Each Day Is a Gift

The PCM schedule says to run 6 recovery.  The SGM schedule says to run 10 w/ 5 @LT.  I didn't do either, just went by feel.  The first mile was slow and clunky.  Feeling pretty good in the 2nd mile and was thinking to tempo the next 4.  Ran westward against traffic on Bull River Rd (a narrow winding 2 lanes road w/ double yellow lines) which was permanently closed on the west end. 

At about mile 4, I saw a truck coming towards me with the right turn light blinking.  So rather than stayed close to the shoulder I decided to move over to the middle of the road so he wouldn't have to stop for me as we both approach the intersection.  I looked behind me to make sure no traffic was coming on my right, at that instance, the truck driver tap his horn several times.  I looked forward and there within a foot was another truck passing the first truck on his left over the double yellow lines where I was running.   Had I not heard the honks, I would have collided with the passing truck who obviously was impatient or didn't even see me.  The first truck threw his arm up towards the passing truck and mouthed sorry to me.  I mouthed THANK YOU to him.   Whew!!! That was a close call!  It kinda zapped my energy after that.

7.01 in 1:05:07  AP: 9:17. 

Took the grandkids to the pool, got them a movie and played outside in the playground.  Hubby took the whole family to Up-Chuck-a-Rama...ate way too much! 

Went to bed late.  Got up at 3:30am to rouse the 3 sleepy grandkids.  Took them and my daughter to the airport for their 6am departure flight to TX.  Tummy felt icky from the Up-Chuck-a-Rama gorging last night.

Temp was already 71F as I made my way up to Suncrest.  I thought about the scorching heat that Doone and Flatlander run in...better just suck in up... no complain!  Very pokey going up.  Drank at mile 3, 4.75, Gu'ed at 6.5 (turnaround), 9, 11.  Saw lotsa cyclists and couple of dog walkers.  Very heavy traffic.  I ran with traffic going up, the rising sun in my eyes.  It was a little scary.  Nice view of both valleys at the top.  Coming down was a blast although the quads started to tire at mile 9.5 and felt a blister coming.

13.1 in 2:08:40.  AP: 9:48.  4 min. slower than when I ran it during the winter months...but was happy the AP was sub-10.  Splits: 10:04, 9:44, 10:20, 13:03, 13:00, 12:13, 10:24,  8:34, 7:40, 7:28, 8:08, 8:23, 8:40, (0.1 @ 7:51)  GOOD hill training.  At this point, I don't think my quads could take the DNews trashing!

Got home, spoke with my daughter during the layover at Dallas...wow, I ran the whole time they were in the air!  Off to lunch, then to the temple with my mother-in-law and three sister-in-laws who are visiting from HK, Minnesota and Gunnison.  My baby's receiving his Patriarchal blessing tonight.  Memorable day!!!!!  :)

Woke up VERY STIFF & SORE, like I had run a marathon !!!  So glad Wendy ran with me or I would have stayed in bed!  Had to stop couple of times to stretch.  Hmmm,  I'd better run more hills and may be forgo DNews!  

Quads still very sore from running down Suncrest 2 days ago!  Felt like a 92 yo women this morning!  :( 

Very slow and painful MLR sans Garmin...didn't want to know how pokey I was going!  13 miles in 2:06:30.  AP ~ 9:45?  Walked, stretched and drank plenty.

6 recovery in 55:43.  AP: 9:16.  Legs felt better.  However, walked all over downtown Salt Lake in heels with hubby and friends for dinner and concert.  BIG MISTAKE!  Legs and feet were so sore by the time I went to bed at around midnight.  Tomorrow's long run is going to be painfully slow!

Sleep deprivation finally caught up to me.  I did not hear the alarm.  When hubby woke to kiss me goodbye, I asked him what time was it....5:15am!!!  STINK!  Staci was coming to my house at 5:30am!    Thank goodness I had my running gear ready before going to bed.  

It was already quite warm at 5:30am.  I carried two 20 oz bottles w/ gatorade and a gel flask filled w/ 2 packets of Gu.  I was prepared to be out for a long time.  Staci's quads were sore from racing the Hobbler 1/2 a week ago and mine was trashed from blasting down Suncrest on Tue.  So we both want to take it easy for today's hilly long run.

We ran all the way up to Alpine to the National Forest entrance.  The view of Utah Valley and the Lake was spectacular.  It was shady with a slight canyon breeze (headwind) on the way up.  We walked some of the steepest portion, our AP was 10:32. 

I refilled one of the 20 oz bottles with water at mile 10 from the *fountain of youth* on the way back.  We also took a detour to run up a new subdivision in Highland to look at a lot Staci's husband was considering buying....so more uphills! :)  When we turned around we stood and looked at the beautiful mountains from Lone Peak to Mt. Timpanogos.  I felt so blessed to live in this beautiful area.  Not just what I see...but what/how I feel inside!  So thankful for the ability to run and grateful for God's creation!

We made it back to my house at 17 miles just under 3 hours.  We stretched, sat and chatted on my lawn for a little bit.  Staci drove off...with no running partner... I wimped out to run the remaining 4 miles on my TM as it was getting super warm.

21 miles in 3:36:12. Felt good about this run, slow and easy...no pain to speak of!

HAVE a GREAT weekend everyone!