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

Slept in...boy did I sleep in. My baby was still asleep after the boys left for school and so I snuggled back into bed with him. When I woke up it was 10:00 and I had to get down to the hospital to get a cholesterol retake done (I was supposed to do it in MAY). I had to do it fasting, so I went before I ran. The plan intially was to run with the jogger down to the hospital (5 miles) then run home, but the wind was SO bad and it was SO cold that I didn't want to push the jogger and felt bad making Adam sit outside in bad weather for 90 min.

I drove to the hospital, got the check done and then came up with a brilliant idea! Since the nursery was closed at the gym at that time, I bribed a neighbor with Jimmy Johns to watch Adam while I ran. Perfect!

So, I was stuck with the TM, but at least I got to run!

1 mile on the track to warm up.

6 miles in 50:30 AP: 8:25 all at 1% grade...I forgot how much I enjoy running on the TM - BLECH!

Finally back to the Newton's Tuesday Ten! A decent pace after a good half on Saturday.

AP: 8:16 splits: 8:33, 8:32, 9:22, 9:46, 8:04, 8:12, 7:33, 7:28, 7:24, 7:41, 8:15 (last .1)

I convinced Adam that he wanted to try the big kid class at the gym today. They have a kids on the move class from 9-10 where they do focused aerobic activities with the kids instead of them sitting in front of the TV in the day care room. You have to pay double the hourly rate for it and you have to be 3. Surprisingly, this is the first time this gym rat has been to the gym during these hours since Adam turned 3! I guess I just started liking outside more :)

I did one mile on the track and then 5 on the TM in 42:30 - 8:30AP 1% grade.

They brought the kids upstairs and let them run laps on the track during their class. It was SO fun to see Adam and he smiled and waved at me and ran a little faster! I love that little kid!

I had to jet out for institute, so that was all I had time for. Short and sweet.

The Halloween Shaggy Mountain Loop. The only thing scary about it was all the hills, but we're used to them :)

Besides the cold, it was a beautiful morning!

AP: 8:36 splits: 8:55, 9:14, 10:14, 9:21, 7:54, 8:42, 7:12, 7:32, 7:12 (last .1)

A busy day working and trying to get into the office for some required training, so I had to get up and run...or I wasn't going to run. I did a cheater cut of my 8.35 mile route...and it came out exactly a mile less. I thought that was pretty neat.

I did my UP Juniper Crest hill, which is monstrous, but then gives me flat there and downhill/flat home. So, the short monster is better than long dragging up with only a quick down.

AP: 8:39 splits: 9:00, 8:32, 8:42, 9:03, 8:22, 8:52, 8:14, 8:11 (last .37)

Later in the day I did something I've never done before...I donated blood. I'm a good fast bleeder and filled my bag in 4:04! I guess I've got speed running in my veins :)  Since I don't have any races or big pushes coming up and are able to enjoy a bit of "off season" I figured this was well timed.

Did I mention I gave blood yesterday? Yeah, it really does affect you! :)

I had planned on meeting up with Karen and Toby in AF, because Lauren had a swim meet there. I dropped her off and met up at Toby's home. I should've know better than to trust that they wouldn't kill me. The pace felt difficult and then to top it off we had Toby's "Welcome to AF running" to start...temple hill! I felt like I had asthma. I could hardly breathe and my heart was just a pounding.

We met Karen at the Murdock canal trail and it was SO wonderful to just run and chat with those ladies! The canal is on somewhat of a bench as well, so the views were gorgeous even before there was light. It has been MUCH too long since I ran with these wonderful women. I wish I lived closer to run with them all the time. Toby was totally on her game and leading the pace. Karen was relaxed and conversational and I was picking up the slack and breathing like a monster behind them both, hanging on for dear life!

My garmin wasn't cooperating either. Dang thing! Laps full, battery empty...I can't win. So, I shut it off and am copying Toby's splits.

I really had a fantastic morning and want to go repeat that run every morning...except with a full amount of red blood cells so I can talk a little more and not feel like I'm going to fall over :)

After we left Karen at the canal, Toby was ready to head for home. Coming DOWN temple hill that girl rocked it! Seriously. I was pushing and could barely keep up with her. She has hit a wonderful stride in her running, and she SO deserves it! She has worked hard for every little mile and milestone and been more than patient with her body. I can't wait to see her bust a move in the Spring!!! It is going to be incredible. Simply incredible.

Thanks for putting up with me ladies, and I'll try to keep up next time a little better :)

AP:  8:51 splits: 9:44, 9:12, 9:15, 9:03, 8:54, 8:52, 8:56, 8:44, 8:43, 7:53, 8:34 (last .5)

After I headed to the swim meet, changed into dry clothes and went to settle in for a long winter's meet. But, then I realized that I should volunteer to time! I didn't have little boys with me, they ask we do it occassionally, and I was bored out of my mind and didn't realize I was supposed to bring a chair! So, I went and did timing. It was fun to be front and center when Lauren swam and not peering through heads to watch. I love doing the backup timing! Especially when you have to wait until the last event for your kid to swim anyway :)

She did a great job! 2nd in her 100 IM, a DQ in her 100 fly (but a DQ is such a powerful trainer/teacher! She did finish 1st though if she wouldn't have DQd), and a 7:30 in her 500 free! SO proud of that girl!

It was 2:30 by the time the meet was over and we'd both been up since 5:00 with little to eat so we stopped and had lunch together on the way home. I loved this morning with girlfriends and my daughter nearly the rest of the day!