ShufflingSista

The picture doesn't do it justice- but that's my son Toby in his halloween costume.  He went as an old witch carrying a baby on her back.  It really was hilarious!

Feels good to start a new month and know that I started it off well w/ a 10k! (One of my favorites- the little valley loop) Thank goodness Heather called last night to make running plans for this morning (thanks Heather!) or I'd probably still be in bed with a sugar induced coma! 

Anyway- we started a good pace today, but our overall average was just about 10 min. miles.  Neither of us took a watch but that's our best guess from our start & end time when we looked at her car clock.   

Heather & I plan on a 5-6 mile formaster tomorrow and long run w/ the sole sisters Sat. (probably about 10)

Mik'L if you want to join us for Fri. or Sat. run, let me know! Love to have ya!

4.7 in 47.  10 min. miles.  I was hoping for faster, oh well.  Ran alone (my choice for sleeping in and missing the 6am run w/ Heather) stopped to stretch a couple times, that affected my time I guess. I'm sore today, ankles and feet.  Probably need new shoes.  Keep saying that but haven't done anything about it.  Afraid to try to pick some out 'cause I'm so indecisive and seem to pick the wrong ones. The weather was perfect anyway, nice fall mid day run!

 Its FRIDAY! Happy day!  My sis-in-law offered to babysit, think I'll take her up on it and go see a movie w/ Jim.

Had to drag myself out of bed to meet the Sole Sisters for a Sat. long run.  Don't know why, but lately running feels like a chore some days.  I don't want it to be that way! So I'm trying to mix it up with runs later in the day, etc.  Need to see that sunshine sometimes and enjoy this beautiful fall season.  Anyway- REALLY glad I went!  These girls are almost all BQ runners so they really force me to step it up.  Our average time was 9:50 with a couple stops. I know our pace was closer to 9:30 when we were trucking along and not making stops (had a water break and had a friend meet up w/ us- so 2 stops).  This run got my 25+ miles for the week in, so that's another plus.

After the run I went to the gym and signed up for 6 weeks of personal training.  I'm really excited! I've been thinking about doing it for awhile, but the price discouraged me.  Then one of the girls on the run told me about a special the gym was running- so I took the plunge.  I'll be going in on Mondays late in the morning to meet w/ the trainer, then I'll go back on Thurs. and do the program alone.  I think this is what I really need and I don't think it will interfere w/ running.  My body is just going through some mid 30's changes that are no fun and I really want to tone up.  I love running, but it just doesn't address everything for me. 

4.7 mile foremaster (hilly) loop w/ Buff & Heather.  Average pace 9:47.  Felt fast, but I guess those hills slowed us down a little.  Running w/ Buff really makes me step it up, she's fast! I was a little disappointed when I clocked the run after and it was only 4.7, I was hoping for 5 miles at least.  Sure do hope Santa brings that Garmin so I can know these things while still running and not in my car driving the route- boy am I old school!

Later today went to gym for 1st mtg. with personal trainer. My early Christmas present to myself!  She weighed & measured me, asked my goals and we talked about healthy eating.  She's going to make a plan for me and I go again Wed. to start it.  I'm excited! This trainer won 1st place in the Utah bodybuilding (fitness) competition and 5th in the nation.  So I think she really knows her stuff and she looks great without looking bulky or manly.  I should firm up some in 6 weeks I hope?!

Patting myself on the back for getting out tonight!  I slept in and missed my 6am run.  No partner to run with this morning and no motivation to get out in the dark & cold.  Then rushed to get kids to school, vote and onto Vegas for a mortgage convention.  Didn't get back until late in afternoon.  Hubby was a sweetie and shuffled kids around for me today and took care of dinner (pizza).  After dinner and full of pizza I decided it was time to sneak away for a run.  I'm usually wiped out by this time of day, but I felt good so I decided to go.  It was a great evening run! One month after the marathon and I think this is the first run since the marathon where I have felt really good. It was dark and the temp was perfect and cool.  I took the IPOD and elected not to take a watch-didn't want to worry about time tonight.  I started off on one of my usual 4 mile routes knowing I would want to make it longer.  I was able to extend it a mile making it into a nice new loop with a view! Looking forward to running this loop more often.

Met at Heathers w/ Sara in tow and ran to track.  Met up w/ Mik'L.  We ran a couple laps to warm up, then 4 x 400s w/ 200 recovery in between.  I liked this much better than 200s.  I could slow down just a little, yet still work on speed for a full lap. My first 400 was my best 1:37, the rest were slower, about 1:41 or 1:42.  Then we ran back to Heather's.  These girls are so fun, we had a great time this morning.

If I have any energy later today I'll try to get in a couple more miles.  Meeting w/ the trainer at 11am!

When am I going to fit in work around all this working out? Ha!

Met up w/ Sara this morning to run 4 miles.  She is just starting to get into running (or maybe back into it?) She is doing great and completed her first 5k a couple weeks ago.  I'm hoping we can get her up to running 5 & 6 miles w/ the group soon.

Plan for tomorrow is 5-6 on my own, a late morning run.  I've been feeling myself burning out on running lately.  Maybe its the "post marathoners"?  Almost all of my runs have been social lately.  I think maybe I need a few alone and without my watch to get the joy back in my step?  Need some new race goals too.  At this point I'm excited to run Moab 1/2 in March, but no other races are getting me excited before then.  Still deciding if I'll do the Snow Canyon 5k next week or not... 

Wimpy day today.  I procrastinated my run until almost dark and didn't have much time.  Good thing I'm meeting Heather in the morning for 5-6.  I think I'll barely make my 25 miles this week. Having motivation issues.

Can't wait until Monday to meet w/ personal trainer.  I know I should have the will power to make myself eat & workout well by myself, but I just don't right now.  I'm ready for her to kick my butt!

Later tomorrow morning- Turkey Trot w/ the family-really its just a glorified 1 mile walk- but the kids love it. 

Thanks to Lybi posting an inspiring quote by Wirthlin on her blog yesterday- I decided to get out my new conf. edition Ensign last night and read.  It really lifted my spirit and thankfully carried over to this morning.  I woke up refreshed and ready for a good run w/ Heather.  We went 5.25 on a route I don't do very often which was a nice change from Foremaster.  Heather is ALWAYS great company and has so many creative parenting ideas, I love to pick her brain during our runs.  I felt smooth today and like I could have even gone a little faster.  Didn't even take my watch so not sure of pace, but would guess right around 10 min. miles.

Then our family did the 1 mile Turkey Trot.  This is Arielle's run (my 7 yr old) she gets dragged around to enough races during the rest of the year, this is her day to shine.  She loves to set the pace w/ me.  I stick by her and we ran/ walked it.  After the raced they give out lots of raffle prizes.  Our family won a seat cover massager.  Can't wait to use it today.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful fall we're having!

Gonna guess 6 mi. on the morning run.  It was part trail so couldn't drive & clock it.  Being patient until Santa brings a Garmin.  Good run w/ Heather & Buff today, we were going  a good little pace, maybe 9:50?  Trying to be more positive lately and get in the right mental state of mind- seems to be helping me w/ energy.

Then went to gym for PT.  She really worked me pretty good.  All body session, used mostly bars & dumb bells.  I will go back a couple time on my own to repeat.  Don't meet w/ her again until day after Thanksgiving (I should be looking cute in gym clothes that day- NOT)

Easy 4 w/ Sara today.  I woke up a little sore in the calves & shoulders from the PT session yesterday.  The mellow 4 w/ Sara felt really good! Cold morning- in the 40s! (yes, I'm spoiled- for St. George folk that is cold!)

Tomorrow will run w/ Heather either track, hills or run w/ strides.

Today I am thankful for good friends! Thanks to Heather, I got my run in today at 8:30 pm.  My alarm went off at 5 am, when I was going to join the Sole Sisters (the fast bunch) for a run.  I got out of bed and "ouch"! My calves were in painful KNOTS.  (I have my personal training session to thank for this) I really didn't want to try to keep up w/ the fast bunch this morning with my sore legs- so I figured I'd go out alone at 10am, then 11am, then before you knew it I was having lunch w/ Jim and the kids were getting out of school, etc... etc...Once 6pm came I had pretty much accepted that I wasn't getting in my run.  That's when Heather saved the day.  She had gotten in 5 mi. this morning, but was fighting off a good bout of PMS and needed another run! We had a great run.  I'm not thrilled with our time (10:20 average pace) but I guess that's what you get when you talk nonstop the whole time, esp. while climbing hills.  I'm looking forward to a harder/ faster run Friday and maybe even Sat. Tomorrow I will meet Sara for 4.  Goodnight and happy running dear bloggers! 

4 hilly miles w/ 9- 12 sec. strides.  Have no idea if I'm doing strides right?  I would just go fast for 12 seconds (not quite a sprint) then run slow and recover, then when I felt good again I'd do another fast 12 seconds.  It was fun!

I stopped 1/2 way at a water fountain (I was so thirsty) and stretched my sore legs. Total time inc. stop was 35:29.  8:52 pace. That's pretty fast for me for a training run!

I was tempted to do 5 miles today, but didn't because I'm supposed to run for 1.5 hrs. tomorrow morning w/ fast girls (sole sisters) so wanted to save some energy for that!

8.68 miles, 9:54 average pace.  Good run w/ Buff, Heather, Tammy & Teresa (?).  I brought my IPOD and when I felt like lagging I turned it on and it gave me the extra energy I needed.  Afterwards went to the gym and did upper body.  Glad tomorrow's Sunday so I can chill!!!

Michelle & Lybi- I'm still deciding if I'm bringing kids or not to Moab.  I haven't been there in about 10 yrs. so I'm not sure what there is to do. I was thinking of leaving them w/ family and just taking Jim and spending Fri. night, running Sat- hang out a little w/ you guys, then drive back Sat. night.  But Jim says we should just spend a few days in Moab instead of doing Disney.  I'm going to so a little research and I'll get back to you.  I booked a room at Holiday Inn Express (48hr cancellation policy)  just to have a room, 1 got one w/ 2 queens so we can go kids or no kids... 

Mik'L- I'm bummed that you're not in the first registred blog group!! But hopefully ALL of us will get in!! I'm thinking about you today running the 5k, can't wait to hear about it!!!

2 mile hike w/ family to White Rocks in Snow Canyon State Park.  This was our Sunday afternoon "walk"

No excuse today.  Chose to sleep in and day got away!

Does walking countless hours and fighting crowds at Walmart, Costco and Albertsons count as running? It felt like running anyway- LOL!

Little Valley Loop w/ Heather.  We worked in 7 strides.  This balanced out our slow chatty pace nicely.  9:36 average pace.  Not sure what my workout plan is for the rest of the week - need to figure it out today so the week doesn't get away from me!

Hope everyone has a GREAT THANKSGIVING!!!!

These 3 miles were actually walked- not ran.  Walked a mile w/ the kids & dog in the am (this puppy is hyper- he makes me walk fast!)  Spend a nice morning at the park with the kids after cooking all morning and before heading to my in-laws for the meal.  I made Dixie Salad- after reading Mik'l's post about it on the blog- then overheard some women in line at the store talking about it- so I had to try to this St. George tradition! It turned out pretty good, but I probably made too much whipped cream and didn't sweeten it enough- I was guessing on how much of everything to throw into the salad!

Had a really nice lunch at my sis-in-laws.  Afterwards- my Dad & I headed out the door for a longer walk, I'm going to guess 2 miles?

Too bad I didn't get my run in today, but family & cooking (& sleep) came first!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!

Nice run w/ Heather & Chris this morning.  It was good to see Chris- hadn't seen her since the marathon.  We went to Coral Canyon and ran about 4 miles, then we took a crazy trail straight up the side of a mountain (the Mt. Everest trail- name says it all).  Cool view from up there and ran another 1.5.  I'll have to drag Jim back to walk this trail w/ me- he loves cool trails w/ a view.

Well- obviously I had too few miles this week and too much food- BUT lots of good family time w/ my parents & brother's family!!  Time to get back on the wagon Monday.  Tomorrow-Sunday- hoping to get in a good, long walk!

Great run w/ Heather this morning.  But boy it felt like a Monday! We had to struggle to keep our pace up. I was ready for a good, hard run after slacking off last week.  I took a watch, ran for 1:02, but didn't drive the course- I'm going to guess 6.2, may have been longer.  It felt like 9:50ish pace.  Longest distance I've ran in over a week. Plan for tomorrow- weight class at gym.  I had to reschedule my PT appt. last Fri. since I had family in town so I'll determine the rest of my week after I schedule that!  Stressful week w/ work this week, closing mortgages end of the month, esp. stressful when banks play catch up after being closed so many days this month.  Hope to close a couple of these deals and put them behind me soon so I can relax a bit more in December!

3 miles w/ Sara tonight.  Felt too short, my fault for not adding more after I took Sara home.  Didn't make it to the gym, must go tomorrow! Plan for the am is foremaster hill repeats- 5 miles...

Well- my workout plan changed a few times for today- subject to my social life- ha ha! I know that's not how its supposed to work! Originally Sara & I were going to run hills, then Heather talked us into spin.  Sara is thinking about joining the gym so she was interested in spin.  I always have fun at spin and haven't been for awhile so I was down for it. Then Sara didn't show to pick me up for spin! (Can't blame her- babies frequently put a wrench is the 6am workouts)  So I went anyway and all the bikes were already taken (I was early too!)!!  So then I ended up on dreadmill in the theater room at the gym.  Actually got a pretty good workout.  Treadmill always forces me to take a closer look at my form, so I tried to work on that a bit.  Also I felt speedy today.  I got down under 8 min. miles for a few minutes, but didn't hold that long- my average was 9:07 including a minute of slower running to warm up.  I only ran 2.25 because I also wanted to get in some weights.  I did upper body & a little abs.  Feel good about my workout today, but wanting to log at least 13.5 more miles by end of week to get in my 25 miles.

UGH! I thought I was running a 4 miler with Sara today, then went back and clocked it and it was only 3.4.  I'm feeling depressed today about my mileage this week. Last week I let slide by in the name of Thankgiving, houseguests, ect.  But no excuse for this week!  At least I have a good long run planned for the morning w/ Heather.  And even if she bails or something comes up, I'm determined to get in my 6 miles tomorrow!  No more blah days!!!

Ah! What a great run this morning! Little Valley Loop w/ Heather.  We fit in 7 strides of about 15 seconds each.  Our average overall pace was 8:56.  I'm very happy with today's workout. 

Meeting w/ PT at 10am at gym, then running long with Sole Sisters & Jody tomorrow.  Worried that I'll be tuckered out for tomorrow's run after all the effort today (run & gym).  Just will have to try to eat good & get good sleep tonight.

Cloudy today, I heard there's rain the the forecast for today & tomorrow, hope it doesn't pour on us tomorrow morning!