Each Day Is a Gift

What a fun party!  Seiously I just wanted to spend Labor Day morning with my FRB friends; running this thing was secondary.  Hubby drove me down to Payson dark and early.  He was asking about who would be there.  While talking about Kelly(soon to be A) and JonA being there and this is kinda "engagement party" for them; lo-n-behold, the two love birds merged onto the freeway in Orem at that very moment.  We made it to Marion's darling "cottage" home with MichelleL greeting us around 6:20ish.

Here are the party-goers:  Jon & KellyA, Kelli & Scott, Kellie & TylerS, Walter, RAD, LuzyLew, McKenzie, MichelleL and her office helper & daughter, Marion; and of course the athletic supporters (aka spouses) and darling children (forgive me if I forget anyone).

Enthusiastically we walked to the City Center in two waves to pick up packets.  It's a good thing most of the girls wore the RHPC shirts; that's how I could spot them in case I got lost in the crowd which wasn't too big; but nice size for a hometown race on a holiday.

It was so so so so fun chatting with everyone at the start.  McKenzie, Walter, RAD were the front leaders, Luz and I lined up behind JonA and Scott while Kelli and Kellie hung at the back.  I didn't want to get too far behind for fear that I would get lost.  Have I ever mentioned that I'm severely directionally challenged and got lost in a 5K once?  OK enough chattering; now onto the race:

I told Luz I would be happy to run in the 9's today (making it a recovery run from the SF1/2 on Sat.)  We started out together and within a few hundred yards, Luz pulled away.  It was so awesome to have the 5Kers' cheering send off, mainly Marion and MichelleL.  Soon Kellie and Kelli passed me asking if I wanted a little spank or love pat.  I said yes but they never did and off they went into the horizon.  I chugged along and feeling pretty good.  I was surprised to see my pace in the 8's and wondered how long would the legs last.  Passed a girl kicking her soccer ball while running.  KellyA biked back to check on me.  Mile 1-3 splits:  8:23, 8:22, 8:25.

I grabbed a drink at the aid station walking.  I had been following two guys the first 3 miles.  Decided I'm going to take them after turning north and chicked/pinked as many guys and girls the next two miles.  Turning east, the sun was in my eyes.  I didn't wear my hat or sunglasses.  The runners were a little strung out at this point.  I was afraid to loose sight of them so I concentrated on closing the gaps.  Passed two girls in tank tops, one guy w/ long sleeve shirt, a girl with "Young Living" shirt and the guy from Equador (he asked me where I was from and I returned the question).  Mile 4-5 splits: 7:57, 8:35 (slight incline).  Took another drink while walking thru the aid station.

The time spotter yelled out "right on 42" when I and the guy in yellow long sleeve shirt passed the last mile marker.  I knew then it's impossible to finish under 50.  I found another gear even though the quads started to burn just to get it over with so I can get onto the party, the real reason I came.  I ran that mile in 8:12.  KellyA was a welcoming sight on her bike for the last stretch.  Thanks KellyA for riding along side and giving me the headsup on where to turn so I could kick it in.  I "sprinted" to the finish under the roaring cheer of Marion & Co.  The last 0.23 mile came in @7:41.  

We cheered the loudest for the most AWESOMEST MicelleL as she sprinted in smiling!

Everyone in our party did AWESOME today, all brought home hardwares.  RAD & I hung around for the raffle.  RAD with her tallness & basketball prowlness caught two prizes in the air.  Once again I did not win a thing.  But the silver dollar 1st AG award was well worth the $17 entry fee.

We went back to Marion's gingerbread home and had the most yummy scrumptious syrup and all the fixings that goes with it.  Luz's egg dish was the hit!!!!

THANKS EVERYONE FOR SUCH A FABULOUS LABOR DAY PARTY!!!!  Hope I didn't make those of you missing this party jealous!

These are the only pics.  Hubby took more "movie" mode.

Little David & Nathan were so proud of their mommy!

Lazy recovery day.  Ran with Mary for 4 miles.  She was so sore from Sat. SF1/2 that she didn't run on Mon.  So it's good we both pushed each other out for a recovery run; more for the psyche than anything.  We talked strategy for TOU.  I think she's gonna do great for her first marathon.

Around the world core, fast abs, abductor lifts (40 reps)

Hubby bought the TV he wanted badly yesterday.  I put on the yoga DVD.  Holy cow, it was like Rodney Yee was in my living room doing yoga on the beach with me.  So relaxing.  Did I mention I was lazy? 

No soreness or weirdness.  I'm gonna run 9 miles tomorrow at 9:09 pace in honor of Kathie's birthday (hint: the 2 numbers adds up to be 9 and she's not turning 27) on 9/9/09 and finish by 9am.   Number 9 in Chinese means longivity...a very lucky number.  The next best number is 8, fast or prosperous.  Teena, 1+7=8; how's that for your favorite #17?

HaPpY BiRtHdAy to YoU!  HaPpY BiRtHdAy to YoU!  HaPpY BiRtHdAy DEAR KATHIE!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!  You're so KIND you so FINE, you blow my mind!  KATHIE! HAPPY 9/9/09!!!!

I did it, NINE miles in honor of Kathie.  Ran on the canal trail, (no grasshoppers today allie), lotsa horse poop though.   Only ONE mile came in @9:09.

TT: 1:20:11.  AP: 8:54.  Splits: 10:22, 9:09, 8:45, 8:42, 8:48, 8:56, 8:43, 8:26, 8:13

Off to my meetings now. 

My legs were sore and tight last night from sitting/standing thru the Keith Urban's 3hrs concert.  I think I lost part of my hearing too.  He's awesome with the guitarS and very nice biceps.

Anyway, wasn't going to run today; but the new shoes (which arrived yesterday afternoon) was calling my name.  Need to try them out before running 20 in them on Sat.  So got on the TM, figured I could always abandon the run if the legs protest. 

Schedule says to run 1 mi easy 7 mi @ 8:46.  I think my TM is not calibrated right; so I set it at 7mph and 1% incline.  Ran 1st mile warm up with gradual increase from 5-7mph; then 7 miles at 7mph @ 8:34.  TT: 1:10:18.  AP: 8:47.

Legs were fine, strides & breathing were easy, tummy started to growl at mile 5, a small blister showed up on the left pinky-toe. 

Will not run tomorrow morning... have to run/mark the course for the Stake YW 5K race in the late afternoon before heading to my boy's football game...looking forward to completing the last long run.  Then it's taper time, YES!

Ran/walked the JRP to mark the 5K course and stake out aid stations for tonight's Stake YW's 5K Fun Run.  While driving out of Thanksgiving Point Village, saw runners with bib # running on the road.  Turned out to be a benefit race for the handicaps sponsored by Xango, cool!  

Will probably run another 5K tonight with the girls, I'm sure!  Were told 90 girls and leaders are coming; but were're expecting 65, the amount of "medals" made.  We'll see, should be fun!

*****Update******

After taking my boy to McDonald's for his pre-game meal and dropped him off at the HS.  I picked up a few things for tomorrow's long run and such.  Made some signs and took the stuff to the start and turn around point of the 5K course.  Phew! made it back to the start at the park to see a good gathering of girls and women.  One leader took a group pic of the girls, I counted about 50 sweet smiling girls.  After giving a brief instructions, we started the race right on time at 5:30 pm.   I lead the girls on the narrow pedestrian path in the Park to the JRP trail.  Temp. was 85 with a warm headwind.  

Two girls who are on the soccer team and I were the lead pack.  On the rolling uphill portion, one of them would pull away while the other girl stayed with me and we talked about her soccer.  At the turn around we were supposed to have water.  We got there faster than my bishop who had the duty of bringing the igloo and cups down.  I was parched...o well.  I told the girls to go ahead and I ran up the hill (someone's yard by the golf course) to see if the bishop needs help.  He was doing fine and I figured he would get it down by the time the next pack of girls arrived, so I got back on the trail and chased after the girls.

It was fun cheering the girls on the other lane and telling them water awaits them.  I soon caught up to the 2nd girl.  With a tailwind and just one mile to go, I picked up the pace.  I was about to catch the 1st girl when one of the leaders walking with the stragglers stopped to ask me a question.  I decided to let her go.  I ran back to the second girl and encouraged her to finish strong. 

We were greeted by the cheers of proud parents.  I had the honor to put medals on each of the girls.  Then I had to hightail out of there so I could make it for the 7pm kick off time down in Orem.  It was a fun.  Here are the splits just for the heck of it: 8:55, 8:50, 8:30.

My boy was a stellar wide receiver, caught the ball and ran for the end zone scoring two touch downs.  Though the team lost, we are proud of their efforts. 

Someone on the blog said sleep is overated.  I agreed.  Got home from my son's football game to find that I still needed to wash my sport bra & running skirt, get the gears ready and write my missionary son.  By the time I hit the sack it was well past 1:30 am and couldn't fall asleep till about 3am.   When I got out of bed at 4:30 am, the body protested reminding me that I had run a half marathon, a 10K and a 5K the last 7 days.  I told myself that today's run is going to be fun and I get to taper after this.

Got to Will's Pit Stop on time with Rachel already waiting.  She started the run with LuzyLew and Catherine while the Stephenson's and I waited for the Owens who went to a different Will's gas station.   Temp was in the 50's with a fierce headwind.

MrsFIT, Kelli and I braved the wicked dusty headwind all the way up the Provo Canyon.  I debated whether to run 22 or 20.  Kelli, the queen of hill, was out of sight by mile 9.  Kristi and I turned around at mile 10.  It was so good to have these two wonderful girls to pull me along.  Rachel doing 12 and Catherine doing 20 and my best friend's daughter, Stephanie, finished their run sooner than us.  Scott already ran 20 miles just yesterday ran with Mark; both looked strong and fast.

There was a marathon and 20 miler going on.  They were bused up to the top and ran down.  I cheered them on as we were going up.  I was surprised to see how many of them looking like they were in their mile 18 when they had only run may be 6-8 with a tailwind and downhill.  Perhaps it was their first marathon. 

I am so proud of Kristi, LuzyLew and Kelli.  They are amazingly strong and positive.  It was fun to see JulieC, Josse and another girl blasting down.  We also ran into Mel and KarinR.  I had a great time.  THANK YOU girls for making this so fun and for the yummy post run treats.  TT: 3:10:43.  AP: 9:29.  WOOHOO!  Taper time!