Patience; the new endurance sport.

I slept in two days in a row and so today didn't get my run in until 6:30 in the evening.  It's such a beautiful time of the day, but harder to run.  The sun is thick and low and makes the air heavy and yellow like honey.  There was a gorgeous breeze that made the leaves clap quietly above my head, and kids swimming and laughing in the deep pockets of the river.  I was tempted to jump in too after my run. Except then I remembered how that one summer I did that after every run, and then the blond parts of my hair started turning light green.  So I stopped doing that so much.  I was reminded that week 4 is a recovery week and so I'm going to take that pretty seriously.  So today, was about remembering why I love to run. Also, it's time to start ramping up the Saturday runs and trying to do those faster.  So for today I'm in love with running again. I'll work hader some other day.  Ave. pace 8:49

Ave. Pace 8:44.  The goal for this week for me is NO STOPPING no matter what.  Since I got the Garmin, I've not factored in my stopping time. It stops when I do. Maria was right, it is a psycological barrier. I've got to get past it.  When I got out the door today, I could feel it was about 10 degrees cooler than usual.  Downright chilly actually.  Weird for a July morning, but crisp and clean. The sun is slower in rising now we're past the solstice. The fast runners were out doing their thing.  Jeff is so young looking and fresh faced that even leading three other people in a six minute mile, is able to make eye contact, smile, and say Good Morning (in a good, strong voice).  I want to kill  and hurt others when running an 8 minute mile. I don't know what it's like going any faster than that, but I can't imagine being friendly or concientious while doing it.  Then came Sasha, pulling Josse on the end of a rope.  She and I smiled at each other while passing, and it was a little bit funny, if not for the intense concentration on Sasha's part to perform this really grueling work out. All I can say is, I'd rather be at the back end of that rope rather than the front.  Which is precicely why I couldn't run a 10K in under 50:00 minutes.  Those guys are just amazing.

Today is my daughter's birthday.  She was born, 11 years ago today at 8:03 in the morning after 54 hours of  labor.  Happy birthday sweetheart.  You just remember who birthed you, that's all I ask. 

Josse was kind enough to suggest we go for a 10 mile run this morning. I was really excited to try and keep a 8:00 to 8:15 pace sustained for 10 miles with a seasoned, experienced new running friend. It was going to be so fun to get to know her, etc, etc. Then, at 5:45 a.m. right before I was walking out the door, I could not find my keys (we won't mention names here, but lets just say they were in someone's pocket who left for Salt Lake at 5:00 a.m.).  Anyway.....I jumped on my mountain bike (I know! That old heavy one I used to ride to work---before I had kids--) and rode 7.5 miles as fast as I could.  I showed up 15 minutes late, Josse was gone (by the way--I don't wait either--- so I'm not offended or sad in the very least).  But when I got to Will's Pit Stop, I realized I didn't even have a chain for the bike, so I asked the station attendant if he would hide my bike in the back.  THEN, I started running toward the canyon.  I ran almost three slowish miles (8:40's) into those strong morning canyon winds and around there found Josee running back down the canyon.  So I turned around and ran back with her.  I was determined to try and do 6 at least, but missed it by a few 10ths.  Shoot, can we try that again Josse?  That was wholly unsatisfying until those last 2.85 miles (8:31,7:41, 8:01)--then it was too late.  Also, I sense about 10 million stories you have to tell me, and I'm ready to hear them....  Anyway, riding home fast on my bike, soaking wet from the run was a little bit CHILLY.  When I got back I looked and my Garmin had never stopped.  I rode 7.5 miles home and those BIKE miles averaged 5:00 m/m. Isn't what those fast runners do while RUNNING?  I couldn't have even ridden my bike in a race against them and won.  Man.  Anyway, saw Sasha and Jeff finishing their run just as I was getting closer to home.  I can't even tell you how un-interested I am in doing a triathalon right now.

I really, truly intended to keep my mileage under 40 this week.  I swear it. Only one more long run this week, I promise.... But who can resist running a few extra miles with company?  I ran on my own for about 5 miles with the dogs, and then ran into Jeff and Sasha who invited me for a few more.  So I turned around and was going to just go a couple more for fun. But then, completley unprovoked, they offered to sing.  Of course, I've read about this in past blogs, and so was naturally curious to hear it for myself.  Jeff, sang a completely beautiful rendition --well sustained, well controlled, pitch/diction perfect version of the star spangled banner.  We never went faster than 8:36 m/m so I figured that was to Jeff's advantage over the 5:30 m/m songs of past blogs. Sasha sang his rendition as well. But let's just say he's not as pitch perfect as Jeff.  Then, they asked me score them.  I gave Jeff an 8.5 and Sasha a 6 (at first). I said they each got a base of 3 points just for singing while running, and then I gave Sasha 1 'non-native' bonus point.  But he said those points didn't count.  So, Sorry Sasha, that leaves you at about a 2.  But hey, you sure can run fast, and you program a mean blog!   Thanks guys, you made my morning.

I did not sleep very much last night.  So I treated Josse to 8 miles of sheer boltushka style running.  Josse!  Welcome to Luz's world at fatrunningslob.com -- ruining the reputation of elite atheletes since 2008!  We ran 4 (9:14/8:52/8:51/8:54) into the canyon wind uphill-ish and 4 back down (8:25/8:25/8:19/8:21).  The great news is I've gone 5 days, (6-10 miles at a time) with NO STOPPING and holding steady near or under a BQT pace.  Oops, I just forgot we did stop for a drink at mile 6.  Darn.  I can't resist that cold, fresh artesian water fountain at the mouth of the canyon. Came home and ran a few more miles with Sarah.  I'm not sure I can get through my week now without her.  It's Friday! TGIF or whatever, I've almost made it.

I ran the canyon this morning with Catherine and Amanda. The word of the day is gratitude.  I am so grateful for these runs.  I am so grateful for amazing women to run with.  I am so grateful for strength and health.  I am so grateful to be outside. I could not have made it through this week without these blessings.  Or maybe now the stress of the week is over and I finally got 8 full hours of sleep last night, I'm just high from being well rested.  But I am grateful, even for that.