Each Day Is a Gift

I should really get on a training plan.  Wendy called bright and early.  She and Mary ran a local 5K race on Sat., rested on Sun and Mon.  Now they're ready for a run and wondered if I'd join them.  O what the heck.

Wendy asked:  "How far are we running today?"  "You have a race in 10 days at Snow Canyon right?  Just follow me.  We'll get you ready for Snow Canyon."  Mary chimed in:  "You know we can't run that fast, we just ran a race on Sat."  Me said:  "It's okay, I am really tired today so we'll take it nice and easy."  (I know I'm evil!)  I think they can run sub-10 min mile and just don't know it.

First mile was done in 10:19 as we rehashed our Sat. 5K races.  We picked up the pace a little to finish the second mile in 10:00.  Everyone's happy.  I picked up the pace ever so slightly, finishing the third mile in 9:36.  We shed our jackets and gloves.

I decided to take them up to the road that ran alongside the Murdock Canal.  A little blip incline got the heart rates up and ready for the test.  Wendy began to protest:  "We can't run that fast."  Me said:  "Yes you can, the road is now flat (it's a lie, it's winding rolling along the canal, but very doable).  We just need to get in a good rhythm.  Relax, easy smooth strides, this portion will similate parts of the Snow Canyon trail.  C'mon."  They weren't able to let an old lady beat them.  We finished that mile in 9:00 min. flat.  (I gotta tell them later.)

The next mile has a 0.3 mile downhill.  "K girls.  This is the fun part where we practice flying down the hill.  No fear.. feet landing just under your hips...."  I flew down with them following.  I waited for them at the intersection where there's a school crossing.  I then took them into a little neighborhood so their legs recover and get ready for the next stretch.  We finished that mile in 9:23. 

The last mile has a 0.6 mile uphill portion.  "Remember hills are our friends.  Just pump those arms, your knees and legs would follow."  I kept looking back and yelling:  "You're doing great, keep pumping."  We crested the hill.  "GREAT JOB!  No stopping.  Take advantage of that blood pumping thru your beautiful hearts to those legs.  Keep running.  We're almost home."  Just as we got our breathe I announced:  "When we round the corner, we have just a little more to to.  Let's kick it in gear.  That looping power line is our finish arch.  We'll race over that and raise our arms up in a triumphant finish.  Don't let an old lady beat you."  We finished that last mile in 9:32. 

They were ready to kill me.  I invited them to my house for a cool drink and join me in a recovery yoga stretchi.  Wendy laughed more than she stretched thru our little yoga session.  Mary asked:  "When's the Ogden Marathon again?"  It will be her first ever marathon. 

I LOVE serendipity!!!