Each Day Is a Gift

We stayed up so late that I slept in so no time for a run cause we needed to pick up grandma and drive to Spanish Fork where the families gathered for New Year celebration.  The women in the clan prepared and made traditional Japanese NY food...lotsa food...each has a symbolic meaning for health, strength, wealth, properity, etc.  FUN time!  We ate SO well! :)
 

I've been BAD eating like no tomorrow over the holidays!  I don't want to get on the scale to see the damage...I feel like a beached whale last night watching the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl and stuffing my face with chocolates, chips, cookies, sweets galore!!!

SO, I texted my friends to see who would join me this morning for a repentance run! Ha!!! Karen's skiing at Solitude!  Luckily Wendy and Leslie were game!  Sky was sunny blue, no wind, temp was a toasty 7F.  I bundled up good, too good as I got quite warm! :) We ran on the MCT west to the bathroom where the water line was shut off but we did get some tp to blow our noses.  Other than a few patches of ice, the road and trail was clear and dry.  Felt so good to run outside.  Hope I can run longer tomorrow!  Only 8 weeks before the Woodlands Marathon! yikes!

19F cloudy calm.  It's been over 2 weeks since I ran long.  Didn't get much sleep last night and had no breakfast,  just drank some OJ.  So very good of Karen to keep me company the first 7 miles.  I miss her so much.  We ran east to top of Dry Creek turned west to freeway then ran to her house where I gu'ed and drank.  After a brief visit with her sister, I headed back out in the cold for a second round.  Ran west to the freeway then east to 1200 E where I got off the MCT and ran on the SR92 trail (which was snow packed) to get to Burger King for a bathroom stop.  There were lots of traffic in the area so I ran across the Smith Supermarket parking lot and ran on the back road to 3200 N and home.  My legs were super tired and I was femished.  Man, I don't know how I'm gonna run a marathon in 8 weeks!!!

Yearly miles:

2005 ~ estimate to be about 1,200

2006 ~ estimate to be about 1,500

2007 ~ estimate to be about 2,000

2008 ~ estimate to be about 2,000 (joined FRB in mid Oct w/ miles recorded as 408)

2009 ~ 2,149  (highest miles week in Feb was 63)

2010 ~ 2,770.  (highest miles week in Nov was 80.33)

2011 ~ 2,400.  (highest miles week in Mar was 73.25)

2012 ~ 1,585 (stress fracture of R 5th metatarsal in Feb and May. 7 weeks of 0 miles)

2013 ~ 850 (only 5 months due to serving as mission prez. in Australia)

2014 ~ 1,370 (only 7 months, returned to running in June)

Total miles in 10 years: 17,824

Races I've run in the last 10 years:

Karen texted that "it's time to run off all that goodies (junk food) that I've indulged over the holidays!"  She, Leslie, Wendy and I ran west then back to her neighborhood to pick up young Amanda for another 3 miles.  My legs are so dead, still very tired/sore from Saturday's 15+miler.  Thankfully Wendy stayed with me.  I walked gingerly thru the icy patches.  This was a painful "repentance" run made bareable by good friends.  Much like life, simply can't do it without love and support of dear friends! :)

My 2015 resolutions: 

1)  Live each day with positive attitude and gratitude! 

2)  Continue to study the scriptures and Preach My Gospel daily.

3)  Go to bed earlier (by 10:30) to get sufficient sleep (at least 8 hours)!!!

4)  Eat wholesome nutritious food.  Do not skip breakfast.

5)  Look for opportunities to serve. 

2015 wishes and goals:

1)  Hubby gets a healthy kidney with successful transplant!!!! :) :) :)

2)  Run 7 marathons to make 60 marathons before my 60th birthday!!! :) :) :)

3)  Spend time with grandchildren, children including my missionary-children!!! :) :) :)

Much warmer today.  High 20s, sunny, calm.  Beautiful view on the west horizon, the sun cast a brilliant pink/orange hue on the west mountains with a full moon  Bryan joined us for 4 miles this morning.  He's been running 3 or so on the TM since he's been home; so it was fun to have him run with us outside.  He peeled off at 800E for home.  Gonna miss him when he goes back to Indiana at the end of the week.

Hubby wasn't feeling well since Sat.  We noticed his drain fluid was cloudy so I took him in to the PD clinic yesterday.  The PD nurse collected a sample of the fluid for culture and started him on Gentamycin and Ancef administered into the Dextrose fill bag.  Today after I got home from babysitting Skylar, I administered the antibiotics in the Dextrose for his mid-day exchange.  It's been 3 months since he's started PD and thought we'd done well without peritonitis until now.  He's only been using the cycler since Dec. 17 and have enjoyed the convenience of night-time automated exchanges.  Am trying to remain positive and very grateful for modern medicine! :)
 

High 20s, sunny, hazy.  Ran with Karen and Leslie on MCT.  The 1500W bathroom inside water line was turned back on so we were able to get a drink from the tap.  After dropping them off at their houses, I ran a faster mile home.  Legs felt better...but still slow. 

Got a phone call from RAD last night that Park City Full marathon was dropped.  What a bummer!  That's been my favorite summer marathon/training run.  Will have to find a replacement marathon for Aug. 

Hubby's drain fluid is clearing up a bit.  He's still quite fatigued.  PD nurse called to report that the culture came back showing presence of E.Coli.  They will send us new kind of antibiotics in the next couple days meanwhile I will continue to administer the Gentamycin in the mid-day PD dextrose. 

19F humid, sunny and smoggy.  Karen's wakeup text: "Q: Why do runners go jogging early in the morning? A: They want to finish before their brain knows what they are doing!"  Hahah, I just love her!!!  Ran with Karen, Leslie and Wendy down 3rd West up on rail trail.  We had to scale down along a retaining wall holding onto the fence to get back on the MCT by Oracle.  Felt like some tresspassing teenagers...but mostly looking like some old ladies!  :)

19F partly cloudy, calm, hazy.  My legs were very sore last night which kept me from falling asleep and worrying about running long the next day.  Got about 5 hours sleep.  Woke up at 6am and legs felt decent.  Ate a greek yogurt and 1/2 banana.  Drove to MCT access at the bathroom/parking lot by Canyon Rd and 1100N in AF/PG.  Ran 3.5 miles by myself west and back to parking lot where Karen and Leslie met me to run the additional 15 miles with me.  We ran south to the Orem Cemetery where we gu'ed, drank and walked to see my late father-in-law's grave and turned back.  This is the furthest south on the MCT we've ever run.  One day we'll run to the end of MCT and connect onto the BST or PRT.  Legs/feet were definitely tired when we were done.  So nice to have friends to chat the miles away! AP: 9:47

Slept in this morning.  We went to Red Maple in Taylorsville for dim-sum on the way to take Bryan to the airport.  The last time we had dim-sum was in Sydney when my three sons came to be with me and hubby was in the hospital.  We used to take our APs (assistants to the president) to yum-cha (have dim-sum) as a "kick-off" for transfer planning.  Brought back such nostalgia. 

So hard to say good-bye to Bryan.  It was so fun to have him home for the holidays; to have his music in the home again.  He gave his dad a priesthood blessing before leaving which brought us a measure of peace and comfort.  He is such a good boy! 

Did a very very slow recovery jog on the TM while watching a movie, Painted Veil after we got home.  50 miles this week and my legs are trashed! 

Missing my family terribly.  Night time is the worst especially for hubby who is tethered to the dialysis machine.  He is trying valiantly to stay positive but I know it is hard on him!  Praying for peace, for strength to endure, for miracles and tender mercies!

34F, foggy, rainy.  Karen, Leslie and Amanda ran to meet Wendy and me.  We ran east on MCT to Dry Creek Tunnel.  Lotsa puddles, crusty old snow.  At Center St. Wendy and Amanda peeled off to go home while the three of us continued west to the bathroom at 1500W.  When we turned back east, the light rain turned into down-pour.  We were soaked from head to toe.  Didn't even linger to say goodbye when I dropped off Karen and Leslie at their houses.  Freezing rain = hurried home for nice hot shower! :)  AP: 9:38 (9:54, 9:57, 9:38, 9:26, 9:23, 9:25, 9:52, 9:25). 

32F (felt like 24) cloudy, windy.  Karen, Leslie, Wendy and I started our run earlier 'cause Leslie had to be in Provo by 9am.  We encountered heaps and heaps (Aussie's way of saying A LOT) of black ice and a 12mph NNW headwind.   So, it was a short and slow run.

My shoes have over 400 miles and my legs started to feel it.  I've been holding off on breaking out the new shoes due to icky wintery roads.  I think I'll wear them tomorrow so I laced them up and sprayed on water-repellant...all ready to go in the mornin'.  And I found my other running tights/shirts/head-gear that were packed away...yahoo! :)

30F calm, overcast sky, DRY road! :)  What a difference one day made!  Put on my brand new Altra Torin, long-forgotten-packed-away Underarmor pants and headbands (washed and cleaned like new) all excited for a run without freezing or slipperies! :) :) :)  The four of us ran east to Mitch Hollow Park via Dry Creek.  My short legs churned nicely DOWN the hill...but the lungs would have nothing of it on the UP hill.  On the return trip I did slightly better, less coughing.  After dropping Wendy off (she got 10K).  We picked up the pace a bit (9:28).  After dropping Karen and Leslie off I cruised home (9:15). 

Trying to decide which marathon to do on April 18:  SLC or West Mountain. 

23F, 93%humidity, calm, cloudy.  6 simple miler with Karen and Leslie. 

It's Wendy's birthday today.  So I picked her up after her work and we went to the temple.  We've been friends/neighbors for nearly 20 years...so much to reminisce.  I am so grateful for her love and friendship.  She is one of the most Christlike persons I've ever met. :)

27F, 93% humidity, calm, partly cloudy.  Ate a yogurt, carried a small cliff bar (the mini one I got in a race packet and a small pkg of fruit snacks (the kind you give to toddlers, man, I have used up all the running goodies Toby gave me for my birthday).  Ran to Leslie's house (with a little add-on around the church and Karen's to make 1.2 miles) right at 7:30 as planned just as she came out of her house.  She is so great to run long and slow with me and she's not even training for any race.  (But, I think I've talked her into signing up for a marathon in April with me).  :) :) :)  I am so grateful to have her company.  She is kind, thoughtful, with a young and positive attitude.  She is the RS president in her ward with over 250 sisters, a true friend to so many people.  Why am I so lucky to have her friendship?!!! 

We ran east on MCT with a stop at the Mitch Hollow Park bathroom for water stop then another water break at the trailside bathroom south of Lone Peak.  Turned around at mile 8 back to Mitch Hollow then ran north to SR92.  My legs were pretty fatigue from the get-go.  I had to walk most of the initial uphill but on the last short uphill I fought the urge to walk and kept jogging up...thanks to Leslie's "pulling" me! 

We saw the most amazing sunrise over the mountains.  The snow covered mountains to the east were lined with a thin sliver of bright silvery light at the very top where it meets the sky!  The west snow covered mountains lit up with all the hues/shades of white and pink.  We heard birds chirping several times and saw some migrating geese flying overhead.  What a glorious morning!!! 

My legs/feet were pretty trashed.  Wore the brand new Inspire 10 hoping it'd helped.   I've been running 6 days a week with no cross training, no core work and no speedwork.  I know I should mix it up a bit but right now I feel that's all I can manage.  Running is more a therapy now so I'll take whatever my tired old body is able and with the grace of God and love of friends/family I will make it! :)

Legs/feet very achy.  Went for a recovery wog (walk/jog) by myself (AP: 11:42).  Lotsa walkers, runners and cyclists out.  Perfect running weather.  Thinking of my friends running SGHalf today.  Wish I was running it.  When I got home, hubby was ready to go for a walk so I went back out with him.  I so treasure our walks together.  :)
 

Skiing with hubby this morning!  Warm, cloudy and calm, snow is decent, lots of skiers out as it's Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  So grateful that he can still ski ablbeit very slowly and gently on beginner runs.  We took lotsa rest breaks.  In the afternoon he discovered that he has lost his wedding band.  He has lost quite a bit of weight (now weighing 60 Kg).  So probably fell off his finger when he took off his gloves earlier.  Bummer! :(

After we got home, I gave hubby his last dose of anitibiotic in the dialysis then went out for a run.  The sun was just peeking through the clouds, a bit breezy, temp was 41F so just long sleeve shirt.  Lotsa bikers and kids out on the MCT.  7 miles in 1:04:23  AP: 9:12 (10:10, 9:31, 9:18, 9:01, 8:58, 8:43, 8:42)

27F clear blue sky.  Leslie somehow pulled a muscle yesterday so after running a mile she started to feel the leg pain and needed to walk.  She insisted that we (Karen, Wendy and I) leave her and she'd keep walking.  We would have none of that.  So we walked with her till the turn around and she attempted to run but once again could feel the pain so we walked.  For the next couple miles, we'd run 200m then run back and walked with her till we got back to her house.  I then ran home and added on another mile.  I hope she heals up soon.  She's been doing so well, running, swimming and going to the gym and I almost had her commit to signing up for a marathon in April with me! 

AM: Family History Center in SLC with hubby, Annie, and brought our guests, Tony & Susan, Kevin to meet with Elders Prisbey and Lemon, Caiping Sun, Grace Chan. 

PM:  Temple with my running buddies then birthday treats for Wendy at Kneaders.

AM:  PD Clinic with the doc. and team.  Dr. Cline got hubby registered on the transplant team.  Also adjusted some of the B/P meds as his B/P has been hovering in the 90s/60.  Has had some scary hypotensive episodes where he felt clammy and light headed in the evenings.

PM:  Ran 10 solo miles  on the MCT from the east end to the west end with access at 810E.  Sunny sky, breezy, 30F (felt like 25).  AP: 10:00

Picked up Karen at 7:15 to run long on the JRP.  I didn't want to leave my car at the 1500N bridge area so we drove to the Olympic Park (just south of 2100N).  It was a cold morning, 20F (felt like 17), cloudy and 86% humidity.  We ran north to get the uphill first.  We ran over to the next county into frozen mud territory and turned around when our garmin reached mile 5.  I walked most of the steeper uphill and on the icy bridge.  When we reached mile 7.  We stopped our watch, Karen ducked behind a sage brush, I attempt to bite and gnaw on a frozen hard energy bar.  Our fingers were so cold that we could hardly manage to tear open any packaging or zip our pockets.  It was quite comical.  My frozen fingers actually hurt.  The sun finally peeked out of the clouds a little and we felt revived.  We reached the car/park and Karen refilled her hand-held bottle.  I had not drink a single drop because I did not want to duck behind the bush even though we had not seen a single soul on the trail the entire time!  (We did see a doe and her fawn leaping over the trail and fence into the low flowing river).  The park's bathroom is closed between Oct 15-April 15.  I drank my 6 oz flask and refilled it and then off we went back on the trail for another 10 miles. 

The second half was much more pleasant, fingers and toes finally thawed.  We saw flocks of ducks, a big hawk and other birds!  We reached the Willow Park bathroom which luckily was opened and very warm, hallelujah! :) Karen's garmin read 12.5 miles.  When we got to the remote-control-airplane park, Karen's garmin read 15.5 and mine read 14.6, I did not restart my watch when we were walking and fumbling with our energy bar.  Karen used the portapotty and I ate my second frozen hard energy bar and drank all 6 oz of the water.  We turned and ran back to the car and I noticed my pace was faster.  My legs and feet were sore and tired, feeling the accumulative effect of the 10 miles I ran yesterday afternoon and 20 miles this morning.  When we got off the trail onto Olympic Park, Karen's watch said 20.6 and mine was 19.2 so I ran on the trail around the park and the parking lot till it reached 20, such an OCD me!  AP: 10:25.  First 20 miler done (next one on Feb7)...couldn't have done it without Karen's company, she made the miles go by! :)  So blessed to have such a wonderful friend who gave up her whole morning for me! :)

Fuel and fluid consumption: pre-run one Greek yogurt (80 calories), 2 energy bars (400 cal.), 6 oz emergenC, 10 oz water.  Post-run: protein shake (160 cal. 11oz) 12 oz water, one banana.  Lunch: rice, chicken drumpstick, 12 oz water, mandarin orange.

Happy Straya Day, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!! :) :) :)

Elder Brown, our former ZL (Mortdale) came to visit us after church in the late afternoon.  A few min. later Lowell and Kelsey dropped in on their way home after his 2 weeks old grandson's baby blessing here.  SO great to see them!!! :)  Elder Brown stayed for dinner.  Always great to hear of our missionary's post-mission's life. 

27F sunny hazy.  Wendy and I ran to meet Karen, ran 3.5 then picked up Amanda and Leslie who was testing out her hurt leg, half mile later she was hurting so after we dropped Wendy home she turned to walk home.  We then ran around the neighborhood to the east and back to Karen and Amanda's at mile 7.  Then I ran a faster mile home.  Bummer that Leslie is injured.
 

30F humid, partly cloudy.  Wendy was short on time so we ran a 3+ mile loop with her.  After dropping her home, I ran Karen home, then I ran back on the loop counterdirection with a faster finish.

39F humid, it had rained earlier, cloudy.  Karen, Wendy and I ran down 3rd west to the rail trail at State St. then up north to 3200N (didn't want to get muddy to access MCT) east on 3200N was a good uphill.  Karen kicked our trash going up the hill.  I seriously am getting slower with this old fat tired body.  Not complaining, just stating the facts.  I am happy that I can still get out there and put one foot in front of the other.  And I am grateful for dear friends who would run slow with me! :)

28F 100% humidity cloudy with occasional sun peeking through.  Ran with Karen on MCT to Mitch Hollow Park for water stop then turned back.  I was huffin' n cough'n all the way up Dry Creek.  Shins and heels are bugging.  I am out there doing the same miles in same ole slow pace everyday.  Though I am not seeing any improvement (in speed or fitness), this daily constancy, like daily dose of friendship, is what sustains me right now! There are not too many things in life that you can count on...so very grateful for having faithful friends and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! :)

36F.  5 soggy foggy woggies w/ Wendy, nice chatties!
 

37F (feels like 32), 9mph NNW wind, 87% humidity.  Wendy agreed to go the first 6 miles (of my scheduled 12 miler) with me.  I suggested we run west on MCT to the end by the freeway.  When we got there, I talked her into running further on SR92 past the freeway to see if we can find the access to JRP.  We turned south on Ashton Blvd.  which I think should lead to the start of the Thankful 13 from there we'd find the JRP access.  By now we've run over 4.5 miles, I suggested that we should keep going and get on the JRP.  Wendy was hesitant because she didn't bring any gu or water; but I assured her that she can have half of my granola bar and 6oz water flask.  We had no idea where the JRP access is.  I figured if we could cross the railroad, we'd eventually find the Thanksgiving Point Gulf course which is adjacent to the JRP.  We ran to the Frontrunner Train station where we crossed under the track through a tunnel and adjacent to the road is a row of houses by the golf course.  We saw a walker with her dog and asked where we might get on the JRP.  She pointed us south.  About quarter mile later we saw the JRP sign but still didn't know which offshoot road would lead to the JRP.  Then we saw another runner and he pointed us to the road that we just past.  We ran down that road and I immediately recognized that's where we accessed the JRP when we ran Thankful13.  Once on the JRP, we decided to run south to Olympic Park (mile 5.6, we ate the granola bar and drank the water); and from there Wendy knows the way back to our house through 1500N to State St. to 3rd W.  She knows that route well because her daughters played soccer at that park and the distance is 4 miles.  Running up 3rd West, I just kept talking to distract Wendy.  We made it back to her house in 9.5 miles.  Hubby was just getting out for a walk.  I knew if I went inside the house it'd be hard to get back out.  So I drank the remaining 2 oz of water in my flask and headed west to Center, north to MCT, east to 1200 E, turned back west to 600 E then turned down south to home for total 13.5.  My legs were tired but I was able to run the last 1.5 at mp.

Fuel/fluid: one greek yogurt and water pre-run; 1/2 granola bar 4 oz water mid-run, 11 oz protein shake, tofu and rice post-run.

Visited with Elder and Sister Kinghorn who will be leaving for our mission on Feb 9.

39F cloudy, very light rain.  NEW month, new week, new day!!! :)  Ran to meet Karen and Amanda who only joins us on Mondays.  After Amanda peeled off (she only wants 3), Karen and I picked up the pace a bit.  After stopping outside Karen's house where we visited with Amanda and their neighbor (whom we're trying to talk into joining us in the future), my legs got stiffened up.  So I walked Amanda to her house then ran a mile home at mp.  (10:50, 10:00, 9:55, 9:26, 9:34, 9:18, 9:17)

Signed up for Ogden.  This will be my 8th Ogden, counting the DNF in 2012 where I re-fractured my foot.  I have not had good finishes at Ogden, other than the first year I ran it, and the year it rained and I ran slowly with Lowell, I have always cramped up the last 5K.  Thought may be not adequate recovery from Boston in those years.  But, even last year when I just returned from Australia and back to running, I ran the Half very slowly and still cramped up.  Ogden has not been kind to me!  Hoping this year will be different! :)

Will sign up for West Mountain as a training run (4 weeks out) if I can talk Karen into running it with me! :)

Had PD clinic lab this morning and afterwards had dimsum and checked out the Chinatown market in SLC with hubby. :) 

Didn't run until nearly 2pm.  55F cloudy breezy 6mph SSE.  Wore shorts, l/s top.  Ran on MCT via 810E west to rail trail which was opened.  Ran to south part by the new hospital where it was closed for road construction (mile 4).  Turned around and ran home the same route.  Wanted to do a tempo run.  First mile was very slow to warm up.  Once on the MCT with the wind on my back I was able to get in a good rhtymn.  My watch for some reason, has been showing pace as min.sec./km, instead of  min.sec/mile.  Anyhow I just go by effort (between 5:50-5:30/k).  Slight headwind on the return.

8 miles AP: 9:25. 

Mile 1:  10:52 (slow, sluggish warm up)

Mile 2:  9:49 (still slow)

Mile 3:  9:14

Mile 4:  8:51 (downhill)

Mile 5:  10:05 (uphill)

Mile 6:  9:14 (same route as mile 3 but with headwind)

Mile 7:  8:49 (same as mile 4, a min faster)

Mile 8:  8:36 (same as mile 1 with a bit tailwind)

Went to Family History Center in SLC with hubby in the morning.  Didn't get out for run until nearly 4pm.  54F cloudy calm.  8 slow recovery miles.  AP: 10:38

36F partly cloudy, calm.  Ran with Karen down 3rd West, up Rail Trail, traverse around construction site (mud/dirt frozen) and back on other end of rail trail onto MCT.  We talked about the different education systems (pre-college) in America and my own in HK.  Then we discussed our long runs/races schedule for the next couple months.

Going to the temple this afternoon.  Last 20 miler tomorrow.

Awaken every hour through the night, perhaps fretting over this long run.  Legs are definitely not fresh (with 30 total miles in the last consecutive 4 days).  Out of bed at 6:15am, 41F, cloudy, 5mphSSE.  Wore shorts, compression sleeve, l/s shirt and green Boston jacket that has zip off sleeves, and pockets to hold flask of water and Gu's.  Nearly full bright moon to the west.  Ran 2.25 miles before meeting Karen at her house.  Plan was to run east up to Alpine then south to AF/Highland for a 20 mile loop back to her house then a mile home to make 23 miles!

Beautiful morning, bright full moon to the west, sunrise illuminating the clouds in pink and orange to the east, snowcapped mountains against gorgeous crisp blue sky and bright white fluffy clouds.  We ran up north on Suncrest Dr. then traverse east to Alpine Park where we gu'ed and drank from the everflowing fountain (7+miles).  Then ran south to SR92 and east up to the mouth of AF Canyon.  Happiest surprise of the day was when Toby honked and stopped to talk with us on her way up AF Canyon where she would grab some vertical miles! :)  Just love that girl and so very proud of her! :)

After saying goodbye to Toby we continued on SR92 to the trail head by Canyon Rd.  The golf course trail was abruptly closed for some construction (possibly to bury some pipes).  We climbed up the hill side to find a more accessible spot to cross the construction site without success so we hiked back down and found a lower dirt pile to cross.  All the drinking fountains and bathrooms along the Cedar Hills trails were closed.  We got on the MCT and continue east to the parking lot/bathroom by Canyon Rd.  We gu'ed and drank (mile 15ish).  By now it was getting warm and I could tell I had not kept up with my hydration.  Karen shed her l/s shirt.  I tried taking the jacket off to tie around my waist but the water flask flapping bugged me so I zip the sleeves off and put them in the other pocket of my jacket (now a vest).  That works well especially when the wind started to pick up and my wet shirt didn't chill me!

I started to bonk in the 17th mile.  Now Karen was doing the talking while I listened and tried to ignore the pain on my feet.  We stopped at the bathroom south of Lone Peak HS to drink.  The next 2-3 miles were painful.  It was also getting very windy.  We stopped at Mitch Hollow Park bathroom and when I reached for the sink to get some water I got very light headed and dizzy.  So I put my head down and got my heart rate to settle a bit, gu'ed and drank.  I was so depleted that I had forgotten to restart my watch from the last stop.  After running Karen home (her watch read 20 miles), I ran home (which is almost a mile from her house) to make 23ish miles.  That last mile was a crawling 11:15-12:00 pace with a stiff headwind.  Feet and shins were hurting very bad. 

Got in the house and could not find any recovery drink so I mixed a pack of instant breakfast with milk and gulped that down in seconds.  I was so dehydrated I think I drank less than 18oz of water and 3 Gu.  For breakfast I had 6 oz OJ and a yogurt.  This 23 miler zapped me like a marathon except I had lots of stops; and my left foot arch and shin and heel are killing me!  So glad for a 3 weeks taper and hopefully I will recover.  No fun getting old and slow!

41 breezy partly sunny.  Feet/heels and shins still don't feel right so wear the Inspire (wonder if last weeks 53 miles all in the Altra Torin was what did me in).  Karen and Amanda ran to get me.  I could barely keep up.  AP: 10:28. 

Stretch and foam roll.

36 F sunny, very breezy.  Ran with Karen east to MCT.  I told Karen to do some half mile repeats for her speedwork today.  After 2 miles warm up, she'd run 0.5 mile fast then turn and run back to me for .25 mi recovery and repeat 4Xs.  The first 3 was all with headwind.  The last repeat was at the turn around at 1500W bathroom with a tailwind.  She did awesome.  Her first mile split was 8:17 and progressively faster.  2 miles cool down to her home.  It was fun to watch her run fast even though I cannot run anything near sub-9 these days if my life depends on it, sigh!  I ran another mile home, 8 miles AP: 9:42. 

It's been couple years since I've done any core stability stuff so here's babystep!

Did 3 circuits of the following core ST:

Abdominal crunch 20 reps

Leg pushaway 20 reps

Push up  20 reps

Standing knee hold 12 reps

Back extension (superman) 12 reps

Side and front planks 3 reps of 10 sec.

Myrtle:

Clamshells 8 reps

Lateral leg raises 15 reps

Donkey kicks 8 reps

Donkey whips 8 reps

Fire hydrant 8 reps

Knee circle forward 5 reps

Knee circle backward 5 reps

Hurdle trail leg forward 5 reps

Hurdle trail leg backward 5 reps

Lateral leg swing 5 reps

Linear leg swing 10 reps

Linear leg swing knee bent 10 reps

Stretch and foam roll

34F (feels like 30) sunny blue sky.  Wendy is back from TX, yay!  Karen, Wendy and I ran conversational miles.  My heels and legs are bugging, so I was extra sluggish.  I just feel like a tired old lady mentally and physically.  So grateful for dear friends getting me out the door every morning.  AP: 10:22. 

My feet/heels are still bugging.  Wendy and I walked to meet Karen but totally missed her so we walked home. 

Myrtle.

3 circuits of Pfitz. core ST.

Hubby and I walked all over the RV outdoor show all afternoon and evening.  My feet were killing!

Decided to not run med. long with Karen this morning since I went to bed real late last night and feet were still bugging.  I think I have PF. 

Went to RV outdoor show again.  Then we went to Market Street Grill for Valentine's dinner.

Wendy was so kind to run slow with me this morning.  We ran east on MCT.  Around the mile 4 drinking fountain/pavillion, we saw a gal ducking/hiding on the slope side of the trail.  When I asked if she was OK.  She replied in a hush tone pointing to a boquet of roses and some padels lying on the trail: "There's going to be a proposal."  Ah! We saw a couple running towards us in the distant; so we stood and stretched at the table/pavillion close to the boquet and waited in anticipation.  It was so sweet to watch the happy surprised look on the girl's face as her running partner picked up the boquet and knelt down to propose to her.  A group of walkers and runners also turned to look and we all clapped and cheered!  :) :) :)  The gal came out from hiding and started to take pictures.  She had also decorated the bridge over the tunnel with balloons and valentines and a sign with the couples' names!  Love is definitely in the air as we saw many couples, young and old, walking hand in hand on the trail. 

Feet/heels felt okay going slow and wearing the Inspire.  I think last week's 53 miles all in Altra was not a smart thing.

Went to RV outdoor show again with hubby.  Saw MarkO and his wife Christi at the expo.  It's been a LONG time since we've seen each other.  It was SO good to see them and catch up a bit.

Feet felt a bit better so I thought I'd wear the Altra Torin.  Ran to Karen's to meet her and her 12 yo daughter, Grace and her friend Keylee, and Amanda.  We missed each other as they ran to my house and I ran to Karen's, we passed on different streets.  I turned back towards home and met them halfway from my street.  Six of us ran up on the MCT and when the girls reached 3 miles they headed home while Amanda, Karen and I continued on for a bit more.  It was very windy going north and I nearly went in an asthma attack. 

Myrtle 10 reps.

4 circuits of Pfitzinger's core ST.

By evening my feet, heels and ankles (particularly the left) were really bugging.  Iced and massaged out the plantafacia. 
 

27F sunny slight breeze.  Ran with Karen and Wendy west on MCT.  After a brief stop at the 1500W bathroom for drink, I told Karen to do couple of hill repeats on the hill west to the freeway while Wendy and I jogged up the hill slowly.  Karen ran up the hill powerfully then back down and up again and caught us.  She did awesome! :)

After I got home, had breakfast and showered, walked 2 miles with hubby in the old Altra (that was a mistake, the shoes not hubby).   Feet/heels/ankles were hurting bad.  Iced and massaged, took 2 ibupofen after we got home.  Stinks to have PF this close to marathon! :(
 

No running today.  Feet still bugs.  Hubby's check up with cardiologist, Dr. Miner today.  His blood pressure has been low (barely 100/70s) so dr. dropped all but one blood pressure meds, Metropolo XL, a beta-blocker to prevent heart failure.  His b/p used to be 160s/80s (as high as 180s/90s) and was on 4 different b/p meds.  So this is good improvement.  Will probably need to have a stress test and echocardiogram as part of transplant screening.

Happy Chinese New Year of the Lamb.

No running today.  Dr. visit with nephrologist at PD clinic.  Hubby's lab work from two weeks ago came back within range (renal pt. has a specific goal range, which are not the same as the general population).  So we are happy that his peritoneal dialysis is doing its job giving him 15% of renal function.  He is feeling so much better now compare to a few months ago. 

37F (feels like 30F), cloudy with intermitten rain, windy.  Karen ran 4 miles before meeting me for her 12 miler.  We ran east on MCT.  Turned around west into a fierce headwind and rain.  Glad I wore a jacket and gloves, not so for Karen whose hands were frozen.  I had to walk all the uphills when my breathing became labored (darn asthma). 

Stretch and ice my feet rolling on frozen water bottles. 
 

37F partly cloudy.  I was running on the sidewalk about 0.25 mile into the run, I encountered a mutt which started barking so I ran into the road out of his way.  But he started coming after me and nibbed at my heels so I turned to fend him off.  In an attempt to kick him as I turned, I fell and busted my left knee and right elbow.  Should've stayed home cause the run was super slow (AP: 11:23) with sore knee and achy PF. 

Walked a mile with hubby.  He jogged between telephone poles 4 times.  So proud of him.  Stretch and rolled on ice bottle.   Left foot really hurts.  I seriously don't know if I can run the marathon a week from today...sigh! :(

Feet still hurt.  No running. 
 

Slow jog on the TM for 4 miles.  Feet were ok during the jog, but hurt afterward and really kills by end of the day. :(

Karen brought over a boot that keeps my foot flexed while sleeping.  I also rolled on ice bottles and massaged the heck out of the feet.  Really worry about what to do on Sat.
 

Flew into Houston around 11am.  Temp was same as in Utah 38F but felt colder with the humidity.  Larissa had me roll my feet on this little green ball that has bumps on it called "Rubz".  Aaaah! Hurt so GOOD!!! :)  We spent the day going to various grandkids' activities:  Lex's school music program and cub scout pack meeting.  We decided not to go to Jade's track meet which is 30 min drive and finishes at 10pm cause we didn't want to sit in the freezing cold.  We did go pick her up at her school after the meet was over. 

Larissa's friend/neighbor, Beth, let me borrow her "foot flex boot" to sleep with at night that helps keep the calf/achilles flexed/stretched.  We also foam rolled, stretched and Rubzed a lot while preparing for dinner.  So proud of Larissa's doing a good job with hydration and carb intake.  We tried to go to bed early but not with her kids' activities.  She and Brandon faithfully have family scriptures reading every night! :)
 

After the grandkids were off to school (baby Jett stayed home cause Brandon has the day off), Larissa and I went out for a test run.  We ran a mile then back in the house to change to another pair of shoes to help decide what to wear for tomorrow's marathon.  I decided to wear long sleeve shirt and capri with compression sleeve.  Larissa has a flip belt for me to hold my phone, gels and inhaler. 

I KT-taped my feet for the PFs.  Beth came over and the three of us went to the Expo.  I was impressed with how nicely organzied the Expo is.  It is about half the size of the St. George Expo but with variety of running pertinent offerings.  The Expo was two days long and they had symposiums/clinics going on both days.  I bought some bondiheadbands, a pair of socks, Gus and got some freebies (cliff bars, coconut water, hat, etc.)  I love that the Expo is inside the Marriott Hotel's cushy carpet floor.

Then we went to the mall for lunch.  I had baked potato and grilled chicken snack wraps at Wendy's.  Then we went shopping at Athleta.  Larissa bought me a running tank top.  :)  The running skirts, capris, and tops look so much cuter on her than me! :)

We went to Luke's post football celebration pizza party.  Larissa and I didn't dare eat the food there so she cooked us spaghetti for dinner.  After getting our race gear ready and stewed over which pair of shoes to wear, we finally retired to bed around 11pm. with the alarm set to wake up at 4am. 
 

LOVED loved loved this race and the whole weekend spending time with my daughter and her husband and grandkids!  I ran the entire 26.37 miles with a smile on my face!  My heart was filled with joy and gratitude!  I am so proud of my daughter, Larissa, running her very first marathon with an awesome time of 3:53.  She has trained hard and smart; getting up super early as a mother of 4 children and working part time. :) :) :) :) :)

Took a Tylenol PM last night and got about 4 hours sleep.  Ate a banana with an Aleeve upon waking at 4am.  Larissa's friend, Beth, picked us up at 5am.  It was raining lightly in Kingwood.  The five of us (Beth and Betty running the Half, Whitney, Larissa and I running the Full) got to the start in the Woodlands with an hour to spare.   My plan was if my feet hurt after sitting in the car (like they've been doing the last few weeks), I would switch to the Half and run with Beth (and pace her to her goal of 2:15).  Don't know if it was the excitement or adrenalin or cold temp (38F that feels like 32), there was zero pain in my feet when I got out of the car.  So I decided to stick with the Full. 

The staging of the Start (also the Finish) is amazingly organized in a beautiful park in the middle of a cosmopotitan township with the Marriott Hotel and Mall close by.  We parked right by the path leading into the Park and found a row of portapotties with no lines.  Met up with some of Larissa's friends and took pictures.  Then we shed our jackets and drop off our gear bags and went for a second trip to the PoP.  By now the lines were long so we headed over to the starting corrals knowing there would be more PoPs.  We thought we'd cut diagonally across the park to the start but quickly found out they had everyone staying on the path/sidewalk and walking clockwise around the block to the corrals.  By the time we reached corral A where Larissa was seeded, there was no time for her to use the PoP.  So I wished her luck and I went to the PoP before entering my corral B.  Corral A closed at 6:40 and B closed at 7:00.  

I got in the very back of the corral and visited with a first-timer, Matt.  His wife and 3 month old baby were standing on the other side of the barricade.  We chatted as I did some simple leg swings to warm up.  I gave my space-blanket and hand sanitizer to his wife.  Soon, the National Anthem was played and the race started.  I hung in the very back with the wounded and injuried, the Maniacs and First-timers, the partyers, geezers and geezerettes! :) :) :)  Saw a girl with a sign on her back that read: "I have rheumatoid arthritis.  This is a BIG step for me."  I ran up to her and started to talk with her.  Her name is Vanessa from Porta Rico.  I recalled the scripture passage that Larissa received from her friend, Allie, the day before and repeated it to Vanessa:  "I have fought a good fight.  I have finished the course.  I have kept the faith."  I told her to have faith that God will be with her every step of the way.  I encouraged her to catch up to the 6:00 pace group gradually.   It took about half a mile to cath up to the 6:00 pace group.  I could tell her breathing became a bit labored.  I gave her a hug and we bid each other good luck and I left her with Maria who was speaking Spanish to us.

In the next mile or so I passed the 5:45, 5:30, 5:15, 5:00 and 4:45 pace groups.  It was cold enough that my feet were numb.  Finally warmed up by mile 3 so I tossed the fleece jacket Larissa gave me on the mile 3 marker but kept the gloves (which I was glad as the temp got colder later on with wind and rain).  Around mile 5 I came upon a Veteran, a one leg emputee, on wheelchair and a flag and sign that read: "This is in honor of our veterans!"  I took his picture from behind and front and jogged alongside him and chatted a bit.  I just loved the Texans' warm and kind hospitality. :)

The aid stations were spaced every 1.5 mile apart.  I walked and took sips of gatorade at every aid station.  I Gu'ed around mile 7, 12, 17, 21.  The course was one big loop on concrete road that is lined with trees around the fairly new developed neighborhoods.  There was very little traffic with cops at every intersection and entrances of every neighborhood/village.  Course is flat with some gentle rollers in the middle miles.  Absolutely love the many funny signs and cheering fans along the course.  Some of the fans would reappear every 5Ks.  :) :) :)  This race has all the amenities of big city race but with hometown feel.  I had to stop three times to readjust my shoelaces around mile 8 when the 4:45 pace group passed by.  I decided to just hang with them. 

The 4:45 pace leader was 49 yo Jonathan, shirtless, wearing a gold chain, shorts and green compression socks.  There were about 10-15 runners in the group during the early miles.  By the half point, the group twindled down to about 6: couple of ladies wearing identical downfeather vests, a large fella wearing grey sweat shirts and pants and perspiring profusely, a medium built fella with a "Kona" green short sleeve top over white long sleeve shirt and an assortments of overly dressed (to me) runners.  They all seemed to know each other from having done training runs together at a local running club.  Safe to say that I was probably the oldest gal and only Utahn in the group.

From the Half on, Jonathan would stop to use the PoP at every aid station and caught back up to us about half mile later.  I finally asked him what the pace was for 4:45.  He said something about 10:53.  My watch was pretty much stucked at 6:42 per kilometer.  There was a hairpin turn at around mile 15.  Jonathan would cheer on the runners from the opposite side but he hardly gave us any words of encouragement or funny stories.  There was a bit of headwind so I ran back and ducked behind Kona guy.  He didn't mind and humored me with something about his emitting odor! 

I was having a lot of fun, with no pain or aches to speak of.  I high-fived all the little kids, told a few running jokes.  Jonathan eventually designated me to be his co-pacer when he had to dash off to the PoPs at every aid station.  He simply told the group to keep going and stay with "Ms Pocatello" as I was wearing a bright green Pocatello Marathon shirt.  The mile 19 aid staion was staffed by a group of missionaries from the Houston Mission.  So of course, I had to run back to chat with them and took pictures with the sister missionaries.  That was a nice rest and then I sped back up to catch the group and told them all about Mormon missionaries! :)

Around mile 24, my shins started to get wormlike cramps which was more annoying than pain.  By now there were only about 3 or 4 runners still hanging on.  I decided to skip the last aid station and picked up the pace a bit for a faster finish passing many walkers and dawdlers!  After crossing an overpass/bridge, the last stretch had a few turns around some shops then onto stoney pathway alongside a beautiful waterway.  When I finally saw the finish arch, I kicked it up, and crossed the finish with a huge smile on my face as the clock ticked 4:45:1... (I felt I was successful in my first non-official pacing duty).  My official chip time is 4:43:31, ran the first half in 2:22:29 and second half in 2:21:02. 

Larissa and Beth watched me run in.  They both did awesome! :) :)  My grandkids and their dad were enjoying the finish line festives.  I was impressed with how much food they gave away. I loaded up platefuls of Chic-fil-A sandwitches, chicken fingers with yummy sauce, breakfast burritos of eggs n cheese and bacon n eggs, packages of mini-muffins, mandarin oranges, banana, apples, bottles of chocolate milk and yogurt smoothies...gotta feed my hungry grandkids who were playing in those huge inflated playground and jumphouse!  I even got a 10 min massage, a first ever in all the races I've done!  Marathon #54 in the book, 6 more to go! :) :) :)  So grateful to be able to finish this one with no issues!

Nice Sunday with Larissa, Brandon and the grandkids.

Flew home today.  My seatmate was very friendly.  We talked the entire 3 hr. 

So excited to see David and Maddi who actually arrived late last Sat. from NYC! :)

PD lab today.  Then shopped and packed the RV.

Took the Trend on her "maiden voyage" to SG with Maddi and David.  Hubby drove the first 2 hours, I drove the next 1.5 hr and David drove the rest of the way from Beaver.  We went no faster than 60pmh per the RV's manual's recommendation.  Sure was nice to make lunch and ate in.  And hubby got up and walked around and reclined on the corner bed at the back while David drove.  Got to Temple View RV Park early enough for dinner (the microwave oven worked GREAT!) and swimming/hot-tub.  :) 

SGTemp: 38F-61F  Clear beautiful blue sky! :)

The loft bed was quite comfortable.  Hubby's cycler worked great without problem.  We were toasty with the AC unit set at lowheat (fan) and temp dialed at the lower 1/3.  It emitted a white-noise hum that I didn't hear the cycler's beep at all.

Maddi and I ran to the temple and took pictures and ran back.  Her phone GPS said we ran 2 miles.  I wore my very old Mizuno trail shoes since I didn't bring running shoes.  No PF pain (yet). 

After breakfast we drove to ZionsNP where we hiked the Emerald Pool > Grotto loop and the trail to the south side of the Narrows.

Lunch in the RV.  Dinner at Chuck-a-Rama.  Swimming/hot tub at the RV Park.

After breakfast we drove to Snow Canyon where we hiked the Petrified Sand Dunes and Jenny's Canyon.  It was a beautiful day like yesterday.  Had lunch in the RV.  Left Snow Canyon around 2.  David drove most of the way while hubby and I took turn lounging between the dinnete bench and bed and watching movies! :) Dinner at Denny's.  What a FUN and relaxing trip! :)

6 very slow miles by myself on the MCT.  PF came back with a vengence. :(

Ran super slow with Wendy (she got 4 miles) and Karen on the MCT.  Nice weather.  PF is not going away anytime soon. 

Foam rolled the calves and quads like crazy, rubz the feet then ice rolled on frozen water bottles.  Stretched the calves and hammie x3.  Used the splint Karen lend me during the night.

Turned down Karen's text invite to run.  Too tired and feet too painful. :(
 

Ran with Karen.  Stopped at 0.5 mile to stretch out the calves and plantar facia.  Feet hurt the first three miles; then okay during the run.  Foam roll, stretch, ice, night splint. 

4 slow miles with Karen and Wendy. 
 

Karen texted me last night to remind me to ice my feet!  She ran 7 miles before meeting me at my house.  We ran to the Alpine everflowing fountain and back for 11 miles (Karen got 18+).  She is training so well.  So grateful she was willing to run slow with me and listen to me whine about my PF. 

Talked to Eric about PF home remedy.  I really need to give the feet a rest and diligently do the stretching, rolling, icing.  Sigh!

No running today.  Really enjoyed doing the Stake's Mini-MTC.  Felt like back in the mission again.  Earlier this week we had 15 sisters and 2 elders returned home after completing honorably their missions from Australia Sydney South.  We love and miss each and everyone of these good and faithful missionaries SO very much! :)

Ordered a pair of Bird and Cronin Splint from Amazon, the same kind Beth let me borrow while in TX.  It seemed to help...no pain with first step out of bed! 

Flying out to Tucson this morning.  Rubz the Plantar Facia while sitting at the departure gate. 

SO happy to see the grandkids.  Alina (16 mon.) warmed right up to me!  My, she's grown heaps since I last saw her at Thanksgiving!  Emi (5) was excited to see me and had heaps of things to tell me.  Devin (3) was still a bit unsure at first but warmed up when we started to play.  Marianne is an amazing mother nurturing her precious little ones.  She showed me the kids routines and schedules, their likes and dislikes.  They basically eat every two hours (3 meals and 3 snacks) and play/read/small outing/nap/quiet time in between eating! 

Eric is super busy and dedicated to his Fellowship at the U. of Arizona.  He got home around 6:30 (usually it's 8 or 9) and ate his dinner (only meal he eats) of meat-loaf that Marianne made.  Larry would be jealous of our dinner cause he LOVES meatloaf.

While visiting/chatting with Eric, his pager and phone would go off; so even though he was home, he was still working!  After putting the kids to bed, he finally had time to talk about the job interviews and career opportunities/offers; all the while packing his suitcase for a week's of clothing since he'd be going to L.A. for conference straight away after the 2nd interview (with Marianne) at Alburquerque, NM.  He also took time to examine my feet/ankle and gave me advise on treating my Plantar Faciitis.  Such a good son! :)

Went to bed pretty late and the grandkids got up very early.  Watched (and participated) closely what Marianne does with/for the grandkids.  We went to the park to play before going to story time (10 am) at the library. 

Marianne left around 3pm after Alina woke up from her nap and she read to Emi and Devin.  She has prepared the kids well for her leaving so there was no drama at her departure.  :)

I LOVE my grandkids SO MUCH!!! :)  Being Nana and spending time with grandkids is both FUN and exhausting! :) :) :)

AM: we had a "funtastic" walk race!  Devin rode his trike, Emi jogged/walked while I carried Alina (when she let me, she preferes toddling/running) jogging along.  We stopped a lot to examine the different desert wild flowers, cactus, bugs, birds (heaps of birds), waved at the airplanes flying overhead (that the kids were very sure was their momma's airplanes) calling out "Hi, Mommy!".  It was a blue sky, cool morning after a light rain earlier.  The air was filled with fragrance of desert flowers.   We jumped over small rain puddles.

PM: we had heaps of fun building bridges, birthday cakes, houses, swimming pools, garages, interesting buildings with Legos.  We watched two short videos of Dora the Explorer.  Emi and Devin put on their swim-suits and we went to the "beach" which was the couch and used the cushions for surf-board.  They have never ever been to the beach!  We played with things from the "Nana box", bubbles, colored and drew pictures, Devin especially loved his "robot arm" to pick up things.  We played Candyland.  We sang and danced to the music from Pandora.   We played hide-n-seek.  We ate cookies! :)

Evening:  the only challenging thing was to get Devin to eat.  Alina on the other hand, eats a lot.  She consumes more than what Devin and Emi would eat combined.  While cohercing Devin to eat with all sorts of funny antics.  We laughed and giggled with "what would happen if we swollen a train".  Devin loves trains.  Normally, Alina would laugh and giggle when we laugh even if she has no idea what we're laughing about.  She is a very bright, delightful, happy little baby.  But I noticed she wasn't smiling but instead had this serious look on her face.  Then all of a sudden, without warning, she vomitted (good thing she was strapped in her high chair) the undigested dinner on her tray.  For the next two hours I held her in my arms and intermittently rushed to the sink as she continued to empty the content of her stomach (all the food she's eaten that day: banana and oatmeal, chocolate chips granola bar, green and red grapes, green and red apples, sweet and white potato, cheese stick, peanut butter,  crackers, cookie, tuna fish sandwitch, whole wheat noodle with cheese, milk...)  Poor thing!  Emi urged me to call her mommy; but we had just called her before dinner and I didn't want to worry her and Eric.  But, I was so worried that I called Larissa (she's a nurse practitioner and worked at a pediatrician office).   It was a little tougher to put the kids to bed (brushing teeth, toilet, changing to pajamas, scriptures, prayers, story books...) while holding Alina and rushing to the bathroom with each vomit.  By the time the kids are in bed it was nearly 8:30.  I held Alina as she slept in my arms for another 30-45 min. to be sure she's not going to vomit anymore.  Finally put her to bed and she slept soundly while I cleaned the kitchen and took a shower.  I slept fretfully worrying that Alina would vomit in the middle of the night...but she didn't! :)

Devin woke up very early to use the bathroom.  He seemed super tired and grumpy!  I started to worry that he might be sick.  Alina initially did not want to eat.  So I held her while Emi and Devin had breakfast.  I let Devin had granola bar which was the only thing he wanted for breakfast.  Alina didn't even ask for her granola bar (which was her favorite yesterday).  Emi handed her small pieces of corn and oat flakes from her cereal.  She ate it and then wanted more.  So I fed her some baby rice cereal with water and banana.  She ate them heartily.  Yay! No more vomitting! :)

Devin was mean to Alina so I sent him to time out in his room.  He fell asleep shortly!  He must be so tired!  We had a quieter play time mid-morning.  Then I put Alina down for nap.  Both her and Devin slept for two hours.  They would probably sleep longer if I hadn't woken them up. 

Marianne came home in the afternoon and the kids were SO happy to see their mommy.  I was relieved that the kids were not sick.  

We took the kids to the children's museum.  It was a lot of fun.  Enjoyed my last day in Tucson with my grandkids and talking with Marianne. 

It's been a week since I last ran.  Each morning I would stretch my pf, archilles before getting out of bed and so far no "first step" morning pain.  Eric has advised me to stretch my calves three times a day (at least 10 min. each time).  I did that a couple of days this week so hopefully my PF is getting better.
 

Fly home today.  Going to really miss my grandkids!  The return flight with an hour lay over in Vegas seemed much longer than the outbound flight.  I rubz the pf when sitting at the airports. 

Thinking about Toby and others who are running the Buffalo Run today as the plane flew over Utah Valley, no glimpse of the Antelope Island, as it landed in SLC.  Looks like a gorgeous day for a long long trail run.  Can't wait to hear how Toby does!  :)

Hubby and I got a church calling.  It's been nearly a year since he's had a calling.  We're called to teach the ward's Temple Preparation Class.  We're excited!

Ran with Wendy to meet her co-worker, Rebecca, a T.A. at the elementary school, who's started running and training for a 5K in May.  We jogged/walked up to MCT then down on the Rail Trail and ran Rebecca back to her neighborhood then two miles back to our homes.  I didn't wear a watch.  Wendy's watch says we ran 6.5 miles and average just under 11mpm.  Feet felt fine during the run but calves felt a bit tight.

Foam rolled and stretched the calves after I got home.  I discovered some knots in my medial soleus bilaterally, right worse than left.  They are sore to touch.  I massaged, rolled, stretched them like crazy.  I remember distinctively that there was a huge knot close to the heel bone on the left ankle right after running the Woodlands Marathon over two weeks ago.  Now it seemed to have spread higher up on the soleus.  Should've rolled and stretched diligently for the last two weeks but I didn't due to trip to Southern Utah one week and to Tucson the next.  Live and learn!

I started wearing the night splint/boot every night when I sleep as soon as I got home on Sat.  I think they are helping.  There's no more morning first step pain.  Not sure if it's the boot, or no running for 10 days or the stretching...probably combination of all that.   I decided to put it on my right foot (previously only on the left as the left PF was worse than the right).  I sure hope both soleus heal up quick.

Woke up super tired with sore calves and a pounding headache (proably due to Spring allergy).  So I stayed in bed and took a rest day. 

My sleep habit has been so messed up.  Woke up at 7:20 (which is 6:20 Arizona time, I think I'm still adjusting to day-light-saving and readjusting back).  Plus wearing splint/boot in bed is not too conducive to sleep.  O well.  I need to go to bed earlier instead of taking naps in the afternoon and reading late into the night.

Karen texted and I replied with "come get me at 8 and I'll see if I can attempt to run."  It felt colder this morning.  I was having a hard time breathing barely running 10:15 pace.  Stopped at the 1500W bathroom and again at Karen's house.  She is running so well.  She did speedwork yesterday with average pace for the entire run at 8:00.  I think she should try for a BQ at Ogden.

I, on the other hand, not even sure if I can make it to the West Mountain Marathon start line.  I am going to be diligent with recovery, rest and start back up conservatively.

Foam rolled, trigger-point rolled with tennis ball on the medial soleus and rubz the pf.  Massaged, stretched.  Then I remember Eric told me to do yoga.  Ahh, yoga felt so good even though I have zero flexibility! :)

Beautiful morning, slept in since none of my buddies are home today.  38F sunny breezy.  7.5 slow solo miles on the MCT via Center, west to 1500 W drank at the restroom, turned around east to Dry Creek tunnel then turned home via 800E.  AP: 10:30 (rebooted/reset the Garmin back to factory default, all the history are deleted and re-programed the setting so the pace is now mph).

Foam roll, stretch, yoga.

Major house cleaning.

40F clear blue sky.  Ran with Wendy on MCT via 800 E, east to Lone Peak Hwy then turned back.  We took our sweet time, walked the uphill, we had so much to catch up on.  AP: 11:53 :)

Foam roll, stretch, yoga.

Yard work. Pruned raspberry bushes.  Weeded.

36F clear blue sky.  Ran with Wendy to pick up Rebecca (Wendy's friend from elementary work) 1.75 miles.  Jogged up to MCT east to meet up with Karen and Amanda mile 3.  Turned and ran Rebecca home 4.75.  Then the three of us ran home for a total of 7.5 solo miles.  But got to jog up 1200West twice. 

Foam roll, stretch, yoga.

Yard work.  Dug up and transplanted a medium size Alberta spruce.

42F sunny blue sky.  Ran with Karen up MCT west.  Took a drink break at 1500 W restroom, then we ran down to tunnel by Oracle and back up for hill repeats. I was short on time so I did 2 hill repeats while Karen did 3.  She was much faster and stronger than me on the uphill.  We both recovered on the downhill.  AP: 9:45 (10:16, 9:32, 9:41, 10:21 [hill repeats], 9:32, 9:16, 9:18) 

Had to go to Home Dialysis Workshop in Murray with hubby so no time to foam roll, just brief stretch.

Yard work, clean the back patio and deck.  Yoga before bed.

Karen was going to run 6 of her 12 miles with me.  It started to snow as I was getting ready; so I went out the back patio and deck to dust the snow off the furniture and turn on the garden hose to flush out the ice.  So I totally missed Karen as she ran by.  Anyhow, it was very windy, ran to Karen's house and then followed her route to the Jr. High, went inside to get a drink and ran back home...slow lonely windy miles!

27F cold and breezy.  Ran with Wendy down to Fox Hollow to pick up with Rebecca.  Then ran her west then east on MCT and back down via 900W to her house.  Wendy and I then ran back up 3200N. 

Busy day getting ready for tonight's mission reunion.  I sewed a casing on the sheet that was made into a banner by one of our sister missionaries a year ago when Larry was in the hospital in Sydney.  We hung it up on the wall in the hall/stairway so our missionaries can see it and also sign it with their handprings, names and favorite scriptures.

I made coconut curry chicken (10-12 lbs of boneless chicken breast, 12 potatoes, 12 carrots, 2 garlic bulbs, 3 large onions, 6 cans of coconut milk, 4 cans stew diced tomato and tomato sauce, 4 Tbs curry power, 6 Tbs sugar, canola oil) served with a 10 C pot of rice; 24 nan bread, Italian meat balls, chips and salsa, fresh pineapples, strawberries, grapes, assortment of cookies, macadamia nut chocolate kisses and of course Tim Tams. 

We had over 40 returned missionaires (mostly sisters since the elders are still serving) and friends.  Honored guests were Sister Levine (who was hit by a car in Canberra in Sep and is having miracles after miracles), Bro. & Sis. Taufa and their newly set-apart-missionary-daughter, Sis. Jasmin Taufa (entering the MTC to serve in Suva Fiji this coming Tue.)  It was SO good to see our missionaires.  They start arriving at 6 and the last ones didn't leave until 10.  What a fun evening!  We LOVE our missionaries! :)

Ran with Wendy 14 slow conversational miles on MCT to Cedar Hills on a beautiful morning under sunny blue sky with temp in the high 30s.  Lotsa runners and cyclists out on the trail.  We walked all the uphills.  :)

Had a rough night last night.  Hubby's restless legs syndrome was very bad!  We didn't sleep until past 1:30am.  No running today.  We spent the whole morning in the Intermountain Transplant Center at the IMC campus for orientation.  Lots to think about and to prepare.  Then we went to SLC to pick up Sireesha from her bro-in-law's house.  Took her to have dim-sum and then to home where we visited; then we went to Lindon to pick up Sudhakar (her hubby). 

It's Steven's 23rd birthday today.  We all went to Texas Road House for dinner.  After dinner, Larry didn't feel very well, so he went home with Steven, while I drove Sireesha and Sudhakar back to SLC.   When I got home at 8:30, hubby already started PD and in bed.  I then skyped and chatted with Lily till nearly midnight!   So good and loving of her to call and to listen.  Don't know what I'd do without loving family support! :)

Ran with Wendy to MCT where Karen was already out doing her speedwork.  We then ran to pick up Amanda.  With no school (thus no truffic) we ran in the neighborhood streets.

Leslie has not been running for the last couple months (due to pain from a pelvic fracture).  She has been swimming, lifting and elipticalling at Lifetime Fitness where she has membership.  Karen, Amanda and I were invited to join her this morning to workout in her gym.  That place is posh!  We did elliptical, then core/foam roll/stretch, then swam and hot-tub.  It was a perfect day to workout inside (although we did more visiting/chatting than working out) as it was snowing and raining and blowing all day! :)
 

Got up at 6am and went to Jeff and Jen's house to tend Skylar so they can go to the hospital for the delivery of her new baby brother.  Our 9th grandchild, Nolan Ji-Yan Lew was born at 1:27pm weighing 7lb 10oz and 20.5in long.  He looks just like Skylar but bigger/longer, cute as a button!  We are so very happy and love being grandparents! :)
 

42 partly sunny slight SSE breeze.  Solo run to MCT via Center to freeway and back. AP: 10:31.

Didn't get out until 9:45am. 55F sunny.  About 1.25 mile into the run going east on the MCT, I could hear quick bounding footsteps coming from behind, it was Lori.  She asked if she could run some with me.  I've seen her a few times on the trail, always going the opposite direction.  She's a faster runner than me.  So I abandoned my plan to run up to Alpine and instead continue east with her on the MCT down and up Dry Creek till her turn-around spot.  We ran back up Dry Creek by the tunnel where I would peel off on Highland Dr. to run up Suncrest Dr.  But instead we stood there and visited for over an hour catching up on her kids' lives and she wanted to know about Larry's health.  That standing around under sunny sky got me stiffened up and thirsty. 

I needed to get to the Alpine drinking fountain so I tried my best to not walk on the uphill but my breathing was too labored.  Needless to say, it was a miserable sluggish run.  Once I reached the fountain, I drank and drank and drank and ate one of Larry's protein bars (no energy gel anywhere in the house) and stretched then turned back home on the road which was the shortest distance.  Average moving pace was a pathetic 11:08. :( 

We went to one of our sister missionaries, Sis. Sorensen's homecoming!  It was so great to see Sis. Schwab bringing Michelle and her 3 yo son, Ainsley (they moved from Sydney recently) to meet Sis. Levine who found them on a train and taught them.  It was a miracle that they were found but Sis. Levine got transferred and subsequently was hit by a car in Sept and returned home (not released by neither of her stake presidents).  She has recovered from her massive brain injury (nothing was broken) and now doing outpatient rehab.  Well, Michelle and Ainsley moved to Sugar House where Sis. Levine has therapy 3x a week.  Now Michelle wants her to resume teaching them!  Love tender mercies and miracles.

Larry and I received a new calling to serve together as teachers of the temple prep. class.  Tonight was our first lesson.  We had 6 "students' came to our home.  It's so great to be able teach with Larry these young people!  :)

Karen and Amanda met me halfway from our homes and we ran 6 miles together accessing MCT on 800 E then west to 1200 W and turned back home.  AP: 10:30.  I can tell Karen was holding back to jogging pace and I was having a hard time keeping up.  I am getting fat and slow while she's getting skinny and fast! :)

I thought Karen was going to come get me after she did her speedwork.  I waited for her outside of Wendy's house (hoping she'd join us).  No sign of Karen, but we got to visit with our other neighbor.  I was just about ready to abandon my plan of running when Diane L. ran by so I decided to catch up to her and we ran together for 3 miles around the block.  AP: 10:50 

Karen ran to meet me and Wendy.  We were able to beat the snow storm.  AP: 10:25

VT the whole morning and middle of the afternoon. 
 

Clinic visit today with nephrologist, PD nurse, dietian and social worker.  Good lab results.

Shopped at Costco.  Some yard work. 

Ran with Wendy.  Wore shorts, l/s top, a bit cool but will be perfect for tomorrow.
 

By far the smallest marathon I've ever run (23 women, 29 men in the Full; 44 women, 21 men in the Half).  I was the oldest female running the Full! 

The race website description: 

"The West Mountain Marathon is our answer to $100 entry fees (got free entry, thanks to RAD), and crazy 4:00 a.m. wake up calls to catch a bus in the freezing dark to wait around for a couple of hours before you actually get to run.

Held at the scenic Genola Town Park near the shores of Utah Lake, the West Mountain Marathon is for runners. Our certified loop course which starts and finishes at the same location will feature rolling hills, one sturdy climb and a finish line party at the park with burgers, hot dogs and fun for everyone. Registration is limited to just 500 total runners for our first year as we seek to grow the event wisely."

Yep, it was just as described.  We received emails with race day info on Thurs. reminding us that this is a CUPLESS event.  We're to bring our own hydration device.  There were 8 aid stations spread every 3 miles apart, with water to fill up your own bottle, Gu, pretzels.   The course is very scenic, rolling hills, around the West Mountain with 715 ft of  elevation gain.

Karen picked me up at 6:30am for our drive to Genola (4 miles west of Santaquin).  Got there around 7:30 and Toby was ready to roll.  (The Full starts at 8am and Half starts at 9am.) We hopped on the truck with Dan who was driving out to mark the Half course.  He dropped us off at the Start which was about .75 mile from the finish.  Start temp was 43F, sunny blue sky.  The RD gave a brief instruction/direction of the course which basically runs counter-clock-wise around the mountain at the edge of Utah Lake.

I had done very little training the last 6 weeks since the Woodlands Marathon, with PF issue and lots going on in my life at this time.  I couldn't have done this if not for the patience, love and support of my cherished friends, Karen and Toby. 

The first couple miles were an uphill climb towards the mountain.  Then it's a gentle decline for the next few miles with the vast view of the snow capped mountains to the east and open farm lands of Utah County.  We ran through quiet orchards and farms with quaint houses/homes.  Around mile 10, hubby drove up...I was so happy to see him.  Mile 12 to 20 was along the lake shore dotted with occasional fishermen.  We encountered more cyclists than motorists. 

I bonked badly around mile 17, I was DONE, legs were cramping up, breathing was labored.  They ran out of Gu at that aid station.  Luckily, Tammy, a girl who has been leap-frogging with us, gave me one of her Gu.  We ran together the next 3 miles.  Turned out she's friend/neighbor to the Levine's.  Sis. Levine was one of our missionaries who was hit by a car and is now doing miraculously and remarkably well.  Somehow talking and listening to Tammy got my mind off the pain.  I also took couple of ibuprofen and salt caps.  We took a few walk breaks going up the hill at mile 19-20. 

The last two miles were painful.  Karen did her best to encourage me.  At one point I looked over and saw that she was walking while I was running...how pathetic!!!  My breathing was labored and my legs were dead.  That green finish arch seemed to keep moving away from me.  I kept telling Karen to go on ahead and run her pace numerous times over the entire race, but she would not leave me!  :)  I would've walked a lot and possibly take 6 hours to finish.  No matter how many marathons one runs, the last 5K is always the hardest, and, crossing the finish line is the greatest feeling ever. I am forever grateful for wonderful friends who so lovingly and patiently run with me.  They made it so fun!!!  :)  And what a blessing it was to have my hubby there today.  Marathon #55 done! 

Huge congratz to those who ran Boston!!!  You all did marvelously on such a cold, rainy, windy Patriot Day!  I'll see there next year! :)

Yard work.  Transplanted the 2nd Alberta spruce.
 

Yard work.  Cleaned, set up and decorated the spare bedroom (Larissa's room) as a guest room.  It's been used to store cases and cases of dialysate and PD supplies, but now already for Jia Fen when she comes! :)

Very slow recovery jog by myself.  Stopped to stretch after every mile.  AP: 11:40 (pathetic). 

Raked up two wheel barrels full of pine cones and needles that have been packed and embedded from the lawn for the last 2 or 3 years.  My arms and neck are SO sore!

Today is our 38th wedding anniversary.  Hubby asked me where I'd like to go for our anniversary dinner celebration.  I teased him and said:  "Legal Seafood."  He said:  "Hopefully next year, we'll be in Boston to celebrate our 39th and we could go to Legal Seafood."  He took me to Red Lobster.. it'll do for now! :)

Ran with Karen and Wendy nice conversational miles.  It got quite windy at the end.  AP: 10:19. 

Jia Fen arrived today! :)

Went to Sister Ashlynn Clegg's sealing and reception.  She is now Mrs. Rhodes!  Took Jia Fen with us, her first attendance to a temple sealing in English.  (The rain storm held off so lucky for picture taking).  After the sealing I took jer to Ocean Mart.  Then we attended the reception. 

Missionary Expo Fun Run ~ the BEST, FUNNEST 5K ever!!!  We picked up Wendy and her son, Eric, at 6:30 to drive to the start of the race at Cinemark by the University Mall.  Registration at 7am.  There were may be 30-40 runners!  All proceeds go to support missionary fund.  Sister Levine was the special guest.  Missionary Mommas designed special race shirt (in a bright pink) that has "Mommas hastening the work" in the front and "Divine Strides with Sister Levine" in the back.

While lining up to pick up our bibs, we saw Sister Sorensen and her brother, Matt. What a great former companion and eternal friend she is!  Was hoping more returned missionaries from our mission would come.  Then the Levines and their friends arrived.  The RD gave us brief description of the course which also included a 1K and 3K.   The race started on time at 7:30.  It was a bit cool with overcast sky, perfect running weather. 

All the "pink" T-shirt participants stayed at the back and walked.  I was dressed to run, so was a bit cold to walk.  Within the first 100 yards, Sis. Levine was hitting her brother (who was pushing her in the wheelchair) and he remarked that he'd give her to some strangers to push if she didn't stop hitting.  Her mother said:  "She would not hit Sis. Lew.  Plus she's so tiny she wouldn't need to bend over to push the wheelchair."  Yep, I was just the right height to push the wheelchair; so I took over and started running to catch up to the runners ahead.  Sis. Levine was on a basketball scholarship before her mission.  She was very athletic and competitive.  She told her mom that a 5K is a sporting event and she wanted some Nike shoes so I knew that being pushed by walkers would be considered non-athletic! :)

I had heaps of fun running and pushing Sister Levine back and forth through the other runners/walkers so we could cheer them on.  Sis. Levine was laughing so hard!  I had her do the Miss ASSM (don't forget the M) waves to the oncoming runners at some turn-around parts of the course!!!  :)

With 0.25 mile to go, I ran her back to her parents and brother, then we all walked together.  With about 50 yards to the finish line, I stopped, and Sister Levine's dad and brother assisted her out of the wheelchair and supported her while she and I walked and sang "Called to Serve" crossing the finish under the cheering of other participants and supporters!  She felt like a rockstar!!!  She is such an inspiration and a living miracle!!!  Just a short 7 months ago, she lied comatose in a hospital bed in Canberra, Australia with massive brain injury but not a single broken bone or scratch after being hit by a car going 40mph.  The Lord has a special mission for her.  Her parents are awesome example of unwavering faith, dedication, courage and abiding love!
 

In the afternoon we went to Sister Morgan Church's sealing in Ogden.  She is now Mrs. Scoresby.  The rain storm also held off for picture taken.  We went to the reception under torrestial rain!

Went to Sis. Lauren Bretzing's homecoming at her old home ward in N. Salt Lake.  Saw Elder Moyes, Sis. Sorensen, Sis. Harris there, all great ASSM missionaries!  Love them heaps!

Spent all day at the IMC Transplant Center for evaluation and testing.  We were interviewed by the nephrologist, surgeon, social worker, financial consultant, transplant coordinator.  The doctor ordered a panel of blood screenings which required 17 test-tubes of hubby's blood.  We'll find out in a couple of weeks if he'll be accepted as transplant candidate.  The evaluation went well, we felt confident that he'll be accepted and be put on the national registry. 

April 14 marked the one year anniversary of when we rushed him to the St. George Hospital in Kogarah, Sydney, Australia.  A year ago this time, he was critically ill.  It was one of the darkest time of our life.  It's been a tough year but he's made some remarkable recovery! :)

45F clear blue sunny sky, calm, beautiful running weather!  Ran up to MCT via Center St. and met Karen who was doing her speedwork.  After 1.5 mile warm up, I did 4X800s (with 800 recovery).  I'm so slow these days that my fast pace was Karen's recovery pace! sigh!  AP: 10:08 (11:04, 9:49, 9:29, 9:16, 10:17, 10:49, 10:13). 

Hubby and I went to see McFarland USA! We cried, laughed and cheered!  Good movie!

Karen and I ran 5+ miles on the MCT to the park by Lone Peak HS to meet Wendy and Stephanie.  They ran 3.5 out and back east to Cedar Hills with us cause they only needed 7.  Then Karen and I ran home for total of 17.25.  Beautiful cool sunny morning!  AP: 10:23.

55F partly sunny, nice running weather.  Ran with Karen and Amanda west on MCT.

PD lab day.  Hubby had a bad med side-effect episode today.  Dr. Bradshaw phoned in a new prescription for his RLS last night (Gabapentin 300mg).  He took it and went to bed.  This morning he could barely wake up.  Once up he was extremely dizzy, nausea with dry-heaves.  We had lab appt. at 9:30 so we rushed out of there with me carrying a box of 1200ml drain bags etc.  I had to drive since he was so dizzy.  He drank some OJ which he vomitted most of it on the way to the lab, was drowzy during lab and inservice, and vomitted the rest of the OJ on the way home.  He went straight to bed and was so sleepy/drowzy.  I woke him at 2pm so he could do his dialysis but he wanted to eat some soup.  I made him some chicken juke which he promptly vomitted up and was too drowzy to sit up.  He stayed in bed until night time when he had to hook up to the cycler.  I phoned the doc. office twice.  Needless to say I did not run today.

I woke hubby just before 8.  His first words were:  "What time is it? Whoa almost 8? Let's go camping!"  Then he rolled over and fell back to sleep.  I wasn't sure if he's alert enough to go on the trip we had planned to take Steven and Bryan who had come home on Sun. so I told him I'm going for a quick run while he gets dressed and eats breakfast (since he did not eat a thing all day yesterday due to side-effect of the Gabapentin).

Ran on the MCT to the rail-trail (3 miles) and turned back for total of 6.  Very sluggish legs AP: 10:44.

When I got home, hubby and the boys were eating breakfast and all excited to go camping at Strawberry Reservoir.  So I backed up the motorhome on the driveway and hooked up the electric power and turned on the fridge.  Told the boys to load up their gear while I showered.  We left around 11:30. 

We got to Strawberry around 2, ate lunch, they boys went shipping while I stayed in the motorhome and watched "Annie".  It rained off and on all afternoon.  Hubby got back around 5 to set up the table-top BBQ and cooked us some New York steaks.  The boys got back just in time to beat the hail storm.  Hubby hooked up to the cylcer while the boys and I watched "Interstellar" eating pop-corn.  It was cold outside (in the low 40s) and raining; but we were toasty and cozy.

Didn't sleep too well last night.  But did see the moon from the skylit window on my loft bed.  I woke at 6 and stayed toasty in my sleeping bed trying not to wake the boys below.  Hubby got up around 7 and wanted to go fishing.  So we unhooked the power, water lines and empty the holding tanks and drove to the marina to inquire about a better fishing spot.  We drove to Haws Point which is supposed to have deeper water for shoreline fishing.  But it was super windy and cold so we only stayed for an hour.  As a result I did not get to run (something I had hoped to do since it is so pretty here at Strawberry).  We stopped at Heber for lunch and got home in time for Bryan to shower and meet his former professors at the Y.

After unloading the RV and cleaning up, I went for a short run around 2pm.  It was sunny, a bit windy.  Boy, was I slow AP: 10:49.