Believe to Achieve

Got up.  Went to church in St. George then drove home via Zion's National Park since we bought a 6 day pass.  Did the Overlook hike just beyond the 1 mile tunnel through the canyon.  Loved it.  It took 20 minutes to climb up just over a half mile.  The kids quite enjoyed this one.  One of my favorites.  Although, I am AFRAID of heights.  Drove home the "back" way up through Panquitch, Richfield and Gunnison through Levan to Nephi.  Such beautiful scenery.  It only took a half hour longer and soooo worth the clear roads and vistas.  

Hilly route around my house up and down the streets so I wouldn't cross my tracks.  I wanted a variety.  The smell of Spring was very much in the air with a fine sprinkle throughout the run and flowers on trees bloomin' brightly!!  So loved this run so glad no problems since the BIG run on Saturday.  AP = 7:57.  8:49, 8:30,  8:14, 8:09, 8:01, 7:49,  7:32, 7:35, 7:36, 7:17.  I guess this was almost a progressive 10 miler.  Not sure why I am  feeling so good.  I still have a little less than 8 weeks to go.  What's the rush?  : D

6 EASY paced miles at 4:54 am before work.  Got back in the nick of time to get ready in five minutes and drive ONE mile to work : D.  AP 8:35.  It was QUITE windy this morning but not too chilly. : D.

Got up at 4:15am to follow the 9 mile plan BEFORE work.  No time after work.  And after work I feel sluggish anyway.  Left my house at 4:25am.  Ran without my garmin for 5 miles (a 2.5 mile loop twice).   I awoke to find my garmin saying "low battery" so I plugged it in and ran 5 then came back for it in order to run SW.  But my legs felt QUITE tired so I decided to just run the 9 and do them tomorrow (6 x 600) with my 11 miler.  Did throw in one little pick up for .4-- 6:45 pace.  Felt nice.  Worked all day.  Another busy shift.  I never actually get true recovery days.  Oh yah pace down  a notch--- the first five about 8:40 (no garmin, just a guess).  Last 4 just under 8:30.  : D.

To the gym. My neighbors were leaving at the same time, apparently. They thought I was a stalker driving behind them all the way to the rec center--- the newspaper boy that drives wildly around our streets delivering papers in record time. I guess they were a little tired to tell it was just me driving a normal space behind.  But she was driving 6 mph below the speed limit, slowing even more at times.  Maybe I was supposed to pass?  Anyway they learned it was me when we got there.  I felt bad they were stressed about it.  How do you tell someone you are not a stalker?  I wasn't driving like a maniac.  Anyway...ran on the TM to force myself to run SW.  My legs are stiff and tired of two 13 hour shifts and even worse with a cheeseburger w/grilled onions and steak fries to boot.  Seriously, why do I crave something that makes me a slug?  Then our new ward had a get to know the new people (us and our street) with everyone bringing a treat to share....luckily I was still stuffed from the cheeseburger and swedish meatballs Troy made and I ate as I got home last night before the party.   My run--   6 mile warmup-- increased the pace by .1 mph every .75 miles starting at 8:49 pace all at 2 %.  Ended at 8:00 pace but then picked it up to a brief 6:18 pace to see if that is where I should start my 6 x 600s (1 1/2 laps or .375 miles).  Got off TM and restarted it/potty break/stretched.  Then  6 x 600 with 90 seconds at 8:57 pace in between.  Paces-- 6:18, 6:15, 6:15 to 6:11 (testing the waters : D), 6:11, 6:11, 6:11 to 6.    Glad that's over.  Prefer outside.  The TM shakes too much and my stride is wobbly but I felt strong throughout even though I am still probably fatigued from working and the 22 miler on Saturday.  Just getting the training done.  The clock is ticking.....

Went to the Women's Expo at UVU and ran on Run13's TM during the expo for 11 miles.  1/2 mile warmup at 8:34 then AP for 10.5 miles = 7:34.   Walked around the Expo for 20 minutes then ran 4 cooldown miles outside in my shorts in the much cooler temps (but I put on my black longsleeve tech shirt to ask the sun for help).  AP there 8:39.    Was getting VERY hungry as I hadn't had lunch yet and was almost 3 pm.  Ate easter m & ms at 11am after grocery shopping for almost two hours.  Felt strong and then sluggish by the end.  Still only a week from "race pace" last Saturday.  Funny how my shorter runs are slower paced. I thought it was supposed to be the opposite way around? BTW I got a free entrance into the Memorial 10k put on by Run13.com for running over an hour on the TM by their booth.  So it was worth it.  A workout with a prize at the end   : D.

Got sent home early from work at 230pm.  Came home folded laundry then laid down on my bed for 20 minutes waiting for Jenn to call so I could run her second half of her long run with her. She had run 10 miles this morning and was doing 12 more this evening for a 22 miler.  We drove up South Fork (her husband drove us) and I parked my car at Orem Soccer park.  It was raining then snowing briefly at the top.  Just a nice easy run.  I needed to take it down a bit from all my quicker paced runs.  It was great to run with Jenn again.  Unfortunately Jenn had an achilles problem almost from the start of the run and by mile 8 she couldn't run any longer.  I even tried massaging it for her and had her do some exercises but still the pain worsened.  I ran 3.2 miles back to my car and returned to pick her up at the mouth of the canyon.  Luckily we both had cell phones to call one another when I reached my car.  AP 9:04 for 11.22.  I stopped my watch when we walked so it would have been close to 12 to the soccer park.  I quite liked the dewey rain and greenery.  No wind so that was extra nice.  I imagined my friend Mel, Kim and Jane flying down the canyon during the marathon in less than two weeks.