Each Day Is a Gift

Hearing about the snowy weather back home made this morning's run precious.  After dropping Jade off to school, ran the Greenbelt trail one last time in misty, foggy cool weather.  TT 1:04:44.  AP: 8:55.  Splits: 9:53, 9:04, 8:57, 8:50, 8:45, 8:42, 8:29, 8:05.  

Took the fam. to lunch at Chuy's for some yummy TexMex food.  I think I gained 5 lbs.

Flying into Salt Lake City, we could see the entire Wasatch Mountain range and valleys covered with a blanket of snow.  Hubby was so excited about the ski resort's snow report.  Steven was the first one to test drive the brand new snow blower. 

After a quick dinner we went to see Blineside!  We LOVE that movie!  So full of hearts and good humor!

Hubby's "kiss good bye words" were:  DO NOT RUN OUTSIDE TODAY!"  So, onto the TM in the dungeon I went after eating breakfast and seeing how the road was treacherous. 

Warm up 4 miles (5-7mph);  TT: 40:00 (AP: 10:00)

Mile repeats x 3 @ 7:30

RI of 0.25 mile @ 10:00

Finish w/ 1 mile @ 8:34

Cool down 0.25 mi @ 10:00, 

5.25 miles (6-8mph); TT: 43:22 (AP: 8:15)

Felt great throughout the run.  Contemplating what to do the next training cycle with Boston as goal race.  I used Pfitzinger's 18/55 for Boston'08 and the 24/55 for Boston'09.   Trying to decide if I should use the 18/70 for Boston'10.  I do know I don't want to follow the FIRST program that I used for SGM'09.  Also need to incorporate some xtraining. 

Brrr!  Single digit this morning!!!  Rather than freezing my nose and digits off, I opted for the dungeon TM again.  Only had time for a quick run!  Did my own version of 1 min. up and 1 min down at 1% incline.

Warm up 1 mile (5-7mph) in 10 min.  Then 15 repeats of:

1 min @ 7:30 (8mph),  30 sec @ 8:34 (7mph) and 30 sec @ 10:00 (6mph);

Only had time for a 5 min. warm down (7-6.6mph).  5.2 miles in 45:16.  AP: 8:42

I really like this workout.   May work up to 20 intervals next week or try a 7:00 pace for the 1 min up. 

I was determined to run outside this morning.  While listening to the weatherman's report of current temp at 0 (ZERO),  I put on DA GEARS: 

1.  For the torzo ~ Under Armour Sub-zero turtleneck and Boston'09 fleece. 

2.  For the legs ~ CW-X insulator tights.

3.  For the head ~ Running beanie.

4.  For the fingers ~ Nike running gloves inside Goretex ski mittens.

5.  For the toes ~ Asics socks inside Ultramax ski socks.

6.  I slather my face, especially the nose, with Aquaphor.

What would we ever do without these technical garbs!!!  I tell ya!   

The first mile or so my feet, hands and thighs were numb.  By the time I ran past the Credit Union marquee (which said current temp was 1 degree) I was toasty!  The thumbs were cold ('cuz they were by their lonesome selves);  so I tucked them in the mittens where they're happily warmed by their buddies, the fingers.  The only "casualties" were the frozen-shut nostrils (no biggie, just breath thru the mouth which were numb but not frozen shut), red thighs and bums (which quickly returned to normal after a hot shower). 

So HAPPY to run outside under sunny sky.  Was a long day going to PCMC.     

When I took hubby and son to the bus stop at 6:30 am the car temp read 4 degree.  When I took Steven to school at 7:15 am it went down to 1 degree.  So it's true that the temperature drops just as the sun rises, a phenomenon I have often felt at many Utah marathons start .

Progressive run:  3 miles gradual warm up from 10:00 to 8:41.  Mile 4-10 splits: 8:34, 8:27, 8:20, 8:13, 8:06, 8:00, 8:00.  Did the last 0.1 mile @ 10mph in Rhett's honor...barely hanging on with dear life...great feeling to reach the 2,000 mark.

Been a busy day.  It felt colder walking to the Conference Center before the MoTab Christmas Concert than after the concert.  The heat wave must be coming, just in time for tomorrow's long run on the JRP.

Since we are down to one car, hubby had to drop me off.  I was supposed to meet Kelli at 7:30.  Due to my teenager's not having his act together, I got there LATE.  Sweet Kelli waited alone in her car.  THANKS Kelli for coming all the way down here and waited forever for me, ran with me and drove me home after.

The JRP was covered with 2-6 inches of fresh snow.  There were a few animal paw prints the first mile; other than that we had the trail all by ourselves.  It was cool to be first to track fresh powder until we hit the hills.   Steep hills + deep snow drifts + short legs = nonrunnable.  I don't know how Andy does it.  It was also hard to see the trail since everything was covered with snow.  A few places were "lumpy" and slippery.  If it weren't for Kelli, I would have quit.  We got a GOOD workout and that's what counts.

It was a bit windy at the top.  Definitely warmer running northward than southward.  On the south portion we saw a set of footprints with Yaktrak.  I'm glad we didn't encounter any wildlife; however Kelli's cell phone would make a better weapon than my pack of tissues.  It even scared her when it rang.  There's magic in running with a friend in the snow covered peaceful winterwonderland!!!  LOVE IT!!!

Though I posted my miles as easy miles...my legs felt otherwise.  I had soooo much fun because Kelli ran with me.  THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH, Kel!  You're the best!  Did I mention you are so stinkin' SKINNY and AWESOME?!!!!