Each Day Is a Gift

 HAPPY 1st day of DECEMBER!!!!

As soon as Lex got off to pre-school.  I put Luke in a bike/trailer/stroller and went for a run.  The sky was overcast; breezy; temp may be in the high 40's.  Wore l/s and capris.  Saw another runner w/ beanie, gloves, l/s and tights on.  Lots of dog-walkers were wearing coats.  I could have worn shorts but didn't want to alarm the locals.

The first mile felt like I was learning how to run all over again, CLUNKY!  It didn't help pushing this honka donka stroller on a winding narrow cement sidewalk/trail.  The stoller is also lop-sided and the handle bar is WAY too high for my hands/arms making it difficult to steer.  Not complaining...SO HAPPY to be running...albeit very slow!  

Ran around the Greenbelt loop 3 times...staying close to the hood just in case it rains...it never did and the baby was happy the whole time!  LIFE IS GOOD!

TT: 1:16:10  Splits (just for the heck of it):  11:45 (eek!), 10:23, 10:03, 10:00, 10:28, 10:24, 10:30, 10:08.

*****

Found out today is the Grand Slam Registration, ONLY today gets the Early bird fee.  They now make it a lottery.  What's up with that?  Anyhow,  since I'm out of town  I called hubby to have him fax it in for me.  They do not have on-line registration! 

Zero running today.  Did 6 loads of laundry, cooked, fed the children every 3-4 hours (why are boys always hungry and at different times?), read stories morning, afternoon and night.  Then there were the endless cleaning, wiping, washing, changing, playing, cuddling, singing, going up and down stairs, fixing some lame toys, deciphering what the baby wants, teaching manners, and how to treat each other kindly...  

Seriously I don't know how you young mothers do ALL that plus more and still find time for yourself!  I really admire you, especially the single parent!

Hoping for good weather and co-operative baby tomorrow!  On the bright side, I am tremendously grateful for healthy and darling grandchildren who have such wonderful parents!   I just read the first few pages of the Dec. Ensign.  Love the story, Dad's Lesson in Love. 

Sunny day!  Yay!  NO wind!  Hooray  Temp in the low 40's!  Perfect!!!  Took Lex to preschool, put Luke in the honka donda bike-trailer and off we went on the same 3 loops winding, rolling, narrow sidewalk route.  Passed the same two elderly couples 3 times.  Come to think of it, they're probably my peers.  

TT: 1:12:04  Splits (PR from Tue, I think):  11:10, 9:58, 9:42, 9:39, 9:36, 9:47, 9:45, 9:41. YES!

Off to pick up Lex then to the airport to pick up Papa!!!  I miss him SOOOO MUCH!  WooHoo!!!  SO EXCITED!!!  Am one happy Nana!  LIFE IS GOOD! :)

It's "Grandparent Treats Day" at Jade's school this morning.  Gotta love the Texans' hospitality.  When they found out we came from Utah; they jokingly asked us to take the COLD weather back with us!  Yep, it snowed and the temp was in the low 30's.  Lex thought it's Christmas!  The snow never made it to the ground.  People covered their outside plants, bushes with white sheets.  They were heeding the weatherman's advice.  Wonder what the locals were thinking as I ran in "their freezing snow".  At least I didn't have the baby in the stroller, or I might have gotten a "scolding". :)

Same route plus a little extra loop.  TT:  1:10:56  Splits: (sans stroller, yay! :) 9:34, 9:02, 8:40, 8:45, 8:46, 8:49, 8:37, 8:44.  

Ran the first 2.5 miles with Jade (7).  It was cold enough that we could see our breath and the 2" snow that fell yesterday was still on the lawn, tree branches and roof tops.  Jade was delighted to run on crunchy snow.  She told me all about amardillos, rabbits and squirrels that frequent this "livable forest" of Kingwood.  She told me she got sticks for running at school, 1 stick for every 0.25 mi.  Imagine my delight on hearing that so I told her about Sophia doing the same thing in Utah. 

She was not prepared to run in such cold weather.  She wore levis, 3/4 sleeve T and vinyl shoes.  He hands and nose were red and cold.  She became tired after 2 miles.  I reminded her that running would make her warmer; so she kept going. I was so proud of her. Papa made her some hot cocoa while I put on some gloves and went by myself. towards Kingwood Dr. and Woodland Hills Dr.

I ran this route in the summer 18 months ago.  This time the trail was wet and covered with fallen leaves and pine needles.  The rising sun warmed the tree tops making the snow turned into ice pepples falling on my head.  I love running along the lake, a tiny snow man was standing on one of the bridges with palm leaves as arms.  Saw three runners with camelpaks on.  I had to wear fuel belt last time I ran here as there's no drinking fountain; but not today.   At around mile 12 my stomach started to growl.  When I got home I was femished and thirsty.  I ran the entire 16.5 miles without fuel or fluid.

After grabbing a quick bite and showered, papa took us to McDonalds.  Then we went to the Church's Nativity Display and Music Festival.  It was a fun day!

Splits for comparison from 18 mons ago): 

Jade's: 11:55, 12:49 (stopped to examine some snow crystals), 11:11,  

Solo: 10:12, 9:47, 9:29, 9:19, 9:30, 9:18, 9:14, 9:06, 9:12, 9:13, 9:35, 9:21, 9:47, 9:33

Hearing about the snowy weather back home made this morning's run precious.  After dropping Jade off to school, ran the Greenbelt trail one last time in misty, foggy cool weather.  TT 1:04:44.  AP: 8:55.  Splits: 9:53, 9:04, 8:57, 8:50, 8:45, 8:42, 8:29, 8:05.  

Took the fam. to lunch at Chuy's for some yummy TexMex food.  I think I gained 5 lbs.

Flying into Salt Lake City, we could see the entire Wasatch Mountain range and valleys covered with a blanket of snow.  Hubby was so excited about the ski resort's snow report.  Steven was the first one to test drive the brand new snow blower. 

After a quick dinner we went to see Blineside!  We LOVE that movie!  So full of hearts and good humor!

Hubby's "kiss good bye words" were:  DO NOT RUN OUTSIDE TODAY!"  So, onto the TM in the dungeon I went after eating breakfast and seeing how the road was treacherous. 

Warm up 4 miles (5-7mph);  TT: 40:00 (AP: 10:00)

Mile repeats x 3 @ 7:30

RI of 0.25 mile @ 10:00

Finish w/ 1 mile @ 8:34

Cool down 0.25 mi @ 10:00, 

5.25 miles (6-8mph); TT: 43:22 (AP: 8:15)

Felt great throughout the run.  Contemplating what to do the next training cycle with Boston as goal race.  I used Pfitzinger's 18/55 for Boston'08 and the 24/55 for Boston'09.   Trying to decide if I should use the 18/70 for Boston'10.  I do know I don't want to follow the FIRST program that I used for SGM'09.  Also need to incorporate some xtraining. 

Brrr!  Single digit this morning!!!  Rather than freezing my nose and digits off, I opted for the dungeon TM again.  Only had time for a quick run!  Did my own version of 1 min. up and 1 min down at 1% incline.

Warm up 1 mile (5-7mph) in 10 min.  Then 15 repeats of:

1 min @ 7:30 (8mph),  30 sec @ 8:34 (7mph) and 30 sec @ 10:00 (6mph);

Only had time for a 5 min. warm down (7-6.6mph).  5.2 miles in 45:16.  AP: 8:42

I really like this workout.   May work up to 20 intervals next week or try a 7:00 pace for the 1 min up. 

I was determined to run outside this morning.  While listening to the weatherman's report of current temp at 0 (ZERO),  I put on DA GEARS: 

1.  For the torzo ~ Under Armour Sub-zero turtleneck and Boston'09 fleece. 

2.  For the legs ~ CW-X insulator tights.

3.  For the head ~ Running beanie.

4.  For the fingers ~ Nike running gloves inside Goretex ski mittens.

5.  For the toes ~ Asics socks inside Ultramax ski socks.

6.  I slather my face, especially the nose, with Aquaphor.

What would we ever do without these technical garbs!!!  I tell ya!   

The first mile or so my feet, hands and thighs were numb.  By the time I ran past the Credit Union marquee (which said current temp was 1 degree) I was toasty!  The thumbs were cold ('cuz they were by their lonesome selves);  so I tucked them in the mittens where they're happily warmed by their buddies, the fingers.  The only "casualties" were the frozen-shut nostrils (no biggie, just breath thru the mouth which were numb but not frozen shut), red thighs and bums (which quickly returned to normal after a hot shower). 

So HAPPY to run outside under sunny sky.  Was a long day going to PCMC.     

When I took hubby and son to the bus stop at 6:30 am the car temp read 4 degree.  When I took Steven to school at 7:15 am it went down to 1 degree.  So it's true that the temperature drops just as the sun rises, a phenomenon I have often felt at many Utah marathons start .

Progressive run:  3 miles gradual warm up from 10:00 to 8:41.  Mile 4-10 splits: 8:34, 8:27, 8:20, 8:13, 8:06, 8:00, 8:00.  Did the last 0.1 mile @ 10mph in Rhett's honor...barely hanging on with dear life...great feeling to reach the 2,000 mark.

Been a busy day.  It felt colder walking to the Conference Center before the MoTab Christmas Concert than after the concert.  The heat wave must be coming, just in time for tomorrow's long run on the JRP.

Since we are down to one car, hubby had to drop me off.  I was supposed to meet Kelli at 7:30.  Due to my teenager's not having his act together, I got there LATE.  Sweet Kelli waited alone in her car.  THANKS Kelli for coming all the way down here and waited forever for me, ran with me and drove me home after.

The JRP was covered with 2-6 inches of fresh snow.  There were a few animal paw prints the first mile; other than that we had the trail all by ourselves.  It was cool to be first to track fresh powder until we hit the hills.   Steep hills + deep snow drifts + short legs = nonrunnable.  I don't know how Andy does it.  It was also hard to see the trail since everything was covered with snow.  A few places were "lumpy" and slippery.  If it weren't for Kelli, I would have quit.  We got a GOOD workout and that's what counts.

It was a bit windy at the top.  Definitely warmer running northward than southward.  On the south portion we saw a set of footprints with Yaktrak.  I'm glad we didn't encounter any wildlife; however Kelli's cell phone would make a better weapon than my pack of tissues.  It even scared her when it rang.  There's magic in running with a friend in the snow covered peaceful winterwonderland!!!  LOVE IT!!!

Though I posted my miles as easy miles...my legs felt otherwise.  I had soooo much fun because Kelli ran with me.  THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH, Kel!  You're the best!  Did I mention you are so stinkin' SKINNY and AWESOME?!!!!

Goal was to run a MLR with hills at easy pace.  It seems to take a few miles for the arthritic joints to warm up.  Knowing this helps to NOT cut the run short. 

Decided to run the hills first for 7 miles, down 3rd W to Sego Lily Elementary via Frontage, then back up; down 3200 N to Fox Hollow Elementary then back up to 3rd W keeping an easy pace.  Left knee and hip complained on the downhills; felt fine on the uphills.

Was warm going south and west; chilly going north and east.  That's the nature of running in winter even with the slightest breeze.  Thus it helps to have a zippable outer layer.

Finished strong with the last couple miles at HM pace.  Splits: 10:17, 10:13, 10:05, 10:39, 10:08, 10:00, 10:38, 10:05, 9:53, 9:30, 8:37, 8:33.  

Will see how the body response to 50+mpw for 2 weeks before deciding between 55/18 or the 70/18 schedule.

Just sent in the Ogden Marathon registration.  This is the earliest I've signed up for Ogden.

AM  -  Recovery 5 mi. 

Had to keep telling myself to keep it easy.  Kinda hard when the road is clear and the sky is sunny blue...couldn't help myself the last 0.25 mile though.  Splits: 10:48, 9:47, 9:47, 9:44, 9:45, 8:46.  AP: 9:55

25 min. flexibility exercises.

PM - 2 circuits of basic and advanced core strength sessions.

GA 9 mi.  AP: 9:17  

TT:  1:23:40.  Splits:  9:45, 9:26, 9:13, 9:23, 9:22, 9:16, 9:14, 9:03, 8:55

Perfect winter running weather!  Busy day!

Recovery 5.75 mi  TT: 56.17  AP: 9:47

We need more snow!!!

But not until this cutie gets here safely first!

AM:  Only had time to run 7.5 miles.  TT:  1:05:08.  AP:  8:40

Off to pick up sweet little Emi and her parents at the airport.  Then to Steven's violin Christmas recital; then to Costco....   Will run the other 7.5 later tonight, may be!

******* 

PM:  Costco was a mad-house!  Played with Emi before going to Texas Road House (another mad-house, but poor Eric hadn't had steak forever!).  Then went to Target, Famous Footwear...

Evening:  Finished the other 7.5 mi. in 1:03:36.  AP:  8:28.

Ahhh, ALL my children except for the ones in TX and the missionary in Brazil are HOME for the holidays!!!!  I AM SOOOO HAPPY!!!! *:) *:) *:)

GA + speed 8mi w/ 10 x 100 m strides

8.25 in 1:16:49.  Same route as last Mon (3 min faster today b/c the road's dry compare to last Mon). 

Splits: 10:38, 9:41, 9:11, 9:11, 9:09, 9:07, 8:50, 8:49, 8:39.

AM:  Only had time for 10 miles (AP: 9:30) so I could get home to tend baby Emi while her parents go to the temple.  Will finish today's MLR a little later.

I found 4 quarters, 1 dime, 3 nickles and 17 pennies, on the road.  It was still dark...I wouldn't have seen it if it was just one coin.  Reminds me of the $110 I found at Target in Kingwood TX the Sat. after Thanksgiving.  Wondered if the rightful owner ever got it back.

****  

Had just enough time to get on the TM for another 2.25 (AP: 8:43) before Emi's parents left for the temple. 

It's snowing hard.  So glad I beat the storm!!! 

AM:  Woke up with scratchy throat, congestion, foggy head.  Slept in.  Braved the wind, ice and crowd to do Christmas shopping.  I spent more time visiting with some old friends I saw in the store than actual shopping.  Everyone's getting crazy socks and candies!  Done!  

PM:  Supposed to do 5 miles recovery.  Just didn't feel like running out in the wind; nor slogging on the TM w/ nothing good on TV.  So I did the "minutes workout":

Warm up 2 miles with increase of 0.1 increment every min from 5-7mph.  It took 10 min.  How convenient!

Then ran 20 repeats of 1 min up @ 8mph and 1 min down @ 6mph

Cool down 8 min with decrease of 0.2 increment every min from 7-6mph.

7.5 miles in 1:08:00.  AP: 9:03. 

I really like this workout...simple and the time seems to fly.   I LOVE how all the numbers were nice and tidy today. 

EVENING:  Perhaps I can do some yoga pose while wrapping presents tonight.   Or just veg. on the couch watching the Poinsettia Bowl w/ the fam.!  Go Utes!  Can't believe I'm saying that!  :D

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE'S EVE to y'all!

CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!

The family's gone skiing while I did last min. Christmas prep.  All the goodly neighbors' treats aren't helping with my cold.   Have so much fun playing with Emi.  Just hope I didn't give her the cold. 

We had a delicious traditional homestyle Chinese dinner.  Mrs. Lee (Lily's mom) made these sweet potato dumplings...yum...hmm...I should run long tomorrow...it's perfect carb food.  We also had a special "reunion soup".  It's a traditional dish in China to be eaten on Winter Solstice (sp?). 

Happily exhausted!  Ran out of time! No running today and it's OKAY! 

Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas!!!!

Skiing with the fam. till 3pm.  Finally made it to In and Out Burger in AF.  This was a year in the waiting for the boys.  Don't know what the fuss about; the burger's pretty ordinary.

16 mi. in 2:22:50.  Drank 24 oz water during the run; 20 oz Amino Vital Endurance (the lemon flavor tastes pretty good.  I like it better than gatorade.  It was a free sample so I thought I'd try it and see if it lives up to its claim.)

Felt pretty tired after mile 12 and had to push hard to finish.  SO glad tomorrow's rest day!

Should have NEVER EVER taken Mucinnex-D.  I could not fall asleep even though I was very very very tired.  When the fam. left at 7:30 to go skiing, I had barely fallen asleep.  Hubby tried to drag me out of bed to no avail.  My head felt like it was going to explode.  I begged to please let me stay home! 

Got up an hour later to clean up the house...the Holiday's aftermath!!!!  My sinuses are so plugged up; felt like I was underwater.  Got all dressed up to go running outside.  Whoa!!!  It was SOOOO COLD!!! My nasal passage felt like it was on fire.  After running less than 0.25 mi,  decided to bag it.  Went in the house and called Teena.  My poor SSF is SICK!!!  Sat and contemplated what to do???!!! 

The legs felt fine; may be a run would clear up the sinuses; so off to the TM in the dungeon.  The first 3 miles were sluggish.  Once I got warmed up, it felt pretty good, had to blow my nose bazillion times, drank copious water.  Nothing good on TV so I sped up a little at the end.  The TM time only goes to 99:59 min. so it was a good thing I finished the run in 99:08.

11 miles in 1:39:08  AP: 9:01

*******

Oh, the benefit of having "semi-free" time is I get to catch up on some reading.  I FINISHED reading the Book of Mormon this morning!  YAY!  I reached my goal of reading the D & C and B of M by the end of 2009!!!  I like being a FINISHER!!!! 

Skiing ~ 5 hrs.

Chuck-a-Rama ~ 2 hrs.

Driving in rush hour snowy traffic ~ 2 hrs.

EZ 13 miles ~ 2:05:03

Drinking  ~ 48 oz.

Kleenex ~ countless

Skiing POWDER ~ tomorrow!  Yahooo!!!!  :)

Skiing ~ only 4 hrs!  A lot slower and more technical on powder...but OH SOOOOO FUN! :) :) :) :) :)

Asian Buffet ~ 2 hrs. (eating and visiting).  Then 1 hr. memorial program for Susan who passed away a year ago!  Family traditions are the BEST!!!! :)

Recovery run ~ 3 miles...aren't you proud of my superb self-control?!! :) :) :)

AM/PM Yoga!  Ahh, love the S-T-R-E-T-C-H! :)

Snowed all day...sky finally cleared at night...did anyone see that beautiful full moon?!!!  GORGEOUS! :)

Slept in!!!!  Ahhhh!!!   Was well worth it after staying up late talking with the boys while they played ping-pong last night. 

Ran 5.75 with some of my favoritest people, Eric and Bec!!!!  THANKS!!! Bec and Freeheel for the BESTEST run to end a fantastic 2009!!!

Then I finished the run by myself for total 9.25 (AP: 9:30)  Would have run more if I had the time!!!

It was a BEAUTIFUL perfect day!  I shall always treasure precious moments such as this!

Off to our Family New Year's Eve festivities and New Year traditions!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to y'all, my dear dear running friends!!!