ShufflingSista

Great run with Heather & Buff today (9:38 av). Nice to have Buff back (after her trip to Boston last week) She always gives us the little push we need. Last week I ran with Matt my "therapist" friend. One downside to running long runs w/ therapist friends- COUNSELING whether you want it or not! Hee, hee, luv ya Matt! He brought to my attention that I may very well be addicted to blogging. Ha! And he had that figured out in the first couple miles. Of course I was just trying to give a good plug for my dear FRB, but I think it backfired. Now I will be watching my time online & trying to limit it!

Nice workout today.  It was a bit shorter in mileage than I wanted, but it had some tough hills, so I guess that's gotta count for something. I ran holding a bottle of water which is annoying, but necessary with the heat now, glad I had it and drank often. I messed up the garmin, so not sure of my splits, but know I was averaging about 9:15- so that's decent.  I've set some goals for Hurricane Half this Sat.  I know I've put in some decent mileage lately, but I haven't challenged myself at all in speed, if anything I've slowed down- so no idea what to expect.  I really want to break 1:50, my Painter's 1/2 time was 1:53.  Even though I've run the Hurricane 1/2 twice before, I'm not sure how it compares to Painter's course as far as what I should expect on time.

GOLD- 1:49

SILVER- 1:52

BRONZE- 1:55

My sister asked me to join her in the 30 day Nivea challenge today (www.niveachallenge.com).  I was happy for the motivation so I said yes! I know, I know- it involves hokey cellulite cream, but they also have some great diet tips & motivation.  So heck -what have I got to loose?!(except maybe 10 lbs and some cellulite) Plus at the end of 30 days I'll be going on our summer vacation to Clearwater Beach, FL.  So the timing to do the challenge couldn't be more perfect (and I get to do it w/ my sister, even more fun)! I wasn't going to start until tomorrow- May 1st, but I started today.  So far I've ate good & had a great run.  Only downfall was the chocolate chip cookies that I made yesterday, but keeping the food journal is helping me realize how often I graze on them.  I will try to avoid them tomorrow!

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?