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

Well, I'm putting a stop to my 6 days/week schedule. I could barely walk normal this morning, Even after Aleve last night. So, I decided it would probably be prudent not to run today. So, I took a 'rest' day. 

Spin class. I got there a few minutes late, set up the bike and then the darn seat was loose! So, I had to switch bikes and take the time to then set that one up. Sheesh, finally got going about 15 min late! Good class, but quads and calves NOT happy. Not the sweat fest I'm used to, because I just couldn't put the resistance up or push my legs like normal, but still a good drip zone. Just no puddles.

Then made it to Masters swim class. Did some really good drills and I felt good in the pool. Only problem is that for some reason the pool was down about 18 in from the top...what?!? So, on the shallow end of the lanes I would scrape my hands on the bottom of the pool trying to do a full stroke. Crazy! I hope they get the pipes fixed soon so that I can swim without killing my hands :)

The walk around the neighborhood for 2 hours taking the kiddos trick or treating really helped work out some of the soreness. I tried to prepare for that downhill, but dang...it is nasty on my quads and calves! PF doesn't seem all that bad anymore though, ha! Squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Legs still not super happy, but enough that I knew a good run would do me good. So, off to the TM I went. Yes, there is NO way I was running in snow today. It was only rain when I left home at 8:40, but by the time I got on the TM at the gym, there was a nice snow storm out there. 

4 miles; 1st mile @ 8:34, next mile up to .5% incline, next mile up to 8:27 pace and increase incline to 1%, then last mile 7:53 pace flat and progressive last 1/4 mile. TT: 33:44, AP: 8:26

Arms circuit. 3 sets of rows, biceps, triceps, bench press, overhead raises, shoulders.

Back to the TM for 4 more. I was tired. Kelli had decided to run on the TM so I wanted to get through the weights so I would have company on my run, which was good, I just never got a rest.

2 miles @ 8:34, 1@ 8:27, last one at 7:53 with a progressive finish the last 1/4 mile to a 7:30 pace. TT: 33:35 (9 sec faster!), AP: 8:23

Then 3 sets of planks with Kelli to top it all off 60/60/60 - no push-ups between sets, my arms were tired. Legs felt better afterward. I can do downstairs without hanging on the railing, so I see this as a good improvement.

Just signed up for Ogden full....but, now I want to squeeze in UVM and just do the slam again. How dumb am I? A glutton for punishment. Somebody stop me before it is too late!

Oh, so tired. I need to get out of the endless loop of staying up late, taking a nap then not being ready to go to bed early. This is ridiculous! Legs still a little heavy and fatigued, but I figured if I was going to do it, I was going to just do it.

TM - 10 minutes warm-up @ 8:34

1 min on/ 1 min off - 6:11/9:31 (9.7/6.3 this is 1/10 faster than last week!) X20

1/2 mile cool down to reach 7 miles. Started at 8:34 then went progressive every tenth until 6.95 then tried 10mph to the end. Whew!

I was spent. Half way through I was done, but again figured I needed to just suck it up and get it done. I was happy that I stayed determined when I was done. I also need to remember to eat food beforehand when I'm doing a hard workout like this.

TT: 54:07 AP: 7:44

Then went to the pool for masters swim class. It really is nice to swim after a hard run. Nice, peaceful rhythm and no pounding. Ahhhh. Now if I just didn't have to do any of the sprints :) We finished off class with a timed 200 and I improved my time by 16 seconds. Down to a 3:45, not too shabby. Especially when I feel like a lazy turd like I do today!

Another day on the TM, but I did get to bed relatively early...it was before 11:30, which lately is early for me. Eight full hours of sleep is always nice! Legs still hung over from the half. I've got to find a way to shake this soreness out of them. I've got a full to run in 9 days...hopefully.

I toyed with the idea of doing a Mexican Mtn Goat workout today, but with my heavy legs I chickened out. I also decided to do two 4 mile workouts instead of one 7, extra mile and workout between - can't complain.

mile 1 @ 8:27, mile 2 - increase incline, mile 3 increase speed 8:20 and incline then last 1/2 mile pushed up speed and incline again (top out 8:13 and 1.5%), mile 4 downhill -.5% and speed to 7:30mm, then increase every 1/10th the last .4 to finish at 7:03.  TT: 33:14 AP: 8:18

Core/hip/stability circuit, comprised mostly of PT stuff and finishing off with 60/60/60 planks. Completed 3X - then back to the TM. It's kind of nice that the weather is bad and has driven Kelli inside, I now have company and get to sleep in :)

mile 1 @ .5% incline and 8:20, mile 2 .5% and 8:13, mile 3- 1% and 8:13 then at 3.5 increase to 1.5 and 8:06, man that is rough! 4th mile -.5% and 7:30mm, then increase speed to the finish as before. TT: 32:45, AP: 8:11

2 walking laps to cool down and then some stretching to finish it all off. Feel good afterward and I hope my legs recover soon, I liked having fresh legs, not tired heavy legs!

Huurrrricaaaaane A Cominnnnnn! Yup, wind and warm - snow in the forecast :( I'm glad I've got plans with Smooth tomorrow so I don't chicken out!

I didn't chicken out on my workout today. Thought about just 6 miles, easy, but I decided I started my off season with the goal of increasing speed and not being a slacker. So, I jumped on the TM and got going. I started at a .5% incline and never changed it. I didn't go downhill - this really is an accomplishment for me. I like to mess with the incline, because it means I can make it easier to go faster. Not today. I toughed it out on 'flat' road and kept my run progressive!

Started at 8:34 and today I went by songs and not miles when I'd change speeds :) 3 songs later (1.21) went to 8:27, 3 more songs later (3.4) went to 8:20, 4 more songs later (5.31) went to 8:13. At this point I figured I'd go to 6, then go downhill for my last MP mile I like to end with. I'd done 6 up, I deserve it right? NO! You've got to get your legs used to going flat/up now don't be a pansy! At mile 6 I went to a 7:53 and held it until the last 1/4 mile and I went up a tenth mph each .05 to end at a 7:30 pace. Nice.

TT: 58:30 AP: 8:20 - not too shabby for an easy day run.

Spent the next 20 minutes stretching. I love a good stretch session after running. Totally energizes me and makes me feel like 100 bucks as I leave. Now I'm ready to get this house clean!!! Okay, maybe I'll spend some time on the computer first... :)

An absolutely, fabulous adventure and morning with Smooth! She even called and let me sleep in an extra hour! What kind of amazing running friend does THAT for you? :) 

We started a bit later, but had a great run to the North end of the JRP in Lehi this morning. A new trail may just take you down to Bluffdale soon. I can't wait for them to finish it! The best part was trying to run in the mud. HA! I grew 5 inches!! Then, it got SO heavy I couldn't run anymore. It was kind of comical really. Then we had to squeeze through the fence. Smooth went through the bottom, but I had to go through the middle. 

The wind was atrocious on our way out, and I forgot how much I hate, uh, I mean love the hills out there! But, it was wonderful company, so I certainly wasn't going to complain. On the way back we squeezed through the fence again and it was just a bit harder than before, then we walked through the mud and spent probably as much time cleaning off our shoes as it would've taken us to just run around :) oh well, good times!

Afterward we treated ourselves to some yummy warm soup at Zupas, and despite the shivering, natural runners perfume and clumps of mud left under the table from our 'clean' shoes, we had a GREAT morning/afternoon. I tell ya, runs like this remind me why I love to run! Thanks Smooth, seriously had the most amazing time. Next, we just need mother nature to cooperate and cut out the wind crap!