To find my Mojo

Yes, its me I am writing again.....I hope I keep it up.

I decided to run with the Spanish Fork running club today.  I woke up and the rain was coming down pretty hard.  I had a hard time deciding to go or not.  I didn't think there would be anyone at the meeting place but decided to go anyway to check it out. 

Sure enough, there were a few that were crazy enough to be out in the rain.  I ended up running with Kim, another fast running blog runner.  I was so glad she was there and willing to slow her pace to stay with me.

I felt OK, but by the end my pants, shoes, shirts, gloves and coat were totally wet.  I felt like I was running with and extra 10 pounds of water.  I dont know my splits because I had turned my watch off and then forgot to turn it back on.

It turns out that Kim is training to run a 3:50 at the SGM.  Maybe if I stick in her back pocket for my long runs she can help me train and get a little faster.

I was going to run a speed workout down on the treadmill, but when my daughter wanted to ride her bike while I run, I just couldn't turn down that opportunity.  It was going to get dark soon so I knew it wouldn't be along run.  I decided to do a "tempo" run.  I really haven't done a tempo run since SGM so I didn't expect much

My plan was to run the first mile to warm up around 9:15.  I then wanted to run my second mile around 8:30 and then the last two I just didn't want to die.  I would run them as fast as my body would let me.

Mile 1 = 9:16

Mile 2 = 8:15

Mile 3 = 8:55 (had 1 major hill)

Mile 4 = 8:39

This wasn't much of a run, but it was a little moral victory for me.  Hope things just keep getting better.

All I wanted to do on this run is complete 6 miles.  I was very sore this morning (I think it was from play dodge ball with my daughter and her two friends.  I hate getting old).  Any way, my goal was 6 miles and I wanted to run it between 9:00 and 9:15.  My average pace was 9:08.  Couldn't get more in the middle then that.

Got home late last night so I just ran on the treadmill.  I thought some miles would be better than none.  Tried to post last night but McKenna had the computer.....do I need to say any more?

This was NOT a good run.  Have you ever had a run that it just didn't feel right, right from the beginning.  The very first step felt hard, after 1/2 mile I changed my goal from a good 5 miles to finishing the 5 miles without walking.

I accomplished both goals...but the walking part was hard. I really hate runs when you feel like CRAP....anyway, here are my splits.  9:31, 9:00, 9:01,9:00 and 8:57

Had a very fun run today.  I met up with the Spanish Fork Running Group again this week.  I can't belive the difference it makes running with people.  There were a few times that I was getting pretty tired, but it seemed water breaks came right at the right time to get me going again. 

During the run Kim, Carolyn, Jill and I were talking about how we are directionally challenged and are always getting lost.  Well, after the run I stayed with Carolyn and ran with her a little ways down the road to her car.  I turned around to head back to where I had parked and yes...I got lost.  Don't know how it happened, it seemed like it was a pretty straight shot, but I managed.  It only cost me about .25 of a mile which I was glad because it help me get my 9 miles in.  Go figure that earlier we were talking about it and then I do it :)

I know running with this group will help my times get faster.  They are all such strong runners and are so positive.  I actually look forward to my Saturday run rather than dreading all those miles by myself.

Met with Cristy tonight and ran 4 miles with her.  I can never turn down a run with one of my sisters.  We had a great time!!!

Today I was scheduled to to 3xHill.  I drove to a grade school close by and ran 1 mile to a pretty good hill.  I planed on running 3 - 1/2 mile hill repeats.  The first two went well, but the last one my legs just wouldn't work.  The last 1/2 mile turned into 1/4 mile hill repeat.  Finished the hill repeats and ran the 1 mile back to my car.

The real reason I stopped short of my goal is right in the middle of the hill was a family having a garage sale.  Everyone was sitting on the front steps watching me run up and down the hill.  I was already feeling stupid running in front of them so many times, but then when I started to struggle I really didn't want to run in front of them.......Is that shallow of me or what?

Warm up = 9:22

First Hill = 8:52 Second Hill = 8:41 (almost) Third Hill = 8:35 This time is faster because I didn't go as far up and started to head back to the car on a flat road.

Cool down .75 of a mile = 6:24

Today I was going to run 5 easy miles.  However, when I started I felt pretty good.  I figured I had better take advantage of feeling good because I don't know when it will happen again. 

my splits were 9:06,8:38,8:44,8:40 and 8:35. 

McKenna had a dance recital yesterday and wouldn't you know it...she was in both sessions so I was there all night long.  didn't have time to run last night so I got up this morning and did 3 miles on the treadmill.  Tonight after work I will get my 5 miles in.

I had to run my 5 miles on the treadmill.  I am trying to stay away from the treadmill as much as possible.  Anyway, I feel I am getting stronger and I wanted to test my theory.  I ran a 3 mile program that  I had done in the past, but never been able to finish without stopping in the middle.  Well...this time I ran the whole thing and felt good....YEA ME!!!!  I finished the workout with an easy 2 miles and called it a night.  I hope I keep improving it feels good to finally be positive about running again.

Ran three miles with Grandma while she walked.  Wanted to catch her by mile two.....but she cheated and cut across early so actullay she got in front of my and walked back to me.... Didn't feel too good....legs just wouldn't work. 

Ran 1 mile warm-up with Slick and Kathie.....during our warm-up Slick told us how to run the race....he made it sound so easy!!!

Didn't do as well as I wanted.  I was hoping for a 24:45 or just to break 25 min.  Sad to inform....I was 25:00 even (Per my Garmin).  Maybe when the official time is posted I might be at 24:59 we will see.  My plan was to run an 8:30 first mile (thinking the hill was in this mile I was giving my time for it).  I wanted to run the second mile in about 8:00 and then just go as fast as I could for the third mile anything under 7:50 would make me happy.

First mile:  8:22 - Thought the hill was coming so I was saving for it.  STINK it was in the second mile - could have pushed harder

Second Mile: 8:28 - Stinking Hill.....I knew I should have pushed up it harder.  I wanted this mile around 8:00 

Third Mile: 7:34 - Right where I wanted to be, but because of the slower two miles I just couldn't get the time I wanted.

Now that I have run the course I think I will be able to improve on my time next year.....Hope my training keeps going OK.!!

Slick.....My mom wanted me to thank you for coming to her aid the last about 1/2 mile.  She said it really helped her having you coach her all the way in!!!  Nice race today and thanks for sitting with us!

Today's schedule:  30 minute tempo run.  I really don't like tempo runs so it was on my mind all day long.  Got home, helped the hubby mow the lawn then changed to go running.  Wouldn't you know, a wind storm started up.  I stood in the house trying to decide what do to....Treadmill....outside.....treadmill...outside....I decided to attempt the outside. 

I didn't realize how hard it could be to run into a head wind, thought I was going to kill myself on the warm up.  Next 3 miles I thought I was going to die.  In fact, I had to stop after each mile, catch my breath and then start back up.  During the 3rd mile I had to stop at the top of one big hill, catch my breath and start again.  I did turn my watch off...so the times are better then they really are.

9:16,8:05,8:31,8:49 and cool down of 8:50.  My cool down mile was the easiest because I was now running down hill and I had a tail wind.

I couldn't run yesterday....Big day for McKenna...She cut her hair Short...She is so DARN CUTE!!!!

Decided to run 3 miles in the morning and then 5 tonight.  This morning the 3 mile run was done on the treadmill and it felt OK....for running on the treadmill

Tonights run...not as good.  I was able to keep it around a 9:00 pace, but right now I just feel tired.  My legs feel like they are going to fall off.  I keep telling myself if it hurts now...it will hurt less on the marathon. 

I have to run tomorrow morning on the treadmill.  I hope the legs feel better by then.

I think I can explain why I have been struggling.  Yesterday I got so Sick....While at work I was extremely cold and then I would turn to really hot.  I came home with a fever.  I haven't been able to eat for two days.  i finally got something down last night.  I hope this will not effect my race next week.

Took today off because I still don't feel like I am over it......Hope I get over soon so I can start training again on Monday.

Ok...so here is my Ragnar report.  I was leg three and was suppose to do a 5 miler, followed by another 5 miler and then finish up with a good hard 8 miles. 

As mentioned earlier...I have been sick.  I got a fever and then that turned into a bad cough.  I left for ragnar deciding to just do my best.

The first three mile I felt sluggish.  My mind wanted to go faster but the body wouldn't move.  I finished this 5 miles with a very sad 10:00 pace.  I decided I was going to run the entire 5 miles of my next leg and see what happens.  I felt OK, but again sluggish I was able to pull off about a 9:36 pace, which given the situation i was happy with.

I got some drugs into my system, climbed into the back of grandma's van and slept through the next 3 legs.  The next thing I know we are at the high school and everyone is getting their sleeping bags to get ready to go to sleep.  Mckenna and I stayed van because I was afraid that my coughing would keep everyone up in the gym.  It was this night that I coughed so hard that I actually broke a rib. 

Needless to say, I knew I couldn't run my last leg.  Kathie being the great sister she is switch legs with me.  This meant she was going to run a total of over 23 mile and we are talking real hard miles.  If you want to see wat she did goto ragnar web site...look up the first two legs of leg 6 and the last leg of leg 3.  She was so wonderful to do this for me.

All I had to do was finish the last 3 miles.  The first mile and a half I had a hard time getting my breath.  It seemed my throat had closed up.  I think it was from all the coughing the night before.  I had to stop and walk twice during that 1 1/2.  The next 1 1/2 I decided I was going to run all of it and just get this over with. 

I finished this wasatch back and I am already looking to do better next year.

Kathie,  again THANK YOU so much for running my leg.....you are the best

First post in a long time.  I tried the rib out today.  It felt great....OK not great, but good.  I just had a hard time getting a full breath of air.  My lungs are still filling the illness, plus the lack of running.  Anyway, hopefully with training I can get back to a point where I feel I can go run with the Spanish Fork Running club.  Right now I couldn't even keep up with them for a 1/2 mile.

Hill repeats on the treadmill.  I felt pretty good...a lot better than saturday.  I did have a hard time catching my breath, couldn't take a deep breath without it hurting.  However, things feel like they are coming back.  The rib hurt after the run, but not during.

7 miles outside.  I made McKenna go with me on her bike just in case I couldn't make it back.  I figured she could run while I rode the bike.  The first 3 miles I ran without stopping.  Then I just had to take the next 4 miles 1 mile at a time.  After each mile I would stop, take a drink and then start back up.  My average pace for the run was a 9:30 (I stopped my watch during water breaks).  It's hard for me when I see that time because I had worked so hard to get my training times down around 8:50 to 9:00 minute miles.  Oh well, it was better than my 11:58 on Saturday.

4 Miles on the treadmill.  My legs felt sore from yesterdays 7 miles.  Not looking forward to tomorrows 8.  I hope this starts getting easier.

Boy...where does the time go?  I had scheduled a 8 mile run but before I knew it, it was 8:30 at night.  Life can get so busy at times.

Anyway, I was able to get 5 miles on the treadmill before I had to go pick McKenna up.  I felt pretty good, the breathing is coming back.  My legs are still tired and sore, but  know with time this will pass.  I will see how my day goes, hopefully I can get in a 5 to 8 mile run today.

What do you think I should do on saturday.  I have scheduled 16, but I just don't think I could or should push my body that far.

5 mile treadmill run

Ran a total of 6 miles and then went and did 5 miles on the bike.  Put the bike on a hard level and pushed as hard as I could.  My legs are getting real tired on my runs, thought I would try and work them a little more.

this was suppose to be a 40 minute tempo run.  I started out on a "warm up", but hoping to run it faster that what I had been running.  Wasn't going to look at my watch, just go with what felt good.  I felt like I was running smooth, fast and strong.  Came to the hill and told myself.  Run light and smooth up the hill....Oh, I was doing great.  I could see the 1 mile mark.  Very excited to see my time.....STINK  9:46.  I hate that when you feel you are running faster than you really are.

Anyway, the next two miles were 9:03 and a 9:06 and then I was done.  I was very, very tired.  Had to walk run the last mile and half.  When I did run, I would try and run as fast as I could and then take a few second walk break.  This is so frustrating having to start all over!!!!

Kathie to answer your question.....YES!!!!

As you can see I haven't run the last few days.  Let my tell  you how my days have gone.  Monday night walked down into my basement (it has only been done for about 7 months) to find our living room full of water.  Needless to say, Brad and I grabbed the shop vacs and started to remove the water.  At 1:30 am we turned in for bed (still water in the basement, but not as much).

Tuesday, up early to get as much water out of the basement before I had to go to work.  Came home, more shop vac and a big back hoe to dig up the outside to find the problem.  We had determined it wasn't coming from the house.  Again up until about 12:00 and then went to bed.

Wednesday started the same as Tuesday.  Came home from work to find a huge hole dug up in the back, side and front yard.  We have a pond under our home.  Brad spent the rest the night Wednesday trying to get the water to flow away from the home.  I was doing the Shop Vac, AGAIN!!!!

Thursday, Brought in some more equipment, gravel and all of my husbands friends....boy does he have some great friends.  Still in the process of trying to get the ditch dug to get the water from the house to the ditch in front of the house.

We think the cause of all of this is when the new road was put in front of our home they damned (is that the right way to spell that?, doesn't matter I feel like saying it :)!!) up all the natural springs....they had to settle somewhere, lucky us...it was our home

Just to let you know our house is for sale if anyone wants to buy it.....it comes with it own indoor swimming pool :)    (I am just Kidding)

Don't know what kind of running I will get in tomorrow......This has not been a good year for me.!!!!!

Treadmill run....just trying to get in shape

Another treadmill run

Update on the basement.....We have been able to dig a trench to keep the water from the house.  Our problems are not over yet, but at least the water is going down the side of our property, instead of the basement.  We have had the county road manager, the county river and canal manager and the city water manager all at our house trying to figure out who's problem this really is.  Of course everyone is trying to tell us it is a natural spring.....I am not buy that after 15 years all of a sudden a natural spring builds up....I could be wrong.

Hope my life can settle down and I can try and start to get some training in!!!!

5 mile treadmill run

only had time for 2 miles on the treamill

ran outside today.  Felt OK, but it seemed to take forever.  The rib is healing great.  Only tight when I take a deep breath, but no pain.  Legs are really tired.  That is just because of the lack of running.  Need to work on getting them back in shape

6xhill workout.  went OK.  The last one really about killed me.

I had to run my 9 miles on the treadmill.  I was very happy with how easy it felt.  I am hoping this rain leaves so I can do my run outside tonight.

OK I really only ran 8, but I mowed the lawn before I left so I am counting that as 1 mile.  We have a BIG lawn.

As easy as my run felt yesterday I thought this run would go a lot better.  I really had a hard time.  The first three miles went by fast and felt good.  But then every mile was a struggle after that.  Towards the end of the last mile my knee started to hurt again.  I have ice on it right now...hope that helps.

Kathie wanted to go 19 with me today.  Deep down inside I knew this would be asking my body a little too much.  Before I had started my legs were tired from the 2 nine mile runs I had done during the week.  I knew it was going to be a long run when by mile 3 I was looking at my watch to see how much farther we had to go.  I remember on other long runs I would be into 9 or 10 miles and then start getting anxious for the run to be over.  By mile 13 I knew I was done, but finished the last mile by walking .1 and then running .5.  I hate that I am starting all over again.

4mile treadmill workout.  I hope I can get outside for some of my long runs this week

4 mile hill workout on the treadmill.  Then ran outside for 4.5 miles.  Raced McKenna while she rode her bike.  Since I am writing this I am going to tell you i won!!!!  I realize that 4 + 4.5 does not add up to 9, but I took the dog for a mile walk.  I figured it counted for a 1/2 mile run.  I felt pretty good, started to feel better with each run.

Dance orientation with McKenna tonight.  When WAY later than I thought it would.  Could only get a two mile treadmill run in.  I don't know what I am going to do when she starts back to school and dance.

Was suppose to do 10 tonight.  Planned on running like I did on Tuesday.  5 on the treadmill and then when it was cooler go 5 outside.  Got the treadmill run in just fine, but the last mile my knee started to hurt.  Had a hard time even walking up stairs.  Took the rest the night off, iced the knee and will see how Friday feels.  This year really has been a bad year for me.  I am hoping I can get this SGM behind me and look forward to a better, healthy next year.

Treadmill Run

have you ever had one of those runs when everything feel bad.  Well that was today, from the first step I didn't want to be there.  I told myself after 3 miles things would get better.  I made it three and then four.  At four I turned around and headed for home I wasn't feeling good.  Ran 8, went in the house and went back to bed.  Felt like it was a wasted run.

Treadmill run.  2 1/2 hills, 2 1/2 speed, 2 1/2 hills 2 1/2 speed  Felt OK, still filling upset I only ran 8 on saturday.

Treadmill run.  2 miles hill climb, the 4 mile treadmill program.  Having a hard time running outside, just too hot!!!