Believe to Achieve

The usual first of the new year back at the gym--- NO TMs available. Waited then waited then decided to run the track. I passed everyone many times except for this one guy doing speed. Whenever he tried to pass me I wouldn't let him. I was having a "Kelli Moment" on the track. Usually I am not that competitive. I didn't even know the guy. I am sure he was thinking he was just going whiz by me but NOPE not gonna happen. Probably bugged him too that I was singing at times the song that was on my iPod. ; D. So....basically while waiting for a mill I ended up running 5 miles. I could have had a mill at several different moments but I wasn't quite done with a mile at the time and I didn't have a watch. Just counting laps. 6.5 laps = 1 mile. Funny how the rec says that lane 2 and 3 are both 6.5 laps for a mile. Lane two 806 feet. Lane 3 814 feet per lap. I ran lane three passing on the outside to lap four which is 6.3 laps per mile. The track felt swift. I passed girls running on the track together over 6 times and they looked to be going about an 8:00- 8:30 pace. So I must have been going about a 7:40 pace for the five miles and faster when the dude was trying to pass me. After the five miles I hopped on the TM for some speed. Original plan was 16 x 400 meters with the same amount of recovery jog but since I already ran 5 miles I cut 4 laps. So I ran 12 x 400s. Ran 1/2 mile warmup at 8:34ish pace then ran 6 x 400 at 6:15 (slightly faster than 5k pace) with recovery jog at 8:34 pace x 6. Then I ran 5 x 400 at 6:11 pace with 8:27 recovery jog until the last one (number 11) when I ran 8:20 recovery jog and ran the final 400 at 6:00 pace. Last 1/4 rest at 8:00 pace then ran the last half mile cool down at about 7:20 to 7:30 AP. Total miles 12. Last 7 AP of 7:20. First five, no idea but probaly 7:40 or faster.   Incline 0.5%.  Wanting my legs to feel strong straightway rather then too much incline.  50 pushups before showering.

TM shortage.  One out of order, two taken out of the gym.  Only 6 TMs now.  Waited then hit the track for two laps while Troy waited to save me a mill (my hero!!).  He was going only 4 miles so he didn't mind standing and waiting.  Got in .3 miles on the track then ran slowly on the mill for an 8:57 opener mile.  1% incline for all miles.  I was wearing my Altras (zero drop) and they are so slipper-like that I am trying to get my body used to them.  They are so very light that I feel like I have nothing on my feet.  After the first mile I felt pretty comfortable and sped up every 1/4 mile or so eventually hitting a 6:44 last mile.  AP for 8 miles =  7:46.  Pretty excited, got some new shoes coming in next week!!  They felt awesome on my feet.  Close to zero drop (4mm).  Standard drop is 10-12 mm drop.  They are stylin'!!   Goal for Boston marathon--- PR in the marathon, so anything under a 3:08.  Of course I would love a subthree but time will tell there.  If stars align and the FOCUS is there I will go for it!!  In the coming weeks I will declare more affirmatively which way I am heading but for now it is the PR.   BTW I am seriously wondering why I am NOT running outdoors-- hello it is 57 degrees currently!!  I might just have to go out again for four more.  : D    Planks before bed:  1 minute/30 sec/ 30secs (front, side, side) repeated x 2.  I used to be so good at planks.  Not so much anymore.

I seem to be on a new time schedule for running since the Christmas break.  I still have to run before work at 430am and I work the next two days but on my days off  I am waiting until after all my kids have left for school to run (9:15am) and today I first cleaned toilets (joy) and paid  bills (more joy).  I was excited to get out in the sunshine but for some reason I was frozen before leaving that it took over a mile for me to warm up.  Unusual since it already was 38 degrees at 1040am!!  Ran up into Highland and thru West Park Road to Lone Peak High School.  I wore my Altras which I am loving!!  my feet are in love!!  flat!!  I feel like I am as light as a feather.  My legs lift up with ease that I am wonder if this is good or not?   I honestly feel like I am out of the movie Tron or something.  OR that I belong in Disneyland in Tomorrowland.  The Altras look SPACEMOUNTAIN-ish.  Light blue and silver.  Kind of cool.    This was an easy pace day run and I was surprised that this entire run felt so easy even the last mile at 7:13.  AP for 12 miles = 7:59.   Walked home 1/2 mile.  I am determined to stick with the plan.  12 miles and  that's all.  : D.    Oh and 50 pushups-- 15, 12, 10, 13.  Stretching of hips and legs. 

Just wanted to stay up one more hour so wasn't in the mood to wake at 415 am.  Was pulled to UVRMC which takes 20 more minutes--- less time for sleep.  Went to work without my run in.  Brought clothes, changed in car after 12 hour shift and  drove to PG rec for a TM workout, easy.  Added in hills like this:

8:57 pace x 3/4 mile  2 %

8:57 pace x 1/4 mile 4 %

8:49 pace x 1/2 mile 2 %

8:49 pace x 1/2 mile 4%

8:41 x 1/2 mile 2 %

8:41 x 1/2 mile 4%

8:34 x 1/2 mile 2 %

8:34 x 1/2 mile 4 %

8:27  x 1/2 mile 2 %

8:27 x 1/2 mile 4 %

8:20 x 1/2  mile 2 %

8:20 x 1/2 mile  4 %

8:13 x 1/2 mile 2 %

8:13 x 1/2 mile 4 %

8:06 pace x 1/2 mile 2 %

7:53 pace x 1/2 mile 4 %

7:41 x 1/4 mile 2 %

7:41 x 1/2 mile  4 % (with a pick up to 7:30 pace for last 200 meters)

7:30 x 1/4 mile 2 %.  Done. 

Overstimulating at the gym with too many people at the 7pm hour-- playing basketball, running the track, lifting, doing classes.  Just too busy.  Tried to zone out with my music and on the left side of the gym as far away as possible.  Tummy bugging me from running in the later hours.   Hope I can motivate to run here again in a few short hours-- 430am!!

5.5 hours of unrested sleep...then off on a run again.....even if  I stayed home I wouldn't have slept so may as well run.  Ran 8 miles AP 8:17.  Cold.  In and out of neighborhoods by my house.  Uneventful.  Worked 12.5 hours.  Long day.  Tired.  Sleepy now.

FUN GROUP today in Provo.  We met at the Tabernacle so neither Rachelle or I would have to drive far but then the unexpected--- Jake, Andrea, Fiddy, Allie and Cam joined us.  Yikes....but despite my worries they are very laid back and it was like a vacation run for me despite the fact that I was the "host" having to know the Provo Half course and having the occasional road closure to divert us quite off course.  We left at 9:10am I think.   I had some issues with Center St. exit.  We left late because of me--- I am usually a very early run kind of gal-- 7 am, optimal this time of year.  But today my daughter had a soccer game at 740am that her team did win :D.  Fun to watch.  While watching the game I felt intense fatigue and got the chills....NERVES? or illness?  Well... I was worried about illness since the last two days I have been taking care of a sick baby who had a cold.  Weepy eyes, diarrhea.  OF course I washed my hands like a mad woman but you just never know.  Then....I drank from a "contaminated" water spicket at work--- tiny black particles throughout it.  Before I had noticed it I had drunk 3/4 of a cup of water.  I was told by engineering that it was sediment from the water supply being turned off often due to construction but my coworkers and I disagree---BLACK sediment?  mold?  I am so funny I know.  Just the nurse in me.  On my drive over to meet the group I ran into some old friends of mine from College while I dropped off water.  I was feeling better.  Yay.  But now two or so hours later I have a slight sore throat and a very sore neck.  Odd.  And a headache.  Dang.  At least I didn't contaminate the water/gatorade supply  I dropped.  I never drink from the container if I am sharing (just in case you are wondering friends : D).  The entire run I felt great and we kept very consistent splits, slowing slightly when we got on to the river trail--snow and slick in places.  We dodged several cars but all in all the run was very relaxing for me.  We had to take some detours which made it more interesting navigating.  Stopped briefly once for the one water stop (11miles) and at some stop lights.  I also took a potty stop as they cruised along ahead.  Construction is everywhere.  AP for 16.36 miles = 7:45.  First mile 7:58 and slowest mile.  Every mile was between 7:38 to 7:52.  Pretty right on with pacing.  The company was relieving.  No stress to go fast or push it.  Conversation nice.  Getting used to Fiddy's sarcasm.  FUTURE 18 miler COMING UP---  James, Allie, Jake, Andrea, Rachelle, Cam and any others--- February 4th or 18th.  Start is at MY HOUSE in Pleasant Grove.  YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROUTE--- less traffic then our run today in Provo.  Roads wider and scenery SPECTCULAR.  One giant "circle" of a run.  I call it my 5 CITIES RUN-- Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills.  No overlapping and there is an eternal water fountain (it is always running) at mile 12 in Alpine.  Start time-- debatable but I prefer 7 to 8am.  Let me know your date preference.  I plan on having breakfast for everyone afterward.   Nothing heavy.  And of course healthy.   You can even put your orders in early and I can see what I can do.  I am thinking hot chocolate, milk, orange juice, bananas and LARGE whole wheat waffles from scratch.  Berries for topping.  Syrup.  Almonds.  Anything else?    I thought about holding this run as  I was driving back to my house thinking how much prettier it is out in Pleasant Grove area and a heck of a lot less traffic!!!  This is Allie's old stomping grounds.  I am sure she would agree :D.   Keep me posted of any upcoming runs up north.  Hopefully I don't have to work.  50/50 chance.  Always.