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

FAIL. EPIC FAIL.

you know  how when you get done with a race you always think...I could've gone faster. Nope. not a chance. Seriously couldn't have run a second faster today.

Thursday night I was up all night with a croupy baby. Didn't sleep much at all and spent Friday morning at the docs office instead of getting out of town on time. Late dinner once in town, but not too bad. A little Bendaryl and baby was out for the night.

Wake up call came at 3:15 - an hour early. oh well, cell phone alarm was set and I was waking up every hour anyway. Got out to the shuttle and at the meeting point early, perfect. Hotel had a good breakfast and I grabbed a couple apple juices to go - no water and I didn't like that, but it was fine.

Met Raegan, Becca, Karen, Toby, Smooth, Fonz, Teena, Annie, Lowell, Terry and Walter and Danielle at the bus and we rode up together. Honestly, one of the best bus rides. I was pumped and ready to go and had Raegan to keep me going and on pace. It was on - like Donkey Kong!

We were off and hitting good paces with little 'traffic' at the beginning. Felt faster than comfortable, but I just kept telling myself it was just warm-up. Well, it just got worse. Mile 4 I finally let Raegan go. Mile 2 the 3:25 pacers passed us...thats fine, no worries.

Mile 6, the good downhill miles I thought I would finally stop getting passed and catch up to Raegan, still in sight. But, I just kept getting slower. At this point I knew things weren't going to be pretty if I couldn't use the downhill for momentum. Took a gu at mile 7, this should work! Veyo went well and I worked my way up and didn't stop running. Watched splits the next couple miles as I felt like I was pushing through (despite still being passed like I was standing still) the effort certainly wasn't equal the 9:10 pace. Seriously, what was going on with me? Mile 10...I watch the 3:35 pacer fade out into the horizon. Adios dreams and goals, see you next race. Now to just hang on.

By mile 13 it was bad, really bad. I was in h$##, literally. Legs felt tight, heavy, tired and every time I'd stop at an aid station and try to start running again it was horrible, seriously bad - pain, weakness, light headed. I spent 2 minutes seriously contemplating a DNF. I've never done that before. My PF and shin weren't the problem, I don't know what was. I couldn't figure out why I was spontaneously combusting like this - I just couldn't move. Felt like mile 49, not just 24.

It was somewhere in here that I realized I was running looking at the ground. My back and neck HURT. Look up, look around...eyes back to the grind. No! Pick it up, well then I couldn't focus my eyes. I wanted to just shut them and run with them closed. It really wasn't pretty - especially for just past half way.

I decided to just take it aid station by aid station. I would text QP at each one, I needed some reinforcement. When I saw the last big uphill under the overpass at mile 18 (I think it was mile 15-16 I couldn't believe I'd made it that far. Just keep plugging away. Goals are gone, just finish.

Top of the hill a girl was puking. I thought 'I wish I was doing the same' - tummy didn't feel right. I wanted water and fluid, but tummy wasn't feeling the love. Thought about a pop stop, but I didn't want to cross the street. Yeah, it was that bad.

Mile 20 QP called. On speaker phone as I bawled she talked me through the mile and I got to the 21 aid station. I still wasn't sure I'd even make it to the end. I knew 5 miles wasn't that long, but my body seriously did NOT want to move. Smooth, Karen and the 4:00 hour pacers passed me. Told QP I'd call at next aid station, got some fluid and started running again. Well, I then got my wish - I puked. Had a good audience offering water and gatorade "are you okay?" "yes, just keep moving I'm embarrased!" Worst part? almost 2 miles to the water! I was Sooooo thirsty/dry mouth/puke mouth....yuck.

Best part of the marathon came next. Cal passed me. When I said hello I think he was a little surprised, but hung with me. I told him how much I was struggling and he stuck with me to the end. QP called back and I told her I'd picked up Cal and was doing a little better, after a puke! I was SO grateful for Cal. I didn't talk much, but just having someone there to share my journey with was SO great. I knew he wouldn't let me quit. I still wanted to.

Mile 24ish they had free popsicles - bless those people!!! I ran with it for almost the whole next mile. Just being able to put my mouth on something cold when I wanted it really helped. I tried walking just before the popsicles and I couldn't decide what was more painful - walking or running. Legs were just tight, tired, heavy and sore. I'd forgotten about the PF, okay maybe not completely, but it wasn't my first concern at all!!!

Welcome wet washcloth at mile 25! I can do this...I can do this. Just plodding along, one foot in front of the other. I knew this was going to be a fail from mile 6, so lets just get this over with. Cal stuck with me to the very end. I owe him - big time! Between QP's phone support and Cal dragging me to the finish I did it. Just under 4:10, but by that point...who's counting?

I stood under the sprinklers for a few minutes then moved into the runners corral. Dr Pepper was all I drank or ate. Nothing else was doing it for me. I held it together pretty well listening to everyone else's horror stories of the race (which lessened the sting of my fail a little), until I saw Becca. I broke down and just bawled. It was too much, I needed to get it out. Got my Grand Slam medal and shirt, met the family (who were late to see me finish - I'd let hubby know I was going to be closer to 4 hrs about 8 miles ago) and came back to the hotel and took kiddos swimming.

Well, I really honestly don't know what happened. I don't know what went all that wrong. Raegan finished in 3:38, so I know the heat was a factor (he was running strong!!), but there was something else going on. I've been sick with just congestion and I didn't think too much of it, but maybe I have the flu virus that baby has that for him is causing croup. Being in the middle of the flu would certainly cause a combustion like that, but I don't know. I really would like to know what I did wrong and what happened, but I have yet to figure it out.

Right now I'm just counting the fact that I hung in there and finished a successs. I know I couldn't have done any more, I was at my max today. I wanted to be able to say that and have my BQ, but that will have to wait for another day. No use crying over spilt milk. Time to take my family on vacation to Disneyland and enjoy life. There will be another race, and Boston will still be there. If we don't have an Epic fail, we won't know how sweet the success is when it comes.

I don't know my splits, but I can tell you it was a progressive run...fastest to slowest! Hit my first half around 1:50, so you can do the math.  

Evidence of this can be found in my SGM pictures!

Just a nice easy 6 miler on the TM. Got to sleep in (vacation has made me tired and lazy!) and get a workout in, but just barely. As I was cooling down: "The nursery will be closing in TWO minutes." Yikes, okay, okay, I'm coming!

Came home and did Shred Level 3 for a good strength workout. 

Felt good to run again. Had a hard time getting into the groove. The first three miles were crazy hard @ 8:57, but I just got movin' and feelin' better after that. Finished the last mile under an 8mm, feels good to move them legs!!

AP: 8:45

The race is over and done with, and I'm now going to look forward to another fun year of running. I've never really ran a 'plan' so, I think I'm going to try to focus a little more on a 'plan' and dig in and go for it. Also, I think I need to run solo more. I really have a hard time sometimes when I don't have someone with me. Running is my social hour, but in a race I can't run with people - paces become different and I've got to learn to draw on MY strength. Onward and upward!

Sleep in and TM miles today again. I've gotten too used to sleeping in and I don't like the cold - I'm afraid of it, so I'm hitting the gym.

4.0 miles AP: 8:42 - 8:57 for the first 3 miles, then 7:54 for the last mile (progressive last 1/4 finish).

20 min arm circuit. All major arm/shoulder muscles 3X with a plank to end each set.

4.0 miles AP: 8:38 1@8:57, 2@8:49, finish with 7:48 (same progressive last 1/4 finish, but did the first .75 @ 7:53, not 8:00 even).

Trying something new - no superfeet in my shoes, it seems to help the plantar feel better. We'll re evaluate after a week.

Trying to get more sub 8 miles in, gotta get my legs used to running fast(er) when tired. If I want to increase my speed I need to make a consistent effort to run faster, not just race faster.

Speed work Six

On the TM again, learning to love it again :)

10 min warm-up, 1 min on/1 min off speed work X20 (40 min total for speed)

7:19 for the speed and 8:57 for the off - finished my 6 a little faster than anticipated, at the end of my last on (pushed a 7:03 for the last min) AP: 8:11

Next time I think I should do my 'ons' a little faster, 7:19 didn't feel like it pushed me as much as I would've liked. Maybe more like 5K pace rather than 10K. I will play with this next time

Good thing I finished quickly - I was late for masters swim class! Jumped right off, changed and got going in the pool. Felt SO good to swim! 50 min workout in the pool.

I'm all over the 6's this week! Just a perfect number to start back with I guess.

Short on time due to a pre-schooler not getting up and ready on time, but I couldn't figure out how to do my run since I had done speed yesterday. So, I decided to do a hill interval.

1 mile warm-up @ 8:49

mile 2: same pace, but start at .5 incline and up every quarter mile, ending at 2%

mile 3: downhill fun and speed -1% @ 7:49

mile 4: I can do better than that dumb, easy incline grade the first time. First quarter .5%, then up 1% each quarter finishing at 3.5% all at 8:49 pace.

mile 5: another downill -1% @ 7:41

mile 6: half and half, gotta get home, no time for seven. Started at .5% then increased every tenth of a mile to finish at 2.5% and increased speed. Started at 8:41, but dropped to 8:34 about half way through.2nd half of the mile I went downhill -1% at 7:41 pace, then gradually increased speed to finish at 6:30 for the last .5 to finish up fast.

AP:  8:31

Walked for a tenth of a mile, then raced home to get my daughter to get her back to the rec center to do her sports class thing.

At home I decided I wanted to do yoga, so Tony Horton lead me through a good 90 minute yoga routine - yogaX baby. Tip of the day: don't attempt the wheel pose when your clingy baby is crawling all over you and laying on your chest/throat. They don't get up and roll off like you would expect  :)

5th day, same as the first!  And second, and third, and fourth...well, you get the picture. Like I said, I'm all over the 6's this week. 

 Again wondering what to do on the TM. So, I made a mix.

mile 1 - 8:49 pace 0% grade for a nice warm-up.

mile 2 - 8:49 pace .5%

mile 3 - 8:49 pace 1%

mile 4 - 8:41 pace 1%

mile 5 - 8:34 pace 1%

mile 6 - 7:23 AP at -1%

AP:  8:33

decided to push the pace on a little bit of a hill. I'm such a pansy about running fast on hills and about half way through mile 4  I started the "you can't do this" game in my head. I was tired, my legs wanted to just stop, but I had made a plan and I was going forward with it! By half way through mile 5 I'd decided I could do this for another couple miles.

See, my brain really needs to be re-wired. This is why I need more solo runs and more pace pushing on the TM. I need to prove to myself that I CAN do it. I'm not breathing hard, I'm not dying, I know I can run a 10K at that similar of an incline (Payson) faster than that. C'mon Rachel, buck up and push it! I think I've just gotten WAY too used to just messing around on my runs and enjoying them at a leisurely pace and then convincing myself that I can't go faster than that, when I really can.

I can do hard things. I can BQ, I can run the miles, paces and hills I need to in training to get this monster tackled. I don't need race day magic. The magic is inside of me, and I just need to start proving to myself that I CAN do it. More sub 8 miles are on my docket, I will get used to running them if it kills me. But, I know it won't, because I can take it -boyah!

After my run I still wanted more, but with my PF and new experiment with shoes, I'm trying to keep the miles down and ease into it all. So, I went to the spin bike.

Man, I've lost my bike butt. I need to get it back. Harder than I remember, but still a good sweat fest for 35 minutes.

Took the last 20 minutes of day care time to stretch out well. Ready for the weekend!

Oh, and I'll be pushing this a little, so I hope y'all don't get tired of me. But, my hubby's little brother is training for his first full and has 18 now under his belt! He has had his blog up for a while now, but doesn't get much traffic. Would y'all mind keeping tabs on him and giving him a little encouragement? I'd really appreciate it! Check him out!

I ran the marathon!!! It was the best one EVER! 

Okay, yes, I only ran 13 miles, so I didn't run A marathon, but I did run THE marathon - at least some of it. My SIL Annette was running her 2nd marathon (SoJo) today and asked me to help her up the hills, and despite knowing my epic failure just 2 weeks ago she still trusted me to pace her for a 3:45 finish. 

I had my husband drop me off at 7AM at the corner of 11800S and Bacchus Hwy (mile 4.5ish). Anybody who has been there, knows - there is NOTHING there...everything is at least a couple miles away. So I meandered down to a point on the Hwy where I could see a good stretch of road as the racers were coming and sat down. Still had 20 min until the first runners would be coming by. I was SO excited to see Kurt lead his first marathon! Plugged my ipod into my ears and watched a beautiful sunrise. Cops started coming to the intersection to set up traffic control and got worried about some crazy lady sitting on the side of the road in the dark out in the middle of no where! They kept stopping and asking if I was okay "yup, just waiting for the race" I'd then get a weird look and they'd continue on. Good times :)

The race started late, but it was fun to see the lead pack come down! I didn't expect Walter at the front since he'd just run SGM, but there he was. With a solid lead and Kurt next, with Steve drafting off his R shoulder. Awesome! The 4th place guy was a little behind them and he looked young, so I said "hey, don't let those old guys beat you!" He looked at me and said: "they ARE old, aren't they?!?" :) hehehe, got a good laugh off that one.

Annette came by soon after with probably only 20ish women ahead of her. She was doing great and looking good. I jumped in with her and the cops again gave me a look and said "hey, you can't start here!" (with a good humor tone) I told them not to worry. I'd only run to the lake, then catch the bus from there.

The hills came fast, that run up to Kennecott isn't as nice as it looks on paper, but I tried to stay just ahead of Annette to help 'pull' her up the hill and not let her stop. She responded well, even though I was dying and couldn't talk much on the uphill. Before we knew it, the tough part was over and we coasted down past my house and to the lake. I was only going to run 10, but she had told me her son was going to pick up at mile 18 to run the last 8 with her (he's only 11, but ran TOU half in 1:48, his first!) so, in the back of my mind I thought if I was feeling good I'd take her there. Maybe, if I was feeling okay then I'd catch a ride with her hubby to the finish and watch the finish line activities.

Well, I was just groovin'! I was enjoying the pace and although I could feel some fatigue around mile 10, I was still doing okay and the company was good and the race support was fun too! No, I didn't use aid stations. Didn't feel right not paying, so I lugged my own water bottle, but tossed it at mile 15 aid station. I just kept thinking I'd get her up temple hill, then let her son carry her to the finish. Excellent plan!

She did stop to stretch a couple times, her ITB was buggin' but each time she said it really helped and she never complained about it. Had one pop stop at mile 17 aid station and I didn't stop or stopped then started my watch without knowing it. I don't know for sure. All I know is that I have about 3 min of standing around time and then nothing for about 1/2 mile. We reached her family and I noticed my garmin still said the same mileage as at the pop stop. Dang. So, I started the watch and finished until my mileage said 13, so I was probably more like 13.5, but gotta go with the garmin - right? :)

I took the family ride to the finish line and got there just in time to see Walter finish. I could tell he wasn't feeling it, but still in a time I would envy! Especially after SGM just 2 weeks prior - man that man is an animal!! Found Kurt, and well, I'll let him tell his story. Spotted Rossy across the way, he had an awesome half and got to chat for a bit. Then, Annette came through in 3:53, but I totally missed her. I was chatting with Steve Ashbaker, but had my eye on the finish knowing it was around the time she was expected. Finally at 3:57 I went to stand at the finish chute, but I didn't see her or her family...what?!? At 4:07 after congratulating Nancy and Leslie on a great half I called her. Yup, she was finished - I'd totally missed her :( I was NOT happy. Felt like scum for missing her awesome PR finish. But, I went and hung out with her in the massage line and gave her the good news about taking 2nd in her AG. Awards weren't until 2:15 (what the heck people?!? really?!? who stays around that long?!?) so we took off to her house and she ice bathed, showered and we went back. She and the other stars of the marathon (Walter, Steve and Kurt) got their awards and it was a perfect morning - oh wait, it was afternoon by then :)

It really was great. I've never finished a marathon feeling this good :) I've decided cutting out half of the race is definitely the way to go. Next time - I'm taking the bus!

Hubby picked me up at the park and we went rock climbing and then to Leatherbys for dinner. Yes, I fed my kids ice cream for dinner. I'm a good mom :) I finally got home at 8:00 PM. It has been a long day, but a GREAT one. Congrats to all!! I had a great time running with y'all and getting to be part of the racing fun, for free - and with less tax on the legs :)

AP: 8:27 splits: 9:10, 9:23, 7:54, 8:03, 7:57, 8:13, 8:59 (stretch break), 8:09, 8:55 (gu walk break), 8:38, 8:49, 8:58, 7:56 (some catching up here on my part. I chatted with her hubby at the car about picking me up .4 down the road so I could finish 13 on the garmin...had to run fast to catch back up to her! Also, I'm guessing here, because the 'stop' lasts for 3 min of time so I took 2:30 off garmin time - dumb user errors!).

I'm a little ticked off right now...you know all the 'tools' you usually have above where you enter your comments? I can't see them. They won't even load on the entries I have previously done. Grrr. Anyway, because of that, you don't get my cute quote for today. Sorry, not my fault!

Had to run early and outside again today. My niece came over at 8:45, so I had to be done by then. Well, I cheated a little.

Warm-up mile down and back on the TM street.

ran the Stake 5K route, tried to pick up the uphills. I was determined to go sub 8 all miles. We have our 'race' Saturday. Gotta get my legs used to the course again.

When I got home (8:40) I found out she'd be a few minutes late. Perfect. A cool down mile on the TM street again. Hmmm...plenty of time for one more lap.

Then I came to a screeching halt! My neighbor drove by, taking her son to pre-school. Awww, crap! I was so worried about babysitting I forgot my 4 year old had pre-school (others are off-track, so it throws our whole routine off). Ran home and got him ready to go and out the door in 20 minutes. Whew, only 15 min late :)

My niece came during that time and brought dunford donuts with her...ummm, yeah. NOT a good thing for me. Do you know the mental strength it will take for me NOT to eat those ALL day!! One donut to undo all the calories I burnt on my run today. C'mon...strength, I've got it!

So, I was at 5.23 miles and after pre-school drop off, I ran on the TM street to finish up to my normal 6 miles. Just a good clop.

Came home and busted out Jillian's shred. Nice L2 workout. I think it is my favorite. Best balance of arms and legs, and I like the cardio portions too.

Is it too early for a nap?

AP: 7:53 splits: 8:18 (warm up), 7:39, 7:14, 7:52 (3 miles of the 5K. Middle mile is all downhill. The last mile is mostly my hill of despair. Look at me conquer that beast - sub 8 baby!), 8:14, 8:02

Fun, fun, fun, morning! Since the tool bar is gone, I can't insert the sarcastic font for it. Anybody know how to insert sarcastic font via html?

Late, crazy morning. Ended up with only 40 minutes on the TM before daycare closing. I figured I could squeeze in 5 miles (I'd hoped for 7 or 8). I had decided to copy Rachelle's workout and throw in a few 800's for good measure.

The best part was when I started at an 8:34 the pace felt slow. Wow, I don't think that has ever happened to me! I guess the legs are already learning to like the faster paces :) good thing! At mile 2, 3, 4 I did my 800's at 6:49 pace (figured that was a solid 3:25). Harder than I remembered it being when I last did my yasso's before SGM. Shoot. Oh well, we'll get there! Maintained the 8:34 for all the recoveries. Finished the 5 in 40:30 (AP: 8:06) - not too shabby. No cool down allowed. Jumped off the TM and grabbed a wipe and heard "the day care is now closed." Crap...I know, I'm coming. Let the kids play by the rock wall while I stretched.

I have been having such a bad week (mentally - life outside of running) I just needed a good chat. Well, Becca came to my rescue and I had a wonderful chat with her and I feel SO much better now. What a good afternoon hanging out with a friend can do for you! :) Thank goodness for free verizon to verizon calling!!

Went back to the rec center in the evening for my daughter's swim team and son's swim lessons. Dropped the little ones in the day care and went upstairs to do just one mile more - I love those 6's! Figured I'd keep the 8:06 pace not to throw anything out, but I had to do a strong finish since I was feeling excellent and it was 8:00 - nice!

Jumped in the pool and swam 20 laps with my daughter just one lane away. I tried to harass her, but she is a good student and was paying attention to the coach and doing what she was supposed to :) Grabbed the little boys out of day care and let them swim while bigger boy did swim lessons. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and my 7 yr old is doing SO great! He can swim about 20 feet now (trust me, this is a HUGE improvement! Especially just over 4 weeks of lessons!).

Proud mama and feeling good again thanks to good friends. Finally back on track and feeling like I can take on the world! Good thing too...got 6 extra kids tomorrow I'm babysitting for a few hours - YIKES!

Six a day keeps the aches at bay!

got up just a tad early this morning (yes, 8:15 is early for me lately - I don't know what I'm going to do when the kids go back on track!) and got to the gym in time to do 6 miles before I had to head home for babysitting duty of 6 extra kids...yup, a total of 10 kids V. Me. I don't think the state would approve of this ratio :) Oh well, I'll just duct tape them all to the playground outside. We'll be good.

8:34 didn't seem quite as easy today as it did yesterday, but it may have been that I was trying to talk to Kelli. I've noticed when I try and talk while I run I have to run slower. Oh well, I enjoyed the company for the first 1.5 miles!

She inspired my workout with the BBK recap - mile sprints. But, I didn't do the sprints, just pick-ups. Mile 1 and 2 @8:34; mile 3 @7:53 (mp); mile 4 @8:34; mile 5 @7:53; mile 6 @8:34 with pickups to the finish to top out at 6:40mm. (AP: 8:20)

Jumped off the TM and am now home trying to hide from said kids. I think I'll go do yogaX and try to 'escape' :)

Did my long-ish run today. I didn't know how it would turn out. The self-doubt gremlins have been resurfacing. 13 miles by myself? I'm only used to 6/day now. I have to get up early? I'll be too tired. I won't be able to keep pace on the uphill. It's cold out there! Maybe I'll just.... (fill in the blank with a myriad of other possibilities).

Well, I got up, got dressed and got out the door. I had on capris, a l/s shirt, a jacket, head band, gloves, visor, head lamp and reflector. Honestly dressed more for 30 degree weather. I forgot how to dress for this 'between' season.

Just over 3 miles in I stopped and dropped my water bottle and took my jacket off - which took quite some time. Lots of stuff to get off to get it off (garmin, ipod, gloves, refelctor), but then tied it around my waist and headed off again. MUCH better! I figured I'd just use the water fountains at the lake for an intermediate swallow before heading back to the water I'd dropped.

Well, I was right. It is too cold! The drinking fountains are off :( I ran around the lake and checked each one I ran by...I think it was more mental than anything, but I was getting thirsty! After the lake loop, I went in the Kennecott building - nope, no bathrooms or water available without a 'key card' - dang. So, I bugged the ladies at the bakery (only thing open early!) and they were more than wonderful. Even offered to buy me a water bottle to run back home with. I explained I'd dropped some about 3 miles up the road. But, how nice! They said to come back any time. I think next time I'll stop for a cinnamon roll :)

I checked my AP before heading back on the uphill. I wanted to know how much I lost at the end. I was at 8:28, nice! I could tell I wasn't relaxing, but I thought it would be closer to a 9 so this made me happy. Maybe I can hit a decent pace overall, even bombing the uphill. I was struggling more on the uphill than I would've liked (breathing hard, fatigue, self-doubt gremlins clawing their way into my brain), but I think I was out of fuel too. My body isn't quite used to handling this pace and climb with no fuel - felt a little light headed, but it wasn't horrible. I could just tell I should've at least eaten breakfast, or brought some jelly beans.

I was SO excited to grab my water at the HS where I'd dropped it. I stopped at the boxes and there was no water. WHAT?!? I yelled out loud "grrr! where is my water?!? REALLY?!?" I was not happy, especially after the lake experience. Who comes by and cleans up water. It had been less than an hour. Well, I started walking off and realized I was at the wrong boxes *blush* ooopps. My bad :)

The last mile home I felt slow...really slow. I'd felt strong up to that point, but that last hill of despair climb really sucked it out of me. Darn it. I need hill work. But, I had done it. Finished up 13.5 and got to walk about a quarter mile home. It was nice to know it was done and over with. I'd done it myself, and while I couldn't figure out the AP from total time, I knew it wasn't too horrible. I'd pushed myself and quieted those gremlins for a few minutes.

I'm glad the 'long' run for the week is over, tomorrow I've got my stake 5K and work - so I'll probably just get my normal 6ish in. It will seem strange to not do a long Saturday run, but I'm glad hubby was okay to stay home and sleep in this morning so I could do this. He is always so good to me! Even though he thinks all this running is crazy, he is supportive and helpful at every turn.

AP: 8:42 splits: 8:37, 8:23, 8:27, 8:30, 8:27, 8:34, 8:30, 8:21, 8:24 (two best splits on the flat around the lake - nice!), 9:03, 9:01, 9:01, 9:25, 9:24 (last .5) - well, I'm proud of keeping it at 9 even, nearly, for that uphill push. Especially the way I felt! I obviously lost it that last mile, and I've got to admit it might have been mental. The only time I glanced at my garmin while running was that mile. I think I fell into the pace thinking it was the best I could do instead of pushing myself and running more by feel. Darn garmin and gremlins!

I've been reading a lot of blogs of awesome runners who can't run right now, and when I saw this it reminded me of the gift I have to run. Today, I was inspired by those who can't run to run MY best. 

Now, let me preface this race report by saying that I've never lost (to a woman) at my stake 5K. BUT, I know it is a good, honest course - maybe a little too 'honest'. So, I use it as a good gauge of how I'm doing and I race the clock. I mean, a free 5K? Almost as good as being in Phoenix on the third Thursday!

I start with a nice 1 mile warm-up over to the church. Man, this is hard. My legs are heavy and tired from that 13 yesterday, maybe I won't hit 22 min like I was hoping, maybe just take it at MP - you'll still win. I'm getting really tired of those gremlins - REALLY tired!! I wish they'd go away, so I didn't feed them and I just ran, it's only warm-up, stop it! When I finished the mile and saw I had run an 8:02 mile, I figured out why it felt so hard for 'warm-up'. I'm such a bad gauge of pace!!

So, after some chatting at the start line we gather to go. The fast guys that are usually there weren't. Crap, I wanted someone to chase. Then, I realized I forgot to take off my jacket. Crud! Threw it to my husband who was there to do the 1 mile walk with the boys (and my 'work'), and when I came back they were at 3, 2, 1 -I was off like a shot. Gotta make a good appearance at the beginning anyway :)

Soon, I saw someone on my shoulder. As they passed it was a teenage boy - darn fast twitch muscles! The course is downhill for the first 1/3-1/2 mile then you come to my hill of despair. I doesn't look like much, but you sure feel it and it never seems to end or back off. I caught and kept with or ahead of the kid on that hill (about 1/2+ mile) then we get a bit of flat before the next and hardest hill. He passed me there (deflated ego from being passed by a fat, old woman I'm sure!) and stayed ahead the rest of the course.

The next hill, I started losing it. I started giving in. I was breathing hard and no worries, I can back off a little...right? Then I thought about AmberG, she wouldn't give up, she wouldn't stop or slow. She would push. With all her might! I caught a surge here back down to the low 7's until the corner. Thanks Amber! I just had to talk to myself "C'mon girl, you got this, push on. It's only to the corner, don't give up and go faster. Go, GO, GO! You'll get your downhill, but this is where it's made. Ain't nobody here feel sorry for you!" rounded the corner to a flat and pushed on.

Just one more 100yd hill climb and then it was downhill and flat to the finish. I carried on and kept an eye on that boy in front of me. I was amply rewarded on the downhill, but tried to keep the effort consistent. I must say that I kind of let go of the mental battle here. It's easy to let your head get out of things on the downhill, you can just coast along and forget about pushing harder and faster. One of the last neighborhood turns to the finish, I brought myself back and resolved to push through to the finish.

The final push to the finish is downhill and then a straight shot into the parking lot. I ran across the finish line and was happy to hear a 22!! 22:13, I stopped my watch - then remembered the course is usually 3.08ish on the garmin and I was going to finish out to a 3.1 - Dang, already lost my momentum. Oh well. I had 3.07 on the garmin and that was good enough :) A true 3.1 probably would've yielded me a 22:25ish I think, so still not too shabby. Especially for a course that offers 300ft of elevation gain on a LOOP course.

After I caught my breath and got my name and time down on the board - VERY important :) I ran back to get my girl. Lauren (10) was running her 3rd 5K today so I went back to run her in to the finish. I only got about .75 back on the course before I found her. She may not be the fastest, but she doesn't stop. She just keeps running! We kept on to the finish and she finished in around 36:something - Proud mama! :)

We waited around for the awards, most important! I got a little calculator guy with a soccer ball attached to his foot with a plastic string (so he can 'play'?), no cash prize :) But, I'm always proud of my awards! :) Lauren got the same, the boys got candy for their efforts in the mile run and for dressing up like runners for the costume contest (small field of competitors and lots of prizes). Even my 'work' won a candy prize for his awesome Halloween shirt in the costume contest. No one walked away empty handed, and we all had a great morning.

I shoved 2 apples in my jacket pocket and took off for another 1.25 to round things out for the day on the way home. Nice and easy, just enjoying the morning and not shivering to death! Happy with my time and effort, definitely not a PR, but I think maybe next spring I can pull one out on this course! That would be awesome to hit a PR on a tough course.

AP (for the race): 7:16 splits: 7:12 (hill of despair baby - take that!!!); 7:42 (dang gremlins, would've been worse had I not gotten my head back thanks to Amber's inspiration!); 6:57 (I REALLY wanted to hit a sub 7 on the downhill/flat miles - yipee!!); 6:11 (last .07 to the finish, love a fast push to the finish baby!!)

7 uneventful miles on the TM this morning. Tried to make it a progressive run to keep myself interested, but honestly, the miles just flew by this morning. Always a good thing, right?

Didn't make daycare reservations over the weekend so I could only get in at 10AM. I even went and waited to see if anyone cancelled or didn't show - no luck :( So, I had to skip masters swim at 10,  because that was now the time I was running. stink. oh well, there is always Wednesday.

First 2 miles were warm-up @ 8:34, then I increased the incline for mile 3, speed on mile 4, incline on mile 5, speed on mile 6, then went downhill (-.5%) for the last mile @ 7:40 and increased at the 1/3rds to 7:30 and finished the last tenth @ 6:40. Gotta get these legs used to downhill for Saturday at the Halloween Half.

AP for the run was 8:27 - not too bad for feeling good and pretty easy the whole time. When you can sing and dance to your ipod while you're running, you're probably not going hard enough :)

Finished off with a set of 60/60/60 planks (front, side, side) with 25 push-ups in the middle - repeated twice. Wanted three sets, but the nursery was closing. dumb.

With the weather turning cold, I'm not sure I'll ever get outside again. It scares me. I hate the shivering freeze when you come inside after you're done!

4 miles on the TM - warm-up @8:34, MP mile @7:53, rest @8:34, MP mile @7:53 with pickups to the end for a fast finish. AP: 8:20

30 min of upper body weights. Main arms, shoulders and back.

4 miles back on the TM - warm-up @ 8:34, 2 MP miles 7:53 for the first, 7:41 for the second with pick ups to the end, finished with an 8:20, but had to go faster the last .25 to keep up with the song on the ipod :) AP: 8:13

AP for all 8 miles was 8:16

Spent 20 minutes afterward stretching on their special stretching machines - always a good time to relax and enjoy!

Gotta get back on the good eating bandwagon. My tummy hasn't been happy lately with all the crap I've been trying to pass off as food.

Speed Work Wednesday. Last time I did my speed work (1min on/1 off) I was reprimanded about not going fast enough and not going my recovery slow enough....so I dreamed a bigger dream, and bumped things up (and down) a notch. Oh, and I did a lap of heel/toe walking since I can start to feel some gremlins in my shins.

10 min warm up at 8:27 pace

1 min on @ 6:18 (9.5mph)

1 min off @ 9:30 (6.3mph)

repeat 20X - or for 40 minutes, I just go by time - too hard to count....yes, counting to 20 is hard.

finished the last .6 to 7 miles on a -3% decline (halloween half prep) at a 7:40 pace and then increasing the last 1/4 mile. Finished in 54:17, so an AP of  7:45 for the 7 miles...wow, seems harder to run that speed constant than the on/offs!

So, was that fast enough? yes and no. I was challenging, but Kelli said that I should barely be able to run the 1 min and I wasn't exhausted at the end. Now, about half way through I was tired mind you - but with a recovery I was good to go again. I might try 9.6 next time...I might one day go as high as 10, but I really don't know what that would do to me. So, let's just start with what we have....What did this do to you? Tell me. And remember, this is for posterity so be honest. How do you feel? -whimpering ensues. (sorry, off on a tangent there, but can you name it?)

After a 1/4 mile cool down walk with Wendy, I went to masters swim. Good class! Lots of kicking to start with and my legs were spent and tired. blech. But, it felt good when we started swimming and I did a fast 50 in 53 seconds without fins. When I was swimming with bye-wing this summer I could do 50 seconds, but only with fins. So, good improvement! We did a 200 time trial and I beat my time by one second from last time. Ha! oh well, at least I beat it.

I feel good about my speed work today, especially about the fact that for 20 min I ran at a 6:18 pace. I did a 5K in under 20 minutes :) I may have had to break it up, but I can see it now - goals getting closer! :)

Well, I decided to just hang out and take 'er easy (er) today. So, knowing I've got the nasty downhill, quad pounding Halloween Half on Saturday (if you will be there just look for the tall pink haired lady...that'll be me), I decided to practice some downhill miles. 

After a lap of heel/toe walking, off to the TM - again.

First mile warm-up @8:27 1%

miles 2-5 @7:41 -3%

mile 6 @7:30 -3%

(yes, negative. All downhill, so the paces were fast, but it felt so dreamily easy!)

mile 7 @ 8:20 1% (last .15 at 7:53) uphill feels SO hard after 5 miles of easy downhill.

TT: 55:14; AP: 7:53 - perfect MP :)

So, only note to the run is that I did have to stop at 2.35 and run down to the nursery. They thought baby needed a change, but he wasn't dirty at all. Must've been a false alarm. He is after all, a boy! :) So, it was a little broken up, but running out to the car to get the diapers helped me jump right back in when I was ready to go again.

Afterward, I did the 60/60/60 planks (front/side/side) with 20 push-ups between sets 3X. Stretched and then did my own mini yoga class for the last 20 min until daycare pick up. I would've skipped it and just gone home, but I was already into my 2nd hour I'd have to pay for whether or not I used all the time...so of course I'm not going to waste my money! :)

I don't like dark, I don't like cold, but I do like running with friends...so I sucked it up today and met Catherine at Daybreak Lake! I was excited to meet a new running friend and to have an excuse to stop being a pansy and run outside. Plus, I had to run before the kids went to school, because they did their Halloween parade etc this morning, so there is no time for the gym.

I'm glad it wasn't too early, 7:00 isn't all that horrible, but it was still dark and cold. We had a wonderful run and got to see the sunrise just starting, the lake is a perfect 5K around so we just chatted on and had a great run. The pace was perfect, enough to keep the legs moving well, but not so fast I couldn't talk and breathe. Since this was the first time I'd run with someone since SGM (other than the race pacing with Annette) talking was VERY important! :) I talked her ear off well, just like normal and then she had to jet, so I finished up the last loop on my own. The sunrise sure was gorgeous, almost stopped to take a picture, but I had to get home.

AP: 8:39 splits: 8:53, 8:40, 8:33, 8:41, 8:37, 8:32, 8:20 (last .25)

Catherine, thanks for driving all the way out into the boonies to meet and run with me! We will certainly have to do it again, and we will have to find somewhere closer to you...and warmer :)

Got home in enough time to quickly shower and get all the kids ready and out the door for the Halloween parade. Lots of fun costumes this year, man some kids (and their parents) are creative! Now I just need to find time to take a nap...

What a fun filled night and morning. Packet pick up was crazy, but I got to chat and hang with some fun people and thanks to friends only had to spend 30 min in line. Dinner alone with 5 kids and an all you can eat ice cream machine is also exciting :)

Woke up 4AM the next morning to avoid the craziness waiting for buses. I forgot how long it takes to get dressed for a cold run! I was just a few minutes behind schedule, but Kelli and I still got on the first bus up to the top.

I nearly puked on the ride (lights inside the bus were left on and I get sick and hate the bus anyway!), I mean seriously almost puked. I was just glad it was a nice bus with a bathroom. I almost got up and ran in, but I decided to try to cool down first. Ripped off the pink wig, jacket and gloves. It gave me enough relief to make it until the bus stopped....about a mile up the road from where it should have. Being inside a bus turning around on the alpine loop is, well, a tad frightening. Then, as we headed down 4 other buses were headed up in the wrong direction. Being inside a bus on the alpine loop while another bus is trying to pass in the other direction is simply terrifying! Kelli and I both thought we were going to die or were in for a true Halloween nightmare! Good times :) I think it only took about 2 of the 3 hours waiting for my stomach to finally settle down.

Sat in the tent and wasted away the next 3 hours chatting with Steph, Heather, Kelli, Allie and James as our small spot of real estate was slowly encroached by the influx of runners constantly streaming in. Met Walter at 8 to do the pacer run down, then found the secret passage back into the tent so we didn't have to fight the masses to get warm :)

As we lined up for the race, it was fun to feel the excitement and have the people who lined up with us (1:50) ready for a good race. We warned them that we would be running course specific paces, and to not go out too fast. Then, we were off.

It was great to see how 4 pacers all had a little different info streaming into their garmins mile after mile, but we'd just kind of take an average and we were always close. Except sometimes, then we just went with the one that was most right...which was usually Kelli :) I think we only had one girl hang with us the whole time and she was a trooper! Most people used us a benchmark "are you still the 1:50 pacer?" they'd ask as we'd run by "no, we decided mid-race to change to a 1:40." really?!? yes, the pink haired tall lady is "still" a 1:50 pacer. The last mile I would tell people struggling "you got this! Stay in front of 1:50, don't let the clock beat you!" I just loved being able to push and encourage people! It was hard at the end not to get the 'horse into the barn' feeling and start picking up the pace. We had to stay steady, but everyone around us was picking it up. Definitely the hardest part!

The finish chute was bad, spectators crowding the small trail and Kelli and I kept telling people to sprint and to go, but you could hardly get around anyone. I asked the spectators to move back a little, and most responded...at least while I was going by. I tried to hug the side, but still just felt like I was in the way.

At 13.1 on the garmin the time said 1:50:02 - perfection! It's not my fault the course was long at 13.2 and we finished 1:50:40 total time, but still perfection if you ask me. We hit all the paces within seconds of the prescribed time on the wristbands, and it worked out great. AP: 8:23, right on the nose. Kelli really needs to take credit for this one, she is an EXCELLENT pacer - I just might have to hire her to get me to hit my BQ next year! You do work for food still, don't you? :)

Helped unload the rock sacks, oh, uh I mean drop bags, from the truck - but only until mine came out and then Kelli and I left. We'd had enough Halloween 'fun' to last us a whole 'nother year!

This race is always fun when it is said and done with, but it is getting crowded and more disorganized as the years go on. I'll probably still run it, because I love the shirts and medals and the fun to be had, but I hope they can get their act together next year...might be asking too much. Thanks Kelli for letting me tag along today and thanks to Walter for letting me help out, definitely the way to run this race! All the craziness doesn't feel so bad when you didn't have to pay :)

Walking around with sore quads and calves today - thank you 13 miles of downhill for that one. All the dancing I did at the Halloween party later helped work some of it out I'm sure!

Well, I'm putting a stop to my 6 days/week schedule. I could barely walk normal this morning, Even after Aleve last night. So, I decided it would probably be prudent not to run today. So, I took a 'rest' day. 

Spin class. I got there a few minutes late, set up the bike and then the darn seat was loose! So, I had to switch bikes and take the time to then set that one up. Sheesh, finally got going about 15 min late! Good class, but quads and calves NOT happy. Not the sweat fest I'm used to, because I just couldn't put the resistance up or push my legs like normal, but still a good drip zone. Just no puddles.

Then made it to Masters swim class. Did some really good drills and I felt good in the pool. Only problem is that for some reason the pool was down about 18 in from the top...what?!? So, on the shallow end of the lanes I would scrape my hands on the bottom of the pool trying to do a full stroke. Crazy! I hope they get the pipes fixed soon so that I can swim without killing my hands :)

The walk around the neighborhood for 2 hours taking the kiddos trick or treating really helped work out some of the soreness. I tried to prepare for that downhill, but dang...it is nasty on my quads and calves! PF doesn't seem all that bad anymore though, ha! Squeaky wheel gets the oil.