Each Day Is a Gift

Nice easy conversational run with Karen who did all the talking today! :)  We were heading east and within the first mile, crossed path with a group of girls running west, one of whom hollered: "Smooth!"  It was Carina!!! :) :) :) :) :)  I would've missed her if she didn't call out!  Made my morning, day and week to see her!  She always looks so pretty!!!! 

AP: 10:33  HR: 146

All summer, I kept putting off calling Sam (daughter of my hubby's executive secretary) who is willing to give me swimming lessons.  Tonight she asked her dad to get my number from hubby and texted me.  I am such a chicken!  Anyway, I agreed to meet her at her home/pool at 9am for my first lesson tomorrow.  I'm so nervous!  :-?

Ran with Wendy west to meet Karen, then north to Bull River, hopped on Canal Trail at the 1200W tunnel, then south on Center, east to Wendy's.  She had to cut her run short.   Karen and I continued east to Smith, and onto SR92 Trail to top of hill and turn back west, south on 1200E and 3200N.  AP: 10:37  HR: 149

First swimming lesson of my life, very pathetic.  Flutter kick with kick board.  Float on back lasted about 10 seconds.  It is going to take me a L-O-N-G time to overcome the fear of drowning!  I may never learn how to swim!  Sigh!  Poor Sam...I may be her first student to flunk swimming.

My wise, smart and very kind son called tonight to talk about my tachycardia episodes and running.  He tried really hard to talk some sense in me about curtailing my marathons. Deep down I know he is right...that I am putting a lot of stress on my body/cardiovascular system by running so much.  Trying to run one marathon a month while I am not 100% healthy is too risky.  Sigh!

Laz around in bed and just enjoyed the sunrise.  Ran around the block with hubby sans watch.  I love our leisure run until he started to repeat what Eric told me last night!  I know they love and care about me....but I'm so hard headed! Sigh!

Swim lesson #2.  I kept telling myself:  "People don't drown in swimming lessons.  If dogs can swim, so can I!"  It helps half the time.  However, I flunked floating 101 majorly!!!!  SO pathetic!!!  I swallowed at least a gallon of water...yuck.  I was able to flutter kick w/ a kick board 20 ft across on the deep end with face down and not panic or gasp for air.  But across 40 ft had my heart going wild and breathing crazy! 

Barely made it home, quickly showered, went to babysit Olga's children, age 7, 5, 2.  We had so much fun playing ball, dance dance dance, hide-n-seek, space ranger... I need a nap now! :) :) :)

Very very smokey and hazy out there!  Opted to run indoor instead.  Karen ran to my house and did elliptical while I jogged on the treadmill.  Wore a new Elixir 6 in sz 7 which felt nice while running but the foot got a tad achy later. 

Core.

Temple.

Watched the Olympic women's soccer final with my running buddies and their daughters.  So proud of Team USA!!! :)

Stayed up late last night to watch the DVR of the Olympics.  I replayed over and over the historic Men's 800m!  WOW!!!  David Rudisha's 1:40.91 world record lead the rest of the field to their PBs.   What a phenomenal race...so inspiring to watch these Olympians performed their best!!! :) :) :)

My BFF, Wendy's son is getting married tomorrow so we did our long run this morning.  Toby drove to my house dark and early and ran 4 miles before hand.  She was stretching on the sidewalk when I came out.  Such a dedicated girl! :)

We went over to collect Wendy and John, then ran west to meet Karen.  I think the temp at 6am was hovering at 70 with overcast sky.  Heading east always feels very pleasant with the canyon breeze.  The eastern sky was aglow with pink, pale orange, a beautiful backdrop to the majestic mountains.  What a gorgeous morning

We ran up to Alpine via Highland Blvd (Suncrest) and saw Carina flying down with her beautiful happy smile!  What a lucky week to have 3 sightings of Carina! :) :) :)  My HR was inching upward into the 160s on the uphills.  I kept a steady effort while Toby and Karen lead the pack with a growing gap.  Wendy needed to stop at the top to "put up" her feet (because of her neuroma).  I kept walking for fear that my heart would kick into a funny rhythm.  Mile 1-7 with HR in ( ).  10:10 (155), 9:51 (159), 10:32 (172 oops), 11:02 (walked back, 168), 9:57 (170), 10:32 (163), 10:12 (163)

We stopped at the Alpine Park at mile 7ish to gu and refill our bottles.  The miles just flew by with such wonderful company and great chat.  Mile 8-13:  9:48 (160), 10:15 (164), 10:23 (slight uphill 165), 9:30 (downhill, 168), 9:44 (slight downhill 166), 9:35 (flat, 174 oops).   

13.25 in 2:14:01  AP: 10:07  AHR: 165.  I am hoping that I can finish PCM next week under 5 hrs.  Taking into account the elevation gain, higher altitude, I will do a lot more walking to keep my HR under 170.  Really hoping for cooler temp as well. 

I feel so so so very blessed and lucky to have such wonderful friends to run with me!  THANK YOU Toby, Karen, John and Wendy!!!!  Each run is a gift to me and you are the givers today! :) :) :) :)