Training for a Belt Buckle

Finally decided to go for a run tonight.  The pace was lousy because my throat and lungs are very dry and I didn't have much energy, but it was so great to be running.  I really missed it the last few days and though how grateful I am to be able to run and how glad I am that I accepted Sasha's challenge to push myself to learn to run without always taking walking breaks.

Worried a bit about the knee for the first few miles, but it loosened up and there was no pain, so I forgot about the worries at that point in time.

Lots of melancholy thoughts tonight.  It doesn't help that on top of the holiday weekend I was then sick - so even more days alone and moping and not being able to run because of first my knee and then not feeling well. Sometimes I just let myself get drawn into the pity pot wondering why it is that some of the people I loved the most became so bitter against life and treated me so lousy. If it wasn't for my sister and my kids I would seriously think that simply living with me turns those I love into depressed, angry, hurtful people and it saddens me to think about that.  Oh well - time to move on. I'm too tired to continue trying to change myself to make others happy.

I'm grateful to be able to run and not be weary and walk and not faint.  What a great promise if we take care of our bodies.  Now if only I had that beach volleyball player figure.....

Epic Fail tonight.  My plan was to run the entire Little Cottonwood Trail.  I know my endurance is up there and I could handle the 3.25 uphills without stopping - but my body apparently did not agree with my mind.  Only made it 1.5 miles up the canyon before I had to walk the rest of the way up.  Between being sick, only getting about 4 hours sleep each of the last 2 nights, and a crappy fat filled dinner with my dad at Marie Callender's - just couldn't find any energy.  Was able to run the entire trail down - but not as fun as some times.  Due to the angle of the sun I was having a hard time picking a line in the rocks and there were too many idiot bikers whipping by without notice.  Walked the Temple Quarry Trail (.3) to cool down.

Going to the doctor this afternoon. My chest is so tight I can hardly breath and my face is killing me - so I think I have at least a sinus infection and maybe bronchitis.

Waste of time and money.  I just have a cold.  If I am still sick in a week I am supposed to go back. She did offer me cough medicine, but I said no thanks.

However, did have a nice chat with the PA.  I was impressed that she saw my necklace (it says 'Twenty Six Point Two') and knew I was a marathoner.  She ran a half marathon once and mentioned she trained for it in Chicago.  I asked what part of Chicago and she mentioned Hyde Park and then said, oh - and another city you would have never heard of called Westmont.  I said - "60559" and you should have seen the shocked look that came on her face.  She couldn't believe I knew the zip code to where she used to live - she hadn't remembered it herself.

I mentioned that when I moved to Illinois at age 3 we lived in Westmont and it then became Darien (both with the same zipcode) and we started talking about favorite streets and stores and missing Giordano's Pizza.  She even attended my old ward and knew the bishop (from when I was married) that became Stake President and I was able to tell her that he died last year and his widow lives off the Jordan River Parkway in Lehi.  Small world....... (deja vu music playing)

Ran the RHPC Half marathon this morning.  I knew going into the race that I would not be able to PR since I had been battling both knee pain and being sick for a week, but wanted to do the run and put in as good an effort as I could with my health issues.

First 5.5 miles were uphill. Pinked 2 runners at mile 1 and another at mile 2 and figured that would be it.  We ran almost up to Vivian Park and I kept my pace just past the comfortable level on the uphills.  It was fun approaching the turnaround because I saw other runners from the race and was high fiving them and cheering them on.

After the turnaround I just tried to consistently run faster than comfortable to start getting used to pushing my pace.  I was glad for the cloud cover because it kept the race cooler.  I had extra water and gatorade because I didn't know how my lungs and throat would handle the running, but they seemed okay with drinking every 2 miles, so dumped any excess to lighten the load.

I was a bit concerned about never seeing Marion or Leslie - but figured they were big girls and knew the route.

Around mile 11 my lungs started hurting, but I figured I'd keep on pushing and finished under 2:30. If I was well I think I could have possibly pushed down below 2:20 and PR'd - but was okay with my efforts - especially through the uphill sections.

No great miles - but consistent and my body was okay with pushing - so I will start pushing my miles 2-3 times a week to start getting my speed down again.