Running in the Rockies

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!