Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured

Met my fellow BBK group at the JRP trail this morning.  I have been somewhat frustrated lately because my pace has slowed down and the effort is still the same.  Tuesday's run was a prime example.   When I got there and felt the wind I was sure that today would be no different.  Somewhere in the low 9's and a hard effort.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I felt great today and the hill that I normally hate even wasn't too bad.  We finished 8 as a group and then I stayed with Mike, Peggy and Jamison to add on a little more.  I ran 1 more mile out with them and then turned around and headed back on my own.  I dropped the pace and started feeling good and decided to push the last mile.  Mile 10 was 7:38 - Wahoo!  My ave pace for the run was 8:38 - finally back where I would like it to be.  What a great way to start 2009.

Happy Running! 

Cheris and I were going to meet to run 13 today, but with the snow we decided to play it safe and stay indoors.  I met Eric and Alan at the oval for some mental training.  The first 9 flew by and then they left and I was on my own for some more.  I picked up the pace for the next 3.  It was pretty empty in the beginning but was packed by the end.  The US Speedskating team was warming up and Apollo Anton Ohno was there as well.  Kind of cool to be running on the same track as an Olympic Gold Medalist.

Ave Pace 9:00

Happy Running!

Ran this morning with Paula.  We had a great time despite the cold.  I had over dressed and shedded a jacket at about mile 1. It was icy on the side streets but the main roads were dry so we opted to stick to those and dodge cars. The rest was great. 

Happy Running!

I was so excited to run in sunny San Diego and thought that 49 degrees sounded wonderful, BUT a long sleeve T and shorts were not quite warm enough.  Once I had  warmed up I decided since I was short on time I would do some speed work.  I ended up feeling really good by the end and my last mile was 7:33.

Ave Pace 8:20 

Happy Running!

Today was one of the most icy runs I have ever had.  There was black ice everywhere.  We thought once we got on the main road it would be better and then once we made it to the Lake Park trail we would be fine, but there was black ice the entire time.  We took it really slow and made it home safe, but not the smartest decision.  

Happy Running!

Ran with the BBK in the horrible wind, pretty much a horrible run except for the company. Not much more to say.

Happy Running!

Met up with fellow BBK'ers and we ran a proposed route for the Riverton 1/2 marathon.  I complained my way through the run - thanks to everyone who put up with it, especially Michelle.  But when all was said and done it was a good run.  It will be fair course with some good hills along the way.  We had a lot of ice and snow on the trail segments and at a couple of points we had to walk.  Our pace was all over the place because of that but we ended with 8:44 which considering some of the conditions, not too bad.

I need a major attitude adjustment before Painters.  One week to get my act together and start enjoying running again because this week was miserable.

Happy Running!

Ran on the treadmill in Alaska.  Most of you know how I feel about the treadmill and the start of today's run was more of the same.  The first treadmill I was on did not show the distance, just calories and time and after 5 min of trying to run and fiddle with it, I gave up and moved to the other.  This one showed the distance but my ipod dropped and needed to be reset, so a few more minutes of running and trying to fix things.  I finally got going and did some hill repeats with equal recovery but picked up the pace in between sets.  It ended up being a really good run, especially since the alternative was running when it is -30.

Ave Pace 8:40

Happy Running!

Paula and I ran together today.  We had a great relaxing run and enjoyed catching up with each other.  Nice to be back outside, but I have come to realize that I have no concept of pace.  My garmin was dead and I thought we were going so much faster than we were, but what's done is done.

Ave Pae 9:41

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BBK Run.  We had a really big group and a great run.

I had a really rough day Thursday and was completely exhausted by the time we got to SG.  I  went to bed early and told myself to sleep as long as I could and then run.  I enjoyed the sleeping in but by the time I got up it was late so I spent the day hiking with my family.  We had a great time in Snow Canyon and my kids must be pretty deprived because they love hiking.

Happy Running!

I had been dreading today for weeks.  I just have not been feeling the need to race, but needed to get this out of the way for the Runner's Series.   I drove over with Marcie and then met up with Cheris, Michelle M, Dean and Kris. We had planned to start slow and do a progressive run.  We ended up starting a little faster than we had planned but it was a good run.  I felt really good until the last two miles and was really worried about keeping up with Michelle and Cheris as they dropped down to MP for 2009.   It was more mental than physical but I was happy to run with Julie for a few minutes.  I ended up right in goal and PR'd for a non-aided course.  I actually really liked the course and would like to run it again.  They had changed the course and it ended up measuring long for everyone - I measured 13:18 but I forgot to start my watch as well.

It was great to see everyone afterwards and catch up with Christi and some friends of ours that we haven't seen in years.   This was a good way to start 2009 and to stick with my goal of enjoying running.

Ave Pace 8:13

Happy Running!

Paula called and canceled because she had sick kids and I was so tempted to get back in bed because I hate being alone in the dark. But I was brave and went out and actually had a good run.  I ran the "big block" and I could tell my legs were tired going up the hill but not horrible.  I changed the route a bit from our usual to give me more mileage and then I received the benefit of having the last 1.5 down hill - hence 1 fast aided mile.  

Ave Pace 8:41

Happy Running!

Met up with the BBK for hill repeats this morning.  We had a good warm up and a slow pace and then did 4 repeats up the Glenmore hill.  We then did an quick paced rest and then 3 more repeats, back up the other hill and to our cars.  I was pretty nervous about how I would feel, but I ended up feeling really good and enjoyed the work out.

Ave Pace 9:13

Happy Running!

Met Paula this morning for a recovery run.  We had a good recovery pace and enjoyed catching up with her.  It was foggy this morning and the extra humidity made it even colder.   I do need more sleep because I was exhausted afterwards.

Ave Pace 9:08

Happy Running!

Met up with the BBK today.  We ran a 3 mile warm up and then did 3 sets of 2 miles each.   It was an okay workout, I just struggled today.  Now I have a horrible stomach ache - I can only attribute it to breathing this toxic air.

Ave Pace 8:32 (not counting the warm up, forgot to start the garmin)

Happy Running!

Met up with Paula this morning for an easy run.  My legs are completely thrashed and tired so I knew we had to take it really easy.  Would have like a little more but I was back home and tired of breathing gunk.   Legs need a massage and some scrapping.

Ave Pace 9:43

Happy Running!

Met Cheris, Julie, Dean, Kris and Allen for our SJ 1/2 marathon run.  Great company!  The first 8 miles had a lot of up hill and into the wind.  Add the rain and it was a lot like SGM.   Glad it is done.  I felt really good until about 12.5 -13 and my hip hurts.  It went away but more stretching is needed.

Ave Pace 8:48

Happy Running!

Met Paula for our run this morning.  We decided that with the snow and ice we would stay on the side streets to avoid the cars.  Not a bad run but my legs are still so tired.  I am not sure why or what is going on, but I am sure some of it is stress related.  I twisted my ankle with about a mile left but it was fine afterwards.  

Ave Pace 9:34

Happy Running!

Chose sleep instead of running.  I slept for about 1.5 hrs before midnight and then did not fall back asleep until around 3:30 am.  I told my self if I was still up at 4:30 when my alarm went off I would go running.  Fell asleep to soon.  Not sure if I will be able to get a run in later today but will try my best.

Happy Running!

Paula and I went to the Oval this morning to avoid the wind.   We did a progressive run and I really have no idea of pace or mileage because I did not count laps.  It was at least 5 but from there I am not sure.  She is always fun to run with and did a great job listening to me complain, but now.......no more complaining.  I am done!

Happy Running!

Met up with my BBK friends for a cold run on the JRP.  We had a good group today and warmed up for about 4.5 miles and then did 3.5 miles at tempo pace and then cooled down for a mile.  Our tempo pace was progressive starting out at about 7:45 - 8:00 and ending at 7:00 - 7:15.  This was the first good run I have had in a while which makes me very happy.  I think part of it was because instead of focusing on a pace or number to aim for, I ran by feel.  If you had told me that we would be in the low 7's, my mental blockade against fast would have taken over.  Better to go by feel.

Ave Pace 8:31

Happy Running!

Run was harder than it should have been.  Electrolyte issue afterwards. Violently ill.