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

I did it, yes, I did it! But, we must start at the beginning :)

Early spin class to get the cardio burn in. First morning in a LONG time my legs have felt tired. Oh, how I love it! Spin wasn't easy, Danielle is probably one of the toughest teachers at the gym - and I LOVE her classes!

Got kids off to school then went back with 2 little ones in the daycare. A tender mercy today: only TMs were open, no ellipticals. So, I decided to skip my normal warm-up there and just go for it on my hill climb (always a 6% grade!). Figured I could do 40 minutes total and get 30 min of running in (which is what I have to get to in order to start pulling down the incline). Yeah, okay this IS happening! So, I did. 7 min running (5 min @ 5.5 then 2 @ 6.0) with a 3 min walk break at 4.0mph. Repeated twice. Next two 10 min sets were: 5 min @ 5.5, 2 min @ 6.0 then 1 min @ 6.3. I was definitely ready for the 2 min break at the end of those ones!

Only a problem came with 3 min left in my last set of 8 min running, the day care called my name. Crap. Oh well, they will have to wait for 3 minutes. With 30 seconds left they called my name again, fine! I'm coming this time, just give me 30 seconds. So, I didn't do the last 2 min walk - grabbed the diapers then went down, except it wasn't a diaper change. Baby was getting tossed from the nursery for biting! Little stinker. He doesn't bite at home, because his siblings give him what he wants when he whines. This is going to take some work! Any suggestions on how to curb a 19 month olds biting issues would be greatly appreciated.

I'd planned on and was looking forward to masters swim, but now had an outlaw on my hands. Not even chuck-a-child would take him! So, I called a neighbor in desperation and she said she'd be happy to take the naughty child, and even his big brother for the hour while I swam. Ran (read: drove as fast as the law would allow) the kids practically home, went back to the rec center and changed and got in the water as fast as I could, but still missed the first half of class.

Even though I only got 35 minutes in, it was a GREAT class and I actually learned how to do breast stroke properly - it is deceptively HARD! I could barely get through the 75 doing it - the right way, not the way I'd done it all my life. My arms/shoulders/back and inner thighs will be sore tomorrow! Totally worth driving the kids to the neighbors and going back for.

So, I'm happy on 2 accounts - I did my 30 minutes on the TM at 6%! Granted, I think it needs to be consecutive, but I still did it! Also, if I would've gotten on an elliptical to warm-up I would've totally missed out on my running today, because of the outlaw. Thank you everyone at the gym for using the ellipticals this morning :)

Too tired to wake up early - this has been a theme as of late.

Went and sat in the day care to observe my little outlaw. Caught him in the act and he got some 'bite juice' (vinegar). 2 hours of sitting in that day care is boring - no wonder he starts biting people! :)

No workout, but I think it was a good thing for my foot to have a day off. Felt really good - nearly forgot about it - by the end of the night.

I wanted to avoid the daycare today, but I seriously can NOT wake up in the mornings lately.

Spent the first hour watching my little outlaw in the daycare. He was having a great day and had NO problems at all. So, I left in confidence and went to the TM for the second hour to finally get a workout in. HA! I was at 19 min when they called me back and he was sitting in the time out chair. He got some bite juice and had to wait another minute in  time out, apologize, then we left...with our heads hung low...

My neighbor has a TM and so I asked her if I could use it for just a bit and she said it would be fine, so I got another 30 minutes in, but man alive...I'm getting tired of this mess.

10 minute sets on the TM @ 6% incline. 5 minutes @ 5.5 mph, 2 min @ 6.0, 1 min @ 6.3 then 2 min walk @ 4.0 - 8 min running and .75 in distance covered each set. Repeated 5X. Total of 40 min running and 10 min walking.

Thank goodness for the weekend. I think I'd better start liking waking up early...at least until the little terror stops biting!

Stupid gym. I can't wait until I get to run outside on Saturdays and avoid the headache there!!! 

In order to get an 8:00 spin pass before 7:30 you can swim or do lift, but if you do the 7AM spin or anything else you have to wait until 7:30 to get a pass. Well, when it is 6:45 and there are only 4 passes left, you know your chances are slim to none. So, I played the game and took my lift pass and figured I'd just give it away and/or ditch class - two can play this game! BUT, just as that happened the wicked aerobics director of the West walked up behind me "but, they have to DO the lift class!" yeah, yeah...fine, whatever. She even sought ME out on the TM (I decided to get a 10 min session in before class) and make sure that I was planning on coming to class and said "well, we're setting up right now" "oh, well class doesn't start until 5 min after, right?" "yes, but it is best if you set up beforehand, because you need a partner...blah, blah, blah," "Okay, I'll be there by 5 after." Whatever. So, I went to lift class and did everything she couldn't - HA! Take that!!!

So, with tired legs and arms from lift (I think she was trying to challenge ME personally! - yes, it is always all about me) I snuck out (thanks to a partner who offered to put everything away, she knows how crazy spin gets!) before she could say anything and didn't stretch, but went right into spin. Allison was crazy hard and I swear gave us about 10 seconds of recovery every 5 minutes. Holy cow, my legs were burnt. This is why I wanted to run first, but dumb stupid rules made me do lift!

After class I headed out to the TM for my 'long run' of the week. I wasn't sure this was going to happen. I was spent. I just kept thinking...you would be doing around 18 miles today if you weren't injured so suck it up and work it out!

I modified my normal 10 min intervals, because today is long run day. All, again, at 6% incline: I ran 1.25 miles at 5.3-6.3mph and then walked .05 to recover - this took me to nearly 15 minutes, so I decided to do this 4X and finish with 5.0 miles. Between set 3 and 4 I walked .15 to even the mileage out to 4.0, then I could finish my last 1.25 with a total distance of 5.25 (between walking and running). Speeds were the same for all of the sets, a little slower than normal, but longer. Good pseudo long run, right?

Well, since I'd done my 8 min before lift I had a total of 5.75 miles of running and wanted to round it out to 6.0 - but I was tired of that D$%# 6% incline. I swear my PT is just laughing his head off thinking about me trying to run at that incline!!! So, since this was my 3rd day of over 30 min with no pain (so far) I decided to try 4% just for the last quarter to get a taste of what next week has in store :) Oh, my DREAMY!!! Do you know how easy a 4% incline is?!? I was cruising along at a 8:27 pace and felt incredible. I was at a decent pace!! I'm sure I couldn't do that pace for a long time, but 4% feels SO much nicer than 6%!! I can't wait.

So, I got a good 3 hours in at the gym. I certainly hope all this cardio and crazy incline work will help me to get back into the groove again quickly when I'm allowed to run outside. I still hate hills!

Okay, I really had to think about what I did this morning. Since I can't remember I'll just say this: 5 miles on the TM in an hour (with walking breaks), ran 1 mile at 6% then 4% then 6% then 4% then 6%. All the 4% miles were under a 10mm. Felt like a dream to run at the 4% - really felt flat honestly.

Got home and did 60/60/60 planks and 20 push-ups. At the end of set 4 (I was going to do 5 to do 100 push-ups) I heard my baby playing with/flushing the toilet upstairs. He'd flodded the thing with TP. stinker! So, I shut off the water to the toilet, cleaned up the water on the floor, unclogged the toilet and turned the water back on. Came back down to finish my sets and within minutes I noticed water dripping on the floor...from the ceiling...nice. A big bubble had formed under the paint. I figured it was from overflow water, pop  the bubble and all will be well. HA!

I'll have to post pictures of the mess that ensued, but suffice it to say that the leak of water from the toilet went MUCH further than expected. I now have one 8 foot hole along a drywall seam and another 6 foot hole along another seam, the baseboards removed in the bathroom and fans drying out the space between the floor and the ceiling. SO.MUCH.FUN.

I am drenched in drywall and mess and water, my house is a disaster, hubby is home from work for the day and I've got someone coming over in a few hours to give me an estimate on repairing my ceiling in the family room/kitchen. What a wonderful start to the week :)

Oh, and I never finished that last set of planks and push-ups. Just think, you never know what kind of a mess the gym and daycare save you from until you can't go there anymore. I just think if that little stinker wouldn't bite I could've slept in, gone to masters swim, not have a hole in my ceiling and water damage to deal with.... Only good news is, I just keep laughing at it all and am beside myself about the craziness of it all! At least it was clean toilet water, we're now drying out and I've got great neighbors and hubby that came to my rescue when it got so big I was afraid it was more than the flood issue and shut off the water to the house. Also, I now get to learn how to do drywall!! yay....

I need a recovery day. Still have a headache from the craziness yesterday. I hoped a good nights rest would help it, but no beans. So, I'm taking today to take care of everything that got put off yesterday. No gym time thanks to the biter :)

Oh, I really needed todays workout! Had a hard mental day yesterday, but having a great dinner and going to bed early has made today SO much better...so far.

Woke up at 5AM ready to wake up, not tired! I guess going to bed early does help. When I got to the gym Kelli was there and I was SO happy! I've needed a good chatty run lately, thanks Kelli! It really made such a HUGE difference to have you there! I did one mile @ 6% at 5.5 mph, then I graduated to 4%! YAY! next 3 miles under 10mm. I would start at 6.0mph then increase the pace the last 1/4 mile.

Spin class (didn't have time for all 5 miles before class, because I still have to walk .1 between miles to recover and I left my water in the car so I had to run out and get it before I started). I love this class. Danielle is a crazy teacher! awesome muscle work and butt in the saddle for the first 30 minutes!

Went to the TM to finish my last mile before heading home, I was late, so I figured I'd push the pace a bit (still @ 4%). Started at 6.0mph and every tenth I'd increase speed a tenth. I figured I might just be able to nail a sub 9mm...so I sped up the last .2ish so I could. I think I was about 1-3 seconds over, but since it took some time to ramp up to the speed and incline I needed I'm callin it a sub 9mm!! Been a long time since that happend :)

Thanks to Kelli I found where elevation gain is on the TM! over 1200 feet in 5 miles today, nice! I can't imagine what the 5 miles at 6% is!!!

At home I did my 60/60/60 planks with 20 push-ups 5X. I made sure all the bathroom doors were shut before I started - I'm a quick learner :)

Yee-haw! Guess who got the TM to 6 miles in an hour at 4% incline? and yes, that was with a 1/2 mile of walking. I love it! 

4% incline - 1.25 miles, then .1 walking; repeated 4X. Running speed varied from 6.0-7.0. I always start slower then increase the speed the last 1/2-1/4 mile.

When I had my 5 miles of running done I noticed I still had 5 min left on the TM. I could totally bust out another 1/2 mile before the hour was up. So, I decided to 'practice' my 2% incline :) I started at an 8:00mm and went progressively to a 6:59! I had just less than 4 min by the time I decided to do this. Oh, how absolutely marvelous it felt to open it up and run fast!!! I can't wait for this week to be over so that I can run FAST at a 2% incline - YAY! The distance clicked to 6.0 miles just as the TM turned off...awesome :)

*sad day when you are impressed with getting 6mph on a workout!*

1153 feet of elevation gain along with those 6 miles, lovin' me some hills...

Spin class, not my favorite, but a pretty decent outdoor ride. This teacher doesn't really push too hard, but keeps it more like a normal outdoor ride on flat/rollers. Good times and I kept nearly falling asleep - I think it is the only time I've wished they'd turn the lights ON in spin class.

4 TM miles at 4%, one at a time with .1 walk breaks between each mile. I would start the pace at 6.1 and end at 7.0, sometimes increasing throughout the mile and other times just the last 1/3 or so. Even with walk breaks I was staying about a 6mph pace. If I did my math correctly, the AP for my running portions was 9:15. Not too shabby :)

I did drop it to 2% for the last 1/2 mile again. Man, it really does feel SO much easier to run a 7:30 at 2% than an 8:34 at 4%! Crazy how big a difference incline makes.

Now off to prep the house for drywall repairs today...

Don't even ask about what happened today...seriously, just one issue after another and I held out hope to get to the gym clear until 8PM. Then I found out they closed at 9, sigh. Whatever.

I am grateful that days like this are rare. My husband is always willing to work his tail off and do what is asked of him and he earns enough money for me to stay home with my kids and I really shouldn't complain. I was just bummed all weekend about missing my ME time. Sometimes it is hard to be a mom all day with no me time breaks or hubby help.

Funny how all weekend all I wanted to do was run and never got to, but when my alarm went off at 4:45 this morning so I could do my run and a spin class this morning I had every excuse in the WORLD to sleep. I'd even gone to bed early! So, my compromise to myself was one more hour, then I could get the run in, I'd just have to bag the spin. Sounds good...especially snuggled up under the warm covers in my cozy bed while I'm half asleep! :)

Got to say hello to Kelli while she was on her way out. I should've gotten up, then I could've chatted while I ran. dumb me. Anyway, TM work was good today - I'm trying to slowly pull down the incline since I'm relased to 2% running tomorrow.

2 miles 4% @ 6.1-6.3mph

2 miles 3% @ 6.5-6.7mph

2 miles 2% @ 6.8-8.0mph

Oh that last .1 of a mile at 8.0 felt SO awesome. I love being able to regain some speed after all this hill climbing. I was just shy of 1000ft of gain this morning, nice to see that vert going down :) So, all these miles were continuous. I didn' stop for a walk break once. I felt great and had only minor foot pain. The same stuff I deal with all the time - tendon issues on my 4/5 metatarsals from the immobilization, nothing fracture related.

Came home and after getting kids off to school and securing the bathrooms and other sources of water (he has recently discovered the water dispenser on the fridge, so it now must also be locked), I did The Shred L3. It has been a long time since I've done the shred, good stuff baby!

My plan is 6/day and then 10 on Saturday - outside!!! This will more than double my YEARLY mileage in one week...awesome :)

Tomorrow I'm trying out the nursery again, wish me (or the outlaw biter) luck!

Last plea...My birthday is Wednesday. I have a good uphill (gentle) route planned that will be 6-7 miles and I'd love to have someone come with me! Smooth was going to accompany me, but since she is now taking ownership of my boot I need some company. I was planning about 9AM, but I'd do anytime - I just don't want to wake up before the sunrise! Don't make me run alone on my birthday...c'mon peeps, help a girl out?

Last night when I went to bed I was sure I had strep. Body aches, tired, swollen throat, stuffy nose, each minute getting worse. So, I bagged getting up early and decided I needed the sleep more. 9 hours later I woke up feeling good - excellent!

Took baby comando-destruco to nursery and left with high hopes. Six miles later I picked him up with no bad reports! whew! Must be my lucky day.

2 miles @ 4% - 9:40, 9:25

3 miles @ 2% - 8:42, 8:25, 8:30

1 mile @ 1% - sub 8:00 - started at 8:00 then went progressively faster each quarter, then the last quarter I increased every .05 to finish with a 7:30 the last .05

Yes, I know I cheated, but I needed to be done, quickly. I figured one mile at 1% couldn't hurt too much, especially if I want to run outside tomorrow.

I wanted to do masters swim afterward, but since I didn't want to leave Buster in the nursery 2 hours (I would be pushing my luck, I'm sure!) I decided to try their mom & me swim class. It is 30 min of water aerobics for mom while holding/playing with baby, then 20 min of a swim class for baby and then 10 min free play. Fartlek LOVED the class, big smiles and lots of fun - the aerobics part wasn't really much to shout about, but being able to workout with my baby was totally worth the smiles on his face. I may have to start taking him every Tuesday!

TT for the 6 miles: 53:20 - AP: 8:53; oh my 8's, how I've missed you!!! 800ft of vert.

So, last chance...anyone in for an 8:30ish birthday run tomorrow? Starting at the District and ending at my house (about 7 milesish). I think there may be a possiblity of stopping by keaders on the drive back to the district for some breakfast....

BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! Okay, maybe not ever, but it sure was a good one.

Met with Smooth, Karen and Wendy at the District. Smooth went back to my house to wait while we ran home. psst...did you hear that? I ran...outside!!! Geat big snowflakes falling all around, clear roads and decently warm temps. Snow globe run. Great friends. Perfect conversation. Only bad thing was the constant uphill :)

Seven glorious miles. I don't know pace...garmin died, I just loved it all!!!

Went to breakfast with the running crowd at Kneaders. SO yum!!! Thanks Smooth. Couldn't ask for more...nothing more.

I had to do 32 miles for my 32 years, but since running them was out of the question I decided to bike my remaining 25 miles. Talked my husband into joining me. Although it was a bit of a rough go - he isn't quite used to that much time on the bike - seat - well, lets just say it is a good thing we're done having kids :) The weather had cleared out and we had nearly dry roads and sunshine the whole time.

It was the best birthday gift ever for him to allow me to nearly kill him on this bike ride. I had a wonderful afternoon touring the west side of the valley with my man. Even if he may not be able to walk tomorrow, poor guy.

Don't know exact mileage or pace...shortly recharged garmin died at mile 20.

Came home in time to take care of after school stuff for the kids and get to stake youth choir that I somehow got roped into leading, then we took the family out to dinner to Benihana. Because of choir it was late and I swear the kids almost fell asleep watching the cook a few times, but we had a great, peaceful meal - which with my kids is a near miracle!!

Now I'm home and ready for bed. What a wonderful, glorious day. I really have nothing to complain about - except a few pinheads at choir I'd like to bop, but they're kids, what can we say?

If you could ever order a near perfect birthday for me...I think today would be it :)

Yesterdays fun left my legs quite fatigued today. Just don't tell my husband, I've got to save face!! I can't admit it was anything other than normal :)

6 miles on the TM that were horribly slow and felt hard due to the fatigue, but whatever - I got them done and that is the whole point of working my way back, right? All @ 2% varying pace, but AP = 9:13 with the last quarter at 8:34. Luckily Wendy was there and we had a wonderful chat that made the miles fly by...well, almost :)

Came home (baby was good in nursery again today! but, I'm still limiting to one hour) and did the Shred L2. I still think it is worse than L3, I don't know why I just feel like it is! 

25 miles so far this week...almost double my yearly total of 36 prior to Monday :)

SO SO HAPPY THE BLOG IS BACK UP!! THANK YOU SASHA FOR TAKING THE TIME FROM YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY TO GET MY LIFE BACK TO NORMAL :)

4 miles on the TM @ 2% - 8:57, 8:49, 8:41, 8:30

1 mile on the track 7:30 - Eight weeks ago I ran a mile on the track as my last run before x-rays and a fractured foot. I'm so glad I am where am right now and not back there! It has been a long journey, but I am ready to get back at it.

800M swim. 400 pull, 400 kick, 300 pull, 300 kick, 100 free.

Then I came home and did normal stuff...until the school called. My daughter fell down at recess (just playing with friends, no big story or drama) and hurt her wrist. After spending the afternoon/evening in the insta care x-rays were obvious to me that it was broken. She has a splint and will get a cast Tuesday morning. I guess she just wanted to be like her mom :)

WOO HOO! Hit my 40 miles this week, and ended in good style. Got to meet Toby, Chad and Chad's neighbor Richard at the Lehi JRP for a little 10 mile jaunt. I wish it was as easy as it was 2 months ago. Today is 8 weeks from x-rays and unfortunately, those 8 weeks have taken more from me than I'd hoped they would've. Oh well, onward and upward - it's the name of the game, right?

Richard is my new hero! The man has run Comrades, not once but twice. I'm not exactly sure if that is 2 finishes and 3 attempts or 2 attempts and one finish, because he told us the first time he tried it he was the first one to the stadium after the gun 11hrs and TEN seconds. He said it's the only time he's made the paper for running. He is from South Aftrica and is starting to run again after losing 65 pounds. Seriously, I'd love to hear more stories from this guy!

10 miles North, which is the hilly side and I wish those hills didn't feel quite so hard. I hate that I've lost so much - hate. I thought I'd done everything right to jump right back in and it just isn't going to be that way. But, I'm still jumping and crossing my fingers. AP: 9:15 Two miles under 9mm and the last 37 feet were a 6:36 AP - ha, nice! :)

I had a wonderful time with everyone and am SO grateful Toby let me tag along with her today. Since I took my daughter to Leatherbys last night and ate myself sick on ice cream, caramel and hot fudge I didn't eat anything this morning. Got sick stomach about mile 7ish and really wanted to stop. Thanks to some water from Toby I was able to stick it out the last 1.5 miles and not barf. *sigh* I hope it was the ice cream and not eating and not that I can't handle 10 miles. My legs don't feel run down, but it sure was a lot harder than I would've liked it to be - mentally and physically. Thanks to amazing friends!!!

Ahhh school vacations :) My husband has to be out early this whole week to get to his training classes, so I'm stuck getting up SUPER early or using daycare. But, today since all the kids were home I had another option: Street TM. From the dead end behind my house to the end of the street and back is a one mile loop. So, I feel okay leaving my daughter in charge when I can check in every 5 min. They just have to turn on the outside lights if they need me. So, I got to sleep in and wait for the snow and ice to melt on the roads and I got to get outside. Who can not like that situation?

7 miles down and back...down and back...down and back...okay, so it got old, but it was better than the alternative. The wind on the last .25 mile of uphill before the turnaround got worse each mile, the good thing is I got to quickly turn and have it at my back. By the time I was done there were parts of the road where I'd laid down a good few sets of prints, but they had all melted. Crazy how fast it all disappears. Right now I'm hoping if I procrastinate shoveling the walks for another hour it will all melt too :) Haven't shoveled ALL year - why start now? :)

TT: 1:02:03 AP: 8:53 splits: 9:15, 9:01, 8:47, 8:46, 9:06, 9:00, 8:07 - had to nail a fast finishing mile! Felt good until I stopped, then I started coughing like nobody's business and the cold I've been denying I have hit me full force. Between breathing hard and coughing I swear I almost passed out because I couldn't get the oxygen in. I hope that when this chest cold goes away I can run faster and easier.

Due to casting appointment early this morning life was hectic and we were all running late, but the good news is that Lauren is happy with her purple cast and is now taking signatures :)

Spin class (10 min late), good hard effort, because I had too and Allison is a slave driver!

Mom and me swim class. They had us walk backward in the lazy river. I think if I am ever injured again I am going to do that for my x-training, holy moly is that hard!!!

I'm getting really tired of this...really tired of it. I just want life back to normal. A good 10 mile morning run, weights and an aerobics class at the gym and then home. But, my darn child thinks he needs to bite or hit and the daycare ladies are starting to hate him :(    I just want normal life back! You know what else? I'd like my little gym back. It's been a year now since it has been closed - I still miss it.

Since hubby has to leave SO early for his training I've been trying to use the day care and I haven't minded sleeping in either, but I think this is now going to have to change. I'm going to have to get up early or forfeit exercise - period. I had a feeling when I heard all the screaming kids and commotion in the daycare this morning it wasn't going to be a good day, should've listened to my inner voice. Dropped Nathan off in his class at the gym (a kids exercise class that he LOVES!) then dropped off Baby.

I've been having issues with tendons in my foot. I am 100% positive it is not anything to do with the fracture, except that my foot was immobilized and is now trying to work itself back. I self-diagnosed that I am flexing my toes when I run which is causing the tendons on the top of my foot (especially over the 4/5 metatarsals) to ache. I talked to my PT about it this morning and we put a plan together to get it gone. I need to start thinking about trying to rub sticky gum off the bottom of my foot when I run and balance out my effort on the outside of the foot, because I'm leaning too much to the big toe side. I think I'm subconciously doing this to protect the fracture site even though it has no more pain or tenderness. Grrr...why can't I just be back to normal? So, strengthening my toes and calf are on the docket. Also, getting rid of it quickly. Tendonitis becomes chronic if left unresolved too long - so I'm knocking this one out.

Long story longer....because of all this I nixed running yesterday and was going to do the elliptical today to give it one more days rest. HA! Remember my biting baby? yeah...15 minutes, FIFTEEN minutes into the elliptical I was called down. Silently praying it was for a dirty diaper....nope. He'd bit a little baby sitting in a bouncer because he wanted to play with the toys on the bouncer. Stinker butt!!! So, I put him in the stroller and decided I'd walk on the track while Nathan finished his class. Well, I could run slowly with the stroller (fast at ALL and it would shake uncontorolably!) so, I did. Nathan's class was up on the track so I ran 3 laps with my little runner then he left and I finished 2 miles.

When I picked up Nathan I wanted to do at least one more mile - he wanted to come with. So, I snuck him on the track (it says 16+ only, but no one complained or called me on it) and he would run a couple laps with me then rest in a corner. I decided to do 2 more miles to even it out to 4. Four miles and 15 min elliptical is almost an hour of workout. Nathan was a great runner and finished over a mile and little Adam just had to sit in the stroller!

Came home and did the Shred L3. I'm really tired of working around life. REALLY tired of it. I just want to get back in shape and all the forces that be are pushing against me and I don't like it! Not one bit. Not to mention since I broke my foot I've gained 5+ pounds. I'm getting really discouraged and just want life back to MY normal - pretty please?

Early morning, I don't understand why the four o'clock hour is SO difficult - I think it's a mind barrier!

45 minutes on the elliptical - L8 reading "Unbroken" 3.88 miles. When I would read about Zamperinni's races I would find myself going faster and faster and pushing harder right along with him! Good book.

4 miles on the TM 2% first mile at  9:31, then progressively faster every mile to finish the last one under a 9mm, I don't know how fast. Went progressive each quarter then every .05 to finish at 8:00mm. Wish I could say my foot didn't bother me. Ice, heat, ice, heat, ice, heat...stretch, repeat.

Ab ripper X at home - and maybe a nap if I'm lucky.

Another early morning, but I like that I have my whole day afterward - I do like that. However, I had to reset my alarm clock to 5:00. 4:45 was just too crazy! :)

Spin class - a really good, hard, consistent effort. Usually this teacher is kind of a blah teacher, but he did a great job this morning!

20 min on the elliptical - had to get just that bit extra cardio work in.

Shred L2 at home before kiddos got up. Glad to have it done, now if I can keep the energy level up for the next 10 hours....

As a side note, I'm wanting to try a tri workout tomorrow. 10-12 running outside, 20 mile bike loop (with some decent climbs), 1 hour swim. Anyone game? Even for just a portion? I was thinking about running the unopened corridor out here in Herriman, bike loop up to Kennecott, out to Old Bingham, then back through Daybreak, then swim at the rec center out here. Anyone? anyone? anyone?

Okay, so I'm a pansy. I know it. I admit it. It may not make it any better, but at least I acknowledge it :)

I was awoken at 6AM by a BIG gust of wind against my bedroom window. I panicked. No way was Jessica (my poor tag along) going to run in this wind, and there was NO way I was going to ride in this wind - I'd get pushed over. So, I'm panicking, can't sleep...trying to find a way to do this...GOT it! We can go to the Olympic Oval and run, then they have spin bikes on the side of the track we can use, and Kearns 50M pool is covered this year and we can go next door and do laps. Perfect. I still couldn't sleep though.

Called Jessica when I got up and proposed my plan to her - she was in! I was SO excited, and to have company too. Jessica had never run more than 9 miles, but has done a lot of tris (mostly sprint) and I knew she'd tough it out.

We ran 10 miles w/out stopping. Jessica was a trooper! We started out at a good pace, but slowed as the miles wore on. I expected this and I was just happy for the company. She did an awesome job and toughed out a GREAT run. Only 7 more laps and I would've netted 12 miles...I just couldn't stop :) So, I told her I was going to push the pace and grind out a quick 7 more. Ran those probably 8-8:30ish pace, totally guessing. I went to the car and grabbed my water bottle I'd left there and when I came back Jessica had finished another 7 laps too! She is so awesome.

After a quick snack we jumped on the spin bikes for 80 minutes. Kept the resistance like a slight uphill and tried to keep cadence higher. I got tired about 20 min in, but the last 30 minutes went quickly!

Then, off to the pool. They were making you swim the short way, so I was still stuck in the 25 pool, but whatever. I would alternate 400's with freestyle, then free with fins. I tried to do breaststroke, but only got 100 in then was ready to go back to free. I finished with 2000 in the pool (I don't know if it was yds or meters). 1 full hour of swimming, plus breaks every once in a while in the water to chat or grab a drink.

I was exhausted! Holy Moly that took a lot of work. Stopped at Subway on the way home and I don't think a sandwich had ever tasted so good! I feel like I ran a marathon - minus the sore body. The biking and swimming really help keep the cardio and workout going, but eliminates the pounding on the body. I finally feel like I got a great Saturday workout in! It may have taken 4.5 hours of work + transition time, but man was it worth it! I feel like a million bucks for being able to accomplish this. Helps me feel not quite so much like a pansy and a gimp :)

Got to run with the Birthday Girl this morning. I probably shouldn't have brought chocolate to the gym, but we all love it too much :)

Because of the tendonitis I've been battling in my foot (due to not keeping up on my PT exercises as I try to re-enter the running world) I decided to try just 4 miles/day then 15 on Saturday. I've got to start getting the long runs in! So, I'm going to try and keep the speed up more than I have been since the miles will be short.

4 miles @ 1% incline - Progressive each mile and fast finish last 1/4 ending at 6:40mm. TT= 34:10 AP: 8:33. Not too shabby, and I could actually talk through it as well. This gives me confidence that my speed is coming back despite my best efforts to repress it.

Spin  class, good solid effort. She actually goes for the full hour so I don't have to spin during stretch. Which made things nice since I wanted to jump on the elliptical for a few to finish 2 full hours.

20 min on the elliptical, good effort - still reading Unbroken. I have until Friday....read, read, read.

Home and then got Ab Ripper X in to top off the workout today.

Got to the gym and Kim was ont the track. I decided to join him for a couple miles...if I could keep up. It was a little difficult, but then I settled in and things felt great. I could even chat just a little bit :) Kim said he could figure out what pace we were running by timing the laps on the clock, I told him to not tell me. Because I could tell it was faster than I'm used to and I knew my mind would get in the way "this is too fast, I can't do this" - he finally told me on the last few laps (for me) that we were averaging 7:30-7:40mm. I'm not sure I completely believe it, because I really don't think I can run that fast and still talk and not die right now, but that is what he said.

He was just about done as well, so I hit the TM for the last 2 miles and did 8:00mm pace for the first 1.5 miles, then increased .1mph each .1 mile and then the last .1 I did at 6:30. Wow, it feels good to feel some speed!

After getting the kids to school I braved the daycare with baby. Spin  class went well, and I didn't get called to the daycare. Spin class was B-R-U-T-A-L today! Allison rarely does decent recoveries, but she is recovering from surgery so she didn't spin and just taught today, so it was even worse! We did the last 15 minutes at 8/10 effort with no recoveries, just changing what we were doing. My legs were dead! Awesome :)

Then took baby to mom and me swim class. He always has such a good time and loves the water. The little water aerobics we did seemed a lot harder, maybe because my legs were just dead. Anyway, we had a great time. I love that little stinker!!

Due to the foot I decided I should stick with the 4/day plan. Ice and IB always take it down to more than tolerable levels, but it is still there - more than I want it to be!

A little speed work this morning - all at 1% incline:

10 min warm-up @ 9:13 pace

1 min on/1 min off 6:18 (9.5)/ 9:31 (6.3)  repeated 8X (just over 2 miles worth)

.8 cool down @ 8:34, progressive the last 1/4 mile.

TT: 32:40 AP: 8:10

20 min elliptical to finish up before spin class

One stinkin' tough strength spin class. Not as horrible as Allison yesterday, but Danielle has her own special torture classes :)

At home: a new twist on an old classic: 60/60/60 planks, 25 push ups; 90/90/90 planks, 25 push-ups; 120/120/120 planks, 25 push ups. Yeah, I'm good with the planks now for a few days!