Each Day Is a Gift

Wahooo!!!  Clear BLUE SKY!!!  :)  My FIRST winter run of the year!!!!  :)  I was SO excited!!!  We (Wendy, Karen {Sky} and I) bundled up with fleece tops, beanies, ski mittens, wool socks and tights; then headed out for some fresh air and Vitamin D. :)  Temp was in the low 20s but the north wind made it a bit chilly.  My face was too numb during the first mile to talk so I just listened as my dear friends get caught up on each others' lives! :)  We had to walk on some icy patches...but the rest of the road/trail/sidewalk was either clear, wet, crunchy peanut brittle snow or soft cornstarch snow.  Turned around at the west end of the Canal Trail facing the east sun and mountains was heavenly!  Hope the inversion stays away! :) :) :)

Myrtle 15 reps.  3 circuits of Pfitzinger's CSE (30 reps/30 sec.) along with Teena's bridge and Flanagan's stability ball planks (10 reps)! 

Repeat of yesterday. Shoveled snow. Picked up Karen. Ran 6 on track in 54 min. Including a water break half way. Karen ran 3 then swam. I joined them in the pool later and only swam 6 laps...I was not very smooth today, :).

Then we went to lunch at KFC. Took Karen home and our car got stuck in a snow bank. Two guys stopped and helped hubby pushed while I gunned the engine! Whew!

Two and a half hours of snow shoveling in the afternoon, except the snow is heavier and wetter today. Hubby did three other neighbors' driveways and sidewalks. Very interesting to see so many different kinds of snow falling while I was shoveling. Got all sweaty again! My arms and wrists are sore! :)

Bryan's flight (from Boston w/ layover at Charlotte, NC) was delayed for over two hours. We got home from the airport just before 2am. When I went to bed, my left wrist and forearms were so sore that I had a hard time falling asleep even though I was exhausted. Was so tired this morning...did not want to get up. Karen texted me and said she was coming to get me in 5 min. Woweee, I set a PR...quickly got up, brushed teeth, dressed, put swim gear and water bottle, etc. in gym bag, kissed hubby goodbye (he'll join us later) and out the door!

It was crowded in the cardio room. Karen got on the TM and I on the bike closest to her. I peddlled foggy-mindedly for a a mile. Then got on the TM when it became available.

Speed work today, Did not have it in me to do any 800s today. Warm up 24 min from (5-6.5mph) then did one min ON at 7:30 and one min OFF at 10:00 x18. Finished with 5 min cool down. 6.75 in exactly 65 min.

4 laps TI drill, swam 6 laps. Calves felt tight. Stretches in the jacuzzi.

Early lunch...now I have mountains of laundry to do, then take Bryan to the airport at 2pm for his flight to Michigan. He had two auditions 2 days ago in Boston (New England Conservatory) for two different music festivals this summer. We took him to the airport for his midnight flight to Boston on Monday. Less than 12 hours later (he had class and test this morning at BYU), he has to fly out again for auditons for grad school in Michigan on Fri and in Houston on Mon. We get to pick him up at midnight again next Monday. We have already done this for two other weekends, Indianna and Maryland. He has three more to go, Boston NEC, Cleveland and Colburn in Los Angeles. Crazy crazy boy and his pursuit of excellence! :)

Another late night and little sleep...it didn't dampen my excitement and anticipation for today's run knowing it's our window of opportunity for a long run without inversion. Got out the door at 8:15 to meet Karen. Temp was 20, slight wind, blue sky and the sun warms our spirit if not the fingers and toes!

We ran up to Westfield via Suncrest and stopped at the elementary mile 4 for a quick drink of water then continued to the Alpine park, mile 6ish to gu and use the bathroom. The road shoulder was narrowed by snow piles and lots of icy patches at intersections and driveways so sometimes we had to run single-filed, nevertheless we carried on with easy pace and abundance of conversations.

We decided to stay on the main road even though the shoulders were narrow and had to watch for traffic because the side roads were not plowed neither were the trails and sidewalks. We turned south towards the roundabout in Alpine then east to the North County Rd and south to the temple then north and west to the AF Jr. High, mile 12, where we used the bathroom, ate another gu and water. I think I hit a low point or bonk the next mile. My Garmin battery was low and died after 6 miles...it's a good thing cause I didn't want to know how slow I was going. Karen gave me couple of her chews so we walked while we ate. I felt revived 5 min later. Karen said we were running 12mm when we were bonking, but the last 4 miles we picked up the pace to the high 9s. It felt like the end of a marathon, running on tired legs. Why is it the first long run of the season/training cycle seems the hardest? I am so grateful for Karen's company and for a gorgeous day to be running outside!

After I got home, hubby and I went to the pool while he swam I soaked in the cool water, stretched and enjoyed some hydro therapy in the jacuzzi. Then we went to lunch and home to check on the progress of the hardwood floor installation in the kitchen. Cleaned up the house a bit and went to the temple in the evening and had dinner at the temple cafeteria. It's a perfect day! :)

Fasting blood test first thing in the morning then Webelos Pow Wow from 8a - 1:30p. Then babysat Skylar while her parents went to the temple. Then out to dinner with the family and movie night with the hub! :)