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

After a LOOOOONNNGGG Friday (curtain project was just too much!) and going to bed with a headache and stressed out to the max I crawled into bed with some Advil in my stomach hoping that Saturday's trail run would do me good.

Oh, and did it! Just getting out for a few hours to RUN without stroller and baby and with good company on the trail up to View Benchmark I was just in heaven. I have now placed a pair of trail running shoes on my Christmas wish list! 

Met Jun, Dorsimus, Jun's brother and someone else I'm forgetting (this is what happens when you don't blog for 3 days!) at Chevron and then we caravaned up to the trail start. I was grateful to drive those 400+ ft of gain :) The trail is MUCH more runnable than Lake Mountain! Some spots where it was steep enough I put my power hike into use, but still working like crazy. Battled the wind, but being close to the mtn it helped. The wind wasn't nearly as bad on the peak as I thought it would be!

Me hitting the Peak. Yes, Craig had been waiting for like a half hour for me :) Okay, not really, but at least I wasn't last this time. 47:10.

I was SO excited to be at the top, I had to do a peak jump for Scott who had to miss the run!

When we started back down I didn't realize how steep the up was. But, at least it didn't kill my quads. I did have to scream for my life a few times sliding on the slick mud, but overall it was wonderful! I now know why these guys do this one a few times a week. I'm in love...totally platonic, but love the same! :) The last couple miles I was right with Jun's brother and chatted with him for a while. I didn't even realize we were done until I saw the cars! TT: 1:25:07, I was the last one down (8 miles round trip). Thanks for letting the pansy girl tag along with the Boys Club!!!

My daughter did the tri class again this morning and I was hoping I'd get there in time to do the bike and run with her...and I did! Despite my muddy shoes and lack of a change of clothes (so I was hot for inside!) I did 30 min on the bike (14 miles - hard push, high cadence!) and Lauren cranked out 11.6 miles in the 25 min time they gave them.

Then we hit the track and I just ran with Lauren and kept her moving. She did a great job and finished 3 miles! I really think she was running faster than 10mm, but they said it was 30 min...I think they cut the time short, because last time she did 3.4ish miles and walked some. She NEVER stopped to walk this time and kept a good pace. You should've seen her pick it up when they shouted 5 minutes! Love that girl!

While everyone was just waiting around for the coach to tally up the totals (they count your swim laps -200yd course in 30 min; bike miles -25min; and run tallies - every 3 laps). I decided I wanted to push out one fast mile. I grabbed the stop watch and had Lauren time me. I did it in 6:43...awesome. Nice to see some speed come out of my legs when they are tired.

At the 'awards' Lauren was given Top female kid award! She'd done overall the most in the time given! I was SO proud of her! Way to go! Then, she didn't even take the candy. She opted for the toy. Mom beamed again for healthy choices. She is on her way! I can't wait to see how she does this next year in Triathalons!

A total of 12 miles and 30 min biking with a top award? Yeah, this called for some frogurt! AFTER stopping at the running store for a few minutes to add to my Christmas list :)

I was going to split my short 70 minutes between TM and bike (to read of course), but there was a friend next to me on the TM, and...well, she got me started! Too much to talk about after my son's Dr appt this morning. Before I knew it 6 miles had flown by all at 8:34 AP. But, she left at this point. So, 10ish min on the bike wouldn't have been worth it. I just went for one more mile! Progressive starting at 7:19mm and finishing at 5:56mm. Averaged out to be a 6:50 mile. Not too shabby, I'll take it. 

TT: 58:30 AP: 8:21

Then I grabbed Adam from daycare and the rest of the day is a blurr!!! But, I got it all done and even blogged the last 4 days! Whew.

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons - Chad and George. It felt good to finally be out on a regular run again with the group and not sore or with heavy legs. They aren't wonderful, but SO much better than they've been in a while.

I could hardly keep my eyes open driving this morning. I'm a little tired and need a nap! 4 days of waking up early is starting to show. Had a great run and chat with the group, except that I've got a little PTSD from Mr Treglow and QP. So, I'm now the mother hen. "Watch for R turn car" "Left turn green" "Good to go" I might drive these guys crazy before I get over it! :) Being cautious isn't bad, but mother henning 2 grown men might be!

AP: 8:24 splits: 8:41, 8:41, 8:27, 8:51, 8:54, 8:24, 7:54, 7:50, 8:20, 7:53. Nice little run for me! I've been wondering, ever since Lake Mtn, if my speed would come back. Well, it looks okay to me. AND the Maverik hill sure didn't seem as bad as it usually does!

I wanted to go do bike/reading time at the gym today, but I'm up for volunteer time in the Kindergarten classroom. So, I'm now showered and changed and ready for the day! ....and a nap :)

Nice, easy little 6 miler on the TM, because I slept this morning! I had stuff to do so I couldn't stay any longer at the gym, but I'll be happy with my six.

TT: 50:15 AP: 8:22 - 1-5@ 8:34, my cruise pace (1% incline as always), the last mile I started at 7:24 and went progressive to 6:58.

Nice little run on the Urban Trail Loop. As always, I went progressive until we hit the trail. Someday I'll overcome that! Either way, we had a great run! Kimberly, George and Chad and I all just hung out and had a great time. I really enjoy my morning runs, even if I'm tired all day. At the end Chad and I were together and we pushed pace to the 8 mile finish line. I did my best to keep up and seems like I was hitting low 6's. Okay, it was only for a tenth of a mile, but still felt good!

AP: 8:50 splits:  9:43, 9:21, 8:30 (not hard to do progressive when you start so slow!), 8:12, 8:51, 8:46, 8:57, 8:20

After getting kids off to school and then watching my neighbors kids for a bit I went to the gym for an hour of reading/me time on the bike. Other than Adam deciding he needed to scratch one of the teachers, the 60 min on the bike was GREAT! (I'm getting tired of that little turd's antics!)

Urban Trail Loop again, but with Jason and Kimberly...when the sun was up! The clouds were resting on the Eastern foothills and VB was just barely peeking out of the top of them! I almost ditched this run and did VB. Running through the clouds and then coming out just on top of them? Awesome! Wish I had that kind of flexibility :( Someday I'll have it and then want my kids back home.

We did the loop, which is always a little bit more fun in the daylight and had a great time just chatting away the miles. Jason is still new to running, but we managed a 9:46 AP which for someone who has only run over 8 miles 3 times in his life isn't bad. 

Kimberly then took Jason to get some decent running shoes and clothes so he didn't have to wear cotton t-shirts, basketball shorts and a DI windbreaker to run in :)

Tomorrow at 1PM I'm meeting a group of peeps at the Lehi JRP (1500N) if you're like me and can't do a morning run...or want to avoid the snow :)

Had a Christmas Breakfast I needed to help set up at 7AM...so no early running for me. I also then needed time for breakfast to settle before heading out. So, a few UT county guys decided we'd meet at Lehi JRP at 1PM to go AFTER the storm came and made all the morning runs miserable. HA! Trick was on us!

 The storm didn't start until noon, so at 1PM we were in the thick of it. Heading South wasn't too bad, but the strong North wind wasn't so wonderful. Still kept a good pace and just enjoyed the company. I was scared of the cold and overdressed, so I shed a layer at Willow Park! Picked it up on the way back.

Blaine and Skip were good company and Skip hadn't run for a while, so a few times he took off to get a little faster pace in, but then would get distracted by a dog or something and wait for us.

AP: 8:09 splits: 8:10, 7:52, 8:05, 8:04, 8:05, 8:07 (Skip the pacer...right on!), 8:28, 8:12, 8:11, 8:23, 8:11, 7:16 (last .25 mile that I was going to walk in, but the guys kept running, so I was guilted into running it.)

This whole day was so absolutely crazy! It is now 1AM and I have yet to go to bed...I'm going to be tired tomorrow, and my 3 hours at church? I'm already trying to figure out how I'm going to get everything done that I need to! blech. Busy weekends.

Cold and snowy and tired, so to the TM I went. Since Adam's behavior hasn't been stellar lately I can/should only leave him for an hour in the day care. So, it was a short and sweet morning.

1 mile warm-up on the track. 3.5 on the TM (29:30 AP: 8:25), 1 on the track with Wendy to break up the TM run (she was doing 10!), then finished up the last 1.5 on the TM in 12:15 AP: 8:10 - progressive.

Grabbed Adam and did some stretching afterward.

Now to see what else I can get done in this tornado of a life!!! I feel SO busy lately. No time to breathe.

I wimped out on the 10 mile Newton loop and met Becca (since she got in town yesterday) at the gym. Kelli was there with Scott, I thought for sure she'd be at home in bed, because my sleep in days are precious!

We started on the track and Kelli joined us for some laps as well waiting for Scott to finish up his workout. 2 miles on the track, no idea on pace.

3 miles on the TM - 25:30 AP: 8:30

2 miles on the track - not timed.

3 miles on the TM - 24:40 AP: 8:13

What a wonderful morning workout chatting along! The only way to survive the TM!!! I'm SO excited to have Becca back for the month :)

Shoot. I didn't post this all day, because I thought I could get to the gym and throw down another 4 for good measure to do 12 on 12/12/12....nope. Hubby still isn't home from work, so I'll just have to make up for it tomorrow.

4 miles on the track with Becca while we waited for 2 treadmills together to open up. If I had to guess I'd say we were at an 8:30ish pace once we got into a rhythm. Kim was letting us know the first few warm-up laps were much too slow! :)

Finally jumped on the TM to finish up and just plodded along at 8:27 until the last mile then went progressive. TT: 33:00 AP: 8:15

Then while Becca did stretching I did my PT weights: Monster walk, lunges, big/little toe calf raises and weighted one-leg bridges.

It is SO nice to have Becca at the gym AND Adam had a good day in day-care. Can't beat a morning like that.

I was going to meet up with the Newtons in the morning for the Urban Trail Loop, but last night I was feeling SO crappy! I've got a head cold, but I couldn't stop coughing and had a headache. Not bad enough to not run, but bad enough that with the gym as an alternative, I needed sleep! So, I bailed like a good pansy runner.

Becca again met me, but due to my mom dropping off Christmas gifts I was a little late and she'd already done 3 miles. Stink. We did 2 on the track, 3 on the TM (TT: 24:50 AP:  8:17) then one more on the track. I still had 2 to go when Becca had to take off, but Kelli was out of spin and was willing to trudge through the last 2 with me on the track.

It is always nice having company...and being warm in the winter. I'm just getting tired of the track and TM. Too bad I'm too much of a pansy to get up and go outside! Another good day for Adam in the Nursery and the ladies were all very complimentary. I don't know how much longer this can last...

Running in a Winter Wonderland! The first snow globe run of the season is done...I didn't die. I whined a lot, but didn't die. The pace sure felt faster than a 9:14 that is for sure. The snow really works over your feet. Ran the new Murdock canal trail with Becca in Lehi, not a shabby trail! Can't wait until Smooth can join us!

Okay, Friday I did nothing and that post is supposed to be today...Saturday.

ZUMBA! With Becca, the new certified Zumba instructor :) 

If I would have gotten to bed before 3AM I would've joined Kelli at the gym for some early morning miles.

This morning's run with the Newtons was not about the pace per mile...but how many times I screamed and woke up the sleeping occupants of the homes we were running by as I slipped on the ice and almost killed myself :)

The first few and the last few miles were probably the worst scream/mile ratio. It was like an ice rink out there! Don't trust 'wet' looking roads...black ice is worse on runners than cars. I kept just trying to run on the snow. Snow = good; ice = bad.

The pace was super slow too, because of the conditions (or that is my excuse anyway). Either way, it was just nice to be OUTSIDE! It wasn't too cold and I have to remember that next time I try to chicken out and go inside.

Then I went down to Lehi to do another Zumba class! Becca is an awesome teacher.

A nice sleep in day, then met Becca at the gym.

1 on the track

2 on the TM 8:34

2 on the track

2 on the TM 16:40 - 8:20AP

1 on the track

We get bored easily...can you tell? :)

Stretch and now off to finish up Christmas shopping...

Holy Coldness! It took all I had to get out of bed and not be a pansy this morning, and NOW I'm glad I did :) 16 is bitter cold...at least I think it may have been that warm.

Urban Trail Loop with George and Chad. Despite multiple layers the wind bit right through! Questions I pondered on this run: Why is it that your FAT is what always gets and stays cold?!? Shouldn't it keep you warm? But mine is cold for HOURS afterward and even when I can tell my muscles are warm the outsides (fat) on my legs is cold...what gives? Why do you run so slow in the cold? Is it because you can't really warm up? I swear I can't get moving in the cold! Finally, why do I always get dizzy when I switch from dirt to road running? Is it because I don't have the ground to study in front of me so my mind finally relaxes and I can look up?

Yeah, all that thinking and a lot of talking too :)
AP: 8:45

After finally warming up I headed off to spin class. I loved the kick-butt workout! 55 solid minutes of sweaty goodness!!

Today is my oldest child's birthday. My baby girl is 12....TWELVE!!! How or when did I get so old? When I turned 12, I asked my parents for a boy/girl party and went roller skating. My 'boyfriend' held my hand on the couples skate. I knew just about everything: what I was going to be when I grew up, who I was going to marry, where I was going to live, how many children I would have, the many ways I would change the world and show people how to do things and, most importantly, who I was! HA! I really think about turning 12 and feel like it was a huge milestone and changing point in my life. Because I was SO grown up. The world was my oyster. How in the world can I have a daughter that old and that can even THINK those kind of thoughts?!? I'm still learning how to be a good parent and there are LOTS of things I don't even want her to remember about me right now! :) Poor girl. Having her when I was 20 (almost 21) really forced her to grow up along side me as I did so. I don't know how I deserved such an amazing child to come into my life and I don't believe I deserve it most days. I guess I should just be glad she is more put-together, mature and forgiving than her mother is. Someday I hope she can forgive me for being such a crappy mother! I do my best, but man alive...that poor girl should only be 6! I should only have a 6 year old, maybe in 6 more years I'll be ready for her to be 12 and remember more :)

I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Today is a whiny day for me. I just want to go to bed and eat the peanut brittle that Paul brought me! It is SO absolutely amazing...oh, if you like peanut brittle you MUST try Tiff's...yuuummmm.

I laid in bed thinking "no one would even know if I didn't run, no one reads my blog anymore, well, maybe because you don't read anyone else's blog you stinker! Maybe I can find a good excuse? I don't want to get dressed, it is late, shoot...I've got to get the kids to school. I don't have time to get ready first, I'll just come home and get stuff done and not go to the gym. Uggghhh, fine...I'll go."

So, I took kids to school, came home got laundry started, changed my clothes, made some phone calls and left for the gym. Just a short 6. Plug into the music and do it.

1 on the track

2 on the TM 16:45

1 on the track

2 on the TM 16:00 (8:20, 7:47+progressive finish)

Then I had to rush off to home to get my Kindergartner. Now I need to do about 5 weeks worth of cleaning, laundry and dishes. I'm tired of my husband working until midnight and playing single mom around Christmas. I'm burnt out and turning into more of a Scrooge than I normally am at Christmas. We finally got a Christmas tree Monday when dad got home at 8PM, but because he has been working so much he never gets home early enough to decorate it! So, I have a tree, undecorated sitting in my front room. NO other Christmas stuff up, because I need to clean first, but between my new calling at church, crazy life and lack of motivation can't get the cleaning done! Stink. So, today is the day. I'm going to get it done. I want my kids to enjoy a FEW days of Christmas anticipation at home...maybe? :)

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger lately. I get FB lazy - check on a lot of you there and just don't get on the blog enough!

6 up and back in Provo Canyon with Rachelle's Christmas Eve run. Met some fun new people and got to see some ol' familiar faces too. I had a good time just chatting and pulling up the rear, oh well, speed eludes me lately. 

Just after Nunns park the trail is closed...and unplowed. Stink. My calf/ankle/foot was not ready for more snow running. But, I plowed through the super slow uphill snow miles...despite the whining. Thankfully, Becca convinced me not to stop and turn around early. 

The way down was wonderful, except I felt like crap. I hate my horrible, yucky feeling days. Lightheaded, stomach yuck, fatigue...this is getting old.

Lunch at Kneaders was wonderful! It is always yummy and wrapped in my stinky blanket (my go-to blanket when I'm sweaty/stinky and cold) with a hot cocoa in my hands I avoided the uncontrollable shaking.

AP: 8:49; splits: 8:48, 8:43, 9:02, 9:22, 10:00, 10:41, 9:04, 8:25, 7:56, 7:58, 7:59, 7:56

Christmas Eve run with some folks from out here in Herriman. Kim, Scott, Kelli, Scott and Cory. The guys are in my Stake, and everyone knows Kelli and Scott :) Kim is also on the blog! 

I was going to go down to AF and run with Toby and Catherine, but with the storm and my 12 yr old babysitting I got nervous about driving that far in bad weather. So, I chickened out and took a rain check....hopefully.

Kim's family dropped us off at Butterfield Canyon gate. We did 3 miles up and the first couple miles weren't bad, but by that last mile my foot/ankle/calf was yelling and burning and I wanted to punch someone in the throat, stop and sit in the snow until everyone came back down. I was DONE. But, I was too afraid of getting eaten by a mtn lion, so I kept going.

When we turned around it still stunk, because that top mile the snow was deep and not easily runnable....well, if you have the amount of stability in your ankles I do. We finally hit the 'good' snow and I could pick things up. I felt like a dummy head and was whining a lot in my head...it was good no one was around and I was running mostly alone, or just listening to the conversation.

When we finally hit the gate and got to run on the road, I finally started feeling good. Running was SO easy! I was in love...and just ran. I started getting those endorphins and feeling more like a runner and not a whiny poopy head.

When we finished I was just feeling ready to run! I could've gone a few more, but the hot cocoa and bagels drew me inside. Thanks for a wonderful morning Kim and group!

When I got home my dog started freaking out, because I was in my running clothes and she thought she was getting to go out. Well, I decided to warm up and headed out for another one with her, but then it turned into a wandering two. Up by the cove there was a deer in the middle of the road that was injured and a bunch of people trying to help it. The deer couldn't walk and was just stumbling :( poor thing. I wish someone would've just put it out of its misery. I didn't get too close, but took the planned cut back through the neighborhood because it didn't need any extra anxiety with Lucy (my dog) around. I mapped the run afterward and it was 2 miles...should've done another .1 to finish a half today. Too bad I didn't have my garmin.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! To all my runner friends and for Christmas I wish you all a new PR! :)

A wonderfully lazy Christmas!
Sorry that all the comments on here now make no sense :) Had to switch the entry to the 26th when I really ran it! So...just refer all comments to the post on the 26th.

Slept in. Oh, did I sleep. I refused to get out of bed until 10AM. It was nice, especially since I'm getting sick and my neighbor I spend Christmas Eve with was just diagnosed with strep...yeah, I really don't want to deal with that this next week. So, sleep and recovery. 

With the snow falling I decided to just hit the gym and call it good. I was only going to do 6-8, but well...I did 10. By the time I got to 7 I figured "what is another 3?" So, I just did it. I love having a 12 yr old at home that can babysit while I run the day away at the gym :)

2 on the track (from my timed lap splits they were around 7:50-8:10mm)

4 on the TM. I went for 9 songs on the ipod. Then I have something to count down without looking at the TM counter. I was only planning on 3, but 4 it was. TT: 33:30 AP: 8:22

2 on the track, probably closer to 8:10 or 8:20, but I never timed the laps.

2 on the TM, just wanted to get it done. TT: 16:10; AP: 8:05

Since the Newtons didn't have to work today we went later, which was wonderful! 9AM start on the Urban Trail Loop. The only problem is that NONE of this is plowed. It is all on snow packed trails. I felt like I should've been in the mtns with all the trail breaking I did! Okay, well Chad did most of the trail breaking because he was the fastest :)

I think there was probably only 1/2 mile that wasn't in ankle+ deep snow...which meant a lot of effort and a slow pace. I don't think I've ever worked so hard for a 10mm!

AP: 10:40 splits: 9:51, 11:13, 10:54, 10:31, 11:02, 10:52, 11:22, 9:36, 7:34 (last 30 ft recorded...see, this seemed like an easy effort compared to the trail with snow!)

When we hit the road into the parking lot it felt SO amazing!! I loved not having to maneuver through the snow pack. I looked at my pace, it was 7:30. So, if you take my time and make it a 7:30 pace, I ran over 11 miles! Now, that seems more like it :) Should I blog 11 miles today since that was the effort? I like that idea, blogging by effort and not pure miles when in snow!

It was a nice morning though. Temps weren't too bad and we only had the wind for a little bit into our faces. My feet, however, are frozen. I am grateful for my heated blanket today! Mmmmmm, so snugly warm!!! :)

Now back to hibernation.

***Oh, I updated my short term goals for this year!***

I am done with cold, snow, treadmills and everything! So, I talked Kelli into doing a run at the Olympic Oval with me this morning. It was worth the company, but I remember how boring that place can get - and how it ends up killing my knee and hips. It was better than any other option though! Especially since Kelli was willing to tag along with my slow pace and chat. Company makes everything better. I probably should've done another 3 miles, but oh well. I feel bad because I've taken advantage all week of my 12 yr old being home and she has been stuck at home too long babysitting. So, I figured I'd better head home.

Kelli watched the time for a couple of our 3 mile groups and we were hanging around an 8:30, so I guess it wasn't too horribly slow, but when the HS kids coming flying by on their sprinting laps it makes you feel like a jogger...oh, wait that is just what they call you! :)

Well, I was going to just swim today, but I couldn't leave only 43 miles for the week. I felt like a slacker. So, when Blaine asked if I was up for a run, I agreed...but had to do it early.

Met at 6AM and his son was unable to come due to a bad cold. Ran 33 laps or 9 miles and then headed home. No idea on pace, but I'd say it was similar to yesterday's 8:30ish

Grabbed Lauren and my swim suit. New mounatin to climb today. They were doing a 100X100 event at the rec center pool today. It started at 7AM and I didn't get into the pool until almost 9:00, so I knew I wasn't going to finish all 100 in the 3 hours, but I would do my best.

After 25 100's I was done...tired of swimming, my face and ears hurt from dumb goggles and cap...but it had been less than an hour. Crap. 3 more hours of this? Okay, I'll do at least 50! But, that seems wimpy to only do half and it is just under 3 miles (yd pool not Meters), so I settled on 60. That was my goal.

After those first 25 I was tired and took more breaks, my toes were hurting from where the fins rubbed (I'd do kicks/fins/paddles/pulling to mix it up), my hands hurt from the paddles and my throat was dry and hurt. I kept my whining inside because no one was stopping to listen anyway! But, then I noticed I had done 51 laps! My friend Diane let me borrow her awesome little waterproof ring lap counter so I didn't have to do it in my head. I only had 9 X 100 left. I could totally do this! So, I kept at it and busted out my last 100 in 1:45 to just go out with a bang. Well, looked at the counter and it said 59...oh no. That isn't happening. So, I did another 'cool down' 100, to make the counter right. I'm sure it was user error either in my head or on the counter, but either way now the counter verified my laps! The ladies swimming in my lane also think I did 3 or more 100's because of how many laps they swam after knowing how many I had...anyway, it is all water under the bridge. I'm just proud of my 6000yds or 3.4 miles swam today!!! A full mile longer than an IM. Not sure I'd want to jump on a bike for 110 miles and/or run a marathon now, but it was good.

My average 100 was around 2:00 and with fins/paddles it was 1:45ish. So, nothing super fast...slow and steady.

I think it will take a while for my body to feel the pain/effort from the swim, but I'm glad I did it! 3+ hours of workout today was plenty. I'll call that good.

Woke up and my foot was hurting something fierce. With the revolution run tomorrow, I figured I probably ought to take it easy and baby it a little. Outside of the foot, pinky toe side just distal of the ankle. Started Sunday afternoon with no warning.

Convinced a friend in the ward to come with me to the gym and bike. We did the spin bike for 45-50 minutes. Nothing spectacular, but it was still good!