Each Day Is a Gift

7 in 58:59.  AP: 8:25.

5 circuits Pfitz core stability exercise

7 EZ with Wendy, Carolyn, Karen & Sky.  TT: 1:06:24.  AP: 9:30

Resistance band exercise for biceps, triceps, hip flexors and abductors.

Went out the back door this morning and what did I see in my yard?  A 3 points buck/deer!  He turned to stare at me.  When I said good morning to him, he pranced off across my lawn to the road and into the field!  Wish I had springs in my legs like that!  

I was looking for my hawks, Faith Hope and Charity, when running past the field on Bull River Rd and couldn't spot them.   On the return just as I was ready to turn down on 500 West, I heard a *queak queak*.  I looked up and saw Charity perched on a power pole in front of me.  I waved to her and she said *hello* (the same queak queak) back!  That was so cool! :)  Then 1/2 mile later running on 3200N, the south side of the field, I saw Hope perching majestically on the power pole right by the street that I was going to turn south on.  I waved to her; but she maintained her silence and just watched me run by!

Finished my run just as a flock of geese took off and flew east over the field in front of my house, the same field that the buck/deer was prancing to.  

I also saw JonA running past, glistened and focused.  It sure made my day to exchange hellos with him!

6.5 in 57:22.  AP: 8:49.

Ran up Suncrest Rd w/ the gang (Wendy, Carolyn, Karen, Sky) and a girl visiting from Vegas, Karen's baby sister.  Always nice to show off the beauty of my turf to new people.  Then I got to play host to the wifes of the bank executives from San Francisco and Denver.  We were on the 3 acre roof of the Conference Center in down town Salt Lake when the dark clouds rolled in.  Barely made it to the Tabernacle for the noon organ recital when a tornado-force-wind blew in.  It was so cold.  These visitors thought they were visiting Seattle!  :)  Finished the tour and visit with a nice private luncheon at Lion's House.  My feet are really sore from walking around in heels.  How in the world do these women wear heels all day long? 

6 mi AP: 9:30

Teena's baby pic is almost as *chubby* as mine:

Not feeling well this morning, woke up with a headache, sore achy body!  Debated whether to shake it off with a run.  Finally went out at 8:30.  Temp was in the mid 60s, sunny sunny sky.  Every step was painful!!! STINK!!!  Stopped every half mile to stretch!  Look at these painfully slow miles: 11:15, 10:19, 10:01, (last 0.2 at 9:47)  Sheesh, should have stayed in bed and slurp Slurpee instead! 

Forecast for Park City tomorrow says 57 at 6am and 74 at 10am, sunny w/ SE wind @ 8-10mph!  Looks like it's gonna be one long long long painful training run for me!!!!

GOOD LUCK y'all racing Hobble Creek and PCM tomorrow!  Off to tackle the errands!

Went to bed at 11pm.   Fever broke at midnight.   Skipped to the loo every 90 min. (tummy was a rumble jumble!)  Up & dressed by 4.  Hubby gave me a blessing before leaving for Park City.  Managed to down a yogurt, an overripe banana and Amino Vital (free sample).  I had lost 2 lbs overnight. 

Got to the Field House at 5:30 to pick up my bib (#494 in Chinese phonics = die a long death), GREAT!  Met up with LuzyLewis, Catherine, Maurine, Teena, RivertonPaul, Huans32 and MrsFit.  Saw cute AmberG and her beautiful mom.  Wished Amber luck in defending her title! 

Smooth, Teena, Amber & Toni inside the Field house.

A quick Kodak moment w/ RivertonPaul!  THANKS for hanging w/ me pre/post race! :)

Started with Cath & Luz who have had a busy week of moving.  We wanted to take it nice and easy.  Loved every second of running and chatting with them.  They stopped at the p-o-p around mile 4 and I never saw them again.  

The good lookin' Catherine & Luz. 

Around mile 5 a gal (wearing lime green) from my AG passed me.  I let her go.  The Rail Trail miles could be boring thus beneficial to run with someone.  There was also a pretty strong headwind.  I started chatting with two girls. Kelly & Ann, wearing pink (one in a tutu).  They're trail runners doing the Triple Challenge.  The chatting made these trail miles pass by fast. 

The aid station around mile 9 was set up in a parking area 50 yards away from the trail, what's up with that?  We skipped it.  Anyhow, it was good to see my hubby cheering.  At the mile 12 aid station, the pink duo stopped to use the p-o-p.  I needed to go too but there was only ONE p-o-p; so I wished them luck and ran on towards Poison Creek trail.  Hubby was there to cheer.  I asked if he bought pickles.  He said no.  O well, I didn't need it then; but hoping he would, just in case.

From there on out, I ran by my lonesome self.  The happy memory of my run with Teena on this portion of the course kept me going.  Had to dash off course to use the bathroom at the City Park.  That stop took 5 min.!!!!  DANG the rumble tumble tummy!!!  There was a guy flying an awesome kite at the park.  NICE entertainment!  

At the round-about I saw MrsFit.  Imagine my joy as she held out her hand to give me a lift.  I sure miss that girl!  Standing behind her was TomSlick.  We exchanged greetings and hugs.  They inquired if I had seen DonGardinero to which I replied negative!  We were concerned that perhaps he was lost along the trail in the dark!  Hope he found his way there soon b/c it was getting pretty darn hot!!!!

I kept my eyes on the lookout for Teena and any FRBs running down towards us.  As if on cue, there she was, my SSF flying down looking fresh and happy.   We side-fived which gave me the boost to march up the highest point of the course. 

I spotted my car in the middle of Deer Valley parking lot but no sign of hubby.  I later found out he fell asleep in the car.  Silly boy!  Can't blame him though, it's tiring to be paparazzi, cheer leader and athlete-manager! :) On the downhill stretch, a girl who's been leap-frogging with me asked if I had any iburophen.  I just so happened to carry a couple (b/c of the fever & headache).  I gave her the ibuprophen and took out an S-cap which I took at the 17.5 mile aid station.  I grabbed a wash cloth to put on my head/neck the rest of the run.  Did I mention it was getting warm?

The course was detoured this year, no running thru open mall or across skier bridge.  Instead we ran further on Poison Creek Trail then turned up towards the killer 8th St. hill.  EVERYONE walked here while the cute Flyers children handed out candies. 

Kept a controlled pace running down Empire St. and tried to psyche myself out on the undulating rolling neighborhood along the golf course.  Passed a lot of runners and gave them encouragement.  Picturing in my mind AndyB and Teena running the rest of these miles together made me happy.

Back on the bike path I was so looking forward to seeing my hubby.  There he was with a jar of pickles in hand.  He said he had to choose between some "sour dill" or "sweet midgets" at the store.  It was a no brainer which one *matches* me! :)   I chomped down 2 and took a swig of the pickle juice! :-}   The McPollin Barn was not the oasis like they had described.  By now I had already taken 4 gels and the only thing I could stomach was the juice from oranges.  They had none!  O well, I took a banana and another S-cap.  Had been diligent with my hydration at every station.   

I picked up the pace on the dirt trail and passed many runners.  At mile 23 the lime-green gal in my AG appeared.  I passed her and she never caught back up.  The legs felt great until the last mile when I started to feel twinges of cramps.  I kept repeating the motto: "smooth, fast, strong" over and over and stomped hard at any sign of cramps.  Took courage from my husband's blessing and the extra magic from the pickles.  With the roaring cheer of my friends, I safely crossed the finish arch upright, happy and satisfied.

Congratulating my SSF while she called her dad to tell him of her AG win! :)

SO HAPPY AmberG gracefully defended her title, my SSF won her AG and RivetonPaul also placed in his AG.  I am happy with this run.  With this year's warmer and windier conditions and not feeling well my time is only 4 min slower than last year.  Today, more than 36 hrs later I have no soreness, just some tightness after driving to Logan to take my baby to USU.  Now onto Pocatello in two weeks then SGM!!!! 

Picking up the *goodies* on stage: