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

Another Lovely windy run. I slept in - par for the course during taper week - and so I had to run when baby went to pre-school. I ran him there and half way I noticed that the tire on the stroller was flat. Crap. So, I ditched the stroller at the pre-school and took the long way home. At least it saved me from pushing the empty stroller home :)

Just had a nice run going with the flow. Legs always feel good on taper week. I like it! Throat was dry from running in the wind and my lovely congestion that has taken over, but other than that it was a wonderful cool afternoon run...in the wind.

AP: 8:14 splits: 8:15, 9:04, 8:24, 7:10 (which one was uphill into the wind?!?)

Tonight was Iron Dean night at Chick-fil-a and I found out that rungr8 was doing a 3 mile run from the store to Chick-fil-a, so I figured why not?!? I picked up Lauren from swim at 6:00 with Kristy and we headed down to rungr8. Since dad was late I had to take baby with me in the jogger (I changed the tube in the wheel earlier), but I was running with Kristy and Lauren so it is almost a good thing for me to have a little handicap, especially on taper week :)

It was a nice little run to chick-fil-a (2.5ish) then we got to give our best wishes to Dean and I also got to talk to Kris a little bit too, which was really nice. We ate some chicken then rode the RunGr8 bus back to the store and headed home. It really was a great evening and I was glad I'd made/found the time to go. I had to ditch pack meeting, but luckily dad picked up my slack for me.

I'm getting excited/nervous about SGM, but figure I'll take what it'll give me. I just want a good race. Nice and relaxed racing. Nothing uptight, crazy or nervous. Just relax, sit back and enjoy. When I did that last year I hit a PR - lets hope the same magic happens again!

Since I did my 3 yesterday night at the IronDean fund raiser, I took today off.

So, I was only going to do 2...but, I ended up with a few more. Chad was running the Shaggy Mtn loop solo and I knew what time he'd start and so I took off in time to catch him around the finishing mile. Unbeknownst to me, he had started late so I just kept running backwards until I found him. Well, at mile 2 I still hadn't found him! I waited a little bit worried that the mtn lions had eaten him and then he finally came.

Amazing what taper and downhill will do for you! My first two uphill miles weren't much to shout about, but I just enjoyed the downhill home. Didn't seem THAT fast. Guess that is a good thing.

AP: 7:55 splits: 9:04, 9:13, 6:43, 6:45 (6:05 on the last .05)

Bring on St George!

Ahh, sleeping and hanging out at Cornbellys before heading down! Got there at a decent time this year and didn't eat after dark. All good things.

Ahhh, the race of a lifetime! I thought I had it last year, but I got a nice surprise this year. I've kind of gotten my cake and eaten it too. I got to do a ton of marathons and distance races and haven't really put in a ton of speed work, but got a 5+ minute PR out of myself! Only problem is...now it has me itching for a sub 3:10. If I feel so good on a race at this speed, pushing myself and more focused training could get me there, right?

Onto the report.

My friend Steph was running this as her first marathon and Marci and Lisa and I were hoping to all kind of stick together for a while, at least. I got on the bus alone. Sure is different without Smooth around to gather the troops. No one can really take her place! I quickly made friends and chatted my way up to the start (surprised? me, talking? :) ). As I got off the bus and walked past the one behind me off popped Marci! Then the next bus was Steph and her sister Heather and Lisa was on the next one! Magic. We all went together (in the FREEZING COLD!) to get our space blankets and hot choclate to hold to keep the hands warm. During that crowd I lost everyone but Steph :/ crap. Then we made our way back to the fires and she and her sister went to the bathroom and I lost them too. Seriously?!? Alone?!? with 8,000 runners around? Ugh. So, I just bundled up, huddled into my warm layers and sat upwind from the fire so I didn't inhale the smoke. A very different start from years past. Hit the pop one last time.

Went to the front to drop clothes and bags (did I mention how horribly COLD it was) and wasn't sure how much to leave and what to take. I ended up with ear warmers over my visor that I could chuck, a l/s shirt over my tank and arm warmers and just left my legs naked with just my running skirt. I got to the main chute and looked down and my watch wasn't on! CRAP! I turned it on and walked SLOWLY down the chute (on the side so I didn't get trampled or tick people off) and waited for my sattelites to connect. Hit the start line, plugged in the ipod and just started running. That was the last time I looked at my watch the entire race.

As I wove through the crowd the first mile I saw a few people I knew, but I was a little sad about being alone and ready to just run and get it over with, so I didn't say anything. Afterward I found out that one of my "cut throughs" I elbowed Marci pretty good. Oops! I should've at least muttered sorry...maybe I did. I usually do. She and Adrian yelled at me, but I was focused and didn't hear. Which is strange not to hear Adrian!

As I passed mile 1 I saw the race clock at 10:5X so I was hoping I was 3 minutes (at least) behind the clock and that is kind of how I judged the time clocks from there on out.

Mile 3 I dropped my ear warmers. Still cold, but I was sweating enough I was ready to leave them.

The downhill towards Veyo I was running behind Peggy and it was almost unreal to me that I would be anywhere NEAR her in a race. My running has certainly improved since I started with the BBK's so many years ago. Then just before the town, I heard someone yell "DAD!" I thought, how rude. Someone's dad has their ears buds in and didn't even see their...oh, wait...maybe they said "RAD!" Yup. It was Britta and her friend. I really CAN hear with my ear buds in, it just depends on how much attention I'm paying to what I want to hear, I guess. Just before the aid station I took off my l/s shirt. Finally ready for the tank and skirt, but it was still pretty cool I just knew the sun was coming...and uphill.

The aid station in Veyo ticked me off. There was a sign in the middle of the street and this was my first GU mile. I figured the sign said they had aid stations on both sides, which I could see. Problem. When I asked for water on my side they told me it was on the other side (see? I can hear!) I ran the best tangent I could to the other side, but when I got there I was at the END of the water. Craptastic. I said a cuss word and stopped and did a 180 to grab a water after a quick discussion with myself as to wether or not I really needed it.

After getting that through my system I remembered what Veyo meant to me. This could be a LONG back-story, so I will try to make it short. Kaelin and his family are very special people to me. He passed away last Novemember after a LONG battle with HLH including 2 bone marrow transplants in Cincinatti. The 2nd was successful and when he passed away he was technically cured. But, a weakened immune system and vascular system from chemo and lots of steroids took his life just after Thanksgiving when he had 3 vessels in his brain rupture. It was a VERY hard thing to watch a 13 year old go through and then to be with his family and loved ones here after he'd left when life was so hopeful just weeks before. Long story longer, he is buried in Veyo City Cemetary. His family is from Dameron Valley. I wanted to have "In Memory of Kaelin" or "our warrior earned his wings" on my shirt this year, but life just didn't happen that way. So, I took a moment right then. To put my hand over my heart. Think of this sweet boy and his family left here and how blessed I am to have the opportunity to be here. Running, healthy, happy and feeling good. As I did this I heard "Shine bright like a diamond" on my ipod which Kaelin would always make fun of and laugh at. It was my special moment to know that he knew I was thinking of him and his family and supporting them and that he was in a better place, although missed like crazy. A few tears ran down my cheeks and I just enjoyed the moment as I started up Veyo hill. The tail wind up the hill was noticeable and I just thought of Kaelin "Our Angel Warrior" (as his mom refers to him) giving me the push I needed to conquer my fears and stay strong through the hard parts, just like he did. Love that kid! I will cherish that moment for a long time.

Dameron Valley always seems to slow me down. I get over Veyo okay (I noticed 1:02 on the the clock at mile 8 - seriously, I'm running faster than 8 MPH?!? awesome sauce! remember my 3 min late start). Then the long slog up Dameron Valley just kicks my trash! I need to learn how to run hills. Sounds dumb, but I really do. I suck at it! I can keep up and pace out with everyone and even keep a slowly passing tempo until I run uphill and people just pass me like crazy. SO frustrating, but I wasn't going to look at my watch. I was just going to sit back and do my best without feeling like I was going to die.

My half split was at 1:43, so I figured I was around a 1:40. With a good second half I was still within reach of a sub 3:20...or a 3:15 if it went even better. I rejoiced as I turned and took the downhill as you can see Snow Canyon. Beautiful and down...ahh!! What more could you ask for?!? I just cruised on along until mile 17 when I took my next GU.

Everything was great. I had the last uphill to go at mile 19ish then it was all downhill from there. Still feeling good and the miles just rolling by. Other than my snotty nose (I still had my arm warmers on, because I need tissue!! - gross, but true) everything felt great and I was just enjoying it and the miles seemed to roll by nearly effortlessly.

I hit the uphill well and the split at 30K was 2:23 on the clock and I realized I'd picked up my pace and since I still felt great my 3:15 was in reach. Just keep going.

"WAIT" my body said. As I crossed mile 19 mile marker my stupid R knee locked up. Just like it has every other marathon I've BQ'd or tried. I don't get it. I really don't. But, as luck would have it I'd seen my hubby's bottle of IB on the counter that morning and figured that just in case I'd throw a couple in my pocket. Not the drop bag (I would've never remembered them!), but my pocket. I NEVER carry meds. Especailly IB because it messes with my system, but I know at Boston it was the only thing that allowed me to continue. Thanks to Paul's mental nudging I got my IB in my pocket and had it to take when I needed it. Despite a dry throat, I shoved them as far back as I could and swallowed. The next aid station I had the volunteers put icy hot on my knee. Didn't wait around for them to rub it in, just slather and go! I also took my last GU and threw down some water. Between all these things the IB didn't bother my gut, and by mile 21 I was back to a normal stride. 2 miles of locked knee running, but I was finally back and ready to finish!

Those last few miles sailing into the city were just fabulous. As I came to the crowds I was all smiles feeling on top of the world. Grateful for a physically strong body that had carried me through the race, despite itself, and a good attitude and continued endurance to take the last couple miles. High fived everyone I could and then I saw Christie and she ran with me for a little bit! It was SO nice to have a little company and to see a familiar face after so much time alone. Shortly after she left me I saw Rachelle running back for her friend. YAY! I was lovin' this!

Decided against going through the sprayers as I turned on Diagonal street and just enjoyed some of the floating mist from the wind :) I couldn't figure out the time clocks, but I knew I'd be somewhere between 3:16-3:19 (I'm really bad at math when I'm running, plus I didn't know really how far behind the clock I was). I just kept on keeping on. Passed Julie E and before I knew it was her gave some encouraging words, but when I saw it was her I about fell down! What was she doing back here and how was I passing her?!? She obviously was having a rough day. I'm glad she was still able to finish and I got to chat a bit at the finish line.

The last aid station about a mile or less out from the finish I FINALLY dumped my snot rags...or arm warmers :) They were also handing out wash cloths, so I figured I could clean up a little to look good for the finish chute. I turned the corner to the finish line. Saw it and just got really happy with how well I felt and had performed! The RunGr8 crowd gave me a cheer then through my music I heard my family! I got to blow them kisses and then it was the final chute. Oh man! It was great. I had a nice little finish kick and crossed elated! I looked at my time on my watch and it said 3:18:44! I'd done it. A 5+ min PR that I wasn't sure I deserved, but was more than happy to take.

I got a nice line of congrats and hugs from other runners Lisa had run a 3:18:47! We seriously should've run together. CRAZY! I got to chat and talk to lots of folks and I even got to see Steph after she finished in 3:53!! YIPEE! I hung around chatting for a while and just enjoying the afterglow with friends. Then I when I left to grab my bag I decided to check on Athena awards. I ran 5+ min faster. Maybe I was top 3 instead of 4th like last year. Nope! I was 5th! Ugh!! First time I was a little mad at myself. Especially when I saw that the people in front of me were only 3ish minutes faster. Next year...always next year, right? :)

I grabbed my award since they only podium top 4 and started on my walk home. Texting lots of people :) Found out Marci was at the McDonalds by my hotel and that she'd also run a PR by about 4 minutes. Such a great day in St George. When I got there we chatted a bit and then I finally went back to my hotel. What a day....what a day, and it had only begun.

AP: 7:34 splits: 7:09, 7:27, 7:18, 7:10, 7:19, 7:06, 7:06, 8:36 (includes my turn around for water and Veyo), 8:08, 8:02, 8:27, 8:00 (Dang that Dameron Valley!), 7:28, 7:30, 7:05, 7:07, 7:18, 7:26, 8:02, 8:01 (knee...thank you), 7:44, 7:55, 7:25, 7:25, 7:25, 7:27, 6:51 (finishing .25)

With Lisa and her friend at the finish line

In the background sitting down photo bombing Steph and her sister's pic

Biking. 75 min on the trainer. I honestly like using my bike on the trainer more than a spin bike! Except that you can't adjust the tension while you ride.

Sore, but not horrible. Not as bad as it was previous years for sure! But, still not passing the stairs test.

More biking. 90 minutes. Starting to finally move again. Tomorrow...we shall run!

Took Adam out in the jogger. Just a nice easy stroll and NO garmin. I don't even want to see how slowly I'm moving, especially with the jogger :) Time tested 5 mile loop. Just enjoyed it.

Shaggy Mountain Loop with the Newtons. George and I were running/walking nice and slowly together :) Legs still tell me they aren't 100% on the downhills and uphills are just slow and feels like I have lead legs.

Probably one of the slowest time I've run this loop, but moving at this point is happiness!

AP: 9:16 aplits: 9:05, 9:29, 10:28, 10:00, 8:38, 9:32, 8:17, 8:45, 8:32

Ran to the bank...literally.

My son was invited to a rock climbing activity with a friend and needed $20...I needed some miles this morning, so I decided to make the most of it! Ran to the bank, used the ATM and then wandered on some trails I'd been wanting to explore on the way home. Was only a block away when my daughter was driving down the street with carpool for school. Perfect timing.

AP: 9:08 splits: 8:57, 8:38, 9:14, 9:34, 9:20 (last .61)

Since my nephew was staying with me and he had XC state meet on Wednesday, I didn't want to do anything too heavy...and I didn't want to go long :) So, I settled on the Shaggy Mountain Loop. It was perfect and he seemed to enjoy it as well. A good XC training course!

It was faster than I'd run since last Saturday and I felt okay, so I wasn't going to complain.

AP: 8:49 splits: 9:28, 9:57, 10:09, 9:16, 8:16, 8:41, 7:18, 7:40, 7:14 (last.15)

When we got home I decided he had to earn his room and board for the weekend and help me dig a hole. We've had a foundation issue since the home was built, but the builders wouldn't do anything about it (don't get me started) and since it was a good weather weekend and I hadn't run like crazy, I figured it was a good of a time as any!

The hole ended up 6 feet deep...and maybe 2 feet wide. We didn't plan well, but it all worked out. We did have to have my son do some of the last of the digging with a trowel, because you just don't have any leverage to use a shovel anymore. I decided it was a good babysitting hole. Stick your kids in there and you can leave them. They're happy with the mud and dirt and they're not going anywhere! :)

We were both muddy and tired after a good few hours of shoveling. A quick trip to Lowe's to get sealant and tar paint (another fun story of me covered in tar a few days later), dinner and then finally home to crash for the rest of the day. It really was a fun day full of good memories!

Me in the hole about 6 inches before the finished product. Yes, I'm standing up!

Another jogger day. Normal 6 mile loop.

We will be a little on and a little off this week. SOJO pacing 4:15 is coming Saturday! Excited to pace Lowell to a BQ.

AP 9:25, splits: 9:10, 8:50, 9:40, 10:08, 9:50, 8:51

I can't even tell you how sore my hammies are from shoveling Saturday!! Another week of recovery :)

Since Chad is tapering for SOJO to race, we didn't do the 10 mile loop today. But, I'm not going to complain! I guess I should be tapering too - but my hammies are too sore!

AP: 8:19, splits: 8:55, 8:27, 8:38, 9:05, 7:36, 7:48, 7:51, 7:39 - those guys keep me moving!

Slept in. Off track is always fun :)

Went to institute and then did a wandering 6 mile loop with the jogger. The 2 older boys can stay home when I'm close, but not baby! Oh no. I'd come home to a home decorated with sharpies!

AP: 9:13 splits: 8:52, 8:49, 9:31, 9:41, 10:01, 8:20, 9:23

Oh the jogger slows me down!

Ran the Yellow Fork Loop with Kelli and Scott. It was nice to have company AND sleep in. UEA weekend is the best :) A slower pace, but that is to be expected. Plus, I suck on hills. I can accept it.

Beautiful day despite being a bit chilly! I would've frozen if it wasn't for Kelli lending me her gloves.

I guess I'll take ONE taper day before the marathon tomorrow...

Ahh, another Saturday another marathon! This time pacing the 4:15 group. Lowell hadn't BQ'd yet this year, so it was now my job to get him in and qualified for 2015. It is a good course and I knew he could make it...we just had to get him to put the camera away.

Marci stayed the night at my house. We had chicken enchiladas and she brought me a HUGE box of apples that were SO yummy and delicious. They didn't last too long. Craig got home from a 2+ week trip in Barcelona around 1AM and so between that and going to bed at 11:00 I didn't get much sleep, but at least I could drive to the start and didn't have to take a bus.

We picked up Chad and headed out to Copperton. Met Lowell and the other pacers (Curtis was pacing with me and Marci was an honorary pacer) and I was glad I'd come quickly from home because there were only 7 pops for the 250ish runners. Kind of taken aback by that, but at least I didn't have to hold up the line.

Before too long it was go time and we were lined up, but I couldn't find Lowell after he'd dropped his bag. It got awfully close to the gun before he came over, but then he didn't move and start with us, because he was...guess what?!? taking pictures! :) The first mile was fun and we had a good group of folks with us including Gary who was doing a double this weekend and was not only running all 50 states, but golfing them too! He was from HI and I really enjoyed chatting with him.

Lowell kept us all entertained and we put a couple minutes in to be able to take the hill a little easier. Lowell wanted us all to turn around and run downhill for, guess what, a picture! We all told him to go ahead and take it as we ran up. No one wanted to do that hill twice.

At mile 10 I realized things seemed harder than they were at first...oh, I needed a GU! After that I didn't have too many problems.

The half mat said we were 7 minutes ahead of time...whaaa?!? Oh, and about .6 of a mile early as well. Go figure. From that point on the mile markers were HORRIBLE! I found out later that the half marathon was told to go the wrong way as well, so their race was wrong. A lot to fix in the RD's first year. When we got to the approach on temple hill the wind was fighting us. I kind of hung back from Curtis and Marci so that I could help a lady up the hill. She didn't keep up much longer, but she rocked that hill! After the race she found me and was in near tears telling me Thank You for my help. She was ready to give up, but because I got her over the hill and encouraged her, she made it to the finish. Did I mention how much I love pacing?!?

Around mile 18 Lowell started to sag back. I knew he was struggling and that I was going to have to turn on the "Old Testament" mother to get him to the finish on time. I made him stop  taking pictures on temple hill (he made me stop so he could get some, then switch so I could get some of him) and then just before mile 20 I made him stop talking. I was the one that was going to do the talking and he was only to do the running. He had started telling me about one of his missionary companions, but I never got to hear the end of the story. BUT, the end of MY story with that is the guy was at the finish line! Lowell hadn't seen him in years and had no idea he'd be there, but he was. Crazy world.

We kept Curtis and Marci in sight. My watch died just before mile 19, so I had to have Lowell give me splits. I knew from my band that we were still on pace (they were a bit ahead) so I stayed with him and figured they had the sign and two of them, so I'd be okay hanging back to help someone.

As we had our finishing stretch along the JRP headed South (uphill) I threatened, yelled, begged, bribed and humiliated to keep Lowell running. Anyone that knows Lowell will simply laugh. He not only deserved all of this, but asked for it too! Kris (Mrs Iron Dean) saw me and said hello and after running a bit around us said "you are a slave driver!" Yes, yes I am. When I am given a duty, I fulfill it! I had to Smootherize him and make sure that I pulled him into that BQ!!!

The last .2 he picked it up and finished strong. The timing for SOJO was ALL wrong. Embarassingly wrong. It had me at 4:14:32, which is perfect for my pacing, but Lowell stopped his watch at 4:16, so I would've been a few seconds over 4:16 since he started behind me. Most people had it off 1:50 or so. Lowell's official finish time was 4:13:58...so, strange, but whatever!

It was a wonderful finish and lots of friend to chat with and enjoy! Lowell now had his 10+ min BQ for 2015 and my job was finished!

I'd post the pics, but Lowell sent them to my email and I'm too lazy to import them to FB to post them here :) Maybe if I would've written this up the same day and not tried to blog over a full month at once....

The splits I have:

9:02, 9:08, 9:18, 9:35, 9:34, 10:50, 9:29, 8:43, 9:20, 9:14, 9:54, 9:51, 9:55, 9:53, 10:03, 9:11, 10:20, 9:52, 9:28

Ahhh, slept in! But, better than that since Craig was home I got to leave Adam there and I didn't have to push the jogger!! YAY! Nice little 6 mile recovery loop.

AP: 8:52 splits: 9:06, 8:21, 8:51, 9:02, 9:13, 8:41

Same loop with the Newtons as last Tuesday. Good taper/recovery loop. Man, those guys keep me moving though! I guess I do get some speed work in :)

AP: 8:14 splits: 8:52, 8:46, 8:37, 9:00, 7:41, 7:35, 7:19, 7:11 (last .15)

Another nice little 6 mile loop during a recovery week. But, had the jogger in tow this time dang it! Oh well, keeps me strong :)

AP: 8:49 splits: 8:14, 8:02, 9:12, 9:56, 9:33, 7:58, 7:51

Back to the Shaggy Mountain Thursday Loop. A decent time/pace for legs that have 2 marathons in a month on them. I can't complain. Good course, beautiful scenery and great company!

AP: 8:43, splits: 9:11, 9:35, 10:06, 9:42, 7:45, 8:45, 7:16, 7:39, 6:54 (last .17)

Biking at home again 75 minutes. Nice to get a cardio burn in without the pounding!

Okay, I love to hate this race :) I thought I was going to pace this since I'd done it the last 3 years successfully and without complaint, but for some reason unbeknownst to me, I didn't get a spot. So, I paid, because I'd told some friends I was pacing and I thought they were counting on me. Turns out that earlier in the week I'd found out they'd decided not to run it...nice. I now was stuck doing it myself. Couldn't back out, because my other friend signed up for the 5K since I was going to be there and then my daughter wanted to do it with her. So, I wasn't really excited about this race and didn't really want to do it. No one to run with, so I might as well try. With 2 marathons the last month I knew my legs weren't in any condition to PR or anything, but I figured I'd get a few speed miles in and just let it go from there. I'm good at not watching my watch.

They changed the start this year...no more Alpine Loop! :( Easier logistcally, but disappointing since this is the first time I've been able to "race" this one. It started just after the rollers near Deer Creek and finished at the bottom of the canyon. Basically it is now the Halloween UVM. Oh well, I don't have to worry about trashed quads, right? They also didn't provide a heated tent :( when you dress like you're going to be in a crowded heated tent for an hour and you're left outside...it gets cold!

We ran on the Eastbound side of the road and it wasn't too bad, but there were certainly hills. The race started and Curtis was pacing 1:40 so I kind of meandered with him for a few yards, but then decided to heck with it...lets move and get this done! So, I just let my legs take over. I would see people in the distance and pull them in, but wasn't pushing hard enough to consider myself racing. Maybe just because I didn't have a time goal...I don't know. Anyway, it was nice to run on an open road and have tangents easy to spot and take. Then we hit the trail and familiar territory. I've run that more times than I care to count.

Around mile 10 my legs started feeling tired. I could tell it was just the overuse/fatigue setting in. Man alive, it was going so well. I was still pulling people in who had started too quickly (it took me a good 4-5 miles to warm up my toes and legs so I could start too fast) so I figured just to keep at it. I did have a few women pass me at the end...and they were MOVING! I honestly think they probably started 5-10 min off the gun, because the rest of us were pretty well paced out.

I fought the monkey on my back for the next few mile and when we turned for the last .1 to the finish I could tell I was done. My legs were exhausted. I was happy to see 1:34 on the clock and to know that I'd put in some good tempo miles. Got my medal and then I was out of there.

AP: 7:15 splits: 7:14, 7:13, 7:50, 7:13, 7:18, 7:20, 7:31, 7:17, 7:05, 7:13, 7:13, 7:12, 7:30

Oh wait...not done. Just out of there. Remember my daughter and friend at the 5K? Weeellllll, they decided to change the start time from 9:15 to 11:30 on Thursday before the race. This caused some problems for us as far as scheduling goes. So, when Kristy picked up Lauren she also picked up Adam and the jogger. I caught a bus (had to convince people to get on it so that they would take us as the first load back) and got the the University Mall start line just minutes before the start. Neither Kristy or Lauren could've pushed Adam! So, I grabbed the jogger and waited at the end and then caught up to them and ran the 5K with them.

Lauren started slower than Kristy, but has a little more experience and so she kicked Kristy's trash the last mile when she had to take breaks. I stayed with Kristy and she still was able to pull a 3rd place AG finish with her 30:37. Lauren was happy with her 1st place AG finish and a sub 30: 29:29

We then hung out with little food and no drop bags until they finally brought them around 1:00. Ugh...a LONG day. We didn't get to stop for lunch, just had to head home. I'd promised my mom we would do yard work with her all afternoon.

Kristy, Lauren and I at the parking lot before getting into the car. Thanks Maynard!

Slept in...boy did I sleep in. My baby was still asleep after the boys left for school and so I snuggled back into bed with him. When I woke up it was 10:00 and I had to get down to the hospital to get a cholesterol retake done (I was supposed to do it in MAY). I had to do it fasting, so I went before I ran. The plan intially was to run with the jogger down to the hospital (5 miles) then run home, but the wind was SO bad and it was SO cold that I didn't want to push the jogger and felt bad making Adam sit outside in bad weather for 90 min.

I drove to the hospital, got the check done and then came up with a brilliant idea! Since the nursery was closed at the gym at that time, I bribed a neighbor with Jimmy Johns to watch Adam while I ran. Perfect!

So, I was stuck with the TM, but at least I got to run!

1 mile on the track to warm up.

6 miles in 50:30 AP: 8:25 all at 1% grade...I forgot how much I enjoy running on the TM - BLECH!

Finally back to the Newton's Tuesday Ten! A decent pace after a good half on Saturday.

AP: 8:16 splits: 8:33, 8:32, 9:22, 9:46, 8:04, 8:12, 7:33, 7:28, 7:24, 7:41, 8:15 (last .1)

I convinced Adam that he wanted to try the big kid class at the gym today. They have a kids on the move class from 9-10 where they do focused aerobic activities with the kids instead of them sitting in front of the TV in the day care room. You have to pay double the hourly rate for it and you have to be 3. Surprisingly, this is the first time this gym rat has been to the gym during these hours since Adam turned 3! I guess I just started liking outside more :)

I did one mile on the track and then 5 on the TM in 42:30 - 8:30AP 1% grade.

They brought the kids upstairs and let them run laps on the track during their class. It was SO fun to see Adam and he smiled and waved at me and ran a little faster! I love that little kid!

I had to jet out for institute, so that was all I had time for. Short and sweet.

The Halloween Shaggy Mountain Loop. The only thing scary about it was all the hills, but we're used to them :)

Besides the cold, it was a beautiful morning!

AP: 8:36 splits: 8:55, 9:14, 10:14, 9:21, 7:54, 8:42, 7:12, 7:32, 7:12 (last .1)