Stroller pushin in Texas

Quality miles today!  BBK day!  

I got to Bingham high about 5:12 am and immediately jumped out of my car and started to run.  Last night I could not sleep due to the fear of sleeping in and missing the workout.

3 warm-up miles at about a 8:20 pace

2 mile tempo

6 sets of Yasso 800's with a 400 rest in between each.  I did not time myself on the Yasso's, and I am regretting it now. 

2.5 evening miles on TM.  I was trying to motivate my friend at the gym.  He kept dying, panting, and slamming his feet on the TM.  Time will teach him...

Evening YOGA

TM miles tonight.  I waited an hour longer to hit the gym and my stomach still killed by the last two miles!  I ate 7 hours before my run.  Hard effort workout with gradual speed and incline increases. 

Tried to do YOGA, but the down dogs sent me in a "dog zone."  I made it 30 minutes through the class.  So much for cross training!

BBK day. I was pooped, and I still am.  This sickness (cold/flu thing) needs to stop!  I suffered through 8 miles.  Went to school and ripped up the Dance Co. with lunges, push ups, and abs.  My students are the new cross training devices!   I told them our goal is to have 6-pack abs by November. 

I am headed down to the land of the RED ROCKS for a relay.  I am not really sure I know what to expect.  Should be fun. 

I finished my first relay!!!  RED ROCK RELAY.   To tell you the honest truth, I have mixed feelings about this race.  I will make a list of the positives and negatives

Positives:  1) Beautiful, breath taking views of southern Utah.  Brianhead Resort, Cedar Breaks, Kolob Mountain, Zions, and Snow Canyon. WOW!  I have never enjoyed the scenery of a race course like I did this one.  2) Relay with friends, need I say more?  3) Good timing in the year for this race.  4)  Not too many teams (50), so it was personal. 4)  Great adventure.

Negatives:  1)  Crappy shirt.  2) I hate the idea that your team supplies everything.  3)  Course was not marked well.  Sometimes I didn't know if I was running in the right direction.  4)  Race bible completely inaccurate as far as level of difficulty.  5)  Driving directions were confusing.  6)  Finish line very drab. 7)  I never saw race officials or even volunteers. 

This was the first year of the race, so there is always room for improvement.  I hope the race director takes suggestions from participants and improves the event for next year.  This race has a lot of potential if the director sticks with it. 

My first leg.... I was runner 6, so I was last to go in my van.  My course was completely down a canyon, and I kicked trash!  I flew down the canyon passing 3 teams, running by myself most of the time.  AP 6:39  I will list my splits because I am proud.  7:56 (up hill and I felt like I was breathing through a straw), 6:40, 6:44, 6:26, 6:18, 6:11, .6 6:04.  I love down!

Started this leg at 10:23 p.m. in the evening.  Felt pretty ill as I ran, I was struggling breathing due to a severe cold.    This part of the race was coming out of the canyon that goes up toward Zions.  I had to fight traffic on a busy highway.  Temperatures were also high.  7:30 AP. 

My third leg was 5.5 miles long.  I started at 6:34 A.M. after having ZERO rest.  I was so unaware as to where I was now, somewhere near Santa Clara.  As I stepped out of the car to run, and my main goal was to run and just finish this route.  Once I started running, I felt better than I expected.  AP at the end was 8:05 or something, I forgot to start the Garmin. While I was running, there was a another race using the same route.  I was a little confused when I saw runners coming toward me in the opposite direction. I guess there was a half marathon going on...

The end of the race went out onto the SGM route.  I was a little sad as we drove down the route because I don't get to run my favorite marathon in a few weeks.  It was fun to see a lot of runners out running the course as a training run.  

I had a good time doing this race, my team made it a great experience.  I don't know if I will be doing the Red Rock Relay again, but for sure I want to do WBR next year! 

My heart is broken today.  My little kitty I have had for seven years died this morning.  She has been sick for a few days, and I have been hating watching her suffer.  Today I got up to run 18 miles and I found her lying dead next to the back door.  I know it's silly that I got really upset, but she was my little friend.  I woke my mom up and we gave her a proper burial.  

I have never ran so emotionally upset before.  I went to the JRP trail and ran up 6, and down 6.  AP was 7:56, I felt so slow, sluggish and sad.  I stopped and cried about three times (I never cry).  I think the run helped me relax and move on a little.  She was just a cat.  I will feel better by the end of the day. 

EVERYONE PLEASE WELCOME MY FRIEND "WYCH" SHE IS NEW TO THE BLOG!!!!

BBK DAY!!!!  I love that I wake up at 4:30 in the morning to get to these runs totally unmotivated.  Once I warm up, I can usually pull in some good miles with some motivation.  The BBK group earns the "motivation" award from me.  Thanks BBKers, you always live up to your name no matter what!

3 mile warm up so slow.  I think we did a 10 minute mile?  2 at normal warmup speed.  Good talk with Walter.  I always enjoy our chats.

1 mile repeat up barf hill, I actually went faster than I thought I could.  10 minute tempo run, 5 minute push (2X).  Back to barf hill for another mile repeat, and I hung in the back of the group this time.  Ran back to my car feeling great because we were finished.

Thanks for the great workout.  I am always happy that I show up to group runs, I feel like I come away feeling stronger. 

Went to the gym on the TM.  Had to stop three times due to sickness I was feeling.  The TM really has been hurting me.  I guess my taper begins...  I have been so dang tired and lazy lately!   

Push ups and sit ups.

Last BBK day for awhile I think.  I wanted to push myself because this was my last hard workout until TOU marathon.  I think I did that.  Ran a huge hill on 13th east 2200 south 2x.  I also held a nice tempo as I climbed "The Beast."  Good times :)

Thank you BBK's for mitovating me the last few weeks.  I have seen improvement for just rolling out of bed at 4:30 to run with you!  BBK's are one DEDICATED group of AWESOME runners!  

Spinning class in the PM.  This class so stickin easy to me.  I don't know if it's because of the bike I was on or the class is easier to me now.  My legs felt so good after the spin class, I will be doing more spin next week. 

No milies today, and I might not run at all today.  I went to Salt Lake Running Company and bought Nike Lunar Racers!  They were expensive and should last about 100 miles.  Nonetheless, I am way excited to run in my racers next weekend.  I'm going to test the waters and see if they even make a difference!  They are the lightest shoe I think I have ever worn.

I journeyed to my old running grounds in Vernal this weekend.  I ran part of my "long" run that I used to run last winter.  I was pleased with my overall 7:35 AP.  My run went up Dry Fork Canyon in Vernal.  So BEAUTIFUL!!  I wish there was a half marathon that came down that canyon, it's such a gorgeous, and enjoyable run.  I felt so so so good, and I am getting a little nervous-excited for next week's marathon.  

My goal for this upcoming week is to sleep, eat, and rest my body very well!  I want to surprise myself come race day.  I have a goal time of 3:20.

7 on the track at the gym.  It felt nice to fly around the track.  Only easy miles from here on out!  

Took the new racers for a run.  I really don't know about these shoes, they felt a little strange.  I am debating whether or not to wear them for the marathon.  Please feel free to give feedback.  I tripped while I was running too.  I am okay, but I did it in front of about three cars.   I tried to go slow, but that just didn't really happen. 

Cross training.  I did a spin class this morning to try and get my legs moving a little.  I feel so slugy lately because of the amount of carbs I have been eating, as well as not running.  I am still tight today and stretching hurts.  Hopefully I will feel better before the race.  

WHERE DO I BEGIN????????  Last year I ran this race hoping that I would BQ.  I missed my time by 5 minutes and walked away with an upsetting 3:45.  Not this year!  I still can't get it through my skull that I knocked off 23 minutes.  This running blog, plus having a Garmin, has helped me improve immensely!  Thank you so much for all of those that have given me support.

Going into this race I was nervous.  Last year I learned that this is NOT my favorite course.  The twists, turns, and uphill in the last few miles catches even experienced runners off guard.  I had to re-think my "strategy" for this year.  Allie Scott, (from FRB) really helped me reach a goal that I thought was a little out of reach.  This entire week I KNEW that I would cross the finish at aproximately 3:22, I just knew it.  Yes, 3:20 was my goal, but 3:22 was a great finish. 

Allie gave me a system that broke each mile down into it's own individual pace according to the course.  This helped me so much!  I had the mile splits written down my arm.  This helped me stay alert and focused on the miles that lay up ahead. 

Last night I arrived in Logan and journeyed to the race expo.  Purchased socks that guaranteed I would not get blisters, and I also looked at a few of the booths.  The expo was a lot better than last year. 

I slept at my friend's apartment on the couch.  Pretty sure I did not sleep much more than 4 hours.  It was  hot, people were really noisy, and the doors kept slamming shut.  It was ideal. :|

Got to the bus pickup around 5:30 and met RAD and her friend for the bus ride up.  I shared a seat with some random lady that was more excited to run the race than I was.  She noticed the pace marks on my arm and asked me all sorts of funny questions about running.  She asked what my goal pace for the race was?  She then announced it to all of the people around us.  I was pretty embarrassed. 

Off the bus we went, and we lined up for the POP. There was no way that I would make it to the start on time if I waited in line, so I headed to the bushes.  I hustled and felt rushed as I went to the bag drop off.  After I put my bag in the bus, I turned around and was almost hit by a bus pulling away from the curb.  Yikes!  I then lined up at the front of the pack observing all of the fabulous elites. 

Start gun went, and we were off without second thoughts.  I felt relaxed and cool miles 1-10.  My boss from Fleet Feet passed me about mile 4, he was aiming for a 3 hour marathon.  I kept Allie in view as she used the first few miles to warm up (I think).  She looked strong.  It's nice to know that SOMETIMES during a race even the fast runners run at my pace. 

10-16 still feeling good.  The main goal was to make this long-run feel like a jog.  Pretty much the entire race felt that way.  I tried to let myself move a little faster on the downhill, and back away on the up. From miles 13-16 there was an AWESOME tail-wind that pushed us out of the canyon.  I let myself take a ride.  I saw Smooth at 14 cheering me on!  She looked nice and cozy in her blanket and jacket.  I saw my friend Sarah at about mile 18 with the coolest poster for me, and a few Gels.  She's such a great friend!  She tried to run with me a little and she could tell I was in "The Zone." 

16-20  I think these were the worst feeling miles.  Twists and turns in a residential area, plus the sun was now beating down on everyone.  "Ewe" is all I have to say. 

20-23  Still feeling the heat.  Talked myself out of walking several times.  I was only allowing myself to walk at the aid stations.  Pretty sure those two extra minutes were from stopping at the aid stations. :(  "Barf" feeling set in from all of the yucky GUs.

23-26 Just get there!  5k baby.  I kept thinking to myself,  "I can do a nice 5k in my sleep."  I saw my family at the bottom of the hill at 25!  Their spirit and energy pushed me up the hill, no joke!  At mile 25 I passed my boss, he did not look good.  Poor guy got a cramp or something.  I yelled at him to get going, and I pushed the pace!  I was ready for the darn race to be OVER! 

26.2  Finished. :)  Best medal (besides Boston) that I have ever seen. I sat in the cold ditch for about 10 minutes, that felt amazing.  Congratulated and thanked runners that were running by me. (Mostly men and 1 girl)

I did place 1st in the Athena.  Course record.  Felt amazing to be recognized!

It was so fun chatting with a few friends at the award ceremony.  INCLUDING the Kenyan that kept asking for my number. hehehe. So great to finally meet Allie and thank her for the pace chart. 

GREAT DAY!!!!

By the way, the socks that I purchased at the expo did not give me one blister.  I usually have about five blisters after a marathon.  In fact, the socks left my feet in the best post-marathon state they have ever been in.  I think the brand is called LIL.

Spinning class!  I kept my heart rate in the 90's!  I was proud of this recovery spin.  It felt so nice to get some of the lactic acid moving. 

Bike ride up AF canyon from my house.  Around 24 miles of riding.  Beautiful fall weather + calm and peaceful canyon = awesome ride!  On the way home my rear tire blew out :( My bike needs new tires anyway.  I was just happy that something tragic didn't happen that would have sent me off of my bike.  

I think I will lift a little later.  

*Yesterday and today I have felt AMAZING since the marathon.  I am challenging myself not to run for an entire week to stay away from injury.

Sat around a lot today. Parent teacher conferences.eek!

5 a.m. spinning class.  I knew I was in for a treat when the teacher starting playing air guitar.  Way too much energy for that early in the morning.  

Hopefully I will make it back to the gym for a second round. 

Evening spinning class.

I hiked up Timp yesterday because I did not have to go to work.  I was a little nervous because I was hiking by myself.  On the way I up I passed nine groups.  ( I counted)  It took me two and a half hours to make it to the top.  Once I was on the top I took a twenty minute break to eat lunch.  I decided I would jog down the mountain, it took me a total of an hour and forty minutes.   Total time for the hike was four and a half hours.  

I tripped 3 times coming down the mountain.  I was happy no one was around when I completed biffed it on my face.  I think that I need a little more trail practice before I go into trail running.   I could be a possible disaster. 

I loved this hike!  I want to do it again faster next week.  I wore my SGM shirt from a few years ago, and people were making all sorts of comments about the marathon as I hiked.  I thought it was fun as I passed groups on the way up and on the way back down, before they would make it to the top.

Stair master at the gym.  35 mintues

Elliptical 35 minutes.

Toning and stretching 30 minutes. 

Women's Conference in Salt Lake. 

Cried all day.

7 miles at an amazing 8 mm.  Nice flat run around the 'hood.  Canal trail and around the neighborhood.

Evening yoga.

My left hamstring has this cramp that will not go away!!  Foot pain is pretty bad too.  I thought taking a week off would heal everything up, but I am in worse shape!

45 minutes stair climber

5 minutes bike, 5 minutes walking

1 hour in the weight room

7 miles on the TM.  Wanted to eight, but I got sick.  10 minutes on the stair climber.

Stretched for 20 minutes.