Believe to Achieve

Too snowy, windy and cold for me.  So I opted for the TM today.  I ran a 12 mile ladder.  Starting at 2 % grade I ran  four  1/2 miles for the first two miles at 6.3, 6.5, 6.7 and 6.9 mph.  Then one at 8:27, one at 8:00, one at 7:30, one 7:03, one  at 6:58, 0ne at 7:30, two at 8:00, two at AP of 8:27.  Done.   At the first mile at 8:00 I put the grade down to 1.5, at 7:30 pace I put it at 1 % and at 7:00 pace I put it at zero.   I am such a wimp.  But my blister on my left foot began to fester and my form was changing because of it so I just wanted to get it done.  Going slower made me trip on myself but faster made me feel the blister more.  I really wasn't in the mood to run today.  I kind of want to be really lazy lately.  I guess it is time for my second dose of iron.  My back is starting to ache again like it did when I got my iron level checked.  I am bummed I have to pay 100 dollars per infusion out of pocket but best to do it before the year is over.  That's a new pair of shoes times FOUR!!!    My motivation to run is really low.  Am I going to pull a Forrest Gump and just stop in my tracks on some run?  All my followers looking to me, what now Julie?  Huh.  That's a good laugh.   I don't have any followers.  But I am inspired by many of you!!!   So help pull me out.  Off to read inspiring running stories of the day.  

Got the incling to run an old favorite of  about the same time last year.  I  ran SUNCREST!!    I parked at Smith's Marketplace in Lehi after dropping my girls off at school.  Started my run at 9:30am.  Felt pretty windless in PG so I figured now was as good a time as any to take to the hills.  6 miles up, 6 miles down  (saw the yellow road signs that show the truck than a grade- 8 and 10 %!!!!) .  Yippee, skippee : D.  All by my lonesome.  No music on the way up as I wanted to hear myself having a heart attack and to hear the howling wind at mile 4.5 to 6 miles.  Rested for two minutes and stretched then headed back down.  Back and right hamstring being a thorn in my stride.  But uphill I felt really strong.    I noticeed how loud my feet land, as usual, but more so.  I have skinny feet and I hate tight lacing so then my feet jiggle around in my shoes.  What to do?  I thought of having fat injected into them.  That would hopefully slow down some of the heel-strike hemolysis that adds to my anemia problem.  Did you know that running and hitting the pavement on your heels breaks down red blood cells?   That is mentioned on running websites for runners with anemia.  REALLY encouraged with my time today.  AP uphill: 9:15.  AP downhill  7:09.  Total AP =  8:12 for 12.1 miles.  That was fun!! Rewarding views of icy mountaintops and city vistas.  Spectacular!!!  

Ran one mile warm up then took off to meet up with Kim for 7+ miles.  Ran home from Kim's an extra mile at 6:59.  AP for 10 at chattable pace of 8:07.  It was such a nice morning.  Not too chilly, but chilly if you know what I  mean.  The sun will be out today.  It was too dark on our run but light but the end.  Saw many joggers and bus stop teenagers and some Christmas lights.  Loved this run.  Kim is always fun to run with except when she is burning me up AF canyon.  : D.     AFterwards:  Ball pushups  12,10,7,7,9.  60 seconds betweed sets.  Weights arms 5 to 8 pounds (biceps 2 types, flys, shoulder press), bench dips, side planks, bicycle abs, crunches.    Feel like I am getting stronger  : D.  I know I am only doing minimal weight.  No big muscle plans in my future just strength and toning. 

3.5 miles at 5:15 am (AP=8:34).  Only could get in that many as I had to be to work at 6am.  Couldn't seem to get myself out of bed until then.  Warm breezy morning.  Very nice.  Right hamstring tight.  Then went to work and pretty much had an atypical migraine all day--stomach upset, burning nerve pain from my neck down through my chest and back of thigh.  It passes after several hours so I just deal with it.  Just hadn't had one this bad for a while.  I have been eating a lot of foods that I usually avoid so I am sure it was food and hormone triggered.  Later later this evening I got off work and b-lined it to all three of my daughters' piano recital.  I was very anxious to see Amber, my littlest play in front of an audience.  Well, that was not to be.  I had forgotten that my car had no gas and Troy already had the kids there.  I tried to drive there and then I ran out at the stoplight getting off at Orem Center St.  There I was at the front having to wave people around me.  If I didn't have to stop there I would have made but the idling took the rest of the gas.  A nice lady pulled up beside me.  She asked if I had a cell phone.  No, I replied and that I was on my way to a piano recital and just got off work.  She wanted to give me a ride to the gas station just 1/4 mile a way but what to do with my SUV in the middle of EVERYTHING!!!  I kept trying to start my car and after another red light and new cars behind me wondering "what the heck woman!!"  I said a quick prayer and said I just want to get to that gas station right there.  And like that my car started and I made it.  But I didn't make it to see Amber in time.  She was the last of the littlest to perform so I could be there but they still had her perform even though I didn't make it.  She looked at me and said mom, you missed me.  And I sat there sad and mad, and then Brooke my middle girl got up for hers.  She didn't need negative energy so I tried to change gears and be happy.  I looked over and saw that Troy was taping it and was glad for video and a forgiving little girl.

Last night at the Souper Friday I was invited to run with a group from my ward.  They have been trying to get me to join their Ragnar Team.  I am just not that in to Ragnar as a yearly adventure because it takes up my whole weekend and I work every other one.  But I was so happy to join them on this run.  Nice easy pace.  I ran 2.6 miles before meeting up with them then we ran to the Lindon City Park and ran on that new path there up to the top of Lindon City.  It was at least 12 percent grade in points.  It was heart attack producing but exhilarating nonetheless.  We were in several pace groups but we stopped at times to wait for the others.  The fall leaves mixed with the rain last night smelled so wonderful.  I ran a total of 12.7 miles at the amazingly so lovely pace of 8:51.  The others all ran 6-9 miles.  I so love running with a group even if I sped up at times I would trail back.  But mainly I stayed with them.  I needed the break and the social network.