Running in the Rockies

I got to run with my husband for the first time today!!!  It was very fun to have a running partner for a regular run.  I think it was also good for him to go slow because he usually goes too fast and comes home with a pain in his back or knee.  Having just run with Lybi on Monday, it was very different to run with someone with such a different gait than me.  He's a foot taller than me, so going at my normal pace was slightly awkward for him - although it was injury-free.  We ran on a dirt path, so it was easy on the joints.  What's up with people and having a ton of dogs, though?  We passed this one house that had 7-8 large dogs - luckily they were safely within 2 different fences.  I hate barking dogs while I'm running.  At the end of the run, Mike wanted to sprint to the end.  He was very kind, though, and didn't leave me in the dust (literally) with his long legs.  :o)

 
So, since I've been blogging my runs and races on other people's computers, I've discovered that my Mac can't change fonts or colors like everyone else's PC can.  I always thought Lybi knew some great technical trick to change font size and color.  I didn't know that it was this easy.

This is my first entry for sleep time, but I don't know how to add how many times I was interrupted during the night - which was 3 times last night! ;o)

I'm finally home!!! We stayed a day in NM with my parents yesterday. We have to split up the drive from AZ to CO because my kids (and I) can't handle long travel days. So, we always stop at my parents house which is about half way to my in-laws. As we drove into town at 5:00, the thermostat in our car said it was 55 degrees!!! I couldn't believe it! So, as soon as we unpacked the car and listened to our phone messages, my husband let me go running while he got dinner on for the kids. (I know, I am the luckiest woman!) He also did most of the bathing as I was running around putting things away and trying to locate clean pajamas.

The run was great. It was nice to be home and back to familiar streets; even though it was dusk by the time I headed out and stars were shining bright by the time I got home.

So, I have a question ... Lybi said that I should use quick steps instead of long strides for my race because they are more efficient. Is that true for running in general or just for races when you are running more anaerobic? Since I've never had a running coach, I have running technique questions that I've always felt too silly to ask, like: should my arms be down by my waist when I run or just relaxed and high where they feel comfortable? And should they swing in front of me or at my sides? Is it bad to look down at the ground 5 feet ahead of me - should I always look far ahead? How do you know if your shoulders are too tense when you're running? When should I start adding tempo runs and is there any technique I should be aware of? What about Chi running or the Lydiard techniques? Does anyone have any input for a newbie?

So, Santa finally made good on his promise and I got cold weather running gear today!!!! I was so excited to try it out this afternoon while the babies were sleeping and before the snow began to fall - so I rescheduled a doctor's appointment just to be able to run! (hee,hee)

It was very nice to have light-weight clothing and still feel warm enough. It was about 35 degrees and I wore my new pants, long sleeve shirt, and 1/4 zip pullover (with gloves and a headband, which I already had) At times, I was a little cold (downhill and into the wnd); but I still ended up carrying my gloves and was warm ... almost everywhere. My caboose was still cold. ha! But overall, I was still very happy with my new clothes!!

Well, I missed the warmest part of the day to get that .5 nap time (hee,hee), but my sweet husband still let me go during rush hour (which is the time between 4-7:00 at our house - dinner, baths, and bedtime). I sure owe him big time today because he helped out a ton! I had a doctor's appointment, a staff meeting (I'm a CNA for my oldest daughter) and then my run. Luckily he had a slow work day. Having him working from home has been such a huge blessing for me! Yet I'm not sure I'll ever get used to the pay and not knowing when, how much, or will it continue? But, I just consider every day he has work to be a blessing and try to not worry about the future. The Lord has always looked out for us and blessed my husband with opportunities that surprised even us.

My clothes were still drying from washing them, so I improvised: yoga pants, sweat pants, thin long sleeve shirt and running jacket (with headband and gloves). It was 29 degrees and dropping, but I think this turned out to be the right combo. I was a little cold the 1st half mile, but the rest of the run I was great. I took my gloves off and on a couple times, so that means I was dressed just right. :o) I felt so tired and slow today. Once I finally decided that I didn't mind that I was going slow, I just enjoyed the run and didn't mind the distance. I think next week I'm ready to bump up a few runs to 4 miles or more. Three miles is starting to feel normal and sometimes towards the end, I feel like I could just keep going. I still think of the other great runners on this blog and wonder if I'll ever be able to run for as far as they do, but I remind myself that just taking it a week at a time, and a run at a time - I'll get there someday!!!

I actually didn't mean to run 4 miles today. I thought I was going on a 3 1/2 mile route, but somehow I added a little. That's one of the drawbacks of changing my route all the time: it keeps it interesting and I feel somehow safer, but I can't remember exactly how much each route and deviation adds up to. And like my run on Tuesday, I ran very slow and the first mile was hard - but I didn't really notice the distance. My knees hurt for a bit - probably because of the rotten ice and packed snow. And my right arch is a little ache-y since the run. But I'm sure a good night's rest will help that. Okay, so it's too late for a good night's rest ... but tonight's rest will help. :o)

Whoa! Crazy run today! I went on a trail that I have only been on once before. It's a beaufiul trail and I love the scenery, but soon after I turned around to come home I heard coyotes yelping to my left, and then another one to my right! Ahh!! Needless to say, my pace picked up a little and a lot of backward glances and silent prayers happened for about 5-10 minutes until I could hear them further behind me and then not at all. Freaky!!! I don't think I'll go on that trail again unless I have a running partner, a large dog, or a bicycle. I also ran past 2 deer that were in my neighborhood while they lazily watched me and my pitiful attempt to run up my mammoth hill. lol

I'm still running really slow (ave 12:16) even though the run is fine other than that. I'm not sure why my pace has slowed in the last few weeks. Another thing that I've noticed is that if I don't get off my feet for a little bit after my run, then my lower legs and feet ache for a long time. For example, if I have to start making dinner right away or clean, then I am quite uncomfortable all evening until I do get off my feet for a while. I don't know if this means that I'm going too long before I'm ready - or too inconsistently (only 4 times a week, rather than 6 like Sasha would prefer). Or maybe it's my shoes or the cold or my gait. I can't figure it out.

I actually went to bed at a decent time last night! I was dog tired! ;o)

I think I need to go to the chiropractor again. I've been getting a strange pin-pricking feeling under my right knee cap for the first 1/4 mile of my runs lately; and then after my run, my knee keeps "popping" and I can't bend it all the way. Other than my knee ... I'm still running slow. Today, I was really tired during the 2nd mile, so I tried to think positive and just move my legs quicker so I wouldn't get into a slow, bogged down gait and mood.

Gotta go ... someone's crying. ;o)

Bitter cold today!!! It was 14 degrees with wind. I dressed just right for my body, but my poor face froze! I had debated for a long time whether I should wear my ski mask - and I probably should have.

Anyway - still slow until the very end where I felt a burst of energy.. don't know where it came from.

Sheesh, I can't write much cuz I have one child climbing on me and the rest of the family beginning to deteriorate with lack of food! ;o)

I took a different route today which was kind of fun. Instead of trying to add a little here and there on my 3 mile route in order to make it 4 miles, I just ran for 2 miles and then turned around and came back. As I headed off, I remembered that I used to keep my first 1/2 mile slow as a warm-up, so I consciously tried to keep my first mile slower today (lately it's been the fastest pace of the 4). It seemed to make quite a difference in my pace and in my overall feel during the run. Scary moment - I almost required a VPB today. I think I willed my body to wait till I got home! ;o)

So, Lybi, we saw the movie, Stardust! It really is very cute. I'm glad Mom told me it was a fantasy, though, otherwise it would've been a real shock (hee,hee). By the way, we just finished watching Premonition. I don't recommend it - too freaky and traumatizing (for me, at least).

We were actually supposed to go to an adult activity tonight at the church, but we tried and tried to get a babysitter - all to no avail. So, we took the kids to McDonalds and I climbed the playland structure with Cami and Hayley numerous times. It was actually a little sad - there were a few kids who, it turned out, were "hiding" from Cami. I'm glad she's too unaware to be hurt by things like that. But they also stared long and hard at Hayley, and she IS one who will notice things like that. Oh, my sweet daughters! May the Lord bless them with a strong sense of self worth, for the world will certainly try to knock them down.

After 4 days of not running, it was hard to drag my sorry bum out the door this afternoon. But the temperature had warmed up to 32 (from -6 this morning) and the sun was shining and no wind ... I had no good excuse. I took the same route as Thursday, but my pace was faster and I felt better.

I've been doing a lot of research on treadmills lately as I curse the cold and the snow. But I still haven't come to a great solution. Do I spend a couple hundred dollars for a machine that moves but might die in a year, or over a thousand for a machine that might not need repairs for 4-5 years? I want to run outside most of the time, so the treadmill will be a backup ... but if it's loud or a lemon, I might resent it. What a ridiculous dilemma! I've also wondered if a gym membership with baby-sitting is better than an expensive treadmill - but in the long run, it's actually a lot more expensive. Ugh. We need to decide sometime very soon because I missed my minimum requirement of running 4 days last week.

I took a totally different route today - a loop which started out downhill, had a lot of flat ground in the middle and ended with my mammoth hill. It was tough to end on a steep hill - and I'm sure that I looked ridiculous going 14:00 pace and huffing and puffing - but I made it! My legs felt good today and I was surprised that my pace was steady during the long, flat stretch. I'm so used to hills that I assume I can never keep a consistent pace. ;o) This evening, my right knee is acting "out" but my legs don't ache like the did last week. Maybe I'm finally getting used to a longer run? I don't know. I need to set my sights for my next race! ...

I actually had uninterrupted sleep last night!!! Audrey slept through the night. Although since I'm still nursing, it wasn't as peaceful as it could have been. But hey, I'll take it!

My run was the same loop as yesterday, but mile 2 was really hard. My legs were aching so bad that I almost turned around or starting walking. But habit is starting to win out over my wimpiness and I just kept going -- the pain and tightness finally eased up toward the end. Even my hill at the end wasn't as bad as mile 2 today - and mile 2 is FLAT!

Has anyone seen the movie Bleak House? It's based on a novel by Charles Dickens. It's very interesting, but it's LONG!!! It's 8 hours long, so we keep having to watch it a few hours at a time. We've still only watched a little over 4 hours. I can't believe we're only half way. Anyway, if you have absolutely nothing to do one day, it's pretty good!

It was actually 50 degrees today and I didn't get out to run in it!!! I couldn't believe it! It was extremely windy (in fact, last night was freaky with the gusty winds) but that wasn't the reason I didn't run. I just kept having places I needed to be in the morning and then I was soooo tired after lunch and was about to take a nap when my sister-in-law and her 3 children came to visit. This evening, we had a ward potluck and while we were there, I asked my friend if she would mind if I came and used the exercise equipment at her apartment complex after dinner. She's offered before, but we've never been able to make it work. So, even though it was 50 degrees today, I actually ran on a treadmill! LOL How ironic. It was very interesting to be on a treadmill. The urge to walk was stronger and the miles dragged by - especially mile 2. The last 2 probably felt the fastest because I found a groove. But, wow, did I sweat a lot more! ;o)

I think I definitely want a treadmill. It's nice to just run after the girls are all in bed. They all go down at 7:30, so it's easy to fit a run in before it gets late. But I don't feel safe running in the dark. I certainly don't want to run on a treadmill regularly, but it has it's advantages! I think I also feel better today because I went to the chiropractor yesterday. He said my right leg was a full inch shorter because I was so out of whack. It actually felt weird after being adjusted because I had gotten so used to being "out."

So while I was running and my friend was on the elliptical, she asked me if I run to get fit or to lose weight. I had to smile, because to be honest ... I RUN TO BLOG!! That should be my new motto because it's surprisingly true. I love having a log that I have to own up to; and having it public makes it even more motivating to me! I love all of you!!!!

(PR for weekly mileage - small triumph!)

Well, I got to cash in on another warm day - 47 degrees. Even though it was still windy, the sun was so bright and warm! This run felt great! I was absolutely distracted the entire time - thinking about something I read on the discussion forum - so I hardly even noticed the running.

I was actually really upset by some comments on the discussion forum, but by the time I was done with my run I think I had worked through what people said, what they meant, how it applied to me, and how I feel about myself as a runner. I know ... a lot to think about while running. ;o) I think I finally decided that running, like any ability - natural or acquired - can be applied to the Savior's parable of the talents. There are many who have been given more running "talents/coins" than me; but I'm making good on the 1 talent/coin that I was given and that is what matters to the Lord and what should matter to me. Last August, I started at absolute ground zero, so I can only go up from there, right?

Enjoy the run!

Ran on the treadmill with my friend again. It felt better, though, so I kept increasing my pace. I like that aspect about the treadmill - something is forcing me to go faster and not get lazy or stuck in a rut.

My nap made me cut my run short because I had to make dinner for someone in the ward. But, it felt good to get back outside. I'm actually going running with my friend tomorrow morning. She's the one I've been wanting to run with for a while, but have been nervous to ask because I run so much slower than she and her running partner. So tomorrow's blog with either be triumphant or from my hospital bed (hee,hee).

Ave pace: 11:05

Well, I went running with my faster friends today!! We met at 7:00 on a trail and headed off with a few snow flurries. It was a good, quick pace and they were very sweet to do all the talking since I was obviously breathing hard. I was able to stay with them for a mile and a half, until I finally told them to go on ahead. My goal is to be able to stick with them a little longer each Saturday. I actually caught up with them again at 2 miles because one of them had to use the glamorous port-a-potty (better than a VPB, though!). I turned around at 2 1/2 so I could get in 5 miles today; and as soon as I turned around those snow flurries that were just cute before, became brutal on my eyes. I pulled my hat down as far as I could, but I was still blinking and tearing, and occasionally I had to crane my head back to see if there were other runners that I was going to plow into. Anyway, my eyes survived and I was very surprised that 5 miles really didn't feel different than 4 miles. It was nice to be outside and to be able to run with some friends for part of it. It's also nice to have my run done by 8:15. Oh, that was funny - when I showed up at 7:00, I was the first car in the parking lot, and when I left, I had passed so many runners heading out, that the parking lot was crowded when I left!

Hopefully I can sneak in a nap some time today ...

Yet another day researching treadmills. On Saturday, we went to 3 different stores and today another one. We've looked online for the last month and on Consumer Reports. We've also debated the pros and cons of a gym membership vs. treadmill. I think we've finally decided on a treadmill and I think we'll get the one that we saw today. It sure isn't fun to part with so much money, is it? But hopefully it will see many, many... many years of service! ;o)

No run today. I missed the girls' 2 naps (which were oddly short today) and then spent the afternoon shopping treadmills and talking with my husband about it. I'll get out tomorrow though!!!!! Hold me to it!

Super Tuesday!! It probably won't end up how I hope, but at least we did our part tonight. I've never been to a caucus before - it was very interesting. And yet it seems futile since the delegates that we elected to go to the county (and the state) conventions are not bound to vote the way that we want. It seems like a truly flawed system. I wish all elections were by popular vote and we did away with conventions and the electoral college.

Anyway, the caucus took much longer than I expected - so my "maiden voyage" on my treadmill didn't begin till after 9:00 p.m. But that way, I could fully reap the benefits as it was 5 degrees outside, dark, and possibly dangerous. Yea for treadmills! It was fun to run only 12 feet away from my husband who was on our elliptical. ;o) So, while we sweat, we watched the first part of Much Ado About Nothing. Gotta love that one!

Another run on the treadmill. (Love that thing!!!!) I tried reading my book club book, but it really doesn't work. I have about 250 pages to read before last night!!! Ah!! I hate showing up without having read it. I did that so much last year that it was embarrassing! It's a great book too - Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier.

I used the heart rate monitor while running and I stayed pretty consistently in the 160's during the first 2-3 miles and then got up to the 170's the last mile or so.

So, I had my first track run today with my friend.  She did 4x1000 while I did 6x400 (is that how you describe track workouts?  I'm such a newbie, I don't even know the correct lingo. ha!)  It was fun to try something new even if it was hard. I think she does track workouts on Thursday, so I might go with her from now on.  It's nice because she can go at a faster rate than me, but we're still close enough together that we're not 'alone'.  Running is such a mental challenge as much as it is physical.  My 400's kept getting slower and slower, until I would remind myself that I'm stronger and faster than I think - and then I could pick up the pace again.  So interesting.   Maybe I should see a hypnotist to help me get better at running ... (hee,hee)

I went running with my friends this morning again on the trail. There were 4 of us today, though. The fourth one was actually a silver Olympic medalist in gymnastics!!! Amazing, huh? She was actually on the team with Mary Lou Rhetton. We have a gold Olympic medalist in swimming in our ward. Colorado Springs is so amazing with all the athletes. Not only do we have the Olympic Training Ctr, but it seems that the general population is much more active - there are tons of runners, cyclists, and hikers. Very fun.

Anyway ... my good friend, Lynn, stayed with me until I turned around at 2.5 miles. She was going 12 miles today. I felt better about keeping up with them compared to last week, but I think they were slower this week. It was such a pretty morning today. Even though it started out below freezing, when the sun came up, I heard birds singing and the stream gurgling next to me. It made me wistful for Spring, as I was running on my occasionally snow-packed trail. By the way, I didn't finish my book in time for my book club on Thursday, but I finished it last night. Excellent book, I thought (Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier).

You know the only funny thing about running so early in the morning when I'm used to running in the afternoon or evenings? I keep thinking that I need to go running and I have to remind myself that I already did! ha!

The first mile was really tough today - my breathing was surprisingly labored and my low back was hurting. But then, I got distracted by the different route that I took ... that actually got me lost for a while ... and it turned into a great run. (hee,hee) The Garmin hit 4 miles just as I got to my driveway which was pretty lucky with all my winding around. Coming downhill was fun just letting my legs go. I think that's what's helpful about downhill - training my legs to turn over faster since it's easier to do on my cardio. Felt like I could've gone further, but like I said ... I was home! ;o)

I really shouldn't count the first 1/2 mile, since I was walking on the treadmill instead of running. I was finishing up my phone conversation with my sister-in-law who just had a baby 2 weeks ago. She used to live here, so we had a lot of catching up to do. ;o)

So, 4 running miles on the treadmill while watching the first half of Cast Away this evening. Excellent movie - and since most of it is without words, it doesn't matter that I'm running at the same time! I kept it at about 11:00 pace to work on my base.

My friend called and had to cancel our track run today, so I'm on my own again today. I'm going to try the 2 a day running today and see if it works for me. It seems to work for many others on this blog.

Two miles on the treadmill right before lunch. It felt good at 11:00 pace. The last half mile, I worked it up to 10:00 because I kept wanting more!! I'll try and get 2-3 more miles tonight.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Three more miles on the treadmill watching the last of Cast Away. Not exactly a romantic movie for Valentines, but I had a great man to hold me as I cried. :o) Such a touching movie!

So, I don't know if I like the 2-a-day. It's easier to get the runs done, but it makes you sweaty twice. So, do you shower twice? Hmmm.

Ran outside today. Beautiful weather! Getting up early to run with friends tomorrow. Stayed up too late tonight. Ugh.

Well, I had to pay the piper for staying up so late. It was much harder to run this morning with my friends - but I did it! 22 miles for the week!!! That's my best week so far! But my legs ached for a while afterwards and when we drove to Denver, I fell asleep whenever the car was moving (my husband was driving, just in case you had terrible visions of me sleep driving). Tomorrow is our 12th Anniversary, so we went to Denver and left the 3 girls with my older sister while we had a fun date.

I went to bed much earlier than usual last night because I'm so "tired" of feeling tired all the time. ;o) So, I could've run longer tonight, but I wanted to get a good night's sleep again. 2.5 on the treadmill. When the 11:00 pace started to feel too easy, I bumped up the incline a bit.

Happy President's Day!

Nice treadmill run. Not much to report - watched Mulan because I was still in an Asian mood after the book I finished reading this morning. :o) It's called Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale. Great book!!!

This Thursday, I'm going to go see Spirit of the Marathon. Has anyone seen it? They had it in a few theaters last year and they sold out, but they're showing it again this year. Strange that it's out in the theaters again instead of being released on DVD, huh? Oh well. Hopefully it will inspire me further in my running!!

Track run today! Same as last time - 6x400, but I did much better this time ... probably because I didn't run yesterday. Last time I did a track workout, I had run the night before so I only had 12 hours to recover. My crazy friend did a SPIN class this morning at 5:30 before our track workout at 10:00. (crazy woman!) I was able to keep my pace around 8:30 during my 400 and then recovered around a 12:30. ha! I was actually really pleased with my speed and ability to keep all the 400's around the same. The last two were obviously a little slower.

An interesting thing: while we were running, there were 3 other women on the track. But their workout was very different than ours: they would run 2 laps, stop, take a drink, and then walk a lap and repeat. We chatted with them at one point and they're training for the Ft. Collins marathon and one of them had just recently run the San Francisco marathon. I kept looking at them like: wow, YOU just ran a marathon! So, it got me thinking (which is always dangerous, huh?) ... I'm feeling tempted to try for the 1/2 marathon in Ft. Collins. It's May 4th and the website claims that it's "the most scenic course in America." I wouldn't be surprised - it's on the road coming from Rocky Mountain National Park into Ft. Collins. So it's all downhill (which is good and bad!) Hmmmmmmm....

I'll have to stew on that one for a couple days! Maybe the movie tonight will further inspire me!

So, 2 big goose eggs in a row! What's the MATTER with me?!?!?! I can't tell if it's coincidental that my desire to run fizzled this week right after I watched Spirit of the Marathon or if I would've had a bad week anyway. It was a pretty decent movie - not what I was expecting, though. I guess I was hoping for more educational, physiological info instead of just ... the spirit of people who run marathons. In the film, you follow 6 people as they prepare for the Chicago marathon. Two of them are world class, 2 are repeat marathoners (one in his 70's), and 2 first timers. I will say it was pretty awe inspiring to see the mass of humanity (37,000) at the starting line of the marathon! The cumulative hours of preparation for that many people is staggering! But, for some reason, it didn't inspire me to want to run a marathon ... or run at all. Hmph.

Anyway, there's my weak excuse with no real substance. BUT, I do know ... next week will be better!!!

On the treadmill tonight. After 4 days of not running, it was actually pretty hard to finish that last half mile. I kept watching the clock and trying not to notice the time as I was watching the movie, Gandhi. It's a long one! I think I'll have to finish it during tomorrow's run.

Family home evening sure is funny with 2 children under the age of 2. Luckily our oldest was still somewhat listening as we were trying to talk about gratitude and all the things we're thankful for. Meanwhile, my 19 month old is climbing all over me and trying to take the pictures of Jesus - and my 10 month old was grabbing onto my clothes, trying to pull up to stand. I finally, laughed, and decided it was time to play games. I love my sweet girls. They're a handful, but sometimes, life is just so funny!!

So, last night ... I had every intention of running on the treadmill, but I made the mistake of starting our taxes. So, ... at MIDNIGHT, I finally went to bed - our taxes are done (not double-checked) and I never did run. It's funny - I can never seem to stop doing our taxes once I get started. The need to know how much we'll get back (or how much we'll OWE, as it turned out this year) becomes obsessive until I finally finish. ;o)

Anyway, today I attempted a track workout with Lynn; but after a 200 and a 400, I realized that my lovely bedtime had sabotaged my workout. So, instead of working on speed, I just ran 4 miles at a normal pace for me. So, she lapped me a couple times (ha!), but at least I got my 4 miles in and I feel great! We had rotten wind today, but beautifully warm temperatures - in the 50's! Saturday is supposed to get to 67!!!!! Can you believe it? But of course, it'll snow on Sunday. Gotta love Colorado Springs. :o) (I do, actually.)

On the trail with 3 friends - SIX miles!! Wahoo!!! Of course, it didn't feel like that while I was running it. (hee,hee) I forgot my Garmin this morning, so I'm not sure what my pace was, and I had to have my friends tell me when I'd gotten to the 3 mile mark; the first 3 were with friends and then I turned around while they continued on. I haven't had a great past 2 weeks - only running 3 times each week -but I'm very happy I was able to add to my long run.

When I got home, I had some water, orange juice, and a few pieces of toast and then I showered and crashed on my bed. When I woke up, I had a huge headache and my body felt awful. So, my husband made me some Gatorade drink and I felt significantly better within 5 minutes. It's funny how I forget to replenish my system properly after demanding more than it's used to. Duh.

It is SUCH a gorgeous day today!!!! It's March 1st, but it feels like May or even June!! It's 67, sunny, with a breeze that gets a little too strong at times. But it was too beautiful to pass up, so we took the girls to the park and had lunch and played. And when that park started to get crowded, we got in the car and went to another park. So, on the way home ... all three girls were crying and grumpy. I guess mom and dad were more excited about the nice weather than even the girls could handle. Everyone is asleep right now except me. So peaceful ....

On the treadmill. As predicted (threatened) we had snow yesterday after our gorgeous Saturday weather. Plus, my little ones have not been very cooperative about naps, so it was another indoor run for me tonight. But I'm not complaining! I'm just happy to have a treadmill and be able to run even on days like this! ;o)

On the treadmill again while Mike was at Young Mens. It's funny running on a treadmill - it feels easier than running outside (with the hills and the wind), but if I run while watching a movie, my body keeps wanting to just stop because it's used to just sitting down while watching movies. ha!

Track workout - 6 x 400. Very slow today, but it was nice to be out with my friend. It had snowed 2 inches last night, but this morning the sky was crystal blue and the snow glistened like a million little diamonds. It really was stunning!

I was really worried about the run this morning because I woke up and I felt like my hands kept shaking for no reason; and while I was running the first 3 miles with my friends, I felt like my vision was a little weird. I don't know what was going on, but when I turned around at the 3 mile marker, I felt better being able to go a little slower and not stress out that I was dragging the other 2 women slower than they wanted. So, even though the run started out worrisome, it actually ended up feeling much better than last week's 6 miles. I took a gatorade with me the whole way, but didn't drink it until the end. Since I've never done any sports before, I always wondered what the fuss was with Gatorade, but I sure am a believer now! It makes a world of difference in recovery.

Later on this morning, I attended our Republican county convention as an Alternate Delegate. It was quite an interesting experience. I had been much more excited about politics when Romney was running (a moment of silence, please .... hee,hee ) so I thought I might be bored to death today. But it was still pretty interesting. This is my first experience with getting involved in the political process besides simply voting on Election Day. I attended our local caucus on Feb 5th, and asked a friend to nominate me for the county convention. Even though I majored in Economics, politics is it's own entity and it takes quite a bit to really understand the process. But it's still worth it - and I always get teary-eyed when I say the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a great land we live in and we owe so much to our remarkable Founding Fathers who led the way. God bless this great land!

What a day I chose to run early in the morning - the day after Daylight Savings Time. sheesh. I haven't seen the stars while I've run in a long time. Lynn's regular running partner is out of town for a while, so I told her that if she doesn't mind a slow partner, I'd be so happy to join her! So, she met me at 6:00 and showed me the funniest running path they take on Mondays - on and off of roads and trails, up and down hills, but actually getting in 4 1/2 miles (my distance was shorter because she came to my house). It was, of course, faster than I run by myself; but it's so good for me to have someone to push me. I'm really not good at pushing myself. I was able to talk (3-6 words at a time) the whole time - except the major hills, so I know I wasn't killing myself. But I'm probably not ready to run with her and Kirsten because they run even faster than we went today. But.... anyway ... I'm feeling great now and it's nice to have my run done so early in the day.

By the way, my 7 year old finally went #1 in the toilet last week!!!!! At her special ed classroom, they put her on the toilet every time they change her diaper (for about a year now), but she has never eliminated before. Until now. HALLELUJAH!!! So, we celebrated and took her to McDonalds (it's nice when they're young and the celebrations are still so inexpensive). She was so excited and keeps mentioning that we can go to McD's again if she poops or pees on the toilet again. We're still a long way off on being potty-trained, but any success after this long of trying/waiting gives me a glimmer of hope!!!!

Ran with Lynn this morning again. We took the first mile faster, though, and that always seems to have a draining effect on the rest of my run. But it was still a good run.

Today has turned out to be a BE-AU-tiful day! It's 61 degrees and my husband and I took our 2 little ones on a walk which turned into a hike in the open space behind our house. The pines smelled so nice and the weather was so perfect, it felt like we had driven hours to go hiking up in the mountains. I can't wait for summer - by then, our youngest will be walking!

On the treadmill - I kept it slow and shorter so I would still have some umph on my long(er) run tomorrow. My husband is going with the youth to the temple tomorrow morning, so I'm actually hiring a babysitter so I can go running. How funny ... sometimes I wonder ... if you told me last year that I'd be this devoted to running right now, I'm sure I would've laughed. (Granted, I was 8 months pregnant) It's a great thing to be running!!!!

On a side note, we went to McDonalds again tonight to celebrate my daughter's success on the toilet yesterday!! Instead of buying something for myself, I actually brought some All-Bran muffins and boiled eggs from home. Sasha would be proud! ;o)

Well, I wasn't able to go running with my friends this morning even though I had a babysitter lined up - we were up until after 1:00am with my baby who was throwing up over and over. It is the saddest thing to see a baby dry heaving!! Luckily she never had a fever and she seemed alright today except for a weaker appetite and a little more tired. She's a little angel.

Anyway ... I didn't want to subject our babysitter to a possibly contagious child. So, that meant that my long run was going to be on the treadmill because after my husband got home, we were going to get our family picture taken. That's actually a story in itself: get 3 sweet girls dressed and beautiful, show up 5 minutes late for our appt, find out we went to the wrong mall and there is no portrait studio at that JCPenney, go to Sam's Club while we're out, drop off the food at home and grab the camera and tripod, decide to try to take our own family picture since everyone is dressed and beautiful, take a few pictures that turn out mediocre, try a few more and make a scene with a screaming 7 year old, give up and go for a walk, head home and call it a failed picture day. Oh well. We'll try again soon. :o(

P.S. Six miles on the treadmill is not easy. That last mile, I was really fighting the urge to stop.

Miserable day yesterday (and into the night) with 2 children each having violent throw-up for about 6-10 hours. Luckily, Mike and I were both well and could take care of them. Since I was already up early this morning with the baby, I figured I might as well go running with Lynn at 6:00. I warned her that I was going to be as slow as a slug today because of yesterday and last night. She didn't seem to mind - bless her. I thought I would have to turn around early or at least walk a little, but once I started running, my legs just keep going. It was a weird and somewhat exhilarating experience.

I hope we're all able to get some naps today.

--------------

Nice, long nap - feeling human again. My knee didn't like my run today, though. I iced it for about half and hour, and then wore my brace for a couple hours, but it still feels swollen and unhappy. Blast.

Well, yesterday I caught the bug that my girls had. I felt miserable all day! But I thought of Sasha running through his illnesses and actually went out this morning with my friend. I had a headache and felt dizzy occasionally. Plus I had to walk twice and cut the run shorter than usual. But it actually wasn't as bad as I had expected. I think Sasha is correct in saying that active recovery is better than passive recovery.

Track run with Lynn today. I took the heart rate monitor this time, and tried to fully recover between each 400. It actually took me longer than I thought - longer than I've been giving myself previously - so I'm glad I brought it. Since I actually recovered each time, I felt better after this track run than any other week. We actually ran the last lap barefoot in honor or Lybi. ;o) It was pretty fun! Luckily the day was warm, and there was grass on the inside of the track to run on. I think we might add a little barefoot to each run on that track from now on (weather allowing). It felt like being a little kid again and just running for the sake of feeling free.

What a great morning for a race!!!!  I'm in New Mexico to race with my beautiful sister-in-law, Kristina; and spend Easter and Spring Break with my family.  I met Kristina at the race this morning and we took a lap around the track to warm up and then stretched out.  It was an out and back course with a downhill in the beginning and uphill, of course, on the home stretch.  We started out at a pretty quick pace and I was worried that we might fizzle out; but the downhill allowed us to keep it up.  By the time we turned around, we were good and warmed up and ready for a harder push.  We had one lady pass us toward the end, but we kicked it up and passed her before the finish line! 

I was sooooo darn proud of Kristina!!!!  This was the longest continuous run she's done since having a baby - and she held strong the whole way!!!  She thought that she would be happy with 40 minutes, and really happy with 35 -- so, 31 blew us both away!!  I'm not sure if I was as good a pacer for her as Lybi was for me - but the results were still great!  Running with family brings out the best in us!!!  It was very fun to see both our families, her parents, and my parents at the finish line.  

 
Afterwards, I ran 3.7 more miles with my sweet husband to make today a good mileage for Saturday.  I think 7 miles is a bit of a round-up; the actual mileage was closer to 6.97, but who cares about a .03?  (hee,hee)

Bummer - I tried so hard to find a time to run yesterday in NM but just couldn't do it. So, we're finally back home and after unpacking, dinner, baths, and kids in bed ... (huff, huff)... I finally got my first run for the week in. Ahh - it feels good to be running again (in a twisted sort of way - hee,hee). Yet I'm so bummed I didn't run outside. It's absolutely beautiful, warm, sunny, Spring, happy weather!!!! It's good to be home - as much as I love visiting family. :o)

Wow, I slept forever last night! It was interrupted twice, but my sweet husband let me sleep in until 7:30!! Woohoo!!

Today was supposed to be a track workout, but after my first 400, I couldn't seem to get my heart rate back down to a reasonable rate, so I just ran around and around while Lynn did her track run. The last lap was barefoot on the grass - very fun. Thanks for the idea, Lybi!!! I wonder if I couldn't recover because my last run was only 12 hours before. (?) I've been reading a book about Running for Women and it actually says that I shouldn't even be doing track workouts at this beginning stage - I should wait till I've been running for a couple years. (oops) After I've been running a year, I can start adding fartleks or tempo runs. From the advice I've heard Sasha give others, I think he agrees with that. So, I don't feel bad when my "track workouts" aren't really impressive. I just do what I can do ... and keep running.

Rotten week - I only got in 3 runs, and I forgot to hydrate well after this morning's run so I had a headache most of the day. You'd think I'd learn!! ;o)

First time to do 7 continuous miles, and I was with Lynn and Michelle the whole time! Luckily for me (and unfortunately for them), Michelle was a little sick and Lynn was sore from doing weights yesterday; so the pace was one that I could handle. I only started lagging the last 1/4 mile, but I found my reserves and ended up right behind them.

Gotta get to bed - I think my husband has given up waiting for me. Our internet has been down for 2 days, so I've been checking e-mails and reading blogs.

Early run with Kirsten and Lynn. Kirsten has already been running for a mile and a half by the time she gets to my house, so she's fully warmed up -- which was a problem this morning because the first mile (MY first mile) was fast. Whenever my first mile is fast, it makes my entire run suffer. So, I think next Monday when I run with them, I'll run around my neighborhood for a little while at a warm-up pace before they get to my house. Maybe then, I won't struggle so much to keep up during the rest of the run.

I couldn't bear to have today go by without a run, so did a quick 2 miles on the treadmill.

Instead of a track run today, Lynn and I just ran a regular run - a loop in our neighborhood. I ate breakfast too close to my run, though, and really paid for it with some cramps. It sure is nice to run with a friend!

On the trail with Lynn the whole 8 miles. I was really happy with this run, not just because it's the longest I've ever run, but also because our pace was very consistent the whole time. I felt great the whole time; no pain. But an hour after I got home, my tailbone has been getting worse and worse. Time to go see the chiropractor again. Even icing and staying off it isn't helping much. Bummer.

I was thinking about you the whole run, Lyb. I hope your race went well!!!!

After shuffling around in pain from a pinched nerve on Saturday and Sunday, I finally made it to the chiropractor on Monday. I was feeling much better that day, but not good enough to run. So, today, I thought I would give it a try - a short, easy run. Well, 2 miles was too long. At 1-1/2 miles, my tailbone/pelvis started hurting and I ended up limping home the last 1/4 of a mile. And now I'm back to pinching that nerve. It's not that sciatic nerve; the chiropractor said it's the nerve right above that one. Either way, it's a real "pain"!!! It's not sore like a sore muscle; but if I move wrong, I get a terrible shooting pain that almost makes me fall. Needless to say, this is going to be a dismal week for running. I'm going to see the chiropractor again on Friday, and I've called my doctor to get a prescription for some Physical Therapy.

(Oops, I accidentally posted Friday's comments on Saturday)

I saw a physical therapist this morning and I'm very happy and hopeful that she'll be able to help me through this hip/pelvis/tailbone issue that I've been having ... forever, it seems. :o) She did a lot of stretching and tried to "release" muscles in my SI joint (where pelvis and sacrum meet). She tried to un-"stick" it, but it was too tight. So, she gave me 5 different stretches to do over the weekend and I'll go back again next week. She says it's probably been stuck since my last pregnancy ... and maybe longer. It's a very common problem, so I'm grateful that she knows just what to do. This is the same PT that my sister-in-law and husband both saw -- and they both really liked her. So, here's hoping!!!

(Only bad thing is -- of course, she needs me to take another week off of running. Hopefully I can go cycling or something to keep up my cardio. The pounding of running, would be counterproductive to the un-sticking process.)

Well, I've had 3 PT appointments now, and she says my hip is "behaving" so I can try to run on it - short and easy, though. So, hopefully tomorrow I can get back out there before my body gets used to the lazy life it's been living. I had such great hopes to get out on the bike or the elliptical during this time of recovery, but apparently only running is motivation enough for me these days. Lazy habits are hard to kick!

My first trial run after physical therapy - 2 miles on the treadmill. My tailbone didn't hurt at all. I was aware of my right hip socket, but it wasn't what I would call painful at all. Yea!!!! I'm happy to be running again!! I'm going to see the PT a few more times, and keep my mileage low for a few weeks.

It's amazing how quickly my body was willing to let go of a good habit. The first 4 days, I was literally itching to run, but then ... sitting around was feeling pretty easy.

I have been raunchy grumpy all day today so I had to blow off some steam this evening by running outside. It felt great on the legs and back, but dinner hadn't quite finished stewing yet so I enjoyed 2 cramps the whole 2nd mile. :o(

It was a beautiful 55 degrees at 7pm tonight! Yea for Spring finally starting!!

I went running outside with Mike, who pushed our running stroller and both babies.  It was fun!  I worried they'd be too cold, but the weather was great in the middle of the day!

(I actually forgot to post this run until tonight - Saturday.  Ooops!!  That's a first.  My brother got my into Facebook and I've been caught up with that and my book club book.  ha!) 

I squeezed in a LOT tonight after the girls went to sleep - I read for a while (since book club is next week and I'm barely half way!) and then I went shopping to 3 stores (while Mike stayed home working - poor guy) and then I came home and ran 2 miles on the treadmill.  Phew!  I might've overdone it, though, since it's 11:00 and I still have to get ready for bed.  Ahhhh!

Missed a beautiful day to run outside, but still got a short run on the treadmill tonight.  The back and hips are feeling great.  

[Once again, I forgot to post yesterday] 

Funny weather!!  Tues and Wed were in the upper 70's and then today (Thurs) was snowy. Once the snowing stopped, the sun came out.  Since my girls were still asleep, I told Mike I was gonna go running (the roads/sidewalks never accumulated any snow because they were so warm from the day before).  But we chatted for a little while, so by the time I got out, the snow had melted off the trees, the wind had kicked up and more snow was falling (but not sticking).  Oh well. 

My hips are going through some strange adjustments.  I had wanted to run yesterday (Wed), but they acted funny every time I took a side step; so I just waited another day.  The run turned out fine - no pain during or after.

Okay - let's try and start this week out right!  I'm shooting for a fiver this week.  Five runs.  Still short - 2-3 miles - but consistent.  You can all hold me to it this week.  No more of this slackin' !!!!

I'm not so bright these days - this is the 2nd night in a row that I haven't started running until after 10:00 at night.  Brilliant, eh?  Luckily I'm only going 2 miles - unfortunately, my kids still wake up at 6:30.  : (

These late night runs have got to stop!  You'd think I'd learn!

Happy day!  I finally ran during the daylight hours.  : )   Mike was working in his office downstairs, Cami was watching her favorite TV show and Hayley was still napping -- so I took Audrey in our running stroller (it's actually dual use - it's also a bike trailer).  It was tough, but nice to get outside ... and before 10pm.  My average pace was 12:10 - and I was surprised it was that fast!  It's really hard to push a stroller while running!  I can't imagine how Lybi did it so often last summer with TWO children in the Phoenix heat!  Amazing. Lybi, you're my hero.  ; )

Another late night-er, but at least I stuck to my goal this week.  Five run -- no matter what.  Thanks to all of you for keeping me to my goal; it's always hard getting back into the rhythm of consistent running when you've had to take time off.

PT update:  My hips are moving correctly, according to my physical therapist.  She thinks the new pains I have occasionally are because muscles that had become weak (due to incorrect alignment) are having to strengthen and stretch.  Hopefully I will continue to improve.  I don't have pain while I run, but around the house - the step and twist motion sometimes smarts.   

 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you wonderful women who impact the world in positive ways everyday!! 

Man, every time I get into a Stephenie Meyers book, I'm stuck!  I read it all day on Monday and Tuesday; and yesterday I was so tired from lack of sleep that I took a nap instead of running while my girls napped.  So, here I am, the repentant runner!  ; )  It's still surprisingly cold for the middle of May.  It was only 49 degrees at 11:30.  It feels wrong to be that chilly when the flowers are blooming and the grass is turning warm green.

So, who has read The Host already?  Did you like it better than Twilight?  I think I actually did.  It wasn't as romantic as Twilight, but the story had more meaning - and important, life issues that are great to ponder and discuss. 

Another late night, but at least it wasn't a goose egg again!

Finally!  An early morning run with my friends again!!  I had planned to last Monday, but I think I got like 4 hours of sleep that night, so I had to back out.  : (   It's amazing how different it looks from the last time I ran with them!!  The sun came up while we were running - and it came up much higher on the horizon.  How wonderful that summer is on it's way!  In fact, we're supposed to get up to 87 degrees today and possibly break a few records.  We'll see.  I could stand to be hot for a while - I'm so tired of being cold.  

This week has been the product of low running morale, I'm sorry to say.  After running on Monday, my hips were tight and a little sore on Tuesday - so I didn't go running that day. But then, on Wed and Thurs, it was easy to reason that I'll never be able to run without hip problems, so why do I even try?!?!  I was quite bummed about my body this week.  It's discouraging to have finally started really getting up in mileage and consistency and then to be slowed down for almost 2 months with a nagging tightness, tenderness that has not gone away even with physical therapy.  So, last night I was brainstorming and thought that instead of shooting for a half marathon (which is too far out of my reach right now to be any kind of motivation), I can work on my swimming and shoot for a triathlon.  It will take some serious work, I know, but I feel like I've hit a bit of a wall with running alone.  What do you think?  I could also just back off my goals and keep running 2-3 miles - just shoot for 5k times instead of distance running?  I don't know ... Dumb body.

Ran on the Santa Fe trail with my friends.  And since my brother-in-law and his family are in town, 5 of them came running too!  Two of my nephews stayed with us the whole time!!!  Great job, boys!  We went 3.5 miles and they held up the whole time, and even smoked me at the end.  ; )   We've got 13 out-of-town guests over the long weekend (my sister-in-law and her family came down also).  So, that makes 5 children in diapers - and 4 are 1year old or younger!!!   : )

Got to run with my nephews again this morning.  Very fun!  The family's training for a 5K this summer and they've been slowly increasing their running every time.  On Saturday, only 2 of the kids ran with me without stopping.  But today, they all did!  Woohoo!!  I've told them they need to join the FRB and enjoy the support and strength of so many wonderful runners.  Plus, since they live in St. George, they could even meet many other FRBers.  

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!  What a great country we live in!!!  I'm so grateful to all those who fought - and continue to fight - to maintain the freedom and opportunities that I too often take for granted. 

Running this morning with my 2 friends - it was remarkable cold with the wind.  I know 4-1/4 is a jump in my mileage, but I actually walked 3 different times.  One of my friends is having a real problem lately with her irritable bowel syndrome; so while she found a bush, I walked ahead.  Afterwards I stretched for a long time to help my hips, and I'm feeling good even after a couple of hours!  My nephews ran a little later with their mother, while I watched their 3 month old and 5 year old.  

This morning was super fun!  I got to run with my sister-in-law, Amy!!  Her kids were sleeping at friends' houses, so once our 2 youngest babies were in bed, we left Mike with the monitors and headed out the door.  It was chilly, cloudy, and very humid with last night's rain; but it was so fun to run with someone who is at the same level as me.  We chatted the whole time and just had a great time together!!  I wish I could run with her every day.  Bummer they live in St. George now (they used to live here).  hmph.

 I'm gonna be bummed when my company leaves on Friday.  Who will I get to run with me?  It's so much fun to go with other runners (and not always be dying - like with my 2 friends on Mondays.  huff, huff, huff) : )

Slow hardly begins to describe this "run"!  I took both girls in the running stroller and went around my neighborhood with my sister-in-law and her son (the one who doesn't like to run).  Sometimes on the uphill, I walked about as fast as I was running.  ; )  But hey, it was cardio work!   I might have a six run week this week without even working hard to do so - just because I've had people to run with.  Wow, that really says something, huh?  I need to work harder at finding running partners.  

Bummer.  I was so close to a six a week.  I could whine about my day, but the truth is - I could've squeezed it in somehow.  The elusive sixer.  Humph.

I went running this morning with some different friends.  They're going to start running every Monday together and they're a little more my pace so I might stick with them - even though I LOVE running with Lynn.  It was a beautiful morning, but it's going to be a hot one later on today (for OUR standards, which are far from Phoenix standards - hee,hee). 

I always have a hard time running when my husband is out of town.  Even though we have a treadmill, I'm just so exhausted by the end of the day.  But I finally ran on my treadmill tonight -- haha, he's getting home tonight.  Bit of a last minute repenter, aren't I?

Ooops, I forgot to post my run yesterday.  I keep doing that!  You'd think that I would be in a hurry to take credit for the fun and torturous activity we call "running."  

5 miles on the trail with my friend, Dawn, who I ran with on Monday.  I really do like running with someone who is at the same pace as me.  It's so nice not to feel guilty for slowing down your running partners.  

Afterwards, I didn't even get a chance to shower because there was a community garage sale going on in my friends' neighborhood a few miles away.  So, I headed off and found a cute plastic playhouse and a play kitchen.  Score!

I went running with Lynn and Kirsten this morning.  I thought they'd be tired and sore after their 10 mile race yesterday, but I was wrong.  They kicked my trash!  My legs are so sore. I think I'll be stretching all through the day today.  ; )  It doesn't help that I'm starting to come down with a little head cold, either.  Good day for a nap.  

4 miles on the treadmill - late, because I almost wimped out tonight.  ha!

I finally got new running shoes today!  I've been wanting/needing to for a while now.  I went to a different store than where I got my first pair and they had me run outside in the shoes instead of on a treadmill.  So, the guy said I actually run better in a more neutral shoe - but still an Asics.  I tried on about 5-6 different brands/types.  Yea, for new shoes.

Since I was a little nervous about having neutral rather than stabilizing shoes, I ran on the treadmill tonight - so I could return them if I had to.  So far, so good!  They feel great.   By the way, my hips have been doing great too.  It has changed my life to know how to stretch them correctly when they start feeling tight or painful.  I still go to my chiropractor occasionally, but going to a PT was so helpful!

Today, I went to the YMCA to work out.  They have a "track" but you have to run 14.5 laps for 1 mile.  So, after 1 boring mile of counting (and tight shins, for some reason) I decided to jump on the treadmill for the other 2 (and the tight shins disappeared).  But there were no TVs or music - or even a fan to keep me cool.  After I finally got to 3 miles, I went downstairs and did some arm/shoulder machines.  Felt great.  Boy, my arms are wimpy though!  

So, I'm gonna try something different while Mike is out of town this time.  Instead of running on the treadmill in the evening (or thinking I will, and in reality, wasting time after the kids go to bed and then finally flopping in bed way too late), I'm going to run on the treadmill in the morning!  So, this morning was my first one.  So far, so good.  Haha.  I might try taking the little ones in the double stroller this week also, but it's surprisingly warm all of a sudden.  "Warm" being extremely relative.  We're supposed to get up to a whopping 80 degrees today - sorry, Lybi and James.  

I was really not in the mood to run this morning, but I ran anyway.  But then, I couldn't bring myself to run more than 2.7 on the treadmill this morning.  What does Sasha call that? Mentally tired?  Ya, something like that.  ; )  I was hoping to take the girls in the double stroller to get more miles, but that didn't happen.  Hopefully, I can run more on the treadmill tonight, but the way this evening is heading, I might have to be happy with 2.7.

Well, I was too tired and wimpy to run this morning, but I still got in 4 miles this evening on the treadmill.  Felt great!  Hopefully I won't pay for my late night too much tomorrow.  ha!

I'm not sure I would've actually run this morning on my own, but my daughter woke up at 5:00 and 5:15.  Since I was wide awake I figured I might as well jump on the treadmill.  I actually got in 5 miles while watching Harry Potter (4th one).  I'm actually hoping to sneak in a few more miles outside this evening when my husband gets home.  Yea!!!!  Since I didn't get in the 6 miles that I hoped for, I might add 2-3 more later.  We'll see...

 (Well, I didn't make it out again.  Mike didn't get home till 3:00 and it was just too nice to have him home again!) 

I finally got to run outside again!!!  I took an old route that is mostly uphill for the first half and then I turn around and come home.  But this time, I didn't turn around at the base of the big hill, I actually went to the top.  *huff, huff*  : ) 

I took the girls in the double stroller and huffed and puffed my way through today's workout.  Whoosh.  Lybi, I don't know how you did it with your boys who are bigger!!

On another note, I'm super excited to be going to my brother's wedding tomorrow!!!!  I wish I was leaving today!  : ) 

Outside, early this morning.  Gotta go - I'm running late for my flight!

I'm so happy!  I have a running partner!!  Dawn has decided that she wants to run the half marathon on Labor Day with me.  So, she printed up a schedule and she's committed to run 4 times a week per the schedule.  The other days she'll be doing strength training with a personal trainer, so I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do on my 2 days.  But it's so nice to have a plan and a partner and a goal!  Today we went 4 miles on the trail by my house. 

Short run with Dawn on the trail.  Since our race is on a Monday, she has made up our running schedule to have our long runs on Mondays.  Both of us were pretty tired from staying up late and busy weeks.  I wish I could count all the walking (while carrying luggage) I did on Thursday - then it would've been a six-er week.  : )

Wow, this morning was a tough run.  I felt like I was dragging my legs the ENtire time!  It wasn't until mile 4 that I realized why I was so sluggish.  We have afternoon church, so yesterday I didn't get much of a lunch; and then I didn't eat dinner because I was feeling sad about some news I'd received.  So, even though I had eaten a little here and there ... missing meals = tough run.  Note to self!  ; )

This was a fun run!  Dawn and I went to a different trail that was a little more rugged and we actually lost the trail for a little and had to follow the creek bed for a while.  It was surprisingly nice to have a different trail, where I didn't know the mile markers as well as my typical runs.  But it was a little tough to run in sand, up and down boulders, and through narrow trail areas where the scrub oak scratch you.  ; )  Fun run, though.

We're in New Mexico with my side of the family, so I got to go running with my husband while my sweet, solicitous nieces happily watched our children.  (hee,hee)  It was a nice run with my favorite running partner.  

Running with Lybi this morning!!!!!!  So fun!!  We even sprinted at the end and I gave her a "run for her money." (pun intended - hee,hee)  Having a great time in NM with family!!

For some reason, I was really dreading this run.  But once I finally got out the door, it was a great run.  At about mile 3 or 4, I was really enjoying myself (runner's high or downhill finally?  hee, hee)  It's nice to be home again, but I sure had a great time with my family.  I can't wait to see Lybi's family when they come up over Labor Day for the half marathon!!

I was actually a little sore this morning from my run yesterday.  Weird.  It was a good kind sore - muscles instead of joints - so I didn't worry about running today on it.  But I stretched my hips a lot beforehand just in case.  Dawn, her friend, and I headed back to that wild nature "park", and even though we took a different route, we still ended up blazing a trail at some point.  I really like our Wednesday runs.  I have no idea where I am or how far I've gone, but I'm climbing over boulders, through sand, doing a lot of uphill, and with 2 other equal running partners.  The only bad thing is I kept almost twisting my ankle.  I never fell or sprained it, but I came close.  Dawn's out of town this weekend, so I don't have a partner again until next Wednesday.  Bummer.  Maybe I'll see if Lynn wants to run slow with me for my 7 mile run....  ; )

I should've tried to do something yesterday, but didn't. I gave Mike the "morning slot" so he could go for a long ride; and then the rest of the day, I was either trying to finish reading my book club book or clean my house for the discussion that evening. Ha!

This morning was a sluggish run. I couldn't convince my legs to move much at all. I think my average pace was in the 11 or 12 range. Oh well. I always feel a run is an achievement in and of itself.

This long run was supposed to be on Monday according to my friend's schedule for us; but I wanted to go on my favorite trail and I feel safer when there are more people on it - so I chose to go on a Saturday instead (my friend is still out of town). I tried and tried to find someone who I could run with, but everyone was out of town. So, it was me and my iPod. It was a beautiful run. That's one thing nice about growing up in New Mexico - I'm ALWAYS grateful for beautiful scenery and cool weather because both were not easy to come by in NM. ; ) I also liked having my iPod so I wasn't freaked out by every little noise in the bushes. I kept my pace very easy and I'm sure my heart rate was around 150-160 so that was good for aerobic base building. My knee started hurting a little around mile 5, but then apparently went away because I don't remember it bugging me for long. Happily there was a port-a-potty around mile 6 (no further comment on that). I stretched when I got back to my car, stretched when I got home, and stretched after I made breakfast for my family. Last time I ran 8 miles, I got a pinched nerve that sent me to PT for 2 months. So, I've kind of had a mental thing with 8 miles. But I've been back for 2.5 hours and no pain anywhere! Yea!!!

I took the run I usually went with Lynn on, but took it nice and easy and then did a tempo speed on mile 3. It was so much better than when I ran with my fast friends. It is so important for my system to start out slow, apparently. I really felt like I had reserves to pull from instead of dying the whole time. So, here are my splits (for my records - these are still painfully slow to so many runners on this blog!):

mile 1 - 11.15

mile 2 - 11.32

mile 3 - 9:50 (and mostly uphill, too, so I'm pretty happy with that pace)

mile 4 - 11:16

last .27 - 9:04 (coming down the huge hill by my house)

I've also decided to run a 10K before my half marathon. The 10K is a week from this Saturday, while the Half marathon is on Labor Day. I'm getting kind of excited about them both!! ; )

I ran with Dawn and her friend, Laura, in our wilderness park again. We took a different route yet again; this one was longer and a really good workout. The uphill seemed to go on forever. We eventually had to walk some of it because we were all struggling to breath. ; ) So, that'll be a great challenge for us to get better and better on that route. It's funny to run with Laura and Dawn; they both have personal trainers who work them really hard on Tues and Thurs, plus they have really strict diets. So, our conversation this morning was on what and when they eat everyday. Dawn is allergic to gluten, eggs, soy, and dairy ... plus she's trying to loose more weight, so she's cutting (or reducing) other things too!! Tough diet!!

I actually went swimming today and did laps for half an hour. I'm not sure I've ever really done laps before -- and now that I've done them, I know WHY!! They were HARD!! I thought that my running would help transfer over to better strength and aerobic ability with swimming. Oh no. I died. It was a great workout, though, and I want to do it more often and see if I can improve my swimming ability. I'd like to some day compete in a triathlon, so swimming must be conquered! ; ) Maybe I should do an adult class and touch up on my technique. Hmmm...

Five miles on the trail with Dawn. We got progressively faster with each mile, which was great! Our last mile was 10:05 pace. That's always a good thing when you're not even trying! ha! There was a lady that we were just a following the last mile or so and I think I was subconsciously trying to pass her. Luckily for me, she didn't want to be passed easily, so I just kept speeding up without thinking about it.

Dawn and I had to change our initial plans this morning because I had a commitment at 8:30 this morning. So, we just ran a route around her house. The nice thing about where we live is .. you ALWAYS get a hill workout at some point. It just depends on where in your run it ends up. ha!

Monday is our 10 miler! Whoosh! That'll be the longest run I've ever done.

I did it!!! I am now officially a double digit runner!!!! [applause] My partner and I decided to try using hydration systems and fuel (GU, etc). We stopped/walked to "eat" and drink about mile 3.5 and mile 7. I was really tired the entire run. At about mile 7.5, I told her to run ahead because I was obviously slowing her down. I learned a lot on this run:

1) staying up late with my sister-in-law from out of town for 4 nights in a row takes its toll

2) my body prefers the BLOKS to the GUs

3) I should take at least 2 at a time, rather than 1

4) my partner must be sugar sensitive because as I was fantasizing about going to sleep on the trail, she was getting more and more perky from her BLOKS and energy drink.

5) I need to eat some fuel right before and right after my run because water isn't enough; I feel too exhausted to eat breakfast until I almost get sick

6) and last of all - I can do it!!!! ; )

I really felt awful for about an hour after my run, and then I started to perk up a little. But I've been tired and feeling "off" all day. All my joints feel great and my legs aren't even sore. But my body just feels low on ... whatever is necessary for normal life. ha!

(Hey, check it out! Since my long run is on a Monday, I'm on page TWO of the mileage board. Sweeeet!)

I forgot to set my alarm clock last night, so I missed the run with Laura and Dawn; so I just went out on my own route by my house. I can't believe my 10K is already 3 days away and my half marathon is a month away. Ahhhhh!!!

Nice, easy run this morning. I keep thinking about my 10K. Here are my goals.:

Gold - anything less than an hour

Silver - 1:05 or less

Bronze - 1:10 or less

Anything slower than 1:10 means I took it as easy as my regular runs. So ... we'll see!

My first 10K!!! It was absolutely the perfect day for it and the perfect race. It's considered the fastest 10K in Colorado; and the day dawned slightly cloudy with not a stitch of breeze. Perfect! I woke up and got ready as usual for a run, and right as I was about to head out the door I thought I would throw up from nerves. ha! I stretched at home and then headed to the race. I did a little warm up jogging and stretched more. With about 10 minutes before the race, I ate 2 BLOKS. The race started at 7:00 and I chose to place myself very close to the end of the pack. It was actually awe inspiring when we started and I saw how many people there were running. It's a strange but very palpable camaraderie. I took my first mile at a comfortable, but not slow pace. And then after mile 1, I kept telling myself, "It's a 10k, Laura, it's supposed to hurt! Give it your all!" My pace started slacking when that mental pep talk stopped. I'm glad that I positioned myself at the back because it was mentally more encouraging to be passing people all through the race, rather than being passed the whole time. I felt like I paced myself well and pushed hard as well. I'm glad I took my Garmin so I could see when I was running slower than 10:00 and consciously crank it up a notch. So, here are my splits:

1 - 10:15

2 - 9:41

3 - 9:32

4 - 9:49

5 - 9:38

6 - 9:33

.2 - 7:46 ave pace

Total time: 1:00:41 (ave pace 9:47)

I am SO bummed!! I'm a stupid 40 seconds off my goal time. I really wanted to get under an hour. But I didn't do the math right - I thought keeping it a little under 10:00 pace would get me there. But it's actually under a 9:40 pace. A stupid 7 seconds a mile faster than what I ran. I really feel like I could've done that. Aaaaarrrgh!

Learning how to run and beginning to race has been such an interesting experience over the last year. I was never a runner before - never even did sports in high school. So, the idea and ability to "give me all" is still somewhat foreign. I know that my last .3 miles, I was about to die; but the 6 miles before that I was pushing, yet still surprisingly comfortable. I don't know if that's because I wasn't pushing hard enough or if I just found my running "zone." Well, ... there will be many more races in the future; and I hope that by continuing to run and race I will be able to gauge myself, my limits, and my capabilities better. All in time, I guess.

I went to bed last night at 9:00, so today's long run was easier than last week's. We went 11 miles today but our pace was really slow. Both of us were actually surprised how slow our pace had been - it didn't seem like we were going that slow. We might need to run on a different route, just to break up our pattern. I tried a different water/fuel pattern today. I took 2 bloks before I started running, a little water around mile 5, a little endurance drink at mile 7 and 9.5. I think I need fuel a little before mile 7 because I started to feel like I was running out of steam.

After my run, I didn't have nearly the fatigue that I experienced with my 10 miler last week. I was a little sore, but I just kept stretching; and I'm feeling pretty good right now. I went to the chiropractor today; my back was out and it was hurting my knees a little as I ran. Cami hasn't been walking for a week and a half (because of an injury at a park), and my back hasn't enjoyed lifting and carrying a 55 pound kid.

This was more of a strength training day. We went up The Incline in Manitou Springs, which is a incredible workout -- a mile's worth of old railroad ties up the mountain that increase 2000 feet in altitude in that one mile distance. It's such a cardio workout and the increase in altitude also takes your breath away; so it makes for a great challenge. Once we got to the top, we ran down a trail that intersects The Incline. It's called the Barr Trail and it's 4 miles back down. Needless to say, my quads were SORE after today's workout.

[If you're curious about The Incline, you can check it out at www.inclineclub.com/incline. It's a funny local icon - although there are "Private Property. No trespassing" signs, the Incline is used by about 100 people a day.]

So, I can hardly walk down stairs or kneel down today from my workout yesterday. The run down the trail for 4 miles was harder on my quads than the mile on the Incline. I went swimming for 1/2 an hour today instead of running. I did a little better swimming than last time -- although, I really couldn't have done any worse!!!!! (hee,hee)

Well, sadly, I caught some kind of stomach bug that kept me up all night throwing up and most of the day in bed so I had to miss my scheduled 4 miles today. Drat.

Okay, embarrassingly, I'm feeling tons better than yesterday as far as health ... but I still missed my scheduled 6 mile run today because Breaking Dawn was finally out and in the bookstores. No self control, man. None! (hee,hee)

Today's run was without a doubt the most beautiful run I've been on!!! It's our long run for the week and a friend of ours (Dawn and mine) said we should try running around Rampart Reservoir for our 12 miler. So, we blissfully headed up there at 6:00 am thinking that we'd be home by 10:00 a.m. HAHAHAHAHA!!! We finally got home at NOON! The drive was twice as long as we expected - an hour instead of half an hour - and the trail was very, very difficult!!! True, it was the most beautiful location to run, with pines, aspens, wildflowers, glistening blue reservoir, and the peace and beauty of the Colorado Rockies .... BUT .... we hadn't anticipated:

1) Being 2500 feet higher in elevation than usual would make it harder

2) We didn't bring enough water (considering the elevation and difficulty)

3) The constant hilly terrain which, though beautiful, was exhausting!

4) Both of us have had a stomach flu followed by Fast Sunday, so we hadn't eaten and drunk enough in the last 3 days

5) WE DIED!!!!

My garmin kept telling me that I had a weak GPS signal all through the run, and by the end, our Garmin's were different by 0.7 of a mile!! But just for interest sake, here's a rundown of our average pace, which tells the story of our demise (hee,hee):

1 - 10:28 fresh out of the gates, nice downhill, feeling great!

2 - 10:54

3 - 13:16 the hills begin, but still doing great and enjoying the scenery.

4 - 13:22

5 - 13:29

6 - 13:28

7 - 16:35 starting to walk on a few uphills

8 - 19:21 (I'm not sure why this one is so out of whack.)

9 - 13:03 crossing the dam - flat, but I was seriously running out of steam.

10 - 16:43 more walking, starting to feel exhausted

11 - 16:35 absolutely exhausted, out of water and bloks

12 - 17:52 wishing for death to come (hee,hee)

13 - 19:43 (walking to the car - actually a mile and a half) We were so dead by here. Even though we had run out of water about 2 miles ago, the only thing that kept one foot moving in front of the other was the vision of water bottles in her car and a soft seat to sit on.

Possibly the most difficult run I've ever experienced. Both of us really felt it in our legs - maybe from the constant hilly terrain and roots and rocks to avoid - but we were expecting it to be the hardest on our cardio. I've been exhausted all day today, but the only soreness I've felt is behind my right knee - weird place, huh? Anyway, there's the story of my first 12 miler - I decided while running that I would SHOOT myself if I ever considered running a marathon. ; )

So, we went out of town this week and I didn't realize until I was preparing for my Wednesday run that I had forgotten to pack some socks. But there was never a graceful time to leave our hosts and buy some. I finally got them Thursday night and was able to run Friday morning. (Sorry, Lybi, I'm too wimpy to run bare footed for more than a quarter of a mile.)

We were in Salt Lake today, so I ran all around downtown. I sure felt conspicuous in my running shorts while everyone was modestly dressed to go to the temple. (hee,hee) It was a pretty hot and humid day, but still a great run. I have to say that I'm impressed with runners who run in the city, though. It was really awkward with all the traffic lights.

For whatever reason, my Garmin took forever to acquire and then I stopped the timer and forgot to restart it for a little while. So. my best guess is that I went 6 miles. Considering yesterday's route and today's - I'm pretty sure that it was 6. I went earlier this time, and was happy to see many other runners out and about today. I was wondering where all the runners were yesterday. What a difference a half an hour makes! I really like running 6 miles. It's a nice easy time - one hour. I like the feel of it - not too long, but still a good, healthy workout. I tried to focus on my breathing and not let my legs dictate my pace. My legs love to complain and slow me down (not in a bad way, just a "hey, I'd rather be sitting" kind of way - hee,hee)

Well, now I know that I'll at least survive my half marathon in 3 weeks!! But, ... ugh. 13 miles is a LONG way. At this point in my running career, 6-7 miles is my happy point. I can still push my pace, if I want, and come home feeling great. 10- 11 miles is about where I would like to stop. Getting to 13 is a painful experience. I walked to take drinks of water or my Cytomax drink (no GU or bloks today); and after 11 miles, I actually moaned when I started running again. My legs were so tired!

I took the route that my 1/2 marathon is going to be; but I couldn't find the trail for the first mile and ended up having to cross a cement "bridge" that had water flowing over it. So, from mile 1.5 on, I had wet feet. Nice. But the first 3 miles literally FLEW by! I was amazed every time my Garmin told me I'd gone another mile. Coming back, I again couldn't find the correct path back to the park which will be the starting/ending point, so I had to go on the road for a while. I've stretched for a while, but I'm still a little sore and tired. I hope to be able to squeeze a nap in today. ; )

But, hey, I DID IT!!! 13 miles has been conquered!

3 miles in the trail/park with Dawn and Laura.  I added 2 more afterwards when they headed home.  The back of my right leg hurt when I started (straight behind the knee), but it seemed to do better after a while of running.  This is the spot that hurt after my 2 last long runs.  I'm not sure what's causing it.  It feels like I hyper-extended my knee and hurt the tendon back there.  It gets better after a couple of days; but it's still slightly worrisome.  Anyone know what might be causing it???

I decided to give my leg a few days rest before running.  I don't want to injure it before my race.  So, 6 miles today by myself in the neighborhood.  We've had a freakish cold spell lately and yesterday and today have only gotten up to about 60 degrees!!!  I actually had to turn on my HEATER in the middle of the day ... in August!!!  Crazy.  Next week will be back into the 80's luckily.  I'm not ready for cold weather yet.  We got a lot of rain along with the cold front, so the world smelled like heaven today as I was running.  Isn't it funny that rain can make everything just smell better.  Well, I guess not everything - manure and mold are some pretty huge exceptions. ha!

I wonder if 10 miles will ever feel like something other than torture.  ; )  I have to think that it would since, a year ago, I asked the same thing about running ONE mile.  haha.  How perspectives change.  

Although it was still long, it was  much better than my first attempt at 10 miles a few weeks ago.  And I was all by myself today, rather than running with a partner; so I feel especially good about keeping focused.  Until the last 2 miles, all my splits were sub 11:00.  I stretched out for quite a while when I got home, but my hips are still a little sore.  I think I need to see the chiropractor again - my back and pelvis have been really bugging me.  Maybe I'll even splurge and get a massage as part of my pre-half preparation.  Sounds good to me!!!  ; )

I tried something interesting today - Chi Running!  I finally watched the DVD my brother, Heber, lent me (he sent it last year - how embarrassing it's taken me this long!!) and decided to try it out.  I had almost no energy this morning.  We stayed up too late, it was a bad mother morning, and I was feeling lousy.  But I went anyway.  It was such an interesting experience!!  I actually got tired of the constant leaning forward feeling, but it's very true that it's easier on the legs.  My obliques were actually a little tired toward the end, though, from having to pull in my abs while leaning forward.  I went much faster than usual (because it was hard not to), so I ended up walking about 5 times and yet my average pace was still as good or better than usual.  Very interesting.  Also, I felt so much more invigorated after my run.  I don't think I've felt that way in a long time; so either it was the Chi running technique or the shorter distance.  I'll have to try it more to see if it's the key to my new running.  ; )

I actually meant to go 6 miles today, but at 4.75 I felt a pain all of a sudden in my left knee and left hip; so I figured I would cut it short.  I still don't know what happened.  I probably could've run through it, but I'm a week and a half away from my 1/2 and getting nervous -- plus I was just passing the shortcut to my house.  And ... well, I'm a wimp.  (hee,hee)

I tried Chi running today, but my form wasn't as good today.  It's hard to maintain on hills, more specifically the downhill portion.  I might have to watch the video a few more times to keep it fresh in my mind too.

On the treadmill tonight.  Wow, I forgot how hard it is mentally to watch the miles slowly tick by and how drippy sweaty I get on the treadmill.  Whoosh.  The treadmill really is easy on the joints, though.  I stayed at 10:30 pace for the first 3.5 miles then bumped it up to 9:30 for a mile.  Ya know, I think I have some kind of mental block about running faster or longer.  Even though my breathing wasn't crazy doing the faster pace, something in my head kept trying to tell me to slow down or even stop.  I've got an internal wimp that I'm not sure how to kick!  Any great ideas??

I did it, Lybi!!  Thanks for your motivation - 8 miles on the treadmill (while watching Stardust - cute movie; I love it)  Wahoo!!!  The first mile was 11 pace while the others were all 10:00 at a 2% incline.  The last 1/2 mile, I cranked it up to 8:50 pace so I could get it over with quicker.  Ha!  My left hip is feeling tighter after running lately.  Tomorrow I'm making an appointment with my chiropractor - hold me to it!!

... now I need to shower and get to bed before midnight.  ha! 

Ya know those runs where ya just don't wanna keep going?  Well, that was tonight.  I even increased my speed on the treadmill to try and get it over with faster, but after 3 miles - I was done.  That's the only problem with the treadmill: once your brain decides you're done, you can just step off; if I was outside running, I'd still have to run home.  Oh well.  It's my taper week, right?   (wimp)

By the way, I went to the chiropractor today and my hip is feeling good.  I made another appt for Friday just to make sure.  Can you tell I'm a little nervous?  ha!   ; )

It's turning out to be a week of evening runs on the treadmill for some odd reason.  I kept playing around with the speed, but I kept the incline at 2%.  I'm looking forward to Lybi and James coming in tomorrow.  With my other sister and her family plus my parents coming this weekend - we're gonna have 20 people in this house.  Woohoo!!!  I won't have time to be nervous for Monday!  :)

Sorry, I'm a day late posting this!  Sometimes, life gets away with you!!  ; )

Where to begin.... 

I picked this Half Marathon months and months ago but then injured my hips and thought I wouldn't be able to run in it.  But after 2 months of physical therapy, I hoped I could still make it.  I mentioned my desires to a friend of mine, and she decided to start training for it too!  A running partner!  And then, I teasingly told Lybi that she should join me and actually James, her husband DID!  So, I had a partner to train with and a sister and brother-in-law coming up for it!  So exciting!!!!

We had fun on Saturday and Sunday with Lybi and her family, my parents, and Rebecca, my older sister, and her family.  A household with 20 people is always fun - and crazy!  But, Monday morning was the day of reckoning!  I got up at 5:00 and started getting ready.  The funny thing is, I think I got more nauseous nervous with my 10k than for my half marathon.  Weird.

We got to the starting area at about 6:00.  When we lined up at 6:30 (James at the front, and me ... not so much in the front.   ha!) I kept waiting for someone with a loud speaker to tell us when we were beginning.  But finally, after a few minutes delay, I realized the people ahead of me were starting.  Well, that was anti-climatic!!  But, here we go!  My pace is always the best way to tell my story, so let me add those now:

mile 1 - 10:03

mile 2 - 10:17

mile 3 - 10:22

mile 4 - 10:48

mile 5 - 10:50

mile 6 - 10:09

mile 7 - 10:11

mile 8 - 9:53

mile 9 - 10:29

mile 10 - 10:47

mile 11 - 11:01

mile 12 - 10:32

mile 13 - 10:59

last .24 - 2:22 (a little long according to my garmin)

At around mile 5 or so, I saw James walking ahead of me.  He had felt some pain in his calf on Saturday and I was worried it would get in the way today.  So, I felt really sad to see him, but then very grateful as he paced me until the finish line!  And then, Lybi, who was strategically at a park along the way, joined me at mile 8.5, so I had 2 pacers!!!!  Is that lucky or what!?!?!  An interesting sensation happened around mile 11.  My arms began to feel like they didn't belong to my body.  They felt bloated and unnatural and I kept looking down at them to make sure they were still my arms.  Very bizarre.  Luckily that sensation passed and I could just concentrate on finishing.

During mile 12, there were runners right behind me and I was trying to stay ahead of them.  I did NOT want someone to pass me so close to the finish line.  But I was exhausted and when they finally passed me, I think I got a little de-moralized.  When we got to the park and I knew the finish line was within view, I was able to pass my last roadkill - 2 men.  So, even though I was dying at this point, at least I still had that much effort left.  When I crossed the finish line, my husband was there; and I all but fell into his arms.  Once I started walking, everything started hurting more and I began limping.  But after about 10 minutes, that began subsiding and I was able to go get some food and drink without looking like I was on death's door.  ; )

Lybi convinced me that I should take an ice bath - a horrific experience, I should add.  And after that and a warm shower, I crashed on the bed.  Happy to be horizontal finally, but also profoundly happy to have raced my first half marathon and been somewhat consistent and strong to the finish. I DID IT!!!

Sadly, I took way too much time off of running this week.  I was sore in my hip flexors for a couple of days after my race; but I really should've run on Thursday and Friday.  When I went today, my left hip got pretty tight at mile 3, so I stopped and stretched it and kept running.  Silly hips.  Does anyone else have constant problems with their pelvis, low back, tailbone, and hips being "out"?  My chiropractor is always having to adjust those.  What an odd area to be out so often.  It sure is irritating.

 ave pace: 10:47  (obviously that's for my records - certainly not brag-worthy.  Hahaha)

I didn't have much time to run before my Visiting Teaching appt today, so I quickly got in 3 miles.  It's still amazing to me that I ran 10 MORE than that less than 2 weeks ago.   That half marathon has given me an amazing sense of accomplishment!  But, I've kind of fallen off the wagon since then.  Part of it is the weather - it's getting colder (40's) and dark at 6:00 in the morning, so I'm less anxious to get out and run .... especially since I know it's only going to get colder.  So, I actually ran during the middle of the day today (wed - I'm blogging this a day later) and enjoyed the sun and warm temps.  

What a pathetic 2 weeks!  Will somebody kick my butt in gear!  (or fix my dumb low back.  Rotten back.)

 5 miles on the treadmill 2% incline - felt great!  Nice slow pace. 

4 miles outside - gorgeous late summer evening!!!!

I've decided to take Carolyn up on her invitation and prepare for a 10 mile race on October 11.  It's good to have a goal and a focus again.  Thanks!  Another reason I love this FRB.  (It's probably time to make a donation again, eh?)

I really am in denial that colder weather is coming.  I absolutely refuse to run in the cold until it's unavoidable!  I ran in the hottest part of the day today - 2:30!!  So there.  (hee,hee)  It was nice to be running while it was warm and sunny.  But I should've drunk more water before.  I was parched.  Nice run;  the last mile I struggled with a really painful stitch in my side.  I hate those!  There's supposed to be some magical way of getting rid of them; but no matter what I did, I was still grimacing with each step - especially downhill.  

I got all dressed and ready to run on the treadmill this evening, but I had another stupid cramp in my side that was killing as soon as I started running!  What's up?  Hmmm...I wonder if these new Fiber One bars are wreaking havoc on my intestines.  Maybe I'll try avoiding them tomorrow...

4 miles on TM

We took our girls out to a restaurant this evening, and I was very happy with how well it went!  Considering we have a 17 mos old, a 2 year old, and 7 year (with special needs), most restaurant trips end with me and my husband feeling exhausted, embarrassed, and determined to never go out again!!!  ;o)  It's nice to see the girls are growing up.  Don't get the wrong idea, we had a TON of food on the floor that we kept trying to clean up during the meal, and Cami made a disgusting mess eating her pie ... but everyone stayed in their seats, they actually ate, and there were no tantrums!!!  That counts for a GREAT evening!  Ahhhhh.

6 miles outside with my husband (we actually got a babysitter for running!!!) and then 2 more on the treadmill.  

Five on the treadmill.  The funniest thing happened:  I was watching the BYU version of Pride and Prejudice and I actually FORGOT that I was running!  Crazy, huh?  I thought it might be too slow; I usually try to watch action movies while I run.  But, for whatever reason, this one worked for me tonight.  I actually felt like I could've run further, but it's already pretty late and I'm tired of burning the midnight oil night after night.

On the treadmill again - 3 miles at 11:00 pace and the last mile at 9:15.  Sometimes I like doing speed work on the treadmill because then I can't slow it down without consciously pushing the button.  When I'm outside, I have to keep checking my garmin to make sure I haven't slowed - and then my garmin isn't always accurate at a specific point in time.

Treadmill again - late at night.  ugh.

 3.8 miles at 10:42, then 1.2 miles at 9:05

I'm determined to break my late-night running streak.  So, I only ran 3 miles tonight and I'm getting up early to run first thing in the morning.  Who knows ... I might even gt 6 runs in this week - my elusive goal:  4 down - 2 to go!

[By the way, Carolyn, I've never run on the treadmill without watching some movie or the Olympics.  Last night it was Nancy Drew and tonight The Reading Room.  I've actually never tried it without something to watch.  I'm sure it would be tons harder!]

4 ... Outside ... In the MORNING! Yea!  Of course, I didn't go at the crack of dawn because I don't have a light or any reflective tape or anything.  So, I drove my husband crazy hitting the snooze button until I started to see a little bit of dawn coming.  :o)  The weather was even nice this morning - only in the low 50's!  Hey, I'll take that over 39 any day.  It felt great to be outside again, and it'll be nice to have my run done for the day.

Yea!  I did it!! 6 runs in a week.  I looked through my calendar and I've only done that one other time in the last year - last November!  And I remember that it was mentally fatiguing to do it then.  I don't feel physically or mentally tired from the effort this week!  In fact, it wasn't until Wednesday that I realized I was on a roll.  That makes me happy; it tells me that I'm becoming more of a runner.  I've watched Lybi run 6 times a week for weeks - even months!  And I've always just said that I wasn't ready for that.  But maybe I am now.  

My garmin actually ran out of battery before the end of my run, so I used the cool course tool to check my mileage (it's a fun tool).  While on my run, I found a new path that I'm so excited about; and it actually had another trail that it intersected, so I'm anxious to check that one out too!  Yea!!

Today was a good day.  I had wanted to get in a long run today, but my hip - or more appropriately my femur - did something very weird last night.  It didn't hurt, but it was obviously not in it's correct position.  It felt soooo wrong just walking.  I kept stretching my hip, and it helped a little; but that in addition to getting to bed at midnight made it a little too tempting to turn the alarm clock off this morning (plus, my girls were up multiple times last night!)  I took my 7 year old to a birthday party, where 3 other girls with special needs were invited to a party for just them.  The birthday girl is such a little angel - she really loves special needs children.  (I love those kind of children.)  Cami did better than I thought she would.  She ... kind of played the games, and was very happy decorating her own little cake; and then we went to McDonalds (always a good thing in Cami's book).  And then, this evening, I got to go to the RS Broadcast and enjoy a chocolate fountain afterwards!  Sooo fun.  I ended up talking the whole evening with a lady who had adopted a little boy who was 4 days old.  She grew up in MI, in the ward that we lived in 5 years ago.  Such a small world!  So, we laughed about the funny people in that ward, and the interesting experiences of adoption. 

[By the way, my femur and pelvis are dong much better today.  I felt it the whole run, but it's been 4 hours and I'm not sore or hurting - so that's a very good sign!]

Holy smokes -- have I ever written such a long post!?!?  I'm in a real gabby mood!  ;o)

5 miles on the treadmill watching Princess Bride.  I haven't watched it in years!  It's a classic, though.  ;o)   Just for kicks, I thought I would really crank up the speed.  I tried 7:30 for a while.  Holy smokes, Lybi!!  How did you do your 5K at that pace?!?!  I'm so impressed.  

I wanted to get at least one 10 miler before I try and race 10 miles in a week and a half.  But, my heart really wasn't in it this morning.  I think I still mentally don't like long distances.  It was hard to move my legs until mile 3 or 4 and then from mile 7 on, my left knee was hurting.  In fact, my last 1/2 mile, I was actually limping.  Bummer.   I do have to say that I love this area, though!  There are so many athletic people that the city maintains the trails nicely, provide multiple trails that intersect, and ... they have port-a-pottys occasionally.  hehe.  

My hip was still a little sore from my run yesterday, so I did Yoga before a short 3 mile, easy run on the treadmill.  I like yoga - I should do it more often. 

 Great job to all the St. George Marathon Runners!!  Running against the elements and still doing GREAT!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Today was a piece meal day - a little here and a little there.  My husband had an early morning YM activity, so I couldn't run first thing.  Instead, I did yoga before the first session of Conference.  Then, I ran 3 miles before the 2nd session.  After a birthday party for one of my daughter's friends and dinner, I ran 4 more miles on the treadmill. 

The first 3.15 were outside with an average pace of 9:38.  I wanted to run longer, but I only had a short time and my sweet 2 year old really wanted to run with me.  So, we "ran" around the neighborhood for about 15-20 mintues and then I ran as much as I could afterwards.  She's too cute.  I can't wait till she can run with me all the time.  It won't be long till she'll be faster than me!  She's a great little runner for a 2 year old!

Wasn't Conference GREAT!!!  Even with all our little distraction, I was able to enjoy quite a lot of it!  ;o)

5 on the treadmill while watching The Other Side of Heaven.  Is it just me or does anyone else get more emotional while running?  It's the silliest thing to be running and getting all choked up at the same time.  With my breathing heavier and regular from the exertion, my emotions make me sound like I'm choking for air.  Quite odd.  But it's consistent too!  Weird.

The prodigal runner - 4 miles on the treadmill.   Why can I not find a better time to run than at bedtime on the treadmill?!?!  It's beautiful fall weather these days (except in the morning when it's in the 30's).  I need to just buck up and take the girls in our jogging stroller.  

So, my excuse for not running Tues and Wed is weak, but here it is:  Tuesday was my birthday so I decided to celebrate and watch a movie with my husband on the couch instead of on the treadmill.  But then on Wed, my darn stomach was hurting so much in the evening, that I reluctantly realized I was going to miss 2 days in a row.  I should've been more consistent and just run on my birthday.  Oh well.  Hindsight.  :)

The morning of the race was different weather than we've had all weak - it was cold, foggy, and rain/snow was in the forecast.   And as I drove the hour drive, I was amazed at just how thick the fog was!  And it stayed foggy for the entire race - which meant that the temperature stayed a brisk 40 degrees without the warm CO sunshine.   True to nature, I was late to pick up Carolyn!  (hee, hee)  Luckily it was a small race so there were still packets and parking spots available.  Instead of a t-shirt, we actually got a hooded sweatshirt!!!  Pretty sweet, huh?!? 

The race started and we were happyily cruising along (I forgot my garmin, so I probably headed out a little too fast for my 1st mile) and it turned out to be fortunate that the race was as small as it was (only 90 people finished the 10 miler) because the trail was actually very narrow.  Passing people was a little precarious.  It was a beautiful course, though, with the scrub oak just changing colors; and if it weren't for a road that we followed for a short time and a few power lines, it would seem that we were in the middle of nowhere (the fog helped that as well.  ha!)

The run was fun as Carolyn and I chatted.  She's so sweet and I love the blog even more for meeting a great new friend!  The race was a little scary, though, when at about mile 1.5, the fast runners who were running the 5 miler were coming back along the trail - which I already explained was a single file trail.  It was actually a very confusing course with 2 loops and 1 turn around.  I had thought it was only 1 large loop, so I was very disoriented each time we came to a fork in the road or had people coming back after the turn-around. 

I was doing fine until mile 5 or 6 when I finally had to put my knee brace on (luckily it was small enough to fit in my pocket).  Mile 7 was hardest as far as umph goes.  I was feeling so exhausted from the uphills that somehow seemed more plentiful that the downhills (is that possible?!?!  it felt like it).  The last mile was mostly downhill, so we really tried to push to the finish line.  I could hear a runner behind and kept reminding myself that I was NOT going to be roadhill on the last half mile.  I think we ran much of that mile at a sub-9:30 pace, which was much faster than our average of 10:33. 

Overall - fun race, great new friend, nice sweatshirt, and a decent finishing time.  I knew I wasn't going to be impressive in my finishing time since my running has not been very consistent lately.  My knee is still a little sore after the race, but that could've been because the rest of the day was very busy and I didn't get much time to just take it easy.  ;o)