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!
Rui and I went out for 4 miles. It took 44:38. Each mile ranged from 10:30 - 11:30. I threw in some wind coming from the east just to keep things exciting. Ran with the soundtrack from 'Wicked' today. If you haven't had a chance to see that and you get the chance it is awesome! When Tom and I went to Boston last April for him to run the marathon, we tossed in a trip to NY. While we were there we were able to see Wicked. Fifth row! It was so good! We also saw 'Avenue Q'. (actually we walked out of that one), just a warning to anyone else going to any broadway musicals. Don't waste your money on that one unless of course you like raunchy x rated things to spend your money on!
I am so glad Tom qualified for Boston and we were able to go there. What a great experience! Even if the weather was not exactly great! The marathon was so fun to watch as a spectator! The crowds were down a lot because of the weather, so I was able to walk along the last 6 miles of the course and cheer and watch people the whole way. Even with the crowds down, the runners felt like they had huge cheering sections for the run! I guess it is a pretty great feeling to have all that support along the way. Tom had his name on his shirt and said it was fun to have people cheering him by name.
For some reason I slipped my IPod in my pocket before going to pick up Beth. When I run with a partner I don't use it. But when she opened her door I could see that I would be using it today. She wasn't going to be able to join me again.
I decided that since I was alone I would try a 5K and make sure there were only 10s in front of each mile and no 11s. I did it. The total time was 32:52. (10:47,10:45,10:21, .58) I was hoping that for the effort I had put in that the time would have been a little less. It felt like a race, especially toward the end. I wouldn't have been able to keep that pace if I would have been continuing on. However, I feel good now. Sometimes when I push it hard, a headache starts right in. Now that I've rested for a bit I feel like I could get back out and go some more.
I am loving these beautiful autumn mornings we are enjoying here in Utah! I can say that because the sun is starting to shine when I get out. Not sure I would enjoy it as much in the dark and colder earlier hours as so many of you do!
Waited until Tom returned home from his scout camp at the sand dunes so I could run with him. We had a lovely run in the sun. Sasha had advised me to keep my times close to 11:30 per mile for the time being, so that is what we did. Tom continued on without me for 4 or 5 faster miles. (11:54, 11:38, 11:38, 11:36 and 1:28 for the last .13.)
This beautiful weather is going to come to a bitter cold end one of these days! I am so happy to have it stick around as long as possible! Last January was such a cold, cold month, I hope that isn't in our future again this year!
One mile with Rui while I waited for my partner to get ready. Then 3.1 with her and her 2 year old and 3 year old. Each of us got a stroller and a kid. It makes quite a bit of difference pushing a stroller, especially just regular old strollers instead of jogging strollers. I'm glad I don't have to do that all the time. However, I will be doing it on Wednesday with her again.
Just me and my music out on another beautiful fall morning! I love having a garmin so I can change my route up as needed for distance or distraction. It is amazing how many new subdivisions keep cropping up all over. I didn't take Rui with me today, he seems to like the 3-4 mile range best.
Sasha, you told me to keep it at 11:30 per mile. I am able to do that for the first two miles, but I always find myself creeping toward 11:00, (sometimes even in the 10s), and feeling good. I feel like I am quite comfortable at 11:10. If I keep it between 11:00-11:30 does that sound ok? I really want to do what's best, I do not want injuries. This is today's miles.
11:22
11:31
10:43 (didn't realize this until the beep at the end of the mile)
The good news is, I didn't have to push someone else's 3 year old in a rickety old stroller. The bad news is, I was on my own again. I wish I could find that one person out there in my area who has the same speed and goals as me and is looking for a running buddy! The girl I run with now has 2 preschoolers at home so we have to rely on her work-at-home husband to help out while we run. Lately it hasn't been working for him, so it messes her up, which in turn messes me up. I guess it doesn't affect my runs, it just makes me go it alone.
Oh well, I am just excited that I am in a routine that is working for me!
I think I answered my own question of the other day. Running at 11:00-11:15 probably would have me working too hard while I am talking. By myself it seems a good pace, but if I were really carrying on a conversation, (which I 'd enjoy if it weren't a conversation with myself!), I would probably get too winded.
WOW! I wrestled with myself and I won! I needed to get up earlier today to get my run in. I have things I need to go to soon and wouldn't be available again till 3:30 or 4:00. So last night I set the alarm clock and decided I could go out when it was dark for one day. Well, this morning I woke up about 45 minutes before my alarm went off, (don't you hate that?). I looked at how dark it was and felt how comfy it was in my bed and decided to turn my alarm off. I thought I would just come home later and get my run in then. I rolled over and thought I'd go back to sleep. But that is when the wrestling started! All kind of things went through my head...."If I go later I will have to shower and get ready again because I have round table tonight." "If I don't go now, I probably won't get it in today." "If I go now my back won't be ready because I usually have a few hours up before going." "If I go now I will miss my snuggly warm bed." "Wait, what was that I read from Sasha yesterday? He said, 'no one wants to go running when they are in bed, but you just get up and do it!'" I finally looked at the clock again and it said the exact time I had set the alarm for in the first place. So I JUMPED out of bed and DID IT!!!!!!!!
Got my 4 miles in. Got a little feel of what many of you do every single run! I have to say, it wasn't that bad, but I do enjoy the sunshine!
So thank you Sasha, and all you other supporters! You helped me win the wrestle with myself!
Ran with Beth this morning. Things worked out in her favor to be able to go with me, (no kids, no strollers). It was a little chilly at first, but fortunately our little furnaces got warmed up quickly, (almost too warm during part of it.). I dropped her off at 4 miles and felt good enough to add two more. Very exciting. Next week I need to get a 7 miler in on one of the days.
A note about yesterday. After I wrestled with myself about getting up earlier so I could get my run in before other things got in the way I went to the school to be a mother helper. (That is the reason I couldn't run at my regular time.) Well, when I got there it was a substitute teacher and she had no idea what to do with me. So I came back home and got a few loads of laundry done. It was kind of nice to be ready for the day and be able to get a few more things done during that time. But I just don't think I would stay committed if I had to wake early and go alone in the dark all the time. What I'm doing right now is working, so I'm not going to mess with it.
I finally got some new shoes. Wore them yesterday and today and they are feeling great!
I just looked at my weekly mileage and realized I am .10 from running the length of a marathon. Bummer, if I would have been thinking I would have added it onto today's run! Oh well.
Nice 3 miler with Tom and Beth. Warmer than I was expecting. Over shot my mileage goal a little bit, but it feels good. It was 20-24 a week, but maybe I can up it to 22-26 now.
Off to a convention is SLC while the family gets to clean up leaves from 2 big globe willows in our yard.
Beth joined me for 4 today! I got the extra .25 while she ran in the house for a potty break. I'm starting to get a bit nervous about the inevitable weather change that will come eventually. I don't have a treadmill or a gym pass. Tom and I have been wondering about a TM. The only way I can really find room to have one is if we get the kind that fold upright. Are they any good? For me I wouldn't need the fanciest one out there, but Tom would probably give it a run for the money. I hate to buy a piece of junk. If anyone has advice on this we'd love to hear it!
My goal for this week is 4 miles each day except for one day where I will get 7.
Tom said the weather was nice when he was out earlier. It was a bit nippy for me. The wind had started up and that was the problem. It was great when the wind was pushing me along, but it doesn't seem to work to just run one direction. You never get back where you started.
Today I was aware of all the people who still have soggy jack-o-lanterns sitting on their porches! Get rid of 'em already! Maybe they are waiting for some teenage pumpkin smasher to come along and throw it on the road for them. But even the pumpkin smashers don't want to mess with them when they have turned to mush!
On the other hand, I was looking at the few smart people who took last weekend to put up their Christmas lights. It's always a smart thing to do before the nasty weather hits. Maybe I'll have to put that on the "to do" list for this weekend and hope that the weather is perfect for it!
Well, I'd better get showered and of the do my visiting teaching!
Yeah!!!! Beth and I got our 7 miler in today!!! It feels good to have it in! I feel great, like I could still be out there running. I think it helps me that it is a slow pace, (it is turtle pace for most of you). It makes me feel like I could keep going. I'm happy to be on track for the 1/2 in January.
The wind tried to discourage me all the way through this run! No matter which way I turned I felt like it was against me. One time as I made a turn I wasn't expecting a gust from the side and it almost tripped me up.
A little sad note today, (but also a good thing), Tom and I received our weekly email from our son serving an LDS mission in Japan and he said that this week he was "Dear Johned" I wish I could go give him a big hug. I know he knows it is for the good and all will be well, but that doesn't always help the heartache that goes along with it.
I walked over to Beth's house to pick her up and she came to the door looking not so good. She has a nasty head cold. I should have put the mp3 in my pocket just in case, but I thought she would be with me so I didn't. We live near each other but I thought if I went back in my house to get it I might not come back out. So I ran without Beth, without Rui and without the mp3. That left me, myself and I. I was OK company, but me and myself were quite boring so I had to keep the conversation going alone. But at least I got to talk and think about what I wanted. Another very beautiful day to be outside in! The wind was much more cooperative for me today than yesterday.
Just a question...I wonder how many times the lyrics, "we will, we will rock you, bom, rock you, bom." can go through your head when you run alone for 4 miles? I lost count. Kind of like "how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?"
Finally got my run in for today. It is a very beautiful day here in our neck of the woods! It is going to be a much more difficult chore when those frigid temperatures come along!
Tom ran with me today. He got his millions of miles in and then humored me by going four with me.
Terry said he runs with his friend the moon. I guess I now have a new running buddy, the wind. He must like me because he seems to want to run with me everyday. Tom says it's not that windy when he is out earlier. I guess the wind is like me and likes to be in bed when it's DARK outside. Oh well, I am starting to embrace the wind and enjoy the extra workout he helps me with.
Beth was with the wind and I for almost 3 miles. She wasn't feeling very good so I dropped her off intending to get one more in. I felt great so decided to take it to five.
I thought today was going to be much colder. I was overdressed for the occasion. My friend, Wind, only showed up for about a quarter of a mile, mostly I ran with his little sister, Breezy. She's not so bad to run with, especially today when I was overdressed, she kept me from overheating. Sasha tells me I should run 11:30 per mile. I find myself always going a bit faster than that. When I go by feel I am usually around 11:10. In fact, look at these times for today...
11:05
11:07
11:08
11:06
It seems like with that being so consistent that it must be the comfortable pace for me. Sasha or anyone else who has knowledge on training please let me know if this is ok. I really don't want to get an injury by doing the wrong thing. When I run with Beth we go much slower, (12:30-13:00). With her it doesn't bother me to go that pace because I am with someone. But on my own there is no way I could go 4 or more miles at that pace.
I keep being a little nervous about the weather change. But today was actually quite enjoyable again. A little nippy on the nose and cheeks, especially at the beginning. Beth did very good with our 4 miles today. Most of it was even just a little speedier than her usual pace. No wind today.
I joined the SF/Salem running club this morning on their Thanksgiving morning run/party. Tom went out early and put in some fast miles so he could run with me. Otherwise I would have been alone at the end of the pack. It feels good to know I have been out and got a run in on turkey day! Hope everyone has a great day today with safe travels and enjoyable experiences. Kinda silly, but one of the things I am thankful for today is the FRB and especially all the people on it!
Fun, brisk five miler with Tom. See his blog for nostalgia remarks. Most of the memories he mentioned were also mine. (except maybe the first kiss with Sheree).
Tom went out this morning because he knew he wanted to watch the big BYU/Utah game today. I didn't plan to watch the game so I decided to wait until it was a bit warmer. I took Rui with me while I am here in Manti. Not a good idea. Too many dogs are able to roam free around here. I got a bit nervous a few times. Luckily we made it without any huge altercations. Took the first 1.5 uphill. I'm kind of use to a more flat Spanish Fork course.
Uphill=Yuck
Downhill=Enjoyable
Overall experience=Very glad to get out and get 4 in today!
It felt good coming back to my own territory. Friday and Saturday I felt so sluggish on my runs. Saturday night when we got home from Manti I fell asleep on the couch at about 7:30 p.m. I finally pulled myself into bed at about 10:00 and slept till 7:30 the next morning. That's 12 hours of sleep! I'm not quite sure what happened there. I guess I all of a sudden had 6 straight weeks of running 6 days a week. (I think I had one 5 day week in there). Maybe I just needed a little nap.
Anyway, it felt good today. I ended up with no buddy, no dog, no mp3 and no wind. Just me with the sunshine on my shoulders makin' me happy. We do need to see some winter sometime though. Yesterday in church a local farmer said the invocation and I could feel his sincere desire to receive the much needed moisture. So when we finally get dumped on please help me remember that humble farmer friend of mine.
Back to the run. I felt good today and had a hard time keeping to the 11:15-11:30 that I am suppose to be doing. The first mile was 11:10, but I kept speeding up. 2nd was at 10:57, 3rd was 10:50 and 4th was 10:37.
Wow! Today was Kimi's running adventure! I set out to do my 7 miler for this week. For some wild and crazy reason I decided to take the first 3 miles straight up into the mouth of the canyon where our famous Spanish Fork wind comes from. It was a the cold of the wind that was bothering me more than the force of the wind. My face gets so cold to start out with.
I went to areas that I haven't gone to before so I came across a few adventures. One street led to a dead end so I turned to go up another one. It led to an undeveloped cul-de-sac so I had to do an unplanned trail run to get to another street. (I almost sprawled myself on the ground there.) On the other road I ended up on a lonely stretch with about 10 yards of weeds between me and the main highway. There on the highway was a hitchhiker going the same direction as me. It kind of gave me a weird feeling to be right there so I pushed into the wind to get out of an uncomfortable situation. When I reached the top of this road I remembered they had closed it off to traffic. I thought I could just go through some weeds for a bit and get onto the next road right ahead of me. But as I reached the end I realized they had put a barbed wire fence up all along the area. I looked around and found a place where someone had bent the fence down so I climbed over there. On the other side the wind was waiting as fiercely as ever for me.
Later on a dog came my way, he made me a little nervous as he came toward me, but then passed me like I wasn't even there. I was happy for that. The whole run felt great! I actually had to pull myself out of the 9s once in a while. At about 4 miles I felt like I could take on the world! I actually got the chills and it had nothing to do with the chill in the air. I just liked the feeling of what I was doing! At about 6.5 miles I could tell I was on track to be a little over 7 miles so I made a few turns into the wind again to take it up to 8.
My overall time was 1:24:14
Average pace 10:35
10:43
10:57
11:24
9:58
10:11
10:03
10:22
10:32
And now I am sitting here freezing so I shall go take my nice warm shower!
Today is the nine month mark for our son who is serving a mission in Japan. I am looking forward to a special call on Christmas from the land of the rising sun!
Here are my current daily mileage goals.
Bronze=4 miles
Silver=4.5
Gold=5
Long run once a week= 8 and above as I work for the Painter's half on Jan. 19.
Today I hit gold. Average pace 10:38. Felt great.
I smiled at everybody I passed today. It's fun to watch reactions of people when you do that. It's amazing how we just don't smile and wave as often anymore.
Beth hasn't been able to get out with me at all this week because of her husband's work schedule. She was planning on today and I was looking forward to running with her. However when I went to get her she said he had returned home last night at 4:00 a.m. and was called out to leave again this morning. I would hate it if Tom's schedule was like that. Anyway, I was glad I had thrown the mp3 in my pocket. I commend Beth for being a mom of small kids and having to do it alone so often!
Starting out today my left leg felt like it was still home in bed. It took about 2 miles to not be thinking of forcing my leg forward. During the first 2 miles I was thinking I would just hit my bronze goal of 4 miles today. But if you get yourself far enough from your house you don't get much of a choice. Actually the last 2-3 miles were much more enjoyable. So Gold for today!
Beth was able to join me today. She was able to go 4 with me, (we kept it real slow). I threw in one more on my own to reach the gold!
I was going to mention yesterday that after my run I had a Sasha recommended honey and banana sandwich for my breakfast. I wasn't sure what I would think of it, but I quite enjoyed it and am going to go have one again right now. I put it on a piece of whole grain toast. I think I'll add a cup of hot chocolate today. It took me all day long yesterday to get warm. Maybe that will help warm me from the inside and give me some of the calcium that I tend to neglect.
