Work will win when wishy washy wishing won't

9:00 P.M.:  Better late than never and better 3 than 0!  

Early morning run with Tom, nice temps, no snow, no wind!  The moon was a tiny sliver coming up over the mountain.  Saw a few others out and about.  We warmed up with 2 miles then Tom did 2 faster miles to my 1 1/2, then we finished up with one to get us home. 

When we are out in the dark Tom wears a reflective vest and I wear this really cool head lamp with red lights.  I have fun making it bob around good when cars are coming towards us.  We also found out it is fun to look at cats with it.  Their eyes glow bright red back at us!  One cat gave us a little startle today.  I let out a little delayed reaction scream that may have upset some sleeping residents.  Gotta keep things eventful.

I am excited for Strider's on Saturday.  I think I am more excited for Tom's race than mine.  He is going for a make it or break it race!  He is going to go all out from the beginning and hold on for dear life.  He will either have a great PR or bonk!  I have a feeling it will be it will be a great PR!

As for myself, I am not making any big goals.  I hope to make it respectable, but I have never ran this course so I have no idea how it will be.   

Tom will say we ran 3 "easy" miles.  I just call them miles, not necessarily "easy", but not really hard either.  It's just that our "easy" is different from each other.  The morning was beautiful again.  I am really hoping for a beautiful morning Saturday!  I realize that the starting line for Strider's is up in the canyon and the elevation will be higher, but I'm hoping anyway! 
 

One lowly little mile in prep for tomorrow's 1/2 marathon.  I sure am praying that the weather isn't too terrible!
 

Woo Hoo! Under 2 hours for me! I was hoping to get close to Painter's time, (2:05:something), but had heard many people tell me this was a more difficult course. So I really would have been happy with anything around 2:05!

I was very pleased as we headed out in the morning that it wasn't quite as terrible as the weatherman had predicted. In fact it was just perfect! However at the starting line I still heard a lot of whining about the cold! I figured they must be from somewhere really warm, but I asked them and they said they were from Bountiful. They must not have been running outside much this winter or they would have appreciated it!

I pretty much ran most of the race alone. There were some nice people along the way to help pump me up when needed! One girl in particular, Kambria, (hopefully she will join in on the blog), pulled me along at times and I was able to pull her along at times.

The hills and wind on the last few miles were definitely not fun! But I kept thinking of two people in my life who are not able to get out and run, (but both of them would if their circumstances would let them)! I kept going for them!

I ended up stripping down to just the singlet on top. I got pretty heated up. But not long after ditching the long sleeves the wind kicked in really good. I was happy to have Tom at the end with a sweatshirt all ready for me. The end weather was way worse than at the beginning.

My average pace ended up being 8:58 with my splits as follows...

8:29, 8:04, 8:19, 8:39, 8:26, 8:44, 8:42, 8:59, 9:33, 10:01, 9:44, 9:26, 9:28

It was fun to stay up there and be with the blogger gang again! Everyone is so nice! The speedsters all talk to me and encourage me just as they do each other! It was so fun to come running into the finish line with lots of people cheering for me and yelling my name! Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support!

Oh ya, I wanted to add that I was quite disappointed not to get a medal around my neck for finishing. I thought all half marathons did that. But I was informed that Painter's is just lucky because they have Steve Hooper adding so much to the race. A big thank you to Steve and the St. George Running Store for providing so much to the races down there in St. George!

Addition,(mostly for my information): I just looked at the results. I came in 253 out of 435 finishers. That means there were 182 behind me. But I was 82 out of 197 in female finishers. That means there were 115 women behind me!

Tom was able to pull me out of bed this morning for 4.5 miles. It was a nice morning and the legs felt quite good after Saturday's race. The first half mile or so seemed like I was fake running. I know that sounds stupid, but that's the only way to explain it. After the first bit it felt more natural, but we kept it nice and easy.

After I got the kids out the door I met up with Stacie for our mile wog. I have to say it is not much of a wog anymore though. She is doing so good! There is already a huge improvement in how much she is running compared to walking the mile. It is mostly a jog now. In fact, I'm not going to call it our wogging date anymore, it is now our mile jog. Right as we started the hail started coming down quite hard and pelting our faces. I think she wondered if we would decide not to continue. But she was a trooper and we did the mile with hail for about half and then turning to snow for the final half.

We had an enjoyable time at the Pachev's house last night. Thanks Sasha and Sarah for opening your home to all of us.

I also have to let you all know what supportive kids Tom and I have! They are so good to help where needed to let me and Tom enjoy this fun, healthy, addicting little habit. Thanks kids!

Another morning of wondering if I really wanted to get out of bed to run.  I could have stayed in bed and ran later in the sun, but then I would be running alone.  I chose to get out and join Tom.  I'm always glad when I do that!  The wind was doing it's thing here in Spanish Fork!  We headed west to start instead of south east so we could have the wind at our back at least until we warmed up a bit.  It worked pretty good until we reached our long stretch going east with nothing to break the wind.  We pushed through it and felt great when we could turn north and have the wind from the side instead of head on!  

I felt really good today!  I didn't feel like I was fake running like I did yesterday to start out.  The main effect of Saturday's half marathon is that I have needed a little more sleep in the day than usual.  After a morning nap yesterday I felt great and was able to get some things accomplished.  I think I'll do the same today.  

When Tom and I are out in the mornings we always see a man with a shovel and his dog.  We always call him "shovel man".  In my mind I make up reasons why he is out and about in the early, dark morning.  I think of being a young girl and hearing stories about  scary  guys at the  cemetery.  Well, today we saw him and we were up close to him and realized that it is a friend of ours.  I told him that we call him shovel man.  I guess I'll quit making up scary stories about him and just realize that he is a good dog owner taking care of the doggie business with the shovel. 

I've made the decision to add a rest day in today.  Yesterday I started up with a sore throat and cough.  I would normally not be too concerned, but this Sunday I am planning on being with my sister in law who is undergoing massive chemo.   I can't be with her if I have any signs of sickness.  Her immune system is completely shot right now and she has to be so careful.  If it wouldn't have been a rainy day I MIGHT have ventured out.  But as for now, rest, Zicam and Vitamin C for me.

I am taking another day off.  In fact, I had to take the day off of work also.  I work so closely with the public that I didn't feel right about going in and coughing and sounding terrible all day.  I think I learned a little lesson this week.  After a strong race I need to make sure to do a reverse taper, even if my legs are feeling good.  I think I knocked my immune system out a bit with the half marathon last week. And then starting off the week too strong.   I have been lucky all winter long to stay healthy, but the last few days have been kind of miserable!

Such a bummer! I am missing another day! I don't think I have missed 3 days in a row since joining the blog in October. I know that next time I push really hard on a race like last Saturday, I will definitely take it easier the next week, (or two), and not just jump right back to regular miles and intensity. I hope I remember that! It really took me down this week.

 
 Two on the hotel treadmill because Sasha cares!

Quick race report before leaving St. George for California.

After doing the 1/2 last Saturday and being sick this week I was able to do my best 5K ever. This was the first 5K I have done since starting up seriously last fall.

Mile 1 8:03

Mile 2 8:32

Mile 3 8:49 (oooohhhhh uphill ninety!  Not enjoyable at all!)

Pushed the end to overtake the gal in front of me by a nose at the finish line!

Quick lunch back from Disneyland.  Getting a lot of walking miles in.  Ran four with my crazy running husband before the kids woke up.  Very handy having a 17 year old to watch them while we go out.  I guess I must admit to having a bit of the crazy running in me too.  It use to be that when we were on vacation I would stay in bed while he was out running.  Now I'm out there with him.  I'm glad it is a good habit he brought me in on!  Now, back to the happiest place on earth! (and maybe the crowededest place too!)

Early  morning run before Knot's Berry Farm.  The teenage boys loved all the roller coaster choices there!  I went on the Ghost Rider towards the first....BIG mistake!  Awful ride!  My boys loved it!  I felt like it ripped me apart!  I did like the Silver Bullet though.  Tomorrow back to another day of Disneyland and California Adventures.  It's been a bit chilly today.  Had to have jackets with us and we froze at the pool.  

Six this morning up around Disneyland and one BFB, (barefoot beach), mile later in the day.  Lots of driving miles ahead of us tomorrow.  I'm sure we'll get up and get a few running miles in before heading back to Utah.  I hope we take some of this sunshine back with us.

The last of the nice, enjoyable Disney runs for awhile anyway.  It has been quite fun getting up most mornings of our vacation and going for a run in the SUN with Tom.  We aren't sure if we are ready to tackle Utah mornings again, but ready or not, here we are.  It is nice to be home and find all well here.  Rui, (the already hyperactive dog), was a little excited to see us all!  Goodnight and wish me happy laundry!
 

After a week of vacation and a long drive home yesterday Tom and I thought we'd want to sleep in this morning. Our bodies, however, were ready to go earlier than we expected. We headed out the door about 6:10. We went down Heartbreak Hill and out to Gu Corner.  We then went out to Zephyr Hill and down Pretty Little Road.  I got a sneak peek of Harry's Hill that Tom said we will venture out on later in the year in preparation for SGM.  It was a very nice morning here in good ole SF!  A little breeze here and there, but nothing to complain about.  Very enjoyable indeed!  My run ended at 10 1/2 miles.  I then rode the bike with Tom for another mile and then he headed off for a few more with some of the SF guys.  With my bike ride out a mile and back a mile I took my 10.5 miles to an even 11 for the day. 

Now I need to catch up on all of you.  I didn't take time to read much while we were on vacation. 

I have a friend who may join in on some of my workouts in the week, so I told her I would post my weekly schedule on my Sunday blogs.  This week starts the first week of my 24 week marathon training.  Can you believe it is only 24 weeks to the SGM?  I hope I get in!  But if I don't, I plan to run the Top of Utah marathon in September.  So either way, I'm officially training for a marathon!

 Monday - Friday:  5 - 6 miles each day.

Saturday: 7 - 10 miles. 

All miles this week will be between 9:30 and 10:30 pace.  There will be some hill and strider workouts mixed in. 

Day one of the official marathon training.  Up and at 'em and got 'er done!  Six miles in the mild morning with Coach Tom.  We did what we will refer to as some "Dork Drills"  with the last mile. One of the drills is to run for 20 seconds with our arms out in front of us in a nice ballet form.  The other one is to hop on one foot for 20 hops and then the other one.  These are part of our plan we are following from the book "Brain Training for Runners".   (Can you see why we are calling them "Dork Drills"?)

Just thought I'd mention the chickens we saw crossing the road in front of us during Saturday's run.  As we watched them cross we realized that they really DO just cross the road to get to the other side.   So next time that question is asked, you know!

Tom and I headed away from the wind to start out this morning.  We went down to the river bottoms from Bishop's Storehouse.  We did 2 thirty second hill repeats at "relaxed sprint" pace, (an oxymoron there!) in mile 3 or 4.  Kept it at a very easy pace for everything else.  Not much excitement, but a very enjoyable morning.  We did see a freshly dead raccoon and a bat that was struggling on the road flipping around.  I HATE BATS!  There was a noisy rooster and a grunting cow.  Other than that, pretty uneventful.

I could feel Tom awake a little earlier than I prefer to wake up, but since we were now both awake we decided to get going on the day.  We were welcomed outside by our lovely friend who is the new W.   Instead of WOW, (warriors of winter) we are back to WOW, (warriors of WIND)!  We figure Mother Nature is just helping us get tougher by adding a good dose of resistance to part of our run!  

Are there any American Idol fans out there?  Tonight I think it is the end of the line for Jason or Brooke.  I hope Brooke gets at least one more chance.  I'm OK if dreadlocks goes home.  It better come down to both of the Davids as #1 and #2.  They both deserve to win.

Also, for any Biggest Loser fans.  While we were at Disneyland we saw Mark.  He looked great.  It's amazing what all of those people were able to accomplish! 

Just in case you think I watch every reality show on TV, I don't.  I watch Am. Idol mostly.  Biggest Loser a bit and none of the others!  I also love to watch the Jazz!  Especially now that it's playoffs! 

I hope you all have a good day today.  And I hope it rains a bit for us.  April showers bring May flowers.  I'm tired of snow, but I love springtime rain!

Rainy and windy to start out.   Ended up OK.  Tired and ornery to start out.  Ended up OK.

Two 30 second striders for the drills today.  Tom put in 6 miles in the yucky weather before coming back for me.  Not another soul to be seen out walking, running or riding bikes.  

Our girls start their official presentations of the play they have been working on all year with their theater class.  I'm sad I can't see opening night because I have to speak at a Stake Leadership meeting.  I wonder what I am going to say at it?  Haven't done a lot of prep on this one.  I may find myself in a very awkward situation.  I guess I will probably learn something from it though.  Oh well, I'm sure whatever happens the sun will still rise in the morning.   

I haven't had to run by myself for a while.  Tom has worked it so he can do my runs with me most of the time.  Today we had the chance to sleep in a bit, (which we needed after that heartbreaking loss to Houston last night), so I ran solo in the sun.  My garmin messed up and told me I was going 26:30 for my first mile.  I do believe I was going a little faster than that.  So I reset the garmin for the last 4 miles which said I had an 8:55 average pace.  

Tom and I headed west to do the Leland loop this morning.  Came up through the ballpark trails and through the river bottoms.  It was a very nice morning here in our neck of the woods.  We were able to wear shorts and long sleeve shirts.  Didn't need the under armor.  That feels good.  Starting out was just a bit nippy, but not bad at all.  My kneecaps and ears were the coldest, but running seems to warm things right up and it was about perfect.  I would guess the temps to be in the mid 30s.  Tom continued on for about 7 more without me.  

A great start to the day and the week.  Tom and I went down through the river bottoms to avoid the wind.  When we come back up out of the river bottoms we hit right into the canyon wind.  We look up over the lower parts of south east Spanish Fork and into the mouth of the canyon where the wind originates.  They are in the process of building 9 huge windmills right up there.  It is pretty cool to see them.  They are not your old Holland type of windmills, but a new sleek white type.  They are very majestic.  It will be neat when they are in working order.  My point is...if they are building 9 huge windmills in this area, it must a windy place.  Just so you don't think any of us who run here are making things more exciting when we talk about the wind.

And now....to the dry pack cannery. 

I guess Tom and I did some fartleks this morning.  I don't think that sounds very lady-like, but oh well!  It's kind of fun to get into more than just running.  He is really helping me learn a lot.  I am excited to see where it can take me.  This morning it took me down to the river bottoms where we could avoid the wind and have a good hill for the fartlek workout.  We were suppose to do 4 30 second relaxed sprint paced uphills with a 2 minute cool down between.  On the second one the person who was watching the time, (I won't mention his name), timed it for 60 seconds instead of 30 by mistake!  So we counted that as 2.  I can see how these workouts are going to be beneficial to me!  I hope, hope, hope I get into the St. George Marathon!  I guess the time is approaching that we will find out.  I hope that since a lot of us had bad luck getting into the Moab half that we will all have good luck to get into SGM.

Tom didn't need a 2-a-day run today, so we chose to try to get a few extra Zs this morning. I went out at about 9:00 a.m. It was nice to run in the sunshine.

Mile one: Started out at a 9:15 pace and it was feeling good. I decided I would try to keep all my miles no faster than 9:00 and no slower than 9:30. End of mile one, ave pace 9:16.

Mile two: I was doing good to stay in my pace. I always have a hard time doing that when I am alone because I get bored and start to speed up. Up ahead of me I saw a tall, skinny person with short hair turn onto the road I was on. I thought it might be my tall, skinny, short haired friend so I started going a bit faster to catch up. As I caught up I saw that it was a tall, skinny, short haired person, but it was of the male variety, not the female. So now I either had to fall behind again...(NOT!), hang out with him...(NOT!) or keep up the speedier pace and chick him! (YUP!) I kept up the pace and he must have turned somewhere, because I never saw him again. I did a turn around to head back instead of going down into the river bottoms. After I had passed him and couldn't see him, I slowed it down. That mile ended up at 8:53.

At mile three I had to stop and stretch a little. I was feeling quite a bit of tightening in my lower, back left leg. It felt good after a stretch and the rest of the miles are as follows...

9:09 9:29 9:12 9:25

Lots of walkers out at that time of day. Not many runners though. The walkers are always bundled up so much. I was passing people while I was wearing shorts and short sleeves. They were in full body wear, one even had big, fluffy, white earmuffs on! I gave her the benefit of the doubt and assumed she is visiting from Arizona or Maui!

Speaking of short sleeves. The only reason I miss my under armor is because I now get some rubbing under my arms against the seams. What do I do for that? Vaseline? Bandaids?

Sorry, I guess I got a little chatty today. I didn't have anyone to talk to while I was running, so I've gotta do my talking now.