Each Day Is a Gift

Schedule calls for 8 mi w/ 10x100m strides.  Temp 28, cloudy hazy.  Not warm enough to wear just one l/s shirt. Lots of nasal congestion and a little cough. 

It took 2 miles to warm up, then hit the uphill after that.  I was wheezing like crazy.  I sounded like a horse with the heavy breathing and wheezing and caughing.  But I DIDN'T run like a horse, more like a mule.  Did a few strides, had no idea how many.  I'm worried that my "horse breathing" is gonna annoy other runners at Painter's.

8 miles in 1:11:46.  AP: 8:58.  Splits: 9:25, 9:02, 9:21 (uphill), 9:01, 8:57, 8:51, 8:35, 8:29.

Evening -

AM/PM yoga.  R glute a bit sore.  Felt better after yoga stretch. 

Recovery run 5.75 miles in 54:10. AP:   9:25

Temp was 34.  Sunny hazy.  Could have worn one layer.  Still has runny nose.  Glute was tight pre-run, felt fine post run with good stretches.

Taking Wendy and friends to lunch for their b'days.

Had a poor night sleep with backaches.  Woke up with aches all over.  Had to take kitten to the clinic.  Started the run a little late.  Plan was to run 8-10 miles with 1/3 at marathon pace.  It didn't happen.  From the get go, the legs were dead, everything hurt.  I hadn't used the heart rate monitor since I have the cold a week ago; so had no idea how hard the system's working.

Had to cut the run short, I bonked bad today.  7 miles in 1:06:47.  AP:  9:32.  I hope this bad run doesn't repeat itself on Sat.

Tossed and turned again all night with backaches.  The breathing is better, no coughing; but this new backache is puzzling to me.  It hurts to sit, walk, or lying flat.  No running today, too much to do.  

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I took Rhett's advise and did 18 min. of AM yoga even though it was getting late.  The stretching felt so good for my glute and my back.  I think that's what I needed. 

Stretched some while still in bed.  Kelli's quote a few days ago saying if we're meant to pop right out of bed, we would all be sleeping in toasters.  Well, I never pop out of bed.  This morning I stretched and slithered out of bed.  

3.5 EZ miles.  The marquee in front of the new Credit Union said 14F.  Woe, no wonder my ears, fingers and feet were numb.   Wonder what I should wear at St. George.  The back seemed okay to run.  I think I need to focus on relax and good form tomorrow.  Hope I can survive sitting in the car today.

Good luck everybody if you're running Painter's and have a good weekend to you all. 

This is the third year in a roll I've run this Half.  I'm glad they finally got it certified with chip timing.  I barely made it to the Dixie Center for one last potty stop.  With no time to stretch or warm up.  I quickly headed to the start line.  Temp was about 31.  Wearing shorts and only a long sleeve Boston shirt I was freezing.  Wish I wore the CW-X tights instead.

1)  8:45  -  In an attempt to warm up my numbed extremities I ran out too fast.

2)  8:52  -  Still a bit fast.

3)  8:31  -  Finally warmed up and got on the trail.  Took gatorade. 

4)  8:14  -  Got carried away as I "hitched" a ride with "Mr. Boston" (he wore the same shirt as mine).  This is gonna haunt me later.

5)  9:01  -  Going uphill.  Kept a steady effort.  No wheezing.

6)  8:40  -  Mr. Boston ditched me at the aid station.  Got in the groove after crossing the bridge.

7)  8:33  -  Saw and cheered the top 8 runners as each one zoomed by.  Didn't see the first woman who BTW was Mary Ann Schauerhammer.  I met her at the condo.  She slept outside my room door on the loft last night.  She looked like a very FAST teenager.  Took Gu.  I really like the tangerine flavor.

8)  9:12  -  Going up the Bloomington neighborhood.  

9)  9:03  -  My least favorite part of the course.  No visible hill, but the elevation gain is there.  I just do not like running in neighborhoods, watching out for traffic.

10)  8:48  -  I had my eyes set on "Mr. Hemmie Tape" (a blue kinesio tape on to his left hemstring).  He looks to be 60ish with very defined muscles, very smooth strides, definitely an AG winner guy.  When I finally caught up to him, we exchanged a few kind compliments.  I don't think he liked to be chicked.  He took off just before the aid station.

11)  9:07  -  When I slowed to grab some gatorade, my shins started to tightened.  

12)  8:55 -  I tried to catch up to Mr. Hemmie Tape but the legs protested.  

13)  9:36 -  This was a very painful mile.  The cramps started at the shins, then the calves, then the hemmies.  I was running with fear that the muscles would go into convulsions any minute.  With each turn or slight change of terrain the muscles would send panicking signals

0.23)  9:13  -  I was so happy to see Huans32 and Fly on the Wall after I crossed the bridge for the last time.  I immediately told Huans32 that charlie horse's chasing me.  He ran with me and supported me through that annoying hair-pin turn section (newly added to make the course 13.1-certified).  Then Fly joined us at the last turn.  I felt safe in their assuring loving support.  THANKS, Mark & Mark!!!  When they got off the course, my left leg muscles started twitching angrily.  I let out a few cries and made it across the balloon arch w/o the legs ceasing up on me.  I kept jogging 'till the muscles calmed down. 

I am happy with my finish time, 4 min. faster than last year.  This race was mentally challenging for me.  I had hoped to finish strong, reeling in runners, instead I became a roadkill and barely made it without a full-blown charlie horse attack.  I am on a quest to solve this bad cramps problem.  Anyone has any suggestions or helps would be greatly appreciated.  BTW,  the backache that was bothering me during the week was not an issue and the cold's all better.

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I want to thank Marion for hosting us at this great condo.  It was wonderful to finally get to know Marion & David, Kelli & Scott, JonA & Kelly, Leslie & Harold better.  What a great group of friends!  We also met Mary Ann Schauerhammer & her friend Rachel, Colleen & hubby,  Kellie and Tyler Sheppherd.  All awesome runners.  My husband keeps telling me how lucky I am to have met all you wonderful people.  I LOVE YOU!  I can't wait for our next get together or group runs.  

Confessions:  

1)  I am now converted to orange jello with cheese.  It's a VERY GOOD Mormon Jello. 2)  However WONDERFUL and DELICIOUS that dinner was,  I had to make 3 potty (not VPB and very long) stops before the race.  Stinks!  (umm, literally... pardon me. ;) )

3) I should have worn my red and black outfit and be part of the RED HOT PINK CHICKS, but I thought it would be too warm.   I was WRONG!  

4)  I felt bad (but not too bad) about hoarding the master suite.  It was luxurious!