Each Day Is a Gift

We're supposed to have a quick warm-up-practice before church this morning.  When I got there at 8:30 am, the choir members weren't there.  We run thru the piece twice with two altos, two little girls who sang soprano and zero men.  The piece started w/ the Tenor and Bass in unison so I sang that part.  It was ugly... my low raspy voice was horrible!  I recruited my friend, Keith Greenwood, a great runner/marathoner, to sing when it's time.  Oh, and my accompanist called last night to say she hurt her back and won't be able to come.  So, I asked the bishop's wife, Tina Marie, to accompany us.  There was also a flute part that I had the organist played on the organ since I couldn't find anyone who could play the flute.  Man, was I nervous...it's only the second time I conducted the choir.

Well, when it's time to "perform", the choir got up and sang.  I wouldn't say it was flawless...but as the title of the song testifies...My Shepherd Will Supply My Need...I belief He did!  It brought a few tears of joy!  :)  I truly have the best callings in the world!

With the busy weekend, I forgot to plug in my Garmin.  My legs were tired anyway so ran nice and EZ w/ Carolyn.  Beautiful weather.  Another busy day!

Carolyn and Wendy met me at my house and we ran to Karen's.  They only wanted to do 5.  I only had an hour so I tempo'ed (is that a word?) today's run.  Carolyn stayed w/ me for the first 3 miles after we *chicked* Bro. Kimball she faded.  

7 in 1:00:15.  AP: 8:36.  Splits: 9:55, 8:55, 8:18, 8:20, 8:15, 8:21, 8:07.

Went to vote...long line...saw some old time friends! 

Went to visit Lori who has been house-bound.  She's been fighting cancer for 10 years now and is holding on w/ shear faith!  I need to make it a weekly visit.  I could hardly recognize her...so sad!

Haven't been able to sleep the last few nights.  Waking up to arthritis was no fun!  So grateful for beautiful Fall weather and wonderful friends who kept me going.  Missing my children terribly!

7 EZ miles in 1:08:00  

Was so happy Teena called.  Felt so sad for her dear HS friend!

Today was one of those *Carpe Diem* kinda day!  I have been feeling non-motivated lately and wasn't going to run today since I had an appt at the lab, fasting, etc.  Fortunately, my SSF invited me to join her and Fly to run the trail at City Creek during lunch hour.  I am SO glad they let me crash their party.  I had a great time! :)  It was a beautiful run, err hike for me!  The company was wonderful.!  The scenery was cool albeit a bit shrouded w/ the air pollution.  There were still some Fall colors hanging on.  We saw a huge jumping spider and snake...thankfully no cougar encounter! 

My quads were trashed...guess I'm not fully recovered from Goblin Valley.   I was also quite dehydrated and low on fuel.  The last mile felt like the end of a marathon.  THANKS Fly and Teena!!!  I'm sooooo lucky to have such AWESOME friends! :)

No running tomorrow!  Hopefully the legs will be ok for Saturday's 1/2... a little worry about the downhill!!!

Really happy with this race.  Perfect weather, cool temp (mid 50's), overcast sky, beautiful downhill course, all the ingredients for a PR. 

Traveled down to SG w/ my friend, Karen, Fri afternoon.  This is Karen's first ever race.  After a late dinner we went to bed at her in-law's in Hurricane.  Got up at 5:30, packed up and drove to the Snow Canyon HS at 7am where we met Teena, Matt & Brooke for the bus ride up.  There was ONE very long line to all the port-a-potties, thankfully it moved pretty quickly.  Saw MichelleL who warned us of the screaming downhill from mile 3-6.  My quads instantly felt mushy!!! :)

Karen and I lined up at the back of the pack.  My legs were still sore from the 10 miler on BST less than 48 hrs earlier.  Debated whether I should run w/ Karen, making it a fun run.  Finally decided to start with her and see how the legs feel as the race progress.  Ran the first two miles w/ Karen at what felt like jogging pace.  DonGardinero ran up to say hello!  :)  The elevation drops severely at mile 3 where I lost Karen.  Passed lots of people who had slapping feet.  Ran at a controlled pace trying to minimize the punishment I'm heaping on my already trashed quads.  Passed bare-foot guy and praised him about his *shoes*.  Great conversations and cheers! :)

The breath-taking scenery in the Snow Canyon Parkway really got me in the groove. Passed lots of runners.  My breathing was easy.  My legs felt tight at times but not too bad.  Walked through each aid station.  Took gu at the mile 7ish aid station.  The shins started to cramp up around mile 11.  Tried to ease up with different strides and engaged the abs.  Looked at my Garmin and figured that if I stayed at a sub-9mm pace I could PR.  Told myself that:  "This is just a daily run around my block...a horse smelling the barn...trot home and get'er done."  At the corner turning into the HS, MarcieN was there to cheer, that just put a huge smile on my face!  Ran around the track and saw Teena and her cute family.  Teena yelled: "catch him", the yellow shirt guy ahead.  I responded but he didn't want to be chicked and sprinted away.  Dang! 

Karen and I at the bus line:

Teena and I at the p-o-p line:

Karen finished in 2:03:24!   So PROUD of her first race ever!!! 

Mile:   

1.  9:25  Gentle downhill.  

2.  8:54  Karen doing good job staying w/ me.

3.  8:24  Nice downhill, kept looking back to find Karen.

4.  7:38  Huge elevation drop.

5.  7:40  Enjoyed the beauty of Snow Canyon.

6.  7:43  Reminisced running Spectrum 10K.

7.  7:46  Wow, half way done already!

8.  9:11  Walked to take gu.  Some incline. 

9.  8:00  Out of Canyon, course flattened a bit.

10. 8:26  Legs started to fatigue.

11. 8:55  Shin cramps.

12. 8:45  Tried to relax and concentrated on forms.

13. 8:29  Smelled the PR.  Stayed strong.

0.17  7:57  On the track...kicked it in!

I am very happy w/ the PR albeit on an aided course.  The legs held out although there were hints of charlie horse flutters soon after finishing.  Not much running next week, I will be visiting my sister who lives on a hilly peninsula in Southern California.  Might be good to rest up the legs anyway for the Valley of Fire Marathon in two weeks! :)