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

Okay, I've got a bag of mixed feelings going on right now...so I'm going to blog them, but I reserve the right to form different opinions as the day-week goes on :)

I came into the race simply hoping for a 50...a 48 would be nice, but I just didn't think my legs had that speed. Last year I ran a 46:15 (4th overall 1st in AG) and I knew I was NOT in that good of shape this year, especially coming off a 20 miler Saturday that topped off a 60 mile week! So, I just wanted to test the waters.

Anyone that knows me knows I CAN NOT know the speed I am running. I never look at my Garmin and when I pass mile markers with people shouting times (if I'm alone) I ask them not to tell me. I push myself what I can when I can, because if I look at my watch and see me running a sub 7mm mile my brain thinks "what are you doing? you can't run that fast!" So, I get tired and psych myself out of running so fast. So...I just run.

As we took off I could see female after female pass me by...then the mom and 11 year old went by *sigh* slow ol' me! But, I kept truckin' on. I tried not to listen as the first mile time was called out, but I heard a 22 and had a touch of hope it may have been a 7, but not much. I tried to hit the downhill, pick people up (thinking they were running a good pace) then I'd slowly take over them. Always a good feeling to chick a few guys :) Only 2 women passed me the whole race, and I passed 2 - I figured this evened things out.

At the 3 mile mark I heard the guy say 22 even...wow, I really didn't think I was going that fast. Hey...I could make that 48 after all, keep moving legs, keep moving...the uphill is coming. As we hit the uphill portions I just thought "you know all those hills in Herriman are SO much harder than this, you do this every day - pick up the pace!" I tried and picked off a couple guys that had been lingering in front of me. They re-passed me on the biggest hill, but then I took it back :)

Just before mile 5 I needed to spit, but couldn't breathe in long enough to get a good 'huucckk' out. So, I just wiped it off...my thoughts "wow, running is SO glamorous! Glad I took the time to do my hair and then SPIT all over myself!" Just after that I saw the last water stop. I sure could use just a splash of Gatorade to trick my body into thinking it was getting energy and keep going. Not to be! The train gates just after the water stop started to go down as I was approaching "Nuh uh!" I said out loud. I turned up the speed and was bound and determined that if a train was coming I was going to beat it and NOT get stopped! After we saw no train coming and the arms lifted just before I got to them, I let a sigh of relief...oh crap! I wanted a drink.

The last mile I actually felt like I was pushing myself well. In retrospect I always think I was too comfortable and could've pushed harder. A guy that as I passed him said "nice job rabbit" passed me this mile, and I was determined to stay in his long shadow. I was literally running on his head the last mile :) Then, I caught a glimpse of the 11 yr old and her mom. I was NOT going to let a little kid beat me (oh, our pride!). This helped me focus more than rabbit man. On the last 1/2 mile uphill I could tell she was losing steam and I had to pass her before she saw the finish and used those darn fast twitch muscles to out sprint me! So, I did. Then we turned the corner and mom says "there's the finish, give it all you've got!" So, I did :) She finished 2 seconds BEHIND me. Aren't I proud, beating an 11 year old?!? blaahhh....

Crossing the finish it said 42:09, I quickly figured that was the 5K timer that had started 5 minutes after us. I'd run a great race, but the 5 mile guy said I was at 37:55, so I KNEW I hadn't finished in 42! I was VERY proud of myself for beating what I thought could be my best time, but then I remembered all those women in front of me....

This is the first time in the 4 years I've run this race I haven't placed top 3 in my AG. So, here goes my whine: I HATE my age group! There are SO many stinkin' fast women 30-34. If I still would've been in 25-29 I would've taken 1st by 2 minutes, but in my AG I come in 7th overall. So, my one consolation is that no one younger than me finished before me :) Good thing I beat that 11 year old, huh? lol!!!

So, I'm very proud of my time and that I finished only 53 seconds slower than last year. With my extra 15 pounds I'm carrying, no taper and just having a baby (11 weeks tomorrow) I think my conditioning is probably where I was last year. I just need to shape up (after I'm done nursing), and keep up the quality miles. However, the draw back is I feel a little depressed leaving without an AG prize...stupid I know. I race myself, and I'm the only one I can ever beat - but I'm still just a bit blue about it. Good motivation to keep working hard and go GET one next year! So watch out all you 30-34 year olds, I'm coming back! (or, you can move up an AG and let me win again :) )

Long story longer....I had a wonderful time and Marion's hospitality was top notch as always! Maureen, Kelli, Ashley, Tyler, Michelle and Lily all ran AMAZING races and were SO fun to chat with afterward. The social part of running really is my favorite. Kellie was there at the finish and it was good to chat with the new expecting mommy as well.  I ran back to Marion's in my crocs, and other than feeling a few rocks it wasn't bad; however, I only ran about 1/2 mile in them, so take it as you wish. Thanks for everyone's effort in helping make it a great day, I truly had a wonderful time. Plus, I won a raffle :)

AP: 7:37 splits: 7:20, 7:33, 7:30, 7:33, 7:59, 7:53, 6:54 (last .2)

*okay, I have to correct myself after seeing overall results. There were 3 other 30 year olds (Lily!) that finished before me, but I'm going to assume I'm the youngest of the four :) There was a 17 year old that also finished before me, so I can't claim the youngest fastest finisher anymore. Dang! All my titles are busted today :)*

Quality over Quantity this week.

2 mile warm-up to a nice hill out here...

8 X 30 second hill sprints - looking at Garmin it looks like I can't count and did 9.

2 X 60 second hill sprints

3 mile 'tempo' (just keeping a good effort, shooting for under 8:30's even on hills)

AP:  8:47 splits: 10:17 (hello warm-up!), 9:08 (hitting a groove), 8:12 (was hitting 6's on my hill sprints, then I'd recover down), 8:29 (finished up this mile on my last downhill recovery),  8:41, 8:20, 8:24 (really happy with this one, because there was a good 1/3-1/2 mile hill!).

Now I'm off to body sculpt and then I'll do some speed work on the TM

*class was good, but I feel like the teacher rests too much during sets. Kind of gets annoying. Hit the TM for 20 minutes of speed work afterward:

5 min warm-up @ 9:13mm

2 min @ 7:34mm, recovery 3 min @ 9:13mm

3 min @ 7:24mm, recovery 2 min @ 9:13mm

4 min @ 7:19mm, recovery 1 min @ 9:13mm

cool down walking for 2 min, then about 10 minutes stretching

AP: 8:19 for the entire 2.4 miles

Thanks Kelli for talking me through this workout, I needed a distraction!*

Quality Week, day #3 - 

I'm honestly a bit ashamed to even post that this was supposed to be a tempo run. The plan was 7 mile loop: 1 mile warm up, 5 mile 'tempo' (under 8:30 pace), 1 mile cool-down. The first couple miles of tempo were good, but as I hit the up hill and headwind it all went to crap! Seriously, how in the WORLD did I run a 7:35 pace for 6 miles just 2 days ago?

AP: 8:36 splits: 8:53 (downhill warm up), 7:49 (maybe too fast?), 8:13 (feeling good and in a groove), 8:31 (CRAP! I thought I was working harder and pushing faster than that 8:13!), 8:46 (quads burning, felt pukey a couple times...how in the world was this SO slow for the effort?!?), 8:36 (Got back into a bit of a groove with the hills, or maybe it was just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel) 9:22 (ahhh, easy pace cool-down!)

The best thing I can say is that I kept a sub 9mm on my hill of death (8:36) and that was one of my goals before SGM. I really did push hard on this run, and I'm hoping it was just tired legs from good workouts this week. I was almost 1/2 toying with the idea to shoot for a BQ (3:40:59) at SGM, but after today I think I'd be smarter to shoot for about 4hrs. I can't hold faster than this pace for 26 miles! *sigh*

Off to boot camp, but then afterward I think I may do elliptical and not TM to let the legs recover a bit before the hills from h&$$ tomorrow...

***Boot camp was crazy today! She had us do 1/5 mile of lunges, seriously?!? I think my legs are dead now...definitely dead! Not to mention that before that she burned out our arms, I am already looking forward to yoga Thursday and rest day Friday, but not so much the hills tomorrow.

After class I hit the elliptical for 25 minutes on L10 to try and move some of that lactic acid so I'm not so sore tomorrow. Two miles total for the time. Then I did 10 minutes of good stretching on the legs. I'll also roll tonight to hopefully be able to move in the morning before the run.***

I knew yesterday after class that this was going to be a slow run, but I was determined to make the best of it and get 'er done! 

Tackled the hills with effort, not speed :) However, I made an effort to try and keep a good clop on the downhills. If you would've heard my breathing on the uphill you probably would've thought I was having a heart attack! Between the hilly course and the gale force canyon wind on the uphills I definitely got a good workout despite the slower paces on the uphill.

AP:  9:10 splits: 10:17, 10:05, 10:12 (I honestly thought some of these may reach the 11's! So, I was pleased with this), 8:34 (a good uphill here, but I was feeling better after a nice downhill break), 8:07, 8:19, 7:18 (last .35) - gotta love that effortless downhill after nasty uphills!! 900 ft of elevation gain overall...

The senses this morning almost got as good of a workout as the legs. Petrichor, a light sprinkle of rain, amazing sunrise that just kept changing and from the high vantage point I reached got an amazing view of the entire valley. I also got to see numerous (probably 20+) deer, lots of babies, and some rabbits as well.

Now I get to be in full rest/recovery mode until Saturday's 22. Now yoga...aaahhh! My favorite part of the week!!!

Ahhhh, the heavenly nature of a well earned rest day!

60 min on the elliptical @ L10 - then 15 minutes of good stretching. Resting and fueling well for the 22 tomorrow!!

If anyone would like to join in - 5:30 at the green bridge on the Lehi JRP. We'll start North....

I really don't think that one should feel this good after a 22 miler at a pace only seconds (5) off their goal pace for the marathon, after a full hard week of training to boot (oh, and just having a baby 12 weeks ago). I may need to change my goal a little bit...

I was SO happy to have tons of people to run with! Staci (Smooth's fun running buddy) led us around the construction, Chad was there to finish off his training for TOU, and Cal, Becca and Annette and I were along for the 22 mile ride. Honestly, it really doesn't get much better than today. 

I had a great run, with great people, lots of big lies, fun times to be had all along the way (even nearly tripping on a SKUNK in the dark!), and even had our own personal cheering section on the way home (thanks Chad!). I REALLY hope I feel this good at mile 22 in three weeks.

Things really are just seeming to come together quite well for me, and I'm SO glad I have great people to keep me motivated and moving.

AP: 8:50 splits: 9:43, 8:57, 8:39, 8:34, 9:17, 9:28, 8:46, 9:00, 8:45, 8:46, 9:00, 8:57, 9:04, 8:46, 8:39, 8:42, 8:57, 9:03, 8:36, 8:34, 8:18, 7:55 (What the?!? How did I go progressive those last 5 miles and END under 8? Wow, that really surprises me! I guess those really WERE magic beans :) )

*oh, as a side note I keep finding more and more bloggers that live in my house :) Okay, not MY house, but the same house plan by the same builder. Shout out to all the FRB's: fieldstonerunningbloggers.com  :) *