Each Day Is a Gift

Prez. and I got to speak to the youth tonight in our ward's bishop fireside.  We literally watch these kids grow up.  It is so wonderful to see the goodness shine through their countenance.  They are truly a bright and wonderful generation, so prepared for "a time such as this".  :) :) :) 

Felt a bit sluggish and tight when I woke up this morning...wasn't sure if I wanted to run so I texted my girl friends to see if they're up for a run.  I was surprised that they were both enthusiastic.  Without prior plan, we turned it into a serendipity run.  Sky was cloudy but calm and slightly on the cold side. :)

We ran up on the Murdock canal trail via Center St. then eastward into Highland.  There were trail signs showing mileage and direction to various parks and trail heads at most intersections.   The trail "dead end" on the east side of the tunnel under the Alpine Hwy so we followed the sign pointing to the direction for Provo River Parkway and ran on the road northward.  We didn't turn east at the next sign, because we did not carry water and were getting very thirsty.  So we continued north till we hit the road to Mtn. Ridge Jr. High where we went inside to drink from the drinking fountain.  We ran on the Highland trail and connect back onto the Murdock Canal Trail.  I had to walk up the steepest portion.  We also stopped a couple times for Wendy to "put up" her feet.  This is her longest run since our 6.5 miler last week. 

I was starving and thirsty when I got home! :) 

Hubby and I did companion study on chapter 5 of PMG!  I am loving our study time together! :) :) :)

AM:  Easy run with Karen and Wendy on a very nice morning.  Lower shins complained a little.

Swam 11 laps (freestyle and backstroke).

Evening:  Yoga class.  Ahhh!!! :)

Another run on canal trail west with Wendy, Karen (Sky).  It sure has taken me a long time to warm up these days...but I suppressed the urge to walk on the uphill.  :)

Ordered a new pair of shoes, Inspire 9!  :)

VT in the morning!  bazillion stuff in the afternoon!  Chamber Orchestra concert in the evening/night!  Gave hubby his first Enoxaparin after taking his INR.  Crazy busy day = no exercise! :/

Got up at 4am before the alarm.  Karen came to pick me up at 5:15 to meet Toby who has already run 8 miles earlier (what awesome inspiring dedication!!!), changed and was waiting for us.  :)  Collette joined us at the corner of the street...us giggling foursome on the dark streets of AF! :)  Hope I didn't wake Toby's neighbors with my enthusiasm! :)

My fingers were frozen holding a flash light in one hand and a hand-held bottle in the other.  Could hardly keep up with the girls especially up temple hill! :)  Very grateful that they were so kind to stay close because I had no headlamp and was scared to death of tripping!  We were extremely grateful for NO wind! :) :) :)

We ran west on 700N > 500E > Art Dyke Park and joined up on the Murdock Canal Trail > east thru Highland, Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove and Manila.  Very little traffic on the road and we were alone in complete darkness on the trail...peaceful.  We ran under the tunnel access onto Canyon Rd then west on 700N (AF) to east side of Temple hill.  By then the morning traffic got heavy with dawn breaking and we had to run single-file. 

Toby's hubby was waiting with a smile as we finished our 7.5 mile loop.  He offered to let us shower, eat, nap! :)  I took a rain check on the nap and shower but did eat a banana and used the bathroom, quickly said goodbye to Toby then headed out for more miles. 

Karen and I decided to run further south and west of the previous loop to add more miles and avoid the steep Temple hills.  We ran south onto 300N > 400 E > 700N to west of Fox Hollow Golf Course.  That was the only bad part of the whole run because we encountered very very heavy high school traffic and my fingers were still frozen.  :)

My daughter called as we were running north on the Alpine Hwy and east to Highland Glen Park.  We talked during those couple miles so I was jogging very slowly.  My fingers were very frozen so we said goodbye, then I took a Gu.  We got onto the Murdock Canal Trail which we ran earlier in the dark.  It's nice to be able to see the trail and recognize where we're at.

Karen was calculating the distance/mileage to determin where we should run or turn around to get back to Toby's (where her car is parked) to make a total of 18 miles.  I had this brilliant idea that instead of turning around we should keep going on the Murdock Canal Trail past where the 4 of us had gotten off earlier at Canyon Rd. and continue on the bench above Manila.  Boy, were we glad we did!  Other than the little section off of the tunnel from Canyon Rd, we discovered the entire trail is paved!!!!  We ran south on the canal trail overlooking the valley and Utah Lake.  It was beautiful!!!!  If we had more time, we would've kept going (the trail eventually meets up at the mouth of Provo Canyon, Provo River Trail). 

We hiked down through an open area of the hillside onto the east end of Murdock Dr which turns into 1800N.  We ran straight west on 1800N and soon hit school traffic by Manilla Elementary.  We could see the temple just slightly northwest which means we're not that far from our "finish".  My legs were trashed but OH SO HAPPY!!!  Had not planned on 19.5 miles but would've gone for 20 if we had time.  We stretched for 5 or so min. then drove home in a jiff. 

So grateful for Toby inviting us to run early.  A blowing snow storm hit us just as we reached SR 92 driving home.  What a gift this run was with perfect weather and awesome company!  THANK YOU Toby and Karen!!!

For this run I ate 2 bananas, 1 gu and 32 oz of fluid.  Not bad considered all I had was a kid's meal at Chic-Fil-A at 4pm the day before! :)

Home in time to give hubby the Enoxaparin. Quick shower then shopping at Costco.  Taught lesson 5 of fundamental of PMG to our tutor.   Then had a wonderful dinner party with our friends!  :) :) :)

Swam 13 laps.  Visited grandma.  Shopped for mission clothes. :}

Right hip has a little niggle every time I get up from a sitting position.  Shins are a little sore.  Tapering (for Boston) should help.  :)