Each Day Is a Gift

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.  :)