Work will win when wishy washy wishing won't

I see the peer pressure had the desired effect! Let me be the first to welcome you officially to "the blog".

Yea Kim!!! I'm so excited that you decided to give us a try. The people on this blog ARE very exceptional, and everybody is improving--at their own level. So it's really fun and encouraging. Hopefully I will see you in Moab!

PS Sounds like that guy at the end of your race was a jerk! I probably would've puked on him...accidentally, of course.

Welcome! I always like to see some Spanish Fork people get on the blog. Good luck with your goals. We might have to start a spouse blog if all this post St. George excitement keeps up!

Welcome to the blog!

Lybi, you always crack me up.

Welcome to the blog Kim! I love the blog because it motivates me to not skip a day or cut a work out in half, the people are so supportive, and you get to learn so much from experienced runners. I hope you get addicted like the rest of us!

Welcome to the blog! Us wives are taking over!

Welcome to the crazy world of running.

Be careful it's addicting

Welcome to the blog!

Welcome to the blog, Kim!

Does this mean there won't be so much talk of vampire books on Tom's blog now? Just kidding. My wife and daughters (all of whom want to marry Edward) haven't let me read the third book yet, but based on the on the other two I think Bella is nuts for not choosing the werewolf Jacob over the vampire Edward. Edward's so cold and hard. Sorry...this is a running blog, not book club.

I'm just glad neither of them are in my age group, because they are FAST!!!

I wish you didn't have a conflict with the Wasatch Back Relay next year. You would be in a great position to pull together a team from the "2 Slow 2 Win 2 Dumb 2 Quit" wives and the women of the blog.

Good luck with your running. You're living with a great exemplar.

Kim, isn't is kind of scary to have so many people watching you.

Good luck on injury free running.

BWT your husband is kind of a running nut and he's getting pretty fast too.

Welcome, Kim! I think you'll enjoy all the characters that call this part of the blogisphere home. Sometimes you feel like a slacker when you see how hard others are working, but other times you're reminded to enjoy life, enjoy running and enjoy the beautiful world around us.

Thanks everyone! It is kind of scary to have so many people watching. But I figure that will motivate me when I need a little extra motivation.

Paul,

That is hilarious that you know so much about the vampires and the werewolfs! I have to agree with you, (all the girls will probably be against me on this one), but I think I would have to choose Jacob also.

Wow, that's tough to make a choice between Edward and Jacob but I think I gotta go with Edward. I mean...he's Edward! Man, I only read those books a month ago but I think I gotta do a second reading! (I think it's funny that some of the guys have read these books, but only because Clyde NEVER would. Funny but awesome!)

The ladies might actually have a chance to out number the guys on this blog! Sounds like we might get to meet you in Moab that would be great!

Yay!! I'm so glad you decided to join. I had an especially nice time talking to you and Tom at the party.I'm so glad it's getting some wives to come and join the fun. I look forward to getting to know you better.

Hi Kim,

It looks like the SF group will be meeting at the stake center by your home at 6am tomorrow morning (and every Saturday) if you want to join. It would be great to have you come out! It would probably be a fast pace for you at first, but if you can fake a 9 minute pace for several workouts, eventually it becomes your real speed. Hope to see you out and about!

Thanks for the invite Michelle, but I don't think that I could fake a 9 minute mile at this point. Maybe someday.

Tom just informed me that I started my blog on the wrong date. Oh well, I did call myself "running behind".

By the way, I like "Running past trees like they are standing still" and I have to tell you that even at my pace I am running past them like they are standing still and it feels good to pass right on by!

Kim--I, too, dream of the day when I can run a 9 minute mile. For now I'm just trying to get to the end of my "runs" without passing out. Seems to be working so far.

Once in a while it is a good idea to run a faster runner at their normal pace when they are not slowing down for you. However, you need to be careful with that. The main concern is injuries.

Yeah for the wives that have gotten sucked into the blog! Wish I had gotten around to more people at the pasta party. Great job making your husband go slow for a few miles. It is good for these hard core runners to take it easy.

Good job getting in 5! Pace sounds good to me!

Great job babe!

Ditto...Good job Kim!

I know this is old, BUT your old splits give me HOPE!! THanks!!!!

You should train 6 days a week. Here is the argument. Suppose you are doing 5 miles 4 days a week. That gives you a total of 20. Now we divide 20 by 6, and get approximately 3.33. Running 3.33 a day times 6 will be easier on your body than running 5 miles times 4 because you have the same amount of weekly stress spread out more evenly, and it is more effective because you are not giving your body a chance to get lazy by having too many days off. In truth, you could probably pad that 3.33 to 4, and that will now give you 24 miles a week with about the same, if still not lesser, amount of stress on your body.

You are doing great! I think I still huff and puff and whattever else. I don't know how others feel but it drives me crazy hence the ipod and loud music so I can't hear myself!

Good job again babe! You're getting on a bit of a roll. Pretty soon now you'll start noticing more some of those changes and benefits you're looking for. I'm already starting to see it.

Let's just keep those darn injuries away!

I tend to slow down when I'm with others because I can't go very fast when I'm trying to talk! It's kinda nice to have those days though. We always say the time doesn't matter, we are just trying to get in the miles!

Way to get the miles in! I look forward to the day when I can run 4 miles at any pace.

Not feeling very chatty today?

Is Rui your little dog? If so I don't know how he can run that fast!

Congratulations on breaking the 3 mile barrier several times this week, especially going 5 miles. I think there is a mental jump a runner has to make to go beyond 3 and you have done it, so you are now officially in the camp of runners who can run 5 miles. Congratulations on a great week! (BTW, your weekly miles are more now than mine were last Feb - March).

Wow! 5 on a cold morning is pretty impressive! And I'm quite impressed your partner was willing and able to go the whole way. Good for her! Maybe like you she has this hard core runner inside that has been dormant all these years just waiting for a chance to shine.

Not much on your bio? Races, goals, dreams, your own Rools? It takes dedication to run on cold mornings. good work. Hawaii was great, all my kids had a great time.

For some reason my computer won't let me put info in the bio. I need to get on Tom's computer and put some info in but I keep forgetting to do that. I'll put it on my list of things to do.

Kim we should just put Firefox on your laptop then you could fully enjoy all the blog's features without some of the Internet Exploder glitches.

In fact you can just click on the box with the Firefox logo just below the "Newest Members" box to install it. If I recall correctly if you install from the blog link then Google throws a few cents Sasha's way.

Done! I can feel good that I got something crossed off my list.

Now I had better go cross some house work and grocery shopping off my list!

Good job! Those mile times seems to be sneaking down, I'm seeing more and more splits starting with '10' lately it seems.

And I must say I'm impressed with Rui, I wouldn't have thought he could do this type workout without major hassles. Maybe I'll have to give him a shot at some 7 or 8 min miles sometime and see how he does. But I'm kinda glad I haven't had to carry a 'clean up bag' for any of my running buddies.

Good work!

Golly Kim I'm jealous, you just barely joined the blog but your Monthly Visitors count is already higher than mine!

I think your pace is dropping and it WILL continue to if you stay at the 5 days a week running plan. Someday Rui (and Tom, perhaps) won't be able to keep up!

For the Japanese visitor, I would suggest taking him to Sundance and to BYU. They have free tours on a golf cart type thing. It's great.

It looks like our training is simliar. I try for 4-6 days and usually end up with 5 as well. How small is your dog? We've got two little ones and I'm not sure how far they could go. I also noticed your post yesterday about having a Japanese student come to stay with you. Clyde and I recently had a 21 year old from Tokyo stay with us for 3 weeks. We had a lot of fun with him (although we were exhausted by the time he left becuase we took him all over the place!). My family has a lot of ties to Japan. I have been there 3 times and we had a Japanese student live with us during high school. He and I are the same age and I consider him my brother. Where in Japan is your son serving? Well enough rambling! Good job getting the miles in!

Mik'L,

My dog is a Silky Terrier, (most people think he's a Yorkie). He is about 12 lbs. He is a very hyper little guy and quite yqppy, but we all seem to like him!

I love all your Japanese ties! My husband, Tom, served in Kobe and my son is currently in the Tokyo mission. We hope to go to Tokyo in Feb. 2009 to pick him up. We hope Kazuki will start to feel more comfortable soon. We only have a week with him.

Thanks for they running support!

That's pretty cool Rui now is taking on a coaching role, encouraging you to get more miles. Perhaps he's possessed by the spirit of Sasha at times! After my last 5K running with Sasha I can see a few similarities in personality.

Great job getting the extra mile in! You're closing in on that 20 mile goal for the week.

I will give you a big pat on the back, great job. I hear you on the wind, I don't mind running in most weather but I

hate the wind.

Excellent! I love setting and reaching goals too. You've got a great attitude. Wind is a drag, literally.

Congrats!!! This might be your best running week ever! You didn't mention specifically, but I guess did you go with Beth today?

We do need to get you some new shoes, maybe we'll have a chance tomorrow on the way back from Thanksgiving point?

No, you do not need any more rest than Sunday off if your six training days are done at appropriate mileage and appropriate intensity. I discovered that "Six days shalt thou labor, and on the seventh shalt thou rest" works very well in running.

Congrats on the new running accomplishment! I agree that mixing it up is nice. I would get the new shoes sooner rather than later if you're even thinking you need new ones. With all the injury stories I've heard on this blog from running in old shoes, it's just not worth it!

Hello Kim and Tom,

Nice to know there are some faces I know on this blog. Good luke to you guys it will be fun to here from you.

Wow! 6.3 that's awesome! Isn't nice to already have that longer run out of the way and it's only Monday?! Impressive for Beth as well, I'm assuming she went with you the entire 6 miles?

Geez! You are making huge strides, here, Kim. Was today your long run, or are you just running this much on a normal day?!?

Thanks guys! Yes, Beth ran the whole way with me. I was very impressed with her!

Today was my long run. I am running 4 on most days. It was really fun to see how each mile just floated by for us this morning. When you get talking and get in the groove it is quite enjoyable.

So you'll be doing 20 milers by Painter's, eh? (6 + 1x14 weeks) ;) Perhaps you'll plateau your long runs before then!

You might move those long runs to Saturday once they get higher, and we hope you'll join the SF group soon. You don't need to have just one running partner, it's great to have many! I think you will be in the 9 minute mile range (9:15-9:45) within a month, and then you'll be able to keep up with many of the SF group.

We figure that through the holidays we will not be adding a mile and have a few weeks to(eat)fudge the miles a bit. ( I don't know how that "eat" got in there!?!:) )

It would be great if under 9:00 minute miles were that close in my future, but I don't see it quite that soon. But eventually! Then it would be fun to come out with the SF gang.

I love fudge! I'll have to make sure you guys get some this year from me. Would you prefer white or regular chocolate?

You don't need to be under 9 minute miles, just in the 9's somewhere. Don't stress about under 9:00.

Regular chocolate!!!!

I actually meant to say under 10 minute miles instead of 9:00. Even that seems far away. Right now my fast miles are between 10:30 and 11:30. That is with the huffn' and puffn' and choo chooin'!

Good job Babe! I think you did the smart thing listening to your hips yesterday and making them "happy".

I sure am proud of you and your diligent efforts the last few weeks!

Good workout, Keep her going.

Good training, keep it rolling, Josh and super tramp, odd couple. Like ACDC and the beatles, two of my favorites.

Once I was cutting my nephew's hair and asked him how he wanted it cut. He said, "Ya know Mr. Rogers?" I said, "yes". He said, "Well, I want it like his,,,,or,,,,A punk rocker!" So maybe it runs in the family that we contradict ourselves!

Good job getting out on your workday! Your blog today made me excited to go to Boston again someday. Maybe next time we'll BOTH be running it!

I can see Tom is optimistic about your running furture. As Tom noted on my blog with pleasure, you out did me on mileage last week. I only got 18 and you did 23+ and this week you'll probably out do me again. I'll try not to let this happen often.

I would recommend at this point running no faster than 11:30 on all of your runs, and extending the distance instead of the pace when feeling good. Do that until faster pace becomes truly conversational, then increase it. The pace should always be conversational.

Thanks Sasha, It does sound a lot more enjoyable to keep them at 11:30!

Good job today Kim! I was just reading your post from yesterday and I have to say that I LOVE Wicked! I saw it in NYC a few years ago and then two years ago in Boston (during the marathon). I have some fun live recordings I should make you some copies of. I even had to tune in to "Ugly Betty" last night (which I have never seen before) because they went to Wicked and showed some clips! I'm dying to get down to LA to see it.

Good job with the strollers. You should get bonus miles for that (or perhaps commando points from Brent).

I agree with the commando points. What a good running partner you are!

Wow, that sounds painful. Regular strollers are not made for running! Make sure you get the 2 year old and try not to be so nice to your running partner, or next thing you know you'll be carrying her piggy back during the runs!

Good job on the miles today! About the pace....when you say "quite comfortable" does that mean you could carry on a conversation without the huff-n-puff factor?

I was thinking about that as I went along. I knew it was a question that would be asked. I tried to carry on a little conversation or sing along with the tunes when I felt like no one was looking. Around 11:10 I feel like I can do that. Maybe Saturday we can get a few miles in together and you can help me determine if it is comfortable enough.

Thanks Kim! The pictures were just taken by our daugter on a not great camera, it's just that paradise just is beautiful with very little help!

You need to go to Hawaii! It's the bomb!

Great job just getting it done regardless of the circumstances! It can really be tough sometimes going it alone.

If you can just stick with what you've been doing for the next couple months I'm sure you'll 1)Find your easy pace getting faster and 2)Finding some other runners with the same speed/goals to train with.

At least one great thing about the blog is even when you're alone you still have all your virtual running buddies watching out for you.

Dang took me forever to get the last comment to post. Is it just me or is the blog really slow and having troubles today?

Hey Kim big kudos for winning the battle this morning! This will make it a little easier next time. I think you certainly deserve some commando points for the day!

I know I do that MANY mornings! Especially as it gets cold, it is so hard to get out of my warm bed. The wrestling is the worst because if you give in, you just feel bad and usually can't go back to sleep anyway! Good job in getting up and getting out!

I had to come visit your site to make sure you weren't going to Chick me on weekly mileage again. Tom's giving me a little attitude about letting a beginning runner out mileage me.

Anyway, if you decide to run 15-20 miles this Saturday let me know so I can adjust my schedule.

Don't worry Terry, I only get more miles than you when you are on vacation. If I tried 15-20 this Saturday I would have Sasha telling me I did a bad. I would also have my knees, hips,head, ect.. telling me the same thing!

But Ter, I am really excited about things right now. My goal is 4-6 days per week with a total weekly mileage of 20-24. I have been doing it and I have done at least 5 days a week and not 4. You know me, I'm a competitor, so eventually I would like to work on setting some new PRs. Right now I love that I am excited about it again. It helps to have a crazy running husband and and crazy running friends like you!

Six miles! good job! That should keep Terry on his toes to not let you whomp him on the mileage board!

What you are doing IS definitely working so I wouldn't change a thing. And don't feel rushed to get the 7-miler in, I think you'd be just dandy with the 3-5 milers you've been doing for a couple more weeks. But hey, I guess if your feeling good next week on a run and still peppy after 5 or 6 miles then GO for it!

I really don't need to get my 7 miler in until the week after Thanksgiving. But if I feel good I would like to get it in and stick with it for a few weeks before moving to 8. That way I can probably keep the long run the same amount of miles for a couple weeks in a row before adding one again.

Congratulations on the strength to tack those extra two miles on. I agree with you Kim about going to 7 next week, then plateau until you are up for 8 is a great idea since you are ahead of schedule.

BTW, you have become much more committed to the sport in the short month you have been on the blog. I am excited to see what the next month brings!

Dang why did you have to go and mention the leave cleaning project, that's gonna make it tough for me to lay around today and watch football and pretend I wasn't aware that you wanted us to work on this while you were conventioning :)

Does this mean the issue of hanging Christmas Lights might also make its way into your blog one of these days?

Gee...I think I might be coming down with something...I better just lay down a bit here on the couch and since I'm here maybe see how the Utes are doing...;)

Way to get the miles in this week. Not reaching marathon distance this week just leaves you with something to work towards. (Oh, did I say leaves? Sorry, Tom.)

Oh oh you did it...you mentioned the dreaded Christmas lights! Boy I can't think of a funner thing I could be doing this weekend and on my birtday weekend no less! Kind of like an extra b-day present or something. Oh and I hope BYU is playing at the same time so I can listen on the radio while I'm putting up the lights! It's certainly no fun just sitting watching on TV.

(Disclaimer: There is no sarcasm in this comment whatsoever).

Good thinking, Im sure Cody would love to get our lights up too. I will be sure to mention that you suggested it. Good luck Tom!

PS Good job running even when the weather didnt cooperate! And good job doing your VT. I sometimes dont know which is harder to get to!

Excuse me, Tom! You make it sound like you are the one who puts them up.

Don't I put them up happilly every year? ;)

Plus in your original comment you said you putting that "on THE 'todo' list not MY 'todo' list so I got confused. Plus I believe you said you are working all day Saturday correct?

...let the annual Christmas light argument games begin.....

Hum, pumpkin smashing, putting up XMAS lights, your right, better now than in the bitter cold. Kim, good job on your running. By the way, why not be one of those pumpkin smashers while on your run, speed work, run fast to the porch, carry and smash and move on.

I thought it was rather cold this morning too! Good job getting out despite the elements. I don't understand how any runner could live in Spanish Fork and that blasted wind. But, then I end up driving to SF every other day to run with friends so I guess that makes me the greatest fool, eh?

Pumpkins-I once waited so long on my pumpkins that there was a permanent mold stain on my porch, but Paul secretly threw them away one night when the kids weren't watching.

X-mas lights-What color are the lights? I sure wish my husband would get on the blog so I can razz him into putting up the xmas lights. It is always my job-Paul becomes a sudden environmentalist and wants to conserve energy. Good job whipping Tom around, Kim ;)

Hooray! Way to get it done Kim! I was starting to get nervous something went wrong this morning as I waited for your blog to get updated and it was taking a while. Glad to see both you and Beth gutted it out and are even a little ahead of schedule for the 1/2 marathon.

Great you felt like could have kept going. Did Beth feel pretty good about the run as well?

She actually did quite well! I don't think she loved the last 3/4 of a mile, but she did it!

Congratulations Kim! 7 is over half of a half marathon, and in a month 7 will be a cake walk for you.

Do you take Tom's Garmin? You might want to record your pace just so you can track your progress and be able to compare your training from year to year.

No Michelle, I take MY garmin! We are a 2 Garmin family! Tom gave me my own for my b-day a few years ago when I was in a running mode. The difference between then and now is this time I'm staying in running mode! I love the Garmin. I will probably start adding my pace more often so I can watch the progress. But it IS a little bit hard to do that when a lot of people on this blog say, "I ran and easy 50 miler at 5:00 pace!" (OK, a little bit exaggerated, but not by much!) :o)

Nothing toughens a runner up like a good ol' SF canyon wind run! That should be good for some of those BSRools/Brent commando points I think. I need to get him over to your blog more often to see all your good efforts!

Sorry to hear about the wind and the son... inspite of the wind you still got in a nice run though!

Did you see the sign up info on my blog or the forum?

Thanks to both of you.

Michelle, I did see the registration. I feel guilty signing me and Tom up when only 6 can be on a team. Should we start a new one?

I don't think it matters we will need more than one team for all of us that want in so if you start a new team now or someone else does later, either way!

Kim, heartache is part of life, hopefully your son will gain perspective from it an move on. By the way, yes, major commando points, 25 commando points, before you get more points, did you pick up the pace into the wind?

Why yes I did as a matter of fact! Not intentionally, I think I was just trying to beat it and realized after I got through it that I had picked up the speed! Thanks for the commando points--I've been wanting some of them! BTW, how did this commando point thing come along?

Kim, your the first one to ask. A couple of years ago I was training with my step son for the St.George marathon. We were on a long run when he decided we should have a contest to be the first to jump a chain stretched accross a shut down part of the trail. Well the race was on, (the chain was about 50 yrds ahead) we both took off like a shot to jump the chain, I tripped over a tree root, splattered on the ground, was back up in a split second and jumped the chain a split second after my step son. My step son said, wow, you are a real commando. From the point on we awarded commando points for outstanding efforts. The real benefit of commando points, they will be cashed in for runner high moments when you least expect. The next time you feel great about your effort, your run, you can look back and say, hey, the run where I earned commando points really paid off. Hey, another 25 commando points for picking it up into the wind, following my Rools. By the way, you can also lose commando points for breaking the BS Rools. Stay cool, B of BS Rools out.

I bet that girl that Dear Johned your son was not helping him foces on his mission. I bet he will become a better missionary because of it. But you cannot stop the heartache.

Totally know how you feel. Often I run with iPod shuffle on the treadmill... so when race time comes or a long run outside and I'm going the same tempo certain songs pop in to my head and I almost half laugh to myself because rather than bring an iPod to listen to I end up providing my own entertainment and probably much to the chagrin of whomever's in earshot.

I've had plenty of annoying song riffs plague my solo runs. The "My Sharona" guitar riff comes to mind as a common culprit. Also not too long ago I had a single line from a recent pop hit going through my mind through the entire duration of a 10-miler..."It's time to be a big girl now....and big girls don't cry..." AAAARGGGH!!! Now it's back again!!!

Hey Kim GU corner you take the road across the river bottoms going south, up the hill untill you hit power house road. During our summer training for SGM we put cooler's there with Power Aid an power gels, so we call it gu corner. usually for our early Sat. morn. long run's.

Funny! I can totally sympathize with the no entertainment runs. Luckily I have only found myself in such a dire situation a few times. Queen is a step up from some of the things I have gotten in my head. Thanks to Sasha, Bingo comes to mind quite often.

I bet it was perfect weather! Thanks so much for hosting the breakfast party for Tom this morning! It is great to hang out with running friends like that.

Kim, Thank YOU for breakfast...the pleasure was mine! I appreciate your thoughtfulness in inviting someone that Tom hardly knows, let alone you. We will have to do it again for sure.

haha, it does seem like these guys get millions of miles in for my one. One day....

Some of these guys like to run a lot of miles, even I am lucky to be top 40 or 50 on the weekly mileage board. That breakfast sounded like fun this morning. I will be down in your area next week and would love to come to breakfast!!!

I got a kick out of your son getting a dear John letter. It is good for him, and now he can be a better missionary.

Thanks for inviting us to the breakfast party for Tom. I'm sure you know this already, but he's a great man, and it's an honor to be counted among his many friends. Thanks for giving us a way to mingle and honor him.

I'm glad you have a friend that is there for you often.

Thanks again for hosting that great runners breakfast.

I wish I could ever say I was starting to "embrace the wind". Nice job sticking with the tough windy run even after Beth left you AND even with a bonus mile. That's awesome!

Awesome, no fear, great attitude about the wind. I like it. Always pick up the pace into the wind!

B of BS Rools out

I have to agree with your hubby, that's one of the reasons that I can occasionally talk myselg to getting up earlier, but not very often! I also sometimes thank the wind for it's help with the workout, mostly on days when I know that I am going somewhere naughty for lunch or dinner!

Way to pick it up and add the extra mile! Signing up for Moab has really inspired you! (I hope we get in!)

I would think you can go 11:10 no problem. Your splits were incredibly consistent and it seems like you are comfortable there. The real test is can you sing the Wicked lyrics at that pace now? Not a whole verse at a time, but a line or so at a time is adequate. It is harder to sing than to talk while running, isn't it?

That's exactly what I was singing today!

I remember you mentioning that as one of your staples. I hope someday to be able to see that play. Have a great Thanksgiving Kim!

Kim I say go by feel which seems to be saying this pace is fine for you. When I've run with you at this pace you seem to be conversing fine. At where you are in your early training I think you're going to see huge improvements in a short period of time so it may be that since Sasha first recommended 11:30 that was correct but how you've already improved to 11:10. It may be in 2 more weeks 10:30 will feel natural.

Hey remember that by the end of 2008 you're going to doing 9's easy and begin dominating your age group, RIGHT?

Tom,

You know I would like that goal! I'll shoot for it!

Kim, I had the same problem as you did today, thought it would be freezing when it really wasn't too bad.... way over dressed though! I think your right about the breathing thing, I need to just relax and set my own pace, but sometimes maybe it's good to push through someone elses and work at harder at didfferent times than I'm used too! (who knows, for me it's all trial and error!) Sounds like you are doing so well, and nice to see some new" wind relatives" today, that always makes it nice!

Congrats on victory again! I think I'll take 10-20 degrees colder with no-wind over much warmer with wind any day.

Unfortunately here in SF we have to resign ourselves to knowing we're going to probably get plenty of days this winter with bitter cold AND wind.

You sure you weren't in the bushes watching?!

It's great that you get to run with Tom so often. I think the last time I ran with Paul was last Thanksgiving, and we were going to run together today but our babysitters all rushed out to hit the Black Friday sales. Perhaps next Thanksgiving. . .

That's great that you got to run together. He seems like such a nice guy. You are doing great on miles...good job.

Kim, thanks for the Happy Birthday. Hey, hills are your buddies? A chance to earn more commando points. Uphill=Opportunity for stronger legs

Hills are the best!

You aren't supposed to be doing 11:15 -11:30 anymore! Your body is telling you to go faster. I would just make sure you feel comfortable and don't go faster than 10 for a while. If you are feeling good just tack on another mile. Have a great week!

Looking at those paces Kim I can see it's happening...I think this is the beginning of you starting to see dramatic improvements in your fitness level. And you're losing weight to boot so that's just an added bonus!

I think you must be stealing sleep hours from me. Give them back please!

Wow! You are looking at having a perfect month, here. I just glanced at your month. Looks like you've run 6 days a week all month. Your consistency is starting to really pay off! No wonder you can't seem to keep it slow!

Hey Kim! I see you're doing Moab with us in March- awesome! I'm getting excited. You asked about BYU, yeah I'm a grad. so I'm stoked about their win. But I have to admit, I don't follow football that much. Just enough to brag when my team wins. (and my husbands a ute so I have to rub it in!) We actually missed the game because we had a broken water pipe in our front lawn that we were working on and turned the game on just in time to see the celebration. Bummer we missed it, but estatic that they won! BTW- Excellent job on your run today!

Kim, the S is back, you will find buddies soon enough, I could not let S go after your story. Ditto, your training and cosistency is really paying off. Also, your sense of humor is great. I am really impressed with the Moab FastBloggingChicks ramping up the training, lookout Moab and 2008 St.George. FastBloggingChicks "Rool"

Stay Cool, B of BS Rools out.

Nice job speeding up as you run! I think everyone is right, you are reaping the benefits of your dedication. Way to improve!!

Wow, you did have an adventure...and a great run. Your training is doing awesome, keep it up (the wind and cold don't help...but I guess it builds character).

Congratulations on a good tough run Kim! And you tacked on another mile, too!

Man if the wind was anything like it was when I left for work you REALLY earned commando points!

Congrats on what sounds like maybe your first big runners high. The way you describe mile 4 and looking at your pace I would say you had the endorphines working for you. To bad they never last forever. Also gotta be careful when under the influence of endorphines not to go crazy and beat up the legs and get hurt. It will be interesting to see how you feel tomorrow.

Quite the adventure today it sounds like. That's a great thing about daily runs especially when you venture into new territories, you never know WHAT type crazy adventure might happen. That's one of the funnest thing on the blog is to see everyone's various escapades while running.

Holy Moly! Kim you are doing really well. Going far, going fast--in crazy terrain and into the wind, no less. For goodness sakes! You've been running longer than you've been on the blog, right? You are going to FLY in Moab!

I don't think I'll FLY in Moab, (I will probably SEE a fly, but that's about it.) I am excited about Moab though. I hope we all get in. Tom and I have booked a cabin and are going to make a mini family vacation out of it.

As far as how long I have been running...I was up to 16 mile runs at about 10 minutes/mile in April of 2005. I had ran the Painter's half in January of that year. I had decided that I would work for a marathon in June. Unfortunately I had knee trouble and it put me down for awhile where it was easy to get out of the habit. I started up again the last week of August this year. I became serious when I joined the blog.

Wow Kim great job. Nice run and adventure all in one!

Kim, no doubt, commando points for the gutsy, crazy run, uphill into the wind on purpose. The problem, you used some commando points today also. Given the weather, jumping fences, cross country, freezing face, etc. 20 commando points earned and 10 used. Net 10. No doubt, the fastblog running chicks are on the move. Men on the blog better crank up their training or they could be chicked at Moab. Last note, be careful out there, carry some pepper spray. Commando points are one thing, safety trumps commando points every time.

B of BS Rools out

Awesome run! I always like it when my runs become an adventure. But that's probably because I don't really like running, but I do like adventuring.

YOU GO GIRL!!! If the wind and chill was anything there like it was in my village then you are tougher than me!!! Luckily getting up early with my husband I avoided that (YEA!!)

Sounds like you had a great run inspite of the crazy detours that went with it, and you really made the best of it by tacking on the extra mile!!! I haven't done an 8 mile run in quite sometime, the last time I did I had a lot of hip pain and so I'm a little gun shy. Time to follow your example and get back on that horse!!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

Brent,

Is using commando points a good thing or a bad thing?

Thanks everyone for the motivation you give!

Kim, using commando points is the best thing. It means you hard work has been rewarded with runner's high.

Stay cool, B of BS Rools out

Great job getting out in the weather! How exciting to get to hear from your son in a few weeks.

I agree with you regarding peoples reactions when you smile or say hi. They just do not know what to think.

Hi Kim, I wrote to you on my blog and then saw you already had answered my question (regarding upcoming races)on your blog! Good job on your mileage today!!

I can't even imagine how much you must miss your son, I am glad Christmas is coming and you will be getting a most special gift.

Regarding the smiles -- it can really make someones day to be kind (and conversely ruin someones day when we are rude and thoughtless). I try to remember this when I am in a bad mood and everyone annoys me ;-)

Bonnie

We often do the same, say hi and wave, about a 50% response. My son-in-law ran a long run with me and we decided to say looking good to each runner. We really got some odd looks.

Looks like with the extra .25 you got Gold-plus today! Good Job!

Nice work out and way to have the determination to get your gold run today that's great. Sometime it takes 2-3 miles to get warmed up and then your ready to run. Great job.

I love your gold, silver and bronze goals. Excellent way to illustrate it. Nice job going gold plus. Seems like if you past the first half of the run, the second half runs itself (sometimes)

Good job going Gold today, you're awesome! Especially getting by yourself going in the cold morning, that's one of the the hardest things getting out of your warm bed to go run in the FREEZING!

I just wondered - are you a northern or a southern Utah type?

Ruthie,

I am kind of a central Utah type. I live in Spanish Fork so it is more like the northern weather, but that's not to say that I don't love the southern weather. I think it is easier to run in cold than extra hot though.

All right, feel better now, not ignored. I like your self reward system, positive, positive. Kind of like commando points. Hum, I eat one banana a day, but, together with honey on toast? Sounds like catsup on mashed potatoes. If it works, every runner on the blog will likely try it.

Kim congrats on another outstanding running week! It's so great to see you doing so well and having such positive experiences every run, even in wet, slushy, yucky conditions!

I would have maybe be wiser today to stay home and run with you.

Kim,

I just put some pictures that I took on Wednesday on my blog. I am also having fun this winter it is what you make it. Sorry you didn't get to the race but sometime things happen for a reason.

run on

I love seeing all your "Gold" runs this week! Nice job getting in all the great miles and staying so positive about the yucky conditions you are dealing with. Love it!

I enjoyed the snow much like you did. I like your attitued.

Take car of the buddy of mine. I want that cold/sickness over soon. Tom's definalty part of my running inspiration.

Kim, bad days come and go. Getting out for a run always does wonders for me. I know that your little clan has been dealing with a bug...if you're feeling up to it, a run will probably help. Hang in there and let me know if there is anything you need! I'm pretty handy in the kitchen...

Please, don't hesitate to ask.

Hope you feel better soon!

Getting out for a run sure boosted me today. Fresh air, sunshine, feeling close to God. Sometimes it's as edifying as going to church.

I hope you and Tom get better soon.

Dito on what everyone else said!!!

Hope you feel better soon!!

Ugh. NO fun, get better soon!

Kim you're doing great. Your form and speed are improving each week and you're also getting dang skinny! It's been great being able to run with you this week. I'm thinking I want to run Painter's with you in January and then go for the sub-1:30 at Moab. I think you'll do great at both races. Moab should be a PR.

Sounds like you had a beautiful run! You are really picking up your training good job it's very inspiring!

I hope some of that snow comes our way, it's all been rain for us and the white stuff this time of year is nice if it has to be cold!

See, that's why I love running in the snow. It isn't particularly because I like snow or cold, it's because there's something about it that you don't get anywhere else. Awesome run!

Well that's sweet! What a good friend. I bet YOU must be a very good friend to have such a good one. PS who is your friend--I want to be her friend too!

Good job on your run, Kim.

Another good run on a cold day way to get it done!

Kim this was a great run and you were moving pretty quick for such cold temps. It was great to be out there with you. I hope we can do these hard cold morning runs occasionally as they make us that much tougher!

In nicer temps I think you would have been doing 10-min pace or better. I think by spring when the temps get nice again you will be a 9-min girl on your faster days. This will also be nice as it will open up some other training options for you as you'll be able to run with some of the SF running club folks if you so desire. Then...soon after that.... you begin DOMINATING your age group at the local races. I can't wait to see it happen, it will be awesome! Hopefully we'll BOTH be dominating our age groups and our competition will be afraid....very afraid...

Kim, you really becoming a commando trooper during these tough days of winter. I expect you will really kick butt when the weather gets better.

Stay Cool, B of BS Rools out

Oh my goodness, what an experience! Hard time of year to loose a home. Bet you two didn't sleep all that much last night.

Fabulous job on your run, too! Oh those conditions sound so hard to me. You are to be commended for perservering (sp?).

Stay cool, Brent? That's easy to do in this weather!

Thanks for the encouragement from both of you!

That really puts a damper on the holiday season in a neighborhood! I sure that the community will pitch in and take good care of things, but if there is some way that we would be able to help out let us know! I can't even imagine.

Sounds like the run was just a little on the cold side, glad you had the hubby along for moral support, good job finishing!

Sorry about Moab! Geez!

I will be carrying Sylvia's gym bag at Moab. My lottery ticket was not a winner. 25 commando points for the great attitude about the wind.

By the way, I am going to take Christmas off from running. Sylvie is going to hide all my running shoes.

Stay Cool, B of BS Rools out

Kim, I'm sorry that we did not get into Moab! I guess that I have poor luck! So have you thought of a back up plan?

I should've known we'd get shafted when Tom joined the group--he's had terrible luck with lotteries! JUST KIDDING!!! We'll find some race we can all run in--just wait. I'm going to start a thread on the discussion board.

It is a bummer none of us got in to Moab. I didn't know you were coming for Painters? What kind of pace are you doing it at? I might be tempted to join you if it's slow enough for me to do as a training run. I'll have to get going if I'm going to be up to 13 by Jan 19th though!

Brave girl! I had to do a solo once and that was the last time.

Good job multitasking and getting the run in, and even more fun to do it with the hubby!!

Wow Kim, great job! 10 miles is awesome and you are doing good all week too!

Thanks for the motivation!! I'm not sure I would have done it if it wasn't for you and Lybi setting the standard!!! You are doing amazing and have been at it for a shorter time than me! I guess I just have needed a few gentle nudges!!! Thanks again!! (I hope to get a few more of those in before St. George.... Hope that I can!!)

Kim, 100 commando points, highest week ever. What is more important, watching your improvement, you have crossed mental and physical barriers and now are moving towards bigger goals.

Stay Cool, B of BS Rools out.

(I need to check on Tom). It seems that some commando points are likely due him.)

Holy Smokes! What a great week! You must have a lot of potential because you are taking a lot less time to handle the higher mileage than I am. Congratulations!

You're doing Painters! That's awesome. I'll see you there! Are you considering the Striders half on April 5th in lieu of Moab? Hope so...

Ditto what Brent and Lybi had to say Kim! You had a super running week and those paces starting with 10 and 9 are becoming more commonplace every week. You are awesome!!!

My goodness, what have you and Tom been eating for Breakfast these days! Whatever it is, it is working. Nice run.

You guys sure do have a lot of things going on. Hope you are able to have a Merry Christmas regardless!

Great job on the run Kim! Glad you're feeling happier! Just over 30 minutes until we call Japan...YiPPee!!

Hope that the phone called helped a ton!! What a nice Christmas eve gift for you!! Nice run too, it always helps my attitude to get out and run and gives me time to think and put things into perspective!!! Hope you have the best Christmas!!!!

Kim, Merry Christmas, there is a star shinng for you and your family. Take Care.

When doing a long write-up, hit Save Entry once in a while. Then if something goes wrong (even if your computer goes up in flames), you will lose only what you've typed since last Save Entry.

Kim, glad you had a special Christmas and got to share it with your son. Your right, St. George is too long to wait for a Fast Running Blog party. Many bloggers run the Striders half, Hobble creek, etc. It seems something around one of those events may work. By the way, congrads on getting out for a run today. Day off for the Barney Bunch. It was a fun Christmas Day.

We did get new running tights for X-mas and gift cards that I am going to buy two pair of runnings shoes tomorrow, Road Runner sports.

Stay Cool, B of BS Rools out.

Great job Kim!

This is another great run for you Kim! One of those character builders. I guess we should be thankful for "character building" runs but I for one am really looking forward to some nice springtime runs sometime in the future!

I'm surely glad the little old lady didn't run you down.

Kim, I know the feeling, practice you jump and dive moves, you never know. Be safe out there, way to get out and brave the weather.

Stay Cool, not freezing, B of BS Rools out

Little old ladies can be quite dangerous! Glad you made it home safe and sound. Great run in the snow!

Your a real trooper to brave the crazy drivers on a regular basis! I ran in the city yesterday and it gave me a whole new respect for you guys up there! Way to get the run in under less than perfect running conditions! Hope you stayed warm and had fun in Park City!!!

Kim I think you may be becoming as much as a running addict as me! Good job on your run today!

Also nice job doing your good deed for the day helping the kid. I think that rounds your 4.25 at least up to a silver maybe even a gold.

Uh, I don't think so Tom! Maybe a bit of an addict, but not as much as you! However, I do feel like what we have is a good addiction and not a harmful one.

WOW Kim you are really rock'in out there, way to be!!! Are you doing Painters? You are sooo ready! What was your pace for the long run today?

Kim, gold day for you, great work. I expect a PR at the Painter's Half.

Stay Cool, B of BS Rools out

Wow, Kim! I know I say this a lot, but I am just SUPER impressed at how fast you have been improving. Sheesh!

Thanks you guys! It's fun to have the support of all of you! I am doing Painter's. There is a possibility I will be doing it slow with a running buddy. However, I don't think she is ready to take the plunge so her and I might do our own half in March or April. My average pace for today's run was 11:05. I'm not quite sure what to expect to do Painter's in, but I would hope to get a PR.

Kim:

Good training this month. The only thing I would change is set the minimum goal of 5 miles for the day. If things are not working out, do it in two runs. E.g 3 in the morning, then 2 running some small errand in the afternoon. But a day must not end until you've put in 5 one way or the other.

Regarding Painters. I would go out with Lybi at around 9:00 pace and just see what happens. It is hard to say from your workouts for sure that you would be able to hold it, but it is a very likely possibility being at a lower altitude ,not wearing several layers of clothes, and finding yourself in a race situation. A sub-2:00 attempts would be worth a try.

Sasha,

Thanks for taking time to look at my training and giving me some suggestions! If my running friend, Beth, ends up not running I will definitely try for a sub 2 hour.

Kim, how can I not put in those miles when you and Lybi are raising the bar on me every day!!! (Thanks!) I really should have gone longer but it was getting dark and cold and when my husband and I parted ways he told me to hurry home and he would take me to dinner so I just HAD to cut it short!!!

I am going out at 9:00 pace? I don't think I was notified! I was thinking more "whatever pace feels good at the time".

Lybi - your officially stated goal is to break 2:00. This is 9:09 avg. If you can hold 9:30 in a training run, 9:00 should be very doable in a race situation. So come race day, barring a sickness, or exceptionally adverse weather, 9:00 should feel good and very natural.

Hey don't sweat the times being off. I think 2:24 and 2:17 round down to 2:20 and 2:10 don't they? Besides you'll be doing sub-2 here in a couple of weeks and blow both those times out of the water!

Great job this year with the running. 2008 will be even so much better I'm thinking.

Kim, I didn't know that you have ran the Painters half before. What do you think of the coarse? I'm still a little in limbo and not sure what to do for sure!

Michelle,

I'm not like some of the people on here who can remember every turn and every incline of a race. I know that in the 2000 one it went around and into a town called Bloomington or something like that. Anyway, I loved it that year. It was a fun, pretty loop. In 2006 it was after the flooding so they had to do an out and back course. It was ok but I definitely liked the first one better. The second time my garmin registered the race a bit long, that doesn't make me like it more. Soon after I ran the first one I found out I had been 2 weeks pregnant. So I didn't continue to run then. I know, I wasn't very smart. Pregnant women can run safely, but I didn't know that then. The second time I ran it I decided to go for the marathon training afterward. That is when I trashed my knee. Not knowing how to handle training and injuries at that time I let it take me out of running again. So I have never tried to improve on a half marathon while in continuous training. I am excited to stick with it this time. Sorry for taking so much time and space to answer your question.