Patience; the new endurance sport.

Cemetary trail run with the dogs.  The sun coming up over the valley was an inspiring start to the week.  Unfortunately, losing the cat in the rose thicket, snagging my jacket getting her back, misplacing my cel phone, and then finding my bike tire flat--making me late for work-- reminded me that it's Monday.  I wish I had more time to run in the morning.  Those are the most perfect moments of my day.

Ran 4 up and down Timpview as fast as I could 9:13's then ran 2 more miles slowly on the treadmill while I watched Hoarders (always makes me feel better about myself having too many running shoes).

I took my time, ran slowly enjoying the afternoon light.  This has been my favorite autumn in many years.  It has lasted so very long, and aside from the freak snow on October 27th, it has been breathtaking.  I was amazed by how many trees still have leaves (green ones), and how much longer I've been able to enjoy the fall colors.  Today I signed up for Utah Valley Marathon, and thankfully did not get rejected.  So I've got the National Marathon in DC in March, and Utah Valley in June.  I'd like to get Park City underway too but I don't think I'm interested in running St. George unless I can go with my friend Shawna.  Who knows what will happen.  I am still sad Cath and I missed the Boston cut off.  But it's just been that kind of year for me:  Moving, changing, rejection, acceptance, losing, finding, ending, beginning. 

Cath sent our schedule and the 18 week  marathon training series actually begins next week.  I'm not excited about getting started.  I still have not found a running friend on this side of town--there's a younger girl down the street, but she's only ever run 2 half marathons. So I think we may be pace-compatible, just not mileage compatible.  If she can hack the 5:45 time slot, she'd make a great weekday running pal.  We'll see. I feel rested enough to start up again.  I went to the doctor this week to get everything checked again, and as soon as I get the go ahead, I'll get going. I just need an x-ray and another blood panel. 

A new attack on the Provo River Trail  near where I used to live. I regret it was some young, unsuspecting girl attacked and not me. Not that I invite an attack...but sometimes while I'm running, depending on how much "steam" I'm burning, I wonder if  I'd enjoy hurting someone. Unfortunately, attackers don't usually zero in on Middle-Aged crazy--usually--though I've had my scary moments on that very trail.  I do hope they catch the guy. One of the single most dissapointing parts of being a woman is feeling unsafe while running, and the consequences of not paying attention at all times. It makes me mad.

I took a week off due to my birthday festivities, out of state visits, and parties.  It's my goal to get down to a n easily managable level of activity so I can feel fresh again next Jan.  I never used to run in the winter and have been running 6 years straight with no breaks.  However, I need to keep moving.  Running after 7 full days of in activity, made all the old places a little sore today (hip, hamstrings, glutes).  I'm doing super slow treadmill runs and then a million situps & pushups.  Everything in the Universe has indicated to me that it's time to go back to Yoga in a serious way.  I'll start hitting the studio at lunchtimes again. Also, I have my doctors appt. this week to see about getting my belly button hernia fixed and the growth on my leg re-biopsied (while I'm 'off'' of serious running). I'll also make sure anemia is under control again.  I've been a mess since I moved away from the trail.  Migranes, exhaustion, depression--which of course leads to hypochondria.  I realize the move has changed a lot for me-- my lack of motivation to run can be attributed to the fact that running outdoors doesn't fill my soul the way being on the river trail did.  Now running, is just running.  Also--my regular Saturday gig with Catherine these past 5 years is noticibly absent.  Funny how little things you take for granted can affect you so deeply you're not even aware until one day you just can't get out of bed and don't know why.

Treadmill 12 m/m av.  I just kept an even pace and watched 'The Insider" while I ran.  My poor dogs, they miss the trail more than I do.  They lie on the floor surrounding the treadmill and look at me run with hope in their eyes that I may jump off the treadmill and actually take them outside.  But it's what I can do right now. 

Ran the cemetary loop and the trails beyond this morning.  It was lovely.  Cath sent me our training schedule, the 18 week series  begins next week!  What?  Ok, I think I'm rested enough. I just still haven't found a good running friend this side of town. I met a girl down the street, much younge than me who has run 2 half marathons--so even if we are not mileage compatible, we may be weekday 5:45 a.m. compatible.  We'll see.  I'm still waiting form my blood panel results, and to see if I'll need an X-ray or if my hernia needs repair.  Then if all is clean, I'm all set.  Not super excitited to do a regular a.m. thing again.  I've been really enjoying getting a lot of sleep, and using the better part of my energy to clean, play, cook, walk, visit, read, and sleep some more. 

I felt so great after my run today.  I got it done before 7 with all my sit-ups and push ups which left me the rest of the day unobstructed.  I hate getting up that early, but it's what my body needs. I just don't like it when I have to get in over 6 miles before 7:00 a.m. then it's tough.  Ran on my treadmill due to the slush and watched Funny Girl with Barbara Streisand and Omar Sharif and can not believe a Jewish girl making out with an Arab in 1968 on film didn't sit up world war III.  I mean, she was very vocal in her support of Israel, and he was an Egyptian and a convert to Islam--specific religious choices-- the same ones that have caused war in the middle East for like 3,000 years, and yet there they were kissing on screen like there was no tomorrow.  Better yet was their off screen affair.  I mean, in their own way, they put an end to the Israeli / Palestinian Crises and no one said a word that I know of.  

I really only need to be doing 3 & 4's right now, but I can't bear to only do 3 so I slugged out an ice cream mile (slow, easy).  I'm super-t-dooper-t excited about this blizzard they're talking about.  If it does not pound us into an insane white-out like they promised I am going to be mad.  If I have to stay in Utah for Thanksgiving-- the least I can do is get one to ninteen inches closer to Sundance Season opening in a few more days. Also, I have 4 days to run outside--who doesn't love padding through fresh snow?  I'll need all of that fresh air after what I will be forced to endure on Thanksgiving Day.

Did a turkey trot with Josse and heard about her sweet, cute baby.  We ran until our faces froze up in the canyon wind.  Did I mention it was 8 degrees?  Even so, it was nice to get a breath of fresh air and sanity before we each retire and resign ourselves to our Thanksgiving realities...ran the dogs for an extra mile.  On this day, I am thankful for all my running friends and the variety of things they teach me about life, and also running....Happy Thanksgiving.