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

I had a redemption run today. Last year I had to go on my scooter to this race due to my fractured foot! So, this year...I was out for blood :) I wanted a 50K, and figured in 5 hrs I could totally make that work. And I did! 

Running on the track at the Oval can get a little hard...on your knees, ankles, hips, feet, mind...pretty much everything. I started at 8:00 with the crowd and Becca and I stuck together for the first half marathon, then I started running with some other people I knew there. It is really nice to be able to break when you need to, drink when you need to and see people every few laps and run with whoever you want for a lap.

I did the half in 1:55, slower than I thought I would, but looking at my splits I was running and 8:30ish or below pace the whole time...it was the stopping that killed my time. Same with the full. I finished in 4:13, which seemed crazy knowing the pace I was running. All my laps were coming in consistently around 2:25 (8:40ish pace), except when I would stop and drink or grab a gu. So, I think my overall pace (without stopping) was around an 8:45, but my overall time certainly doesn't reflect that :)

They only had Achiva seed things to eat...and candy. I couldn't stomach the candy and those seed chews were NASTY! So, I bummed some gu off of friends. Without them I wouldn't have finished! I needed that caffeine boost. SO grateful for good friends who plan better than I do :)

I pushed the last lap of my half and full and both came in under 2:00, which is a sub 7mm pace...for the lap :) Felt good to move a little more and open things up. But, then I'd stop and fuel/drink and it was hard to get going again! I had a guy from the fuel station come up to me afterward and tell me how much he loved watching me run by and asked what place I'd taken..."I didn't" I replied. He was a little shocked, and honestly so was I. But, more on that later.

After I hit my full I figured I could still get the 50K in. I was going to do this. I kept running, and although the first few laps (until I grabbed my last gu with 30 min left) were slow, I picked it up and was just enjoying the run. Good times! There really were a few times during the run I felt like I could just run forever and I didn't want to stop! That was the last 15ish minutes for me. I was just feeling good and no one was passing me anymore and I was just busting out the laps, plugged into the music and doing a little run dancing and enjoying every minute!!

Well, the final count came in at 112 laps. Which I now know was 49.952K. SO close. I knew I was close, but I didn't know HOW close. So, even though my lap counter had been taken off, I ran 3 more laps to make sure I hit that 50K! I wasn't getting that close and not achieving it. So, my total of 115 laps gives me  51.29K or 31.58 miles. Rock on! I don't think doing the 50K indoors can count as an Ultra, but well...close enough :) What a way to start out the year!!

A highlight of this run for me was having my daughter with me. She expressed interest last year in doing it and so I signed her up this year. She completed OVER a half marathon!!! I was SO happy that she worked hard and got her half medal. It took her probably 3.5 hrs and she walked the majority of it, but she did it! She didn't wimp out and sit after her first 30 solid minutes of running, but would sometimes run my pace for 100M or so when I passed her to keep up with me. Such a proud mama! No other kids went the full 5 hours, only mine :) My mom also showed up and saw Lauren finish her half, me finish my full and then walked a few laps with Lauren as well.

Overall it was a wonderful day filled with friends and fun and the perfect way to start out the new year! I'm trying to not get down on myself about finishing fourth. It is kind of getting my goat. Especially because the 2nd place lady no one remembers running fast enough to pass people. I never saw her pass me, and trust me...I took note of all those who lapped me or were running my pace. I knew Kelli would take 1st for most laps, she KILLED the run! Leslie Howlett and I seemed like we might be neck and neck (she ended up just ONE lap ahead of me). She passed me a lot at first, but then I was passing her a lot at the end. The 2nd place lady...I don't ever remember seeing! I'm not saying she wasn't there and didn't run a full 5 hours or was malicious about getting extra laps, but I truly think I ran more than her. Thus, the aid station guy's comment really just kind was a stinger. Anyway, like I said I'm trying to keep in mind what an awesome accomplishment today was and to just enjoy it. I just hate 4th place...it really does feel like the first loser :(

Met Sara and Amy at the rec center to WALK. It was a nice shake out and get moving 'workout' problem is...afterward, I still felt like I didn't do anything, even though I'd walked for 90 min, at least 3 miles. I was feeling good so I decided to try just one mile running.

Yes, I ran on the track. I guess after 115 laps 11 isn't so bad. Plus, we ran the opposite direction :) had to unwind a bit. After the first mile I just finally started feeling the groove, was enjoying my music and just kept going. I decided 5 would be good for today.

3 on the track...no idea on pace, but certainly progressive. The first mile was SLOW!

2 on the TM in 17:30. Not super fast, but enough to feel like I was moving again. Finished with a 7:30 kick for .02 miles, now that felt good! :)

Then I rode the spin bike in the corner (my initial intention for the day) for 45 minutes.

Total of 90 min of elevated HR, enough to get the blood and legs moving again!

Last night I was up late helping a friend...didn't get to bed until 1:30ish. So, I passed on the Newton's run and slept in. Finally got out of bed and to the gym by 9:00 to do spin class. Kelli told me about the new class TRX and I got off the bike and grabbed a pass for that one too. Good times!

The spin class was hard! Even with a lot of hill climbs I ended up with just over 15 miles in 45 minutes...20mph effort isn't easy! Nice sweaty mess.

Then went to TRX. A circuit class similar to cross-fit, but not as intense. They use suspension bands for upper body resistance. Then we'd do legs on a bosu and then cardio - 4 circuits and we repeated it all 3X. My triceps will be sore tomorrow! I think I found a new fun class :)

Well, I still needed to run. I'd already been at the gym for 2 hours...and then I started running. A true crazy. 5 miles. 4 on the track at a who knows what pace and then one on the TM where I started at 7:40 and went progressive ending at 6:30 pace. Overall time was 7:30 for the mile.

Stretched out well and headed home. I love having a built in baby sitter at home :)

Slept in. It was wonderful. When I woke up at 9:30 all my kids were still asleep! I love lazy holiday and off-track time :) 

I finally (after a LONG debate with myself) decided I should go to the gym and run and/or bike.

I caught Kelli and Amy's last mile, then walked a few with them. Then another one alone on the track, and then I convinced my favorite babysitter Allison (15 yr old) to run a mile on the track with me.

Then we went to the TM, because I thought she would be done running. But, she kept on running! I finished another 3 miles chatting with her in 24:50 AP: 8:16 - started at 8:34 and then went progressive the last mile to finish at 6:30ish pace.

I did two more on the track and Allison probably did about 1/2+ of the first mile with me while waiting the last few minutes for mom to come. She really impressed me! Probably did at least 5 miles and she keeps a pretty good pace too. She is getting in shape for Lacrosse. I think I'm going to try and convince her to do cross country :)

Finished off the last two on the TM in 16:10 AP: 8:05. Again, started at 8:34 and did the last mile progressive to a 6:30ish pace.

After 2 hrs of phone calls I finally took my kiddos back to the rec center to swim. Fun times! I love being a lazy off-track mom :)

SO COLD!! I really wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do this or not, but I put on LOTS of layers (I may have been overdressed), got to Jonathan Crampton's house at 7:15 and took off by 7:30 with Julie, who was kind enough to brave 4 below zero with me! 

The first 2.5+ miles are all a nice uphill, and boy did I feel it. When it is that cold, you just don't ever really warm up. I was going SO slow, but I thought I was trucking along at a good pace...HA! I'm glad I spared myself the guilt and didn't look at my garmin for a second until we finished.

The race was a good course and the company was outstanding. Poor Julie didn't know just how SLOW I'd really be. After all the miles this week AND the cold, well my legs weren't in top condition. She was good to just chat along and put up with my "I want to go where it is warm and I'm going to scream if this isn't over in 5 minutes" grumpy attitude. I swear mile 6-9 felt like a marathon to me! I was SO done. Brain had checked out. Water was frozen. Out of energy and any semblance of spunk that I once had. The only good thing was it was gentle downhill and my legs got into a bit of a rhythm.

By mile 9 I was ready to hit those last 4! I knew it was the shortest way back to the car anyway :) I really started thinking around this point that I was hanging onto a pretty good pace and that I might hit 1:50 or so for the half...HA! Delusional. THEN I saw 'temple hill' approaching the Mt Timpanogos Temple from the West. I will not admit/repeat the expletives that escaped my mouth. I'm just glad that by the time I was at the bottom of the hill it looked nothing like it did from a distance and it wasn't too bad. Perspective...always perspective.

The last 1/2 mile of the race the leaders (that had started at 8:00) blew by us. 2 guys and Devra, I held off Allie, but I think it was only due to the fact that she was in shorts. Had her legs had half a chance to warm up she would've kicked by as well :) Julie took off to home shortly after a couple pictures so that she didn't get the chilled shakes before having to do a mile+ more to her home.

AP: 9:11 splits: 10:05, 10:35, 9:39, 8:51, 9:20, 8:58, 8:55, 9:32, 8:29, 8:47, 8:36, 9:34, 8:09. I never stopped my garmin, so the couple times I stopped and tried to get some slush out of my water bottle or to pick up a dropped hand warmer the miles are a little slower. I'm glad that the times I finally felt like I was moving and getting into the run my miles were in the mid/low 8's. Makes me feel a little better about killing myself over a 2 hour half!

I showered, enjoyed about 15 minutes of visiting and warm food and then took off to set up and prepare a funeral luncheon for a wonderful lady! Wish I could've stayed for prizes, but my medal and knowing that I ran a half marathon in sub-zero temps is enough 'pat on the back' for me!

Julie C and me frozen solid after the run! I got some cute frozen eyelashes. It was like tunnel vision for more than half the run, because I couldn't see through/past them!

Skip and me after the run. He was happy to be done :)

I honestly think I may have been overdressed for the run, because it was SO hard to run. My breathing was more labored than usual (for that pace!) and I was hot and thirsty. My legs were cold, but my torso and head were nice and warm...probably too warm. However, I'm a pansy and so my 10 layers I put on I thought would certainly barely keep me warm. Maybe I was just exhausted from the miles this week, maybe it was the cold air and my body trying to process the cold into warm and so it took more effort (my friend who is a nurse and was at the luncheon lectured me multiple times about how bad it is for your respiratory system to run in this COLD). I'm not sure, but it was hard...a lot harder than I would hope a half would fee. Maybe it was everything thrown together, I don't know. I'm just glad it is over and that I have a TM/track to run on until it gets back up to a blistering temp of at least 15 or 20!!!

Slept in and decided to drag the kids with me to the gym. Then, I got phone calls that I had to take care of, so I didn't get to the gym until 11:00. But, I turned on a few General Conference talks (LOVE the new iphone!) and got down to business. 3 on the track, thinking I would only do a total of 6, then 4 on the TM, got a little distracted :)

No idea on the track time

33:50 TT on the TM, AP: 8:27 - progressive the last mile.

Last mile on the track. Should've timed it, but I didn't.

Finished up with 4 sets of pt/weights set. Monster walk, big toe/little toe calf raises, lunges, weighted one leg raise bridges, sprint a lap, back raises.

Stretched, gathered the kids and went home. Good morning!

Only one or two other times in my life has this happened, but my alarm didn't go off this morning...or I subconsciously turned it off. Either way, I didn't get in my Tuesday 10 with the Newtons, because when the alarm DID go off, it wasn't mine. It was my husbands and it was 7:05. Shoot. So when he left I got ready and headed off to the gym.

3 miles on the track. No idea on the time, but no one was there (I thought for sure I'd get to run with Kelli, but she is sick and Kim was just finishing up on the TM) so I plugged in to another conference talk and ran on until it was time for spin.

55 min on the spin bike, 16 miles. Lots of climbing and standing.

3 miles on the track. Amy was nice enough to keep me company! She and Wendy were there before too, but I was in the middle of a talk and decided to just keep listening. So, I did get company for the last 3 miles. We we're keeping a good 8mm pace, because we finished in less than 25 minutes.Good thing too, because I had to rush home and get baby to music class. Sigh. Back to 'real' life.

After Saturday I knew my hill legs were fading, so I decided I needed a hill workout...cue Mexican Mtn Goat.

Slept in today, trying to avoid it. The first 40 minutes I was at the gym I'd run ONE mile, trying to avoid it. I finally got down to business. 

2 warm-up miles on the track

10 min @ 8:29 pace on the TM 1% - warm up, then took pace to 9:13 (6.5) for the rest of the workout.

2 min @ 2%; 2 min at 0%

2 min @3%; 2 min at 0%

2 min @ 4%; 2 min at 0%

you get the idea? up to 6%...then

1 min @7%; 1 min 0%

1 min @8%; 1 min 0%

1 min @ 9%

2 min recovery break...then I worked my way back down. Again, keeping speed constant. I also start the incline moving 10 seconds before the minute starts so it is there (or almost) by the time the minute starts. Whew! I'm glad it was over.

The last couple @ 4% and below on the way down I did with 1 min recovery and then the 2% I did at 8:29 pace. Then, the TM shut down and so I had .4 to finish to round miles to 7.0. So I went progressive speed to finish up .4 miles in 2:50; topping the speed at 9.0mph.

TT: 62:50; AP: 8:58 Vert: 900ft

I'm glad it is over, and it wasn't as bad as I remembered. I guess I'll have to increase the speed next time :)

Up early....I know, I can't believe it either :) 

Did the Urban Trail Loop with the Newtons: Ronnie, Chad and George.  It was a particularly nice morning! Almost 40. If it wasn't for the wind, it would've been perfect winter running.

Trudged through the snow, but it was pretty well tracked out so it wasn't bad either. Almost makes me want to do it again soon.

I didn't start my Garmin after the first stop for Ronnie to fix his yak trax, so I lost a couple miles along the way, but AP: 9:36 (for the six/eight that got recorded). I'm happy with that. Maneuvering through the snow isn't easy on my ankles and calves, so it takes a lot more effort and slow going for me.

It was just plain nice to be out! I was glad I made the effort to get up!

Slept for a couple hours then hit the gym.

Spin class - good hard climbing and speed work...while climbing!

TRX class - resistance class that uses your body weight. I see it as the public gym's answer to cross-fit training. Stations that you work your way through. It is a really good whole body workout. Always good to have something new!

PM: Met Kristy at the gym and ran the track for 3 miles with her. Two together (one with the stroller, until hubby came to relieve me), then walked a few and then finished up. Kristy is a biker and getting into tris. She has had knee surgeries that prevent her from running long distances or high speeds, but she is working hard! Plus, it is good company :)

Full day at the gym and afterward went to dinner with the family. I liked the evening family workout. Boys rock climbed and played, dad walked, Lauren swam and I ran. Can't get much better than that!

Does gutting my boys' bedroom and organizing 2 more count? What about throwing in a shopping trip to Ikea with 4 kids? Putting together a dresser...by myself? Staying up until 2AM cleaning and scrubbing the last bathroom? I guess I'll count it :)

Kelli was nice enough to join me at the Oval this morning. When I saw what the weather was to be on Wednesday night I proposed this venue for Saturday. After some convincing (looking at the temp herself) Kelli agreed. 

I tried to go early enough that I could still get back for some of Lauren's swim meet and sleep a LITTLE bit. Well, I found out I can't have my cake and eat it too. Despite running an 8:40 AP for the 15 miles (which isn't too shabby for me) I still missed watching her swim. Stink. Oh well, I guess next time I'll have to sacrifice sleep. 

It was a crowded day at the oval, but the company was excellent. Kelli, Kim, Christine, Scott, Jake, Andrea, Rob and lots of others were hanging out there. I'm telling ya, it is the party house!

The speedy guys (and a bunch of XC teams) were trying to do speed work, but on one corner it was narrowed down to 1.5 lanes due to the skating competition that was going on. Made for a rough go of it. Plus, with so many you never knew if they were passing on the inside or outside. I felt like I was just in the way most of the time. I always appreciated when they'd take the breath to yell "Inside!" Then, I'd move. It is hard to keep track of people that lap you 3X/lap! :) My last couple laps I picked up the pace to push to the finish. The last lap was a 6:30 pace. It was fun to lap THEM and take the inside for once. Of course they were on their recovery laps (still running faster than my AP), but I still got to make them move :)

Had a great morning and a busy(ier) afternoon/evening. Now...I'm just looking forward to bed and sleeping in tomorrow!!!

My speed has been suffering lately due to my lax running. With St George half this Saturday I decided I need to remind my legs that they can run a little bit faster. Plus, not having a lot of time this morning because I was lazy and didn't get my sleepy butt out of bed early like I'd planed helped too.

I got to the gym with 40 minutes...

1 warm-up @ 8:27

3 faster miles @ 7:30

1 cool-down @ 8:13, but I increased the incline the last 1/4 mile to 3% - instead of my classic 1% that I usually run.

After I got home and did my 30 minutes of baby-sitting for my friend I went to her house and finished 2 miles on the TM in 15:50. Started at 8:20 pace and increased the speed every 1/4 mile, but bumped more at the end to finish at sub 7mm. AP: 7:57

I was going to do a weight set, but since I want a decent (not racing, but decent) performance on Saturday I need to take this week a tad easier and not fatigue my legs.

Woke up nice and early to meet the Newtons for the Tuesday 10. Ronnie, George and Chad were all there too. We compared dash board/phone temps as we started: 7, 8, 7, 12. TWELVE?!? What the heck kind of heat wave did Ronnie have measuring on his phone?!? At least it wasn't sub zero. Almost warm :)

Nice pace and I felt at ease most of the run and felt strong up the hills which is good. I'm sure I'll be tired of the hills by mile 4 on Saturday, but at least I had a good confidence boost today. Only HAD to stop for traffic once, dang it :)

AP: 8:15 splits: 8:20, 8:23, 8:32, 8:28, 8:45, 8:21, 8:08, 7:50, 7:55, 7:52

Went home got out of the wet clothes and ready for spin, but snuggled under my lovely heated blanket! I seriously don't know how I ever survived without that thing!! I got a good hours nap in and then got up (before any children) and snuck off to the gym for spin class. Good hard push! Lots of climbing and standing. 14 miles in 45 min

Quick little morning run. I'm feeling a little deflated seeing all the speed and hill work everyone is doing and I'm just here enjoying myself. So, I decided to push a little today. 

2 warm-up miles on the TM 8:27

2 miles on the track: 1 lap as fast as I could handle, then 1 lap recovery (11 laps/mile = 11 fast repeats)

I was going to then go back to the TM, but they were gone because it was now 9AM and the gym was crowded. So, I decided to do 2 with Wendy and Amy on the track. An easy pace, but not slow.

I finished up my last mile with a good speed push on the track. I don't know any of my times or paces and they were probably a lot slower than I'd have liked them to be, but I kept a good effort on the speed. I'm starting to think Saturday isn't going to be very pretty...

6 miles by myself at the gym in the early afternoon. It was the only time life would let me get there.

3 miles on the track, a pretty decent pace and I only can say that, because when I got on the TM for the next 2 the 8:20 pace seemed a little easier (@1%) than the pace on the track.

2 Tm miles @ 8:20

1 track mile at a hard push, no idea on the time.

Returned to the gym in the evening to run 3 with Kristy on the track.

Went to a baby shower dinner at Olive Garden then went back to the gym for a little racquetball date with my hubby.

Sometimes I feel like I live there :)

Shopping, errands, packing the family for St George. I loved the warmth of 35 when I got out at 7:30 with the sun down in St George!!

I started out not really thinking that anything would come from this 'race' - I guess now I just feel like I shouldn't underestimate myself.

I didn't really taper, but didn't push like I normally do through a week with cross-training...just regular running with Friday off. I haven't really done much, if any, real speed work. But, I just wasn't feeling the love of racing or even running today. I figured if all went well I could hit a 1:40-1:45.

When the gun went off I was between the 1:35 and 1:40 pacers...so I figured I'd just try to stay there and not let Christy pass me :) The 1:35 pacers quickly disappeared and I was running scared of those 1:40 pacers the whole time. After mile 3ish I paced out and besides passing a few women, the same group of people stuck right with me the whole time. My 'pacer' was about 10-20ft in front of me the whole race. I passed her once at an aid station, but she quickly regained her 10ish feet.

I felt stronger on the hills than I expected and the quick glance at the splits showed I stayed at a good pace - 7:45 I think is the slowest, but I've got to get home and dump it to see. My laps did fill (I forgot to delete!) so, I only have up to split 9. Oh well. No worries. Except I am kind of bummed that I missed my last .1 push to the finish. I dug deep on that one! Anyway, the group around me didn't pull away on the hills - I was able to keep up with the 'group' on the tons of uphills. Made me feel like I haven't lost too much over my easy hiatus this winter.

I felt like I had a good push on the race and was happy with my finish time, but now I keep thinking I should've gone harder :) But, I think we always do that. The good news is that I was really nervous and trained pretty hard to hit a 1:36:40 at SLC half in April and I pulled just one minute slower today on a tough/honest course. So, that has to be a good sign that my legs still remember how to run fast and long? right?

After the race I hung out and chatted with the tons of peeps there. Then, I ran the mile back to the hotel. Made the kids lunch, ate a bit myself and rejoiced over my 2 year old going #2 in the potty by himself. Almost ready to call this a success. Then the kids wanted me gone, because dad said they could go swimming after I left for my bike ride.

Met Brent, Di, Sue, Polly and Heather by the fishing pond on the way to Snow Canyon. Did a loop around Ivins and Kayente then headed up Snow Canyon. Thanks to the SL County Library we had an annual State Parks Pass and got all of us in free (Brent did have his own pass too). Rode to the top of the canyon - a good push! Then down the marathon course back to Snow Canyon Blvd and then the fishing pond. Wow! That downhill was awesome. I like riding it more than running it :) I added a few more miles on by biking back to the hotel (mostly all downhill), Bluff is a nasty street to ride on! So, I jumped over to Main Street and took it down to Abbey Inn. I didn't feel like I was going to die on that road :) 33 miles total with a ton of climbing.

Then I took the kids swimming...yes, they went again. I spent most of the time in the hot tub and just relaxed, and sweat some more :) What a wonderful day! I wish every Saturday was so easy with kids and that I could just play all day like this!!

My legs are tired now, I can tell. I get winded and they burn by the top of the third floor :) Can't wait for a big breakfast tomorrow!!

My lovely friend Kelli was kind enough to wrench me out of bed this morning and drag me around on a run :) I love waking up to a text that says "I'm running to your house and I don't run with the phone....are you ready????" Especially when Kelli sent it 7 minutes before I actually saw it and I'm still in bed :) Makes me move VERY quickly! Luckily, she got distracted by taking care of her family and I got a few extra minutes before her speedy legs traveled the 3 miles uphill to my house. 

We had no direction or course or anything planned, just ran. Ended up going West to Kennecott and down to 11800S then to Daybreak for a little loop, stop at the bathrooms then headed home. I also drug her up the hill of despair to the top of 13400S through the closed road so that I didn't have to do that alone :) We separated there and she got the nice next 3 miles to run downhill back home. I just went flat and a little more uphill home. 

It was a lovely morning! Besides the air that you could occasionally taste and take a bite of, it wasn't too bad. I had to stop 3 miles in to shed some layers then creatively attach them to me while I ran. My hat and neck warmer kept my butt nice and warm :)

I'm really sick of this air...seriously, sick. I swear I can't breathe this stuff...I eat it and choke on it! I want to go back to St George! My legs are still super sore and tired, but  it was nice to get out and move them, especially with good company that is willing to go pokey slow with me as I trudge along.

AP: 8:54, 9:46, 9:27, 9:55, 8:27 (ha! downhill!), 8:07, 8:25, 8:11, 8:18, 8:38, 8:45, 9:12, 9:08, 9:03, 9:18, 8:44

I was up all night hacking up a lung. My eyes burn, my throat hurts and I'm coughing like crazy. Ugghhh. I'm done with this craptastic air!! So, I ditched the Newton's 10 mile run and slept in.

Got kids off to school, then headed to the rec center and put Adam (my newly potty trained baby!!! YAY!) in the nursery. Since I want to make sure we don't start with accidents in the day care I decided I needed to check on him every 45ish minutes.

Did spin class and there was SO much standing! My butt is sore. I did ditch out for a couple minutes to take buddy to the bathroom.

After class, I went out to the track. I had 35 minutes to get in 4 miles. So, I kept the pace strong and according to a few lap splits I timed I was running sub 8mm...just by a little :)

Then I jumped on the TM for the last two miles. Went progressive @1% starting at 8:13 and finishing at 9.0mph. AP: 7:55 for the two miles. It was nice to get some speed in despite my legs still feeling sore. I now just want to run more. Stinkin' kids and making them a priority! :)

Is it just me or is it everyone else too? I'm in such a yucky, grumpy moody lately! Seriously. This weather needs to change. I need some clear air, sunshine and warmth!

6 miles at the gym, 2 on the track, 2 @ 7:55 AP on the TM, 21 on the track in less than 16 minutes so that I could get to swim.

Masters swim. First swim since December's 60X100. Drills, and pulling. A good 40 minutes of swimming time. I don't know the total distance.

The Newtons met at my house for a loop to get out of this inversion. I didn't tell them how much of a fun climb it was going to be, I figured they could find that out for themselves :)

Chad, George and Ronnie and I headed up into Hi Country to do something I've always been to chicken to do. Run to the top. I usually cut back about 2/3rds of the way up and avoid the big hills. Not today. It was time to go UP and enjoy some fresh air.

Oh, was it nice up there! I could breathe! The air was clear and I really enjoyed the run. I did have to power walk a couple times, but Ronnie didn't gain anything on me so I figured I was keeping a good pace :)

Almost to the top, the second car we had encountered the whole run pulled over with their window open. I know lots of people that live up there so I stopped. She asked if I lived up there, "no, but I've been up here a lot and know most of the people that do" She then cautioned me about how BUSY the road was and that even with my head lamp and reflective gear I would get hit. I kind of chuckled to myself and carried on. Busy according to her and what herd of deer?!? :) We did run into one other car on that upper loop while we ran. It was a CRAZY busy day up there on that road.

The way down was wonderful. There are still some good rolling hills and some good climbs, but with 1300ft of gain I'm calling this a good run! Excellent prep for the hills on my first trail 50K in March. I want to do this run again.

AP: 8:52 splits: 9:05, 9:02, 10:06, 11:13, 8:01, 7:52, 7:56, 7:45

Came home and warmed up (it was actually almost warm this morning starting at 19 degrees!!) under my electric blanket. Oh how I love that thing. I got the kids ready for school from my bed :) okay, I just yelled at them to get their stuff done. I didn't want to get out of bed!! I finally got up and out of the house. I noticed that it had started raining a bit (it was dry our whole run!), but it didn't seem bad.

Went to the rec center and did spin. Teacher wasn't my favorite, but it was still a good class with a hard push! Lots of climbing.

Finished off the morning with TRX. Legs were super tired! But, I got through it with Kelli showing me how it was done.

Now I think I'm going to climb back under my blanket and sleep for a few hours. It might keep the grumpies away today.

Had to go to the school to watch my 3rd graders report on George Washington and had to be back to the school by 11:00 to pick up a Kindergartner. So, I ended up with a short 60 minute window at the gym. No, I wasn't going to wake up early :)

By the time I got in, day care check in, chatting and ready to run I had 50 minutes left. I knew I could do 6 miles...and I did :)

2 on the track, 2 on the TM (15:55 TT), 1 on the track, 1 on the TM (7:40). I'm pretty sure my track miles were around an 8mm too.

Glad I got a little something in today, but wish I could've done more. Don't we always want a little more?

Run Gr8 started a girls run club and Kelli and I decided we wanted to run enough to at least get our free t-shirt :) The longest loop they offer is 7 miles. On a Saturday? Really?!? Whatever. So, Kelli, Amy and I showed up for the 7 mile loop. It was a good run and a good pace (8:30ish, because I finished 7.3 miles in just over an hour). We signed in to get the credit for our miles and headed out again.

We went uphill first which was nice on the way home. From the store out to Bluffdale. We were probably 100yds or less away from the Wal-Mart building and we couldn't see it! The fog was SO crazy thick. I wore my headlamp, not to see, but BE seen. We tried to stay off major roads too.

I sure felt as we headed home that we'd put in a good effort and had decreased that AP down to an 8:10-8:20...HA! Nope. I guess seeing isn't the only sense that has trouble in the fog. We still kept it at around an 8:30 and had a good finishing push, so I can't be too upset. It just really felt like I was putting in a lot more effort than that.

Afterward Amy treated us to bagels and Kelli's heater in her car kept us warm and happy! A wonderful Saturday morning run. Reminds me of why I run...for the people :)

I'll post splits when I'm not too lazy to go to the computer and plug in the Garmin.

AP:8:40; splits: 9:42 (trying not to kill ourselves waloging, walk/jogging, across the icy bridge), 8:15, 8:50, 8:29, 8:41, 8:36, 8:38, 8:41, 8:46, 8:55, 8:49, 8:40, 8:41, 8:24, 8:01.

What a day! Sunday my baby started to get sick. I knew I wouldn't be able to take him to the day care at the gym, so I thought I'd get up early and go run with Kelli. HA! Nope. My little guy decided he needed to bring his restless, sick, coughing sleep into my bed AND that he couldn't sleep unless he was laying ON me! Not next to me...on me. I felt like I got 2 hours of sleep. I wasn't getting up early.

Only bad thing is that I'd gotten a slow leak in my car tire on Sunday and I had to take it into the shop for my free repair. I pumped up the tire and went straight there! Well, the wonderfully kind man at the tire shop told me how horrible my tires were and that he didn't feel right sending me home on them. So, my FREE repair turned into over $600 for new tires....nice. The maddening part is that I had just purchased them less than 2 years ago and had only put less than 30,000 miles on a set of 60000 mile rated tires. The shop did give me credit toward my new purchase, but I figured something had to be wrong with the alignment or who knows what to wear out the tires that quickly!

I stopped quickly at Run Gr8 to get my new trail runners...YAY!! And then finally made it to the gym. I had 45 min on the bike before I had to race home for the kindergartner.

Picked him up and went to the car shop to get an alignment done. I had a coupon, so it would only be $40-$60. Totally worth not running through another set of tires. Well, should've guessed...when they went to do the alignment they couldn't get the toe bolt off the back tire. It was nice a rusted on. So, they had to order a toe bolt kit from the dealership and have it put on. My cheap little trip, again, ended up being a lot more: $200. My poor sick baby finally got me home though. The shop owner offered to drive me home so I didn't have to wait there for the car. So, I paid him for the work and they took me home and said they'd bring my car to me when it was done. How wonderful!

It was nice to finally get some motrin in my poor baby and let him sleep and be home. Kelli had said she'd be at the gym 6-7 if I wanted to run with her. I was skeptical that Craig would make it home in time (to watch baby), but he did! Only problem is that about 2 minutes before he came home I smelt poo...and coudn't see baby! Went looking and the poor sick child that was just potty trained last week didn't quite make it to the bathroom, but then tried to make it anyway. I had a bathroom and baby covered in poo to clean up. Nice. It just gets better and better, doesn't it?!?

So, I finally got my daughter and I to the gym by 6:15 (she has swim team 6-7) and Kelli was at exactly a mile on the TM, so we went to the track. I think she was watching time and I was counting laps (not very well, but trying :) ) and she said we were running around an 8:30, which for end of the day is good for me. After 3.5 I had to take a break, running after eating always make my stomach upset. Kelli grabbed her daughter from gymnastics and then we finished up. I had 5 laps left after Kelli left (she ended on a half and I needed the whole), so I ran with a girl from my neighborhood conditioning for Lacross. I thought I'd get a break on pace, but Allison kept it pretty good! A total of 6 miles on that darn track.

Grabbed Lauren, came home and somehow got dinner and FHE done by 9:30 to put the kids to bed. What a day...what a day.

Another restless night with baby, but I KNEW today if I didn't get up and run with the Newtons there would be no make-up and I'd be stuck on the bike at the gym dealing with sick baby in the stroller. So, despite no sleep I got up and headed out. I thought maybe I could blame the snow and the winter stom warning for not going, but when I woke up I couldn't see a flake falling or anything on the ground that wasn't there before. Crap. So, I got ready and got to Chad's house in enough time to check FB and play a couple lives of Candy Crush Saga :)

The 10 mile loop wasn't busy (as far as cars go) this morning and I was grateful! Sliding cars is always what worries me most running on mornings like this. I was lucky enough to step on a stray rock on the sidewalk on the corridor though. Nearly fell and broke my hip...or knee :) but caught myself and had only twisted my ankle well. I made everone stop for a minute to let me walk it off a bit, then carried on.

Heading South and East we got a nice microdermabrasion facial thanks to the wind and snow, but heading West on Emmiline it was pure beauty as we ran along and couldn't feel a bit of wind on the gentle downhill.

We ended up keeping a nice clip on the last few miles of downhill. Chad said 7:50 pace and George later (when Chad had left us in his dust) said 7:30. I'll take it. Especially with the wind in my face again.

Again, I'll post splits etc. when I get to the computer to download the garmin, but I did look at the AP and it was 8:28, which for the hills, I'll take!

AP: 8:28; splits: 9:02, 9:03, 9:37, 9:26, 8:15, 8:21, 7:56, 7:38, 7:39, 7:41

Tuesday 10 done. Now, I get to snuggle with my little baby, try to sleep a bit and just get through the day so I can get up early again tomorrow. Hopefully, I don't get sick...fat chance with not ever getting to be more than a foot away from the sick baby for days, but I'll fight off what I can.

Darn guilt getting me to do speedwork! Hubby was feeling sick and decided to work from home so I could escape to the gym and not have to get up at 5:00...after only a couple real hours of sleep from dealing with sick baby all night. 

I ran 3 miles on the track with Amy, it was nice to have a good chatty run to start with...and delay the inevitable! 

Then, the TM for SW

1 min on/1 min off

6:15; (9.6)/9:15; (6.5) X 15 = 30 minutes total, 4.1 miles AP = 7:19

Okay the 2nd to last repeat was 9.7 and the last one I did at 10.0 (6:00). The sad/good thing is that I think I need to do these faster. The 10.0 at the end didn't kill me. I didn't even look at the time until :57. This tells me I wasn't doing enough on the repeats. Shoot. Another mental game I get to conquer: Speed work should be faster!

Then did a cool down mile on the track and stretched. A good workout!

I've never had 9 miles feel so long! Since I introduced the group to Hi Country last Thursday they've all been obsessed with it. Chad ran up there exploring Saturday and mapped out a route for us to run today. 

We started up towards Yellow Fork. Just before we got to the top, we turned onto Shaggy Mountain Rd. A dirt road that goes up, up and up. I took my first power walking break. Then, a bit later we hit snow. Unplowed and untracked calf-deep snow. I mentally decided this was an honorary 'boys club' run with Jun, Scott and MattVH. I couldn't run through the snow, but kept the HR up walking through it for 1/2-3/4 mile. I FINALLY hit the end of the unplowed part and yelled a "hallelujah!" George turned back for me thinking I'd died :) Nope, just happy!

We topped out and I figured the hard part was over...HA! The next couple miles were lovely dirt covered in slippery snow rolling hills. Up, down, up, down. George once said "what doesn't kill you...." I replied "makes you strong enough to punch the person who suggested it in the throat! Or thank them in a few months" :) I honestly think I just felt like I was lost and since I kept waiting and waiting for the terrain to become familiar in the area I know it just felt a lot longer.

We finally hit the downhill and headed home with tired legs. I was the one dragging at the back today. Maybe only by 15 feet, but I was spent. The weather was wonderful, the views? Magnificent! I can't wait to do it again. Yes, I did just say that. After all my cussing and spent legs...I want to do it again next week :) With this route in my weekly schedule I won't ever have to worry about hills again!

AP: 9:33; splits: 9:00, 9:22, 10:18, 14:00, 8:46, 10:38, 8:12, 7:50, 7:56, 7:47 (last .1 over 9 miles)

Came home, warmed up and hubby wasn't feeling well again so he stayed home. YAY! :)

So, I went to spin class - holy climbing! Heidi called this her hills from H$## class, and it sure was. I thought I'd have had enough of hills, but  I guess I was wrong. We did speed work ON hills...nice. I kept up with the pace and pushed hard. Nothing more I could ask for, a big sweaty mess.

Then I did TRX. I really like that class! It is the gym's answer to cross fit. It is circuit training (1 min at each station) and you get to use resistance trainers that use your body weight. I hope it helps increase the muscle I tend to lose during training.

This sick baby/no sleep thing is getting old...My 8 hours of sleep last night felt like less than the 5 hours the night before! Having baby sleep in my bed is SO hard. He isn't a quiet peaceful sleeper and when he is sick he is pretty needy all night. The 5 hour night he actually never came into our room! That is why I slept so well.

Anyway, I slept/tried to sleep all morning. Finally at noon I got my butt out of bed. I ran with Kristy at 3:00ish. It was a wonderful afternoon! Sun shining, blue clouds, perfect temps. It was worth it. I was happy that she was going a little slower so I could enjoy it more :)

I know it wasn't much for the day, but the way I'm feeling I'm happy I got out. Let's hope that This doesn't mean I'm starting to get sick.

I was supposed to go run Utah Lake this morning, but I just didn't feel right about it. I couldn't say why. I knew if Davy Crockett was going that it would be safe, but I had to listen to my gut...and it said no. 

So, as punishment for my being a pansy I made myself do a 20+ miler. I honestly thought it would be 21 or less. I can't add well...or google maps or my garmin are crap.

I ran from my house to Kelli's house and met her and Amy then we ran to Run Gr8 for their women's group 7 mile loop. About 2 miles into that loop I started just not feeling well. I was grumpy and ornery all morning and it must've just been the indigestion I was giving myself. I even made Kelli stop once, because I felt like I was going to hurl if I kept running. Shortly after we came by a pop and took a short break too. I felt a little better, but was lagging behind where my speed should've been. Effort was high, speed not so.

I made it back to the shop with only one other break and I was about to throw in the towel. 15 miles is good, right? Ugghh. You planned a 20+ now don't be a pansy and just do it. I sat around Run Gr8 for a while and was probably the last person to leave. Kelli met Scott and took off for 12-15 more...I gracefully bowed out of the 'crazy miles' competition when I heard that! I finally had no more excuses left and started my climb back home. 

The last 7 miles were all uphill home. The garmin has them all at 130-150ft of gain/mile. Sometimes living where I do makes me crazy. No downhill home. But, I still managed to slug through it and I only lost 20 sec/mile on my AP :) I checked when I left the shop and I was at 8:28, finished at 8:50...nice. Uggghhh.

Note to self....finish runs by 10:00. After that time you will inevitably get an onslaught of phone calls forcing you to stop and answer them, because you are worried it is your husband/family. Only once it was, and it was a pointless unnecessary call :) I did also stop to play 'peeping tom' on my daughter at the rec center. I figured the tri class would be running the track, so I stopped on the opposite side of the street (where I was running) and stared into the windows on the track and spotted her run by a few times. I thought maybe she'd see me, but she never did :( So, I ran home. Got a phone call from her that she was done just about a mile before my finish line.

I'm glad that I did the run and didn't let myself wimp out. I have a 33 miler on my 33rd birthday on 2/15 that I intend on tackling. I think I needed a good training run for it! I probably should've done more, but I think with my 3 mile downhill finish on the run I'll survive. Plus, I'll have some good friends to convince me I can do it too. If you haven't gotten an invitation on FB yet, here is yours: Come run at 8AM with me on my birthday Friday morning (2/15). Message me for details.

I didn't reset my watch from Friday's run, so when I added the first 3 miles to Kelli's house onto my AP total it came out to be a TT: 3:10:48; AP: 8:47; Miles: 22; 1400ft of elevation gain; splits: 8:31, 8:04, 8:08, 8:19, 8:10, 7:58, 8:15, 8:08, 8:47, 8:25, 8:35, 8:27, 8:32, 8:52, 8:52, 9:17, 9:59 (didn't stop as I made a couple short stops at corners, 9:31, 9:31, 9:39, 9:47, 8:52, 8:40...at least I had a nice finish on the bit of flat home :)

A wonderful run for a Saturday and after a short stretching session and rest, I felt ready to run again :) A little stiff and sore, but nothing horrible.

Mileage Goal Update for the Year:

274 miles - On my way to QP's house, I am just outside Wamsutter, WY. Around mile post 180 on I-80 Eastbound in the lovely Wyoming :) About half way across the state. Next State...Nebraska. I should be there around early March. Keep an eye out for me :)

2 warm-up miles on the track. Sometimes I love the track, sometimes I hate it. This morning I didn't mind it! Especially when I got on the TM afterward and an 8:20 at my 1% incline felt rather easy. Makes me realize I'm still working hard.

3 miles on the TM. Decided to do some 1/2 mile pick-ups. So, I did .25 @ 8:20 then did .5 @ 6:53; return to the 8:20 for a half and so on. It was nice, because it made watching the 3 miles go quickly, because I only had a quarter before and after the pick-up. I am going to hit this one a little bit more in the future. TT: 22:40 AP: 7:33 - not too shabby for an 'easy' TM run.

Then I finished up with 2 more on the track with Amy. I was happy to see her! A nice visit to cool down. I then went and got Adam from the daycare. I've been told that he is no longer contagious, but his cough still sounds blechy, so I only wanted to leave him an hour.

I put him in the stroller with the plan of riding the bike for the next hour, but there were some girls on both bikes and so I walked, but then decided to run slowly with the stroller while I was waiting and my other friend Amy (who runs about that pace) ran the mile with me. The last lap the girls were wiping down the bikes...perfect.

Finished up on the bike for a good solid 20 sweaty minutes. Would've liked a little more time, but I'll take what I can get on a Monday.

Tuesday 10 with the Newtons. I'm denying that I'm sick. A week not getting more than a foot away from sick baby will NOT catch up to me. I forgot my garmin this morning which is probably a tender mercy. I was under a 9mm, because I left my car at 5:31 and got back in to go home at 7:04, so I know with the chatting and one stop we made that I was at least under a 9mm, but that was about all my legs could muster today.

I got up, I ran. That is all I can ask of my body today. I'm not sick, I repeat...not sick. However, I won't be doing anything else today. The Machine is out of order.

Nothing. After not being sick all day Tuesday, I actually woke up NOT feeling so sick on Wednesday :) I figured it would be best to rest and let my body heal 100% - so I did. Unless cleaning the kitchen and folding a mountain of laundry count for anything.

Ahh, back to the life. As I stepped outside to join the Newtons for a run I saw a beautiful moon just over the mountains to the South! I even took a picture I was so in love with it. Chad was a little late, so George and I waited inside until he got there. He was late on purpose so that we could see the sunrise on our way home...it was worth it :)

8 miles on our Hi Country Loop. No peak this time, because we shortened the loop to cut out the snow road. I missed that. Next time I think I'll just make the group back track to the peak for fun! My trail shoes did well and didn't bother my feet, except now I regret not putting my arch supports in. PF isn't too happy, but nothing a night in the splint won't cure. 

AP: 8:58 splits: 9:18, 9:49, 10:28, 9:54, 8:05, 9:01, 7:32, 7:49, 7:33 (last .17 of a mile that I'm going to not mess up my round number with)

A quick change and warm-up while cuddling my cute little baby boy under my heated blanket when I got home, then banana and whipped cream stuffed french toast for the kiddos for breakfast and then I dropped them off at school and took Adam to chuck a child at the gym.

Spin class. Oh the hills. Heidi loves the hills. I only got 14.5 miles in during the 52 minutes on the bike. Stink that was hard!

Then hit TRX class. I really like that class, but sometimes in the middle of class I want to punch someone. I'm always SO tired and exhausted, but I feel like I've got to give it my all to not look like a pansy. Ugghhh. It is always worth it.

PM: Picked up Kristy and went back to the gym to run with her. She finally got some new shoes, so I was hoping her knee would hold up a little more than normal. We did a warm-up mile on the track. Then I've prescribed some speed work for her. 2 min off/1 min on X 5. She did them at 5.3 mph and 7.0 mph. I ran at a consistent 7.0 the whole time next to her. I was happy that she was able to get through it and didn't want to punch me :) She is only up to 3+ miles at a time, so we couldn't do much more, but she finished 1.5 miles on the TM. Then, we did a full mile cool down on the track. 3.5 is good for her especially with the speed work.

My hope is that since she can only spend so much time pounding her knee (multiple surgeries, no cartilage) that if we help increase her speed she can go further on the same amount of time. When the speed is up to 9mm, then we can begin to add mileage to equal the amount of time at 11mm. Sounds reasonable, right? If I'm way off base, anyone is welcome to tell me!

So, I ended with a total of 4 extra for the evening rounding my daily total to 12. Not too shabby...almost makes up for a pitiful Wednesday.

2 miles on the track to shake things out. Body is sore today! Yesterday kicked my trash.

2 miles on the TM, AP: 8:30

1 mile on the track, then I was going to hit the bike, but Kelli finished with spin and wanted to run a bit, so I decided to tag along :)

2 more on the track. Not feeling the love today. Pushed through and figured it didn't kill me, so I'll hope it made me stronger.

7 miles with the Run Gr8 group, stopped with the leader to make sure all the ladies doing 7 turned at the right spot, then took off to try and catch the front of the group again. Made it by mile 3! Hung with and chatted with some ladies from the group on the way back. A great run :)

TT: 59:04 AP: 8:26, splits: 9:01, 8:07, 8:26, 7:44, 9:00, 8:23, 8:22

Drove to the Olympic Oval to meet a friend who is training for her first full marathon at Ogden this year. She needed 11 miles. I was hoping to get there early enough to do at least 2 before she got there, I got 8 laps.

Then we started off and I was having a hard time keeping up. I was tired and she was fresh! We kept a decent pace, but after 6 miles I took a caffeine gu to help me out. It was worth it. A few miles later she was saying she could tell my gu had kicked in :)

We finished 41 laps, which was a little over 11 miles, but with the extra from my 2 miles and that I got an extra half mile. Excellent. Our overall pace was just under 9mm (after adding in my 2 before by myself). Not too shabby. Steph really keeps a good pace. I can't wait to see her smash the Full!!

Overall AP 8:46

Now off for a fun GNO with my daughter!

Gym day...needed the chuck a child so I could sleep in :)

3 on the track. 2 with Amy, then she started doing 1/1 speed work. She would run one easy with me then sprint until she caught up with me again. One time I was close to the start/end of the lap and so I picked it up, because I could hear her coming and she said "Hey! No sprinting!" :) hehehe

2 on the TM. TT: 16:00 AP: 8:00. Started at 8:34 and went progressive the second mile enough to pull the overall down to 8:00.

40 min on the bike reading.

Trying to take it easy this week so I won't die on my 33 mile run Friday for my 33rd Birthday celebration!

Tuesday 10 with the Newtons. Not much sleep, but I can always sleep later :)

I don't think my stomach likes this route. I almost stopped at the rec center on the way back, but figured I could make it. The rest of the day a little gremlin was swirling around in my gut trying to eat its way out of my stomach. I didn't eat or do much else.

AP: 8:26 splits: 8:58, 9:02, 9:02, 9:15, 8:09, 8:35, 8:05, 7:52, 7:41, 7:47, 7:31 (last .04)

With no eating yesterday, I took today off. All in the name of tapering for Friday :) 

8 mile hill chaser route with Newtons. My day off didn't make me faster, plus I had it in my head I didn't want to push anything, so I didn't. This made me the sweeper the whole run. Everyone else was busting a move! I stopped a couple times (on the downhill actually) and just stopped and enjoyed the BEAUTIFUL views! A light, windless falling snow, beautiful lights across the valley. I just had to enjoy it, especially on a day like today. You've got to stop and appreciate the things you love the most and running IS my only Valentine :)

AP: 9:07 splits: 9:13, 9:15, 10:19, 10:10, 8:21, 9:31, 8:00, 8:20, 8:03 (last .15)

Anyone that wants to tag along tomorrow for the 33 for my 33rd birthday, message me and I'll send you details!!

Had a little mix up. I was planning on doing the Run Gr8 run...just 5, but work got it all messed up. Oh well. Surprisingly my legs felt good! It was all that dancing :)

My HUBBY wanted to go to the gym, so I went and did the bike for 1:15:00 then walked the track pushing 'work' around. I work with children in the foster system that have disabilities. So, I had a 21 year old who is in a stroller/wheelchair. 150+ pounds isn't easy to push around a tight track like that. But, it helped the legs feel even better! Stretched and went home to enjoy the rest of the day!

What was I thinking? Hmmm, well, I was thinking it was a holiday and on holidays you get in a nice long run :) Plus, my legs felt pretty good, so I just went for it! Why not!

This was our Newton's 10 mile loop, plus the 8. So, you can read in there - LOTS of elevation! over 1700ft of gain and you don't really get downhill until mile 12-13. 

Met Chad, everyone else bailed, and we did the loop at a better pace than I expected, I only had to stop at the top of the big hill to stretch my calves and then at the cove to get some fuel. I could tell my fuel was dipping down. I did also stop at home (we run right by!) to say good morning to kids and grab a swig of coke to get me the last 3 miles to Chad's house. The kids thought I was done, but I told them I had to run to go get the car :)

I'm grateful that Chad was willing to run slow with me today and let me reign in his super fast legs a little. I told him that he gets to count an extra 5-7 miles for the extra time spent on his feet!

It felt great to put in a good long run after my Friday 33 miler! I think I'm hitting a good pace and rhythm with my running and training right now. Speed is the only thing lagging behind. I'm hoping that will naturally come with a bit of focused training.

AP: 8:48, splits: 8:40, 8:44, 9:05, 9:24, 8:21, 8:35, 8:51, 9:33, 10:41, 10:04, 8:38, 9:05, 8:00, 8:28, 8:01, 7:58, 8:17

You can certainly tell where the BIG hills hit :)

Tuesday 10 with Chad and George. I almost chickened out thinking "hey, I've run a lot, I'll just do a few at the gym and sleep in and...." "GET OUT OF BED LAZY!!" So, I ended up just getting up and doing it. The wind wasn't fun and I was dragging for sure, but it was a good run and the first time in weeks this loop hasn't made me sick!

AP: 8:38 splits: 9:02, 8:50, 9:25, 9:47, 8:27, 8:37, 8:09, 8:01, 8:05, 7:57, 7:45 (last .1)

Went home and snuggled into bed to get warmed up and then after getting kids off went to the gym for spin class. Oh, my...more hills. It was a good workout though, Allison always makes it fun!

I really just didn't want to run today. You won't hear me say that often, but today I just didn't want to, so I didn't :) I figured between F-Tu I had run over 60 miles and I could take a x-training day. It really will screw with my miles this week...but, whatever. Sometimes you have to listen to your body.

Spinning on the bike for 60 minutes,

Swimming for 30 minutes - pulling. Oh man, I forgot what a good upper body workout pulling is! I did some with fins too, but most was just pure pulling.

There is probably more road than dirt on this loop, so wearing my trail shoes probably isn't the best idea, but I've got to break them in somehow!

George and Chad again on the Shaggy Mountain Loop. I wondered the whole time up the hills how in the world I did it on Monday after doing the first part of the 10 mile route! I drug a little on the uphill, but with a little power walking mixed in on the dirt parts I was able to overtake George and stayed up with the group the rest of the time. 

The fun part was seeing the beautiful views of the valley! The bad part was almost killing myself stepping in a hole while I was gawking!

AP: 8:46 (new record for this route!) splits: 9:11, 9:17, 9:59, 9:56, 8:18, 8:54, 7:23, 7:30, 7:04 (last .2)

The best part was seeing those mid/low 7's and knowing that they didn't feel forced! I was comfortable and talking. Ahhh, I love running :)

I went home and got ready in my gym clothes before snuggling into bed to warm up, but my mom (ugghhhh, long story) needed me to take her to an appointment and I finally found an orthopedic doc that would see her that morning at 11:00, so I didn't get to do spin and TRX :( I was sad, but family first. I'd already done 8 miles and had to just be good with that.

Took a rest day for a couple reasons:

My house is a DISASTER! I haven't been able to get it cleaned for over a week. You crunch as you walk along the floor. It needed desperately to be cleaned! I had just been doing everything for everyone else and now I needed to take this time for me. 

I had an appointment in the early afternoon, so if I tried to do both the gym and cleaning I'd never get it all done. It was one or the other.

If I'm going to do what I want to do Saturday, I need fresh legs. Six hours of stairs isn't going to be easy!

Lots of rationalization, but I did spend a good 6+ hours on the house. I finally feel functional in my home again, and my legs were rested. Now, I just need a "house cleaning" mileage box :)

Gym morning, so I could sleep in :)

2 on the track. The sprinter man was back. He runs the track, but on the back straightaway he sprints. Drives me nuts. I pass him and then he kicks by me, I pass him, he kicks by me...just gets a little annoying. But, he kept my pace decent, so I won't complain. 

Then my friend Sara had me run a bit with her and I tried to help her a little with her form and gave her some drills to try. Helpful, but not a lot of workout :)

Grabbed a TM. 8:35 pace (7.0) seemed Waaay too slow. Which is strange. Must've been hauling to keep passing sprinter man. So, I went to 8:00 (7.5) then did a progressive 2nd half of the mile ending at 6:19 (9.5). Repeated this twice. TT = 15:30; AP= 7:45

Ran one on the track to help Sara again (she went to do squats, then we were supposed to try running again), but she bailed and had to work.

Back to the TM to finish up. First mile same progressive sequence with same AP for the first mile, then the last mile was a cool-down @ 8:35.

Rode the bike for the next 40 minutes while I took care of some FB business...love multi-tasking.

Stretched out the hip, quads and calf. Still a little tight, but thankfully not bad.

Classic Tuesday 10 with the Newtons. Chad and George had to wait for me at the top of the hill, my legs have had it with climbing :) George went on ahead and I told Chad it would be his challenge to reign him in. Well, before I knew it George was right in front of us. Chad tricked me into going fast enough to catch him. I'd call him a jerk now, but when faster speeds feel good and I'm just relaxed and chatting along the way I can't really complain :) we kept him right in front of us until the last 1/2 mile to Chads house. The two of them took off to battle out first place. I was content with my 7:30ish pace and let them go. Chad won, but George put up a good fight!

A wise man once told me that with less recovery you have to expect less from your body. I was ready to go to the gym this morning, but I haven't been getting much sleep (my own fault), my back (SI joints) hurts like the dickens and I have some other little aches. So, I'm staying home and not pushing myself. I will get a good nights rest and then tackle cross training another day. Trying to be smart...

AP: 8:28; splits: 8:54, 8:36, 9:19, 9:41, 8:18, 8:36, 8:01, 7:50, 7:45, 7:44

A little TM work with a little sleeping in :)

I had just over an hour at the gym before I had to leave and get ready for our tax appointment. 7 miles (with all my talking) was all I could do.

2 on the track with Amy, then she was done.

4 on the TM in 32:50 - went progressive starting at 7.2mph and increasing every 2 songs on my ipod, then even more progressive the last mile ending at a sub 6mm mile for the last .05 AP: 8:13

1 more on the track to get to seven. A good effort and probably around a 7:30 if my internal pacing was working :)

LOVED my tax appointment. Might be able to finish the basement after all...

Herriman Highlands Loop with the Newtons...Chad and George. I actually kept up with the group today and wasn't always the last one up the hills. For my effort I was rewarded with a new course PR this morning and I only did 2 walk breaks on the hardest hills. Improvement!

A gorgeous, clear and crisp morning. The moon was out, the lights were bright and the views fantastic! I can't wait to get to see the beautiful sun rises in the summer. It is going to be breathtaking. We're starting to get just a hint of light on our downhill/final miles. Makes me giddy!!!

AP: 8:46 Splits: 9:09, 9:23, 9:52, 9:22, 8:09, 8:55, 7:42, 7:48, 7:46 (last .2)

Warmed up and took my little 30 minute snooze, then got kids out the door for school and myself to the gym.

Spin class. She had us make a goal to hit 20 miles in the hour we were there. I did it in less than 55 minutes. Made me feel good that I can keep a higher turnover. Can't wait for camp in St George next weekend!

TRX class. Man alive. I should go to this class sometime when I'm not burnt out! Got through it, even the killer abs circuit the last 2 times around.

Too tired to feel like I want to run and my SI joint on my back isn't happy either. But, I still finally got to the gym.

2 on the track, 2 on the TM. Too much talking to do more in my 45 minutes before Kindergarten pick-up. But I got something done, right?

Herriman Highlands Long run. This is out 10 and 8 mile loop combined, over 1700ft of elevation gain for the 18 miles, so it is climb, climb and climb some more. You do get a good downhill finish the last 6 miles though. 

Chad, George, Blaine and I met at the park and took off. I let the speedy guys go and made Blaine hang back with me :) around mile 3.4 I looked at my watch and I had 75 feet...nice. So, I synced the mileage at our next stop. I hate it when my garmin is off, but since it was the first 3 uphill miles I guess I can't complain too much :)

It was a fabulous run with great company. I just love this route and I swear I want all my friends to run it and see how beautiful it is...anyone who isn't my friend can run it and see how horrible it is and hate it! :)

AP: 8:53 splits: 9:35, 8:40, 9:00, 9:16, 9:56, 10:36, 8:44, 9:35, 8:05, 8:23, 8:06, 8:18, 8:24, 8:58, 8:53 (14.5 on my Garmin)

Gym morning. I've been tired all weekend and I really am NOT looking forward to daylight savings time change. 

2 on the track with Amy, just nice paced. 

5 on the TM in 41:30 AP: 8:13 started at 7.1 and then increased each general conference talk that ended. After two talks I was at 4.07 or so and decided to finish the mile and so I busted it out and finished at 6:00mm for the last .10

1 on the track to cool down.

Finished up with my PT training I need to start doing more. Band walk, big/little toe calf lifts, lunges and weighted bridge leg lift X3 with a sprint around the track and back raises between each section.

I'm emotionally drained. I had a crappy night last night and am on a hangover this morning. If my day wasn't so busy I'd have kept sleeping and not run, but I knew if I didn't get up and get it done it wouldn't happen. So, I got there...what else do you want from me? :) 

George, Chad and Ronnie were there for our Tuesday Ten. George kept me company and held back for the first couple miles, then at the top of the hill Chad drew the short straw and had to hang with me the rest of the way. George and Ronnie busted a move home. I'm serious, they were GONE. I guess I'm just lazy, but I don't like to kill it on group runs. I'm good just enjoying the run and chat. Crazy and unexpected I'm sure. Maybe if I challenged myself on runs like that more I'd be able to actually improve my times. Oh well. 

AP: 8:23, splits: 8:26, 8:19, 9:16, 9:33, 8:21, 8:25, 8:04, 7:53, 7:44, 7:52, 7:37 (last .1)

Went home and tried to warm up, but I knew I couldn't go back to sleep. Just as I got warm and cozy it was time to get kiddos up for Moms and Muffins. Which I wasn't excited about. I've waited and waited, because they've done dads and donuts, but never moms and muffins. But, I'm on such a bad hangover I didn't want to and I was grumpy. We read some Aesops Fables and had some sugary pastries for breakfast and everyone (other than me) seemed happy, so we will count it a success.

Got to the gym early thanks to the before school activity and spin class was certainly not one to miss today! In the 60 minutes I was on the bike I got 19.5 miles in, so with all the climbing she had us do, I was impressed with myself. She had us got to anaerobic threshold for as long as we could and maybe I just don't understand, but I was at a point where my legs were burning and I was breathing as hard as I could, but I sure as heck wasn't going to say I was there and couldn't handle more. I'd stick it out! Is it just my pride or should my heart/lungs give out before my legs in that situation? Hmmm, not sure...just throwing it out there.

Executive ordered rest day. Just too busy packing and getting ready for St George trip.

Herriman Highlands loop with the Newtons. New course PR for AP, because I didn't walk a single uphill!! Booyah!

Got ready for my weekend with the tri team in St George and headed off.

When we got here, Kristy and I had left too late to join the team ride, so we did a nice easy 20 by ourselves.

Weather down here stinks! We started with a morning swim and I think I got in about 2300 yds.

then the weather was still so bad we opted to run West canyon trail instead of ride. Good choice! Got hailed on!! Beautiful waterfalls down the red rock afterward though!! 11 miles with Di.

Sue and I did a little ride in the weather break in the afternoon, but she got a flat and we didn't have time to finish the 20 mile loop :(

2900 yds of swim in the AM as the storm passed.

Rode the Half IM course at noon. Holy bugger of a course!! I feel bad for anyone who isn't prepared for the HILLS on the bike...and run! Snow canyon at mile 43 isn't easy!!! Cross winds were so bad we decided not to rude the last few miles home down the no-shoulder hwy. cutting out downhill on the bike isn't cheating :)

We were going to do a short run, but were just too chilled and cold!

Woke up and did a 30 mile recovery ride with Brent, Sue and Di. What a great ride! Down to the river then out to the edge of the new St George developments and back. Felt great to be in the SUN and blue sky...finally!

Got back to the house and decided to do a quick little Turtle Wall run. I love that trail. Two miles to the wall and 2 miles back. I loved it! I was brave and went with a tank and shorts...oh, it was SO good!!! TANK AND SHORTS!!! Why couldn't it have been like that all weekend :( Forgot sunscreen and came home with a little permanent reminder to not forget next time I break out the tank and shorts! Kept the pace at 9:50, which for a good trail run after 100 miles of biking I'll take it!

After a quick stop at Smash Burger we headed home. I had a GREAT weekend at cycle camp. I know my running mileage kind of sucked, but getting in 100 miles on the bike was a good push for me and that was what this weekend was about. Getting my bike back. The company and hospitality shown to me was top rate! I am grateful to Brent for putting up with me all weekend and he and Sylvie being such great hosts. I've never had a better time in rainy St George :)

I also had a good time being with Sue and Di. Two ladies my same height. I like hanging out with the tall girls, makes me feel a little more normal! Pictures to come.

Since I didn't get my Sunday rest day and I am tired as all get out, I slept in and am taking a rest day.

Tuesday 10 with the newtons. Chad, George and Ronnie. I could still feel fatigue in my legs and cardio from the weekend, but gave it a good push! I hung with the guys until 2/3 the way up the big hill, then they pulled ahead. Chad again took my 'slow' pace the last 6 miles. I felt like I was hitting some good tempo paces and Chad would occasionally confirm it. The last mile it seemed we were catching George. Unbeknownst to me Chad decided we were going to catch him. His occasional pull and my mental game kept drawing him in. Finally passed him with maybe 1/5 mile to go. Felt good and pushed the last .1 to Chads. Overall AP was 8:04; most of the last miles were mid 7's. I'll post splits when I dump the Garmin on the computer. Definitely a PR for the course.

After a quick warm up and mothering stop at home for the kids I headed to spin class. Great push today and I even ended with a nice sweaty puddle when I was done.

2 miles on the track to warm up the legs.

4 Tm miles with 1/2 mile tempo pushes. I'm scared of this 10k Saturday!! I hate short distances.

.25 mile easy, .50 @ 6:53 (8.7) good push, but you can do more. Be a big girl and go faster.

.50 easy, .50 @ 6:49 (8.8) better, but not maxed yet...keep going faster

.50 easy, .5 @ 6:44 (8.9) I think you can do 9.0 next time! You should be able to do 10 repeats at this speed! Now get on with it slacker!! Can I put the TM down to 0% instead of my 1%? No! It is all in your head, just do it!! So, I plugged into some Eminem and went for it...

.50 easy, .50 @ 6:40 (9.0), .25 easy to round it out. Holy crap, I did it and could do it again. See?!? It just takes mental power. Now get out and get a new, accurate 10k PR Saturday.

Easy was at 9:53 (6.7) or faster (up to 7.2); TT= 31:00 for the 4 miles. AP: 7:45.

2 miles cool down on the track. Most of it chatting with Bill about Moab Saturday.

Since today is my 14th anniversary (I'm OLD!) my hubby came to the gym too. He was done then, but I wanted to finish out the 2 hrs of daycare I was now paying for. So, I did my PT/weight set!

Side walk, calf raises, lunges, weighted bridge leg raise, push ups, speed lap on track, back extension raises. 3X

On the speed lap I raced my husband. He always says he is a faster sprinter, but I've got the endurance. Well, I hate to say he is right! On these short little laps he can kick my trash, but he can only do it once :) today...a new day! I beat him on the fast lap!!! Schzam!! I finally got speed and endurance on MY side of the table! No, we're not competitive at all, why do you ask? :)

Another Herriman Highlands Loop for Thursday. I love meeting at my house and getting those 15 extra minutes of sleep!!

I could tell when I woke up that yesterday's workout left my butt and hammys sore! A trudge up the hills is what I got today. But, what doesn't kill us...right?

Although slow, I kept going and did do a couple power walks, but pushed some of the hills too. After about 4 or 5 miles I started feeling warmed up and ready to run. I really think I'm going to run a little warm-up on Saturday before the race. I can't hurt!

AP: 9:04; splits: 9:16, 9:40, 10:47, 10:29, 8:36, 9:02, 7:38, 7:26, 6:27 (last .16) I love those last couple downhill miles! I felt good and could talk and enjoy it. I pushed that last .16 and was happy to see the 6:27. Hopefully I can do a little more of that Saturday!

I was going to go to the gym and do spin, no TRX due to the race, but at least spin. However, my 8 miles showed me how horribly sore my legs are and that if I want any sort of speed in them Saturday I need to back off. I missed my gym friends, but I think I did what was best. Darn it!

Sleep and Travel to St George.

I like races that start a little bit later! Despite having to be bussed you can still sleep in and you don't have to dress like a snowman at the start of this race (thank you mother nature!)

Shorts and a t-shirt, ah! Such lovely weather. A slight breeze, but nothing you'd even notice. Perfect conditions for a race. My gut was doing carwheels, this is the first time I'd set myself up to race in a LONG time. Ugh, I wish it didn't stress me out. It is just the mental game, and I know it! I try to convince myself it is fine and won't be a big deal, but it rarely listens. 

Waited for Kim and Scott at the buses, but I got antsy and had to get on a bus. I had the most awesome bus ride up. The bus driver chatted at us and had a sing a wonderful song "Have a great day, have a great day, have-a-have-a-have-a-have-a Have a great day!" Set my gut at ease to be among happy, relaxed people. 

Waiting in line for the pop I spotted Marci Wood. We chatted and connected over running the 50K together next week. We were both ecstatic to find someone to share misery with! :) I am SO grateful for that happen-stance meeting. Found Kim and Scott and we all took off for a little warm-up mile. It did me good to get my heart and legs going before the race. Especially since my glutes and hammies were still sore from my dumb workout Wednesday! Idiot!

Made another pop stop and then it was go time. Marci was nice and let me throw my jacket in her bag since I was SO smart to forget mine. Lined up at the start and off we went.

Shortly after starting I spotted someone in front of me that I would've sworn was Lily if I didn't know better. Bright shorts, long dark hair, similar gait...but, it wasn't Lily. Then I caught up to her and caught sight of her eyelashes...a little more of the face and it WAS Lily!!! I knew it! HA! I often find people I know in a crowd that aren't really them, but this really WAS Lily. So, I ran right next to her and bumped elbows. We both were racing and had music in, so I couldn't say anything. It took a couple bumps, and I'm sure Lily was rather annoyed that this idiot wouldn't give her space, but she finally looked at me and recognized me. Hopefully she also instantly forgave me for butting into her space :) After a quick hello I was feeling good on the downhill and took off wondering when she would pass me back!

It didn't take but a half mile later that she pulled ahead. I tried to stick to her, but the course had flattened out and I think I pushed too much that first mile. The downhill is SO good though that first mile it is hard not to just push it out!! You pay for it in mile two though.

I was running strong and feeling good. I was paced out with people around me, but was slowly pulling in a few people in front of me. By the bottom of the canyon I had finally caught the girl in the white tank! I also got to see my awesome hubby cheer me on too! A rarity since he is usually stuck with the kids, but this weekend was just ours, so he had nothing better to do, but follow me around at the race...and I loved it!

White tank girl pulled ahead on the first uphill after the bottom of the canyon and I tried to regain it on the downhill, but I just couldn't, she'd taken a good lead on that uphill. It makes me mad, but I was pulling in some guys, so I couldn't complain.

The next part of the race is a flat and then your last BIG uphill push (you hit mile 5 marker 1/4 of the way up the hill), then you have a false flat for the next half mile. This is where I lost it mentally last year. After the big hill on the false flat I slowed way down and like 7 people passed me. I wanted to stay strong that stretch this year! When my legs started to whine I'd just put my effort into my arms and let them carry me until my legs stopped complaining and I could just focus on pushing. I ended up reeling in a guy that had been in front of me for a while. He was 30ish feet in front of me and I narrowed the gap to about 10 feet on that stretch. I was proud that I'd stayed strong and hadn't given up any position! It is the small battles that add up, right?

After the false flat you get .15-.2 of a good downhill then a turn at mile 6 marker with a flat into the finish. I pushed. I didn't have anyone to 'race' so I pushed what I thought was a good finish :) I like having someone to race that last stretch!

I was surprised when I saw the clock at 42:45. I didn't think I'd done well enough to get a 42! Excellent. My Garmin showed 42:50 and I knew my PR was a 43 something from last year, so I was excited to have a new PR day. Final times ended up 42:47.8 - 5th in my AG (last year a minute slower I was 3rd in AG...dang it!), and 14th overall. I was proud of the way I'd tackled the race and come out with a new PR. Afterward we always think we could've pushed a little more, but at the time I know I was doing what I could. I hope Des News goes well enough to take another minute off thanks to the downhill there :)

AP: 6:53 - my 10K PR AP is now 1 second faster than my half marathon PR AP...HA! better than 10 seconds slower, huh?

splits: 6:08, 6:54, 6:39, 7:02, 7:19, 7:27, 6:19 (last .21 recorded). That last uphill/false flat mile was still my slowest, but I'll take how I did mentally! Think I started out too fast? I need someone to pace me on a 10K! Or teach me how to pace myself!

Not knowing how to taper for a 50K. I'm assuming like a marathon, but with low weekend miles and all last week, I was ready to run :)

2 on the track.

3 on the TM in 24:00. Started at 8:20 and just went progressive until the last .15 was at 6:40 pace. AP: 8:00

1 on the track to cool down and enjoyed a little stretching before I grabbed baby and headed home. I had to get my oldest to the orthodontist to get her braces off :)

Figured I'd do the 10 mile Tuesday loop with the Newtons and then be pretty much done for the week. I wanted to keep it easy, so I just went with talking pace the whole time. Chad had burned up his legs running fast with the Lehi boys so George and Ronny put up with our slow pace for the first few miles, but then poured it on for the downhill.

I was surprised to see the AP at the end. Didn't feel like that hard of an effort. Hopefully that is a good sign of things to come.

AP: 8:22, splits: 8:51, 8:32, 8:49, 9:28, 8:29, 8:39, 7:43, 7:47, 7:36, 7:52. I swear I didn't try to push those last few miles. They felt nice and relaxed. I kind of like it :)

Went home and got ready for the day. Taper week throws a wrench in my normal schedule.

60 minute spin while reading runners world and fb on my phone. Heavy heart for a friend who lost her husband tragically last night. Tears were shed on the bike, good thing I was working out. Easier to cope that way.

30 minutes in the pool - 1500yds; 1000 pulling 500 free. 

Good taper day workout.

This taper thing is killing me! I've got some mad mental energy that I need to run out...Saturday can't come fast enough.

2 on the track

2 on the TM @ 8:34 @ 2% incline. Gotta get used to those hills. Sad how spent my legs felt.

Buffalo Run 50K Saturday...here I come.

Rest day.

Spaghetti and lava cake...dinner/gut loading to stave off mental stress of champions :)

True rest day...never even got out of my PJs.

Good night :)

Sometimes life hands us lemons...or tries to kill us....or simply demands only a finish. Today was one of those days. I didn't do a very good job of making lemonade, but I am alive and stronger and can cross the finish off the list. 

I'll have to back up a few days for you to understand my mind set (excuses) going into this race. I really had a ______ week (fill in any number of negative adjectives or expletives, I think they all passed through my head at one point or another during the race). Due to issues with my 8 year old son I'm ready to send to boot camp and a friend losing her husband and the rest of life I think my cortisol levels were at a record high and I didn't really do anything about them. I was tapering and emotional. Worry and stress, that was the name of the game.

Next add in what I sat and watched for hours on end unfold from my bedroom window Friday....SNOW! Lots and lots of snow. Cold, wet, slippery, I don't want to be running in Snow. Didn't help the stress/worry factor. I've never wanted to NOT even start a race SO bad in my life. I'd honestly almost given up before I started. Another not so good sign.

Because of my stress/worry I'd get to 4:30 or so in the afternoon and realize I should probably eat something. Yeah, fueling? hydrating? SO beneath me. I could hammer this baby out and just get it done with no problem. I knew I had the miles and climbing in my legs. I got a little cocky. People were talking about what they were packing and how they were prepping Friday night. Didn't do any such thing. Went to bed at 1AM for no good reason....woke up at 4:00 to get ready to go. Can you see this deck of cards getting ready to tumble yet? Because I sure couldn't at that point. I still thought I was golden...HA!

The drive up to Antelope Island was CRAZY! Out here in the South and West side of the valley the roads were horrendous. The snow hadn't stopped all night and I was trying to maneuver my little Honda Civic through 6 inches of unplowed snow all the way to the freeway. Getting on the freeway my tires weren't catching and I couldn't turn to merge. I came awfully close to smashing into a barricade. I decided at that point I didn't care if I was 2 hours late for the race, I was going to get there alive.

Luckily by 9000 South I could finally relax my grip on the wheel and breathe for a bit, by the the time I hit Murray it looked just like a simple little rain storm. Then came Davis County. Snow storm? What snow storm?!? Dry roads, clear skies, no snow in sight! Excellent. I was happy the lake effect snow had all gone SOUTH. The Island was the same, dry trails, clear skies....MIRACLE! It was cold, but I can deal with 20 degree temps, I didn't want to deal with 32 miles of wet, slippery, muddy, yucky trail. Things were looking up.

I went into the tent, met Kelli, saw jun just after he had finished a KILLER 100 mile race and was inspired with stories of how bitterly cold the night had been. Put on a few extra layers ran into Dave, Marci and Brad and after some chat time with everyone went outside and lined up to start.

Marci and Brad and I all started together, but we lost Brad when the trail went single track. The first few miles of uphill are always a good start to kick your butt. It was there I started noticing how fatigued my legs seemed. Already tired. No juice. Keep drinking, fueling...we'll plug in here in a few, right?

At the first time through elephant head (EH) aid station I took off my hat and just kept my visor and ear covers. Still too cold to drop anything else, but the rising sun was helping the cold factor...until you caught the wind :) I was finally starting to feel okay on the downhill after then and even on the switchbacks I ran almost the whole way! A LOT more than I did last year. See? Things were good. Marci's friend had caught up to us at this point and they mtn goated on the rest of the switchbacks while I power walked. I eventually caught them and beat them back to EH, but then we all took off together after a quick fuel stop.

It was on the bottom of that first loop I noticed how tired my legs still were. Even slight little uphills were kicking my trash. Marci kept pulling ahead and I'd eventually catch up, but my legs were shot. I just kept thinking about all the crappy crap that had happened all week. Lack of preparation. My legs hurt. No wonder, idiot. I can drop at the first loop and just do the 25K, right? easy. I'll do that. No, you can do this. You're keeping up okay with Marci. She'll slow down the second loop. You've got the endurance in you. Just finish up. Once more around. My legs hurt. I had a really ____ week last week. I didn't fuel right....

On and on and on this conversation ensued in my head. Looking back I should've told Marci to just leave me and run her race and plug into my ipod and get my butt moving, but I used poor Marci to try and pull me through.

I left the turn around aid station (White Rock) and started my second loop a little before Marci, but figured it gave me an excuse to walk until she caught up. My legs are tight. My feet hurt. I don't want to do this. Heaven help me. Here we go. Once more around this figure eight. Marci caught up and we made it up the hill on a run/walk program as we could and she would pull ahead and I'd use all my mental energy to force myself to run and catch up. She really pulled me through SO much! I don't know how to thank her for being my pure motivation at times. I knew if Marci could do it, I could do it!

Marci pulled ahead of me on the flat/downhill before the climb to EH, but I kept going knowing she'd wait for me at the aid station. She did. I NEEDED something other than gu/blocks/gatorade/coke in my gut. I had some oranges and a bite or two of PB sandwich. I was really cussing my hubby for eating all of my PB pretzels I'd planned on bringing at this point, but it was only a small voice :)

I thought that would bring me back...nope. Not even the downhill after that! I had to stop and get a rock out of my shoe and I just kept looking forward to the hills where I knew I'd have an excuse to walk, and Marci would too. On the approach to the switchbacks she picked it up and ran. I was beginning the height of my breakdown. Pity party for one. I never caught her again, but simply watched her fade off into the distance and would occasionally spot her FAR head on the trail when you could see the trail ahead. She was killing it. Our goal to go sub 6:00 after a 2:45ish half was going to be easy for her, I knew it.

So, now I have my full breakdown. I try to run, but figure it is futile. Anyone who knows me knows I don't give up easily, but I was done. I speculated about just sitting on the trail or sleeping on the side for a few hours. I would've given anything to just lay down and put my feet up. I didn't care that I'd be a quitter. Everyone would understand given my _____ week before, right?!? No one would tell me I was a pansy. You all would've been SO supportive of my decision to drop. I've got Boston, right? See the crazy I have to deal with?!?

Well, after a good couple miles of walking and contemplating and five women passing me (yes, I counted them all, because I knew there were only a handful of women in front of us when we started our 2nd loop and I was sure we'd place top ten!) I broke down. My mind went to my son. One thing I kept talking to him about was doing things he didn't want to do. We all have to do stuff we don't want to do. It stinks! I know. But, we do them, because we know it is the right thing to do, that it is what we've been asked to do and THEN we can do the things we want to do. Learning this lesson is what life is all about. Do what you don't want to do first, then what you want to do seems that much sweeter. I started crying. Full on sobbing. Well, the sixth woman to pass me came by at this moment. She asked if I was okay. I said I was fine, just emotional at that moment. Food? No, I'd just grabbed a block.

I'd realized something....I thought I'd given my all. I thought I was done. I didn't want to do this anymore. BUT, I had to do the thing I didn't want to do. This was my time to show my son that I too will do what I don't want to do first. I wouldn't give in. It would be hard, but I could do it. I'd trained for this and gosh darn it, I was going to prove to myself that I could finish and to my son that I would be willing to do the things I didn't want to do. It would be worth it.

I picked it up. I started running more and not just walking. I did still walk and my run was slow. My hamstrings were SO tight. Occasionally my knee or something in that area would bark at me. I'd ignore it. My feet hurt SO bad! I just wanted to put them up, or run on a cloud. But, I kept going. I got to the last pass through EH. Grabbed some fuel and liquid in my hand held water bottle and asked how many miles it was to the finish. Just under 5. I took my leg warmers and arm warmers off, threw them in the bag and set off.

Five miles, just five miles. Easy day run. I can do this. Beside the one last uphill it is really all downhill. Do it. You can do it. I plugged into my ipod (for the first time...why didn't I think of THIS earlier?!?) and told the voices in my head to shut up. I even reeled in and passed a few people including the 6th lady I'd embarrassed myself infront of by sobbing like a baby in a race! I guess I had my pride again :) There were a couple of horseback riders in front of me at one point and I cussed out loud at them (quietly and they were still far away) to move, because I certainly wasn't in any mood to deal with being behind horses at that point. I'd kick THEM if they didn't move :) Yes, I was not the most pleasant person at this point.

I rounded the last corner of the upper trail and could see the finish tent. It seemed MILES away, but I was going to do this. I could make it. I just plugged in and went. Until I got to the first little uphill. I saw it and thought, YAY! I can walk :) Looking for any excuse, really. A guy then passed me. Crap. Whatever. I followed him the last .3 mile to the finish and as I approached I saw jun on the road. He jumped up and down and yelled for me and was dancing around! I felt SO embarrassed that I felt exhausted and had this cruddy meltdown. This guy had just run 100 miles and was putting me to SHAME for my pathetic excuse of a 50K race! I wanted him to sit down and look as horrible as I felt :) I really appreciated the encouragement though. It really made my day to see him there and to get some cheers into the finish. I needed positive!

After crossing the line they gave me my mug and chocolate milk, took off my chip and I walked into the tent and collapsed on the floor! Finally. My dreams came true. There was no more gravity on my feet. I know this is a horrible thing to do and it isn't good for my heart and the fact that I felt like I was passing out after I laid down wasn't good, but I did NOT want to be on my feet any longer. A medical person came and asked me if I was okay. I said "yes, all my dreams are coming true! This is all I've wanted to do for the last 20 miles!" They chuckled and walked away.

I eventually made it outside and chatted with Marci, jun, Leslie, Neasts, Kendall, Matt and a gazillion other people I know I'm forgetting right now. I then went to the car and changed out of my wet clothes and into my dry, warm stuff and wrapped my blanket around me and headed back to the tent with my cup in hand. I wanted stew! After more visiting and fun conversations about the race we watched Kelli and Scott finish his 50 miler. Oh man. I was in awe watching the 100 and 50 milers finish. Those guys are amazing. Shortly after that I claimed my sunglasses I won in the raffle and took off for home. A long day, finally over.

When I got home I collapsed in bed and put my feet up. Craig wanted to go to dinner I told him to bring it to me...I wasn't moving. Well, he wanted Mexican. Shoot. Gotta go for the chips and salsa! So, my hubby may or may not have carried me to the car because I could hardly move :) My hammies were SO SO SO tight and my feet SO tender!! I still hadn't showered, but wasn't completely stinky. The people at the restaurant were nice to me anyway :)

After a good nights rest and some ibuprofen Sunday was manageable, but I still had some mental hang over. Still do to be honest. I'm going back next year. I'm going to prove to myself that I'm better than a 6+ hour 50K. I know I can beat that by 45+ minutes. It will take some good mental energy, but I think I'm up to the challenge. I will conquer that course! I'm not going to give up again. I will have a greater mental resolve and will bring my A game and not underestimate the course.

As some have pointed out, I still finished 5th in my AG and 13th overall, but I guess I really don't care. I know that I'm better than that. I know what I'm capable of and a 6:08 on that course isn't it. I have plenty of excuses, but it really just boils down to me. Next year, I will be there. Next year, I will conquer. Next year, no excuses. Next year, I'll prove to myself I'm better than that, because I am.

60 minutes on the bike to loosen up those hammies and calves. Feet feel better too. Still tender, but not bad. 

I tried to do a mile in my new shoes I'm going to be running SLC full in....HA! My first 2 laps were SO slow and hurt SO bad. 

I walked for .2 on the TM at an 8% incline. Felt better.

Ran 4 more laps before the fatigue and burning set in.

Walked a .2 more on the TM at the incline. Even better.

ran the last 5 laps of the mile. Finally felt good. Could've gone another mile, but I called it a good effort for the day.

Spin class.

Didn't do the 10 miler with the Newtons...I think it would've been a bad idea!

1 mile on the track and felt good.

2 miles @ 8:34  and 1% incline on the TM. I was fatigued, but legs are coming back baby! Almost feel normal this afternoon.

Trying to slowly increase the miles this week...and testing out the new shoes :)

1 on the track to warm-up; 2 on the TM at 8:34

30 minutes on the bike to break it up a little bit and get some extra cardio in.

1 on the track; 2 on the TM in a total of 16:00 - Started at 8:20 went progressive until I was at 7:30 at the end.

Feeling much better and seeing some life come back to my legs.

Met Kelli at the gym for some nice outside miles. Oh, how lovely it is! Just a tad on the cool side, but almost perfect. Sun, chatter and easy pace. I liked it :)

7.2 miles out and about...just wandering. Uphill start and downhill finish, just the way I like it. AP: 8:28 splits: 9:14, 8:55, 8:58, 8:39, 7:52, 7:56, 7:52, 7:47 (last .2)

Finished up the last mile on the track inside after getting our spin passes.

Spin was a nice hill push. My hill legs are shot, that simple.

TRX class to finish it all off. A good full body workout. The hamstrings hurt, but that is to be expected the way my legs feel :) Lots of good core!

Went and stretched for a good 10 minutes...especially those calves and hammies. Just over 2 weeks to Boston.

Tricked Kelli into running with me in the morning :) Since my kids are off track and on spring break I have a built in baby sitter and don't have to do TM at the gym...ahhh, I love it! A nice little 10 mile loop around the city, with a nice downhill finish. 

Still feeling a little tight and sore, but it is getting SO much better. 

AP: 8:27 splits: 8:44, 8:29, 8:42, 8:16, 8:49, 8:21, 8:57, 8:27, 7:51, 7:58

I was SO excited to meet Toby and Smooth at the JRP for a little run! I wasn't excited about getting up early on a Saturday, but I've been absent from my kids weekends for the last 3, so I really felt like I needed to be here for Easter weekend...here and present too. 

I woke up and half my throat hurt like it did when I went to bed and my body was achy and sore, but I'd done a good workout on Thursday. Second day soreness, right? I got ready and was just feeling off, but I figured it was just fatigue and everything else. Until I started driving there. I knew something was off. I just didn't feel right. However, I wanted to see my girls SO bad! It had been too long. I knew the pace would be fine for me keeping things easy and I could get through it. 

All my fears were confirmed when I hugged Smooth and she immediately said "your cheeks are warm. Do you have a fever?" "NO! No! no. no?" I knew this was the beginning of something horrible, and I was right.

Each time we'd stop on the run my joints and body would ache more. It was hard to keep up with their pace and my throat was killing me and I couldn't swallow while I ran. I still made it through and felt emotionally refreshed and renewed from such a great run! But physically, I was spent. I had to hop in the car and get home ASAP, so after a short goodbye I took off. I shivered all the way home. Cried from feeling so crappy and knew something was horribly wrong with me.

I suffered through what I had to do for the kids for Easter hunts and getting Lauren to her tri class at the gym (where she took first place girl again, of course!). There were tears (when I'm really sick and miserable I cry like a man!) and some forced yelling although my throat hurt like heck! I came home and curled up in bed (still shivering) and took some ibuprofen and went to bed.

A couple hours later I woke up functional and started trying to get Easter stuff done. It was slow and methodical, but I suffered through. The last hour before I could down more Ibuprofen was always the worst. Shivering, pain, aches.... blech. But, I knew I'd get through this. Through a lot of naps and rests and sending the hubby away with the kids :) I got through the day and we got Easter together around 11-12PM (after he was wonderful and gave the boys haircuts while I slept) and then went to bed...late.

The night was miserable. Sweating, chills, shivering, pain, can't breathe or swallow. I was miserable! My little 5 year old came in Easter morning to give me a hug and said "mom, I think I feel pee in your bed!" I laughed and said "no, sorry son that is just mom's sweat from being sick all night." I'm still not sure he believes me! But, I was pretty drenched. After the kids got their Easter baskets and ready for church (this was good times about 2-3 hours past my last Ibuprofen shot) I headed off to instacare.

What a nightmare that was. More sorry stories about Rachel acting like a man dealing with sickness. Yes, there were tears. Yes, I laid on the floor of the instacare waiting room. No, I didn't give a flying fart how dirty it was! Yes, I waited so long in the room that the lights turned off from lack of motion, because I just laid down in my blanket on the bench. Then, the doctor finally came in. Strep it was. I kind of knew it. Whenever I have a sore throat, fever and feel like I got run over by a truck it is strep. The doctor took pity on my poor pathetic looking soul and gave me a butt shot of penicillin to jump start recovery and prednisone to take down the swelling of my monstrous size tonsils. I was happy to think about it doing double duty and relieving all those little aches in my legs too! Silver lining, right? The butt short hurt like a mother! I've never had a shot SO thick. It took like 30 seconds for her to push it through, it felt like it was shoved right in a nerve and would inflate said nerve with each push of fluid and...well...my butt still hurts!

Finally got home and napped some more and when I woke up felt marginally better. Enough to attempt eating anyway. Bad mistake. It hurt SO bad...about 30 minutes after I'd finished. I stuck to popsicles, sprite and tea the rest of the day. Okay, so I had some pb m&ms too :) I did enjoy the first season of Arrested Development though!

So, that is my sob story about Easter Weekend. I got my running in, but it certainly wasn't the weekend I'd looked forward to at home for so long!

As a side note for me to remember, it was interesting to note that my HR was 110 and my pb was 140/90. My normal resting HR is 55ish and pb is 110/70. Crazy how hard your body works when you are simply fighting off an internal invader! At one point on Saturday night I took my pulse and it was close to 130. Crazy. That is a good low recovery run HR for me! I was running all weekend! :)

As Per Saturday's novella of a post, you will know that I'm a baby/man when I'm sick and that I have/had strep. 

Monday met me with a scheduled dentist appointment. They still wanted me despite not being 24 hrs past antibiotics. Fever broke late Sunday afternoon, but my throat still hurt like the dickens. 

I went to the dentist and then to lunch with some friends where I chewed on ice and sipped sprite. I love the bubbles and cold on my sore throat. I was now 24 hrs on antibiotics and supposedly not contagious any longer.

I can't talk. It hurts to do any more than whisper. Swallowing is still a major struggle and food is only taken in small bites and it hurts almost as much to chew as to swallow. Tonsils are still super swollen and tender despite the 2nd dose of prednisone and continued ibuprofen. Still just want to sit around the house and do nothing. Too exhausting to try to be productive....or move.

Another day of no talking. It is teaching me a lot of things:

*Creative ways to get my kids attention

*kids whisper back to you if you whisper to them

*kids pay more attention to me when I'm not talking and yelling all the time

*I only have to ask once...a sideways glance or one of those creative attention getters works well if a reminder is needed

*my kids seem to do more and more quickly with less complaints

*I get TOO many phone calls. Stop calling me. It hurts! Text people...text.

I actually FEEL good today. My tonsils are still swollen and tender. Swallowing is a little easier, but talking and eating still hurt. Soft foods and liquids. But, my body is ready to start moving again. I will wait until my throat is better though. I once learned that rheumatic fever (which causes permanent heart damage) can result from strep that isn't completely gone and resurfaces. I don't want/need that. I know my body can get through Boston. If I need to take a full week off, then that is what I'll do. I'm just glad I got this this week and not next week or last week. It could've been a lot worse. At least it had good timing, right? Silver linings? 

Do you really want to hear more whining stories from me? About how my butt print in the couch and I are becoming better acquainted? Yeah, didn't think so. 

I tried to talk myself out of running with the Newtons this morning. I seem to have a touch of PTSD about running...I think it hurts and will make me sick :) I got up and went anyway thinking "you know plenty of short cuts home if needed." Guess what? I was fine! (insert eye roll to myself). 

A great morning with a beautiful sky and a great group. Dave joined the group for his first loop of the Herriman Highlands, George, Ronnie, Chad and, thankfully, I were there too. We actually stayed in a pretty tight group. Of course I walked my normal 3 hills, but I warned them I wasn't going gung-ho! It was great conversation and I'm SO glad I got out.

The only curious thing was my throat whistling on the inhale. Occasionally I would hear a little whistle as I would breathe in hard while running uphill. It made me laugh. I called it my Gob breathing. HA! Yes, Arrested Development has been my entertainment while my butt reacquainted itself with the couch.

AP: 8:49 splits: 9:12, 9:25, 10:04, 9:45, 8:09, 8:59, 7:29, 7:48, 7:23. I'll take it for a first time back run. Especially with 3 walk breaks included!

Went home and despite only having to wear shorts and a l/s shirt on the run it took a while to warm up. I needed my electric blanket! 50 isn't as warm as it sounds.

Woke up a couple hours later and headed out on a nice easy ride with my friend Heidi. She tackled the canyon by herself, then met me at my house and we went and did an out and back on MVC and then I dropped her and home and meandered back here. It put a smile on my face when I downloaded the info and I noticed it was 26.2 miles! :) It was nice to get out on the bike today with good company. Much better than a stuffy spin room! Oh, how I love track break for my kids...and my built in babysitter. Next year she goes to Jr High and I lose her during these breaks. Poo.

The wind was horrible from the South, but we just hunkered down and got it done. When I went home by myself I tried to stay directly headed West to avoid it! I was pretty successful.

A nice day back from being sick. I can't believe this is the first time I've done anything ALL MONTH!

Buckle Down and get my tornado of a house cleaned up day. Great way to start the weekend...with a clean house!

Met the Newtons at the Cove on their 20 mile loop to just do the middle section with them. Fun run, despite the mud. I'll have to find the picture that Ronnie took of my shoes. There was one stretch I just decided to leave the Garmin off and walk. I was having to stop every 20 feet to clean my shoes off. Wasn't even worth it. I love the hill loops, I still suck on hills, but I enjoy the views. I stopped at home and they finished off their last 4ish back to Chad's house. 

I  got to my house at 10.5 miles, so I took Lucy out with me to finish off the last little bit. I think she was sad to come home so soon!

The best part of this run was that we decided to take this crazy hilly 20 mile loop and make a marathon out of it! Anyone want in? August 17th. Only about 2700ish feet of gain over the 26.2 miles. One thing we can guarantee is a fun experience...and a downhill finish :) 

I had accidentally left my watch in bike mode...so I don't know splits or AP, suffice it to say it was slow. Just like all my runs have been lately.

During conference break I took off and went on a nice little bike ride with some Infinite team members. I rode from home to Maverick on 12600S then I rode with them on MVC and over CW to 2100N in Lehi. I turned there and then headed home along MVC, but took the short-cut at Providence to go up to Emmeline and along the foothills home instead of going up 13400S with the traffic. Especially with the wind and scattered occasionally showers avoiding traffic was essential. What was the final distance? 26.2...no joke. Last 2 times I rode my bike it was 26.2 and I didn't even look at mileage until I got inside the house. Crazy! Must be a sign :)

2 miles on the track with Rachael. It was nice to have some company! 

Then I coached her a little bit through some speed workouts on the TM while I just ran 2.0 miles. I think I did them in around 8:13ish pace. Started at 8:20 and went progressive the last 1/2 mile. 

2 more miles on the track. Just a nice easy run....taper time for Boston!

Finished off the evening playing volleyball with a friend's team as a substitute. I love playing volleyball! Fun times! Played against my old coach from HS and some of the girls I played with...yup, glad I'm not 'friends' with them anymore. I'm glad I'm not stuck back in HS playing those games. I feel like I've come so far and grown up so much and am a completely different person, but it is amazing how insecure, self-aware, lonely and shy they can still make me feel. Sometimes it is nice to have something like Boston to bring to the table when you see people like that...oh, and 40 pounds less to carry around than they have :) 

Wow, is it spring or winter? :( I almost chickened out of this run! Driving home from Volleyball at 10PM the weather was HORRID! It wasn't worth it. I made certain parameters that the weather had to meet at 4:40 in the morning when I woke up in order to go on the run. I got up and it said wind speed was only 3mph...perfect! A little cold, but no wind or precip, I'll go for it!

LIAR! My phone app was a liar! As I drove to Chad's house the flags were whipping in the North wind. Son of a....!!!!!!! But, at least it was a North wind which meant we'd have a tail wind on the uphill. I still sucked it up as far as speed was concerned, but I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that along MVC, Emmeline and 6400W it was SO icy. Felt like I ran an extra 1/2 mile just due to the slipping of my feet on push off. I was scared I was going to fall and break and ankle or knee or something horrible. So, I just went nice and slow.

My stomach felt like I wanted to puke and it sure seemed a lot harder than 10 miles on a taper ought to be. What can I do though? ugh. I'm sick of feeling lethargic and lead-legged and sick everytime I run. Boston or Bust? Right now I feel like it is more Bust...

AP: 8:45 splits: 8:42, 8:26, 8:55, 9:38, 8:35, 8:57, 9:04, 8:42, 8:19, 8:14, 7:53 (last .1 to finish).

2 on the track, 2 on the TM progressive starting at 8:20 and finishing at 6:53 TT: 16:10; AP: 8:05

Okay, I'm putting this out there. Please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm struggling. I feel like every run is hard. I can't pick up speed without hurting and I just feel like Boston is going to suck it up big time. I'm really trying to get out of my head, but I just can't! I asked a friend, that I had discussed Buffalo Run with, how to take away all the cortisol I feel building up. How to feel happy again. She said to list out the crap and throw it away and list my accomplishments and strengths and put them on my mirror. 

So, I'm blatantly fishing here. I'm having a hard time. I've neglected my FRB family too long. I think this may be part of my problem. I draw SO much strength and support from all of you and I'm missing that. The demons in my head are taking over. HELP! I need some support and some reminder of where of I've come from and that this isn't going to be a suffer fest, but that I can sit back, relax and enjoy it and not die. I can run. I belong in Boston with all of those amazing people I've looked up to an admired for YEARS. I'm struggling, so I'm begging my FRB family for help...I can do this, right?

The Newtons met for their Herriman Highlands route, but I figured on a taper it probably wasn't the best idea. So, I gave them a head start then did my 4 mile loop that meets their route the last 1.3ish. 

I underestimated their time and got there in enough time to push UP the hill at the Hi Country gate. At the top I only had to wait a bit until I saw their head lamps coming around the corner. 

Chad and Ronnie were together and Chad asked me if I wanted to do a 2 mile tempo. HA! No. But, I just ran with them. I could tell it was fast, but the downhill carried me and after 2+ miles of uphill it felt great. Chatting along and enjoying keeping up with them. At the top of the last little hill on 7300 I decided it wasn't worth killing myself to keep up with them, so I turned and ran back to meet George. YIKES! That was a 6:48 mile I ran with those guys. Amazing what downhill can do for you :)

I just pulled in a nice little clip with George for the last mile+ and had a good talk with him. I can't wait to see him hit his BQ goal at Ogden!

Came home and slept...ahh, sleep. Much better than fighting 2 little boys for some sort of bed space the first part of the night. Well, until I was awakened by my 5 year old telling me he was sorry, but the toilet overflowed.... GOOD MORNING! :)

AP: 8:16 splits: 8:28, 9:03, 9:06, 6:48, 7:59, 7:54 (last .15) can you tell where the downhill VS uphill was?!?

Just a nice little shake out 5K loop this morning. It has been forever since I took Lucy out with me, so I grabbed her leash and we were off. I've let the old girl get out of shape, so she can barely do 3 miles with me, but she stuck with it and let me drag her home. A pretty good AP for her :)

AP: 8:34 splits: 8:30, 8:51, 8:33, 6:44 (last .1) I hit the last downhill nice and hard :)

Got an excellent massage and had a nice relaxing day...well, except for losing my son at 8:00 at night after he'd been sent home 2 hours earlier from his friends and no one had seen him! Give your mother a heart attack why don't you! I was ready to call the cops after going to all his friends houses and not finding him. Craig convinced me to drive the neighborhood first (he'd taken his scooter). Luckily, we found him just around the corner at a neighbors house. A huge mix-up, but golly gee I did NOT need that!

I was going to do another 5K before I left tomorrow, but seeing as it is 12:30AM and I need to leave for the airport by 7:30 and still pack...and sleep, I might just have to put it off until tomorrow evening...in BOSTON BABY!!! :)

I was going to do a quick 5K shake out before the flight, but I stayed up too late (surprised?) and just slept then headed off to the plane! Crazy excited!!!

Lowell and Terry picked me up at the airport, after dropping bags at the hotel went downtown to the finish line! THE FINISH LINE!!! I was there, SO excited! Lots of butterflies and crazy going on, but I was there. I got my 5 million pictures at the finish line and then tried to hit the expo, but it was closed. 

I went into Marathon Sports and bought my Boston Jacket!! They were the same price as at the expo, so I tried them on and avoided the long lines. It was SO neat to put it on and walk out of there!

Then we made our way down to Chinatown to eat famous Chinese food with Smooth. How many years I've read about and imagined this experience and here I am! Doing it!!! It was SO neat to meet so many fun people and have a great night with good food and friends in the old Chinese Theater. It was all surreal!

Headed back to the hotel to get some sleep...maybe :) I had put my jacket on a hanger in the closet and as I unpacked I looked at it and did a little happy dance :) People that say money can't buy happiness have never earned and purchased a Boston Jacket!!! I love that thing :) :) :)

I wanted to go to church this morning, but knowing the time schedule I was on, I figured the blessing of the athletes would have to do :) 

After breakfast I went with Larissa, Erik (Smooth's children) and Juliana and Beth (Larissa's friends from TX) to the expo. I got to pick up my number!!! This is SO unreal! It is like a kid in Disneyland, but a Disneyland you've worked YEARS to get to! A runners paradise! SO many runners just like you, SO much excitement! I could hardly contain myself. I wanted to jump up and down and act like a 2 year old! :) It was amazing, simply amazing!

After browsing the expo I went to the South Church or the Church of the Finish Line :) to go to the Blessing of the athletes. What an amazing experience! It was beautiful and refreshing and uplifting! I will never miss this, and if you go to Boston you shouldn't either! One of my favorite adventures in all of this.

Went back to the expo and met Paul. After browsing around some more (that expo is HUGE!) and figuring out what a cah and a wicked fast runnah was, we headed off to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. I'm not a baseball fan, but MAN ALIVE! What an awesome experience! We sat right beneath the score board so everyone would turn and look at us :) Met some other Boston runners there and of course had a Fenway Frank. My father taught me well. You can't go to a baseball game and not have a hotdog! A little popcorn was good too.

(Newton Running picture for the South Valley Newtons! The best 'fitting room' in the expo!!)

After an amazing, almost no-hitter, game we went back to the expo and went our separate ways for the evening. I went through the expo...again :) and still didn't see it all, but then went to meet Lowell and Co (Terry, Smooth, Larry, Family etc) at Mafia Mamas. Such a wonderful treat. Great carb loading Italian! Then we went to the famous Mike's Pastries and got a world famous canoli. Oh YUM! Heaven I tell you, heaven!

We went back to our rooms and I tried to settle down and get to bed, but I was just too nervous. Crazy day! Antsy, ready to run and experience BOSTON!!! It took me until midnight or later to finally settle down and get to bed. My roommates were wonderful they said "feel free to make as much noise as you need! You've got YOUR big race tomorrow!" Already felt like a celebrity in my own little world :)

Woke up and got ready. Butterflies galore! I was doing this! Boston! I'd dreamed SO long about this, and here it was. I was going to run Boston! 

I met Smooth in the breakfast area and had some eggs and fruit and juice. I honestly can't remember all of it :) but, I did pack a pb bagel for the hours of sitting in the athletes village and some yogurt. When you don't run for another 4 hours I needed something to munch on. I also had a water bottle to keep fluids going. 

Rode the T to Boston Commons to pick up the bus with Smooth. Oh my word! I've NEVER seen such a crazy, long, winding line! We seriously could NOT find the end of it! I don't think there was an end. So, we just jumped in...merged in :) The people around us were SO fun! It was a pleasure to visit and have a good time while waiting for the bus. I still had crazy anxiety about all of this, but I was having a good time. How can you NOT have a good time with Smooth?!? :)

Smooth and I had the same shoes....something happened to one of my feet! :) Or, I have two left feet :) 

It wasn't too long of a wait until we got on the bus. There were 6 seats left and we got 2 of the last ones, so we had to split up, but were on the end of rows together. I sat by a guy named Martin from Ireland. He'd lived in the US for quite some time, but I loved his Irish accent. We chatted about life and he had qualified for and run Boston 10 years ago, but this time he said about 10 weeks ago he'd had one too many to drink and well...here he was :) Made me laugh. We talked about a little bit of everything and when he said he wanted to finish in under 4:00 I told him that after I had Adam I had 10 weeks of training and ran SGM in 3:45, so I KNEW he could do it. If he ever lost faith I told him just to think of the crazy pregnant lady who could do it and push through so he could still have his pride. We had some good bonding over that. I now wish I would've gotten his last name. He owns his own Electric Co in South Boston. I hope he finished.

We got off the bus and WOW! The amount of people, porta-potties, volunteers, everyone...everything. I was HERE!! Boston Baby!!! It was real, I was going to do this. We hit the pop and found a perfectly short corner line with lots of real estate. Perfect timing! BUT, I went to leave...NO TP!! What?!? My bag was outside...I had nothing...NOTHING! There weren't any stray papers on the floor or anything. Craptastic. Well, desperation took over. I peeled the top layer of cardboard off the rolls and used that. HA! Oh, man, new experiences at every turn. 

On our way over to where Smooth meets her friends they had a moment of silence for the Sandy Hook Victims. It was amazing and wonderful to see everyone go quiet. Made me tear up! They had food, water, samples...everything a runner could want there! Crazy!!! I was just SO impressed! The fields were muddy, but we made our way to the Hopkinton sign and got our pics, then Smooth found a friend and we laid our stuff down and I went to find Paul.On my way there, the water company Poland Springs were doing pictures with a white board that said "I run because...." and you filled in the blank. Anyone that knows me knows I say I run so I don't kill people :) HA! Funny, right? Well, it was then, but now has become a source of a little guilt that I wrote that on my board and had my picture taken to post to the world. However, I think if more people ran there WOULD be less violence! Anyway, off my soap box. Guilt for later. It was funny and I got some good laughs!

Me and SO many runners!!!

Found Paul and drug him back to Smooth and had him take a pic with the Hopkinton sign too. Then we did one together. Paul said he was going to stay with me the whole race, but I didn't want him to. I knew I wasn't going to be able to be as fast as he wanted. My legs just hadn't been feeling the speed love lately and I didn't want to ruin his experience. I tried to tell him over and over again if he wanted to that he could just leave me, but he said he just wanted to have fun. Okay....

We dropped our bags in the buses (cell phones included. Smooth told me I didn't have a thing to worry about anything in there!) and walked and walked and walked to the start line! Half way there a resident had put out a table with every last minute thing you could need! I took advantage of the free sunscreen and sharpie :) This was the first amazing feat of spectator love I felt and witnessed that day! We made a last minute stop at the pops at the finish line, and boy am I glad I did! I needed to get out the last of the fluid I'd taken in, plus...I checked for TP. I've never been so grateful for TP!!!

We made our way to corral 2 as they were getting ready to release wave 2, this was real! The guy that sat next to me on the plane on the way out came and found me and Paul and I were hamming it up for the cameras that were scanning the crowd. Jumping with my "Look at me!" Poor serious runners around me :) I could hardly stand it!!! This was the most amazing feeling I'd ever had in my life! I WAS ABOUT TO RUN BOSTON MARATHON!!!! Shortly afterward the gun fired and we were off! YIPPEEEE!!!

I hung to the right side of the road and shortly after the start line I started hearing my name. "Go Rachel. Go Paul" "Rachel, you look cute!" "Rachel, Rachel!" It was amazing! I was high-fiving everyone and I remembered people saying don't waste all your energy on the high-fives, but I couldn't help it! They were cheering for me and WANTED me to give them five. Cute kids and all! So, I did. I had a perma-smile! It was simply amazing. I really can't even describe how I felt...you just have to do it yourself :) I couldn't go 50 feet without hearing my name cheered along.

There were military men every 100yds or so and Paul and I made sure to thank each of them, as well as the officers. A lady from CO soon joined us and said "I want to stay with you guys. You are having fun and are the only other people thanking the officers!" So, we chatted and named her our silent partner. Since everyone was cheering Paul and Rachel, she was the silent partner :) At mile 2 I yelled "Slick says hello!" I got a cheer, but I don't know if they really heard me or not. I still had my perma-smile and told Paul that my legs might be fine, but my face was going to be sore from smiling SO much!!!

As far as how I was feeling physically at this point...well, it wasn't as good as I'd liked. My IT bands were achy, hams tight and knees creaky. I just kept thinking...warm up, it'll all go away, just warm-up. Unfortunately, due to the rolling course I never really felt like I got into a groove and physically it didn't get better. I kept a good sub 8mm for those first few checkpoints, but my body wasn't going to give me more. That was my comfortable.

The crowd never ceases...NEVER! Cheering, high-fives, oranges, popsicles, water, licorice, tissue...everything you could want every 100yds. Not to mention the cheering. I don't remember any of the scenery, just the faces and the exhilaration I felt the whole time! The course kind of stinks. They don't know Utah downhill :) Their downhill rolls...up and down. I wasn't expecting that much of a rolling course, but it wasn't horrible. Just not what I expected.

I'd heard how emotional Boston would be, but my biggest emotional time was around mile 5. The train tracks go just behind the homes you're running in front of. Anyone that has followed me for a while knows that I have a thing with trains. My dad loved trains! He passed over 6 years ago and sometimes when I hear the trains I know my dad is there watching. Well, unexpectedly the train blew its whistle and I just broke down. I knew my dad was watching and cheering for me. My biggest fan. I knew he was proud of how hard I'd worked and got to be with me and watch me finish this accomplishment of a lifetime. I couldn't stop the sobbing and tears. I love my daddy! 

I think around mile 10 I was getting to an exhaustion point. Paul offered some ibuprofen and I decided to take one. Take the edge off what wouldn't warm up. I wasn't sure at this point that mile 13 would ever come. I tried to just live in the crowd and forget about my legs! Gu down the hatch at mile 9, 15 and 21. Anything else I wanted when I wanted it along the way.

Mile 13 came with Wellsley. Oh my word! People aren't kidding about the noise! Those girls won't have a voice the next day, but man oh man! I think I high-fived all of them, but didn't kiss a one. Saw plenty of kissing going on, but I took the safe route. My face hurt from smiling so much again and I forgot about my pain :)

I loved crossing the mats that sent texts to a million people...all my superfans! I knew people would be cheering for me at home and it was just another amazing part of the race. Just after 16ish I saw Terry's friends that had taken us to Mike's Pastries the night before. I had made friends with their 8 year old and it just made my day to see his face light up and cheer for me when I went by!!! Someone who really knew me and was excited to see me!

I seriously just cannot explain how wonderful this race is with the never-ending crowd! I saw the missionaries and gave a Utah hello to them. Saw someone holding a sign referencing a D&C scripture and gave them a shout out too. I LOVED all the signs and little kids just clamoring to give you five or an orange slice or licorice. Man alive, Boston is THE BEST RACE EVER!!!

Then came Newton with its hills. I really didn't put much stock into the Newton Hills, because c'mon...I train in the foothills in Utah. How bad could they be? Well, they were a little tougher than expected :) Not a veyo by any means and they were all short, but the rollers beforehand took enough out of you to make them just a little worse than what I'd expected. I just tried to feed off the crowd and kept moving!

Just after mile 18 timing mat my knee buckled under me. This is the same issue that I had at Ogden and SGM last year. It only comes on in fast marathons and it stops shortly after I stop running. I've been to see someone about it, but since I can't pin point the pain after I've stopped running they can't diagnose anything. It really stinks. Well, Paul came to my rescue with another 2 ibuprofen. I threw them back and then I loved the hills, because it was less pressure to run UP than down. The hills gave the meds enough time to work and to keep me out of a ton of pain. Perfect solution. I slowed down here, and walked a few water stops, but Paul stuck by my poor, slow, crippled side.

After heart-break (which wasn't any worse than any others) it was all downhill :) okay, not really, but after the tougher hills it was a nice release! Especially with Boston College! It was definitely my favorite stretch of the race. Those co-eds must've been drunk around 10AM and they were just having the best time. Another solid high-five line for a solid mile at least. Boys yelling "Rachel, I love you!" I'd blow a kiss back or point and say "I love you too!" It was SO great to work the crowd and have them cheer for you. Again, I had sore cheeks from smiling so much!

I don't remember exactly when I saw that Citgo sign. The one everyone talks about that I'd seen the day before when I went to Fenway, but I finally knew where I was. This was the portion of the race where people started reaching out as far as they could from the barricades just to get a high-five. You felt like a rock-star. When people reach out and just want to touch you so they can feel a piece of your greatness? I know I'm nothing spectacular, but I thought about how long I'd idolized Boston runners. How long I'd wanted nothing but a BQ after my name :) How long I'd waited, wished, dreamed and worked for this. I gave them a piece of that dream. I'm nothing spectacular, but the dream of running Boston IS! That is what they wanted...a piece of that dream. I even had a guy push an officer back just a bit to put his hand out for a five. I'm tellin' ya...this race is amazing! Yes, we were still thanking all the uniformed military on the course as well as officers, fire fighters and EMTs we saw. 

Just before the underpass after Fenway, I saw Larissa, Julianna and Beth (Smooth's daughter and her friends...my roommates) They said my name so loud I looked :) I ran over to them to give them five! It was SO exciting again to see someone I knew and to hear them cheer for me. I think this was the only part of the race that I was ahead of Paul. I'd pulled a little ahead at a water station and I was finally feeling good again (thanks to the IB) and was just busting it out enjoying every minute! I knew any time goal of 3:20-3:30 was long gone, but now it was time to just revel in the experience! Here is my one picture (not from the professionals) from the race thanks to Julianna.

Not the cutest picture of me, but I love it! This was my happy! This is how I felt the WHOLE race despite my physical crap I was dealing with. It was BOSTON! I was running it and enjoying every minute!

That last mile that usually drags just flew by! Cheering increasing and I'd realized that saying "Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston" - I could see that right hand turn. It was coming. That finish line was coming!!! I just RAN. Ran and Ran and soaked those last few minutes in!

I hit Boylston and you can see the finish line for a good half mile! Not running tangents well, I had 26.5 on my garmin, so the full last stretch on Boylston was over my 26. I spotted Larry right in front of the flags like Smooth had said. He didn't see me, but I called HIS name and finally caught his attention. I just smiled and sprinted that full half mile. I'd been told this is where the emotions would flow, but I was just Happy! Happy! Exuberant! High on life! I just can't even describe it! I'd worshiped that finish line and this race. I'd worked so hard and here I was. No longer a dream, I was crossing that finish line as a finisher of the Boston Marathon. The oldest race in America. The most coveted experience to a runner. I was here and I was finishing. I just can't even describe how exceptionally wonderful I felt. My quintessential happy! This was it. I crossed that finish line and just couldn't believe it was already over. I'd done it. I'd done it!

All those early mornings. All those speed workouts. The hills...ugh, the hills. The long runs in cold, snow, heat, throwing up, the good the bad the ugly...this was where it all came together and was worth it! I seriously just can not describe how much this meant to me and how wonderful it all was!!!

Paul and I gave our Boston fist bump and were just SO excited to have done this...and together. What a wonderful friend to hang with me despite all my physical failings this race. If I wouldn't have gotten that IB from him it wouldn't have been the same last 8 miles. I was happy to have him by my side and to share this amazing experience! Awesome, just awesome! Boston Baby!!

The finish chute is FOREVER long. You walk 100 yds past the med tents (where Smooth's son Eric was and I was glad to not go in and see him!), then get water. Another 100 yds to your blanket. Yes, they keep the wind off and keep you a tad warmer. It was perfect weather, but just cool enough with a biting breeze that when you stopped it got cold...fast! Shaking uncontrollably, but still just happy! Shoulder to shoulder with other runners like another herd of cattle trying to get to our bags after a wonderful race. You got a sticker to go on the blanket to hold it together (without hands), Then then next 100 yds were the medals! I got my medal!! I know there were 27,000 of them sitting there...but one of them had my name on it! It was mine, I earned it and deserved it! Another 100yds for bananas and a bag of food, then finally the buses with the bags.

Of course my bus was one of the last ones on the street, but I got right there and they handed it out the bus window to me. I love how organized it is! I grabbed some warm clothes and my Boston jacket and then of course I needed my finish line picture!

There it is! See that smile?!? That is my happy! That is where I was SO elated and happy I could've run another 10 miles of a victory lap! :) The Boston finishers picture. Nothing come close to comparing!!!

Then of course I had to have one with my running partner:

After grabbing Paul's stuff from the bus we headed back towards the finish line to meet up with Larry where I'd seen him to cheer in Smooth, Lowell and Terry who were still out on the course.

This is where I'm going to end this report. Not that more didn't happen, not that it isn't memory worthy, but I don't want that memory scarring my Boston Happy. If you want to read about what happened on our way back to find Larry, you'll have to read Tuesday's entry. I'm leaving my Monday Boston Happy right here!

TT: 3:41:21 Splits (on garmin): 8:05, 7:55, 7:49, 7:45, 7:55, 7:51, 7:52, 8:06, 8:17, 8:15, 8:14, 8:10, 8:23, 8:12, 8:32, 8:10, 8:51, 8:53, 8:55, 9:09, 9:34, 8:51, 8:31, 8:38, 8:34, 8:25, 7:15 (last 1/2 mile! Love the last split to be the fastest!)

splits from Boston:

After we'd gathered all of our stuff we headed back to the convention center to find Larry to be able to stay with him and cheer in Smooth, Lowell and Terry. We were on Stuart Street (I figured this out MUCH later! I was just heading back, paralleling the marathon course as far as I knew) and were between Dartmouth and Exeter when we heard the blasts. We had NO idea what it was. I turned to someone behind me and asked, wanting reassurance "Patriots Day re-enactment, right?" It was my safe answer. I didn't want my mind to go anywhere other than that. I didn't want to think of where my fear was taking me of what the sound could be.

 You could tell right away conversations quieted. People looked up from phones etc and everyone was looking around. The blasts seemed closer than 10 seconds together to me, but who was counting  then, right? I mentioned to Paul as I looked around "no one liked that sound...no one liked that sound." We continued on. Wanting to become part of the amazing cheering crowd we'd just fed off of for our comrades still out on the course! I knew where Larry was and that he wasn't moving until Smooth came. So, we just continued on. 

By the time we got to the triangular intersection of Stuart, Exeter and Huntington people were flooding toward us. In each others arms, on the phone, crying "it was 50 feet away" "it was 100 yds away." I again observed out loud to Paul "We are going that way and everyone else is coming this way." Our first clue something was wrong. We started trying to stop people and ask them what had happened. I was texting Becca and Kelli and asked both of them what had happened, but they were just confused at my question. People said there was a bomb, explosion or something of the like at the finish line. WHAT?!? It was just incomprehensible. I couldn't wrap my mind around an explosion at the finish line. What? A garbage can blew up or something? I couldn't even imagine. Then they said there was another one down the street. Around the corner? On Hereford? No one could answer us. Looking into the faces of the spectators, including children, that had just witnessed this I couldn't grasp it. I still didn't get it. We kept walking. Knowing that Larry wouldn't move until Smooth came by. The cops were screaming at the poor hobbling marathoners to get out of the road while cops and ambulances screamed down the street at HIGH speeds. It was intense. Something was wrong, I just didn't grasp what it was!

After we'd crossed the street and gone 50yds towards the finish line the police then pushed us back and said we couldn't go any further down Exeter. We didn't realize that was the end of the bleachers of the finish line, we had no idea how close we were. I apologize for always speaking with WEs and not just ME. Having Paul there was something I will always be grateful for! I assume what was going through my head was the same for him. So, if you read back and forth between we and I, I apologize, but if it wasn't for the WE that day things would've been a LOT different for me.

When I finally realized the severity of what had happened was when a runner (remember how close we were to the finish) came and asked where bags were. She just needed to get her bag. Perplexed I asked "They didn't let you finish?" "No. They closed the course." We pointed her in the direction of the buses and I stood dumbfounded. They shut the course down?!? You don't shut down a marathon course! Especially Boston. Something horrible just happened...horrible. This is worse than I can imagine...so much worse. I then asked the officer if the T (subway) was open, nope. buses? nope. Crap. I knew the hotel was only 3ish miles away (or figured) and I knew I could walk back if needed, but what do I do now?

I assumed Smooth had put her phone in her drop bag and I knew the route was closed, but I figured it was just at the end. I figured Larry would've been moved back. I didn't have his number. Lowell and Terry were still out there loving the run and Smooth didn't have her phone. Where do I go? What do I do? I started calling my husband, but couldn't get a line out. Paul's phone was working and when he finished talking to Tiff I asked to call Craig.

Emotional as I stood in the middle of the triangular intersection (on an island and not being able to move fast enough to get across before the speeding responding vehicles), tears began to flow as I said "I"m okay....I'm okay" My husband I'm sure just rolled his eyes. He had a tone in his voice that said "great! you run marathons all the time, why are you crying?!? weirdo!" I then explained that there were 2 bombs at the finish line and if he started hearing anything that I was okay, not to worry. That brought a little silence to the line. We said our good-byes and then Paul and I tried to figure out what to do now.

Looking around I saw a bunch of people in the mall near us and I suggested going in there. As we walked in you saw people staring at the TVs on the wall of the sports bar. There was a 2 story TV that I was drawn to. I wanted to know what was happening. This is where I first saw what had happened. My heart fell. The church where I'd had such a moving experience the day before, the streets I'd walked on, the finish line I'd worshiped, all defaced. A bomb. Intended to hurt and maim. With the second explosion it confirmed in your mind this was deliberate. I couldn't believe what had just happened. Those booms I'd heard could've been someone's last breath. Oh, please don't let anyone die from this.

I'd been fielding texts for some time asking if I was okay. My phone was just buzzing nearly constantly. I couldn't  keep up. Any number I didn't have a name attached to I asked if it was Larry. One of them was Julianna, my roommate. I'm glad they are okay and that I had a contact point now! No news on Smooth or others though. We sat and watched the TV and when we got yelled at for blocking the way went up the escalator to sit and watch from above. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. What kind of person did this sort of thing to destroy people's happy?!? Why would you destroy an accomplishment of a lifetime like this?!? I knew the running world had changed forever.

The only phone call I got in was from QP, my sister. It was SO nice to just hear her voice and to talk to her. I would get voice messages knowing people were calling, but hers was the only phone call I got in. Tender Mercies of the Lord. Tender Mercies.

I had a friend from KSL news radio contact me and want an interview. I couldn't call out, but Paul's phone still worked (darn iphones!) So I called her on his phone. As I finished up with her my phone rang and they'd finally gotten through to me. Paul then spoke to them on my phone. Shortly after this as Paul and I sat perplexed, not knowing what to do, what to think or where to go I saw a little boy (maybe 18mo?) running around just smiling, laughing and playing. I just went up to him and had him give me five. I loved that little guy! No one could take his happy. He was so innocent. I needed to see that and feel that again. He totally made my day! I'll never forget his face! Keep smilin' little dude.

Then, as news as unexploded devices had been found we got worried about staying where we were. Finally, a guy came up the escalator and said cops were clearing the mall. Crap. What now?!? We walked the length of the mall and exited out the back of the mall. Julianna then texted me and asked if I wanted them to come get me. YES!!! She asked where I was. I was outside on the street. Behind a mall. I didn't know where I was. I started asking out loud "does anyone know the name of this street?!? Can anyone tell me where I am?!? I don't know where I am!" It stinks to be lost in a crowd of people going somewhere and you have no idea where to go or what to do. A sweet lady in a long black coat and a pink Red Sox hat explained where we were. We'd exited on Dartmouth Street. The grid was alphabetical (finally! some reason to the grid! I can follow it now!), go to the light...turn left on Columbus and follow it until you get to the A street... Arlington, turn left and it will take you to Boston Commons. Finally, I had somewhere to go, a place to meet my group, a reuniting! As we walked along the ambulances were just lined up bumper to bumper in a huge traffic jam. It was a little disconcerting knowing that injured people were in there and not going anywhere.

Along the way as Paul and I discussed the situation and possible perpetrators a couple guys passed us. As they did so, I could see blood smears on their backs and pants. I asked if they were there. Yes. They were vets back from a tour in Iraq and witnessed the bombings. They'd helped load people into ambulances and were now trying to just get home. I made them stop and gave them a hug and told them thank you for everything! Not only their service in the army, but today to help all those injured. They were the heroes. They probably didn't appreciate my sincere show off appreciation as much as it meant to me to give it, but I still felt I needed to do it.

When we got to the corner of the Commons I texted Julianna and told her I was finally there and where were they. The Commons is HUGE, think Liberty Park here in Utah...or bigger. Just seconds later I saw the girls running toward me from across the street. They were meeting at the corner just across the street. Another Tender Mercy of the Lord. Smooth was gone to the bathroom, but was there and good. Lowell and Terry were at McDonalds eating...surprised? No :)

I sat and debriefed with the girls and Eric (who had just been dismissed from the med tent) and their experiences. Eric refused to tell us what he saw...I'm grateful I wasn't there and didn't have to first hand witness any of that. Larry then had us walk toward where Smooth had gone. When I finally saw her, my stomach jumped. I broke down. I just had to hug her! It was so good to just be with her again and to know we were all okay. She hadn't finished, but was safe and okay. So was the rest of our group. We couldn't have asked for more. There will be other finish lines! She was FREEZING! Despite a jacket and a mylar blanket someone had given to her. So, I pulled my sweat pants out (that were actually my dad's when he was alive...2XL!) and made her put them on. They were HUGE! Gave me a good laugh that I really needed. We put the drawstring up over her neck to keep them up. Oh dear, I still laugh just looking at the picture!

I then asked Eric if he would be willing to talk to KSL and he agreed and so I handed him my phone and shortly after I got it back it died. No more communication for me. I hope I don't need it to find my way back to the hotel. No money and no phone. At least I had good friends!!!!

We wandered our way over to the McDonalds to reunite with Lowell and Terry and again it was just good to see them! Smooth, Lowell and Terry couldn't get their bags, because they had bomb sniffing dogs go through the buses before handing out anymore bags. But, we had somewhere to sit and relax that was warm with food. I wasn't about to eat McDonalds after a marathon, but my wonderful sugar daddy Paul bought me a chocolate milk. It was 2 swallows of heaven :)

There at McDonalds as we talked to others was where I found out an 8 year old had died. My heart broke right then and there. An 8 year old?!? Who targets an 8 year old?!? I broke down crying. I couldn't take anymore hurt. You see, I have an 8 year old that come to my finish lines. I put myself in that parents shoes. Just there to watch mom/dad accomplish a feat of a lifetime, but paid with their life for the opportunity. Oh, the guilt and sadness that parent will have. This was too real. I didn't want to go through this anymore.

As we all talked together a reporter from the Boston Globe came and interviewed me and some others. It was surreal. We waited for Larry and Eric to grab Smooth, Lowell and Terry's bags that were recently released and then we noticed the T was open (according to the officers outside of it outbound from the city only) and we finally headed back to the hotel.

Since Paul only knew how to get back to the house he was staying at by bus he just joined us in heading to the hotel and we figured we'd get him home from there. When we finally got back to the hotel around 7:00 or later they had a managers reception of flatbread pizza and salad. Oh, it was mana to my soul! I wasn't super hungry, still more anxious than anything, but it was good. We also then started watching the news...ugh, the news! Turn it off :( Paul got to plug in his phone and make some more calls/texts and get life sorted out. 

After eating a woman who was in America from Dubai to take her little 2 yr old to a children's hospital here was near us and I started talking to her. We had a lot in common. 1 girl and 3 boys, the youngest about the same age. That little boy was SO cute! I had a wonderful conversation with mom and played with that cute smiling boy. I forgot about my problems and just enjoyed the spirit of that little boy and his mom. A light in my dark day. Children are just that way. Always a ray of light in the darkness. Hold onto them and love them unconditionally. They are precious above all, for their innocence and love! Most of all, just get swallowed in by their smiles! How can you not love a smiling, happy child?!? I will forever be grateful to this family for allowing me to escape my day into their joy and peace. Thank You.

After they left I turned around and saw the TV again. The contrast between the two feelings was palpable. I wanted that family back, not the TV. Eric had a car in town and we'd thought about having him drive Paul home, but then when we realized how far away his car was and that it was 3 points of a triangle around the city of where we were, where the car was and where Paul needed to go...we looked for a better option. I plugged my phone in upstairs in my room and took off the mylar blanket and dropped my bag off then headed down to the desk to check on Paul's plans.

He could take the T to where he could grab a bus and then he knew how to get home on the bus. So, Eric and I walked him across the river back to the T station. I didn't want to come home alone. Eric said he'd help with his mad ninja skills. I decided I was Paul's Amazon protector! The Ninja, The Amazon...and Paul.

It is always nice to combat fear and distress with humor. That is my personality :) Always good for a laugh!

When I got back to the hotel I answered FB and texts that had again piled up, then decided to go decompress with Smooth in her room. We sat glued to the TV and talking until 1:30 in the morning, eating chips and salsa so graciously provided days earlier by Lowell.  Eric would see pictures on the TV and remark "I remember helping her" "He was my patient" poor guy has a lot to carry. I finally wandered back to my room and since my phone had again died (I killed it twice in one day!) I did a final scan/reply of messages and posts.

I had the TV on and it just really finally got to the point where I would see that lady in the bright green shirt at the top of the screen and then glance and see the clock at 4:09 and just shut my eyes and cover my ears. I didn't want to see or hear it again. That boom that I heard and felt was someone's last breath. It was someone's deliberate attack on all I held as wonderful, good and healing in the world. It stole my happy and my peace and I was having a hard time letting it go. I just didn't want to see it anymore. I should've turned the TV off, but that presented an even greater problem...quiet.

It was 3:00 AM. I still had not showered, changed my clothes or washed my face. My bib was still on my skirt and my cherished jacket on my shoulders. My yellow and black ribbons tied in the bottom of my braids that came with me for 26.2 miles through one of the most wonderful races I'd ever experienced. As I shut the TV off and contemplated going to shower I froze. The girls I was rooming with had to be up in 3 short hours to catch a bus. I didn't want to wake them, but more than that I didn't want to shower. I can't tell you why. I don't know why. But I didn't. I didn't want to stand vulnerable and alone in the shower. I didn't want to wash away my Boston. It was still with me. My sweat and stink still there, all that had made me happy! I wasn't ready to let it go. I wasn't ready to be that alone. I wasn't ready for it. I can't really fully explain my feelings, but I really just didn't want to shower. Gross and perplexing I know, but it was SO much more than that to me at that moment. I realized that I was leaving the next day. They were washing sheets regardless. So, I took my stink. Bib still on my skirt, jacket still on my shoulders, braids still in my hair and snuggled into bed and finally, exhausted, fell asleep.

I awoke Tuesday morning to an empty room. It was 8:00AM and the girls had left and I didn't even hear them! I guess I was tired. I really wanted to say good-bye, I thought for sure I'd wake up, but I guess I needed to sleep. When I woke up I couldn't go back to sleep. If you know me, you know I have a talent for sleeping. Only 5 hours of sleep after a marathon and the day I had? Not right, just not right.

I woke up and was ready to shower and get on with the day. A few quick texts later and I met Lowell and Terry at breakfast. Smooth and her family came down to say good-bye shortly after as well. They were taking the T to Eric's car then driving back to Ohio where Eric lives. It was hard to say good-bye after the day before, but it was soon done and they were on their way. 

After a nice, big breakfast fit for a glutton I went back up to the room and packed up. Lowell and Terry were going to drag me around town on the freedom trail...my choice. I dropped stuff in their room and we took off exploring Bunker Hill, but the monument was closed. Stink. I couldn't do the traditional climb of Bunker Hill the day after the marathon. Another plan foiled by a little stinker! We then headed over to the USS Constitution and I had a great time there at the museum, but surprise, surprise...it was closed too. Terry took my picture in front of the USS Constitution with the flag at half mast. Oh, how I'll always remember that.

Every where you went (wearing marathon stuff, of course!) you could strike up a conversation with anyone. "Did you get to finish?" was always the first question. You'd exchange stories of where you were, what went through your head, what this meant for the running world. You never had to explain your emotions. Everyone felt what you felt. It was a somber/sullen mood around the city, but supportive. It was like a HUGE group therapy session. I could shake an officer's hand and look him in the eye and say "Thank You!" and he didn't question why, he just looked back and would smile or nod knowing my heartfelt gratitude. Their presence was very large, every corner and major intersection. I felt safe. I felt supported and knew everyone had my back. We'd bonded together, this city and I. My heart, at least my running heart, still lingers there.

After seeing old Ironsides we took off toward the North Church, the one Paul Revere made famous with the lanterns "one if by land, two if by sea." It is simply amazing to see SO much history in this city. To live it and feel it. To know that these are heroes you spent years studying about. They didn't back down. The world has never known truer patriots. It was neat to honor them on a day I needed a little courage myself.

A man we met on our way into the church said I wasn't walking like I'd just run a marathon. I said "I hope not, I've got another on Saturday!" The dismay in his face was priceless :) I know many people do it...and more, but this would be my first double. I was excited to get out and run again, despite the fatigue in my legs.

As we entered the church they were giving a speech about the church and its heritage and significance. The thing that caught my eye? A memorial to those involved in Monday's tragedy. 

It was touching. Again, I felt the support of the city behind me. I didn't have to explain anything. The jacket said it all. I was proud to be there. I was suffering along with the city. I was sorry that I had been there to run the marathon so that the perpetrators would have an event to destroy. I'm sorry I coveted the event so much that it could make such an impact. I'm sorry it was the spectators and not the runners that were hurt. They made the race for me! Those that were cheering for me just moments before and for just some ol' stranger named Rachel were suffering. My heart hurt, but the city and the people there understood. No explanation needed. I really felt at home and at peace there with the city that held my running heart!

Next we continued along the freedom trail to the Holocaust memorial. When Lowell suggested this I first said no. I told him my heart was hurting enough and I didn't think it could take any more. But, he told me it would be one of the most amazing experiences. Well, as usual...he was right! Yes, it broke my heart more, but it gave me strength. Strength to resolve to live life. To LOVE life and to not be afraid in the face of darkness and terror. To speak out and to love those that I care about more deeply. To share what I have and to not take it for granted. As bleak as life seemed at the moment, it could've been worse. I had my friends and my family and we were all safe. What more could I have asked for? Here is one of my favorite quotes on the memorial, one you've heard before I'm sure, but it bears repeating. If you haven't been there in Boston, make a stop next time you're there.

 Across from the Holocaust memorial was The Bells Inn. The oldest tavern in America. Had to get that photo op! Almost went in and bought someone a beer. Would've been the first alcoholic beverage I'd ever bought. Figured if I was going to do it, might as well be there :)

From there we headed down to Faneuil Hall, the cradle of Liberty. Again, the historical significance is just overwhelming! Amazing to see and be apart of SO much history.

After a short trip through some of the stores there, we caught a taxi back to the hotel. It was time for me to leave. Oh, it was hard to believe it was all over...already over. It had come and gone SO quickly, too quickly. I needed a couple more days. I needed my support group :) I did also want to get home and just hold my babies though. When you are hurting and confused it is hard to be without family! My running family was a wonderful stand in, but Smooth doesn't cuddle quite like my baby boy does :)

At the airport I ran into a couple friends from SLC also taking the non-stop home. We grabbed lunch at Fudruckers, but I talked too much and so I stayed at the tables while they went back to the gate. Lucky for me my sister QP called and I got a nice long chat with her. I love to be the last person on the plane. You're sitting long enough, why sit an extra 30 minutes by boarding the plane early?!? Well, I talked a little too long. As I headed back to the gate saying my good-byes I heard them call my name as a last call for boarding! YIKES! Okay, okay, I'm on my way. I still had to wait in a line on the jetway and on the plane before I got to my seat.

Someone had 'mis-read' A window seat for F window seat. I think it was the 8 year old in the middle seat that caused this lapse of ability to read and reason. But, I didn't mind, so I took the F and let the stubborn goat sit in A. I pick my window seats very carefully. I like to see my house when I fly home and I know where I need to sit to see it. But, the ride next to Miss Tessa made it all worth it! I recognized "Team Poppe" shirts from the sidelines at the marathon and I had a splendid time sitting next to Tessa. Coloring with her, talking her through choices, laughing with her. Made my flight! I did sleep a little and chat with her mom and dad too, but she was such a pleasant girl! Only catch was that I'd committed to reading "Life of Pi" on the vacation so that I could watch it with hubby soon. I was NOT happy when the preview for the feature film came on and it was "Life of Pi." Gave me an excuse to read and not watch the movie :) It was hard to keep my eyes off the screen, but I want the book to be read with MY pictures in my head...not the movie pictures. So, I just pushed my nose in my book and read.

While on the flight I thought a lot about what had happened and how running life was going to be from here on out. I'd heard about multiple tributes for Boston...26 days of running, run 2.6 miles, exercise 26 minutes for 26 days....nothing spoke to me about really being a tribute to Boston. Then, it hit me. Like a ton of bricks. I was slated to pace 3:55 with Paul in SLC, but I knew it needed to be different. I knew I needed to pace 4:10 and be there at the finish line at that horrible 4:09:43 when the bomb went off. I wanted to show the world we weren't afraid. Runners would run again and spectators would cheer again and we weren't afraid of that time! We would do it for those who couldn't do it. We would do it to honor memories and to stand as a running community of one. We would be Boston Strong together. One of my first texts (after to hubby of course) on the ground was to Jonathan to have him switch us around as pacers. This had to happen. I texted Paul and got him on board...yup, this was going to happen!

I was the last person off the plane and since sweet Miss Tessa had fallen asleep the last hour I really needed to pee! So, I stopped at the bathroom. My poor family and hubby were rather anxious to see me and I was just taking my sweet time. All the other Boston Jackets came and went and they were still waiting. It just made it that much sweeter, right? :)

But, I have to say it was hard coming home. Looking at faces that didn't have that support in them. They looked at you with pity. You were there. Should they say anything? What should they say? Congrats? Sorry? Almost like you'd personally suffered a tragedy of losing a loved one and they just didn't know what to say to you. My support group of Boston citizens was gone, and it was palpable.

Holding my little ones again was fantastic! I didn't want to let them go. Just to feel all wrapped up in that warm, unconditional, innocent love again was just what I needed. Having my mom and hubby there made all the difference in the world. I was loved. These people were all I needed to make it through. It was Tuesday night. I headed home with my family and fell asleep in a familiar place, in familiar arms. Home.

Wednesday morning I took to the gym when I got up and saw friends and chatted too much about Boston. Talking about it was therapeutic! Especially with friends that understood. But, again my Boston support group was better. I didn't really have the vocabulary to express how I was feeling. I don't know if such a vocabulary exists. I didn't have to try to explain it in Boston, we all just felt it. I couldn't explain it here and it felt awkward trying to do so. After a few feeble attempts I decided I just didn't want to anymore. I would speak of the good, but leave the rest alone.

I walked a lot...a few miles and it sure felt good. I don't know if it was the company or the walking, but my legs were getting ready to run again.

When I got home I had an email from the SLC marathon. I'd made a comment on their post that 2 Boston Marathon finishers would be pacing Saturday and we'd love people to join us. I guess they'd been looking for runners from Boston to do stories on for the paper...of course I volunteered :) I also explained to the marathon people what I was trying to do with the finish time. They were SO supportive and simply said "oh yeah, this is going to happen. We'll make this happen." My tribute was coming alive. I could feel it growing in the hearts of others too. It wasn't just me. It was catching fire!

A writer from Des News, Whitney Evans who I had worked with at Cottonwood Heights ages ago, came out to the house and did an interview with me. She overstayed her time and simply said "you're such a good story teller, I was just drawn in!" Yup, sleeping and talking/telling stories....my two best talents :) I had also given her Paul's info so that she could get his side. He says things much more eloquently than I do and with greater perspective. He needed a voice in this too. It was our tribute! Little did I know how much this would catch fire until the next day.....

(Now I'm off for the weekend to Ragnar Trail and so you'll have to sit on pins and needles to see how the rest of the tribute turns out...or just pull up a few clips/stories/pictures...whatever :) )

Right now I'm just logging miles. I'll log the journey later :)

75 minutes on the bike to spin out the never ending sore and tired and tight legs from 2 marathons in 5 days. It was worth it, but my legs are kaput! 

2 miles around the track just to try and get things back in order....

5K memorial run for Boston at SL Running Co. Took the family for FHE and I just ran with Lauren and did my best to stay away from the cameras. I'm done with them for a while. Saw some wonderful amazing friends!! Glad I went, very worth it.

My friend Kristy stayed home from work today and so I drug her to the gym with me in the morning to bike. So, I didn't get any running miles in, but it was a good 60 min bike session with sweat beads on my lower arms :) 

75 minutes on the bike again. I'm having such a hard time getting my legs to not feel like lead legs constantly! Then, I rounded out the day with 4 miles.

2 miles on the track, good warm-up. Then I hit the TM. Had to start super slow...6.5mph-ish. I finished up at 8.0mph though, so it just takes some time, but man those legs are still not feeling any love.

Sad day again. I was going to get up and run with the Newtons from my house, but hubby left out of town yesterday afternoon and baby woke up a few times during the night screaming. Since I was all alone I didn't think it was right to leave him to wake up his 12 year old sister if he did start screaming while I was gone. Also, I was tired and my lovely lead legs are still in recovery mode and all the hills scared me. So, I slept while they ran and I ditched them for my nice comfy, warm, bed!

Did spin class and the goal was 26.2 miles for Boston. She kept cadence high to get the miles in and we did few hills. It was a great workout! It took me 65ish minutes, but I got my 26.2 miles in. I was going to get out of it thinking I'd RUN 26.2 miles for Boston Saturday. HA! I couldn't do it when I got that close, so I just kept going until I got there. 

Afterward the plan was to run 4 easy miles again. I could do this. I got 18.5 laps (11/mile) out of the track when I saw a nursery worker standing with my little guy. He'd decided to not go poo in the potty, but in his pants. Thankfully he has a smart mother that put him in a diaper...but not smart enough to bring a spare. So, we could clean up, but had to then leave. So, no more miles for me.

RAGNAR TRAIL IN ZION!! 

A fun group and dead-legs Rachel. I had a great time getting to know new people in my group and re-connecting with old running friends. Kimberly and Mitch got a perfect spot for us to camp at. It seriously was the best one in the whole ranch! Our team started at 3:30 and we were off and running strong. 

I was runner 6 and had the longest leg first. Not the hardest, but the longest. I called this trail the shoe-box. Parts of the trail were as wide and deep as a shoebox! You couldn't run on the top/sides of the trail due to the sagebrush and grass, you had to run in that ditch. I thought for sure my heel would bump the side and then cause me to trip myself! I thought I was running quite strong and fast...until I saw my split time for a mile. What the crap?!? Yeah, my legs are still kaput. Total time for the run was 1:09, nothing spectacular, but for the way my legs felt and the last 1/2 mile climb (that EVERY route got to do) I was pleased enough.

(the pics were on the last easy stretch of the switch backs to the exchange point...coming and going!)

Went straight from there to dinner. Chili dinner was a lot better than I expected it to be and on my way out I found the secret couch in front of a fireplace. Best hiding spot in the ranch!

After lingering too long by the fire and couch I made my way back to the tent changed into my night run clothes and warm layers then went to bed for about 90 minutes. Andy woke me up and it was time to get ready and head down to the exchange.

Ken came in and I was off on the yellow (4 miler). It was dark and I had my head lamp, but all I kept hearing from people was how they kept falling! Nick had sprained/cracked his wrist. So, I was a scaredy cat as I ran. I think my first mile was 20minutes! No joke. It was downhill and I couldn't see the trail well and I was just plodding along. I was SO afraid of falling or hurting myself. After the first mile-ish you started a good mile climb. I loved it. I finally felt some control and could push and wasn't so afraid, but it was still slow due to the uphill.

I finally reached the ridge and it looked like someone was behind me the light around me was so bright...then I realized it was the MOON! I flipped my head lamp off and was out there with the moon shadows - without cat :) Thought of QP and Brent that love their moon lit runs and just enjoyed it! It was my favorite run of the whole weekend. When I started downhill the camber of the trail again was difficult to see and anticipate, but the moonlight was still better than head-lamp. When I got down into the trees again and the shadows covered the trail, I then had to use the head-lamp, stink. It was a gorgeous night though, even if those stinkin' 4 miles took me a whopping 49:00!!!

I went straight to the tent to change out of my wet clothes and met Rachelle in the bathroom. I convinced her to come with me to the secret couch inside by the fireplace and sleep. So, we dropped off bags, grabbed blankets and went to the couch...aaahhh! Rachelle spent some of the time on the hard tile floor :( but the warmth of the fireplace and indoors was worth it! I got 3+ nice hours of sleep on the couch by the fire!

When I got back to the tent (Rachelle and I were the same runner and it was about time to get back out there) Kimberly asked if I'd even been there all night....ummm...yes? :) She knew I'd gone back to the secret couch, busted! It isn't my fault I know all the good places to sleep when camping.

Shortly I was peeling off the layers to head down to get my last 3.5 mile loop done. I was bound and determined to not suck this one up...HA! Remember those lovely dead legs of mine? My mind really can't make them move for loving or money right now.

The green loop wasn't half bad and had some nice downhill and gentle uphill stretches (other than the 1/2 mile switchbacks to the exchange). I should've been able to knock it out, but despite my push I barely eeked out just over 35:00 for the loop. Whatever. I've got to just accept that my legs are trashed and will take some time to come back to life. I'm just doing the best I can with what I've got on the day I'm given!

Our team finished strong and our ringer Nick completed the 7.5 mile loop in 50:16...he is stinkin' AWESOME! Only 19 and already killin' it! You will hear of him soon, trust me. We tried to keep up with him the last 100ft, but that proved too much a task for all of us :) It was a great finish and I loved the team! Everyone held their own and did their best. I've never been on a 'runner' team at Ragnar before. Much different than any other.

(everyone except Ken who had to leave right after his last leg)

My team spent the rest of Saturday and that night there again, but I had responsibilities and a family I was tired of missing, so I hitched a ride home with Skip. It was a great weekend and I hated missing out on the fun afterward, but I've been gone from my family too long.

(our team shirts...you know you love them! NERC is Northern Exposure Running Club)

Spin and swim.

60 minutes on the bike, had to get these dead legs moving again. My lower legs/ankles are just sore, sore, sore and stiff. The stability muscles in your lower legs and feet get a huge workout on trails! I'm afraid of injury and so I'm trying to ease back into things. 

I can tell my body doesn't like me right now, but I don't like it all the time, so I guess turn about is fair play :) Trying to recover smart so I don't have to take time off for an injury.

Then I went to the pool and swam for 35 minutes (had to get changed then get out and get changed again in time to get Adam from day-care before my 2 hrs were up). I did all pulling, some kicking mixed in and some buoy pulling. I figure I got about 1500 yds in since I do about 100 yds/2 min and I had some stop time for adjusting equipment and cap/goggles etc.

I got to go give Smooth her Boston medal that Lowell picked up for her. It was a wonderful afternoon to visit and just be with one of my favorite people in the world! I could spend every afternoon on her porch visiting. Maybe when we're both old, retired and can't run anymore :) 

Run tomorrow...hopefully.

I was ready to get up and run with Newtons this morning, but I either didn't hear my alarm or it didn't go off. I woke up in a panic when I could see light outside. It is such nice weather, I hate to miss it! But, at 6:30 I figured I might as well just sleep and go to the gym.

Ready to spin and run at the gym, but as I walked in I remembered that it was Tuesday and Adam has music at 10:45, so my plan was shot in the butt. I started out running.

3 miles on the track - no idea on pace, but definitely progressive.

Got on the TM and the 8:46 pace felt nice and comfortable...finally, a little speed that felt okay. I went progressive again finishing at a 6:53mm to total 2 miles. TT: 17:07 AP: 8:34

Sara then came to get me so that she could try out her clips on the spin bike since she is venturing out on her 33 miler for her birthday tomorrow and I'm tagging along :) So, I did the bike for 20 minutes while she got used to clipping in and out. Hopefully tomorrow on my bike she doesn't crash too bad trying the clips on the bike.

Finished up with my last mile to round things out. 8:06 - progressive.