next section.  Pace now 6:50 for two miles.  Last .75 miles down battlecreek (quads expressing more soreness now, steep downhill) pace 6:40.  Total mileage=  8.04 at   7:40 pace.  Not bad for feeling kinda nauseated/fatigued to start off with.  I think I need to invest in a garmin in the near future.  The course tool on the canal is hard to maneuver around corners.  

130 pm trail run (slightly warm) on Shoreline Trail, exhlarating. Started out majorly fatigued, reached runner's high, then ended like I could fall asleep on the spot, but not before taking in some fluids. Found a cool swimming area for my kids and I. We will go there tomorrow, it is below 1100 North trail heads. Way cool, shaded yet all natural with stream beds and waist deep areas. Secluded, and relaxing. Anyway explored a lot of trails. Wasn't worried about time/pace. Was out there to get miles in with no worries. Ran the trails from 2600 north PG getting on at to Battlecreek (kiwanis park, water tower) and back tracked and explored some more. Refreshed in the stream beds. Was able to get some water at Kiwanis Park but needed electrolytes. Muscles falling asleep for last two miles(road part) felt much better on the trails. Loved the view and surroundings. Trail running is where I will most likely end up in the next few years. About, 11.3 miles pace 9:40. Some extreme steep terrain where I walked and just focused on breathing easy. Last fatigued mile to my house 9:13. Made a smoothie with flaxseed and whole fruits. Yummy.

Kim called at 730 am to ask if I would do speed work early this am.  We met 15 minutes later and ran to AF High Schooll (1.7 miles).  Warmed up once around the track then ran 4 X 800 meters(to the real half mile mark, the track coach was there and showed us where to start and end for a true half mile).  After yeserday afternoons 11 plus trail run hamstrings sore/tight but thought hey why not train thru fatigue and get over it.  So I did.  Stomach cramps too but I was going to push it as best I could or end up just timing Kim doing the last ones.  It turned out okay up until just before the third one and I wanted my hat off and my earphones crashed to the ground and I ran over them breaking them.  So then I had to listen to the playing of the marching bands drums,  BLAHHHH,  memories of high school, as if the track wasn't memory enough.. I got to get over it and rise above the painful memories of track, I hated track. I loved ski team and field hockey. I only ran track because my friends did. I should have played soccer but it wasn't very big back in New Hampshire.  Kim said "no pain, no gain"  I replied "yah but pain is for teenagers, running is supposed to be fun now".  She agreed so we tried our best to "have fun" living for the rest lap and the end of the final 800.  Here are our splits:  (Kim except on the second one was faster by 3 to 5 seconds and the first two she ran the second lane!! I told her that was her lot for being so fast at Nestle) 

1:  3:05    2:  3:08  3:  3:15 (remember headphone stress)  4:  3:12     

We ran a rest lap before and  in between each one and two at the end then home another 1.7 miles.

Road bike 5.62 miles  (9600 North 6800 West Church on corner) at 550am to meet Melanie for nice bike ride.  Total 26.75 Miles in 2:10.  Hey longer than a marathon!!First real bike ride since last Summer.  We went up to Alpine and all around there and back to PG then back to Lone Peak and thru park to Alpine highway and we parted at 9600 north in Highland/AF, who knows.  We went the same length by tenths of distance.  Our timing was impeccable as I approached the corner she was just about to it.  Awesome ride.  We could talk and the traffic was minimal so we could ride a lot double file.  We did an intense climb up in North Alpine, hello arms and shoulders.  Got to eventually do some strength training on the arms/abs.  Felt strong but core exercises would probably benefit me.   One brief stop to raise my bike seat.  Didn't get thirsty oddly enough but brought water on my bike so took some at mile 19 or so.  We did the whole out of seat bike thing and really got a great workout for a crosstrainer.  Decided to run 1.2 miles after watching my kids swim in the warm water while my sweat froze eating a banana and drinking OJ.  Pace 8:03 around track x 4.  Legs felt out of body even after an hour from the biking.   PS  Do I count at least half of these miles for a run?  Anyone have info on the equivalent ratio for biking versus running effort? 

Trail/Hill run with Kim this 830am.  ........totally parched....we did the shoreline trail to Grove Creek and a mile past or so exploring areas on road and trail.  On the way back we put our feet in the river bed.   COLD, numbing but oh so refreshing.    We were ready to end there at garmin mileage of 7.  But oh no we back tracked on the trail dreaming of lemonade stands and trail run smorgasboards of food laid out for us.  Only we missed our turn off and added an additional 1.5 miles to Kim's original plan of 10 miles.  I had a half mile extra to run to my home.  So thirsty, must have water, water soon!!!  Gulped down a gatorade in my garage fridge and stood there in utter and complete feeling of "so glad that's over".   Mainly more thirsty than anything else.  Not physcially too tired.  Ran last mile at 7:30 pace.  Overall pace for 12  was 8:47 and that's with some walking.  We had one part that the vertical climb was probably 90 %, no kidding!!!  I bet the garmin couldn' t even account for it since Kim doesn't have the one that measures elevation.  It was a great workout.  Time to mellow out this week, working the 5 of 7 thing and Kim is tapering for her FAST team at Ragnar next Friday.  Good luck everyone at tomorrows UVM!!!

Got off work at 640 am then went home to eat then drove to watch some marathoners at mile marker 13.5 or so. Mary Ann at that point was over 10 minutes ahead. By the finish just over 7-8 minutes. It was fun to cheer, saw a few friends, Josse and Jessica and other runners I have seen at races. Went home fell asleep at just about 1000 am and for the first time since working nights last November I slept 5 hrs 20 minutes straight!!! Tried to fall back to sleep but couldn't. Got out for a run at 430 pm. Just my warmup and 5K route and cooldown. Of course I just was running it easy. But I was surprised I could be at 8:15 average. Usually after a night my muscles are too fatigued, so nice run. It was also such nice cool weather. Of to work again.

Good run although I started with a tight left knee.  Most likely from biking last week.  It tends to act up when I add biking.  Odd.  Anyway I will only do a long bike ride every two weeks.  I am also going to at some point soon add in some strength training.  I ran up Battlecreek Drive after dropping off kids at pool.  Ran north on road in front of school until Grove Creek.  Beautiful scenery all the way to the top of Grove Creek where I went to the potty house (base of trailhead) and turned around and went north on a scenic road (1400 east, I think) then another turn upward to 1500 East then up to the top of Battlecreek Drive past the water tower and to Kiwanis Park to get a drink at the water fountain (nicely placed I might add for avid uphill runners).  My next plan was to gradually run down Battlecreek and run the Strawberry days 5K route which starts at Battlecreek Park.  It came out to be 3.24 miles.  I felt I was "burning it" but my pace was only 6:46 for the 3.24 miles (21:57).  Whatever.  I hope race day I have some adrenaline in me.  I ran the first 5.08 miles at a 7:50 pace and that is with all the steep uphill so perhaps I was just spent, and I forgot my iPod today which helps the monotany at times.  Nice to run without it though.  Don't want to be addicted to it.  Got to be able to be tough on my own.  All in all glad with the run.  Ran .63 miles back to Memorial pool on the shaded roadway (300 south PG).   Total Mileage:  8.95  Average pace:  7:28      

Slept only from 7 to 11am.  Laid around hoping to fall back to sleep.  Didn't.  So I just decided to go for my run.  Got out at 12 noon.  Yup.  Heat of the day.  Wore my new danskin tank top (7 dollars walmart deal).   Dri release so awesome deal.  Anyway....ran 6.5 miles in 52:35 (8:05 pace).  Not bad for after my all nighter.  I am trying to get stronger running working nights by being more positive and strong through the headaches that hit from them.  It seems to be working.  I just hope to sleep five hours again like last Saturday.  That would give me more hope.  Anyway.....I think my report is done.  It was a nice quick run.  Last mile 7:22 pace.  The heat didn't bother me.  Not that it is near 100 degrees .....yet!!!  Plans to run 10 real easy tomorrow.  A short run on Thursday (5) and no run Friday (work wed. and thurs. night, it is a recurring phenomena).

Got kids out to the pool, caps and goggles in place and off on my 10 miler.  Was going to run 8 here then run two at home but decided to go the distance knowing my 10 year old would just read her book and my other two girls would play on the newly placed in playground.  I ran to the canal nice and easy then south on the canal until past the Orem soccer fields.  My joints were achy.  Aged bones don't take a beating very well.  It felt like I had no fluid in my spine, bone hitting bone.  That's women and running.  Decided to take my vitamins again and some probiotics.  Was very hungry as I finished.  Didn't eat enough yesterday and didn't eat before the run.  Pace for 10.34 miles =  8:36.  I may swim tomorrow instead of run.  My body will probably enjoy the buoyancy.  

Not under 20 but pretty happy with my time considering the same old problems with the breathing.  Just after mile 1    I had to plug my nose due to this running dudes cologne.  Luckily he couldn't keep the pace or I would have passed out.  Slept probably 3 hours last night tossing and turning due to my sleep cycle skewompous from the 5 of 7 nights.  But I am getting stronger despite these obstacles.  I warmed up running 5 miles.  Met Allie (hi Allie) Scott, numero uno overall runner, sub-18, Yahoo!!!!   and I finished fifth overall, first master!!  So pretty pleased.  This is how it all played out.  I will try to be brief, need to shower and get on with my day (12th Anniversary tomorrow so off to celebrate today).  

Mile 1:  5:50!!!  With the help of Battlecreek Drive.  Throat burning from colognes and breathing a little tight but body without tigthness or aches.  Headache comes on after passing cologne guy.  Just keep it even, just focus on breathing.  Saw a girl in front of me hit mile one just after 5:35.  Thought maybe I should try to catch her slowly but surely.  She looks young, twenties?

Mile 2:  6:48 With the sudden no downhill and an uphill just before mile 1, pace slowed.  I was still on target, but throat really burning and headache pretty fatiguing, like I could fall asleep or something.  I guess my adrenaline is running low.  Pass the young girl, well really stayed at same pace with her as I mention to her "don't worry, I am forty" (that either gets the younger runner depressed or surges them into a "no way will I let that old lady beat me").  So we stayed together. 

Mile 3:  1.1 miles in 7:25 (6:44), this is an uphill mile, YUCK!! At the last turn I pulled ahead of her by about 2-3 seconds and I thought "she is young she will out kick me for sure".   I shouldn't have thought that way but I didn't care.  She starts sprinting and I see the clock from a distance and I am "sprinting" slower and I see the time 19:44 and I think I could do it if I followed her but I suddenly was back in High School running the 800M and would never fight the last yards, my friend with very long legs always outkicking me.  I just didn't care about kicking it in.  Whatever.  Why?  I decided that psychologically my brain was thinking ahead.  If I broke 20 then I would want to break 19 and that would really, really, hurt.  So I still have the goal to beat and I don't have to stress over a new one, and my body is in heaven over this fact.  She (her name is Jamie) came in at 19:56.  So see how smart my brain was?  She is also 15 years old.  She told me, at the end, that when she heard I was forty she was no way going to let me stay ahead of her.  She has me to thank for her PR.  She also said "my mom is 40, so definitely no way forty year olds don't run that fast".  That made me feel good, I guess. When I saw her mom I was like, "hey I know you".  We were in the same ward back in Provo for at least 10 years (4 years ago).  I probably taught Jamie in primary.  Small running world.  The end.  For now: )))))

Ran first mile easy at 8:25.  Last mile 7:19.  All joints in my spine and lower back aching like crazy.  Age I guess.  Need more rest days.  Will take it S L   O  W  tomorrow (work tonight).  Average pace for 6.26 including 1/2 mile cool down at 9:00 pace  was 8:00 flat.  Have a nice bike ride planned for Thursday....ahhhhh.   I don't know about speed work this week, I am not excited about the 10K on the fourth of July...it might hurt.  Goal I think, is 42:30.  Not sure I have that in me.....?????    My friend Melanie should be one of the top three.  Just a guess.  She is speedy.  She will be under 40 minutes for sure.  That is why I am running, she begged me to run "with" her.  Like I could keep up with her, we always catch up at the finish line. 

Took kids swimming at new Lindon City pool after sleeping 3 hours, than tried to sleep another two hours.  Swam nearly a mile in a 25 meter pool.  32 laps (36 is a mile).  1/2 mile no stopping.  Other laps different strokes and leisurely.  Actually 1/2 mile was pretty leisurely.  It is hard even swimming with my allergies because (and the chlorine seems okay, oddly) all the different sunscreens and lotions and shampoos people wear come off in the pool and the fumes are intense, sadly.   The water off sets it for me slightly unless a real stinker goes by and I can't breath well at all.  Darn.  I love to swim and I have in the past been quite good at it.  In elementary school I swam with the 14 year olds because I was quick.  My grandma taught me how to swim at 3 years of age in her pool in Massachusettes.  I loved the back stroke.  Biking is easy compared to running.  I really should do another triathlon.  Only did one in 2003 four months post-birth.  Salem Tri.  I was the first mountain bike in and third overall.  Pretty ice cold.  It was in April before they switched it to June.  We all froze, I never thawed out.  By the run it was sleeting out.   

Knee feeling better. I don't think I mentioned it on the blog except to Allie.   I tried planks and could feel the stress on my knees with this exercise.  It then moved on to my IT band and with no sleep Monday night and on my feet significantly it really acted up yesterday.  I swam anyway.  Tried not to overdo it kicking.   It ached this am but decided to work it rather than baby it.  It seems much better now.  Arms/shoulders sore from swim however.  Ran a good hill workout on limited time.  Realized after dropping off my kids that I had made a VT appointment for 9am.  So got in 41:18 minutes of running to the top of grovecreek doing lateral steps in streets and the canal to get there.  Such an exhilarating feeling to get to the top then run through the stream, literally, and on to the shoreline trail down to Battlecreek and then a little downhill speedwork as I noticed the time closing in on 9am.  Got to appointment before partne so doing okay.  We sat on the lawn under a shade tree.  Great weather today.  Tomorrow I have a  NEW trail run planned, instead of biking, with Melanie.  The trails are too inviting right now and biking stresses my IT band.  So....of course I choose TRAILS  :  )          Avg pace for 5.15 miles =  8:01

What the TRAIL RUN was that?  So, garmin less and sign-less, not to mention brain-less....we got LOST.  We ran from Grove Creek to Battle Creek trailhead and power hiked up past the falls (recommended hike with kids, steep but worth every step).  We were supposed to do a loop up Battle Creek then north on  Dry Creek trail then back down Grove Creek to our car.   The adventure was just beginning.  We went a ways, thru slate rock, four bridges, and grasses taller than us.  We took a left turn where the trail forked (no sign in sight). We got to a place we thought couldn't be the trail any longer, because it was covered over?/?  Should we take it?  We opted out as there was lots of stinging nettle.  We jog/walked fast back to where we took a "wrong" turn (20 minutes added to our time).  We headed back up the trail and kept going and going...well now we are both too late to make it back for hubbies....I was supposed to be back at 8am to take kids to pool so Troy wouldn't have to get out of bed quite yet.  Oh well.  We were lost.  So we decided to let the Holy Spirit guide.  Hiked another 10 minutes and turned around, WOW  the climb was steep cause the downhill was intense.  Rockie at times then high grasses.  I got stuck by a weed that I believe must have been stinging nettle cause it is still stinging. My daughter told me to rub up against tree bark.  She learned this at Clear Creek camp two weeks ago.  I think I will just rub on some benadryl cream.  Man is it stinging.  Like an alien is inside my quadricep!!  Oh well we got to get down this mountain.  So we went back the way we came and suddenly out of "nowhere" there is a sign.  How did we miss this?  Whatever,  at least now we know.  If we hadn't turned around we wouldn't have known about the "sign".  The sign told us Dry Creek trail was 1.1 miles up (we were nearly there, laughing, not) and that trailhead for Battlecreek was 1.3 miles back down.  That is all we went from that point?  Hiking sure is incredibly intense.  If we wanted to go to Provo we could cross the river at that point.  The map I had made no sense (it was left in Melanie's car).  I was going on a picture in my head.  Still reading it afterward didn't make sense.  It wasn't an exact type of map but I thought it had to be somewhat close.  Need to find a good one.  Can't even get details on the internet even in Satellite mode.  We got back at 8:15am.  Melanie says she had a nice run....she is being nice.  I was okay with it, totally breathtaking views but not liking the lost feeling.  Still don't know how close we were to Dry Creek.  We are going to start up Grove Creek next time and tackle Battlecreek from behind.  That should be interesting.  What we really want to do is take Grove Creek to Timponoeke Campground (about 12.5 miles).  Melanie and I both started this run very tired.  She ran a 1:24 halfmarathon on her treadmill yesterday (yah I know, very fast) and I did the run I wrote about PLUS took my kids down Provo River in a tube, ice cold baby!!!  I think I have nerve damage, temporarily...it was fun but shockingly cold.  It reminded me of the Salem Tri when I took days to thaw out.    I am currently massively fatigued and this stinging nettle is long-lasting I'll say.  Off to get the benadryl cream...  Distance (1.14 miles alone at my house before leaving)=  ??????????  Run/Hike with Melanie probably 8 or more miles.  (Gone 1 hr 51 minutes).  

8:00pm run starting at mile marker 10 of Hobble Creek Half Marathon and running up to just past mile marker 3 with Melanie and Kim  and Stacy then turned and ran down back to our car.  Kim and Stacy shot out of the "block".  Melanie and I were wasted.  We felt we should be gettting ready for bed.  We are not night runners, we decided.  My left leg, mostly knee, hip and quad was really tight.  Aerobically fine but pretty tired.  First mile I thought *(markers on the ground) was tough effort (up hill on the up and down trail) was 8:42, but I did lose my hat in the early canyon wind and had to fetch it so I guess that is why.  But after that we were booking it (I was like I can't believe I am pushing myself on this much stiffness and tiredness).  Kim and stacy were at least 30 seconds ahead after the first mile.  We told them we wanted to take it easy. But we did get stronger.  Stacy stopped at mile 5 wanting to only run 10 and Kim ran with us for just over a mile but because of forthcoming darkness turned around to be with Stacy at the campground she stopped at.  Melanie went to mile marker 3, took a brief potty break (no water for us, yet, didn't have any and didn't have light time to waste).  It began to sprinkle on our way back when we picked it up.  Hey we are downhill until the dreaded trail again.  Here are our splits uphill with brief downhill:  1-  8:42   2-  7:57  3-  7:54   4-  7:54   5-  7:52   6-  8:06    7-  7:57    Downhill with brief but tough uphills:  8- 6:38 (wooo Nellie !!)  9-  6:47  10-  7:29 (getting quite dark, eyes not adjusted, cars speeding by, Melanie needed to adjust sneakers, I kept running slower for her to catch up, ended up stopping to wait but was afraid I wouldn't start again), 11-  7:15   12-  7:14   13:  7:13  14-  7:10.   Ended in the dark with sprinkling rain, refreshing!!  but oh how glad we are we stuck it out and finished strong despite our exhaustion.  And those last miles were those gross up and down trail miles that we all love so much at the end of a half marathon.  Ate a big meal when I got home at 1030pm.  Took a warm shower and immediately slept until 630am.  Oh what a feelin'!!!  Needless to say minor soreness today, left leg no longer stiff or tight but now just generalized intense fatigue.  Went to girls swim meet from 7am to 1130.  It was fun.  I love watching swimming meets.  Off to a baptism and BBQ then work tonight!!!

  I set an all time record for myself after Saturday night shift.  I slept from 720am until 1250pm (5.5 hours in a row) then got up times 30 minutes and fell back to sleep until 4pm (another 2hrs 40 minutes).  Hung out in bed drowsily until 5pm!!!  Total Rest Day taken literally.  I went to bed exhausted at 1130pm.  Woke at 6am thinking I should get out early so I can watch kids at swim team instead of rushing thru a run.  So...I dragged myself out of bed at 640am, still tired.  First mile 8:57, but passed a dad with two teenage boys on a decent uphill by my house.  Ran uphill for 3.4 miles total to Cedar Ridge Drive and on it for 1/2 mile then onto the Cedar Trail down to Deerfield Elementary and back west a couple of blocks and took my usual route home running "my 800 road" casually at 3:52 pace (slight downhill) last mile at 7:27.  Average pace for all 7.45 miles =  8:32.  (uphill portion pace 9:11, felt strong but didn't push it, I am trying to do better recovery runs and not exhaust myself every run, it felt good, not hard, phew!!).  Ran an additional 2.85 mile loop above Memorial PG pool by way of Battlecreek Drive on to Loader Drive and around.  Nice loop, good uphill climb taken real easy.  Average pace for 2.85 miles = 8:58.  Total miles 10.3.  Watched kids swim.  Will start this week to help with coaching the 6 and under age group swimmers of the PG swim team.  Pretty excited about this.  I love swimming!!!!!

Heat Adventure run.  First worked all night.  Slept from 730am until 1130am.  Mulled around and didn't feel too tired.  So decided to take advantage before the crash happens.  Got out at 1210pm in the afternoon!!!  Oh yah, bring it on heat.  First put my visor under cold water and rinsed the top of my head.  Took off and felt quite comfortable. This changing of attitude about my situation is really helping me.  I am thinking more positively about my night shifts and I feel less stress.  Not that it isn't stressful and chaotic but I am able to deal with it physically and mentally better.  Was only going to run 5 but I felt strong, running at an easy pace so added on up by the Tri city golf course and on trails there, really there are TRUE trails there but some of it turned into a construction zone so I had to dodge rock piles and fences that say "not supposed to be here".  Ah who cares, how many nuts are out in 90 degreee weather crossing over such zones?  So I was over and under for a bit got on the golf course, got some looks by construction crew told them "my trails have been dug up"  so I made a new one naturally.  Ran the back way to Alpine highway stayed on that for just over 1/2 mile then back through the highland park/pond and crossed over by Lone Peak High School and the new walmart. Got water at a river, and two parks' potty houses dousing my visor with cold water, simply refreshing.  Ended by going down the Cedar Hills trail.  Feeling slightly ready to be done by last mile.  Last half mile was my Rockie moment.  I actually ran in this heat and kept a fairly decent pace. Last mile 7:49, thought it was slower so happy with that. Average pace with all the twists and turns 8:49 for 11 or possibly more miles (course tool does not show my trail that loops in various angles so I had to guess).  I know, I know "Gotta Get a Garmin".  When home immediately drank a 20 ounce powerade and sprinkled myself with cold water, sat on grass stretching, resting and enjoying the moment.  I think I will try that Devils run next year  :  D   Total running time 1:37 minutes. 

1145 am Heat simulation  speedwork run (fyi:  outdoors).   Overcast helping with lowering the temp a bit : D  but still humid like.  Ran a 1.8 mile warm (9:18 pace) up to the AF track from my car parked at an old people's home.  I went to my ortho appt dressed to take off running to the track from there but decided to find a shade tree to park under so drove there.  It was a snake like run to get in a good warm up..  Plan was to do 4x800 (really half mile cause I go a little further past the 800 meters to be a true 1/2 mile).  Not all out just controlled so  I could remember it on Saturday's 10k.  Goal was to be at least 315 to 320 pace.  Warmed up once around track and started in at once (YUCK, I just was trying to be positive and get it over with).  First one I hope I was faster but really it felt "too easy" so not surprised it was 3:21.  I also did a lap in between each 800 for recovery at about an 8:30 pace.   Number 2:  3:11.  Number 3:  3:10  Number 4:  3:11.  Darn I was hoping to get faster with each one but that's life.  I was hot, I was tired I was done.  Easily jogged the same route back to my car at 8:42 pace.  Weather bearable. 

Ahhh....slept four hours, did a shake out, and wake up run at 2 pm with daughter Courtney riding beside me on her bike just after a brief shower fell from the sky.  Nice and easy, just absorbing in nature, talking with Courtney and feeling so relaxed yet foggy-minded.  Pace 10:15.  Oh yah!!!!  body lovin' me for taking it easy  :  )    No soreness from yesterday, also a plus.  Work again tonight but only until 1230am.  I got someone to cover my second half so I could be alive for my girls' swim meet tommorrow at 7am.   Gearing up to be energized for Saturday.  

ALERT ALERT, oh crappety crud!!!  So I went to work and was wasted tired by 9pm but hey only three hours left.  Then at 1130pm just before coworker comes in for me at midnight I get this head/neck ache.   I am thinking what is this so sudden. I got home at 1245am in bed by 1am feeling not so well.  (I haven't been normal sick in over a year and 1/2 , like a cold, fever chills or anything of the sort, just allergies).  I just awoke  with a quite painful one-sided sore throat going up into my ear.  Low and behold on further examination with a flash light there reveals a good sized, and excuse the graphic talk here- puss pocket, quite obvious and quite possibly, more times than not STREP.  I am exposed daily at work to it and my littlest has been complaining of one.  She tends to drink  out of my cup without telling me.  I am going to take a dose of probiotics and an ibuprofen and PRAY I don't get the chills along with it.  I don't think I have had strep in at least 3 years.  At least not this painful.  The no sleep weakened my immunity and I have to be up and getting the kids to their races in a few moments.  SOS, this can't happen.  I could have picked this up at the pool helping with swim team with all the little kids too.  I guess it no longer matters how I got it.  I am such a nurse.  I think I will try to "pop" this thing in my throat for relief.  ARGHHhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucky 13  (overall place) and lucky bib number for the day 3333 (hey, not 6666, pretty cool huh?).  I wanted to PR first but also get 42:30 but having come down with a wicked sore throat and body aches yesterday I just expected to hopefully get under 45, still a PR for this course.  Everyone knows trying to run fast with a sore throat is quite painful so I kept it easy.  I finished strong and really not out of breath.  I didn't push myself (I was scared of the pain and paying for it later this week by overdoing it today).  So I eased back after mile 3 and just tried to enjoy myself despite the body aches (ibuprofen took this down a notch thankfully).  I didn't feel winded at all at the finish.  We ran 2.35 miles before and after the race (nice loop on hillside to 7 peaks and back up 9th east to the start).  The last cooldown mile we were on the course again and got tons of cheers We were even sprayed with a water bottle.  We were like, "this is what it is like to run nice and easy" .  Melanie and I really enjoyed our cool down.  Melanie came in at 40:44  6th or 7th overall.  I was first master, amazingly.  Time was 43:51.  Pace all over the board as markers seemed off.  Who knows I tend to slow and speed up with my music or freak if I see a pace that is mentally too fast early in the race.  Need to run by feel a little better and get rid of iPod as the phones fell off my head at mile 3 and stopped playing at mile 4.5, quirky adjustments surely causing pace fluctuations.  Okay okay here are the not so accurate splits:  1-  7:15 (big, long uphill)  2-  6:50 (downhill)   3- 6:32  (really? this has got to be off for sure, but slowed nonetheless)  4-  7:10  (yup last mile off)   5-  no idea, missed it but asked a guy with a garmin who had said we passed it and that we were at 5.2 miles) so 1.2 miles in 8:30 (7:05 pace).  Mile 5.2 to 6.2  weaving in and out of lots of walkers, 5Kers-  7:30 (also all uphill).  Actually last .2 was at 7:10 pace but still didn't push it here, had some gas left in the tank.  Happy with that : DDDDDDD

Ran again at HIGH NOON.  Oh yah!!!  Did the wet my visor thing and took off.  Felt fine in the heat. First mile 8:55, felt like a 10 minute mile so good.    Did the same run I did last Monday am (to Cedar Ridge drive and down Cedar trails and home (7.45 miles).  Pace 8:10.  Uphill pace faster this week and in the heat!!!  I felt strong even though I was taking this as an easy day.  However I did throw in a fast mile at the end (6:44) in the desert heat.  1/2 mile cooldown at 8:52.  This whole run was spur of the moment, where I would go etc.... it changed several times in my head then I decided a stop by the stream at Cedar Elementary would be wise.  There was a water fountain, Yay and the stream resoaked my visor and head.  NICE :D.    PS  sore throat continued and turned into lots of sinus congestion Saturday and Sunday.  Sleeping helped.  Had those nights off.  Took tonight off so I would not have to expose the babies.  I am at the tail end  of this I think, feeling better and better, but taking ibuprofen each day to keep the inflammation away.  Hope I don't get the cough my daughter has.  I think my taking it easy running has improved my immunity.  Not that my last mile was taking it easy, I suppose :  D.

Met Kim to meet in 1/2 mile at 545 am!!!!! Not even 24 hours since last run yesterday at high noon.  FREEZING!!  BRRRrrrrrr!!!!  I liked the heat better.  Wore a tank which didn't help.  Pace slower too but really should have slept longer/better.  10.05 miles on half steady uphill at  8.25 pace.   Feel beat, tight muscles and BRrrrrrrr, may I say again.

Feeling lots of joint pain, dull headache, crappy basically.  Residual from illness this past week so trudged along nonetheless hoping to wake my soul up.  It did.  Ran hill run from Memorial Pool in PG off of Battlecreek Drive.  Went up and down and up  up  up  and down and up and down down  for 5.09 at 8:53 pace.  Still achy but spirit willing  :  D

Absolutely NO miles, no crosstraining.  Or you could say hanging out at 7 peaks from noon until 7 pm some crosstraining?  No just relaxing, with the sun beating down on you and kids splashing and having a great old time.  My kids used their Peak Reader passes to go so it was free for them and got two for ones for Troy and I at FFCU.  We are all sunned out.  Didn't reapply sunscreen enough.  Felt nice to skip a workout.  Feel rejuventated.   Have a PM run planned with Kim tomorrow.  We will stick around here (PG to Alpine and back) for 14 miles or so with some pick ups.  We leave at 7pm, due to our schedules again we are running at night. 

Did a shake out run at 8:15am.  Getting HOT in am but still doable, no water on hat needed.  Kim and I are running 14 miles this PM so went short.  Ran last mile at marathon pace.  Thought I was slower so glad it was under 7  (6:55).  MP probably, hopefully will be 7:00.  Time will tell after my halfs.  Bryce Canyon Half  (next Saturday) starts at 6am and I just looked at the weather there at Ruby's Inn and it is currently (9am) 52 degrees.  Hey, BRRRRrrrrrr for the the start at 6am then.  I better start running in the "cold" again.  I will probably bundle up for this race, long race and short race tee for sure.  Until PM run.....write later.   Average pace for 3.65=  8:10.  

PM RUN IN THE SAUNA (outdoors that is).  It was such dry heat we didn't realize we sweated at all.  I was down 1.5 pounds post run and that's after downing nearly half a 32 ouncer of gatorade at the "finish line" where I also poured water all over myself as at first tried laying down and the world was "spinning".  Kim and I started cramping up after mile 10 without electrolyes.  We had three water stops but those are just sips and just plain water.  Good for our hats though and reducing some of the heat wave.  We left at 655pm and ran just over 14 miles at  8:16 pace (according to the GARMIN, hate that thing it "slows" me down).  We ran from PG to the Alpine circle via Alpine highway and down to Cedar Ridge Elementary and on to the River Trail....ah weather nice by the stream but was stenchy the remaining of the run.  Sauna-like.  Your sweat evaporated quickly.  Pigged out afterwards on two servings of cottage cheese and freshly baked whole wheat banana bread with OJ-  thanks to Troy.  The kids have a swim meet in Payson at 0700.  Early mornin' tomorrow and I work tomorrow night.  LONG DAY.  BRING IT ON :  D DDDDDDDDDDD

No workout planned as swim meet and work tonight.  At least got in over 40 miles this week, my goal for now.  See Friday's PM RUN for some insight into running at that hour here in good ole Pleasant Grove, Utah.  

Swam a few laps at pool after helping kids learn strokes for only 15 minutes.  Heater on pool had turned off over weekend and little ones too skinny to stay warm.  I loved it.   I felt rejuvenated in the cool water instead of germ infested feeling when it is warm.  Got out for run late at 1040am.  "The Heat is On", I felt just fine even without soaking my hat.  Probably because I have the chills/body aches.  No fever, just chills.  Anyway felt more achy than anything, back aching like crazy but pushed through it and listened to some adrenaline lifting music.  Went thru a few sprinklers but felt fine without, however throat burning as written below.  No pharmacy visit yet. Going.  Last mile felt easy at 7:36.  Cool down 1/2 mile at 4:07 (8:14).  Stretched well.  Work tonight.  No fun wearing a mask at work.  If I get two doses in before work I should be fine without.  Avg pace 8:16 for 5.68 miles.  Not pushing it with the way I feel.

Am before run:  Sore throat (just on left) back again.  Last week on first day of sore throat and body aches (the day before the 4th of July 10K) the strep test came back  negative.  But the tech doing the test did not get far back and make me gag.  I could see behind my left tonsil a good sized white patch.  I asked the tech to try to get there but she didn't.  This is gross and only nurses analyze things this way.  But when I went with a Qtip to remove it myself it hurt so bad it made me want to throw up and I gagged greatly.  So then the 48 hour culture also showed negative so I thought Okay maybe I have just a virus but then my sinuses drained like a cess pool of germs for four days and throat calmed down. Or so I thought.  Probably just the endorphins from exercise.   By last Friday, before my big sauna run, my throat was a burnin' again.  Same place but more white patches.  Ohhhwy!!  I kept taking airborne and would feel slightly better but patches remained.  Not much sinus drainage anymore but thought I was getting better but now I am completely fatigued, body aches coming on and tonsil full of junk, ear feels full of fluid.  Helping six year olds with snotty noses in the pool most likely the culprit, one with an abscessed tooth (who incidentally went on antibiotics).  So,  my Dr. (unfortunately out of town or out of the office both Fridays I decide to call) got a big call from me today.  My daughter's pediatrician ordered the first strep test on the 3rd ( we are running friends). My Dr. is putting me on an antibiotic, finally.  I waited because I truly don't believe in over treatment with antibiotics and I like to be sure I am treating a bacteria versus a virus.  Antibiotics don't help viruses.  I am desperate now because 5 days until Bryce 1/2.  You like the long post?

4pm Heat run with nice breeze.  No water splashed on me.  Pace 8:20 for 4.65 miles.  Liking the heat.  Cooled off at end with hose.  REFRESHING!!! Stretched under shade tree, ahhhhh!

Ran up to start of Strawberry Days 5K from Memorial Pool in PG.  Slowly ran down first mile of the course 8:21.  Second mile with lovely traffic at 7:16.   Last 1.1 in 7:36  (6:54).  Wanted a two mile tempo at 7 pace.  Oh Well.  Started the run VERY tight in the lower back and upper legs.  So okay with a shaky start.  Should have warmed up longer than 1.5 miles.  Ran to start again a longer more shady route for recovery.  Then ran first mile of 5K.  Ahhhh warmed up  now. Thought I was just barely doing a 7 pace because effort was easy and it was a 6:12.  Mind you it is the downhill mile with a .1 uphill only and in the race I ran a 5:50.  So I was pretty happy for being a controlled effort.  Ran back up to the start at a relaxed pace of 9:00 (.9 straight uphill).  Ran back to track above pool and did one lap then stopped completely for a minute and did a 200 meter split.  Tried to be like April but couldn't get the eyes to bulge or the tongue to hang out.  Shamefully it was 40:17.  But I had to pee badly but no place to go and I was already late to get kids at pool.  So I tried again after a half lap, then stopped for a minute.  Again, 40:17.  So there you have it.  April, if you read this it is evident why you broke 20 minutes and I did not.  I lost 6 seconds just at the end!!!  Considering my time was 20:04 and yours 19:59, my kick is a problem.  Old lady bones.  I thought by knee was going to unscrew rounding the corner on the track!!!   Have a good laugh :  D      I will try again next week without the urge to pee on the sidelines :  )   Laugh at that too.  Runners we're weird.

1250 in the afternoon run.  No water, no wet hat just good ole heat run.  Mainly an easy run.  Was going to do just two then just three and then decided to go four but then decided to do a slower last mile for a true easy squeezy lemon pleeezy run so did over 5.  Amazing how my mind can take such runs (in the heat) in increments.  Did cooldown mile with water on my head so felt quite relaxing at 9:00 pace.  Total miles of 5.14 at 8:19 pace.  Before last mile pace 8:12.  So pretty nice midday run.  I am going to freeezzze to death at Bryce Canyon.  It is mainly a tempo run for me cause like I said I am not much for planned speedwork except in races.  Hence why I run more of them in the Summer.  Got the Speedy Spaniard 10K 6 days after this 1/2 marathon....oooooo laaaaa laaaa.  :  D

How to begin?  This is how I want to begin because I am truly excited for my friend Melanie:  Think Mary Murphy from "So you think you can dance"  and I am Julie Crossley from  "So you think you can RUN?"  Cause Melanie can and she just boarded the HOT TAMALE train, WOOOOOO wooooo!!!!  SCREAM  scream SCREAM  --head shaking wildly here.  In fact the top 5 all belong on the HOT TAMALE train!!!  What an awesome group of fast women at this race today.  Melanie came in 2nd overall in 1:22:56, five kids, a nursing baby, one kid throwing up in the tent at 2am and a true POWER WOMAN!!!!  She got $500 instead of 400 because the first place woman, unfortunately for her : ( could not accept money because she is a collegiate runner.  Anyway she ran awesomely at 19 years old and Melanie hung on to second by over 23 seconds,  YEE HAW!!!!  Okay now my not as excitiing race report but nonetheless a BIG PR for me. 

I was first master (no money here.....yet), 10th overall and ran way beyond my goal for the day:   1:29:15.  I am so happy.  Again, I had gas left in the tank, and didn't give my all under the cirumstances because I don't risk injury when tired and environmentally challenged.  I took it easy the first two miles as the AIR quality was poor and I didn't want to have an asthma attack.  A fire has been in the park since June 14th!!!  There is a morning haze of smoke all through our campgroud (Rubys).  I didn't sleep but one brief 40 minutes in a row and got out of my tent 4  times to use the restroom.  I felt the race should have started at 1am.  I got more and more tired the longer I couldn't fall asleep.  But at 12 to 1am I was a live wire raring to go.  By 4am I was thinking I should have been at work.... great by 6am I will be ready for bed.  That's working nights for you.  It totally screws up your sleep cycle.  But I tried to stay positive and try my hardest to get that rabbit out of the hat.  I've run a marathon on no sleep, no problem here.  Here are my splits, mile three I think I had wings on : D      pace all over the place, mile markers are like the ones seen on highways, invented by the race director.   I got to learn to run by feel someday.

1:  6:56  Ahh nice and easy

2:  7:05

3:  5:48  No kidding,  astronomical, I lose my wings for unbelief after this.

4:  6:37

5:  6:47

6:  6:17  I am a yo-yo.  Fast or slower, which is it going to be?  Save energy for the end three puney hills.

7:   6:52

8:  7:04

9:  6:46

10:  7:11  Don't care cause this course is so friendly, no major obstacles ahead so I think after the next mile I will try to run in at 7s.

11:  7:17 

12:  7:00  :  D DDDDD   Passed two women.

12.1:  33 seconds, obviously off since that is a 5:36 pace, right?

13.1  6:57  !!!  I passed a woman that passed me at mile 2.  She looked over 40 and I could see her the whole race, she blazed it on the downhill but I finally caught her 1/4 mile gain on me and decided to try and actually fight to the finish.  I usually lose all my guts at this point but I dug deep.  This mile probably could be averaged with the .1 that was off so probably faster here slower there.  Realized at the finish that I was first master and the girl I passed was 41.  She came in 5 seconds after me.   I also passed a couple of guys here.  Glad I had guts today.  No chip timing so all is fair here.  Loved this course minus the embers in the air.  Hope to run this again in the comfort of an airconditioned hotel room.  Really feel this course to be quite enjoyable. I can't believe I broke my PR by over 4 minutes!!! 

Hiked from Sunset point to Sunrise point at Bryce Canyon.  The downhill was a killer, my calves and quads spasmed out.  Found glory in the uphill.  1.5 miles down 1.5 up.  .5 flat.  Very awesome hike.  It is claimed to be the best 3 mile hike around. 

One mile hike (Mossy cave and water falls) at Bryce Canyon located at mile 4 of the Half Marathon.  Totally refreshing to dip legs in the cool water.  Not near as cold as Provo River but cool nonetheless.  Legs have been rebelling.   The Half was rough on my calves and hamstrings, lower back.  Sleeping in a tent for three nights hasn't helped.  Work tonight, to make matters worse.

Thought I would get out but the heat was unbearable.  My calves ridiculously sore, tight, same as hamstrings.  No upper body soreness at all.  I am massively fatigued.  Decided not to push it, try to sleep tonight then run long tomorrow.  Can't believe I haven't run since Saturday's race.  But I think recovery calls for this with my schedule.