I Can Do Hard Things

47:18 minutes

We didn't have anything going on tonight, so I slept in and hit the gym when my hubby got home.  The run went well, but I feel like it is taking me forever to get my fitness back.  My ankle was sore after I was done.  WHY?

40:23 minutes

My ankle was still a bit sore today, so I jumped at the chance to get on an open stairclimber.  Again, that thing is just as hard as running...maybe more.  Brrrrr.....I was got so cold driving home.  I'm ready for spring!

 I really need to get some lifting in this week.

1:13:40 minutes

9:53, 9:48, 9:39, 9:12, 9:10, 8:44, 8:46, 8:25 (AP 9:13)

I knew I wasn't going to have time tomorrow to do a long run, so I did it today while my youngest was at school.  I parked at the end of the preschool teacher's street and headed up into Highland.  It was a long 4 miles up hill.  I decided not to look at my Garmin and just listen for the 4 beeps to know that I have gone 4 miles.  I was going to listen to the songs on my Ipod and not skip any.  

 The first half of the run seemed to take forever.  But whenever I do long runs, I always struggle that first bit.  I think to myself...7.5 miles to go...7 miles to go and I need to stop because it makes the runs drag on.

 I passed some gym in Highland and I stopped in and asked if I could use their drinking fountain.  I saw a friend from ATL there...too bad I looked like a scary monster! 

 The second half went by so much faster.  I did look at my watch more and skipped ahead to my favorite songs on the Ipod.  Music is such a motivator.  My new favorite group is The DearJane Girls...definitely cowgirl music!

Finishing this run gives me alittle bit more confidence.  I still have such a long ways to go to rebuild my fitness and speed, but I didn't die and ran negative splits.

42:20 minutes

I took the kids to the dreaded daycare at the gym...luckily there were some kids from our ward in there.  So it made better!

Upper body lifting (one of Kelli's awesome workouts)

4.5 miles on the TM.  I watched some cooking show and watched all the dudes and dollies.  Some gal walked in and every male head turned and watched this beauty.  Amazing!

Since I've increased my mileage (and it hasn't been a ton) and lifting (alittle), I am so darn tired all the time.  I've been eating a lot of stuff with iron, but I am wiped out by the end of the day (some days, I take a short power nap).  A good reason to be tired!

42:15 minutes

So I want to cry...sometimes, I feel like I am falling apart!  I've NEVER had an injury until I got my ankle stress fracture a year ago.  Now, I feel like something is always wrong!  I think I may be shin splints right above my ankle (on the inside).  I've been icing like a mad woman, massaging, doing my ankle strengthening exercises.  *sigh*  

 I did feel really good on my run today, but I probably shouldn't have done it (in retrospect).  I was doing so great on my ankle...I haven't increased my mileage more than 10 % a week, I've kept all my runs slower and I take 2 days off.  Why...Why...Why

42:15 minutes

 I did my workout on the stair climber this morning.  Still was breathing hard and had a sweat fest! 

I'm trying to decide how my shins feel.  I've been stretching, doing my ankle exercises, wearing my brace and icing  A LOT.   But I'm not sure how it feels.  OR if I should keep running. 

 I am doing my long run with a good friend and Saturday, so I'm hoping they will start to feel better.  So frustrating!

2 miles on the stair climber

3 miles on the tread mill (AP 10 mm)

Lifted upper body and core. 

I used to think I knew everything about running.  But the older I get, the more I realize how much I DON'T know. 

I wanted to run today, but thought I shouldn't go the whole 5 miles.  So after lifting, I did 2 miles on the stair climber to warm up and finished on the TM. 

I tried to put my foot in an ice bucket, but it was to flippin' cold.  So I settled on an ice cup.  So far it feels ok, but I'm not getting any hopes up.

2 miles on stair climber (I'm counting it as running miles cause it is as HARD as running, maybe harder!!!)

3 miles on TM (AP 10 mm)

I'm feeling better about life today.  My shin splints don't hurt as bad and I feel like I have that *running fire* back.  I get so grumpy when I can't run.  I am excited to do my long run tomorrow with my good friend.  I don't think I am going to wear my orthotics...they tore up my feet today.

I'm going on a date with Tim tonight to celebrate 12 years of marriage bliss!  He is awesome to put up with me for so many years :)

1:28:04 minutes

(9:45, 9:42, 9:47, 10:58, 12:06, 9:59, 9:00, 8:57, 7:46)

I ran with my good running bud Sarah this freezing morning.  We met at the mouth of Provo Canyon.  While I was waiting for, I noticed how windy it was - FUN!

It has been over a year since I had seen her, so we had lots to talk about and the time went very fast.  But when we hit Bridal Veil, the trail wasn't plowed.  It was a thick chunk of ice with lots of snow - very very very slow going (hence the 10:58 and 12:06 mile pace).  It was almost a walk/jog.  But once we got out of there, it was good moving again.

I had taped my ankle well, but figured it would be sore after the run (especially since we had all that ice in the middle).  So I've been icing and stretching like a mad lady all morning.  We'll see!

I was warm during the run - the wind had subsided once we got into the canyon.  But I was shaking the whole drive home and even after a warm shower.  Brrrrr.......

The rest of my lungs and legs felt good!  Hooray for a great run and a BIG nap - those long runs always wipe me out (and it wasn't even that long!).

I quickly turned my alarm off this morning with the intent of NOT getting up.  But then I laid in bed thinking that I there was no way I would be able to make up the miles later today or this week.

So I got my lazy hiney out of bed and ran outside instead of at the gym (I was running out of time since hubby had to leave for work).  

It was very warm this morning - only 1 pair of tights, shirt,  and jacket (no hat or gloves).  I didn't look at my Garmin at all...just listened for the mile beeps.  I knew I was going slow, but I didn't really care.  Just wanted to take it easy after the long run on Saturday.

38:51 minutes (10:34 - I had a hard time getting going, 9:36, 9:34, 9:03).

My kids woke up at the CRACK OF DAWN so excited for Valentines Day.  They made me breakfast in bed (soggy cereal and a squished banana).  I am SO tired!  But I still have a class party, swim lessons, dance, tutor, homework, FHE (which is sugar cookies and heart attack), bath and bed.  It is a Cherry Coke day!

52:17 minutes (9:03, 9:02, 8:52, 8:35, 8:33, 8:08)

Hubby had an early morning assignment, so I slept in and ran this afternoon.  Heavenly!  The weather was so nice and warm.  I ran in tights and a short sleeve shirt...amazing!  I was planning on doing my 5 mile route, but when I got to my favorite down hill stretch, the road was closed.  They were making a HUGE trench for the canal and had a  big pipe - there was NO crossing it!

So I turned around and started to head back.  I saw another runner and flagged him down to ask if the street I was on had construction.  It didn't thankfully, so I didn't totally have to completely retrace my steps.

I was probably going a lot faster than I should have (not that it is all that fast), but some days it is awesome to open up a can of whoop A..... and let 'er rip!  It felt good to open the stride.

27:48 minutes (9:45, 9:12, 8:49)

I dropped my youngest off at preschool and ran from the preschool teacher's house.  Unfortunately, it is ALL up hill - which was ok because I wanted to take it easy and slow today.  

It was a beautiful day with warmer temperatures.  I ended up over dressing and ended up running in a short sleeve shirt and tights. 

So I'm really sad about the new Boston qualifying times.  A 3:35 marathon just seems super duper fast for a poke like me!

Dropped my youngest off at preschool and ran from the teachers house (I haven't been to the gym all week...I'm liking this warmer weather!).

I'm still feeling so so so slow.  I know I am building my aerobic base from scratch and it takes time! But....

34:25 minutes (AP - 8:36) (9:16, 8:48, 8:28, 7:51)  I felt good during the run, but seemed to huff and puff a lot. 

1:31:44 (9:30, 9:15, 9:17, 9:07, 9:11, 9:08, 9:15, 9:15, 9:01, 8:42) AP 9:13

I met RAD out at the JRP for my first run out there...ever!  And it was fun stuff!  I told RAD that I was oodles and oodles slower than she was and to please turn on the speed when she needed too.  But she stayed with me the whole time.  She wasn't even breathing hard!

The run felt good, but my ankle started to ache somewhere along the run.  So I stopped and stretched for a minute.  I think I am going to make it an easy week next week.

It was warm outside this morning, but there was a light sprinkle.  It didn't bother until I got in my car and started to get cold.  Brrrr......  There weren't lots of runners out this morning, but a few die-hards!

Again, the more I run, the more I realize JUST how much I don't know about running.  It was awesome to listen to RAD talk about her running history.  I've realized that running is hard on your body and it is bound to get injured sometimes.  It's just part of that amazing high we get...it has to crash sometimes.

Thanks RAD for the great morning!

I had planned on this being an easy/low mile week and wowzer did I ever need it!  I'm not sure why my body felt like it had been hit by a truck after Saturday's run, but it did.  Aches and pain and cursing at my achy achy ankle.  The weird thing is, I didn't run any faster than in my training runs and haven't increased more than 10%.

I planned on running 3 miles, but after a mile my ankle was sore.  So I hopped on the bike and finished up my time.  I am out of shape on the bike and I need to get to crackin' cause our mini sprint is coming up soon!

These kind of days totally make me depressed and want to crawl in a deep dark hole.  I have this paranoia that I will be out for another year and it makes me crazy!

Youngest daughter has an acute case of pnemonia and hubby is out of town.  Plus I felt sad about my achy ankle.  Notta!

I'm feeling better about life today.  The sun is shining and the air is warm! I am really ready for spring.  All this cold and snowy stuff is making me depressed!

I dropped everyone off at school and headed to the gym for spin class.  The instructor was awesome and the class was FULL!  Spin/riding is awesome and so flippin hard!

But I got a call from the preschool teacher in the middle of class...the antibotics have given my youngest a case of the runs and I need to come and change her. FUN!  Stayed for a few more minutes, went to preschool teacher's house, changed daughter, ran around her neighborhood till class was done.

  My ankle felt really good, so I ran a bit more on my sweet neighbors treadmill.  I've been stretching, doing ankle exercises, and icing like crazy.  Hopefully, we are on the upward swing.

42:50 minutes

Definitely on the upward swing.  Hooray!  I ran once hubby got home and the gym was dead.  Got into my groove while watching some HGTV show...made the time go so much faster.  Ankle/lower leg still ached some, but definitely better.

Got to watch my trio preform in the 1st grade talent show.  We had a hoola hooper, jump roper, and a "Jedi Demonstration".  They weren't quite as cool as Lindsay Dunkley's little guy's awesome dance!  He knows how to rock the house!

45:28 minutes (9:35, 9:06, 9:02, 8:40, 8:53) AP - 8:52 

Oh that wind was something fierce today!  It was making my eyes water and my mascara run.  So when I got home, I looked like a zombie and made my kids nervous.  Again, I need spring to get here!

I was so lazy today!  I spent the afternoon lying in bed reading a new book - totally productive!  Some kid at school cut my son's hair today...hello, we are in 1st grade, shouldn't we be past that?????

1:05 As soon as I saw the snow this morning, I chickened out and headed to the gym for the treadmill. 

I saw a gal I kinda know (from the gym, summer pool and other various places) and 2 of her friends.  The only open treadmill was next to them, so I hopped on.  

I asked the ladies what their workout was...20 miles on the flippin' treadmill.  Not only were they going far, but their speed was at an 8.3 mph (like a 7:15 mile).  They were some tough chicks...fast, tough chicks! 

And I felt really really slow and frumpy next to them at my 9:00 minute mile.   That is a battle I always fight with myself...comparing myself to others.  I need to be happy with what I have and can do.  Show me the weakness and I will make it strong :)

Off to lunch with 2 of my bestest friends!  Hopefully a nap later on too.  Oh...and I am getting a massage tonight.  I was suppose to get one last weekend, but she had the stomach flu.  Can't wait!

46:20 minutes

After 2 weeks of not getting up in the middle of the night to go to the gym (aka 4:55am), I had to do it today.  It was horrible.  I was up all night because I though I would sleep through my alarm.  

Then, when I got home, my little guy was up super early, so no morning nap.  Urghhh.....I am tired!

I felt really good during the run though.  I wanted to go alittle faster to get home and get back to bed (though my plan backfired).  Lots of ice and stretching this morning.