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

A busy day working and trying to get into the office for some required training, so I had to get up and run...or I wasn't going to run. I did a cheater cut of my 8.35 mile route...and it came out exactly a mile less. I thought that was pretty neat.

I did my UP Juniper Crest hill, which is monstrous, but then gives me flat there and downhill/flat home. So, the short monster is better than long dragging up with only a quick down.

AP: 8:39 splits: 9:00, 8:32, 8:42, 9:03, 8:22, 8:52, 8:14, 8:11 (last .37)

Later in the day I did something I've never done before...I donated blood. I'm a good fast bleeder and filled my bag in 4:04! I guess I've got speed running in my veins :)  Since I don't have any races or big pushes coming up and are able to enjoy a bit of "off season" I figured this was well timed.

Did I mention I gave blood yesterday? Yeah, it really does affect you! :)

I had planned on meeting up with Karen and Toby in AF, because Lauren had a swim meet there. I dropped her off and met up at Toby's home. I should've know better than to trust that they wouldn't kill me. The pace felt difficult and then to top it off we had Toby's "Welcome to AF running" to start...temple hill! I felt like I had asthma. I could hardly breathe and my heart was just a pounding.

We met Karen at the Murdock canal trail and it was SO wonderful to just run and chat with those ladies! The canal is on somewhat of a bench as well, so the views were gorgeous even before there was light. It has been MUCH too long since I ran with these wonderful women. I wish I lived closer to run with them all the time. Toby was totally on her game and leading the pace. Karen was relaxed and conversational and I was picking up the slack and breathing like a monster behind them both, hanging on for dear life!

My garmin wasn't cooperating either. Dang thing! Laps full, battery empty...I can't win. So, I shut it off and am copying Toby's splits.

I really had a fantastic morning and want to go repeat that run every morning...except with a full amount of red blood cells so I can talk a little more and not feel like I'm going to fall over :)

After we left Karen at the canal, Toby was ready to head for home. Coming DOWN temple hill that girl rocked it! Seriously. I was pushing and could barely keep up with her. She has hit a wonderful stride in her running, and she SO deserves it! She has worked hard for every little mile and milestone and been more than patient with her body. I can't wait to see her bust a move in the Spring!!! It is going to be incredible. Simply incredible.

Thanks for putting up with me ladies, and I'll try to keep up next time a little better :)

AP:  8:51 splits: 9:44, 9:12, 9:15, 9:03, 8:54, 8:52, 8:56, 8:44, 8:43, 7:53, 8:34 (last .5)

After I headed to the swim meet, changed into dry clothes and went to settle in for a long winter's meet. But, then I realized that I should volunteer to time! I didn't have little boys with me, they ask we do it occassionally, and I was bored out of my mind and didn't realize I was supposed to bring a chair! So, I went and did timing. It was fun to be front and center when Lauren swam and not peering through heads to watch. I love doing the backup timing! Especially when you have to wait until the last event for your kid to swim anyway :)

She did a great job! 2nd in her 100 IM, a DQ in her 100 fly (but a DQ is such a powerful trainer/teacher! She did finish 1st though if she wouldn't have DQd), and a 7:30 in her 500 free! SO proud of that girl!

It was 2:30 by the time the meet was over and we'd both been up since 5:00 with little to eat so we stopped and had lunch together on the way home. I loved this morning with girlfriends and my daughter nearly the rest of the day!

Oh my word I need red blood cells! I ran just 6 on the TM. Easy. Especially at an 8:34 pace, right? I mean for me anyway, it should be. I tried to run some quarter mile pick ups at 7:03 and 7:34 and my body was having NONE of it. It felt like I was breathing at 10,000 feet. My legs didn't neccessarily feel tired, but it just felt like my cardio and breathing were out of control!

Adam was in the kids class again and when he came upstairs I was at an even mile, so I stopped the TM and ran with him on the track. He loved it! Big smiles and the way he runs just cracks me up.

I went back and finished my last couple miles. Man alive. I was glad when that was done!

I finished with a little bit of resistance and stretching.

I finished my first 3.75 in just over 30 minutes and then I don't remember how long the next two took me. It was slower though, because I didn't do anymore pick-ups, I just ran what my body would let me.

Went back in the evening with my neighbor. I'm helping her get on a good program for working out. I like that I get my double workout and resistance in as well :) my butt was sore the next morning and that is all I need to say about that!

Did I mention I'm lacking some red blood cells?!? This was NOT the easiest run for me. Okay, it stunk. BAD! I had never before walked any hill on this route, but my breathing and heart were SO out of control that I did today. I figured I can give my body a break and not beat it to death over a little blood donation.

Poor Chad and Dave nearly froze waiting for me to catch up at the check-points, but the downhill I did a decent job of keeping up with them until the last .5ish mile. It is getting cold...oh, so cold :( layers, layers, layers....and snow on the ground.

AP: 8:30 splits: 8:41, 8:35, 9:25, 10:01, 8:19, 8:37, 7:56, 7:51, 7;49, 7:49, 8:27 (last .08)

A busy Tuesday followed...then:

Another evening trip with Amy to the gym.

We hit mostly core and arms and got just a tad of cardio in. She really wants some Michelle Obama arms! So, since Monday didn't make her too sore...I gave it to her today. She was sore the next morning. Accomplished!

Slacker day because I wanted to sleep.

60 minutes on the bike trainer at home. I had a Dr appointment and I would have gotten half the time at the gym between driving back and forth and daycare check in/out - so bike it was. At least I got a good sweat on, right?

Man alive something is wrong! George told me today that my hematocrit should be back to normal within a few days. It has been a week and my running is still suffering. I seriously can hardly breathe. Ugh. Either way I did the Shaggy Mtn loop this morning. I was trying to hurry home so that I could say goodbye to Craig before he left for his work trip. I didn't stop at 2 regroup places so that I could get home and the last one I wasn't the back of the pack so I waited a couple min to regroup. He was waiting, impatiently, but still waiting for me when I got home. A quick hug and a kiss and he was gone *sigh*

the run was pretty slow for me (1:13:45), but I think my last few miles were a decent pace. I'll have to check when I download my garmin. I just need to keep blogging and not get behind again! 

After getting kids off to school I did an hour on the bike trainer. It was nice to warm up again. Even though it wasn't horrible this morning I was still chilled for a good hour afterward.

I'm hoping to make it to the gym again tonight with Amy.

The longest six miles of my life. Okay, not really, but I hadn't seen a lot of people at the gym for a long time. So, I think I spent equal time running as chatting. BUT, I used my amazing stalker skills and found a new running buddy! Amy was running EXACTLY what I run on the TM. 1% and 7.0mph with pick-ups at 8.0 - okay, when I'm not pining over lost red blood cells. So, I asked her if she'd be interested in an outdoor run. She just moved from CA a couple weeks ago - yipee! Always looking for new running peeps.

I finally got 6 miles in and only 2 on the TM, thank goodness!

So, my stalkee, Amy, was crazy enough to agree to meet me for a long run Saturday. I guess I look like a trusting runner :) Dave also met us, because I wanted to explore the new Herriman trails and he was looking for a trail run.

We did a 5 mile loop from Juniper Crest to MVC - it turned out to be a 6 mile loop, we only had a couple detours.

Stopped back at the cars to shed some layers and then set West toward the reservoir. They have recently cut this trail and they really did a great job! I'm excited for the trails to connect. It just stopped at a main drainage for the reservoir :( So, we went back to the reservoir and hopped onto another trail. We went 10 miles and then turned around and went back to the cars. It was getting late, because it takes a little longer when you are exploring and not just running.

My garmin died (no surprise there), so I had to go by Dave's data, because Amy had ran there from her home (1.3ish miles). He said we were at just over 12 miles at a 9:30ish pace. there were a few times I was behind him, so my AP was probably a bit slower, but hey...I had a great time and got a good workout.

I  can't wait to explore some more of these amazing trails! Thank You Herriman!!!

The weather is SO nice outside! No way was I going to miss this good weather again. So, I threw Adam in the jogger and set off to wander the streets. I needed a run. I needed a good pick up. I've been really struggling lately. I don't know why. I've been trying to figure it out, but can't put my finger on it.

It was SUCH a gorgeous day that when I noticed Adam fell asleep in the jogger (even after all these years he still love a good run with mom :) ) I just started adding on bits and pieces here and there exploring. I stayed on my basic 6 mile route, but ended up picking up just over an extra mile.

It was gorgeous and it helped me feel better...until I had to take the car into the shop and now I've got stupid money issues from a stupid car. At what point do I just trash it and buy a new one. Sigh. Sometimes I can figure out a problem and get to work on fixing it. Other times, it simply handicaps me and all I can do is sit and eat cookies. Lets just say I am certainly going on a LONG run tomorrow...

Such an absolutely splendid day!!! I'm almost glad that none of the Newtons could run in the morning, because I decided to run during pre-school. Best thing was that I had 2 free hours to just wander. I did end up taking a couple phone calls about the car, but it wasn't bad. I did our regular Tuesday 10, but starting from my house and with a few extra loops. Oh, how perfect it was! I didn't want it to end! Shorts and a tank top in November?!? You gotta be kidding! I'll take this weather year round. 

It wasn't particularly fast, but I had some 8:0X miles. Can't use my garmins AP, because I messed it up and started it while I was stretching on the lawn waiting for school to finish so my last mile said 24:xx yeah...not quite that slow :) I'd guess around an 8:40ish pace.

Well, I'm a sucker for a good running partner! Met at 5AM with Amy to do a 7 mile loop. I'm SO glad I was brave enough to stalk her and meet her :)

a nice little loop and finished in an 8:27 AP. Not too shabby! Another mild morning, I could get used to this.

on the way home I passed 2 cars and 12 runners!! There are a few people out here that run early in the morning :)

then, when I got home I had to wait, because a big truck was blocking my driveway. Well, they were also delivering my milk, but still kind of awkward :)

Shaggy Mountain Loop - slow. As usual 1:14:20

7.0 on the TM/track...I think. dang it has been too long!!!

Twelve miles of downhill running with Amy. Started at the top of Rose Canyon then ran down in a snowstorm to Daybreak and around the lake. Craig picked us up and brought us home. It was a nice downhill run, but my watch didn't work :/ Amy said our pace was an 8:10...I'll take it!

An easy 7 at the gym. Rushed home to get my basement sale started! We are finishing our basement and I can't wait!

Except our stupid contractor called at noon to tell me when the framers would be there and he said he can't take our job now. WTH?!? seriously?!? Panic has set in all day. Anxiety, stress, depression. Had 4 people come over and give us bids on the work...and they say they can do the time table still finishing in 3 weeks by 12/10. Only problem, it is 3X as much as quoted by the first guy. Heaven help me....

nothing. I slept about 3 hours, restlessly. This basement/contractor/money thing is stressing me out BIG time! I called off running this morning with the newtons and never did get out.

But, a contractor is here and framing and I think things are going to work out!

Trying to make up for yesterday. All inside.

Funding secured for the basement and we've been cleaning like mad. Starting to de-stress.

Shaggy Moutain loop. Can't complain aobut people coming to your house :) 1:11:05 - finally a LITTLE speed.

I'm enjoying the inside since I have Amy there now!

From Amy's house to My house then around the Kennecott loop then back to my house to finish. A good run! Hills are nice, but even better when they're over :)

8:30 AP for the run, not too shabby. A few sub 8's on the downhills, but the uphills were closer to 9's and the flats around 8:30.

No running...inspection for the basement scheduled at 9:00, thought I could take off after that, but they didn't show up until 10:00 and then I had to get stuff for the basement done, because Craig is doing all the electrical...blech. Anyway, No run today.

Tuesday 10. Nice to be back at it. No watch today, I forgot it. I was around a 1:25 though, if I remember correctly. Not fabulous, but getting some of it back. Discussed basement stuff...it is on the brain :)
 

TM time again. The track at least breaks it up a little. Things seem to be coming back to speed for me. Not a ton, but a little. Nice to have Amy there too!

My friend got me into this race free...yay! It was nice to see lots of friends there. I rode with Kristy, Jessica, Tonia and Derek and Lauren. Lauren and Kristy decided to bandit the 5K. I sent my water bottle with Lauren so that she would utilize any of the race stuff. Met Paul and Tiff there and ran into Brett Bawden, an old friend from HS.

Paul ran the full 10K with me, dragging my sorry slow butt around. It is sad when you can barely maintain MP during a 10K. It is a good course though and I might target it as a race next year!

When we finished we went back and I ran in Jessica on the 10K and then just kept going back and forth on the last 1/2 mile running in friends as I came across them. I ended up with an extra 3 miles just enjoying running people in! A great time on a chilly morning. Even got home in time to get the turkey in the oven!

Shaggy Mountain loop with Kim and Chad. I wanted Amy to come, but her hubby had to work today...stink! We were going to do the extended loop, but Kim had a cold that was slowing him down and had suffered through a half yesterday, so we cut it to the normal one. It was a good run! 1:15

Lake Mountain!

Becoming a Thanksgiving weekend tradition. There was more snow and it was fun to hang with Jen and Kendall and others that we met there. Chad, Amy and I drove down and met them. What a great group of people! I was, of course, the back of the pack on the way up. I suck at hills. That is all. Then, I started back down early with Amy, because I know I'm a pansy on that first steep downhill mile. But, after that I was able to open it up and let it go. I'd guess I was low 7's, but my lovely watch died...so I have no idea. I really need a new battery.

I was impressed my legs weren't sore! I felt the fatigue, but knew I'd make it through without too much soreness...ha! Just kidding said Sunday and Monday morning :) At least it was better than last year, improvement is all we need, right?