Each Day Is a Gift

PERFECT weather, 40F, overcast, calm, smell of Spring in the air with a hint of smoke from burnt fields.  I LOVE this first day of the running week and month.  It must be the busy day ahead that made me hurry up.  I ran the hill first and "embraced" the pain to finish 8 miles in 1:10:23.  AP: 8:48.  Splits: 8:45, 8:22, 8:35, 8:56, 9:20, 9:08, 8:38, 8:36.

Did the post PC week 4 exhaustion test last night.  Will move on to week 5 tonight.

I know it's still early in the week; but where's everyone running this coming Sat.?  Anyone interested in the Lehi JRP?  

*** Hey, CHECK OUT jeffers, the new kid on the blog.  He's an awesome dude, very smart, very creative, very kind, sweet and considerate, very handsome, funny and adorable.  I LOVE his goals!  Oh, did I mention I LOVE HIM VERY MUCH?!!! ***

Warm (48F), sunny, windy.  Ran 2.25 for warm up, then 6 x 800 m at 5K pace with 400 m recovery jog in between, cool down for 2.25.  Interval #3 was the hardest heading into the south wind.  The last 2 miles home was torturous running into the invisible wall of headwind and achy legs.  9 miles in 1:21:04.  AP: 9:00.  Splits:  9:18, 8:55, 8:18, 8:25, 8:32, 9:17, 8:57, 9:43, 9:35. 

Felt so good to get 6 Yassos done.  I hope I can eventually run 10 of them.  Was in such a hurry to get the workout done that I didn't do the Dynamic Flexibility Exercise before the run or any stretching after the run.  Will need to stretch good tonight with Yoga if I have time.  Going to the Nordstrom Grand opening Gala tonight.

Did the push up challenge last night: 36, 40, 30, 24 (41).  It was not pretty.  Did 3 chin ups this morning and felt strong.

  March 4th!!! (I love the sound of that)

It 'sposed to be rest day.  But, I have to take my rest day on the day with a zillion things to do.  Today I only have a billion things, so no rest...gotta MARCH FORTH!  My feet were not happy having spent 3 hours in heels walking around Nordstrom greeting/meeting some hot-nobbers last night.  I didn't buy anything.  But the foods and drinks were fab.  I ate way too much. 

I ran the first 5 miles down and up the long hill.  It was warm.  The next 6 miles were run with fierce sidewind...still cleaning out dirt from my ears.  The last 0.5 mile was inside a wind tunnel...the legs are churning but t'was like on treadmill...going nowhere.  Man, was I happy to hear the Garmin beep 11, so I could stop and get out of this "gerbil wheel cage" and walked 0.25 mi home. 

11 miles in 1:44:34.  AP: 9:30.  (4 miles were exactly at 9:26, must have been on auto-pilot mode).

The big tendons on top of the ankles (at the crook), especially the left one, got pretty sore.  It is still red, swollen and tender to touch, STINKS.  I had to stop twice during the run to re-lace and adjust the shoes tongues.  I wonder if the top of the shoes (except the tongues) shrink after they're well broken in.  Hmm?

Did Wk 4 Day 2 Column 3 PC: 19, 19, 22, 22, 18, 18, 22.  With burning deltoids, shaky arms,  I eeked out 45.  So glad I didn't buckle under.  Day 3 looks like a killer!!!

Brain training core workout phase 1, 2, 3, 4.

Left ankle tendon still angry, sore to touch.  Has anyone run barefooted before?

Dinner with Bobby McFerrin at La Caille.  The desserts (yes three) were the best part.

The push up challenge was VERY VERY HARD!  Wk 5 Day 3 Column 3: 20, 20, 24, 24, 20, 20, 22...max 50 !!!  I DID IT!!!  I nearly killed my arms and shoulders.

OK, I put on my newest pair of shoes, undid the last loopy laces, loosened up the tongues, etc, etc.  ran 0.2 mile and had to abandon the run.  The big tendon at the top of the ankle was just screaming at me to stop.  Limped home.  Put on my crocs and ran around the driveway.  I looked really silly; so I resorted to running on the treadmill.  

I tried barefoot at first, but 'ole blisters on the bottom of the right foot immediately protested.  So I put on the cushiest pair of socks and ran with my crocs on.  The tendons felt fine once it warmed up but the left middle toe nail felt like it's bruised.  I might loose that toe nail.  Guess I can't run with crocs.

2 mile warm up @ 6-7mph

6 x 100 m strides @ 8mph w/ 100 m recovery @ 7mph

2 mile cool down @ 7-6.5mph

6 miles in 52:00.  AP: 8:39

WHAT to do with my long run tomorrow???!!!  I think I will undo the laces from the 2-3 eyelets and tape the tongues down so they don't touch my ankles.

Off to the grocery store.  I have to clean,  cook and set table for dinner for 14.  Lots of chopping and stir-frying.   I'm making lettuce wrap, spring roll (from Costco so I don't have to deep-fry), pot-stickers, charsiu, garlic green beans, pepper steak, cashew shrimp, chicken with sweet pea & sweet red pepper, long rice w/ eggs and  laapcheong.  Need to ice the tendons somehow.  Wish me luck!

I'm still planning on the long run at Lehi JRP tomorrow at 7:30 am.  I will improvise with my footwear somehow.  Hope everyone is still coming. 

 THANK YOU KELLI, YOU ARE the BEST RUNNING PARTNER!!!!!

I was on my feet a lot yesterday.  My right calf was acting weird with twinges of pain.  The left  ankle tendon was swollen but was fine as long as I didn't put pressure on it.  But I was too busy to ice or stretch.  Our dinner guests left around 9:45 pm.  Hubby and I sat and talked (which doesn't happen very often).  Then we cleaned and did dishes 'till midnight.  I was pooped but it was nice to spend time with him working side by side.

I woke up couple of times during the night with throbbing pain on my left toe and thought about what to do with my long run in the morning.  When I finally got up to kneel in prayer; I was surprised to find that the calf was fine and the tendon was much calmer.  So I hurried and got ready to go.  While taking extra care to lace the shoes just right I forgot to take my Garmin.

Got to the JRP and was happy to see Huans32, MissFIT, Liz, Kelli and Scott.  I got to meet the famous Walter and later Misty.  A pretty brisk wind was coming from the north.  We headed on the south trail first.  I wasn't sure how fast or far I could run.  I thought may be 9:30 would be good.  I was so HAPPY and GRATEFUL Kelli stayed with me the whole run.  We ran 8 miles and back to the car.  The wind was bad on the north trail.  Misty had icicles on her pony tail.  I was too chicken to run into the cold wind and the hills.  Kelli was so good to run with me AGAIN to the south trail for another 10.  I think we finish the 18 miler in 2:46.  I am certain I would not have been able to do it without Kelli.

Post run damage asessment:  left middle toe still sore.  Left ankle tendon has a swollen nodule about the size of a large blue berry, tender to touch.  Right middle toe bloodied.  Hopefully after resting Sunday, I'll be good to go on Monday.  Going to dinner at Market Street Grill and concert tonight.  Hope I can stay awake.