I started running in the fall of 2007. I truly believe I was inspired to start running and I have seen some very big blessings come my way because of following that inspiration.
Ran Boston Marathon 2013 & 2014. My favorite PRs: 2011 at the SG 1/2 and 5K where I ran the 5K in 22:22. 2013 Nebo 1/2 (downhill) 1:36:15
Short-Term Running Goals:
Long-Term Running Goals:
Running throughout life with Tom. Staying healthy and happy.
Learn from others, learn from myself, work hard, do my best, enjoy!
On running and on life.....
On occasion we need to make a second effort - and a third effort, and a fourth effort, and as many degrees of effort as may be required to accomplish what we strive to achieve.
~Thomas S. Monson~
Personal:
Going to St. George? Bag the hotel and stay in one of our condos instead!
Update: I have been doing some pool running to keep the cardio alive. This morning when I went to the PT he put some heat and then ultra sound. After that I did my stretches then he did the scraping and more stretching before hitting the pool.
Today he decided to tie me to the side of the pool and do some swimming, mostly kicking along with my pool running. While I was doing the pool running I stayed tied to the side. It seemed to give me a good workout. Only problem today was that the thermostat on the pool was messed up and the pool was 99 degrees! I actually almost passed out after 60 minutes of working out in there. I had wanted to get 70 minutes but I couldn't wait to get out at 60! Oh ya, he also had me spend the first 10 minutes in the 4 foot area and just try to run with the closest form I could with actually touching my whole foot down. Throughout the week he wants me to go to more shallow each time until I am at waist deep. Then I have been given permission to run on Friday or Saturday.
Waited till afternoon to run since I had taken some Meloxicam late morning yesterday. I wanted to make sure it was out of my system before trying day two.
This time I stuck to 40 minutes like the PT had told me. I didn't feel the soreness in the right bum/leg.
Pretty much the same as yesterday only in Payson before my PT appointment. Hard to find any level running roads in Payson! It is all hills. I kept it very easy and felt good. Had a little shin splint in the right leg and a few other muscles trying to remember how to run but not too bad.
Went in for my last PT appt. Darin talked a lot to me about the importance of rest days and stretching, especially as we age and wanting to be able to be active for the long haul.
Some things I tried to commit to:
If I can't commit to running only 3-4 days a week I will at least make sure my easy days are EASY days!
Walk 5 minutes and quick stretch before each run.
Slow stretches after runs.
This week I will take tomorrow off, run Friday and Saturday with the runs getting to 20 minutes with 5 minute walks.
Next week: Monday run, Tues, try 10 miles with some walking breaks. Wed. rest, Thurs, run, Friday rest, Saturday, Hobble Creek 1/2 as a training long run only! Still take walking breaks. NO RACING!
I got to run with my cute hubby again! Thanks Tom for doing a slow easy run with me today! I ran 20 minutes twice with a walk before, 5 minute walk between the two sets and a walk after, which my little doggy was very grateful for.
Tomorrow I will try to do 2 sets of 30 minutes with a five minute walk break. I'm taking it nice and easy to get back to things. I have already planned that Hobble Creek and SGM will be very different than what my plan was back in July. Before injury I was feeling like I could PR in both now they will both be very gentle and just for fun. Possibly I will go for my WR (worst record) in both of them. And that will be just fine! Just being out to run again is enough. I don't want to do anything to set me back again right now.
The good thing about not having the pressure of a 20 miler today is that I got to sleep in a bit longer than a usual Saturday. Got out the door around 6:30, I guess that is still early for most of my neighbors. Today's plan was to run 30 minutes twice with some walking before, between and after. Every once in a while I feel a slight twinge on my left knee (IT band area) so I will continue to keep it easy. But the good news is...my achilles is doing great! I even went up hill a few times today and it felt fine! Yea!
Now....lots to do to get ready for 2 weeks of guests from Japan with a wedding to finish off the month of August! How exciting! Hope I can handle it all. Maybe that is why I was hurt so I wouldn't have the marathon pressure hanging over me during these next few weeks.
Went out to do the 4 mile loop for the first time in a while...I was with Tom until mile 3 where we split for him to get more and me to head up the hill for home.
Tomorrow I try 10 miles. I hope it works.
Soon I am off to the SLC airport to pick up our 4 Japanese guests. I am excited to have Rurika and her mom, sis and friend stay with us! It has been 2 years since Rurika has seen her mom and sis. The only sad thing is that her dad can't be here too.
Busy day....Started off with my first 10 miler post injury and it went great! I started off with Tom and we were able to run together for 3 miles. At that point he went his way for his workout and I went mine. I went up around the golf course and down the trail. In order to make it 10 miles before reaching home I had to add a second up and down of the trail. It was a very nice morning and I was so happy to be running. The last mile and a half or so my right ham string was letting me know it was there so I just slowed things down a bit more and it felt fine. Today it has stiffened up here and there as I have had to drive a bunch. I am icing at the moment and I will take tomorrow off.
Went to SLC today to be with my son and his future bride for their pictures.We had them taken at the International Gardens in SLC. What a nice place. I've never been there before. They had their pics done with her in her dress and him in his tux. I know some people don't believe in the groom seeing the bride in her dress before the wedding, but I am so glad they did it this way! They were darling!
After that we were able to show our Japanese guests more of SLC including Temple Square.
I came into this race after a week of being back on the road after 4 weeks down time. My main goal was to make it without re injury. I wanted to play it smart but at the same time give a good effort. I think I managed to reach my goals.
This was the longest run I have had since the 2nd of July. The last four miles I kept it in the 9:00 to 9:30 range and it felt a little bit harder than I had wanted it to, but still felt better than a regular 1/2 marathon when I have pushed harder. I took walking breaks through 2 water stops and just before the turn into the neighborhood with the water stop. It was there that I was excited to see Tom! I was happy that he had already finished and had ran back this far to run me in and looking like he was doing great! Unfortunately I was wrong...when I met up with him he said he had turned around in the 12th mile or so and came back to run in with me because he had a major crash and burn. That made me sad....but it was nice to have him run in with me.
The last half mile was fun as there were several fans out cheering and many people called out my name! Great to have the support! I was grateful to hit the POP afterwards as I was very well hydrated the whole race, but I wasn't quite as grateful as the lady who came running in after I was done....I am glad I was on my way out or I think she might have thrown me out she was in such a hurry! I felt bad for her....not a fun feeling....been there, done that! : )
Anyway, I was 9 to 10 minutes slower than I had planned on when I signed up for this race because of the down time, but I am fine with that. Just glad I was able to come back. The achilles and everything else felt fine during the race. The achilles felt a little tight afterwards, hopefully it will be fine in the long run.
Our friends were getting rid of their treadmill so they gave it to us. I hate TMs so I haven't done anything with it. Today since I only planned to do 3 slow miles I decided to try it out after the kids went off to their first day of school. I hated every step of it. Did not enjoy it one bit.
Kids were all happy to head back to school. Kind of bittersweet time when they all leave me again. This is a very busy week as our oldest son will be married on Saturday. So happy to have Rurika officially join our family! : )
Six enjoyable miles mostly by myself...got to chat with Wynette for a few minutes and then with Tammy who is doing her first half marathon in a few weeks (Disneyland 1/2). She is excited but nervous. I am proud of her because she hates running and is doing all the work anyway! I hope the 1/2 will help her find a little love for running and she can start enjoying it more. Because it is fun to enjoy!
A little bitter/sweet today as we say goodbye to all our guests and a chapter of our life but welcome back to our regular ole way of living.
I was pretty wiped out last night as I wasn't able to get to bed much before midnight again so I didn't even plan on getting up for a morning run today. I didn't even hear a single sound as Tom got up to the alarm and went out for his run. So nice to just sleep till 7:00. I was even willing to forget all about a run for today if I never felt like going. However, after everyone left for the airport I decided I would go out and try for anywhere from 0 to 7 miles. I think it was 90 degrees or so at that time. I hope I never go to H#%^ or even to Arizona for that matter...I don't think I would be much of a runner in either of those places!
I was able to muster 7 miles...luckily there was a drinking fountain at the half way point. On the second to the last mile when I'm sure I was looking pretty ragged I saw two birds circling overhead. As they were flying they looked like hawks. They landed in a field just ahead of me so I looked over to check them out a little closer. They were vultures! OK, maybe not real vultures, but the ugly bird that looks a lot like them! They were there waiting for me to go down so they could have me for dinner! I like when someone has me over for dinner, but not if I AM the dinner! I swear they were thinking I was going to be their next meal! And with all the eating I have been doing the past few weeks I would have fed them both very nicely! It gave me just the right amount of umph that I was needing to finish my run home.
I am lucky enough to have the option of sleeping in a bit and going running after kids head off to school so this week I have been taking that option. The sleep has been needed.
Perfect morning except for the darn grasshoppers! Not liking them!
I am kind of liking the idea of getting ready for a marathon with no pressures. Whatever happens will happen. Main goals of SGM....Have fun, help others, make it without injury and get a PW!
