Believe to Achieve

Left late.  And it is way too humid for me.  I ran what I call the sprinkler route.  I ran from one sprinkler to the next.  Very refreshing.  Kept me out longer than I thought I could last.  With my chemical allergies/fibromyalgia humidity is a killer.  46 minute run.  I don't do much speed work.  I rely on local races to improve my times.  But I will try to step it up the next few weeks. 

Run easy to my usual spot in North P.G. to the 800 meter start.  Did 2 by 800 at 6:36 pace.  Then a mile at just under 7 minute pace.  Someone rolled down the window while I was doing my 800 with ear phones on to ask directions.  I kept on running as I was in the zone.  Felt really torn afterwards.  Should have been a better person to stop and help.  Personally being a runner I would never ask a fast runner for directions.  A jogger yes but a booking it runner no.  What do you all think?  I feel guilty enough.

Biked to American Fork Rec center (3miles), swam one mile freestyle.  Haven't done a complete mile for over a year.  Did it in just under 36 minutes.  Felt great and had a lot left.  Biked home.  Love cross-training.  Giving my joints a good break. 

Ran from Timponoke campground down 1.5 miles then back up.  Took it real easy.  Exhilarating run in the mountains, but a little too humid.

Woke up at 4:50am in P.G. and made my way over to the race for packet.  I was hoping to know the course but oh well.  Not keen on Snake-like endings on flat terrain (it was flat right?).  Planned for a 7:15 to 7:30 pace.  Ended up at 7:25.  I was glad with that.  First mile 7:20, then the rest as follows: 2- 6:53 (oops better slow down), 3-7:18, 4- 7:17, 5- 7:30, 6- 7:37, 7- 7:09, 8- 6:54, 9- 8:02 (longggg?), 10- 7:20, 11- 7:37, 12- 7:47 (spray painted bright orange on ground, going slow enough to see it), 13- 7:30.  It is a mental game for me.  If I don't know the ending or where the miles are I panic and my breathing becomes labored and I of course slow down.  Glad to actually find the mile 12 on the ground as I wanted to pick it up the last mile.  Took two gus.  Had to pee the first half greatly!!!!  Makes for pace problems but managed anyway.  Improved last years time by five minutes.  Can't run hobble creek as a race (didn't make the cut).  Bummer as I have run it at least 7 times and I really wanted to get under 1:34.  When I ran 2001 Provo half I came in at 1:36:12  (much different course) and was 1:34 at Hobble Creek.  I think I could do it  because I won't be stupid and camp the Thursday nite before and get no sleep and eat over 15 marshmallows on a campfire (yup, I did that last Thursday).  Oh well.  It is not St. George yet.  Hope to run HOPE to HOBBLE on August 30th.  Any thoughts on this run from you fast runner bloggers?  I think it may help my strength and endurance.  My plan August 23rd with permission from Runners-corner is to run the Hobble Creek half at 530am with all the markers in place and try for a PR with my good fast runner friend Melanie (she had a baby two weeks ago, yes she is fast).  My husband will be dropping me off and Melanie's car will await us at the bottom.  Then it is off to three soccer games (two I coach) of my three girls.  Have a great week!!!