Each Day Is a Gift

Hubby wants me to make the dinner that I normally cook for Christmas Eve since we were on the road the whole day on Christmas Eve.  It was a nice Sunday dinner.  The good thing about doing the cooking is that I usually don't eat as much.

Drill sargent hubby woke us up at 6:30 am so we could leave the house at 7:30 am and be first on the ski slope when the lift opens.  Solitude has two new express lifts, the Moonbeam and Apex.  We skied all day.  The boys had so much fun.  It was a great time to be with cousins far and near and ski together during the holidays.  The down side for me is we always go out to eat at a buffet.  Tonight was at the Asian Buffet on 123rd South.  I ate TOO MUCH.

Snow ski for 6 hours.

4 EZ miles in 38:00,  AP: 9:30

It's like "ground hog day", bright and early we were awaken by Mr. Smooth and off we went to Solitude again.  I got to ski with my sister-in-law from Minnesota the whole day.  Dinner was at Chuck-a-Rama at 123rd South.  I used to call that place Upchuck-a-rama.  Again I ATE TOO MUCH!!!

6.5 hours skiing.  My quads feel fine.  It must be all that running.  LuAnn's (my sil) quads were killing her.  The only "injury" I sustained was these lines of very small rash/blister from the seam of my socks on the back of the legs below the calves.  Crazy sensitive skin.  It was a beautiful blue sky ski day.  It was fun meeting all these skiers from all over the world.

6.25 miles in 57:50.  AP: 9:15

Another banner ski day, perfect snow condition under sunny sky.  I did 20 runs in 5.5 hrs., most of them with the best private ski instructor, the sweet Mr. Smooth.

Half of the family went to this Trampoline Jumping Co. in Springville and had a grand time.  Then bowling afterwards.  Then we all checked into this motel by the Cougar stadium.  I had about an hour before the traditional family New Year Eve's party started.  So I ran on the Provo River Trail from the motel to the mouth of the canyon.  The temp was around 28, the sun was just setting.  By the time I turned around to head back it was getting dark.  I was glad to see Eric running towards me with 2.25 miles to go and escorted me back. 

There were about 60 of us, not counting the babies and little children in our family NY eve's party at the hotel conference room.  We had a feast of pizza and a spread of  pot-luck party food. 

After the food fest we always have a program or team games.  This year we were divided into 4 teams and had fun competition games: 1) the Amurakami Idol complete with kareoke song and dance and the three judges, 2) chopsticks relay 3) stories telling with 2 truths and 1 lie, guessing which one is the lie 4) human tetrus 5) swimming relay.  We did the count-down and brought in the New Year at 8pm with "fire cracker" and toast with sparkling juice.  We finished with moments of reflections and share our love and express our gratitude.  We ended the party with a family prayer.

The young adults and youth are heading to some dances.  Some are swimming.  The older adults are visiting. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to y'all!!!

skiing for 5.5 hrs.

8 miles in 1:18:45

Happy New Year 2009

A few of us slept in till 8 am while Annie got up early to prepare the traditional Japanese New Year's soup (Ozoni) in their hotel suite where there's a kitchen.  Some of the family members who didn't stay in the hotel came to join us for the new year breakfast. 

There were 9 people in my immediate family, 6 staying in two hotel rooms, the other 3 slept in the condo where my son lives (just across from the stadium).  It's time to "tell us all about your dances, your dates, what did you do"  after the family New Year Eve's party last night.  I found out those who didn't go to the dances went to play volley ball at a local church building.  Some invited their dates to join us for breakfast.

We checked out of the hotel after the Japanese breakfast to go to my mother-in-law's house in Orem for the traditional Chinese vegetarian brunch.  Those who wished to, made predictions of what will happen in 2009.  Then we all piled in our cars to go to the mall for some bargain.  Then we went to see a matinee movie.  This year we watched Forever Strong.  I kept thinking about Leslie Petersen's Paul during all those ruby tackles.  It's a great movie.  After the movie, everyone voted to go to Carl's Jr..  We hadn't had burgers for ages.  Nothing like starting the new year with some bad boy burgers, I guess.

By the time we got home, it was too dark to run outside so I got on the treadmill and did some intervals.  Did some crunches while the family watched Eagle Eye.

1.25 mile warm up, 10 x 90 seconds intervals at 7:30 with 60 seconds recovery at 10:00.  Total 6 miles in 55:30

First toughest run of the year

The weather forecast said it would be snowing tonight thru Sat. morning.  After a little juggling with the family's activities plan, I decided to go for a medium long run mid morning.  Temp was around 32w/ overcast sky.  Put on l/s shirt, tights, thermafit jacket, headband, fuel belt w/ 3 gatorade, 1 water & gel.

I ran the same route I did three weeks ago to the temple.  The road shoulder was rather narrow due to large snow banks making me nervous about the traffic which was quite heavy at times.  Drank 1/2 flask gatorade at mile 4, the other half at mile 6.  At 8 mi  I couldn't cross the road due to the heavy traffic and zero road shoulder, so I turned around and wait till it was save to take the gel (a freebie from Provo River 1/2).  The honey stinger gel was way too sweet.  Took 2nd gatorade at mile 12 and last at the end of the run.

The stretch from mile 8 to 10 always seems the toughest for me.  I think I need to start hydrating and fueling sooner.  I shed the jacket most of the way, only put it back on when the wind was blowing.

Today:  16 miles in 2:40:15.  AP: 10:00 

Dec 12:  16 miles in 2:33:23.  AP: 9:35

Comparing the two runs, I realized I hadn't had a rest day this whole week.  Yesterday's run (a 6 miler with 10 intervals) was done 15 hours earlier.  Dinner was a Carl's Jr. chicken sandwich and 1/2 a burger at 4pm.  I did have a handful of chocolate dipped popcorn and 2 cookies at 9 pm.  Breakfast was yogurt and cereal.  I guess I shoud have expected poor performance today.

*******UTAH ROCKS!!! Just finished watching the Sugar Bowl.  I'm so excited for the Utes!!!  Sugar Bowl Champion!!! Perfect 13-0 season!!!  WAY TO GO UTES!!!  *******

5.25 miles  Average pace: 8:31

AM/PM Yoga