ShufflingSista

I hiked Three Pools trail in Snow Canyon with 5th graders on a field trip today.  Over 3 hrs. of walking in sand roundtrip (that does include a short break to eat sack lunches)  I'm definately counting this mileage! It was a good workout, nice weather (high 60's) and good company. Chatted with another mom of course because our 5th graders were way too busy with their friends to care that we were there! I did get to sit by my son on the bus ride there and eat lunch with him, that was nice.  I was so tired on the bus ride home, felt like I just ran 10 mi. or something. Tomorrow I run 6 w/ Heather in am, then Hurricane Half on Saturday.

6 miles w/ my gals today.  Happy with the 9:17 pace, quickest overall pace I've had on a run in a couple weeks.  Tomorrow is Hurricane Half, I haven't had much time to even think about it! Been busy w/ end of school year stuff (Teacher Appreciation, Field Trips).  Then today I had my interview as a Social Worker for the state- kinda intimidating- 5 people sitting around a conference table asking tough questions.  I think I did OK, just hope I have the kind of experience (or lack thereof- ha!) that they are looking for. 

The Positive:

• Beat my time from last year on this course by over 4 minutes
• Good weather for a race, even though cold to start, ended up perfect temp and NO real wind to contend with
• Started at a good pace, didn't go out too fast, felt better at mile 11 than I did at Painter's, finished better
• Miles 1-3, ran my target pace (under 8:23) felt good except for shoe issue (I'll address later)
• Miles 8-10, my favorite part of this race, great downhill where I opened up and ran pretty well (even averaging 7:24 on mi. 9)
• Hanging out with my runner friends & their families! They are so fun & did awesome too. FRB well represented- Steve 1st! Marcie 3rd! Sunny 2nd on her FIRST EVER 5k! Not sure of Dustin or Bill's time, but I know they rocked. I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting, sorry!
• Despite the hills, I still LIKE this course- must be the scenery and wide open roads

The Negative

• Had to pull over and fix shoe (take it off and everything) during mile 2, I had a lump- probably sand. Ate up some time, but I did seem to get it fixed.
• Underestimated the hills! You'd think I'd remember since this was my 3rd time running this- but I really did underestimate them and on miles 4-7 and part of 11 & 12 pace suffered on hills
• Mile 5 had to take potty break, even stand in line! Must've lost at least a couple minutes here
• Didn't make my goal of breaking 1:50, maybe it was too ambitious?

Lessons Learned

• Don't use running shoes for sandy hikes- dumb, I knew this, but needed a reminder- I think that was the problem with my shoe on mile 2
• Eat better! I know how I should eat pre-race and I didn't do it- it backfired at mile 5.
• Need to put hills & speedwork back in my training, have been neglecting those lately, probably would have helped me
• I should have stayed and cheered for my friends getting awards, but I was there without my family and pouting over my time, so I left

Overall, glad I did it, but still peeved about not breaking at least 1:53! That's 2 races in a row that I haven't met my goal (last month, Run for Kids was a bummer too).  Don't know if my goals are too ambitious or if I'm just not training as I should. Maybe I should run Hobblecreek or some mostly downhill 1/2 to feel better...I must be due for a PR soon?

Took a leisurely bike ride w/ family (4 mi) and FELL about 1/2 mile into it.  Gave myself a good hipper and some other scratches.  Wasn't sore from the 1/2 yesterday, but now I'm sure I'll be sore from the bike fall!

2 mi. walking after stuffing myself at family BBQ

(I'm logging 2 miles because the bike ride and walk were moderate and I felt like I exerted energy equal to running about 2 miles)

Not sore from 1/2 but VERY sore from the fall on my bike yesterday.  Will probably just walk this afternoon, break into jog if I feel good enough.  I kinda whiplashed off the side of my bike and now my whole left side is sore, even my knee- so that worries me a bit.

Anyway- plan for week: T- weights, W- run, Thurs- weights & run, Fri- run or bike, Sat- run

3 mile hike this afternoon w/ hubby.  VERY NICE to get away & reconnect.  It was a bit hot, but great hike.  St. George is getting in the 80's, need to bring water & sunscreen if outside very long.

Not sure how to log the miles today. Crosstraining day- 2 mile steep hike w/ hubby.  9 miles on bike at moderate pace in afternoon.  Overall I feel like the effort exerted was equal to a 7-8 mi. run, so I just logged 7 miles for today.  I've taken a couple days off running after the 1/2 and bike fall.  Now I'm feeling good again and Heather & Buff are coming here in the morning for a challenging 4 mi. hill run.

Also did some abs & arms toning today at home.

RUNNING miles- first this week.  Took on Webb Hill w/ Heather & Buff today, wish we had time to run up & down it one more time, but didn't have time.  Still- a tough workout (steep).  Short walk with hubby in afternoon (10 minutes?)

Easy, flat, solo, afternoon run.  Played "don't look at the Garmin" & was happy to see 9:15 for av. pace when done.  Had to stop every couple miles to drink and splash water all over myself.   Its officially getting HOT in St. George (80's)

2.5 walking miles w/ Teddy my hyper pup today.  Also some abs, arms & back light weights/ toning at home.  This ended up a fairly low mileage week but I'm OK with that considering it was a recovery week after the half last weekend.  I enjoyed switching it up with some cross training this week (hiking, biking, walking, toning).  Fun week! (I could have done without the bike fall last weekend, still have a nasty bruise from that) 

6 miles w/ Heather out on a trail (mix of sand & rocks) I can tell I'm going to tired from this run today.  But it was FUN, couldn't be on autopilot (like I am so many mornings) had to watch the rocks.

Something amazing happened tonight.  JIM RAN! Yes, that's right.  My non-runner hubby actually ran 2 miles! I wanted to take a walk with him after dinner, he wanted to go train Jiu-Jitsu- so HE offered to RUN the 2 miles to make it quicker.  Although I should have felt slighted that he was trying to rush through our quality time- I couldn't help but quickly take him up on the offer.  It was the first time we have EVER ran together. Honestly the first time I think I've seen him really run (and I've know him for 20 yrs) so that's a BIG deal.  He did quite well, averaged 11:12 with a couple walking breaks.  He ran most of the route.  I think he kinda liked it, but we'll see what his calves say in the morning...(snicker...)

Sweet afternoon run on the trails.  It was HOT (high 80's) and a bit windy.  But I was feeling good , 8:54 av. pace. 

Wow- where has the week gone? I've been babysitting my 3 yr old niece and the week has flown by.  I've also been busy with job interviews which have cut into my gym time.  I was going to do weights at 9am class Tues & today, but ended up with job interviews at both times.  Now I just need to do something today so I don't feel like a sloth.  I will try to get some weights & toning in at home this evening. Hold me to it!

Met up w/ Heather & Alison today.  It was Alison's first time running with us.  She usually runs 3 miles a few days a week, but she was game for a 4.25 route today.  She did great, had to stop for a side cramp a couple times, but I can tell that after a couple weeks she could easily increase her distance.  She is very fit & I hope I can be as motivated as she is in  a few years (she's 7 yrs older than me with busy teenagers)  We dropped Alison off at home and did another 1.25 mi.  Average pace today was 10:00.

Once again, I love how this blog puts me in touch with great people! Today I ran with Carrie for the first time.  She's so upbeat and nice, very enjoyable run. Always fun to share ideas with another mom too! Heather, Carrie & I ran 7.27 mi. in 9:36 av. pace.  Pretty good considering it was a hilly course and we were all sleep deprived!

I haven't been feeling very good since Sunday.  The kids have had the stomach bug and a cold and I have caught the cold.  I'm just totally drained of energy.  I do plan on doing a weight video at home today, I just feel really soft like I desperately need some toning.  Then hopefully tomorrow I will feel good enough to meet up with Heather & Buff for a run!

PM UPDATE:

Got in an hour of total body toning today, feel better about myself now! Cold is also better after taking it easy today.  Going to run w/ Heather tomorrow. 

Felt good to get some miles in today, first since Saturday.  I felt like I was working hard for only a 9:37 av. pace. (4.83 mi. with Heather & Buff) I think the cold is affecting me and it was windy.  So good to start the day on the right foot! 

Does anybody know anything about Charlie Horses? These plague me while sleeping from time to time.  I've had a couple in the last week and I got one the night before one of my 1/2 marathons this year.  Anyway, I've started taking my multivitamin again and I'm going to try to drink more water- I've read that may help.  My calf was really sore this morning from the CH, so I put off my morning run.  BUT I am PRE-BLOGGING right now- at least 4 miles this afternoon while "A" is at her afternoon sports.  There's a trail close by I will hop on and get in at least 4! Hold me to it! 

PM Update:

So my son ended up with an evening try-out that I had forgotten I had to take him to.  So there went my scheduled run time.  I did make it out for a SHORT 2 miler later at night.  Not been the best week for mileage! I do think I'll get in some good miles Friday & Saturday, I've scheduled to meet up w/ running partners each day, that should help!

Over & over again I fight getting up early and when I do, I'm so happy! What's my deal?!

Had a great run w/ Alison this morning.  4.25 mi. with her at about 9:45 pace w/ some walking breaks (she is only used to running 2-3 mi.) Then 1.5 alone averaging 8:15.  Beautiful morning, nice & cool! (no wind)

Went to meet Heather on her last 9 miles of the Red Mountain 50k, and ran her in.  It was a BEAUTIFUL course.  One of the best I've seen! And the weather couldn't have been more perfect, partly cloudy and cool.  We both thought the race was run VERY well.  The volunteers really gave everyone personal attention and all the aid stations were well stocked.  Heather got lots of cool loot in her runner bag too.  I talked to the race director a bit and he said next year they are going to add a 1/2 marathon or shorter race along with the 50k.  Heather did GREAT! She had a strong finish, I was so proud of her!

I was very inspired by the race reports this past Saturday! Good job everyone!! Another reason I love this blog- the race reports helped to motivate me & get a little more serious about my goals.  I really want to break my 5k PR this year for starters.  I think it would help me to run alone at least 1x a week.  I usually run with friends & we chat the whole time, therefore not really pushing myself in my training runs.  Today I went alone and averaged 8:49 on a tough 5 miler (more than 50% was slight uphill).  I think I can definately get to 8:35/8:40 average pace on my training runs if I run alone more often.  I don't want to be above 9:15 unless its a long run.

I'm thinking about running a 5k in Florida June 7th while I'm down there.  This probably wouldn't be the PR 5k because I haven't really been doing any tempo, speed work lately.  But ESPECIALLY because I don't know how I'll do in the heat.  It will be low to mid 90s and very high humidity most likely.  But I love to do races in other places when ever I have the opportunity and this one is at a cool nature park so I think it will keep hubby & kids entertained while I do a quick (hopefully, hee hee) 5k.  I'll have a week to run down there before the race so I can decide if my body can handle the heat in a race or not.

Abs & Arms (weights) today.  Will run 6 w/ Buff & Heather in the am.  Will try to set the pace and keep it no slower than 9 min. miles.  Not sure if Heather will like that idea since she's recovering from an Ultra!

Long day.  Finally sitting down to blog the run! I must've been really tired today because I slept through my alarm and missed meeting up w/ the gals for the early run.  So I had to get out later in the day alone.  I think it was good for me.  I did the same route as Monday and really pushed myself.  Despite the heat and wind I kept 8:29 av. pace, so I'm very happy with this.  Man, I was working though, it was TOUGH!

QQuestion for bloggies that run in Mizunos (currently I have Waverider 11..I think...)

How many miles do you get out of them? I'm up to 483, but they still feel good?!

Upper body weights & toning again today.  Tomorrow I will run with Alison, then hopefully a longish run Saturday morning.  Saturday I leave town until June 11th.  So no, I won't have fallen off the face of the earth, but probably won't have any computer access until June 12th.  I'll be chilling on Clearwater Beach, FL- thinking of all you running fools.  (J/K)  I will be visiting the in-laws down there and some of my family too (Grandmom, Aunt's family, etc)  I will be running on the sand and enjoying grouper sandwiches.  I've even signed up for the Spring Into Summer 5k and hopefully I won't die of heat stroke running it!  Take care of yourselves dear bloggies & happy running!

Couldn't ask for better weather this morning! Low 50's, no wind.  Just perfect! Met up with Allison for a great run. She did almost 5 mi. with me and only had to stop once.  We kept just under 10 min. miles.  This is really good progress, she is used to only running 3 miles and stopping a few times throughout.  10 min. miles felt like an easy treat today after running under 9 on my recent training runs.  After I dropped Allison off I ran 8:44 for my last mile.  I see light at the end of the slow tunnel.  I think if I stay consistent with a at least 2 runs on my own (not chatting with friends) a week close and keep it close to 8:30 pace I will get faster right?  I think I'd just gotten lazy in my training and thought I could just go out & run without much of a plan. After vacation I'll treat myself to some new Mizunos, these will have over 500 miles on them.  I'm so glad Steve got me in these shoes, they've been great!