I'm not crazy...I'm just bored!!

Well, miracles do happen and I owe this one to Burt! I'm going to try to log my miles. Heavens how I've missed this place. My solace. My friends. My motivation. My miles. I've been running...quite like the fool I've always been with running. But, I've lost so much by not logging it and sharing it with anyone who may care and for ME. I miss looking back and knowing what I'd run, how fast and being able to ask myself for more. 

So, my resolution is to get back to my daily logs. For me. All for me. But, if some of you decide to read and enjoy, I welcome your comments, suggestions, support and humor. Bring it on!

This race I did the first year it was held in 2011 on my scooter with my broken foot. Since then, I've started each year out with a 50K here. I haven't ever finished the 50K in the allotted five hours of time, but I do it because I can't help but do it! It is just my goal and I can't stop until I get there. 

This year I didn't track my laps...I tried, but after 99 my watch just stopped and wouldn't record any more laps! So, when I was done running I checked how many they had me recorded as running, then I ran a few more to get to 115...on a 442M track. Because I didn't run the inside lane the full  time I'm sure I ran closer to 32 miles, but meh...bygones. 

It was a wonderful run with lots of friends. I got to visit with Becca, Kimberly, Kandi, Galen, Curtis and a few others. I love chatting and running on this race and then plugging into my ipod and  pushing out the last hour. I tried to stay up on my fueling but my lack of early fueling took me down the 3rd hour for too many breaks! I think that was my downfall. But, I still had a great time and look forward to doing it again!

 This past year I have been an ambassador for Extra Mile Racing and I've loved it! At the race Jared Eborn gave me a t-shirt quilt as being Ambassador of the year. I was probably the only ambassador that actually kept their participation and work going throughout the year! But, at least I follow through. 

I have struggled with motivation these past few months. I've completed all my "big" life goals. I finished a full IM with the Iron Cowboy on July 25th this past summer. I did R2R2R in Nov 2014 and loved it! I've run a sub 1:30 half and well...I hate 5Ks, so I don't run them if I can avoid it. I also ran the trifecta this past year (3 marathons in 3 days in 3 states) and a total of 12 marathons and I think my lifetime total of marathons is at 43...44 if you count today. I've started lifting and going to Catchweight fitness and boxing and I'm loving the change of pace and new challenges. But, I LOVE running! sigh...I just can't give it up. It fills me like nothing else. But, all my friends have gotten faster or moved or our schedules just don't match up. I don't have people to run WITH. My Newtons group tolerates me and they don't complain, but I hate being the back of the group, running alone and making them constantly wait for me at each gathering point. I have no business running with them. They know it and I know it, but we have such a great time together it is hard to give it up. Plus, I always end up running alone and not getting to visit with anyone anyway. Sigh, it is my last strong hold to the running world, but it is slipping away quickly.  I miss my running family and the great memories and bonds I made over so many miles and years. I just can't deal with the drama on the FB group anymore. That and the chest selfies post run...ugh. Anyway, so I'm hoping that somehow this mortivates me to keep running. Maybe someone will start stalking me and caring about what I run which will force me to run AND log the miles. I have to do it for myself this time.  I'll take this step alone and maybe I'll find my way out of this funk!

Happy New year and welcome back to my long, rambling posts!

No miles today. Legs were a little tired from yesterday :) 

I did tabata this morning, then boxing class and then 5 rounds of sparring. I had 3 rounds in a row and then 2 other rounds. I finally fought a male south paw that gave me a good run for my money. I took a good couple hits, he isn't quite up to skills as far controlling his punches. I have a bit of a headache tonight. I also threw the bar into my lower lip during tabata and split the inside of my lower lip. My face hurts :) But, I guess if I'm going to fight in 8 weeks I'd better get used to it! 

Mondays sometimes become work mornings for me. We have piano at 5:30AM and then until 8:30 is it getting kids up and out of the house. So, then I catch up on work from the weekend and if I have time, will go play volleyball at a church with some ladies. It is fun! But, I didn't today. So, I just worked and took Adam to kindergarten. 

I did get a nice massage for my SI joints that are killing me. Not any more! But other than that it was a pretty lazy day.

I had an incredible run with the Newtons this morning. I truly didn't want to get up. Plus, they started 15 minutes early. sigh. I almost made excuses and went back to bed! But then, as usual, I thought about my sweet 15 year old daughter that gets up at 4:30 every morning to be in the water for swim practice at 5AM. If she can do it every day, I can do it twice a week. Suck it up butter cup! But, as I was getting ready and almost ready to leave, I realized that I hadn't heard her up at all...She had fallen asleep with the lights on last night and I thought she probably didn't set her alarm. Yup. I woke her up at 4:43 and she was in a bit of a panic, but luckily since I was up early and almost ready to go, I was able to help her so that she was able to be ready when carpool came. Tender Mercies....

The run was small, just Dave, Mandy, Mike and me; but it kept it slow :) I wasn't always in the back and I had company the whole time. I'm sure I was running a lot slower than normal, but I felt good and like I belonged and didn't struggle mentally being there on the run this morning. All of which are good things. I'm ready to fall asleep now...but I've got 2 more kids to get up and off to school and one just slept through his alarm.

I'll be off to leg day, boxing and sparring here in a couple hours. Lots of fun...so...much...fun...

a huge headache yesterday left me down and out. I don't think I'm ready to do much of anything today. We shall see...

The regular Shaggy Mountain route with the Newtons. It was actually nice and warm! I got left behind again, but well...that is par for the course. After the first meeting point I always had someone willing to hang back with me.

I did arm day at the gym

boxing class

sparring with Cyle. 

A good 4 hours! 

half mile warm up on the TM for Cyle's personal training session. I'm working on more power lifting. 

Then I did boxing class and stretched and rolled my SI joints out, because it snowed like crazy last night and I spent 3 hours shoveling my driveway and the enitre circle! My back was a little wrecked.

No miles. I'm lazy. I wanted to sleep in. So, I did. Plus, Lauren had a swim meet so I can use needing to take her there as an excuse/rationalization as well.

I did tabata class

Boxing class

sparring - 7 full rounds. Whew. 

I was tired and wanted to go home and do something with the family. I had good intentions to do an afternoon run, but since my motivation is lacking...well, I called it. 

nothing. nope. nada. zip. zero. zilch. 

I had good intentions, but I think I have some SI joint impingment and it is pressing on my sciatic and sends burning, shooting, crippling pain down both of my legs at random times and I basically have to sit down on the ground to make it stop. Like a charlie horse time 1000X 

Since I figured out what it was yesterday night, I've been doing stretches etc to make it better today and they have been helping. Against my better judgement, I'm going to try and run tomorrow...

Well, I ditched the running group, because in the 5 minutes I was up trying to get ready I had 2 crippling attacks. So, meh....I didn't want to be far from home, in the cold and unable to run or walk because of pain. Turned out it was for the best to skip, because Melanie ended up in the ER with her husband and it was just Chad and Mike. They would've hated my slow pace. 

I went to the gym and ran 4 miles before boxing class started, because Adam made me late enough that I couldn't jump into weights. BUT, it was best that way. It took a couple miles and stretching between them and I was able to run the last 2 without stopping at a 7.0 mph or faster. 

I then did boxing and then lifting on my own. 

After lift I ran another 3 miles for a total of 7 miles in 61:00, not too shabby for starting with a 10:20 pace. 

I finished with some good yoga and stretching. It really helped keep my sciatica from seizing up after I finished. 

I was able to get into my massage therapist this evening and she helped work out my SI as well as pirimorfis and hamstrings. I think it will help a ton. It already has. We shall see what the morning brings.

I did 4 full 3 minute rounds 2 with Whitney and 2 with Cyle. I got a good rattling from Cyle, but mastered Whitney. Not a single punch landed :) Hopefully I'll be ready by February 27th. 

Then I did speed work on the TM. I had done a half mile warm-up before sparring, but then I did another half mile before speed work. My first mile was 9:23...then at 10:00 I started my speed. 3 minutes starting at 8MPH and finishing at 9MPH, then 2 minutes at 7.0 to recover. Then I did the 3 minutes faster, 8.5 for the first minute and 9.0 for the last two.  2 minutes recovery and then I did 8.8MPH, 9.0 and 9.5 - 2 minute recovery then the last set I did at 9.0, 9.3, 9.5 and 10.0 for the last 20 seconds. I haven't run that fast in a long time. I like to be slow and lazy....I finished up my miles to 4.1, because I knew what my first mile was and I wanted to know what my 5K time was with the speed work. I finished the 4.1 miles in 31:23, which made my math super easy. 7:05AP with my rest minutes at 7MPH felt like a nice accomplishment. Especially with my crazy back issues (sciatica) that I've been dealing with these past few days. Sometimes I swear I can't even walk normal, so running with some speed was welcome....although slightly painful. 

I then spent 30 minutes doing my own yoga routine to stretch my SI joints, piriformis, hamstrings and spine. I also rolled my lower back and hamstrings. The massage helped a lot, but I still get plenty of zings of pain and tightness.

I was supposed to run Shaggy Mountain this morning. But, when I got up to get ready so that I could head out a little early and get my back warmed up before the speedies caught me, I saw that Melanie had to bail due to puking kids. Sigh. Chad and Dave run SO fast, I didn't want to run alone the whole time. They would speed super fast until they caught up to me and then I'd be going to slow at that point for them to feel like they weren't running in mud. So, then they'd leave me and I'd be alone and they'd be waiting forever for me at each re-group point. I figured I would simply alleviate them of any issues and bail myself. Sigh. I had actually gone to bed early and was looking forward to the run. I just really hate running alone and constantly being behind. 

I made my kids a wonderful breakfast and got them all off to school.

I took Adam to the gym and did my heavy lifting class (all arms today) and then I ran a mile to loosen up the back...which is why I only have one mile. Then I did the full hour of boxing class. Afterward I did my yoga, rolling and stretching routine to keep the back loose. It IS getting better, but man alive I wish it would just stop. 

no running. I did power lifting with Cyle and then boxing class and yoga/stretching. My back always feels a lot better when I stretch.

Then, I headed down to St George with Lauren and another pacer. We got down there late, but got packets and registration. 

Pacing the St George half marathon. I was pacing the 1:50 with Shawna Dibb. I wasn't completely confident in my skills at hitting this pace, especially with my back. I took some excederin and my back loosened up enough that the first few miles weren't horrible.  We settled into an 8:15 quite well and remained about 25-30 seconds ahead of pace despite the hills and crazy course. Mile 7 hill went well and the downhill invigorated me and I was ready to hit the pace accurately. However, around mile 10ish, my hips/back started aching and I was worried about my back holding up. Luckily at mile 11 two of the people who had been with us from the beginning dropped back and were having a hard time keeping pace. So I dropped back with them to encourage them and get them into the finish. It was certainly worth it and a welcome pace for my back as well. I truly wasn't complaining! Finished just at 1:51 and it was nice to watch those two finish strong! 

Lauren ran the 5K just over 29 minutes and was 5th in her AG (15-19).  We took off rather quickly and showered and loaded up to head back home.

at 6:30 I met Cyle and Whitney and I sparred a few rounds. I'm feeling a lot better about my boxing skills and with 6 more weeks I think I should ceratinly be able to hold my own against another amatuer. 

The first time in a long while that I actually got out for a nice run. I ran to Butterfield Park and then up through the cove to the top of Rose Canyon Road. Turned and came back down. My back likes the uphill when it is tight, but my quads aren't happy from Friday's lifting and the half. Averaged just over a 9MM which for the up and my back I was pleased with. Beggars can't be choosers.

I bailed on the Newtons morning run this morning. I hate getting up early and the cold...I'm losing motivation. However, I did get one mile in on the TM at the gym...yay?

I did weights/legs and boxing class with yoga and stretching afterward. 

Besides the ringing in my ears, all is well. 

I was supposed to do sparring and speed work, but with the winter storm Cyle cancelled on me...so I just did my speed work.

15 minutes of warm up and then 3 min at 9.5MPH or higher and then 1 min off (TM stopped, I'd jump and put my cell phone timer on) and 2 minutes at 7.2ish and then back to the 3 minutes at high speed. I did the speed work 5X - so a total of 15 minutes. Finished the 6 miles in 45 minutes - 7:30 AP, not too shabby knowing I had 15 minutes of warm-up in there. 

I then did 20 minutes of Lina's class. Lots of squats and other fun stuff...yay. She certainly made those 20 minutes worth my time!

I blew off the Newtons again this morning too. My head and the ringing in my ears is just getting unbearable. 

I did lifting (arms) and then boxing and sparring. Cyle said it was one of the best sessions yet. I'm feeling better about my preparation for the fight. I just need to make it official to get it off my mind.

A mile warm up on the treadmill while I was waiting to get started with Cyle. 

Lots of power lifting and one of the hardest workouts I've had in a long time. Then we did boxing class with little to no reprieve. 

Everytime I'd hit the bag it would echo in my head. ugh...this darn ringing in my ears (which isn't too horrible today, almost gone) and now my brain feeling like it is bouncing around in there. sigh....

I sat down for 30 minutes and chatted with Angela until my head was clear enough I felt like I could drive safely. 

The infamous Burn 5K. The Draper side of Suncrest...up. So much fun as usual. The field was a lot deeper this year than last year. I think I came in 7th overall female, but I truly have no idea. I don't even know my official finish time. Plus the race was longer this year, because the park we normally stop at was snowed in and so we went an extra .1 - not that it really matters in the long run!

My only goal this year at the race was to NOT stop and walk. I've always taken a walk break every other time I've done suncrest. Not this time. I was determined that no matter how horribly slow I was, I wouldn't walk. I made it to the top passing a few people AND running the whole way. Bring it!

I ran down with Michelle Henderson who was doing the up and down 3X to prep for Antelope Canyon 50miler. I should've stayed and done it with her! But, alas...priorities. 

So, I went to Lauren's swim meet and watched her take 10 seconds off her 500M PR - 6:35 now. She is doing SO well!!!

Then I finally went to sparring and I didn't know that Cyle was going to have Whitney and I spar full force. I had no idea and I wasn't ready for it. Especially with how my head has felt all week. But, I had to suck it up and deal with it. So, I did. I got dazed at least twice and I was not happy about the situation or sparring well. But, I did it. I came home and slept for hours with an ice pack on my head and then did nothing because I wasn't really functional the rest of the day. Shaking hands, headache, nausea...yeah, I love it....

Pity party of one...doctors appointments in the morning and then normal life in the afternoon and lack of direction made this a no go day.

I actually met the Newtons on a run! Amazing, I know. I just needed to get out with people that get me. I didn't do the full 10, I ran from home backwards on the course and met them on Emmeline. It was a wonderful, fun run! I'm grateful Melanie held back with me, because just before the blacktop starts infront of the rec center, I stepped on a chunk of snow or ice and fell hard. Twisted my ankle, banged my knee and hit my head on the cement too. I laid on the sidewalk and cussed for a second. Got up, walked a bit then finished the run. 

I then went to lift and half of boxing. I'd left Adam home to sleep so I had to go get him before kindergarten pick up. 

Another lazy day. I didn't do my speed work because of my swollen ankle. I could've toughed it out, but I'm going through some mental battles lately as well. 

I feel like I need a week-ish off of sparring so that I can recover my brain. I truly feel like I probably have had a concussion or two and each subsequent hard hit makes things worse. The ringing in the ears, pain in my eyes as I look left and right, uncomfortable brain pain as I quickly turn my head while driving, light headed as I simply bend down to pick stuff up. Sigh, so I asked for a week off. But, my coach is going to extremes and not giving it to me. He wants to cancel my fight. Which makes me crazy, because I know taking a week off to heal isn't the end of the world. A 1 minute 3 round first time amateur fight isn't the end all be all pro fight. But, he is acting like skipping a week of sparring is going to brake me. Friends that have done this event say it isn't  a big deal and I'm more than ready, but my coach is making a mole hill into a mountain. I'm trying to talk him down, but not having much success. So, do I suck it up and deal with it or do I just let him go and let my friends sign me up and help me? Ugh. Anyway, since I really only write this for me I'm just writing down my thoughts. I will see what happens when I talk to him tomorrow. A fight isn't worth sacrificing my brain. But, I've been looking forward to this for a while and working hard for it and I'M not willing to give it up yet. I just feel like maybe my coach is making it more about him and his anxiety and showing the world the awesome monster he can create and not wating to watch me lose than it is about me and helping me. But, we shall see....

Well, my ankle was still rather tight this morning, so I got up and went to get ready for Shaggy Mountain, but I was too worried with the uneven terrain and an ankle not 100%. So, I said hello to the Newtons and then went back to bed. I did get up and hit the gym for lifting (arms) and boxing. I then had a great face to face talk with my coach. I plead for his confidence in me. I couldn't let the fight go. I've been looking forward to this for so long!!! Nothing stops me. Nothing. Where there is a will there is a way. After 45 minutes of talking and rationalization he was willing to give me sparring on Saturday to see if I could handle training for the next few weeks for the fight. I left feeling on top of the world and like I wasn't going to give in.  I was going to find a way to make this work. I was going to have my cake and eat it too!

So, I was on top of the world knowing I was going to get to do my fight. But, then I talked to my husband. Sigh. He made me realize that my brain and my family need to be more important than a hobby. I can work through muscle issues, ligament issues...but my brain? I can't re-grow that. I'm 80% sure that after talking to Lisa I've had at least 3 minor concussions. The more impacts I take in sequence the more at risk I put my brain. This sucks. Because of my injuries I've had to put off family and fun stuff and sleep or recover. I can't afford to let days with my precious children slip by simply for a hobby. I can't afford to damage my brain, because it won't recover! So, I went to my personal training session ready to tell Cyle that I was ready to put this goal off. I'd still like to face someone in the ring and put my boxing skills to the test! But, I will wait until I'm ready and healthy. Craig helped me find perspective. He is good about that! 

So, I had a great dynamic lifting session with Cyle and then a huge boxing workout. It was great fun! Other than my dumb back locking up on me I again, I felt good about my decision and felt a weight off my shoulders...if not added on my SI joints and pushing on my sciatic! hahaha. 

So, I'm out of the fight. But, I truly believe it is for the best. I haven't been sparring long enough and I'm not used to taking punches enough to get through training. I'm trying to tell my heart that I didn't give up, I was just smart and put it off until I'm ready. 

So, I guess that means I have no excuses to cut my running anymore...now if it would just be spring.

Well, the beautiful snow storm taking over  the weekend cancelled my scheduled run with Lisa. Sigh. So, I did tabata and boxing and sat out to watch sparring. That was hard too, but I also didn't want another shot to the head. I don't need to take it. So, I watched and enjoyed the sparring, but I should've run while I was watching :) I started running afterward and I only got 4 miles in before Craig came to help me clean the gym. So, I took a break and mopped all the floors in the gym. I had 4 miles in 35 minutes and so after Craig left I took it upon myself to punch out another 3 in 25 minutes to make it 7 miles in one hour. It felt good. I really love running. Boxing is fun, but nothing takes the place of running. It was nice to just zone out on the TM and let my legs move. 

I then spent the evening watching Lauren's region swim meet in Bountiful. Man that girl amazes me and makes me so proud to be her mama! Being only a freshman she is ranked 13th in the entire region (8 high schools) for her 500 free event. I just see her improving and finding her stride more and more every day. I'm just not ready for her to grow up. I miss my little girl. Time goes too fast! My niece took 2nd in 100 breast stroke and at the same time dropping 4+ seconds off her PR! It was an incredible race and we  think it now gets her qualified for state. It was a privledge to be able to be there and watch that amazing performance!