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

No miles this morning...alarm went off (I was going to just do an easy 5K) and I decided to sleep :) - no surprise there, I know. Went to step class this morning and it was a GOOD one! Great class to get things moving again, and now I just feel guilty about not running...I definitely could've gotten some in!

Met BBK's for a nice hill workout - Lamptonview Lane. Nice warm-up and was actually feeling well enough to hang with Becca and a slow Walter :) Then we did a 4.5 mile loop down to Parkway Palisades and back. I really thought I'd get out of those hills today! Felt good hanging with the lead group; however, I realized later that it was a lot slower than they usually go. Again I'm foiled with their tapering/recovery runs! Felt strong on the hills until I stopped for a minute to 'regroup' - then the hills back to the church seemed a lot harder and slower, and I started about 50 yds back from the lead pack, but I never let them get away from me! Did about 1.5 of recovery miles with Peggy, then turned to go back to get home in time for hubby to get to work. Decided I was going to push the last bit (mimic running on tired legs) and I was pleasantly surprised with the pace that last .11 (6:26 mm). Great run, felt strong, but realized I was a little slow for my effort - so I concluded I'm still lacking a little from Park City, but all in all ready hit it hard this week!! ITB's were fine - stupid things!!! UUUGGGHHHH!!! 

*Forgot to post this* AP:  8:35 splits: 9:01, 8:35, 8:52, 8;14, 7:55, 8:19, 8:17, 8:21, 8:55, 9:31, 6:26 (for the last .11 :) )

Came home and got my little dude off to his first day of Kindergarten. He is so stinkin' excited!! Went to the gym for my first group training (with a personal trainer) and I forgot how much they kick your butt! I must remember to eat first. Ended with walking a 30% incline for 10 minutes, VERY slow :) 

Please pardon me for the next little bit, I'm trying to get into a routine and get things settled at home; so I don't feel like I have the time I'd like to read/comment on blogs. I'm not ignoring you, I'm thinking of you...just trying to manage my time better!

Too sore to get up early...I wanted to run a fast 5K, but opted for sleep. Went to kick-boxing and it wasn't as hard as it normally is; however, still a good workout. Went to the TM and did 5: first 4 at 8:30, then the last one at 8:00, then a final push the last .25 to 7:30. Good easy run, but I still hate the TM - it makes everything seem longer, especially when everyone around you is listening to music and there is no one to talk to :(

Another BBK day...however, due to the personal training making me SO sore, I felt every step today. The 10mm 3-mile warm up had me breathing hard and finished this morning! Then we ran out to the Oquirrh Mtn temple hill and ran up and down then back twice. That hill doesn't seem too bad, until with dead legs you attempt to run up it! Ran about a mile back, then ran up 10400S to the end and back - about 2 miles. Again...a long steady good hill, but the downhill went quickly :) Then I finished up with 1.5 of cool-down miles with Debbie. AP: 8:49 splits: 10:03, 9:19, 8:32, 8:52, 8:23, 8:20, 9:09, 7:58, 8:40, 8:54 -Kept the pace going in the right direction until the mile up 104 :)

Came home got the kiddos off to school then headed to Yoga. We had a rough morning with the Kindergartner so I was later than late, but didn't want to totally bag it. Missed final relaxation so I was awake enough for the personal training group again today. Thankfully, we did all arms and core today...my legs are trashed! Finished up with 2.5 miles on the bike. Now off to another busy day, I hope I get it all done without falling asleep!

Another sleep-in day. Too tired and too many cookies last night :) I usually take Fridays off from running, but with no miles on Monday I would barely be pushing 40 with the 1/2 Saturday, so I talked myself into another day of TM running (only way to run while kids are up, gym has daycare!). Broke it up to help with monotony. 5K in 26 min then 20 min of biking (5 miles) then another 5K in 26 min. I think they were both just over 26 min, I started at 8:30 then pushed the last mile and would just keep cranking the last .5 to .25 just to get it finished. One of the teachers at the gym came and chatted my 2nd 5k first 2 miles so that helped a TON. Good run, even for the TM. Now off to hopefully get everything done I need to in the next 4 hours...then off to Logan. TOU 1/2 here we come!

oh...as a side note, not racing tomorrow. One of my longest and dearest friends is running this as her first 1/2 and I told her I'd run with her...so I'll be by her side the whole time. I really think she'll finish in under 2 hrs - did DesNews 10K in 50 min. I'm so excited for her and just this morning I was reminiscing that 2 yrs ago (almost to the day due to calendar differences) she ran Swiss Days as her first 10K. We were both SO proud that we finished in exactly 10mm!!! It was only my 3rd or so 10K, but her first. Funny how things can change so quickly. In the meantime she's even had a baby! I'm so stinkin' proud of her it's unreal!! YEA Stephanie!! YOU ROCK GIRL!!! 

okay...some guilt. Another friend I've met while living here in Herriman is also running TOU for her 1st. She's heavier and has worked REALLY hard to lose 30 lbs in the last 3 months and train for this baby. She runs closer to 14mm, but keeps movin' the whole time! I know she'll finish strong, after Steph is done I'm going to run back the course and grab her and run her in as well. Her sister is running with her, so I'll just be there at the end to cheer her in. This is going to be a FUN FUN race! So many exciting proud moments!

What a great race. I had a wonderful time driving up and bunking with Kelli (and Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm and Thanks for dinner!!) AND indulging in the pre-race/post-race ice cream ritual with Kelli and my friend Stephanie - her 1st 1/2! 

The morning started out great, but early. I was there to run the race with Steph and keep her going the whole time, we lined up mid-pack and were about 2 min back from the start. The first 6 miles down the canyon she was hitting AWESOME paces and feeling good, but once we hit the flat at the bottom her legs started falling out from under her. It was great to just be going a comfortable pace and just encourage and compliment the crap out of her! At one point we turned a corner (mile 11) and she said "Rach, I've got to walk" I said "Look, the aide station is just up ahead, just make it there and we'll walk through it...you can do it, see the orange jug, just think how much you want it...the faster you get there the sooner you get to walk." She did great and pushed through, we walked a little more that aide station, but then she finished strong! I was so proud of her, I don't remember being as emotional at the finish of my first 1/2 as I was at her's! I would talk about how neat it would be at the finish with her family there...and would tear up, I saw her family and teared up, we crossed the finish and I teared up. What was wrong with me? Still so proud of her! It takes SO much to be able to do it. 

Got some rest/stretch/visit time in then at 3 hours headed back to find Amy, I knew she'd be close. I found her about .25 before mile 12. She was walking with her head down "head up and let's go!" I shouted from across the street. She later told me how she'd just puked at mile 11 (due to a coughing fit) and had just finished praying she would just finish...I got to be her angel yesterday. Kelli and I ran her into the finish and I kept her moving the whole time, she said she probably would've walked if I hadn't have been there. She worked so hard and put so much effort into this race, again...I teared up like 3 times that last mile with her! Especially at the finish watching her hubby cheer her in was just AMAZING! She finished in 3:22 and her 12 mile run was 3:20, so she did even held a good pace for her through the race.

To me, THIS is what running is about. Not the medals, prizes, t-shirts or times (although they are ALL good motivators that I love!). The effort and sheer will that you have to have to do it, and all the people that support you and help to push you along your way. You can only ever beat your own time...we can't compete against each other (I understand a race is this, but work with me here for a minute), we can only conquer ourselves. I saw the same exhaustion in Amy's eyes at 3:20 as I did in Kelli's that finished in 1/2 the time. Running is an individual sport, and we all get to encourage each other through the journey! I love it!!! Thanks to all you out there who have helped me get where I am today, you are all MY angels!