Believe to Achieve

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.