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

Legs Are Hammered.

That is all :) I got pretty confident about all this trail running and feeling good. Well, I put together a group to meet at Dave's house for Shaggy Mountain Loop which start/ending there gives us 10.5 and uphill home. Kelli, Amy, Scott, Dave, Curtis and I all met there and enjoyed the run...as much as we could. I did well with only walking a tiny bit of uphill, but the last 2 miles my legs were just SO fatigued. No pain, just fatigue. Fight through though, right? What doesn't kill me brings back my endurance and will help me push through the 55K on my birthday in 6 weeks!

Oh my legs. It was slow. I don't remember running on the TM at all...I didn't want to see the pace :) Just miles on the track to shake them out and get them moving again.

Skiing all day. If I didn't have crazy fatigued legs I would've run early morning, but since they were hammered I decided to give them a psuedo rest day :)

What to do after a rest day? run 18 miles :)

Amy and I started caravaning to the race, but then she slid and her car went over the curb! So, we left the car there and that simply meant I couldn't linger a bunch after the race, but needed to get her home. Good thing we were together! Her hubby was sleeping and not answering the phone. He was able to get a tow and get the car out while we were running though thankfully.

Amy and Lisa wanted me to run a 1:45, but with hammered legs I knew it wasn't happening. But, just around mile 4 I saw them turn the wrong way. They were maybe .25 mile ahead of me. I yelled and people whistled, but they didn't hear us :( So, I tried calling their phones, but no one answered. Poo. I was grateful that a car had gone after them...but not after they'd gone 1.25 off the route. I just pushed through and raced on. Pushing myself, but staying comfortable at the same time.

I took 2 min off my finish time, because I spent at LEAST that trying to get the girls back on track. Since this isn't a real official race anyway I'm adjusting my time :)

I called Lisa surprised they weren't back yet and she told me what had happened....ha! ooops. They'd gotten back on course, but by the time they got to the end they'd run 15.7 miles. Should've stayed with the slow one :) Their half split time was 1:46:XX, so I wasn't really all that slow behind them anyway. Oh well. It was a nice run and I didn't mind being alone.

When I got home I knew I should do more. I need to up my miles. I talked myself into doing just 5 more. A short little loop. I have a 55K coming up in 6 weeks. Get on the horse Rachel! So, I didn't even go in the house. I just took off on the loop. It was slower, but I got it done. Running on tired legs is what I need to practice, right?!?

A little speed work to start the week off. My legs are still fatigued. I can feel it going upstairs and when I start to run. So, I did 2 miles warm-up 8:30-9:00ish pace. One on the TM and one on the track...so I don't know for sure.

Then, I timed my mile 7:03. Crap. I remember running 6:40s. I need to get some speed back.

I went back to the TM and did 2 miles in 16:30 to recover and then did another mile on the track. I was hoping to hit sub 7:00, but it came in at 7:08. Still not bad, but man alive where is my speed?!? At the bottom of the bag of PB m&ms I've been eating I'm sure.

Then back to the TM for a cool down mile in 8:30. A wonderful start to the week.

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons.

Amy met us at the corridor. It was nice to have female company for the first uphill miles.

At the top I decided to try and push some tempo miles. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped, a little difficult...too difficult to be honest, but hit 7:30-7:40s for the miles.

AP for the run was 8:07, been a long time since Ive seen paces like that for a 10 miler.

Spin class. It has been too long, but a good sweat fest with good friends, I've been missing the Wednesday morning party too long!

Afterward I tried out my new slip on tri shoes. They worked well! Just 4 easy miles on the track. One warm-up, then I did sprint a lap, recover a lap for the next 2 miles (22 laps) then a final cool-down mile.

It was nice to get it all done and then head up to Soldier Hollow for a day of lazy man sledding with the family! I wish it wasn't so expensive!

Shaggy Mountain with the Newtons. Too bad I've been getting NO sleep all week. It was horrible. I was totally sleep running! I could've fallen asleep while I was running or been happy curling up under a tree to sleep for a few more hours. SO TIRED! Garmin died, no idea on time...probably better that way. Went back to bed!

Took the day off...one day of taper for my Oval marathon tomorrow. Hoping to hit at least a 50K.

Oh how I love this "race" my kind of race. I don't have to run fast...I just have to keep going. Five hours to run as much or as little as you want. Only problem is that you have to do it running around the track at the Olympic Oval.

I was lucky enough to have my daughter join me again this year and she not only completed her half again, but did 16 miles! WOW! It is amazing what you can do when you don't just sit around for five hours.

Marci came down to run with me this year too. It was SO nice to have her and Paul and Lisa and Kimberly and SO many others there to just run with and enjoy the company as we went around, around and around. Good company makes everything go better :)

Took a gu around 1:15, then at 2:00 I stopped to actually take in liquid, walk one lap to keep legs loose and then kept going. From that point on I did a Gu at the top of the hour (1st no caffeine then increasing caffeine amounts each hour) and endurolyte pills at the bottom of the hour. Worked like a charm! I would have Lauren grab my stuff for me and then have it ready to go as I came around so I wouldn't have to stop.

When it was all over I pushed the last lap, because I know that if you're tied with someone on lap numbers then they go with how fast the last lap was completed. I didn't want to lose by a few seconds :)  I figured I'd completed at least my 50K, but they were having problems with their machine being overwhelmed with the number of "laps" recorded. Shouldn't have trusted them this year, but with a garmin that only lasts 60 minutes, if that, I had to trust them. Grr.

There were ladies lapping me the first half and a few that hung on afterward, so I figured that I didn't have a chance of placing. Plus, last year taking 4th and getting nothing stung a little bit. With fueling and keeping the pace this year I thought I'd be in the top 5ish, but certainly not podium. So, I was at the aid station table after I got my medal and got in engraved. They had lots of left over gu that they told us to take. I certainly got my years supply out of it! Then everyone started yelling my name. What?!? Oh, I had placed and they were trying to give me an award. Score! I had taken 3rd! I really didn't think I'd done that well. But, the 2 women ahead of me I'd remembered seeing pass me nearly the whole time. This year they gave awards to the top 5 (Grr!) and so the 4th place was Marci which was fantastic to be there with her! We'd stayed side by side unitl the last hourish. I loved spending that time with her. I love that girl!

When they finally got a final lap count up they had my laps at 115, which is just exactly a 50K...hmmm. Seemed a little short. Paul then said his foot pod recorded 32.2 miles and another participant said they'd counted their laps and had 33 miles (I was lapping both of these guys the last hourish). Talking to numerous others it was agreed that somehow the lap count was off. I'm not fighting my position in the overall. I think that was accurate...more than. But, I really feel my lap count was off. I'm confident in saying that I finished 33-34 miles. Looking at paces for that time it seems accurate as well. So, to be honest I'll claim 33, not 34, but I'm sure it was somewhere in between there. I didn't ever really take any long breaks. The longest was the walking lap at 2 hours. Otherwise I was keeping a decent 8:30ish pace the whole time. Anyway, long story longer...I'm claiming 33 miles despite only having 115 laps officially recorded and I took 3rd. It was a fantastic day!!!

Six slow, easy recovery miles around the track with various friends :) A lot of them like it when I'm slow, because then they can run with me. I'd do a mile; rest, chat, do another mile...it took me a total of 1:45 to do the full 6 miles. Yup. I talk too much :) Then I did 15 min of biking with Kristy before I had to go get Adam from chuck-a-child.

Tuesday Ten. No goals or anything today, just survive. Still fatigued from Saturday and recovering, but I'm sleeping a lot (since Sunday) and trying to rest well!

Met Amy again and Jerry came with us too. I was, again, slow on the uphill, but that is no surprise. Then when we regrouped and hit the downhill I just felt good and ran. Amy peeled off and we started to drop Jerry. My garmin died at 8 miles, but Chad said we were hitting low 7's the last few miles (7:06, 7:14). Jerry's AP for the run was 7:57 and I'd gapped him enough those last few miles that mine would've been lower than that, because we hit the uphill stride for stride. Nice to see some faster paces coming back at little effort. I was still talking a bit and I didn't feel like I was pushing the envelope...a LOT easier than last week's 7:30s anyway. Crazy. I guess my body just wanted to run more miles :)  Either way, I'm not going to complain.

Oh how I love sleep! My plan was to wake up for spin again (I LOVE Danielle's class) and then do 6 after, but...well, my alarm went off and I was tired...so I slept :) woke up at 10:00! Oh, how I am blessed with children that sleep in. I was STILL the first one awake. Only problem was, I had to get to the gym quickly so I could have at least 1 hour before the day care closed. When I got there they were full. What the heck?!? Seriously?!? Poo. What now? As I was there they had 2 people come in and get their kids, so I asked if I could then slip Adam in. Since I'm a regular and not one of the "resolutionists" they let him in. YAY! But, I had only 50 minutes to get upstairs and get going, run 6 and get back to pick him up. Crunch time.

Did a warm-up mile on the track. Then started at 8;40mm and increased .1mph every song until I hit 7.5mph (8:00) I then had just over one mile left, so I busted it out and finished the 5 in 41 minutes at 1% I did it! Jumped off the TM and went and got Adam then streched with him. Felt good to get some good paces in. Recovering some semblance of speed. Didn't think it could happen this week, but I'm not complaining.

Shaggy Mountain. I felt good about it this morning, carried the hills well and took the downhill too. I have NO idea the pace...thank you garmin that dies, but the last mile I felt like I was really cruising and so I turned the watch on just to see the pace and I was hitting a 6:40-6:50. I may have just run a sub 7:00! Nice. Too bad I don't have a garmin to tell me for sure.

I did go back to sleep, then met Amy at the gym to have an easy workout while the kids played in Chuck A Child. We did the elliptical for an hour.

I went home intent on showering, but then I saw Heidi posted that she wanted to get out on a walk or run. I told her that I'd be happy to walk with her. So, she came over and we went exploring. Four-ish miles and some trail/ice walking. A great day out to enjoy the sunshine!!

Finally a shower and a wonderful afternoon/evening.

One bad thing about not blogging daily is sometimes you forget :) I know that I ran 2 miles and did the bike for an hour, but I can't remember if I ran them track/TM fast/slow...whatever. I did the miles and then got to read my new book on the bike for a while. If I'm going to do a century this year I've got to start getting more bike miles in.

A nice little taper for tomorrow's pacing/long run.

Another Saturday, Another race :) Back to my regular ol' routine I guess.

I was pacing the St George Half at 1:45; which was nice, because I wanted a little speed work in my long runs and this was perfect.Enough to keep it steady, but not enough to exhaust me. I was a little nervous about pacing 1:45 on the hills, but after a few miles I knew it was going to be okay and I fell into pace comfortably. Strange how sometimes I can't run a 10MM uphill, but then I can pace this half at a 1:45 and still talk to people and encourage them.

There were a few people that stuck with us the entire time. Then at mile 10 I announced that the warm-up was over and now it was time to start the 5K race. Then a few more of my usual comments to get people moving. A girl turned around and said "we need you on a loud speaker to get us through to the end!" I told her she should be lucky I was pacing faster, because the slower I go the more I talk and annoy everyone :) We got to chatting and the last few miles just flew by. Kaylee was her name and she had been in a horrible accident where she was hit head on by a truck, then spun into the other lane and rear ended by another truck! She had intense brain injuries and she shouldn't have lived. This was just in October and here she was running her first half back and killing it! I was SO impressed with her that I felt it was practically my duty to get her in under 1:45. So, I kept up with her and told her at the bridge I was going to let her go and finish strong and I would need to finish on pace. I did have to wait a bit for Andy to get there, which means I was running incredibly too fast those last couple, but I felt the encouragement I supplied to those around me was worth it. We finished on the race clock just under 1:45. Chip time came out 20 seconds early, but I'd rather  be 30 seconds early than 2 seconds late when pacing.

I got to visit with some great friends that were running and I heard Toby's name called right after I finished. I KNEW she should've come with us! She did an incredible job and I am SO proud of her 9 min PR for the course. She has worked hard to get there and I can't wait to see what spring brings for her.

I chatted a lot longer than intended, but then again...this is ME we're talking about :) I left at 12:27 to start my 2nd loop. My garmin died around mile 8, so it was a good thing I knew I was just going to run the course again and I didn't have to worry about miles. I stopped for a few minutes at the first aid station (also the last one, so it was still set up) to take a GU and drink/refill my water bottle. Good thing I did. I was late enough I didn't get any other water stops and I was out when I got back. I stopped again around mile 6 to text Craig and let him know about when I'd be back. I made one final stop before the finish line, because my hands just felt sticky and gross and I wanted to wash them. So, I stopped to grab some snow on the side of the trail, but it was frozen and I couldn't grab any, despite trying :) Oh well, finished up just as they were pulling the barriers down. The volunteers cheered me in and I told them I liked the course so much I decided to do it twice. I then refilled my water one last time, grabbed my stuff from we-got-your-back-shack (they are amazing!! Last minute race stuff and bag drop! I'm in love!) and headed back to the hotel. I'd run the mile over to the race with Lowell and so I decided to not inconvenince the family and just run back. A couple extra miles at that point is nothin'...right?

Ended the day rock climbing with the family which included a mile+ hike to and from Turtle Wall climbing area, because Chuckwalla was full. Then we went to Paulas for dinner and Nielsons frozen custard...yup, ate myself sick...fantastic day!

A fun hike to Pioneer Park where I squeezed through a rock, I have lots of bruises and scrapes to prove I did it! My kids left me like a stuffed pig, but with some courage and coaching from a stranger (who turned out to be a friend that grew up 2 houses away from me!) I made it through. It was crazy fun, but scary for those of us who are claustrophobic! After roaming around the area for a while and belaying Craig and the kids as they climbed then I decided that I needed to prove to myself I wasn't a scared stuffed pig, but that I could do it again without panicing! So, I did :) I felt like I'd just conquered a marathon for the first time. I did it! Small Victories, right?

Then we went on a hike to some petroglyphs, it was an easy hike, but with a 40lb toddler and pack on your back everything is a little harder. We had a great time seeking them out and finding them all! Then we visited the Anasazi Village and the kids loved it. What a wonderful day. I wore my trail shoes to make sure that wearing them for hours wouldn't bother me...all is good to go!

Gave up my favorite trail run (Turtle Wall) for my kids. They really wanted to go to the end of trail (we went less than half way climbing Saturday). I had planned to go with Brent and Sylvie and break in my trail RUNNERS with some red dirt. But, since the kids wanted to go timing wise with the hotel check out it just didn't work out unless I left the family and ran while they hiked. I decided to be a good mom and stick with the family. I got some more miles on my trail runners and red dirt too, since this is my back off week (2 high mileage weeks in a row = back off or injury for me; yes 60+ is high mileage) I figured it would be okay to take the day off running.

The kids had a great time climbing all over the red rocks and we stopped by Fractured Prune Donuts (no prunes involved! Named after a famous lady nick named Fractured Prunella)...SO YUMMY!!! Everyone should try them out. Warm, hand dipped donuts and you choose the glaze (lots of flavors) and topping. A good send-off to head home with. I hate when vacations are over.

Newtons Tuesday Ten. Poor Chad had to hand with slow ol' me. I thought I'd feel good like last week and pull some good paces...HA! Nope. Barely breaking 8's. Amy met us for the first 5 miles, but it was rough going for me. I seriously could NOT breathe. It felt like an elephant on my chest. I wanted to take my sports bra off! Everything felt like it was squeezing me. Breathing out was horrible. I don't know if it was the cold air, yucky air or if I'm getting sick, but dang! I don't want to feel that way again...ever. It did let up a little around mile 8, but it was still bad. 1:25:ish total.

After a little warming up and nap I got the boys off to their first day back to school from track break and then went to spin class. It was a little better than the run, but I still felt off. Lots of hills, oh the hills....

cop-out day. I met Amy at the gym, started running, but my legs were protesting. Aching shins and muscles. More than fatigue...I needed to stop the pounding. So I did. I walked at a 12.0 grade @3.0 - good workout, but no pounding. Just what I needed. I did that while Amy ran, then we hit the track slowly together for a mile. That was good :)

I then did the bike for 35 minutes and then ran a full mile alone to teach the legs that you don't stop after spinning. Then finished with a weight set 3X that included arms, abs and back. Gotta get that core back. Between each set I ran .3 of a mile around our track, gives it a little HIIT flare :)

Sad day for running, but a good recovery workout!

Oh man, the legs...the legs! I don't know why last week everything seemed so easy, but this week it all stinks, but it does. I was slow beyond belief. Poor Chad stuck with Me, Jerry and Kim. At least Jerry and Kim could keep up with him on the hills. Between being a pansy after falling last week and my general lack of enthusiasm from my legs...well, I did it. That is about all I can say for myself. The way home I was able to hit some low/mid 7's, but that was a nice downhill pull.

The neatest thing about this run was the fog/smog! It seriously looked like we were in a small town in the middle of nowhere. No lights except a few on the benchs in Herriman. Normally we can see the entire valley, and I guess we still could, but it was covered SO thick with the fog/smog that you couldn't even see Riverton, let alone South Jordan/Daybreak. It was crazy, I've never seen anything like it. I sure was glad I was breathing the air above all that crap though.

I was toying with going to spin and got dressed after getting home, but Adam was SO ornery yesterday because I'd woken him up that I decided I would only go if he woke up. Well, he didn't get up until 10:00, so I didn't go back to the gym. Oh well, happy babies are worth more than a spin class!

Since this is my back-off week I won't be doing high miles like the last two weeks on Saturday, so I decided to do 2 MLRs back to back instead.

Amy convinced me to get up at 6:00 to run 8, but then Chad upped the ante to 5:45...what is 15 min at that point? So, I put together an 8 mile route and the darn trails didn't cooperate. Stink! It was just too icy for a pansy like me to actually run, so we headed out to the roads and improvised. With the new route I had to add a loop on, but it ended up being a little long...so we did 8.5 (garmin died at 4.5...)

I then came home used the bathroom quickly and grabbed a drink then headed back out. I did 5, because I had to get home to wake up boys to get ready for school. Lauren had the day off, so I could leave them home...they just needed to wake up! After the wake-up call I grabbed Lucy and went out for what I thought would be 1.5, nope ended up being 2.0....oh well, I tried!

Got the boys off to school, froze my butt off waiting 20 minutes for Amy to bring her kids by, then showered. It was nice to have Lauren home to watch them while I showered. I think it still took me an hour to defrost my thighs and face!!! SO cold. But, it was done. Now I get to hang out with 4 cute kids and clean all day...ahh, the life of a mother :)

Amy talked me into running the Chad 10 miler but from my house. I missed the downhill at the end, but it is always good to mix it up. After Amy left to go home I went out for my tried and true 5 mile route. I got the 15 done and it wasn't fantastic, but it got done. It is nice to have a shorter Saturday and be done and showered by 10:00! I even got another little nap before I had to head off to basketball.

walking for 90 min with a friend at the Olympic Oval. Nice talk with an old friend.

Another fun day at the gym :) 2 miles on the track with Amy then I hit the TM as she headed off. I wasn't sure I wanted to run at all, but I let my music keep me going. I started at 7.0 then decided every 2 songs to up the speed .1 - until I hit 7.5, then I'd see what the mileage was at and finish that mile. I finished 6 miles in 50 minutes. A decent pace and I was just happy to get off the TM.

I then did a weight set for arms and core with a sprinting lap after each set.  I did 3 sets and with the extra laps I ran with Adam around the track while his class was on the track I called it a good 8.5

Tuesady Ten. I felt better today than last week, that is for sure! I also got to bed earlier which was nice to get a good 7 hours before getting up early.

Amy sent me splits for the first 5 miles and I only had one uphill mile over 9:00, which for me on that route is pretty darn good. Then, on the last few miles of downhill Jerry gave me the splits and we were 7:05-7:10, so I'm pretty sure my overall AP was around or just under 8:00. A much better pace than I held last week!!

I went to the rec center after getting kids off to school and rode the bike for an hour and read. Getting into a new good book...need reading time :)

Amy talked me into running early with her. I'm actually getting to bed earlier and so getting up early is okay, funny how that works! We met at her house, because she had to be home, in the shower by 6:15, so we figured it would be easiest to meet there...plus more time to run. We did an 8 mile loop with the hills all at the front end. I struggled! BUT, we finished with a nice AP of 8:30 - not too shabby for a nice, easy, hilly morning run!

After getting kids off  I again went to the gym and did the bike and read. Always a good hour of reading on the bike :)

Shaggy Mountain. Oh the snow! At least we had some tracks to follow. One car had been through the road, so we didn't have ankle deep snow. On the way up the canyon we had to dodge a few plows and even got a nice splash from one...blech! The dirt roads weren't bad...icy, but when we hit the pavement and it WAS plowed, it was SO yucky and slippery. I kept screaming like a girl and flailing my arms :) I had to slow down the downhill so I didn't die. It was a slower run, but given the conditions we really couldn't complain.

Craig was home and I slept in! Oh, it was fantastic. I didn't want to run, it took a LOT to get me out the door. Not having anyone to meet or a certain time to go and be home makes the start drag out! I finally got out the door and after a few miles was really just enjoying it and the temps were tolerable and almost enjoyable. I didn't feel like I was going fast, but after doing map my run to find mileage and knowing the time I started and ended my AP was around 8:25 - that includes stopping at least 4 times to pick up trash and run it to the next trash can...I remember why I don't like running in the daylight on garbage day. My conscience gets to me and I end up on a trash run :)

A perfect start to my birthday month! A Lake Mountain double. This is my last "big" run gearing up for Moab 55K on 2/15 - my 34th birthday.

I'd recruited a big group to run with me, but despite the majority of the group going up for their first at 5AM and then doing their double when I was doing my first at 7AM I still couldn't keep up with them. Yup, those guys are speedy! Scott hung with me the first time up though.

It was a rough go. The snow was the kind that didn't like to pack down, despite some tracks up there and the early group tracking things out it was still pretty slippery. Having a 4-wheeler come by and pollute the air and noise and also tearing up what little track there was created an even better situation! Ugh. Slipping half a step back every time you pushed off to go up. They got stuck, and the track was nice again! Until they got the bright idea to have Cletus stand on the back and give one of them enough extra weight to get up the steep part. Another sigh as they came by and ripped up the track...again.

The single track from the saddle up to the towers wasn't much better. Although the early group had tracked it out, I was still in shin deep snow and would slip up to my knees. I should've been better prepared, but I don't own any running socks that aren't super low cut and my tights don't cover my ankles either. So my ankles were exposed and cold! We made a quick stop at the top then turned around to head down.

Running downhill in the snow is fun! Slipping around and feeling like a kid running down a sand hill, it was incredible and I had a perma-smile the whole time. It was an awesome core workout trying to stabilize the core too. It was a good run down! Timp was beautiful as we headed down and Scott got a pic, but I haven't seen it from him yet.

At the bottom I grabbed a gu, refilled my water and then headed back up with Joe. Because of the extra time the conditions were taking each ascent Joe couldn't do the full climb again and everyone else had done their first at 5AM. So, he went up about 2 miles with me before he turned and went down. I then was alone. My mind likes to wander about all the horrible things that could happen to me, but I tried to keep it quiet and just keep moving. The track was much better and I honestly think my 2nd ascent could've been faster than my first! UNTIL...the steep part at mile 3. Our favorite 4-wheelers came down the track and ripped it all up again. Ugh. I was tired, ready to quit. But, when I put something in my head, I get it done. I just kept trucking and at the saddle there was another runner! I stopped and talked to him for a bit. He was a wrangler and had seen my post and so we chatted. He said he'd gone up the front side of Lake Mountain - yikes! He said a lot of it was crawling on hands to get up the slope. Did NOT sound fun!

I then started my last climb up to the peak. Our good friends on the 4-wheeler had decided to go up to the peak! SO all the track that we'd made all morning...gone, ripped up and now I was sliding and crawling on my hands (oh the irony) to get up to the top. I seriously wanted to punch those guys! Make your own trail, don't rip up ours. UGH! I finally got to a point where the foot tracks departed from the 4-wheeler tracks  and it wasn't so horrible. When I got up there it had been snowing for the last couple miles and although the could wasn't ON the peak, I could see the back side of it about 50yds down the front slope, and that was all I could see. So, with my frozen aching ankles I turned around and headed down for the last time. Ahhh, finally!

The last decent was just as fun (although the trail was a little more packed thanks to me coming up and the guy going down before me) and the time passed quickly until I had to pee. Man alive. I hate peeing in bushes so I just tried to run faster :) There was another guy coming up that asked me how much further to the top, at that point it was around 1.5 - he wasn't too happy about that, especially when I told him the best was behind him. Made me feel like super girl for heading up twice! As I ran the last stretch down to the parking lot I was feeling great! If someone would've been there and crazy enough to do it I think I would've gone again!

I was proud of myself for doing the double and mentally staying strong enough to get through it alone. It wasn't easy. It was hard work and I wanted to stop, but I knew that I just had to do it or live with regret...I didn't want the regret. No excuses. Push through and live to run another day.

When I got home my ankles hurt SO bad! I checked them out and the ice that accumulated around the edges of my low socks and tights had chaffed my ankles. I now have big scrapes around my ankles from it all...my ankles turned to hamburger :) Just another casualty. I felt pretty good the rest of the day and Sunday things weren't horrible either, but Monday the soreness finally set in big time. I need to just keep moving and get all this lactic acid out!

One glorious mile! Yes, the legs are sore.

I walked uphill and then fast with Amy for 50 minutes then the last 10 min I decided to run. I could do one ten minute mile, right? After I got moving it wasn't so bad and I ended up at an 8:30 pace.

I then went to the bike and did that while reading for an hour. Stretch and grab the baby. I'm tired. Legs need to stop being sore so I can move again :)

Tuesday 10 with the Newtons. I knew I was going to be slow with my tired legs, so I started 5ish minutes early. As I was driving to Chad's house I saw Amy running and harrassed her a bit as I passed. She decided she wanted a ride and to run with me. So, she hopped in the car and endured some slow miles with me on the uphill. In front of Providence Hall Chad finally caught up. He was cruising. I thought he'd be with Jerry, but Jerry was late, so Chad was hauling too fast and still had to wait for me at the top.

The way down I was able to carry some low 8's and high 7's - not too bad for the way my legs were feeling and I kept the whole run comfortable. No pushing! Then around the rec center we saw someone infront of us. I was pretty sure it was Jerry. He'd cut a few miles off and so we had to catch him. It took 1/2-3/4 mile, but we eventually got him.

Got home and took a warm bath...heavenly! You know what else? I went to bed/sleep at 9:15! Waking up at 4:30 isn't so bad when you go to bed early :)

Afterward I headed to the gym and did an hour on the bike to read and get a little extra spin out of lactic acid. Legs are still sore.

I liked going to bed early and waking up early so much yesterday I talked Amy into doing it again with me :) We had an AP of 8:26 with a few sub 8 miles in there. Feels good to start getting back into the game. I guess I should start tapering sometime...

Then another bath to warm up (my new favorite thing!!!) then back to the gym for an hour of spinning while I read. Amy then came over and helped me gut my panty. Oh heavens, what a task! I think I sufficiently grossed her out :)

Long socks, Chad, Kim and Jen made for a fantastic run! I wasn't fast by any means, but I felt like I kept a decent pace while pushing uphill and downhill. Legs are slowly recovering. Shaggy Mountain is such a beautiful run!!!

I was going to hit the gym, but figured I'd stay home and hit the pantry to knock it out completely. HA! Still took me until 5:00 to get it all done. Whew. Now I feel accomplished.

I was going to run early with Amy, but a forecast of cold, wind and snow kept us from confirming anything. So, we booked a date with the TM at the gym. I got there after she'd already started, so we did 3 on the track together...my first, her last.

I then was feeling good, hopped on the TM at 7.5 and it just seemed nicely paced! So, every song I increased the speed .1 and then the last .25 mile went progressive to finish at 10.0. Just felt good!!! I like it when that happens. 23 min for the 3 miles. AP 7:40

I was feeling so good I went to TRX! HA! I now remember why I stopped going to that class. It kicks my trash. I'm such a weakling. I'm going to try and go at least once a week...after my birthday race :)

A nice run, as flat as it gets from my house with Amy, Chad, Dave and Jerry. We all met early and headed off to Daybreak and back. I was impressed when I got home and saw that what I thought was me being slow on this run was really a 1:45 total time. Crazy! I thought I was dragging at a 8:00mm. My pace mind gets all thrown off when I'm tapering. Great day, then I spent the rest of the next 5 hours at the church referring YW stake basketball games...yay....

Five nice little miles to start my taper week out with! Sometimes tapering stinks. Okay, it always does, but workouts just fly by!

Thought I could have my cake and eat it too today. Sleep in, meet Amy on her loop, run a couple with her, break off back home and run into Chad and Dave on their 10 miler (Dave tapers a little differently than I do :) ) and get a couple miles with them in on my way home.

Well, I caught Amy, but not Dave and Chad. Then I got in trouble for breaking up the group and running a different route behind their backs with Amy on a Tuesday :) hehehe. Women who behave rarely make history.

Amy was telling me I was fast and I told her no, I'm just at normal effort...well, getting 5 miles done at a 7:40AP (thanks to map my run app) I guess is a little fast for me. Oops. Tapering works, right?

ugh, taper schmaper. Wanted to sleep in, but Adam wanted to go to his big kids class at the gym, so I had an hour to run 3 miles. I hate only getting to run 3 miles. I'm going crazy! I want to run!

using map my run since my garmin is kaput. I was only going to do 3-4, but I got up two miles and the group still wasn't there (since they run from my house I just run the course backward until I meet them on tapers) and so I decided just to finish walking uphill until I caught them. So, I got an extra 1/2 mile in on the way down. I like downhill :)

The uphill miles were regular pace, but downhill was incredible! 6:45, 7:03 and 6:04 for the last 2.2 miles that Chad had recorded. I was just loving it, chatting and then I hear Dave say "You're killing me!" to me. HA! I guess tapering works. This is crazy fast Dave and he is having troubles keeping up with me. I'll take this once in a lifetime reverse of roles. Then Chad says "you're the fast one!" wow...coming from these guys, I think I'll taper every week!! It is nice to feel some speed in your legs occassionally :)

The miles were over too quickly, but I had a great time and a nice last run before the birthday race!

Nice sleeping in day and rest day to get ready for tomorrow's race. Oh, hubby also came home! First time I've seen him in 2 weeks, then we packed up to leave again :)

Beautiful uneventful drive down and then I stood in line for 90 minutes to get my stinkin' packet. There has really got to be a better way to do that. Ate at Zax pizza with Dave and his wife, I'm sure she loved the romantic setting with our 4 kids running around acting like houligans!

Off to bed early, despite a pretty decent sleep in time for the race. No anxiety, just ready to enjoy the day and know that I can run 34 miles and not be last! It is a highly competitive race with all the top runners from UT and CO coming to duke it out. No flat road, all dirt, sandstone and rocks to run on. I was honestly just there to have a great time. I'd like to not finish last, but as long as I don't die (ie bonk hard and want to quit and have a terrible day like Antelope Island) then I'll be fine and will enjoy it! Ugh, nervous, but ready to take on the epic birthday run!

Oh the epic birthday run! How many times in your life will you have a race that is your exact # of miles/years ON your exact birthday? Never I tell you, never. So when this does happen, guess what? I'll be there will bells on ready to enjoy the party that has been organized for me! Whether or not the race director knows that it is all for me :)

Don't panic. I will fill in al the nitty gritty details, but I don't have time right now and just want to get caught up on logging miles before I forget them :)

My legs feel a lot better than I anticipated they would. So, after hiking yesterday with the family and then doing a crazy awesome chimney climb on Indian ladders I was feeling good on our little 1/2 mile there walk/hike we did. So, I challenged my kids to race me back to the car if they wanted to choose where to go for lunch. I ran the whole way with Lauren right on my heels! But, I still won. It was fun and I actually felt pretty good. Fatigue, yes. Soreness, no. Just a little on the outside of my left calf, but I figured out that must be from the few time I rolled my ankle. The tendons etc were just a little stretched and tender. But overall I felt SO good. Ready to run, but looking for excuses to stay in recovery and let myself fully heal before starting to push pace and training for Boston.

Had a great drive home and just really enjoy our little Moab vacation. I really could live there. I know it wouldn't be the same, but man alive I love that place.

I decided to mix things up a bit for recovery week and to let my running body rest a bit. So, I'm going to work on weights this week. I did one mile warm-up, then did a set of arms/core and another mile run. I did 3 sets of arms/core work and 3 miles; so a total of 4. I still had time and energy to burn at the gym so I'd been watching people do the punching bag and decided that was going to be my fun today.

Man, it is fun to punch the bag! I did about 15 min of different kinds of combinations and sets on it with my arms. Legs are in recovery. It was amazing! Until I started running my last mile - I noticed a big skin flap on my R knuckle...oops, then as I looked more I had a huge blood/goose egg between my middle and ring finger knuckle on my hand. YIKES. Funny, but I guess I should use gloves next time :P It has been ugly and fading all week, but toally worth it!

Ran a 7 mile loop early with Amy. A nice run to get back into the swing of things.

Then I did step class with Heidi at the gym later, which I haven't done for a VERY long time! It was nice to do something a little different.

Shaggy Mountain with the Newton crew. It was slow and steady, but I didn't stop and walk the hills once. That is a huge accomplishment for me when I feel tired and slow. 1:12 total time.

At the gym I killed myself doing lift class. I think when I walk in Raylene knows that I hate glute/ham work and so she changes her plans! Friday I had a girl tell me she consistently goes to that class and that was the sorest her butt had ever been...I really don't think I'm wrong on this one! My butt hurts!

I spent 4 hours later that night running up and down a basketball court ref-ing YW games for the Stake...alone. I was ready for bed!!!

Well, the Newtons decided to get together for a rare Friday run. We did the Herriman trails that we tried to do last month, but they were snowed over. Much nicer now! A nice little jaunt down to Monarch Meadows, around and home. I felt slow and my butt hurt :) However, when I got back to house I noticed our AP was 8:20 and I was the slowest. Crazy people...making me run fast when I'm tired :) Okay, the downhill warmed me up for the climb back home.

Later Amy and I hit the gym together. Since Adam likes his kids on the move class, I got there at 9AM and did the bike for 45 minutes until TRX class when Amy joined me. It wasn't as bad as it was last time, but man alive with a sore butt it sure is a lot harder! It was a good class and I'm excited to take it easy tomorrow on the long run.

Oh my sweet heavens. I'm nice...but I'm really not THAT nice. Seriously. I got up early and ran to Amy's house and then we ran back here to do Jerry's group run up in Shaggy Mountain. Since I was "recovering" I told Jerry I'd be happy to stick with the back of the group and we'd take some short cuts and only do 10 miles and get back about the same time as everyone else doing 13....I had NO idea what I was in for.

I did the first 6 miles in 50 minutes, nothing crazy, but just a nice pace. Then, the journey of 5 million hours started!

I thought the back of the group would be a 10-13mm uphill (walking and a little running) then a good 9mm downhill, because the downhill is good. Oh no...that would've been merciful. The lady that was at the back was a very sweet and wonderful lady. I had a great time visiting with her, but I hesitate to call them running miles. She really had a hard time "running" more than 1/4-1/2 mile at a time. Lots of walk breaks between those runs too. The running was closer to a 13-16mm when it was happening. It was hard to shuffle that slow, but I didn't want to walk while she was running and make her feel worse. The downhill was hardest. I couldn't run them and the shuffle I had to do really made my knees hurt.

Take a guess as to how long it took us to finish the 10.5 mile loop...go on. 2 hours? nope. 2:30? nope. I even stopped my watch when she would stop and take pics etc. 3:10. Three long hours of walking. I was SO cold and never felt like I warmed up. My butt just got more sore and I was going crazy. At least the company was good. If I would've known it would be that long and slow I would've either chosen not to or done it going in eyes wide open. I really liked the lady, just eating up 3 hours of my day and still not getting my long run in, but being exhausted and tired...I was done.

I went to sleep for 2 hours to get the grumpies out. Didn't work as well as a run, but I guess I'll take it. I rewarded myself with a trip to the waffle truck with Amy as my sympathy prize :)

Well, news that I got yesterday of my mother deciding to get married in 3 weeks kind of threw a wrench in my plans this morning. I spent an hour walking on the TM talking to my sister and my mom on the phone. I was only going to stay one hour....

I then had some energy to get out. Ran one mile, then Sara invited me to go do some volleyball with her - felt good to smack something around.

Went back upstairs and ran another 4 miles in 34 minutes chatting with another friend Amy. A good workout even though it took me 2 hours to run 5 miles. I guess I decided I liked Saturday's pace :)

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons. Since I was all well rested and ready to run I took on the hills today. I was still the slowest in the group, but I only had one mile over 9 - 9:10, which is actually pretty good for me. The first mile was 7:58...didn't even notice :)

Total time for the run was 1:20:00 - which gave me a 7:54 AP for the run, I'll take it.

I was going to go to the gym, but stayed home and snuggled my sleeping baby. Yes, he is three...but I'll snuggle while I can!

A sleep in day was needed. Hit the gym hoping for just an hour and some speed work inside that time.

I did a 2 mile warm-up on the track and oh my legs were NOT cooperating. Felt heavy and tired. They weren't moving. I wasn't sure how speed work was going to go. I went to the TM for 10 cycles of 1 min on/1 min off with a warm-up and cool down for 5 min on each side.

Started at 7.0mph - ugh...

10.0 on and 6.0-6.2 off - after the first one I felt like I could do it. The speed wasn't as hard as I'd remembered. Maybe this will be okay after all. I successfully completed all 10 which is over 1.5 miles at a 6:00 pace, nice. I'll take it. I finished up 4 miles in 30:00 which is a nice little MP run, but I got to go super slow sometimes too :) I might be able to run fast again after all.

I then wanted to do some arms/core so I did push-ups and planks (1 min front and 1 min each side) 3X with walking lunges between each set. Well, that put me over my daycare time and so now I was paying for another hour...so, I kept working out. Did some bosu stuff with arms and core. Didn't think it was all that bad, until my inner thighs and butt started to hurt the next day. Another weekend with a sore butt! Why do I do this to myself?!? Because it is fun and makes me feel like a bad A$$ :) A good stretching session and a little rolling with someone's "stick" they'd brought to the gym (I asked to use it with a rather indecent proposal! Glad no one was there to take it out of context, I might've gotten divorced!) and then I picked up Adam and went home. Ahh. Life is good.

I couldn't decide what to do! I wanted to run with Kelli for her epic birthday 40K, but I also wanted to run with some new folks joining the Newtons. So, I did both.

I ran in the back with Jerry and Alex (yes, actually RAN) and visited with them on the uphills. Jerry was nice and would circle back down to re-join Alex...I just waited at the top of the hills :) Then after the gate I ran with Chad, Kim, and JoLynn. It really didn't seem as bad as usual. When we hit the downhill JoLynn wanted to pace at 7:20, so I took off with Chad knowing he would keep us there.

Well, I'm easy to manipulate my pace - especially downhill. JoLynn, not so much. We were ahead of her and our splits showed it! 6:50, 7:10, 7:05...or something like that. I was just chatting and enjoying the gravitational pull.

Went back to bed to rest up for Kelli's adventure in a couple hours.

Got kids off and Kelli and Scott ran to my house and we headed up Rose Canyon to the Yellow Fork parking lot then back down to Shaggy Mtn extended. Oh man was I tired. The hurricane force winds were NOT helping! I can't breathe when the wind is blowing hard in my face. Kelli was nice enough to let me power walk when needed and I was really trying to bust out a decent pace, but (without reviewing them) I think my uphills were around a 10:00mm. Once we hit the downhill I could finally run and keep up with them, but as Shaggy Mountain goes the uphill came again. I'm grateful they were willing to wait for my sorry slow butt, because I really enjoyed the company and the birthday run. It was incredible...until the last stretch into the wind along 7300W. I don't think I've EVER stopped to walk there, but I had to. I just could not push into the driving wind any more. It was rather embarrassing. The 12 mile loop took 1:50ish, so you can see how horribly slow it was, but hey...it was done!

We took a short break at my house. I got Kelli some granola bites and Dr Pepper, took them both on a house tour then after sufficient time to stiffen up (I'm so nice!) they headed back home to finish their journey.

I was exhausted, but felt awesome and invigorated. What an incredible morning! Thanks for sharing your birthday run with me Kelli. Sorry you ended up in the rain and called it off due to the wind and crap :( Shouldn't have waited so long for me!

I spent the evening hobbling up and down the basketball courts again for 4 hours...at least I had a partner to ref with! I am so stiff and sore, must sleep and do nothing tomorrow!

Oh man. I must be delusional! I was so tired and just wanted to sleep and not run...but I'd promised Amy a morning run this week and she wasn't letting me back out easily. So, I got up and trudged through 6 miles with her. Six Slow miles! Poor girl! She will be plenty rested for her long tempo run on the Riverton half course tomorrow. It took me 55 minutes to do just over 6...I refuse to look at splits. Lets hope my legs can function tomorrow for the lake to lake 2 man relay.

I went back to bed and when I woke up rested, legs actually felt better...maybe there is something to rest and slow recovery after all :)

Lake to Lake Ultra relay with Lisa Western. This was my 2nd SGR race to get into SGM. I LOVED it! I finally think I found a relay I like :) It was a fantastic weekend hanging out with Lisa and we busted this one good! My legs held up despite my mis-givings about having a huge week.

Leg 1&2: 11ish miles @ 7:48 pace

leg 3&4: Lisa

leg 5: 4.0 miles @ 7:52 pace - a nice huge hill to climb and flat with a short downhill finish.

leg 6: Lisa

leg 7: 5.2ish miles @ 7:58 pace - more hills and flats and relatively no downhill stretches, but still not breaking the 8mm barier.

leg 8: Lisa

leg 9: 5.6ish miles @ 8:38 pace. The hardest leg of the entire race (supposedly) dirt roads with lots of fun climbing. Reminded me a lot of Shaggy Mountain, but with only a .25 mile downhill push at the end instead of 3 miles :) Happy with the pace.

leg 10: Lisa hitting headwinds for 2-3 miles and hills and flats around the lake and over the dam, we ran in together.

An incredible finish and we were both around smiliar paces for our respective legs. I loved how we broke up the legs and that we were so evenly paces together. Just seconds apart on our APs each time. Perfect partner to Ultra with, then we took first place in the Ultra division at awards ceremony and got embroidered towels and a plaque. I felt like a superstar!! Finished off the highest mileage week I've EVER had with some awesome paces in a marathon length distance. Rock on.

5 miles at the gym alternating TM and track just a nice slow recovery pace with some weights mixed in afterward to round out my time in the daycare.

Tuesday ten with the newtons. Normal ol day with Rachel draggin butt behind everyone else. Except on the way home I had to stop 3 times in fear that I was going to puke. Decided not to go back to the gym, but slept and tried to recover my yucky gut afterward :/

Still ended with an 8:10ish AP - I think. I need to download the garmin!

7 miles at the gym, because I didn't want to wake up early :) Did 2 warm-up on the track then did 1 min on/ 1 min off - 10.1 on and 6.1 off X13 I'd only thought about doing 10, but convinced myself to go to 13 repeats and then finished off the miles to do 5 in 37 min. 7:24AP for the full 5 miles, not too shabby having 13 min of it at a 10mm :)

I'm feeling like a pirate, because my 3 year old gave me a black eye Monday night. Everyone stares at the gym - so after my miles and planks/push-ups and bosu stuff I went and did some punching bag stuff. Give 'em something to talk about :)

Classic Shaggy Mountain loop. Kept strong on the hills and didn't stop on a one of them. Finished in a much shorter time than I have in a while 1:09 ish - 8:26AP

Kim helped push me the last few, I tried to keep up with Chad, but I quickly realized my legs didn't want speed...afterward I realized Chad was running a 6:15 and I was pushing 6:50s....yeah, I guess my speed was fine! Speedy guys making me feel lazy. Kim and I pushed and answered and finished the last .2ish in a 6:30 pace battling for the finish. Felt great!

A wonderful sleep in run with Amy courtesy of my daughter watching the kids on her day off! We were in shorts and the sun was out and the rain letting up...until we walked out the door into a snowstorm! What the heck?!? Seriously irriatated, but thinking it would quickly pass we powered through. It let up the further East we went, but then coming back the rain/snow was like little daggers in our face and legs and our hands went numb from the cold. Only took a few hours afterward to get feeling back :) So much better than a TM though! 8:26AP

Ran to Butterfield Park met Amy, Curtis, Kim and Jerry.

Ran the Herriman Half course. Not as bad as I thought. Other than getting ditched from people all feeling the need for speed and me just hanging (I still finished the route in 1:48, so nothing all THAT slow) and no re-grouping going on, it was a great run.

Finished up with a 5 mile victory loop with the group at a nice slow 8:50ish pace.

Ran home, nice finishing push the last 1/2 mile or so.

21 in 3:00:00ish - an 8:30AP for that many miles just hanging out...yeah, I'll take it.

2 on the track with Amy (then 4 laps until she evened her miles)

Hit the TM - 4 miles in 34 min (8:30AP)

1+the last 7 laps from the warm up to round out miles - 1 lap fast/ 1 lap slow. Nice little push after some good average running paces. Felt good to get a little turn-over going.

A good 45 min of strength training, arms, core, lunges and bosu stuff.
 

Despite bad weather forecasts we hit the Tuesday Ten and the weather was actually nice! No moisture falling from the sky and wind at our backs up the corridor. We did get a head/cross wind on some of the donwhill, but you can hardly complain when it is that way and AT your back on the good uphills and downhills.

Hit a nice AP of 7:58 for the miles and had a great pace up the hills...no miles in the 9MM! That is a big deal for Slow Hill Rachel. Felt good about the run.

Spent the rest of the morning/afternoon walking around the Natural History Museum at the University of Utah with my 4th grader and his class. First time on an elementary field trip for me in MANY years. Totally worth it :)

Speed Work. Last week I did 13 repeats, but this week I knew I could do 20...it was just a mental hurdle. I convinced Amy to join me on the TM for some speed work - we were both plugged in and hitting it with having each other to be accountable to! I committed to 20 and I was going to do it.

I didn't get my normal 2 mile warm-up on the track, but I was hoping that would give me more energy :)

5 min warm-up at 7.0 and 1% - dropped the incline and went for it.

1 min on (10.0) 1 min off (6.2) X20

repeats 18&19 I did at 10.1 then decided to shoot for 10.2 the last one. I did and and after the recovery decided it was bonus round day. 10.3 for repeat 21. This put me at 46 minutes for 6.3 miles; an AP of 7:18, I'll take it. This means I ran 21 minutes at a sub 6mm...yes, it was all broken up, but that walways makes me feel like a rock-star. I ran a 19ish min 5K baby! If they'd just stop the clock between 1 min intervals so I could recover that would be great :)

I finished off at a progressive speed to 7.0 miles in 52:00 - an overall AP of 7:25, heck I certainly will not complain.

Then I chatted with ladies on the track to finish my last cool down mile. Ahh, a great day. So, why not do a little more? :)

Arms, core, and some stability and glute/ham work. I really feel good today! I hope this doesn't mean tomorrow will suck.

Shaggy Mountain 1:10...on course for faster than last week, until about .75 out from the end I was blinded by a truck approaching and stepped off the edge of the road and bit it hard.

The wind was knocked out of me and between that and my HR being high and then I stop moving I just couldn't get my bearings to stand up. I laid on the side of the road for 3-5 minutes until the world stopped spinning and I felt like I could stand up. I wasn't hurting on my body so much, I mean a few aches and pains, but mostly just needing to catch my breath. I was about 10 feet behind the group (we were all in single file as the cars came past us) and so no one saw me go down and I'm sure they just thought I'd ditched out to find a bush or something :) But, what was concerning to me was that THREE cars, including the one that was blinding me passed as I lay on the ground not moving a whole lot and not a one stopped to help. Now, I didn't want them to, because I knew I was fine, but what if I wasn't? Even the driver that saw me go down in his headlights didn't stop. I wonder how long it would've taken before someone stopped. At least my friends knew something was wrong and sent Chad to come back to look for me after I was much too far behind the group with no reason. It was just crazy to me that you see someone lying on the road and you don't stop...I had my blinky light and my reflector and everything, just strange.

I gathered myself up and slowly started running the finish. It certainly wasn't as good as I had been looking forward to :/ I wanted to chase Kim down and finish him off this time! But instead I took my long slow hobble back home. I still ended with 1:10 which, unfortunately, is faster than some of my other times, but I was excited to run it even faster. Poo. Next time.

So, I now have  skinned pinky finger (pretty sure I'll lose the nail, because the cuticle and the skin beneath the nail to the knuckle are gone), torn up L elbow and bruised and chopped up knees. I guess it all just matches my black eye now. Shoulder and chest are a little sore too, but not too bad. I just have a new theme song...RAD

9:01, 9:12, 9:24, 9:04, 7:52, 8:56, 7:01, 8:23, 8:08 (last .2) - that 8:23 for the last mile makes me mad, because I was running closer to a low 7 and hadn't hit the good downhill yet! grrr! But, the low 9's for the starting miles is good for me, so I can't complain I guess.

Now, since it is my anniversary today I'm done :) enjoying celebrating the 15 years I've been married to the most wonderful man for me!

I really need to keep up on my blog better. I get so far behind it become a task to record it all, then I download my garmin and can't remember the run anyway...sigh.

Well, this was a 6 mile run, early in the morning with Amy, because no one else runs with me at 5AM :) 8:23 AP

What an incredible day! Leslie Mitchell from Iowa flew out Friday to enjoy a weekend of running and exploring Utah. It was her first time here and so I suggested we plan on Canyonlands and she planned her trip around it. Marci Wood was pacing Canyonlands and so she hitched a ride with us and split hotel and we had an incredible girls weekend! SO much food...oh, the food intake was incredible, I think all we did was run/hike and eat. Nothing else. Leslie kept telling us that she never knew that food consumption was why we could run so fast. I kept trying to tell her we were on vacation and enjoying it, but I don't think she bought it.

Our hotel was walking distance from the start/finish so we got up, had breakfast and easily made the buses at 8AM. A 10AM start is good for sleeping in, but I don't think I've ever started a race that late. Crazy! It was chilly and breezy, but nothing horrible at the start. It was incredibly beautiful more than anything. We all sat and chatted, Marci ran warm-up miles, but Leslie and I were good to chat with Team Edward (a chuck sweatshirt she'd bought to stay warm in). The start seemed to take FOREVER! Plenty of time for multiple pop stops before lining up. When we were off, we were off and it felt great! Leslie was taking a good low 9mm pace which put us right on track to finish around 2:00 - her goal, but due to extreme cold this winter she wasn't sure she'd hit it due to lack of training.

The course was beautiful and the race well organized. Not a single complaint! The few hills weren't horrible, but the wind...oh, the wind! There was a point it actually blew SO hard into me I had to stop running or blow away. No joke. I've never been in wind that bad let alone run in it! The only saving grace was running at the bottom of a butte and then the wind was at our back the last couple miles in town along the highway to the finish.

Marci and I would get water/gatorade/gu for Leslie as needed and catch up to her so she didn't have to stop at aid stations and we took good care of her! Marci was loving the race so much (she got out of pacer duty thanks to Walter forgetting she'd signed up, so she just ran with us) she even stopped at one point and had half a brat! We were laughing non-stop at her antics and she was our paparazzi taking lots of pics as well.

Leslie finished SO strong. I was proud of her last mile+ push. Probably the fastest mile-ish she ran the whole race. I know she has a sub 2:00 in her, but the wind and elevation made this race a non-qualifier after around mile 4. I would keep pointing out people for her to push and pass. Giving her motivation to keep running and pushing and not stop and she responded so well! Once she even said "I feel like I'm going to puke!" I responded "good! That means you left it all out there, now push through to the finish and barf!" Later she told me there were moments she hated me :) But, she loved it in the end...that is what a pacer is good for! Make you hate them just enough to push you to the end! I did my duty well.

We visited with some other runners afterward and then walked back to the hotel while Marci ran some cool-down miles. We all showered, had chocolate milk and then took off for an afternoon/evening of hiking!

First up was Coronoa/bowtie Arch. A 2.5 mile hike, relatively easy. We just walked and chatted and enjoyed the scenery and company. There were people swinging off the Arch when we got there...so scary to watch them. We didn't want to witness a death!

Went to early dinner...Mexican Food, of course. Ate ourselves sick, then went into Arches to do the quintiscential sunset Delicate Arch hike. We timed it perfect and despite the wind still had an incredible time and the views and pics were unparallelled! Leslie said she'd never seen anything so beautiful and even got choked up a bit as she sat alone contemplating...yup. Totally worth the WHOLE trip!

Went back to the hotel, did some shopping then wanted to find some dessert. We'd seen a little Greek place by the hotel on the walk back from the race, but we kept trying to find something else. We finally decided we were just going to do the Greek place...cross our fingers it was still open. It was their GRAND opening day! SO many delicious stuff on the menu we didn't know what to choose...and we didn't do just dessert either :) We had dips/hummus with breads and a poached pear with Turkish cotton candy (holy WOAH! SO incredible!) a chocolate mouse and rice pudding. It was all SO incredible. Seriously. I said I'd give up sex for the rest of my life if I could eat there once a week. It was that good. Like I said, hiking/running eating. That was all we did.

After a good nights rest we got up, had an incredible warm breakfast at the hotel then after checking out went to Negro Bill Canyon. My favorite hike in Moab! It was a beautiful morning and we just loved every minute of the hike. I didn't want to leave so soon, but Leslie had a plane to catch and Marci and I had families waiting. So, we started home. We stopped for treats and snacks and well, we outdid ourselves again, but it was all good and fun. An incredible girls trip for sure! I'd love to run Canyonlands again. No complaints at all about the race, except it is over spring break weekend and the hotel prices are worse than St George marathon weekend!! by like $200!! Ugh. Anyway, totally worth it.

Leslie left early Monday morning. Wish I could've had another 3-4 days with her. I guess now I need to find a marathon near Quad Cities and have her show ME around!

TM/Track miles with Amy...we both wanted to sleep. Then I climbed stairs up and down the one flight at the rec center for 30 minutes. Yes, people think I'm crazy, but I've got to get some practice in for my "race" Saturday.

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons. 8:03AP - not too shabby, but just enjoying the run. I was surprised at the pace. 5 miles under an 8MM and 4 of them under a 7:30, I guess I'll take it :)

Having a hard emotional day. I think all the wedding crap (thanks to my mom getting re-married for the 3rd time) is catching up to me. No gym, just sleeping and trying not to eat my weight in food to apease my brain. Crying and moral support from my sisters rounded out the day.

Met Amy for an early morning Wednesday. Didn't feel like doing speedwork at the gym thanks to my mental attitude. It was nice of Amy to save me from myself :) a solid progressive run despite the uphill finish 8:26 AP

I went to the gym afterward and did arms/core and then another 30 minutes of stair climbing.

Shaggy Mountain Loop. I didn't stop on the hills, but I didn't push the downhills like I normally do, so the pace wasn't spectacular, but it was just average. 1:11 total time 8:40AP with 7:24 and 7:14 finishing miles. Did I ever mention how much I like downhill?

Last day back to the gym for practice stairs. One full hour of climbing, yup, I remember how to do this! Bring on Saturday.

I'm putting this run on Friday, even though it was Fri/Saturday.

I slept in and watched Amy's kids so she could sleep in and run outside in the daylight! I attempted to clean and get the house ready for my nephew to stay over and get the family ready for the wedding (insert HUGE eye roll!). Things went just fine until about 1:30 when I was supposed to get Lauren from school. Everything just started taking about 10X longer than it should've! UGH. I just knew at that point I was going to be late to the wedding. I didn't disappoint. 3:30 arrival instead of 3:00 - yeah, I'm THAT person!

Anyway, we had a nice 90 second ceremony, signed the papers and ate dinner. We had the wedding at Aristos Greek restaurant and it is SO good! I'm grateful for my connections that made the wedding there possible...so I could eat there :) Only a small group there, Aaron Aysa (my nephew's gf), Bryan's daughter and her hubby, my kids and hubby bishop and his wife. Small intimate gathering. I didn't know she hadn't told anyone else about the wedding (outside of my sisters), until the next day when as she left for the cruise other family members starting inquiring about my mom "eloping to the bishops office" oh man...heaven help me. I really wish I wouldn't have had to sign that license saying I witnessed that wedding. If you're ever on a long run with me and want to hear some good stories ask about my mom and her wedding and Mr Magoo that she married...ugh. We'll need at least a good 10+ miles.

After the wedding I took my kiddos to Grandma and Grandpa Moody's house for them to stay the night while I had an escapade of my own! Craig was working "out of town" - just in SLC, but had to be onsite, so he was staying in a hotel which was a huge blessing...give me a minute to explain. After that I grabbed some Mtn Dew, Coke and Chocolate Dunford Donuts and headed out to Antelope Island.

I had the wonderful pleasure of pacing Scott Wesseman for miles 50-70 of his 100 mile race! I was SO excited for this opportunity and since it was my first pacing assignment in an ultra I just wanted to make sure I did it right. Showing up at the start/finish area in heels and a dress probably wasn't the right way to start out, but it got me a few good looks :) and the unofficial award for prettiest pacer! Other than having to recruit someone to unzip my dress for me before I attempted a clothes change in the back of the car, my change was seamless from Wedding to Pacer. After that I gathered all the stuff Scott had requested of me and waited for him to come in, I got to see lots of friends and visit with lots of people while I waited and it made the time quickly pass. Scott came in right on time! 9:15! I was impressed. This was a 50 mile PR for him and now he was ready to take it on again, I was in awe! He loved the Dew, but the donut was a pass (not surprised, he could eat it later). After a short stop we were off. Quickly after that we made another quick Ultra necessary stop, but it is all part of the game. I got to enjoy staring at the horizon and the stars. It was a perfect night! Not windy, not too cold, just perfection.

Then, we were off again. Scott had been hauling so well during the first 50 I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up, so when he power walked the first climbing hill I was relieved! But, then when it started to flatten out I started making excuses and reasons for him to run. He figured out my tricks pretty quickly, but we kept a good pace regardless. About 4 miles in we saw MattVH coming toward us. He was done with the Elephant Head loop and headed back into the start/finish area. Holy Crap that guy can run, and run and run! We were around 54, he was around 66!

Hopefully I kept the chatter up well enough to distract Scott from the task at hand and kept the right fuel coming at the aid stations. It is an art to pacing ultra runners!! I loved the trails, the company and just about everything. I really had NO complaints what so ever and was so incredibly impressed at how well and fast Scott was moving for just running 50 miles. I'd be sleeping back in the tent :) I tried to keep track of the hours to keep on top of his gu intakes and we made our goal on pee stops, so the hydration was good too. He ran nearly every step of the last miles from EH aid station to the finish. I seriously had the time of my life!

I did get a headache, but I think it was from watching the light on the trail and lack of sleep. A caffeine gu took care of it though and I was back in good shape. I didn't realize how late it was until I'd gotten him back to the tent, settled and off with his last pacer doing 30 miles with him. A girl that Rachelle was pacing came in after Scott and I watched the fine art of everyone buzzing around her, taking care of her and chatted with the few people left I knew. Then, I headed back to the car and when I started the car I realized it was 3:10!!! What the crap?!? I was going to crash at Craig's hotel and then do the stair climb at Wells Fargo at 6AM...in less than 3 hours and I still need to drive to SLC?!? Oh man...heaven help me.

I got to the hotel, clothes changed and in bed at 4:15AM. I set the alarm for 5:40 and drifted off to sleep SO grateful for Craig's hotel I could crash in and that I didn't have to sleep in the car or try to drive all the way home. Only problem was Craig started telling me about the ghosts that haunted Shilo Inn as I was falling asleep...thanks dear, thanks a lot....

(cont from Friday)

The alarm went off at 5:40. I got up and went to the bathroom and I could hardly focus my eyes and walk straight. The 6AM start for the stair climb seemed like Mt Everest. I wanted to do the full 6 hours to see if I could match/beat my record from last year. If I didn't go at 6:00 I'd be forfeiting top female and a push for any record I could match/break again. I was just too tired. 90 minutes of sleep just wasn't enough. I'm not that big of an ultra junkie yet. I need sleep.

So, after a HUGE back and forth conversation and a lot of rationalizing and contemplating in my head I set the alarm for 6:40 and went back to bed. Five hours of climbing would have to suffice.

I felt a lot better after that "extra" hour of sleep. I brushed my teeth, packed up my junk, said good-bye to Craig and headed over to Wells Fargo. It took me until about 7:20-7:30 to get all my stuff situated and to start climbing. The first trip up I got to floor 8 and wondered if I should've slept until 11:00 :) I was tired, exhausted and the volunteers were so perky and positive...and this was only my first ascent of the 24 floors. Time to settle in for the long haul.

Around 9AM I got tired and bored. We need a stair well with windows or something! Staring at the concrete white walls and grey never ending stairs is enough to drive one crazy!!! So, I took my phone out and started texting and catching up on FB. Your feet really get into a consistent patern climbing and turning (oh the left turns...endless left turns!), so I didn't have to pay attention to them. I'd put the phone away to drink and refuel on the elevator ride down to start over again. I did have one gu and my bottle of coke a swallow at a time to keep the caffeine flowing, but other than that I'd just grab a water or gatorade that they had out. I then discovered the rye bagels. They really just hit the spot! I couldn't eat the half in an elevator ride down, so I had them cut the half in 4 pieces and I'd grab one every other time up. It was perfect! Didn't upset my stomach and just enough to keep me going.

I did the same thing I did last year...just kept going. I don't go fast, but slow and steady wins the race, right? I climbed through awards ceremony and the raffle. I was kind of ticked off about that. Wondering if I had won something good, but not getting it because I was in the stair well :/ but, I was there to climb and not linger.

Around 11:30 a volunteer came up to me and handed me an envelope as top female climber. I told her "oh no. I started late. I'm not the top climber!" She responded "you're RAD, right?" "yes" "well, you currently are 2 ascents above the closest lady and she is done and has gone home." I was in shock! I didn't think for a minute I'd be top female again starting so late and being tired legs from the 20 the night before. So, that helped fuel me to get those last few climbs in!

They had posters in the stair well that told you the vertical equivalency of the number of ascents. Basically, when you reached the top of the empire state building, the Grand Canyon, Mount Hood, Mount Kilimanjaro etc. I'd passed the Grand Canyon which was around 8 (I think, I don't remember) and I had Mt Hood in my sights, it was 28.99 ascents. I could do that! Plus, if I got to 29 I'd have to round out to 30...so I started to push. With about 10 minutes left I knew it would be a good push to get UP the stairs and down the elevators and start my last ascent before they closed the stair well at noon, but I was determined! I went as fast as my legs would carry me and I ran from the top of the stairs to the elevator. I told all the volunteers I passed from the bottom to the top that I was going for ONE more! When I got to the entrance of the stair well they had deflated the arch, but I yelled "I'm coming, let me in!" as I ran toward them (the door is on the exterior of the building so you have to go out the lobby to the street then enter again). They said "we've got it for you!" and flattened the arch near the door so I could step over it and head up my last time. It was amazing. I'd made 30 in an hour and a half-ish less than last year.

I really think I could've contended to break my record this year had I gotten a full nights sleep and started on time, but I made that decision and had to live with it. I still got top female though :) Which means no one came near breaking my record. We need to get more female climbers willing to push through this 6 hour ordeal and challenge my record!

It was a great day and when I picked up the kids from grandparents and got home I crashed hard. I slept until around 7:30 which I was grateful for my 13 year old picking up the pieces for me all day! I treated the kids to Smashburger for dinner and then went back to bed...we were all tired and ornery, but I certainly felt accomplished!

This was a sad day. I wasn't into it. I think my legs AND brain were fatigued from the weekend's activities. I got there late, because my boys are off track and I didn't have to wake up. I only got to run a half mile with Amy before she was done and then I chatted with her for a few while she did weights. I then went back to the track thinking 5 or 6 for the day would be plenty. After about a mile I passed Erin on the track and said good morning. She asked about the stair race and so I stopped (fully intending to walk a lap or two and then get back at it) and walked with her. Well, about an hour or more later I'd had an incredible conversation with Erin and I just walked the whole time. It was a great day, but in 2 hours I only ran 1.5 miles...well, that was awfully slow :) I was moving the whole time and really needed the pick me up for my brain, so I'll call it successful despite not quite starting the week off with the right mileage.

Typical Tuesday Ten with the Newtons. Had a good group and Kim even joined us! I stayed stronger than normal on the hills, but was still dragging behind. Except for Jerry. He was hurting really badly and you could tell :( I thought he'd cut it super short due to his injury not losening up, but he perservered!

The finishing miles were good too. Kim and I chased each other for quite some time and I loved the extra push it gave me to finish strong.

1:20:07 - 7:56 AP splits: 8:32, 8:15, 8:39, 8:52, 7:38, 8:01, 7:34, 7:18, 7:04, 7:24, 7:13 last .15

Then, I went home and slept :) no more gym for the day!

I wimped out of speed work last week so I decided to man up and do it this week. I told the kids I'd take them downtown to swim at the hotel if they got their stuff done and I wanted to go to Trader Joe's so I figured I'd better run early. I recruited Amy to do speed work on the road with me. Mile repeats with 1/2 mile recovery.

Warmed up 2 miles then as the uphill started, so did the tempo: 7:17 - wow, incredible for me on an uphill. The next one was all gentle downhill: 6:35. Third mile was a mix of downhill/flat/gentle uphill: 6:53. The last repeat I knew was going to suck rocks, all uphill - well, the last .1 we got to go downhill, but at that point it hardly counts: I think it was around a 7:40. Amy had a 7:20 and I was about 15-20 seconds behind her. I'll still take it for a hard uphill push at the end of tempo workout.

Then we just cooled down to her house and finished off 8.5 with an AP of 7:50. Can't hardly complain about that.

Went home and slept and then it took the boys forever to get chores etc done, so we didn't get to go swimming, but I did get to see Craig and go to Trader Joe's. Worth it.

We had a good group for our Shaggy Mountain run even though we started a few minutes late waiting for everyone to get there. Poor Kelli is used to starting on time and was worried we'd all left her or she was in the wrong place. Thankfully she didn't leave (since my dumb phone wasn't getting texts, although I didn't know it!).

Kelli was nice and hung slow with me on the uphill. My legs were toast. I even walked a couple of the uphills which isn't my regular anymore. Speedwork sucked the life out of them! 

I love Shaggy Mountain and the course didn't disappoint and the company was even better than normal. So, a slower 1:12:28 AP: 8:50 for the course wasn't a horrible thing. I was still able to hit low/mid 7's on the way down, so no complaints from this downhill runner :)

Went back to bed and just slept...no gym for me. I think I'm getting lazy with off track time.

After dropping Adam off at pre-school I headed out on a ride with Heidi. First group bike ride of the season! I don't know why my garmin didn't download the data, but it didn't. I'm pretty sure it was around 21 miles. To the end of MVC and then up Rose Canyon. Only problem? I got a flat on the way home. It wasn't bad, so I tried riding down the canyon. It deflated VERY quickly. I stopped and just pumped it up instead of changing it. It barely lasted until home, but I was able to pick up Adam on time from pre-school...the sacrifices we make :)

Gym again so I could sleep in, well kind of. Craig finally came home! He got home at midnight then had to work for 2 hours...ugh. Finally I gave up waiting for him and went to bed. Luckily he wasn't too far behind me and I got to enjoy going to bed with my husband for once this month, because he left at 9AM for China. The life of a work widow. So, since I wanted to spend time with him, I stayed home until he left.

That got me to the gym at 9:40...a little late :) Adam got to do 15 minutes of his big kids class and I got 2 miles in before Amy got there at 10:00. We then did another 2 together on the track and 2 on the TM. I finished the two on the TM in 17:00, so a nice 8:30AP. No complaints.

After saying goodbye to Amy I went and did weights. Tried to burn my arms out and did some core and squats to break it up. Oh man! My butt and inner thighs were screaming from the few squats I did...I think I have some work to do there. My arms were shaky, but never got sore, I don't know if that is a good sign or not. I want strong arms! Picked up Adam and headed home for a restful afternoon.

Then my nephew wanted to go hiking so I decided to explore up South Mountain! It was only 2.5 miles one way, but a GREAT vert climb....especially with a near 4 year old on your back. Holy Moly. I was excited I finally got to the top of a mountain I've stared at for the past 8 years of living here. Highest peak in Herriman.

Today was NOT my day. It took me until 9 or 10PM to decide what to do. Lauren was doing baptisms for the dead and needed to be at the church at 6:30AM and the runs I was deciding between were at 6, 7 and 9ish. Only problem with the 9ish was Lauren also wanted to go to her friend's mother's funeral that died unexpectedly Sunday. That meant I needed to be home and ready to leave by 11:00. Oh the dreary life of a responsible adult! To top it off my heart just wasn't in running. Friday had been hard and I didn't really want to, Saturday was just worse.

I decided to do the 6AM run, but that meant leaving Lauren high and dry to walk in the dark to the church. I contacted a leader to pick her up, but it wasn't until 6:05 that I got a response! Talk about mommy guilt :/ Then since Lauren and Craig were gone I had to lean on my nephew to be able to help the boys if needed before Lauren or I got home. So with that all in play I figured the earlier I get home the better and the 6:00 run was close to me and earliest.

My heart just wasn't there. I always have a bad depressed day after Craig leaves, this was just unfortunately it. I was bad company. I didn't want to talk. I had nothing to talk about. Running wasn't making me feel better - I suck at running. Seriously. I hate constantly being in the back of the group lately and sucking it up. I was in the back again having a pity party and poor Amy was stuck with me since she was the driving force behind me being there. I finally got moving and took off on the little bit of downhill and flat, but guess what?!? by the time the hill came I was at the back again. Yup. I suck. I'm just getting tired of it. Kimberly was nice and tried to run and chat with me, but I just wasn't in the mood. Just get the damn run over with please. I wanted to be at home in bed. I didn't want to run. I wanted to eat and have a pity party. Running wasn't changing it.

I felt bad because there were a lot of new people I really liked and wanted to chat with (in hindsight) but I just didn't have it in me. I hung out at the back like the runner I'm intended to be and just did my own thing silently. I was NOT good company. I was having a bad day, to say the least. The new people probably think I'm the grumpiest person they've ever met. Oh well. Hopefully I can change first impressions.

One of the girls had done water stops and Jerry rode the bike behind us all and it was an incredibly well planned run! I was NOT doing their 5 tempo miles at the end and was just going to run the same pace, but Amy said she was fine with 13 miles and so we just looped back to Danielle's house and called it quits. That meant forfeiting the donuts and chocolate milk, but fortunately I wasn't in the mood to socialize so I didn't feel bad leaving them.

I came home showered, got ready for the funeral and slept until I needed to get my dress on and go. Boys were all still asleep and it was actually a pretty normal Saturday morning (as far as I'd assume, I'm not usually around Saturday morning). Luckily, I got my waffle luv waffle after the funeral and just pulled my head out and felt a little better by the end of the day. I still have runners guilt over getting out of the last 5 miles, but I'm dealing with it.

TT: 1:52:00 AP: 8:16 splits: 8:23, 8:17, 8:36, 8:43, 8:57, 8:14, 7:51, 8:41, 8:53, 7:11, 7:48, 7:44, 8:06, 8:11 (last .5)

My daughter didn't have piano, because she rescheduled lessons since she didn't want to wake up for 5:30 lessons. YIPEE! This means I can run early outside with friends :) So, I did.

Kelli and I met at Amy's house and we ran our speed work course, but without the speed work. Just a nice easy pace for all of us...except me, sucking it up the hills and always in the back - I know where my place is in the running world.

After we finished that loop Kelli wanted a few more to round out to 10...well, we ended up doing a little bigger loop and finished with 11.0 - okay, I'll take it :) It was a nice Monday shake out run and SO worth getting up and not going to the gym! Thanks ladies for a great run.

AP: 8:20 splits were pretty consistent except the first at 8:59 and a few around 7:50 on the downhill.

I went home showered to get warm (a very cool morning), then went back to bed until the kids woke up. Heidi met at my house at 10AM and we and Justin (my work) went and hiked South Mountain to the peak again. SO much easier without Adam on my back! It is a good climb, but easy enough my 6 year old did it. I love this new hike and will probably do it much more often now! Another exciting morning activity in the bag and made my work time fly by. Who gets paid to hike? This girl :)

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons. Mike joined us for the first time today and the only downside was that we started late...later than we ever had and he had to cut the course short to get home in time.

I felt pretty strong on the run this morning. I hit the hills with confidence and I think I hit my best time ever on this route: 1:19:10 - 7:50AP. There was also rain and wind which didn't help on the hills (of course we ran uphill into the wind, typical Herriman), but I still was able to push through. I feel like I'm getting faster, but dang it all if I still can't keep up with any running group. I suck on the uphills. I really do. I don't know why I can't run uphill, it kills me! I do it all the time, so I should be good at it, but I can NOT keep up with people my pace on the downhill when we go up. Any suggestions on this issue would be welcome.

Went home and slept. It was lovely :)

AP: 7:50 splits: 8:14, 8:08, 8:50, 8:50, 7:26, 7:54, 7:20, 7:15, 7:12, 7:14, 7:16 (last .11)

Pretty consistent downhill miles and 8:50 on the two toughest uphill miles is good stuff for me...sad, but true.

As Boston nears I realize I've failed myself. I wanted to be faster. I wanted to be stronger, especially on hills. I wanted to hit a goal time, but goal pace seems to elude me. Unless I'm running downhill, which we all know is cheating. I guess that is just what I get for being a poor runner. Anyway, so I figured I'd try a few tempo miles today. Amy put together the route and I put together the workout.

1 mile warm-up (which was practically straight uphill...so I'm sure you can guess how that went...SLOW!)

6 mile tempo (1 mile downhill, 2 flatish/up; 3 downhill cruise - 7:28, 7:58, 7:52, 7:20, 7:17, 7:25)

1.6 cool down on the uphill back to Amy's house.

I tried to hit goal MP (7:30) for the tempo miles...ha! The flat/uphills killed me. I really want to figure this crap out. The 7:58 and 7:52 miles were SO hard, I had to hold back on the 3 downhill cruise miles to try and get them closer to 7:30. I was chatting and it was easy. What gives? Why do I suck SO bad on the uphill?!? I'm really frustrated with this right now.

It was a good run and I felt like the tempo run was a good solid effort to help lock in MP even if it wasn't spot on for a 7:30 every mile. I know the effort was more than there.

Came home, got ready for the day and went back to bed. Since Boston is so close I'm kind of avoid the Xtraining and weights. Not worth an injury right now.

AP: 8:02 splits: 9:35, 7:28, 7:58, 7:51, 7:20, 7:17, 7:24, 8:53, 8:38 (last .6)

So stinkin' freezing!!! The roads were wet and icy and it was like ice skating...isn't it supposed to be spring?!? I'm sick of the cold, so sick of the cold. My slowest mile was uphill on the pavement, because I was slipping all over the place. Once we got onto the dirt it wasn't so bad. That is saying a lot for this loop!

It was nice to have such a big group and to be able to enjoy the company of others today. Mike joined us again and was in stealth mode as he came up behind me so I didn't warn him about the dip. I heard him fall in the dip :/

It was a nice average run for me on this course 1:11:52 - 8:44AP

Slept afterward. No reason to go to the gym :)

I was supposed to meet Amy at the gym at 9:00...I was a few minutes late, but Amy had gotten there at 8:30 so she was done with her four miles :(

I just ran the track and then the Train/Lose Big group started doing intervals, so I started running with my other friend Amy, I like Amys. She has worked hard on her running and went from a 3:20 half to a 2:15 half! When she was running her intervals she was pushing a good low 8MM. I was so impressed. I've told her over and over again she needs to let me pace her to a sub 2:00 this year. I know she could make it!

So, I ended with 4+ when Amy was done and I finished up my fifth mile. Then I went to the TRX class. I was hoping for mostly arms, but as usually there was a lot of leg work too. I guess it won't hurt me :) Last good resistance workout that will be beneficial for Boston. Can't believe it is so close!
 

This run had been in the works for a while now. The plan was to run counter-clock wise around Pineview then up the Ogden course a bit to make it 20 instead of just the 15 around the lake. Miles 6-18 on the course (approx). Amy and Jerry haven't done Ogden before so it was a good preview of the hardest parts for them.

We all met at Chad's house and Dave drove with his bike rack on the back for Jerry to bring his bike. He is still struggling with his injury. It is nice to have him on bike support for our long runs though. We've decided we all need to take turns on the injury wagon to pull support :) 

Marci met us up there and Kim and Scott drove separately. Marci and I were just cruising and enjoying the chat, Scott had some tempo miles planned and Kim was just kickin' it and then the speedies (Amy, Chad and Dave) pulled the front. Jerry would go back and forth making sure all of us were happy and taken care of and to take pictures.

I wasn't going to do the out and back, but I guilted into it. I was ready to turn around and then noticed we were only .3 away from the turn around...fine. Marci and I were regretting it at mile 16 when we knew we could've been done!

Around mile 13-14 the leaders of the Striders half started passing us. We jumped onto the race course (but to the side) so we didn't confuse drivers with runners on both sides of the road. Hopefully we gave some of those guys a push thinking they were reeling in someone...ha! okay, they could probably tell we were super slow compared to anyone leading a race, but still.

We stopped at the corner in Eden and waited to see the first 3 females come in and many other guys we knew. I love cheering at races! Then we took on the last hill of the course and our finishing push to 20 miles. Chad and Dave took off and I just hung back and enjoyed Marci's company :) The last mile we decided to push it as hard as we could. I hit a 7:26. I was impressed with my effort despite the miles, I guess I do have a little speed in these legs...but it was still a downhill mile!

We took pictures, jumped in the party van and headed home. 6-7 hours for a 20 mile run, but it was somewhat Ragnar-esque. We all got our 20 miles in and a good chat/bonding time in the stinky van, plus it didn't cost $300 and 4 days of our lives!! :)

AP: 8:12 splits: 8:35, 8:16, 8:14, 8:04, 7:58, 7:54, 8:22, 8:40, 8:07, 8:06, 8:03, 8:09, 8:18, 8:00, 8:06, 8:19, 8:40, 8:17, 8:22, 7:26 TT: 2:43:56

I was going to meet Amy at the gym, but this morning it dawned on me that Craig was actually home and I didn't have to take Adam! I could run outside!! Score. So, I ran to the gym to say hello to Amy :) After adding up my group run/pacing miles this week I should only do a total of 12-15 miles M, W, F - stink. Did I ever mention how much I dislike tapers? sigh...it'll be worth it though, right?!?

3 miles to the gym, all downhill: 8:09, 7:24, 7:12 - just cruising :)

walked the track with Amy for a bit, chatted and then took off home

3.25 miles all uphill home: 9:09, 8:07, 7:41, 7:46 (last .25) - It obviously took me some time to warm back up and get moving on the uphill.

TT: 49:32 AP: 7:57

Got home and did planks/pushups, arms and hips X3 - tried to get my hubby to do it with me...not so successful.

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons. I was bound and determined to make it up the hills with a good pace. I need to get better on hills. I suck on hills. But, I did it today! Best AP I've ever had on this route. 1:18:46 finishing time with an AP of 7:46. Felt great about this run. Good things to come for Boston! 

First stroller run of the season because I wanted to sleep in. Ugh. I think Adam gained 30 pounds over the winter! Just five miles and an AP of 9:17...I need some work on the stroller runs!

I'm assuming I did the Shaggy Mountian loop and forgot my Garmin. The FB post says I did and since I'm spending time catching up 2 months...I don't really remember. blah. I need to keep up on my blogging!!!

I love texting! Amy and I usually exchanged texts about workouts. This is how I know I did 3 miles at the gym and half of TRX class :) 

Pacing the Herriman Half with the famous Kelli! I've been waiting a long time for this race. All around the roads I run every day. I know this course like the back of my hand and I got to pace with Kelli. Even better. 

The race started uphill out of Butterfield Park...ugh. Then we went up the Cove hill, Since I suck at hills I was sucking air and feeling like I wasn't going to finish! But, I let Kelli take over the chatting and then on the downhill finally started cruising. We held a great even pace on the downhill so that when we hit the last crazy uphill  we had some banked time. We had a few people running with us and it was just a great group! When we hit the yucky uphill after Chevron Kelli was able to keep pace and I pulled about 10-20 feet back as I struggled up that beast. On the downhill I finally caught her again and then we were together until the end. It was interesting how we'd started together and for the most part stayed together the entire time, but how different our garmins were! 

We saw the finish line and it was a lot further away than I had anticipated. Kelli hadn't seen the finish line and thought we could sail into the finish. I started picking up the pace and she thought I was crazy...until she finally saw it. We crossed in exactly 1:50:00! Woot  woot! Despite the tough course and long course and different garmins we crossed perfectly. It was a great race and I loved hanging out with so many fun people! I certainly hope they keep this race and don't change it. There are way too many downhill courses! We need a good honest course to race on. This is good as a Boston trainer too with the uphill toward the end. I can't wait until next Monday!! But, I do hate tapers....

Taper week. One week out from Boston. So, I decided to swim! I got a great swim lesson from the amazing Erin and I hope to incorporate her coaching suggestions into my swim to help myself be able to race faster in tris! I like swimming...I just hate getting wet and dealing with the chlorine :/

Arms at shoulder width

reach long

look at bleachers/windows on breathing

keep arm under ear when breathing, dont drop it too quickly.

Decided that instead of doing my typical taper that I do I figured I'd do my normal Tuesday and Thursday runs which will equal what I normally do and then a quick run in Boston on Saturday and call my taper good! So, I was going to do the Tuesday ten, but with a few people (including Chad) dropping out we decided to meet at Amy's, run a little early and pick up Kim along our way and just do 8.5. It sure is nice having a female around to run with! Nice easy 8:19 AP and even got to see a crazy deer right off the side of the road, but it distracted us from Dave honking to say hello on his way to work. Good thing Kelli didn't come with us :)

My last Shaggy Mountain before Boston. Had just enough time to run and then get to my flight. It was nice to have Kelli and Scott with us, a treat we rarely get. Luckily, for me, Kelli wasn't feeling well so I could almost keep up with her...not on the uphill, but the downhill :) 

Got my kids up and dropped off at my moms and got to the airport at just the right time to meet Susie in the security line. It was a wonderful treat to be able to be on the same flight with Lowell, Susie and Terry. I love the flights to Boston! So many runners on their way to running a dream. The flight was uneventful and I started working on Becca's blanket for her beautiful little Naomi coming soon. The blanket had to make a trip to Boston since Becca couldn't be with me this year! 

Got to the hotel and had a good dinner at Chipotle then just settled in for the night. A long day of traveling. Brett (my roommate) comes tomorrow night!

Oh the Expo...the Boston Expo! I spent way too much money, but I was just in love with a lot of the Adidas clothes. Such an incredible experience. Saw Beth and Rossy at the booth and got to sign many things and be apart of picture collages and meet Katherine Switzer...oh heavens. SO much!!!

Oh, I almost forgot!! We went to the 2013 memorial display in the library before hand and it was incredible. So many tears and as I walked past the finish line for the first time I couldn't hold back the tears. SO many emotions. I'm not sure I could even describe them all. 

After the library we went to the Old South church. Kelli had told me about the scarf project and I needed one. I didn't just want it, I knew I needed it! I went straight there and asked for one. There were many volunteers handing them out. I was in tears and thanked them for their sacrifice and told them how much it meant to me to be apart of the love and comfort they were spreading. My scarf had a tag telling me the name and residence of the maker. It was a Bostonian! Someone that attends Old South Church. Oh man! I was beside myself. Later Susie and TJ told me that there were cameras recording my reaction and speaking to the people, but I didn't really notice them. It was very important to me to be wrapped in the love and courage that so many had sent from afar. 

Lunch at the mall after getting our packets, more expo and then a stop at the grocery store to grab a few supplies before heading back to the hotel. A late dinner and then we made a late night trip to the Airport to get Bret. It was SO cold!!  I looked silly in my capris and and beanie and sweatshirt. Lots of laughs as we got abandonded by the buses at the pick up area and then no one would stop for the crazy dressed lady! Then we finally got on a bus and Lowell couldn't tell that the lady chatting with us was a lady...oh dear, it was much too funny to bear!! This kept us up (and the excitement of getting Bret) until 2-3AM. 

Needless to say, I didn't get to the morning shake out run Saturday with Bart Yasso like I'd wanted :/ oh well, sleep was more important.

More Expo, shopping and walking. Wihout looking at pictures the days all kind of run together. But, getting to meet Katherine Switzer at the expo was incredible!!! I also got to hang out with Lisa and mom (Laura) and chat it up and I got my flip flops (Oofos) that I have now decided I love! I went with Bret to get her packet and they had sold out of some of the nicer Boston jackets I'd gotten the day before. I was SO happy I'd sucked it up and paid what I had despite the high price tag. 

Can't remember where we went to dinner, but it had to have been good. I loved all the places! Oh, and we went to the first German pub the first night. SO yummy!! Red cabbage sauerkraut, bratwurst, weisswurst....oh heaven! Since Craig had been in Frankfurt for the 10 days before I came (we passed like ships in the night while I was in Boston and he was in NY flying home) I was really craving German food. It was SO good!!!

I really had an incredible time with Lowell and Terry and Susie and Bret. I made friends for a lifetime that I already knew I had :) Sunday was just a treat to top off the experience....

Okay, I've been horrible about keeping an accurate daily log. It was all just a blur...until Sunday. Suffice to say that we had good food, lots of good friends, shopping and incredible experiences. So, I'm going to now skip to Sunday. Like I'd mentioned before, because of picking Bret up Friday night I didn't run Saturday morning like I'd intended. Sunday...onto Sunday.

Again, no running. I was a little worried about not running, but figured I was on a good taper, right? When we woke up, the Easter bunny had visited and left us a trail of peeps through the hotel. How fun!! Lowell had seriously packed almost a full suitcase of peeps just to surprise us. I am so blessed to have Lowell and Terry (my two running dads - they are exactly my dad's age and my dad never saw me run...I started after he'd passed. Actually, Terry is 3 days younger than my dad!) in my life and to spend incredible experiences with them. 

Our intentions for Sunday were to go to the blessing of the athletes at Old South Church. They have 2 services at 9 and 11. Then, we were going to go to Sacrament meeting at the Boston ward that our hotel was in at 1:00. This was Easter. I was SO excited for the blessing. Last year it was an incredible service and I knew with the scarf project and last years events as well as the holiday, I just knew it was going to be unforgettable. When we got there at 9:30 there was already a line of at least 50 people for the 11:00 service! WOW! We took turns waiting in line, because it was cold...so cold! I was really worried, because I'd brought lots of spring clothes and it had been so cold and it just kept getting colder and colder. My special tank and outfit that I'd ordered and the company special sent my skirt TO Boston because it wasn't going to get to me at home in time...I wanted to wear it! But, if it was going to be 35 degrees I'd freeze. Anyway, small worries on a great day. 

We finally got into the Church and got our seats, they were perfect seats. The service was incredible. Oh wow was it incredible! When they had the volunteers come out for the blessing of the athletes with the scarves it was so moving. You could truly feel the love and courage that the community was sending as a blessing to all of us. Especially after last year. Having the strength to come back and not let the darkness take over. It was palpable how much the city put on the athletes to bring back this celebration, to rescue it and to restore the glory that is Boston. I was so glad that I had taken the time to go and to participate.

During the service, Bret had gotten a text that it was Stake Conference at 11:00 and that there were no LDS services at 1:00, but she had talked to the bishop a few weeks earlier and he'd said yes they were having services. We thought maybe it was a different Stake or something so we decided to go and try and attend LDS services anyway. We took the train and walked about 1/2 mile to the church and as we got there, we couldn't see any cars or people crowding in and going to services, so we knew that it had been Stake conference and we'd missed it. While we were discussing what to do now, a family came out of the church. Heidi Neuffer and her family had made the same assumption we had and tried to attend services at 1:00...with no luck. She said that a Bishop and his counselor and their families were inside cleaning up and offered to do sacrament for them, but knowing it was a holiday and they'd already been through services we wanted them to be able go home and enjoy the rest of the day with their families. As we were discussing this 3 girls climbed out of a taxi...again wanting the 1:00 services. They'd come straight from the airport. Then another 4 people came. We finally decided that since there were so many of us now that maybe they'd still be willing to do the sacrament. 

We went inside and asked and they were gracious enough to comply and continue to serve us despite a day full of service, away from family anyway. The service was short and sweet. Opening prayer and song, Sacrament, closing song and prayer. But the spirit in that room was immense. I've never felt it so strong. All the glamour and beauty of the church during the Blessing of the athletes was incredible. But that day I learned that I don't need a full orchestra, orators, stained glass, beautiful voices or any of the pomp to feel the spirit. The spirit was so strong in that simple service and simple building that there wasn't a dry eye in the audience. We all were just simply moved by the generousity, compassion and spirit that attended that meeting. That is something I cant ever deny. I won't. That day my testimony grew. I was excited for the pomp and circumstance, but the simplicity of the spirit was what I needed. I'm grateful that Bret was willing to go despite knowing it was Stake conference, becaue this was an experience  I will always treasure. Even if it did make me miss my kids and family even more. I needed that. Even if that was the only reason I went to Boston this year, to experience that, it was worth it. 

The rest of the afternoon we relaxed, I attempted to be in the Utah picture at the finish line, but everyone went about 50yds away from the finish line and I couldn't find anyone and missed the picture...blah. Whatever. It was still good to see many of my local peeps and chat a bit. 

Then I met the group at Fillipios. The mafia grandma! Oh so good. We then went back to the hotel and got ready for the next morning...the big day. Oh man. Nerves setting in! I had a small breakdown and Terry and Bret were incredible to listen to my whining and help me through my missing of my family and overall crazy. I'm so grateful for wonderful friends and the people in life that support me and help lift me at my lowest. Thanks :)

The day! Oh how long I'd trained and waited. I was hoping for a 3:20...that was my A+ goal. Under 3:30 would be the next goal and certainly doable. I hadn't really planned on much else. I knew I could do this. 

We got up at a decent hour for a race and boy had the temperature changed. It was warm. I was worried about being too cold...ha! Bret and I got on the buses together and actually met up with Lisa just as she was getting on the bus. They had a seamless bag drop and checkpoint and loading for the buses. No lines, no nothing. It was seamless. it truly is incredible how well Boston takes care of 35,000 people! 

We got to the athletes village, got settled in to a spot and chatted. Lisa and I were planning on running together and we both had similar goals, but knew that we didn't need to stick together if one was feeling it and took off or feel bad for doing it if the other was struggling. This year they had you congregrate at the HS then walk down to the corrals and the start line. They must've held us back too long, because despite getting to say hello to Hill Billy runner (which was SO great to see him again this year!!!) we spent too much time there and weren't even in a corral (and we were in the middle of the group) when the gun went off for our wave. AACK! So, we jumped in the closest corral (6, I think) and just went through the lines until we got to the start. We still had stop and gos until we got there, but getting to that start line was amazing! It was go time. 

I had a problem. I started and although I'd had a nice taper...I think it must've been too much of a taper. My quads were just feeling tight and sore by 1K...getting to the 2K mark seemed like forever. This race was NOT starting how I had hoped and dreamed. The easiest miles were getting harder by the kilometer. I kept my brain quiet as it told me this was going to be torture. I got through to mile 5 and finally loosened up a bit, but still didn't feel right. At mile 8 I asked Lisa where we were, knowing I wanted to be at 1:00:00 or just over. I think we were almost 1:03, ugh. Well, now it is time to just suck it up and deal with what the day was giving me. This included heat. My arm warmers came off at mile 2, if not before. The cold had been around for so long this spring and even in Boston the past few days that the high 50s were feeling a little hot...and with a race that starts at 10:30, it never gets cooler. 

It was really nice having Lisa beside me. We didn't talk much, but we had each other to kind of pace off of and have as a support. I've never raced with someone before. But, Lisa and I are so equally matched in our pace that it was perfect. A small pull when you needed it and then you could return the favor for the other at times. Matt Shoemaker from Logan picked me out of the crowd (the tall blonde girl with braids is easy to pick out) and unfortuantely I didn't recognize him. Luckily Lisa saved my butt! :)  

The crowds were incredible. Smaller than I remember with Paul, but more solid. There was a solid force out there. You could feel it. It was different from last year. This was the "I've got your back, thanks for having ours!" feeling. The crowd wanted you there and was proud to have you and proud to be supporting you. Signs that read "YOU are the true hero" I didn't really feel like a hero for simply running a marathon, but to them I knew they felt I was. We were taking back the streets of their city. They appreciated our sacrifice. We weren't just athletes, we were their heros for being willing to come back in droves and show the world that we will not be stopped. Good always conquers evil and runners are persistent as crap and we won't be deterred, even by bombs! 

At mile 15 I went to the side to get a drink and Lisa stayed in the middle. Then I lost her. We'd seen Teena fly by just a mile-ish before and I noticed she was walking and drinking, but I guess I lost track of Lisa there. I looked behind me, I didn't see her. I couldn't see her ahead either. Shoot. I was on my own. After mile 11's confession of "I'm going to say it. I don't feel good for mile 11!" I was pretty bummed to lose my companion. I did know that mom (Laura) was going to be at mile 16 on the right side. So I stuck like glue to the right side and searched faces. Lisa must've been in front of me, so I figured I'd see her saying hello to her mom. I couldn't see her, searched and searched. No one, nothing :( I kind of gave up at that point. I knew I was alone, tired and done. I was either going to finish or not...I was going to finish. My pace wasn't horrible to that point and the hills were ahead. Sometimes it is the steps you take alone that make you who you are. 

I kept my head high. I was determined to conquer the hills. I'm not very good at running hills, so this was my chance. On the rollers that become heartbreak, just at the bottom a guy was waving in the crowd and stepped in a man-hole rut/hole. He wobbled then fell right in front of me! I couldn't help but stop and help him up on his feet. He was okay and didn't even have road rash. We both set off running together again and he seemed okay. As I pushed up the hill I kept imagining Chad just ahead dragging me up just like a couple weeks ago when I was determined to conquer my 10 mile route hill. I just kept going and pushing. I knew when I got to the top that I'd have just 3 miles of downhill to go to the finish. I could do this. Hang on girl.

The last few miles of downhill were incredible. I finally was able to get back into a groove and I pushed past many that were walking or falling into a shuffle. I knew I was far off my 3:20 goal after the half and 20 mile splits, but I thought I still might be able to gather enough to finish under 3:30. When I got to the 40K mark I, for the life of me, couldn't figure out how fast I can run a km. I deal in miles, not km. So I had to wait until I hit the 1 mile mark...unless I ran a 6mm I wasn't finishing under 3:30! So, I just kept pushing and thought "at least I'm going to BQ in Boston!" Which isn't easy from what I understand, so I was pleased with my effort. As I turned onto Boylston I had decided to run down the left side of the road so that I could honor the bombing sites as I ran past them. But, then I heard my name. Over my right shoulder. What? I turned...it was Lisa!!! I told her I couldn't believe I'd caught up. She said oh no, I've been chasing you for 10 miles! LOL! I thought she was in front of me and I was in front of her. I was SO happy to have her with me as I finished this journey. With tears in my eyes I grabbed her hand and said "I'm SO glad to have you here!" We ran the last quarter mile together and finished at the exact same time. It was incredible. A perfect finish to a great race. 

We wandered through the finishers area getting our cool blankets (which we were both too hot to wear!), medals, water, food...then after we got our Dole fruit cups a guy pulled us aside and asked to take our picture with the cups, because we looked quite a bit happier than the rest of the crowd. HAHAHA! So, we got to be models for the Dole people...awesome. The drop bags were SO far away. By the time we got almost there I was done walking. I decided to just leave it until I picked up Lowell and Terry and Bret and we all met there. All I wanted was my flip flops, but I was okay. I visited with Lisa, Julie and Laura when we found her for a while, then I got a hold of Susie and took off to find a way across the finishing area to get to her. 

Trying to get there I was asking a couple officers where I could cut through. I ended up having a good converstion with them and they asked me "why do you look like that and everyone else looks that they do?" I just had to laugh. They apologized for not being able to let me through and I told them I wanted them to do their jobs and I was grateful they were there not letting people through to protect us! I finally found Susie and we chatted and waited for Lowell and Terry. We were down the finishers area past the finish line and so they called when they finished and I walked against traffic to see them. After my emotional breakdown yesterday I felt so close to Terry and having this be his last marathon and he ran the first 10 miles with me my first marathon. I gave him a great big hug and then Lowell. Terry and I walked together while Lowell visited with everyone and it was so great and emotional. I love those guys! My two running dads. I'm so stinkin' lucky!

On the way to the drop bag area I saw a fire hydrant open and spraying into the street for the runners. I was SO excited! I'd always seen kids playing in them in movies and I always wanted to as well! So Terry sat down and took my picture as I ran my victory lap through the fire hydrant in Boston. A capstone to a terrific day. We gathered our drop bags and Lowell, of course headed to McDonalds for a bacon cheeseburger. I really didn't want McDonalds, so I visited while they ate then I stopped at Clover (an organic vegetarian local place) to get a bite near our hotel. Oh, that place is yummy! They even let me pay only the sweaty $5 cash I had in my pocket instead of the $7 the menu posted. The people of Boston LOVE marathoners! I was grateful for their hospitality. 

After being lazy and hanging out at the hotel and getting showered, we went to Legal Seafood and I had a great dish of pan fried kale with greek yogurt and peanuts. Yum. Almost as good as the steak and shrimp :)

Great recovery day! I honestly don't remember what we did :P so silly, but I don't. I do remember it was sunny, but a little overcast. Bret wanted to go to a few things downtown and the library memorial before she returned home in the afternoon. Then Lowell and Terry took her to the airport and Susie and I went to lunch at a great pizza place. I love the local and good food flare that is taking place in the restaurants in Boston. I loved sweet potatoes on my pizza!! 

After a rest at the hotel and a light dinner there we headed to Fenway park for the Yankees V Redsocks game. how much more epic can you get?!? We didn't have seats together, but they were in a close vicinity. We tried muscial chairs to move from row to row trying to stay under the radar and together. I also got my Fenway Brat that I'd been craving since last year!! 

A run away game and the rain helped us duck out a little early, but it was still a great time at the ball park. When isn't a game at Fenway a good one?!? We got to sing Sweet Caroline and that was the topper to the evening. 

I wanted to go running in Harvard...epic movie scene running. But, after a report Tuesday night that a girl had been attacked while running in Harvard, but she'd fought him off thankfully. Either way, I wasn't going to go running alone and Terry and Lowell weren't interested in joining me in the rain. So, another day off. 

My running dad Terry and my stand in mom, Susie, and I went to Harvard to walk around while Lowell did business on his laptop and packed. We followed an incoming freshman tour around and we felt like we fit right in. I only wished I was going to Harvard! But, we had a good time learning and creating our fun family history :) 

We headed back to the hotel, packed and headed to the airport. Got a bite to eat and got on the plane to head home. I was excited to get home, but sad to see the journey end. Even with a rainy day to send us off. Of all the days of weather we had while I was there I would've chosen Monday's to run. It was a perfect as it would've gotten. A great trip! 

Ran the Shaggy Mountain route, slower than usual, but I still finally got out after the marathon. A good shake out run is always nice! It was good to chat about Boston and to hear Chad applaud me for my final 5K push and not slowing down. I worked hard those last few miles and it was nice to have someone else notice. 

I don't remember what I did and I don't have a text to Amy about it either :) But, I was supposed to meet her there to run 4 and I think I ran 2 slow and walked with a friend, but I don't remember so I'm going to say 2.0 and call it good :)

A nice rainy run with Amy. She convinced me to do a 14 mile downhill route with her. Of course it was raining, but at least it was mostly downhill. She met me at my house after doing 6 before and then we were off. A decent steady pace. Craig picked us up and we were both freezing, but we had a nice run and chat. An 8:25 pace after Boston isn't too shabby. I'll take it on fatigued legs. I really enjoy Amy's company and that she forces me out of the door when I'm not always ready for it! Oh and my new Boston rain jacket? loved it!

Got some TM/track miles in with Amy at the rec center. A lovely little stroll around for fatigued legs!

Tuesday Ten with the Newtons. Nothing too fast, but an 8:16 pace isn't too shabby either. I was chasing Kim speeding down Main St to the finish. A great day out with the group.

Ended up buying 6 little chicks while Adam was in speech class due to a great priced hen house! I'm excited to finally have chickens!! Everyone picked one. 

Foghorn (Craig's)

Colonel (mine - for colonel sanders, because she is a white chicken)

Duckie (Lauren's - looks like a duck)

Chickula (David's - he is a silly boy!)

Fuzzy (Nathan's - he was the first to know which one he wanted and her name!)

Brownie (Adam's - he was also adamant on the chicken and name)

An early morning run with Amy. Just a nice easy pace 8:21AP around the city. Didn't go back to bed after showering. I was having too much fun hand feeding chicks :)

Shaggy Mountain loop. Faster than last week, but not by much! 1:12

Another track run with Amy this morning. Nice easy pace. I needed to sleep in, I was tired!

Pacing the 1:50 group. A little fast, but overall an okay finish. The mile 12 marker was off so I thought I was late. Everyone assumed the same thing I did, so many were early! There was a little kid (11, I think) that was running his first half with me. Boy was that kid motivated! I was so impressed and as we drew closer to the end of the route he started fading, but we were able to pick up his spirits and bring him in. It was a very moving finish! Especially because I did have to leave him to stay on pace (again, the mile 12 thing) and a guy running with us both, that was a dad, dropped back to help him in. It was also the dad's first half. His wife had made a goal for him to run a marathon this year and this was his first step. She'd passed away in February and so this was his tribute to her and many other supporters were there too. For him to sacrifice that for the little kid just impressed the crap out of me! It really was a great race to pace. Lots of good memories. Including Jonathan sleeping in and missing the buses, but speeding to the start and barely making it! LOL! he will never live that one down. Also, the guy telling me I made it look so easy. A sign in one hand, a drink in the other just chatting away. I love pacing and the friends I meet!!!

Drove down and back with Mike. He had a great race and took me to this bakery afterward with very yummy sweet rolls. I need to find my way back there.

8 miles by my lonesome, but I took the kids to the dentist and Amy offered to watch Adam so that I could run outside. Oh, it was a nice run. Easy with some music and just hanging out to enjoy it all. 8:16AP with all the nice hills back up to Amy's house. I'm certainly grateful for a good friend that loves to run and has kids my kids age that we can help each other out with babysitting. I'll miss her when she moves :/ okay, I'm writing this after she is gone...I DO miss her!!

Ahh, the Tuesday Ten. It was nice to have Danielle and Amy there. Two other girls! I hope Danielle keeps coming with us. I enjoyed her company, even though she and Chad wasted me on the last mile. This will be called my snot run! I thought I had allergies, but realized a few days later it was some sort of cold. Blech! Anyway, I SO needed a tissue. It was really bad. My shirt was full and so was my snotty nose. I stopped to ask Dawn dropping Anne off at the Stake Center if I could bum a tissue. Oh, it was heavenly! The reason why I couldn't keep up at the end was that I had to keep stopping to blow my nose!! ugh, that was a bad run. AP 8:16

Amy met me early at my house since she only wanted 5 (tapering for Ogden) and we did that together and then despite wanting to quit I finished up another 5K to get my 8 in for the morning. The only good thing was stopping to say hello to Dawn at the church and blowing my nose and then getting home just as the rain started. Glad I went early!  8:33 AP - I'm tired!

Slept in and hit the pool. Swam for an hour or so. I once had the laps recorded...but I guess remembering them for over a month isn't my strong suit. Maybe I should blog regularly?!?

Got up early to get a decent run in. I'd offered to watch Amy's kids so she didn't have to go to the gym and I wanted it over with. So I went. Glad to have Craig home to get kids up and not have to stress. Plus, Friday is late start for Lauren! 

Ran the HH course w/out the out and backs and starting at my house. A good run! 8:22 AP with a few nice low 7's in the last few miles. Love a good downhill finish. 

Scott Stoddard drove past me along Rosecrest and then tagged me in FB as a good running example with reflective clothing and running on the proper side of the street. I'm such a shining example :)

Oh my word. I haven't been out on my bike much, and I'm sure I have been out times I didn't record it here since I've been such a bad blogger, but I really hadn't been out enough to attempt a century! BUT, I'd earned a free entry last year and I wasn't going to let it go to waste. Lauren was registered for the 20 and since we started at different times it really gave me a lot of anxiety about making sure my boys were taken care of and that everyone could get where they needed to go. Luckily, the Lord is in the details of our lives and I was able to work everything out. I did end up buying Lauren a cell phone, but only because I was a little worried and wanted her to be able to call for help if needed...or have someone be able to call me if she wasn't able to! 

Lauren finished well in 1:45 for the 20 miler and even left behind the TTT women that were supposed to be her safety enterouge. I think the hail and rain helped her push a little to finish. I still tease her about the fact that she never went to the feed tables to get chocolate, licorice, sandwiches etc. She certainly knows better now. 

I lined up with Di and she had said she was willing to help me on my first century and stick with me. There may have been points she regretted that, but I was grateful for her patience and teaching me bike etiquitte! 

I still have PTSD from this ride. Di got a flat just into Saratoga and we got it changed quickly and someone stop with a pump which was nice! Weather had been decent up to this point. As we headed out to 5 mile pass...the wind came. Not bad, but I could tell it was a cross wind. Kristy and Jessica also stopped and we caught them and rode to the next aid station. When we turned around the wind was NOT fun! The group pretty much left me and this other girl who was a strong biker, but not feeling well that day. We drafted off each other and as we got closer into Eagle Mountain I noticed Di on the side changing another tire...luckily not hers. I told this girl I was going to stop and regroup. Turns out it was her friend that Di was helping! LOL! So, we rode into lunch together after getting the tire fixed. Lunch was good, but I was ready to get on the road. The wind was getting worse and it was coming from the North. We had a long way to go North to finish. The cross winds on the last stretch to Redwood were horrible, even keeping the bike steady was hard. Then we turned South, that was nice! But with each pedal South I knew I'd have to fight wind when we turned. Then we turned. Oh man, that wind was bad...and we had a long way to go. About 20+ miles. Luckily my trusty side-kick taught me how to draft and we changed about every minute. It was nice. We even ended up rotating with anyone who would latch on. Problem was some of them didn't understand regular drafting rotation so it was kind of haphazard, but it was certainly nice to draft!!! I'd never been a fan, but now I don't want to go back to solo riding in tris! We finally pulled with a group of about 6-8 of us to the top of Camp Williams (the girl I'd ridden with and Di had helped and their group joined us). Then when we turned up Porter Rockwell things got easier with a cross wind instead of the head wind and from there it was almost all downhill to Daybreak to finish. My butt wasn't horribly sore, my back was a bit, but more than anything I just wanted to go somewhere that I wouldn't feel wind on my face for the next 24 hours!!! I was SO sick of the wind. I still am. This is why I have PTSD about riding in the wind now. I know it is just going to be bad and if I'm alone it is going to be worse! ugh. I need to get out on my bike more. This was an incredible experience and I'm grateful I was able to power through. I'm now ready to sign up for a couple more centuries this summer!!!

It took us approx 6:45 of riding time to finish the 100 miles, which is a 15mph average. Which for the distance and the wind, I'll take! I was hoping for more like 17, but there is always next time :)

Mothers day must've worn me out. Planned on meeting Amy...slept until noon while Adam entertained himself :)

To make up for my marathon sleep yesterday I ran 3 to Amy's house, ran her 4 mile taper run with her then 3 home for a total of 10 to make up for my slacking. AP: 8:37

Took Adam to Kids club and got in a quick swim for 40 minutes and then took him to his swim class. He is too big for that class! But he has a good time.

I guess I decided I like riding my bike :) got in a quick ride while Adam was at preschool. 20.5 miles with an average speed of 18.1MPH. My goal is to work on biking and hit this loop occasionally to see how speed is going. As long as the wind is calm!

Ran 3 miles downhill with the jogger to the rec center with Adam. Then I met Amy and ran 3 on the track with her (okay, just one and then 2 alone) and then she gave us a ride home. It was nice to mix it up a little. 8:36AP with a headwind on the downhill!

Shaggy Mountain with Mike and Chad. A nice decent paced Shaggy - 1:10:33; 8:33AP. Not to shabby for recovering/tapering legs :) Can't wait for Ogden Saturday.

Watching Amy's kids in the AM, shuttling my kids around after school. Lauren is staying in Lehi so that she can get to her Women of Steel Tri tomorrow. Boys are at in-laws house so I can drive Amy to Ogden. I'm lucky to get to stay with Marci fee free! A great drive, picked up packets, dinner at an awesome restaurant with Toby, Marci and Amy then we all went to bed. It is always so late and you get up so early...blech. 

Toby's quest for the BQ!

I'll write this up tomorrow. It is 1:30 and I need to go to bed. 5 weeks in one day with a long Boston write up is enough :)

I was very stoked to run this race! Although I got to the bus a little later than I thought I would, Amy and Toby waited for Marci and me to get there. We found all of our peeps at the bus and luckily we all got on the bus together and had a typical ride up to the top. Amy was ready to hit her PR and Toby was more than ready to hit that BQ and I was SO ready to help her take on that journey.

It was nice at the top because they'd poured out rocks so we weren't in a muddy cow patty field! I made the rounds visiting and saying hello to lots of peeps then met back at the fire to get our final nerves out and get ready to run.

We lined up and Marci, Toby and I started off. Toby's sister in law joined us for a few of the first miles and we had a good chat and we were just cruising at a little below pace, but not too fast. Around mile 8 I asked Toby to check in on herself and she said she wasn't feeling good. That it was feeling too hard for mile 8. I got worried about her, but figured that a good gu stop would pick her up and we had a little in the bank and so I knew we'd be okay. I just kept doing my best to keep her mind off her pain and keep her mind positive. I don't think it worked. Poor Toby just kept falling behind and I could tell she knew the BQ goal she'd worked SO hard for SO long was slipping through her fingers.

There is lots and lots and lots I could journal/blog about with this next situation, but I'm going to leave the details to my personal journal and not here. Suffice it to say I was VERY excited that Smooth was going to be at the half and that she was waiting for Lowell to come by and was going to join him for the last half. I kept thinking what a boost it would be for Toby to see her and to feel her spirit! Toby made a pop stop and ironically, Smooth was taking a pop break at the exact same time :/ so we missed seeing her.

The hills took a bit out of Toby and for some crazy reason I was just feeling incredible. Emotionally and physically. I wanted SO badly to transfer that energy to Toby. My heart was just hurting for her. I know. I've been in that position 10 times! A perfectly trained for marathon that should've been a BQ and I get nothing. Something horrible happens and I beat myself down over and over again thinking it would never happen. I tried to stay positive and chatting to not just Toby but others around us, because I knew Toby was more than done. It has been too long, but I met a crazy French friend. Oh, he was incredible and I had a great time getting to know him. He would pull ahead of us and then we'd catch up and I'd tell him he'd better start running as I caught him :) He was very responsive to my pacing and good about being silly with me. I wish we wouldn't have lost him around mile 22. Around mile 20 we pick up Bradley. He gave Toby the look, the "what the heck are you doing here" look. She gave the look back with a few words that didn't mince feelings about how she was doing and why she was where she was.

As we came down the final stretch of the canyon I tried to have her push speed just to change up her turnover pace and help her get out of her "grind". I hope something I said was successful or at least that my rambling made her mind think about how much she hates me and not running and the situation :)

After we got out of the canyon Toby's family was right on the other side of the tunnel. She took a moment to say hello to them and made me cry. I hate how emotional running can be! Okay, not really :) It was amazing what that little visit did for her. She started running with resolve to finish. She had a grit and determination in her eye I hadn't seen for many miles.

I was SO impressed with how she barrelled forward through the last few miles. She never gave up and she kept passing people like crazy. She was determined. She knew how to get it done and she certainly didn't need any more of me or my antics, but it is what she signed up for and I wasn't giving up to her or leaving her at this point...despite all of her pleading for me to run my own race :)

We had a great race and I was SO impressed with Toby's push and will to finish. She asked what she did wrong. I told her it was nothing. The heat, the day, our bodies. I tried to tell her that she did the best she could for the day and the circumstances and it was nothing she did or didn't do. I've failed BQ tries more than I've succeeded. It is hard. Some people effortlessly hit a BQ or much better on their first try and the rest of us have to fight tooth and nail over and over and over again to get there. I know she has it in her. I KNOW it! Her training is more than spot on and she will get there and achieve. It will come.

After the race I chatted it up with many, many people and had just a great time getting to know some new friends and hearing stories SO similar to Toby's. It truly was just the day and not her at all. I waited until Smooth and Lowell came through and Marci and I visited with them for a while. Then I had to head home to get my triathalete and my boys from grandparents. What a wild and crazy day, but I'm SO glad I had the opportunity to be with Toby through this journey. I love that lady and I can't wait to see her get that BQ!

Oh heavens I felt good! I truly think this was my last good run. Even since right now as I'm tying this (6/23). I just felt incredible!! I've never had such a great run a Monday after a marathon. I even kept taking little side trips to keep the run a little longer. It was just incredible. It felt effortless and wonderful.

AP: 8:07 splits: 8:16, 7:43, 7:46, 7:53, 8:56, 8:45, 7:30

Oh the traditional post marathon get together! SO many Newtons killed Ogden that we had our donuts and chocolate milk party. Some walked, some ran, but we all had a great time and enjoyed some good food :) I ran a 5K loop beforehand with Chad, Amy and Mike then Jerry, Kim and Danielle joined us for another 3 mile loop, but they walked to keep their recovery plan and we ran again. After a chat and they left I was hesitant, but wanted to do the last loop. I did it, but it was NOT pretty!! I should've gone an extra 1/2 mile to take it to 10, but I had to get home. The gut wasn't happy. Anyway, a different day from yesterday, but I still got it done, right?

AP: 8:25 splits: 8:43, 8:49, 8:05, 8:04, 8:28, 8:04, 8:01, 8:44, 9:01, 7:58 (last /12 mile)

Due to my sleeping and procrastination I got to do a heat run at 1:00. I called it purposeful training for the TOZ relay coming up. After Ogden we all realized we needed a little more heat in our running. Well, it turned out well. I did take a couple stops for drinks and cool-downs, but the pace was nice.

AP: 8:08 splits: 7:54, 7:44, 8;38, 8:27, 8:27, 7:41

Shaggy Mountain run and feeling great. A good run. Nothing fantastic, but pretty good considering!

AP: 8:35 splits: 9:16, 9:30, 9:59, 9:04, 8:00, 8:28, 7:14, 7:35, 6:45 (last .25)

Met Shanna and Kelli at Butterfield Canyon. A great run up and down...I always like the down better than the up!

AP: 9:12 splits: 10:28, 10:09, 10:05, 8:13, 8:14, 8:06

Friday night Andy asked if I would be willing to pace 1:40 instead of 1:50. I understood it was a downhill course and figured I'd been feeling good this week so I'd go for it. But, I was hesitant. When I got there early Saturday morning I told Andy if he wanted a cheerleader pacer to put me at 1:50, but if he just wanted a warm body to finish in 1:40 I knew I could do it. Since the other pacers weren't comfortable or confident to take the faster spot for the sick pacer I stepped in. Kelli Davey was going to keep up with me and keep me on pace!

This race was unique in the fact that they had the girls start 30 min ahead of all the boys and the goal was to get in before any of the boys. If you did you got an extra medal. A fun concept for a race, but there were only 2 buses of people total at the start. The rain started gently falling just before the womens start.

The first mile I was supposed to pace 8:23...but it was CRAZY uphill! I'd say a good 8% incline and the mile was truly at the crest of the last hill. My mile timed in at  9:56! What the Heck?!? I was alredy 90 seconds off pace and it was only the first mile. I decided then and there that I was going to push until mile 4 and check time there. Until that point there were some downs, but also rollers, which meant uphills to again slow me. But by mile 4 I was on time again. I knew the course flattened out again the last 4 miles and with the downhill in the middle my legs would be toast, so I knew I needed a bit more of a bank to take on the last four.

I was in 4th place for the females as I pulled up to my first runner. She told me she had horrible blisters on her feet, and afterward I saw she really did! It was her first half and I worked with her for a bit until she stopped at and aid station. I kept just heading downhill to get a few more seconds.

Mile 9 you come out of the canyon and that flat finally hits. After a 7% downhill grade those flat rollers are tough on your legs. I was now in 3rd place and I was a little leery. Finally around mile 10 another woman caught me and I told her I had about 45 seconds in the bank and so she would be finishing under 1:40 if she kept her strong pace. I was honestly happy I wasn't in the top 3 any more.

After a couple of killer rollers that sucked the life out of me (seriously, this race was tough) then I came to the last crest and I could see the finish line. I had 2.5 minutes to get to the end. I had no idea how far I had to go and if I'd really make it in time or not. So I picked up the pace. I shouldn't have, but the mile markers were way off of my garmin and I didn't know what to trust. I crossed in 1:39:11 which wasn't too bad given not really knowing the course or accruacy of mile markers.

The rain was constant the whole time and we got awfully cold at the end. I and most of the other pacers passed on our AG placing awards. When I stepped down from the 1st place position the 4th place girl that stepped up to the podium had such a happy look on her face! It was totally worth giving up the medal (even though I worked HARD for it!) just to see how happy she was for working so hard.

A great race and an amazing exerperience with Kelli Davy driving up and back. Another early morning and drive to Ogden...

Shaggy Mountain Memeorial Day Run. I thought it would be fun to get together with some running friends for a long group run on the holiday that we didn't have to pay for. Well, it grew bigger than I'd ever imagined! But, it was oh so good!

Kelli, Kimberly and Jerry helped me mark the course Sunday night. It only took a good 3 hours!

About 50 people showed up at my house to run 14, 10, 8 or 7 miles through Shaggy Mountain. I was excited to share my favorite run with so many awesome runners!!

We started up Moody hill and oh how people loved it :) I walked. Amy, Kelli Davy and I stayed together. Our legs were simply trashed from the half Saturday. That downhill killed our quads! We pushed through and enjoyed meeting up with some of the 10 milers Mom (Laura Western) and Jerry. He was still recovering from Ogden. Then we all just kind of stuck together and ran the course home. Johhny Ahn and a couple others had hooked in with us and I loved to see everyone's faces as they catch the first look at the last Mother Hill. We picked up a couple more there that had gotten a little lost.

We all hung out at my house in the backyard afterward and had some good food and fun memories building the pyramid out in Egypt :) What an incredible morning! Galen and Angie got a little lost, but our incredible Aid station worker Dulcie kept good track of them and I went and found them on my bike and brought them in. I got some personal time to chat with both of them and I really just had an incredible morning!! Couldn't have asked for anything better.

Until that afternoon...the cops showed up! Seriously. Someone from hi-country had yelled at some of the runners, but then they followed the flags back to my house and then called the police. Because technically we were trespassing, but...we were just running through and not trying to be a nuisance. meh anyway, they'd filed a case number against me, but the cop was very understanding and since I was cooperative and explained my position well they didn't press charges, but just gave us a warning. Now I get nervous every time I run in Shaggy Mountiain, but I'm currently working with the board to get official permission to run up there...with a small group :)

My legs are officially BEAT! 6.2 miles dragging around the hood. Ugh. Probably should've rested.

Much needed rest day. Just did a nice swim to give the legs a break.

I guess the swim did me good. Shaggy Mountain in 1:09...the fastest I've done it in a while. Slowest uphill mile was 9:40 which is really good!

TOZ relay coming up this weekend!

Top of Zion Relay. We left Friday morning and drove down. Kimberly, Lisa, Aaron and Stuart. We met Melissa down there and then Kimberly was the first to run. The team had been working hard and we were van 2 and so we had a good reputation to keep going. We'd won last year (I'd bowed out, but gotten a super fast replacement for me!) so we also had some people hunting for our heads!

My first legs was down Hell's Backbone. Wow. More uphill than expected, but the 14% grade downhill was incredible! I was hauling and keeping my AP under the expected 7:15. Until the last stinking half mile. Just after lower calf creek falls (which I remember going to with Craig's family when Lauren was a baby) and just as you cross the mile 6 marker you get uphill. After all the downhill it takes a toll on your legs and I wasn't ready for it, so I sucked it up BIG time. I now am ready to go back and take on that dumb hill and conquer it in style! Watch out you 250 ft of gain in 1/2 mile. I'm coming for you and you're not taking me down this time!!

6.5 miles - 7:31AP splits: 7:06, 7:08, 7:11, 6:57, 6:24, 7:39, 13:00 (last 1/2...a little walking?)

After everyone finished their legs we got subway and headed to the next exchange we slept our only really good sleep, but I tried to sleep in the car on the back seat and it wasn't comfortable or much sleeping :/ I would come to regret this!

Our next legs were in the dark. Kimberly again started us out and she used my garmin since hers was out of batteries. She did a great job and exceeded her expected AP. We were ahead of time!

My leg was a flat/uphill this time. I knew with my tired legs from the week before I wasn't going to kill anything here, but I just tried to push and stay steady. My legs were done and the dumb light from the airport that would spin around and flash me every 10 seconds would always scare the pee out of me in this pitch dark area! Then the shoulder was nearly non-existint and well, it just was crazy. I hung in and almost hit my 8:15 expected. The fact my headlamp ran out of batteries didn't help either. I was glad to have the night run done.

4.8 miles AP: 8:17 splits: 7:57, 8:24, 8:10, 8:31, 8:26 (last .8)

We hit our van exchange after missing a turn and going a couple miles out of our way and handed off so that we could get our last hour of sleep before our final legs.

We slept on a balcony and in the car. It was miserable. But, at least I wasn't cold and my legs went straight. A full 75 minutes of sleep is NOT enough! We took over from van 1 and started our quest to the finish.

My miles were nice downhill...until the end. Hmm, I've done this before. Stuart had really rocked his downhill legs and actually taken the lead back from the 1st place team (the fact they'd been held back 90 minutes was insignificant). So, I started out ahead of them! The guy that then in turn passed me was an excellent runner. I knew I wasn't keeping up with him. I told him we were doing this so that they could get another kill, because we figured they'd been lonely on the road waiting for a few kills. HA! Then we had the car with the flat tire blocking the road. My team gave me my water and sent me on my way. No one knowing if they'd even get to me before the exchange. Luckily they did!

I loved the dirt road downhill and despite a couple rough spots it was great trail! Then mile 6 hit. This time I knew what was coming. 500 ft of gain in just one mile. Take it easy RAD, you got this. Again, after the downhill your uphill muscles work differently! I swear they do! I did my best though and despite my pace again dropping well beyond my 7:30 perscribed (I okay'd it, but didn't see the hill at the end!). Oh well. I was simpl happy to be done with my legs. Now I just needed to drive home and get to a piano recital...Barely made it in time!

AP: 8:03 splits: 7:13, 7:24, 7:29, 7:19, 7:16, 7;34, 12:08

We had to leave to get home and couldn't stay for awards, but we ended up taking 2nd overall. A great team of old farts (39 yrs old is the average age for our team) competing against young college students? Yeah, I'll take it!

Too tired and sore and unmotivated. Nada.

I'd like to say things felt good, but they didn't. Very sore and tired and I think everything has finally caught up to me. I have Moab to pace at 1:45 this weekend, so I'm not going to push the envelope.

AP: 8:33 splits: 8:26, 8:22, 9:40, 9:52, 8:24, 8:44, 7:54, 7:56, 7:50, 8:18, 8:38 (last .15)

What does a broken, achy runner do when they need a recovery? Bike of course! I biked from my house to Mtn View, out to Porter Rockwell, all the way North to 5400S and then back home along the Corridor. My garmin died at mile 27, so I don't know for sure how long the ride was, but I'm guessing around 35, because it died just in front of the Oracle data center my hubby used to work at and he said it was 8 miles from home. average speed was 17.3 up to that point, which was good considering all the hills were done and the wind was finally at my back as well.

When I stopped, I stopped because there was another biker on the side of the trail finishing up a tire change. I asked if she needed anything and she said she was good to go and was heading up Butterfield. She looked like a killer biker and I was worried about keeping up with her, but we hit a good rhythm riding next to each other and chatting. She bikes the canyon pretty much every day and invited me to come along with her anytime. Score! We exchanged phone numbers just as I took off home, because she had no more tubes left and had a small hole in her tire from the metal piece that popped the tube. I told her I'd be home and willing to help her if she needed anything on her ride...including a ride home :)

A good, strong ride! Felt good to get out, which I don't say very often on the bike!

Legs are still no bueno. I need sleep and recovery! Anyway, I bailed on the full Shaggy Mountain run, because I wasn't into a date run :) Chad was the only taker. So, I ran 2 miles back on the course and met him and ran the last two back in with him. Easy day, back to sleep. Ugh. I need my legs to come back to me!

AP: 8:44 splits: 10:24 (don't judge me! :P), 9:54, 7:31, 7:29, 7:14 (last .25)

So...I was going to run a few miles with Amy this AM nice and easy before Moab tomorrow, but I had a change in plans around 8PM. Craig left for China this morning, so I should've known something fun was going to happen!

I went to the temple sealing of a great family in our ward and they had a reception at the church pavillion afterward so I took the kids as we headed out to go to the library and the grocery store for some non-spicy toothpaste for David. HA! Adam started crying and after a minute when he didn't stop I went over to see what the matter was. Ummm....his forearm was bent! I knew from the first look that his arm was broken and that I had a long night ahead of me.

A couple of brothers at the reception helped give Adam a blessing, Lauren took the other 2 boys home and I headed up to Primary Childrens. Adam fell asleep in the car. Luckily, I had the stroller in the car, because I'd met Smooth for a nice walk in S Jordan while Larry was in dialysis. We spent the rest of the night in the hospital. A very long night including x-rays, waiting, sedation, meds, loopy little boy ON meds, manual reset of the bones in his arm, soft casting, waiting for recovery, getting meds and finally heading home. I did stop at the store on the way home at 4:00 in order to get the all important non-spicy toothpaste so that David would brush his teeth.

Needless to say, going to bed at 5AM isn't normal for me. Sometimes I wake up at 5 to run, sometimes I go to bed at 5AM! So, I slept, got boys off to school (thankfully Lauren's last day was yesterday!) and went back to bed until I HAD to wake up to get packed and ready to drive to Moab. I was able to arrange it so that Lauren came with me and could watch Adam while I ran. I also drove JaNae and Kimberly. It was a fun ride down and they were both very accomodating to the ornery little boy with the broken arm!

I ended up sleeping on the floor with Adam and gave Lauren my spot in a bed, because I didn't want him to wake up in pain and bother anyone in the room. Not ideal, but it was better than cancelling on the pace job or having Adam at someone else's house!

I love this race! I really love it! Odd circumstances led to Kimberly and JaNae actually NOT pacing the race, but they were good sports about it and just went on a trail run near the start while we paced. I was more than a little bummed to not only be pacing alone, but to feel like the two people helping to pay me for gas really didn't need to be there. Anyway...

Adam and Lauren were good and asleep when we left and I'd left some $ for Lauren to get muffins for the two of them in the morning. I am SO grateful for that amazing girl. SO grateful! We got to the race start, got our signs and lined up to get things going. Their start is always fun and it didn't disappoint! We were off. I felt really bad the first mile-ish, because there was a girl that was obviously hanging with me and she started asking me questions before I could really breathe! I almost wanted to hand the pace sign to her :) it just took me a bit to fall into a rhythm.

Mile markers were on (except one) and the out was beautiful, temps were perfect, drummers were awesome and the people around me were doing great and we were having a good race! At the turn around I only had 2 ladies left with me and the one that had been chatting since the beginning I asked her how she was doing and suggested, due to her response, she take a gu. Only problem is the next station had one, but she dropped it and she had to stop. I lost my last lady. The other one had gone just a bit ahead.

I was lonely and alone, but seeing all my peeps coming the other way kept my mind on the game and I also saw Steph! I knew earlier she'd talked about coming with a friend to help her do her first half, but hadn't heard she was for sure doing it. I wanted to turn and run with her right there! But, I kept going.

Mile 10ish I caught up to one girl and ran with her for a bit, encouraging and hopefully helping her, but she stopped to drink at the aid-station and I knew I was pretty close to pace and didn't have time. I didn't pass anyone else the rest of the race and I loved that as the fastest pacer as I came in the announcer said "wow! right on time. what a great pacer!" I took a nice little bow as I ran in :) it was incredible! Finished just about 20 seconds early, just perfect! I was glad that as crappy as my legs and week had been that I was able to make it and make it look easy :) at least I hope I do!

We got back to the hotel, cleaned up and headed home. Adam was good on the drive home and I had just an incredible experience with JaNae and Kimberly! I seriously love long drives with good friends. I could do them all the time!!! Good excuse to chat away.

We got home and had a bapstism to get to and after that I was just wiped out. So were my boys who had stayed with a neighbor and stayed up ALL night! So, we had an early bed time so that we all didn't fall asleep or rip each other's heads off at church the next day :)

A nice little 6 mile loop with Amy. Her hubby is off this week for their house closing and moving :(

I really, really, really hate to see her go! It was nice to sleep in a little bit this morning and to have a good run with her!

AP: 8:21 splits: 9:13, 7:50, 8:36, 8:29, 8:29, 7:33

Oh, I almost forgot! This was Operation Puppy Rescue! Along Main St this little puppy slid under a fence and started running after us! I didn't notice or pay any attention, but Amy did and this little puppy almost got run over by a Comcast truck. If we weren't in the road I doubt he would've seen it. So, we stopped and picked it up and took it home. Problem? It ran right back under the fence to be with us. I tried a couple tricks, but nothing worked. The mom was stitting on the porch just watching and wouldn't come get her puppy. I was a little frustrated, but we didn't want this little guy run over! So, at 6:15 in the morning we knocked on the door. The owner came to the door naked! hello?!? YIKES! Luckily I was distracted and I saw skin, but just skin...nothing more. Tender mercies. She grabbed a blanket and then got the puppy. When I ran by a few days later there were items placed at the bottom of the fence to keep puppy inside. I'm glad they actually cared.

Not my best run, but I got it done. My legs felt a little better today, but certainly not my gut! I don't know if it was what I ate or just coincidence, but my gut was not happy with me this morning. I made the group stop 3 times for my stomach to settle down, and then I finally rushed down to Holiday to use the bathroom. Dang it. I don't know if this has ever happened before. At least it helped me keep my pace quick because I wanted it over with!!

This was our last Tuesday Ten with Amy. I was happy that she finally joined us for the full loop. Even if I was a pansy with my gut being tied in knots.

AP: 8:08 splits: 8:54, 8;14, 9;11, 9:30, 7:48, 8:10, 7;49, 7:23, 6:55 (had to get to the bathroom!), 7:30, 7:56 (last .15)

A little gun shy with running after yesterday and I was tired. I was going to meet Amy and Danielle in the morning for an easy 6, but I just couldn't get up. Lazy. I ended up doing nothing :(

trying to rationalize tapering for UVM pacing on Saturday.

Run for Dov!

I'm taking this tapering thing seriously :) Paul had posted about this run to benefit a stage IV cancer fighter Dov. I was going to sponsor him to wear his Chemo Cupid outfit, but I decided it would be a fun run for the kids to join me on at Sugarhouse and my sister bye-wing thought she might do it too. It was only $50 for a family of 5 to register, so we all got in and during the run I pushed Adam (with his newly casted arm! thank goodness we're finally in a hard cast!) and let David and Nathan set the running pace. I was impressed they did such a good job on the hills. I did let them cut one little finger of the run off, but overall they did great! They got a ton of glowsticks at the end as well, so they were more than happy. I liked all the watermelon and took a bunch of rinds back for the chickens :) They also gave us a free watermelon to take home because they had extras. Trader Joes was also a sponsor and so between that and the snow cones the kids were in 7th heaven! We didn't win any raffle prizes, but it was good. All good!

A great cause, good people and it was fun to hang with Paul and Tiff then bye-wing for the evening. Got Chinese take out and spent way too long visiting with bye-wing afterward. Going to bed at midnight the night of your last day of school isn't a bad thing, right?

TT: 35:56 splits: 12:06, 12:05, 10:35, 11:35 (last .1) obviously there was more than a little walking in there :)

working the taper for UVM. Pacing the fastest full I've ever paced. It will be a PR for the UVM course and a BQ as well. I'll get my BQ shirt at UVM! Dang it, do you know how long I've pined after one of those shirts?!? I'm ready to go get one. I feel so blessed I'm able to do this and although I'm a little nervous, I know it is definitely within my capacity to pace a BQ time for myself. Go get 'em girl!

Ugh...Epic fail.

All was right with the world, until I woke up. I just slept longer than I should've. Didn't have time to really get things "moving" plus it was 3AM. Who wakes up that early?!? Anyway, left later than planned and realized that I'd forgotten my AD at home. No worries, I'd have time at the top to get business done. I didn't have time to turn around or stop. We'd be pushing getting on the last bus at 4:15 at the rate I was going!! Chad and I ended up running to the buses, in a nice stiff headwind that worried me, and got on the bus parked at the end of the line of buses. I got on the last bus. At least I got on one :) I thought Lowell would be proud of me. Until he said there was only one bus waiting when he got there 10 minutes later! My first failure of the day :)

At the top everything was going well, got to chat with people, found Jonathan (who I was pacing with and I was excited to show him my stuff and what a good pacer I was!) and we all got chatting and settled. I had gotten things moving, but was worried about my gut still so I asked if anyone had AD...nope. Shoot. Oh well, I've never had a problem before so just bank on that!

Got started and got to say good luck to Rachelle and Josie at the front then made my way back to my rightful place in the crowd. Soon, we were off. Things were great and besides the spray paint on the road (rather mean and vulgar to the runners), everything was perfect! Then, mile 5 came. I knew I'd need to use the bathroom. So, I raced ahead so I wouldn't have to push to catch up. I passed Paul pacing 3:35 and freaked them all out :) it was fun. Then I got out of the pop just as Jonathan was passing. Perfect. I hoped that was the end of it, but it turned out to be just the beginning.

The rollers shortly after gave me a little trouble, but that is to be expected on my no-good-hills legs. Mile 9 I took my gu to put back the energy and enjoy the donwhill for a bit. By mile 10 my gut had come back to haunt me. I knew this was going to be a struggle, but I'd never failed at pacing before. I was going to do this!!! Mental game - ON!

We crossed the half way just under 1:49 which was perfect for our pacing. Our purple shirt runners were ahead and for a moment Jonathan and I were alone. I told him my gut wasn't happy. It was going to be a barf or a pants issue, but it was not happy. I told him I would hang on and definitely do my best. Mile 15 I had to stop again. Ugh! I was NOT happy, but knew this was over. We still had a minute in the bank and I still had hope this would take care of it and I could get back on pace, but I knew chances were slim.

It ended up that from there until mile 21ish I couldn't run more than 1/4-1/2 mile without having my gut just cramp up on me and forcing me to walk. I was miserable. Absolutely miserable. Add to that the humiliation of people asking me what pace I was doing! Ugh! Why does this course beat me so much?!? I started thinking about what had gone wrong and what I'd done wrong. I couldn't figure it out. Then I remembered Tuesday's run. It started about the same time and felt the same way, but I was done at 10 and didn't have another 16+ to go! In the end I figured it was just something going wrong in my gut. I needed to figure this out. Maybe I was sick or it was something else, but I knew my body wasn't happy.

Andrea Bird ran with me a bit, Maynard passed me and we had much the same conversation he'd had, but with Toby, at Ogden. The 3:55 pacers blew past me and the 4:00 pacers passed while I was in the pop at mile 20...again. After that I ran into Corey and Dave and a couple others that I would continue to leap-frog until the end. Around mile 22 I finally felt like I could start giving back to the people around me. I was off pace, but still had my pacer shirt on and needed to represent. I gave out all my electrolytes and Ibuprofen. Trying to pass on kindness that had been shown to me throughout the years. I gave out cheers and encouragement and tried to get people to pick up and run with me when I could. I caught up to one of the purple girls who had been taken out by her ITB and we discussed that for a while. Then, surprise of all surprises...mile 23...Lowell came up behind me! You know you're having a bad day when your 72 year old "running dad" catches up to you!! I'd promised I'd come back and run him in with Smooth so as I whined about not wanting to run, he shouted "a promise is a promise!" He was right. I needed to give back again. It was my time to pace him in. I had some great experiences and chats those last few miles with fellow runners, Lowell, the race director and Smooth. Chad even came back to make sure I wasn't dead :) We finished together and despite my failure of pacing I was just happy to finish.

I'm really confliced about this one. I wanted that 3:40 so badly and I don't think it is beyond my capability, but I feel like an utter failure and that running just isn't my thing. I'm so emotionally drained over this one. It really hurts to think about it and put it all out there. I don't fail. I always make sure my pacing is within my capacity. Did I get too big of a head? Was it just a bad day? Do I need to re-evaluate myself? Ugh. This has really set me and my motivation back quite a bit emotionally. I'm feeling more than a little lost in the running world now :/

Nice recovery run with Kelli. It is nice to have someone that likes to sleep in like I do and run later :) We did a pretty flat loop and stopped at 4.5, because neither of us wanted to run loops around the park to get to 5 miles. Yes, I was lazy and tired. Trying to recover my legs.

AP: 8:25 splits: 8:54, 8:21, 8:15, 8:20, 8:08 (last 1/2)

Kelli and I decided to go for another sleep in run :) with the weather being nice and cool in the mornings we've just been spoiled rotten! The rain made things almost cold this morning, but other than the North headwind almost freezing my fingers off I had a great run and once we turn with the wind to our backs it was almost pleasant. Kelli gave me some rice and steel cut oats to make this yummy breakfast rice/oatmeal. Oh my wonderful! I've been eating it ever since. YUM!

AP: 8:29 splits: 8:39, 8:30, 8:32, 8:47, 8;45, 8:25, 9:09, 8:18, 7:45, 8:03

almost felt good after the run. But then the cold shakes came on. Dang it. I thought it was supposed to be summer! I guess I shouldn't complain about shaking after a noon run in June :)

Lauren has been taking care of my brother in laws puppy that lives a couple miles away. So, this morning I needed a run (Kelli was out, she'd gotten up early to spin) and so I had Lauren ride her bike and I ran down to their house with her. It is a lot harder trying to keep up with a bike!!! Luckily my legs were almost feeling good again. Plus, a dowhill start always helps. Afterward I decided to just do the Herriman Half course, but cut it short to the middle school and home. As I was along Butterfield Park Way there were about 10 big black trash bags blowing along the street, so I stopped and started picking them up. I'm sure they fell off some landscaping truck, but I was close to the Herriman City Parks office, so I made a side trip down there to drop off the bags. I couldn't find anyone to give them to, so I put them in a bucket near one of the office doors. Then I ran back out to finish my run, but I noticed that I was going to be near 10 miles by the time I would get home. So I took one extra uphill loop to make sure I got to 10 miles. Lauren seemed to have a good time biking with me and although she was going slower I think she appreciated the time in the saddle. My last mile of downhill was a nice push. Maybe my legs will come back sometime soon...

AP: 8:08 splits: 8:05, 7:45, 7:43, 7:56, 8:25, 8:31, 8:48, 8:52, 8:21, 6:56

Dave, Jerry and I hit Shaggy Mountain this morning. On our way up we ran into JoLynn and a few other girls that she was running with. It was good to see some others out this morning. I gave them a word of warning about the Nazis in Hi-Country and we went on our way. Always good company and chatting with Jerry and Dave. Jerry flew up the last mother hill! He is really hitting some good uphill pushes and I'm impressed by his hard training. I hope he is able to stay injury free this time. Didn't get caught in Hi-Country...full safe passage :)

AP: 8:31 splits: 8:55, 9:12, 9:39, 9:16, 7:53, 8:34, 7:14, 7;43, 7:19 (last .25)

I can't find anything I did this day...I feel like I should've done something, but I don't know what I did and there isn't anything on my garmin. Hmmm.

I was one of the few people not at AF half this morning. I stayed local because of price and it is Baby Fartlek's birthday tomorrow so we are celebrating today. Plus, it has been a long time since I've done a Herriman town days race. I love the new trail races they are doing, so I felt good supporting them.

Lowell and his nephew Dana met me at the park. I ran 1.2 over there and my legs sure were feeling heavy and certainly not ready to race! But, it was a trail run which means I can walk uphill, right? :) The race director had us walk over about 1/2 mile to where the trail started, I thought we'd run this as part of the course, but I was pleased we didn't.

Before I knew it the race was on. Just a small group of maybe 50-70 people and I was near the front, but quickly quite a few women passed me on the initial uphill. I wasn't surprised, but just thought "well, you know you suck at this running thing, so just do the best you can. That is all you can ask." I tried to stay strong and run even when I felt like I couldn't or didn't want to. I did eventually start passing a few women before the top of the peak, but then on the downhill I started taking even more.

The course went up to the top of the knoll, over to the reservoir and then back up and over. An out and back which makes seeing where you are in a race pretty easy. I started counting the women after the first one I saw. I was in 3rd place and the 4th place lady was about .1-.2 behind me. I knew she'd catch me again on the uphill, but I figured if I could keep her close I knew I'd blow by her on the downhill. Plan worked! It was hard and she really pushed/dragged me up that second climb, but I was grateful for it. I knew I probably wouldn't catch the 2 ladies out front, but at least I could take top 3. With crappy unrested legs I felt okay with that.

The dowhill flew by and I did catch a guy or two, but no women. There is one little uphill on the downhill stretch and I was determined to run it all. It wasn't easy, but I mentally overcame the push and didn't stop running. My finishing time seemed really slow, but I swear I was pushing myself! Lots of falls on the trail and I was just glad I didn't have those to contend with.

Lowell, Dana and I and many others chatted away until the awards ceremony and I thought they were doing top 3 overall, but only did first place :/ So, I got second in my AG. Oh well. Still a good placing for 3rd overall. I just need a few more miles to take down the other ladies!

Afterward my family came and we all enjoyed the hot parade and kids got lots of candy. I then went out for a little more heat training and ran to Kristy's house to let Ryker out. He'd literally dug into her scriptures. He was awfully bored! I hope he didn't ruin anything else. I then ran home, went to flag football games and finally got a shower! Then to dinner, the movies and fun for Adam's birthday!

AP: 9:23 splits: 11:07, 10:27, 7:36, 11:02, 9:16, 7:11, 5:58 (last .2)

1.20 to the park: 8:10 AP

3.2 to Kristy's and home: 8:46 AP - it was hot at 12:30...and windy.

I liked the 10K course so much from Saturday I decided to do it again! My friend Sara invited me to go paddle boarding with her and so I decided to run to her house and then she would drive us to the lake at Daybreak. It was a perfect breeze-less morning!

I worked hard to get up and over the trail, but still ended up walking a little bit. Slowly, but surely made it over the knoll and then back down. Wound my way through the trails and streets of East Herriman and Riverton down to her home in Monarch Meadows. Ended up with 7.25 miles.

AP: 9:20 splits: 9:03, 10:37, 12:34, 9:37, 8:19, 7:38, 7:44, 8:20 - downhill paces were decent at least :)

Then I spent 90 minutes on the lake paddle boarding. It is SO fun!!! I wish I could do it every day.

I didn't get to do the Tuesday Ten with the Newtons, because no one was going...except Chad. I chose to not do a date run and Chad did also. I slept in and did a nice heat training run starting at 10AM. I thought I'd run up to Yellowfork Canyon and then just go along the trail until I felt like turning around. As I was running up Rose Crest Road I decided to try the upper Shaggy Mountain Loop and come back down on Mountain Top Road and see how far it was so that we could run it as an alternative to the nazis loop in hi-country. It worked out to a good 8.5 miler. It was 85 degrees when I got home, but I ran it all without walking the hills! I was SO proud of myself. Slower than molases, but I did it. I did make a stop as I turned onto the dirt road and then half way up to the peak (the last driveway) I stopped and my mom called, so I got a few minutes rest there to get me up to the peak. This is the first time I've ran it all and not walked any. I am determined to conquer my bad hill running! The way down was fun and I took a little backway home that gave me even more downhill. Nice! Heat training...check.

AP: 9:26 splits: 9:26, 10:14, 10:23, 11:14, 8:23, 9:51, 8:15, 8:05, 7:56 (last .5)

Kimberly asked for company on the Urban Trail Loop and since I'm a sucker for company I agreed :) We met with Lloyd, His wife and Christine. I got to tell some fun running stories that Lloyd hadn't heard before, since I haven't run with him before, and Christine and Lloyd's wife ran together. We looped back to check in on the ladies a couple times, but the second time it looked like they cut back early and went straight down 10400S. So we just went ahead. They've started developing more and more of our little secret trail. It is sad to see it go, but I understand Urban spread. Maybe now we will find more running friends on the loop!

When we got back to the cars Lloyd's wife was there, but not Christine. We found out we'd missed her and she'd followed us alone. I felt so bad for leaving her alone!! I would've gladly run a little slower with her, but we thought she'd cut it short. So, I ran back on the course and ran in with her. We then had an amazing little chat afterward. I love my running friends!!

AP: 8:33 splits: 9:06, 9:03, 8:29, 7:59, 8:21, 8:29, 8:21, 8:31, 8:33

I then came home and rode bikes with Lauren down to the rec center. Swam a mile in approx 40 min working on my form (this time included breaks), and then biked home. It was fun to get a full workout in and hang out with my girl for a little bit.

A re-run of my Tuesday run - trying out the upper Shaggy Mountain loop. Mike and Chad were able to make the Newtons run, despite they both had Ragnar this weekend. It was a nice run and knowing that Tuesday I did this loop without stopping when it was hot, I was going to get through it again!

We did stop at the Shaggy Mountain turn off, but then after that I ran all the way to the peak without stopping...no phone calls! :) I will slowly get this hill thing through my head and be able to run hills! I may always be horribly slow, but I'm going to keep working on it. A good goal for me to push toward right now.

I haven't downloaded Garmin data yet, but I know my AP was around 8:50 which was significantly faster than Tuesday. Good news for me!

I'm not sure if I like these night runs or not. My gut is just not used to night running. This was my homage to Ragnar...that I'm not a big fan of.

I stopped eating by 3:30, but my gut still just didn't feel settled. I was supposed to pace 1:45, but I was grateful when Doug showed up and he seemed excited and willing to switch the 1:45 for the 2:00. This was a last minute and only 4 person pacing job. Only a few of us weren't out at ragnar. Then there were also only a handful of people running. Even at 2:00 I was alone most of the time. Except when I decided to run racers paces to stay and chat with them. I was a little a head of time on my way out, but was able to slow down and make enough water stops to be only 40 seconds ahead at mile 10. I kept 9:15 average until the last mile when I met a guy running his first half marathon. I knew I had time to kill and he didn't want me to pass him, so I stayed and talked him through the finish until we could see the arch and I sent him sprinting ahead. He was SO happy to have me helping him through that last mile he needed to take a picture with me :) Then he ended up placing 3rd in his AG! What an awesome start to a great running career. I hope he continues on, despite the baby coming in 2 months.

Another girl that I spent the majority of the time with was from San Antonio and I loved chatting with her and dreaming that she was Becca :) She is training for the Orphan Hope marathon this year that Becca BQ'd at last year! Such a small world. She was fun to run with and wish she could've kept up. I think I ran from mile 4-10 with her. Then she asked "Are you speeding up or am I slowing down?" I told her I was keeping a good 9:15-9:20 pace and that she might be having a hard time because of her AF half last week. She wasn't too far behind me at the end.

The race was about .15 short, so I finished a minute early, which means I was about right on time. Can't help a short course that doesn't have mile markers! I also had about 20-30 seconds ahead of that, but on an accurate course that isn't a big deal. I was SO happy that I didn't do the 1:45, 2:00 felt nice and easy and my gut didn't rebel too much, but the legs were a little heavy. Tender mercies! Thanks Doug!! 

It was a little creepy running in the dark and alone along the path where you hear about so many people being attacked. I wish there would've been more people racing, but with Ragnar it just wasn't meant to be. If you run this race remember your head lamp!! Lots of tree roots and the turn around is easy to miss and then you'll literally run off the edge of the path if you can't see. Glow sticks just don't do much for you as far as lighting the path!! I told everyone on the out and back to turn at the cone. I hope people believed me and no one got hurt.

Kimberly and I had a great ride down and back, despite getting home at 2:00 :) Including a stop at Krispy Kreme so my kids would love me when they woke up in the morning...and leave me alone when they got hungry! It was weird sleeping in and not running Saturday morning. Really weird. I was going to run a few miles with Cheri at Liberty Park, but she cancelled her 100 mile training run there. So I just hung out with the family.

running a midnight race Friday night makes Saturday morning runs difficult! So, I slept and took a rest "day" - 36 hours with Sunday :)

Epic Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim

More to come later :)

hahaha - yeah, I can barely walk. Clinging to walls and railings as I walk downstairs. I tried to walk with Kelli at the gym...oh, boy, I couldn't bend my knees or my knee would just buckle because I had no muscle control, but oh I 'd do it again in a heartbeat!!!

still not walking well...so I'm resting.

Almost feel like I can rejoin the land of the living! I got a good HR elevating walk while Adam was at music. Canned tomatoes and actually got up to cook dinner...a big change from the last couple days :)

Finally felt like I could move again after r2r2r - went to the boxing gym and did a class and then to the gym to get a few miles in to shake out the legs. I finally felt good the last mile and decided to time it, because I was flying around the track! HAHAHA - 9:05MM oh dear...Yup, I was flying baby...flying.

Another "quick" 4 miles on the track after boxing class to just get the legs moving and ready for the long run Saturday.

Snowy run up Butterfield Canyon to the peak and then down Yellow Fork. Not the smartest thing the weekend after R2R2R, but I got it done. Despite wanting to lay down in the snow and die about a quarter mile from the peak :)

Boxing class and then 5 miles on the track again....oh how I love winter, blah!

Boxing class with Craig at 6AM - I enjoy going with him!

Yellow Fork Canyon run with the Run Aways. Blaine let me run a little faster so that I could get to pick Adam up on time from pre-school. We went up afterward and visited with the rest of the group. Adam loves his Tuesday visits with the runaways!

Boxing class, then I had to rush off to get Adam to music, then I hit the track at the gym to run. Oh man. I had 25 minutes before the day-care closed to get the 3 miles in. I wasn't sure my slow legs would take it! But I timed my last mile at 7:30 and I finished up my miles just in time to get him from the day care. My legs can move! :)

Boxing class with Kelli then we hit the gym. 2 miles on the track then went to the TM. I did a progressive run on the TM and finished at 9.0 - okay, I really only got up to 8.0 before the last tenth of a mile and had 4 miles in 36 minutes, so it wasn't super fast.

Boxing class with Marci, she always kicks my trash. Then I took Adam to the gym so that I could get my run in and the daycare was full. I stuck him on a corner of the track with my ipone to watch movies and I got a good 4 miles in before the attendant found him :) He just made Adam sit on the chairs instead of on the track...so I still finished up my miles. Score. I finished the 7 miles in just over an hour...maybe 63 minutes?

I drug my tired butt out of bed to get to YF in time to meet Kelli and Kim for a 10 mile trail run down a new section I hadn't been on before. Everything went wrong in the morning...I was late! I forgot my headlamp too. So, I used my phone light...not effective! Anyway, I was tired from staying up until 2AM cleaning and then getting up at 5:30 for the run. I'm always tired.

The run was worth it though. Great company and beautiful scenery! Gorgeous sunrise and the best trail in YF I've been on in a long time. All good things! The weather wasn't horrible like last week either. I need new trail shoes though. My feet felt every rock and hurt for days after. Ugh. No money.

After the run I went home, changed clothes and went to boxing class. A great workout! Then I headed back to the gym, since the rain and wind had come in with a vengence, and did 4 miles. 2 on the track and 2 on the TM. My legs were tired. Very tired. We did 10.4ish on the trail and then in boxing we did 3-3 minute runs around the gym, so I called that 11 even and then the 4 at the gym gave me 15 for the day.

Boxing class with Linda - a good HIIT class.

6 miles at the gym. 2 on the track for warm-up then 4 on the TM, finishing progressive.

6AM boxing class with Craig

9AM spin class

6 mile run - 3 on the track and 3 on the TM progressive AP 8:30

I had to run from the gym to get home and showered before getting Adam at 11:30 because of a work appointment. So, I didn't get to talk to anyone. I had to just get it done. Kind of sucked, but I got it done.

An early morning run with some good peeps. Cory, Wan and Blaine met me at my house and we ran an 8 mile loop around the town. We started early, because I needed to get home and get miles in early so that I could drive up to Rexburg to pick up my niece Sophia and bring her here for Thanksgiving. I love a good road trip!!

We had a slight delay in leaving, because David's tooth (where his back braces bracket was attached) fell out. He is getting his braces off next Wednesday...sigh. So, I had to run down to American Fork, because that was the only office they were working in before taking the holiday weekend off. Crazy business.

I got lunch in Pocatello with Lowell and Nielsons custard in Rexburg and then on the way home we birthed the idea of the Moody Marathon! A new standard of measurement for the 5K. Next time someone asks how long your marathon was you can query back "A moody marathon?" I can't wait to start this new tradition with the family!

Up late getting things ready for our Moody Marathon. But, I still got up and going to get out the door so that I could get my 10 miles in on the way to boxing class.

I got there just in time to get started with the crowd. Craig, the kids and Sophia met me there and we all had a great workout. I won the push-up contest with 72 narrowly edging out Lauren who had 69. Then there was a wall-sit contest and Lauren, David and I were 3/4 sitting :) The other lady actually won, but didn't want the pie so she gave it to David. Ugh...none of us need more pie!

We came home and got ready to run The Moody Marathon with Polly Pacer leading the race.

Nathan wasn't into doing the race. The boxing class had worn him out and we'd all gotten to bed late. So, in order to keep peace and happiness I allowed him to be the timer instead of running. He is only 7. So a 90 minute boxing class where he was actually working was probably more than enough for him.

We had our start picture and we were off. I had Polly and our dog Lucy and Craig had Adam in the stroller. We all took off and I took the lead early :) but, I wanted to make sure no one got lost. So I stopped at the first turn into the neighborhood and waited until I could see the last person. We got grouped up again and I went forward. Lauren actually did a pretty decent job keeping up with me. If the girl would run more, she could probably beat me. After the first extra loop around I waited again to make sure everyone was in tow. Somehow Sophia got lost. We waited and waited for her, but she never came. So I went back looking for her, I didn't find her anywhere! But, when I came back around the corner...she was there. I don't know where she went, but she found us :) So we went off again. I re-grouped one last time to make sure everyone was following and knew the last couple turns home. I finally let loose the last straight away to home and hit a nice 7:30 pace to finish up in 38:XX minutes. With an extra 1/2 mile and all the re-grouping it wasn't too bad a time...I guess :) It is still the new record set for the Moody Marathon. I'm willing now to let someone else win...if they can!

At the finish line I was greeted by our timer and Adam. Craig had taken a bit of a short-cut and only did 2.3 miles. Since Adam was in the stroller he was excited to be the first to cross the line. We are still discussing with him why he didn't really win. Oh, 4 year olds! Craig had gotten a call from work and was sitting on the front porch working on his lap-top. Poor guy. He never gets a day off. Lauren came in shortly after I did and then David and Sophia. It was great to watch everyone finish. Nathan loved handing out the medals to all the finishers. It was perfect! Everyone was happy and had a great time.

We then went inside and had our Krispy Kreme donuts and did our raffle drawing. The best raffle prize was the box....Nathan had a choice: The reindeer poof or the box, He chose the box. What was in the box? Nothing! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! (it is a quote from UHF, if you're a decent human with a sense of humor you've seen the show :) ). Lauren got the 2 year cat calendar, I got the bubble gum candy cane, Adam got paints, David got the big mustache, Sophia got the Reindeer Pooper and Craig got the reinder poof...not a good idea to confuse those last two.

It was an incredible family tradition to start and I won the glass pinecone trophy for the win. I got to write my name on a leaf with the year. But, since Adam was sure he won and needed to write his name on there I wrote Rachel Anne so that he could see the A and think I wrote his name on too :)

We all got showered and headed off to Thanksgiving at the Moody house and then surprised my mom with Sophia. Then, the best thing happened. My mom's husband (who we all love and adore...ha!) saw our t-shirts and said: "The Moody Marathon...hmmm, how long is that marathon?!?" LOL! The perfect comment from the perfect person. I couldn't help but let a smile crrep across my face. 3 miles...it is just 3 miles. It was awesome. Worth every penny I spent on the race. The Moody Marathon, this 5K ain't no kids game!

I was SO tired from getting up early and going to bed late all week. I just wanted to sleep...and I did. In bed by 9PM and I woke up at 9AM. Ahhh, too bad I'm still tired today! I got up and went to my favorite boxing class with Marci. Always a good sweaty workout.

I laughed when Craig went to sit down and was so sore he nearly screamed :) That would be the lunges and squats from thanksgiving boxing class! I love it.

Wan was almost home so I waited for him then set out on our Shaggy Mountain loop. On the way home we made a couple exploration loops and it was a great run! He was a little slow and limped a lot on his injured ankle. He walked a lot more than I was expecting, but between his injury and racing the Turkey trot yesterday in 1:38 I wasn't too surprised. But, he hung in there and we had a great run. When we got back to his house he had 10 miles on his ipod and I only had 9.3, so I ran the long way home and ended up with 10.15 and a 7:10 finishing tenth of a mile.

Had to earn another piece of pie and popcorn at the movies today :)

I got a great group together to run a Shaggy Mountain loop with some exploring. Dave, Kim, Danielle and Shana and I went up the longer loop up to the crest. When we got up to the crest I wanted to explore a little side trail, so the group was willing to entertain me and we went exploring. We followed the dirt road that turned into a 4-wheeler track and then a little bushwhacking to a single track that took us to the peak. It was awesome. We still couldn't see over to Yellowfork, but we could see the top of hi-country I. Now I want to explore that dirt road up there :) We went back down to the road and finished the Shaggy Mountain loop down to Rose Canyon and then up to the flag pole and over to 7300W and down the Mario Kart strip. 

It was a great run with some incredible people. It took us two hours, so there was some power hiking and walking, but sub 8mm the last couple miles. Oh, it was great to be out with an incredible group! I've missed my Newtons and local friends just chatting and exploring. I get tired of running solo. Sometimes I need it, but I'm much more of a social runner and I like running with those that challenge me! And all these people do. 

3 days of 10+ in a row. Oh, how good I feel! 

Boxing class in the AM with Lena, great HIIT training

6 miles at the gym on the track/TM

Warrior Boot Camp with Robyn...I wanted more boxing and less "aerobics" but still a good workout!

6 miles early in the morning running down to boxing class.

Met Craig there and did Cyle's boxing class...always a workout!

Met Blaine at Yellow Fork to take the dogs on a run. Lucy enjoyed her little jaunt. I had to take off to get boys to their doctor appointments. 4 miles total in the frozen mud and ice.

A crazy day.... lots of kids appointments to take care of and I did what I could in the mean-time to get my miles etc in.

Lena's HIIT boxing class for 45 min

1 mile running while Adam finished music class

Drove to the gym and threw him in chuck a child

Got 4.5 miles done in the 35 minutes I had until daycare closed (finally hitting decent paces), then I did 1.5 more on the track while Adam entertained himself on my phone and waited in the chair by the track. at 11 laps/mile I get to see him quite often and he is a good "screen time" kid too :)

I then did a double boxing class in the evening, because I want to go to some different instructors and try them out. 

Marci did her HIIT boxing class and I was late, because of a mix up with dinner for a family in the ward. Then Cat was out and Jimmy substituted for her, so I had a one on one class with Jimmy...holy crap. He had me solo on the bags for the whole hour! Man alive, but I had a lot of fun :) my shins are all nice and bruised from learning to kick!

Shaggy Mountain with the Newtons in the early morning hours. I was just a little slow because of my workout last night. 

I then went back to Cyle's class at 9:15 to get another beat down.

Afterward I met Kelli at Yellowfork to see how muddy it was. Oh man...warm weather and rain make for nice muddy trails. It was slow going up AND down. But, another few miles to add to the total for the day. 

Because of all the jumping and moving on the cement floor at boxing my shins are starting to yell at me, so I figured it would be a good day to relax and take off running. 

I did Marci's HIIT class and she had us doing sprints etc around the parking lot, so I probably got a mile in, but meh... 

Then the gym added a yoga class after Marci's class. Oh it was SO good to be back at yoga! I truly enjoyed it. 

I should've run a quarter more to make it 13...I feel like a slacker!

Kelli, Heidi, Shanna, Dave and I met at my house and we did the Shaggy Mountain half course, but didn't go through the Nazi camp. Instead we did Moody hill, up to Shaggy Mountain Rd then at the top of the road we took a side trail to the peak like we did last week. Oh it was good! Then we came home up and over the flag pole hill. The only thing I like about that is going over the Mario Kart strip :) 

Kelli gave us a Christmas treat of Coke with Almond Joy creamer...wow! I don't drink soda, but man I may have to change that. SO yummy!!! Then Shana gave us muffins that were clean and SO good! I need to get to baking soon. 

A great run and despite our slow pace, it was a really strong effort...at least on my part!