25 Minutes

Dang it!! My shins are hurting again. Maybe they just need ice. Maybe it was the hike yesterday and no rest today. I don't know... but I'm getting SICK of it!! I just want to be able to run. I don't think that's asking too much.

25 minutes ~ 2.25 miles

14 minutes ~ .9 miles (walking)

"QUOTE OF THE DAY" Running teaches me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined.

25 minutes

These 20 minute sessions seems like no time at all... but I seem to be skipping them. I didn't run ONCE last week. I did hike Angles Landing on the 11th and hiked again (not as hard) last Thursday... does that count for anything? Probably not.  :oP  I don't know why I seem to be having a hard time getting back in the swing of running. I love it... I think about it all the time... I dream of running fast and far... but when it comes down to it, I can't get myself to lace up my shoes and go out.

Well, last night I just told myself that there was NO choice... I was waking up at 6:00 and running. 5:00 came and I couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up and went. LOVELY!! Really cold... but lovely. I wasn't fast, but my shins aren't hurting. :o)  I need to start doing this... getting up early and going before my brain can talk me out of it.

25 minutes ~ 2 miles
9 minutes ~ .6 miles walking home

21 Minutes

I went out as soon as the kiddos left for school. Nothing too spectacular... but I did it.

21 minutes ~ 1.8 miles

20 minutes

... + 4 to walk home.  :o)

My legs feel good. Tired muscles, but no shin pains. I did a 3 minute stretch YouTube before I left. It seemed to help my shins. Although the muscle just under my big toe seems strained (I just need to roll a ball under it). Going forward, I need to remember to take it easy. I don't have any races coming up, I just need to focus on healing and getting back to a place where I can train for something. I ran 2 min, walked 1 min. Hopefully by Saturday I'll raise that "running" number.

24 minutes ~ 2 miles

"QUOTE OF THE DAY"

Life can pull you down, but running always lifts you up.

20 Minutes

Yep... that's right... a short 20 minutes. That's it.  :oP  I'm trying really hard to do what the PT told me to do without jumping ahead of the "Return to Running" program. My right shin wasn't really cooperating this morning. I'm so tired of being sore! I'm ready to try some new shoes, but I'm afraid of spending the money (and it's a lot more than I want to pay for shoes) and having them not help the situation. SIGH! I'm so not ready to retire from the thing I enjoy and never thought I could do. It makes me want to cry when I think of giving it up... who knew I'd become so attached.  :o)

20 Minutes ~ 1.75 miles

"QUOTE OF THE DAY"

If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.

ARGH!!

I'm on another "break" from running... stupid shin splints!! At least I don't have any races coming up. I guess I shouldn't have taken a 3 week break then started with almost 4 miles... I should have listened to the PT and done the 20 minutes she told me to do.  :oP

3.25 Miles

Worst run EVER!! Ok... so it started out as a run, but I couldn't stay motivated AT ALL!! I ran 1.5 miles keeping a pretty good pace, then my brain must have just shut down. I could not run another step! So I finished the loop, walking the whole way.  Maybe I should have gone at 5:00 like I'd planned, instead I waited until 9:00. I think it's like my friend told me... I need to get up and go before my brain figures out what I'm doing. 

My shins have started hurting again! I'm so mad!! WHY?!? I'm not upping my miles too fast. I'm not pushing myself too hard. WHY?!? AAARRRGGGHHHH!! Well, I'm going to ice them, and take Advil... then do it again on Saturday.

3.25 miles ~ 45 minutes :oP

3.9 Miles

Shoot... a minute slower than yesterday.  :oP  Oh well. I felt like a ran further each time I ran, but I guess I didn't run as fast as yesterday. Does all this even matter?! The only thing that matters is that I woke up at 5:15 and ran almost 4 miles when I'd rather be in bed... that's something I should be proud of.  :o)

It was another chilly morning... PERFECT weather! I don't want my allergies to come! I want to be able to enjoy this time of year!

3.9 miles ~ 46 minutes

3.9 Miles

Fall is in the air!! I was so nice and chilly this morning. It felt WONDERFUL! I feel like I did pretty good this morning. Not as fast as I've been in the past, but not too bad. I'm getting back to the pace I can be ok with. I do need to get new music though. I need to be inspired...

3.9 miles ~ 45 minutes

3.5 Miles

HOLY COW!! I have gotten SO lazy!! I guess I thought I needed to catch up on sleep and enjoy the last few weeks of summer... but I'm totally SLACKING OFF!!

So, I made a goal (that's right... a goal... those things that I hate). I'm going to start running 3 times a week. The kids are in school, so I don't even have to wake up at 5:00 to get my run in. I'm going to try different trails and roads. I HAVE TO GET BACK TO WHERE I KNOW I CAN FINISH A HALF MARATHON!! Right now... not so sure I could finish a 5k. I may just take this whole year off from races and start again next year. I don't know... that halloween race is pretty fun.  :o)

This mornings run was LOVELY, except I forgot my gum and was dying of a dry and pasty mouth after the first 1/2 mile. I can't believe the summer is really gone. It was actually dark this morning at 5:30... and didn't really get light until about 6:15. Which means I need to start wearing a headlamp (yuck) or I need to get clip on flashers. I did finally invest in a reflective vest. I am excited for the cool fall mornings... but not allergies. :oP  Ups and downs I guess. I better enjoy the morning while I can... before the sage brush starts to bloom.

3.5 miles ~ 41 minutes

3.4 Miles

Almost 2 weeks has passed... it feels like I'm starting over.  :oP  I just can't seem to get back to where I was last year. I wasn't fast, but I felt like I could go forever.

Last weekend would have been the Epic Relay. It's really sad to know that I missed it this year... DUMB SHINS!! The whole van texted each other all weekend... telling the other where we thought we'd be at that moment. Oh well... we just missed one year. NEXT YEAR FOR SURE!! We may need to replace a few, but we'll be there.

This morning I knew I wouldn't be fast. I just needed to get my butt out of bed and get moving. It was beautiful and I'm glad I did it... now I'm ready to go back to sleep.  ;o)

I feel like I'm finally caught up on sleep. Girls camp was draining... physically... mentally... emotionally. I'm glad I did it. Loved the women I got to work with in the kitchen. They were AMAZING!! When my brain was complete mush and I couldn't even do simple math, they bailed me out. When we got stuck in town and were late getting up to camp to prepare lunch, they pulled it together without me. I could NOT have made it through the week without them.

3.4 miles ~ 39 minutes

5 miles

Again, I could have kept going... John was just getting out of the shower when I got home. I could have gone another 20 minutes at least. Oh well.

It's kind of sad... it's dark when I leave in the morning. Which means summer is winding down and fall is coming. I guess the fall part makes me excited (I love running in the fall), but having to wear headlamps and reflective vests makes me sad.  The less gear the better.

The sunrise was beautiful this morning. It was warm, but not unbearable. I almost didn't go, but who knows how this week will go and I'll be gone all next week. I've got to squeeze in as many runs as I can this week. I feel like I'm getting faster. I'm not sore when I get home (huge bonus) and I feel strong... but my breathing still isn't what is was last year. This morning was especially bad... but I think it's because I breathed in a bug.  :oP  I finally had to stop at a gas station and get a drink.

Any way... good run... beautiful morning!

5 miles ~ 56 minutes

5.56 Miles

That's right... 5.56 (counting every bit of my run).  :o)  I had the hardest time getting out of bed this morning. I missed Friday's run (John kept me up with his snoring until 2:00... ok and camp stress) so I knew I had to get up and go this morning. I was beautiful. I did pretty good... still a lot of walking, but who am I kidding. I've always walked when I've gone out on a run. I need to give myself a break and just keep at it. The one thing I need to do is WAKE UP 4 DAYS A WEEK AND RUN!! I need to get up to 10 to 11 miles... I've GOT to run a race this year!!

The only story I have this morning is that there was a bug down the back of my bra. It kept biting me. I tried to get it out, but I couldn't reach that high without lifting up the front of my shirt. Finally I reached up there... not caring if anyone saw my white stretched out belly. I never did see what it was. I just grabbed it and dropped it on the ground... a little freaked out that I touched it (I just wanted to brush it off). Now my back is on fire with all the little bites. How that thing got under my bra is beyond me. BLECH!!

5.56 miles ~ 1 hour 4 minutes

4.85 Miles

I should have kept going... John was still sound asleep when I got home. At least do a full 5 miles.  :o)

I actually feel sick to me stomach this morning. I'm not sure if it's the lack of sleep, or nerves. Only 10 more days until girls camp... these girls may or may not starve.  :oP  I don't know what I'm doing. I loose sleep worrying about it, but I'm not sure what to do. Oh well.

My run this morning was pretty uneventful. My pace was slow and I walked A LOT. My running pace was around 9:30, but there wasn't enough of it. Oh well... working my back up in miles, then maybe in pace? Or should it be the other way around?

4.85 miles ~ 58 minutes

3.35 Miles

Another BEAUTIFUL morning!! I was debating last night if I even wanted to get up and run... it was raining and windy last night... running didn't seem very fun. I decided to set my alarm and just see what the weather was like. In Aaron's words... it was really "Fresh" this morning.  You could smell the rain from last night and the temperature was perfect! I used my heart rate monitor this morning, so keeping track of my pace was not an option... so who knows how fast I was going, but I felt like I ran more and walked less. Breathing was a little easier and my legs felt good.  So, overall it was a good morning.

3.35 ~ 38 minutes

3.35 Miles

Wow... it was windy this morning. It felt good after I got all sweaty, but going up hills was a killer today... wind in your face every time. I think the wind blows in circles out here, because I swear every time I went up hill, the wind was in my face. Oh well. It was a beautiful morning and I was glad I was out enjoying it.  :o)  I left not caring (as usual) what I looked like... I had on shorts and my compression socks... my legs are REALLY white... but who cares at 5:30 in the morning. As I was finishing I ran up by the church... all the scouts and parents are out getting ready for a camp out. I hope they were too busy packing up cars to notice the pasty white legs running by.  :o)

Again not my fastest pace, but I'm working on it.  :o)

3.35 miles ~ 40 minutes

3.35 Miles

After a week of stress and no sleep, I'm back on the road. Nothing spectacular, but it felt good. My muscles are not what they should be at this time of the year, but I'll get there. I need to sign up for a race, so I have something to work for. Right now it's just me needing to get back into shape. My average running time was 9:30... but sadly there was more walking, ok strolling, than running this morning. Oh well... I'm just getting back into it.

3.35 miles ~ 40 minutes

27 Minutes

And the only reason I know that is because I left at 6:08 and got home at 6:35. I forgot to turn on my Garmin!!  :oP  I did do pretty good with my distances. I ran to the church and up the hill before I stopped to walk. It was about then that I realized it was really quite... I forgot my music. Really?!? I didn't notice it before then?!? I guess I had a lot on my mind (girls camp is going to kill me). 

I ran up to the corner by the equestrian park and back... I think it's only 2 miles or something like that. I realized I have a lot of work to go on my running. I do want to keep going... and getting better... but I've got to get my legs use to this new way of running. My muscles are pretty sore right now. :oP Grrrr!

27 minutes  

Race Day :oP

Today had to be one of the hardest days I've had in a while. It was SO hard for me to go and drop my friend off at the busses... knowing I wasn't going to the top of the canyon. I cried a little after I parked the car. Mostly feeling sorry for myself. This was my favorite run.  I ended up taking a little nap since I dropped her off at 4:45 and my race wasn't until 7:00. I set my alarm for 6:45... thinking I'd feel better if I got a little nap, but I just dreamt about running... so I was still bummed when I woke up.

The race started and I did my best... ran the monster hill at the beginning of the course. About 1/2 way through I just stopped caring about my time or pace. I turned off my watch and just went with the beat of my music (new favorite song..."All Fired Up" by Pat Benatar). I did ok... 34 minutes... I was 16th in my group... and THAT has never happened!  :o)  I got to the finish as the half marathoners were finishing. I stood at the finish and watched my people I knew, one by one, cross the finish line. Again... I cried. I know now that I love the race. I love the competition against myself. I love the feeling of accomplishment when they put the metal around your neck.

I AM NOT DONE RUNNING!!

Now, to find my next race!  :o)

30 Minutes

All I wanted to do this morning is sleep! I feel exhausted. Maybe it's that I'm overwhelmed. I feel like I have so much to do (work, home, kids, school parties, girls camp...and I just volunteered to help with the new schools website). I like doing all those things, but It seems like they're all needing to be done NOW. :oP  But then I go for a run... and I feel rejuvenated... until I get home and reality hits. Oh well... this is life right?

This mornings run was beautiful as usual. I kept my running pace around 9:30. I just wish I could get my breathing in rhythm. I think I have sports-induced asthma...or maybe it's this sinus infection, but whatever it is, my breathing should be easier by now.  :oP Hopefully it will clear itself up soon...I want to get back to where I was.

2.65 miles ~ 30 minutes

28 Minutes

Why is it so hard to get up in the morning? But once I'm up and outside... IT'S GLORIOUS!! The sunrise was beautiful. It was a little windy, but LOVELY! Who ever thought I'd like waking up early and going outside and actually RUNNING?!? :o)  I'm a walking miracle!  :o)

This morning was ok... not too fast. I did run up the same hills I did on Saturday and went a little further before walking. One day, I'll run up all of them without stopping.  :o)  One of my neighbors stopped me at church and told me he saw me running up our street and he said I was crazy for doing it... that made me feel so tough.  :o)  Little did he know, I only made it half way up... but I was sprinting the whole way.

2.5 miles ~ 28 minutes

4 Miles

Another CHATTING evening walk. Sometimes there's just things you need to get off your chest.  :o)  I love my friends!

27 Minutes

Nothing spectacular... I went running before Gracen's soccer game. The weather was nice. I ran more hills that usual. My pace was faster on the runs...even up hills. I'm feeling stronger. Now to get past this 5k and then I think I can start counting miles instead of minutes.  :o)  It makes more sense to do that.

2.4 miles ~ 27 minutes

24 Minutes (+4 more to get home) :o)

I know it stupid of me to count every minute... but since I can't really count every single .1 of a mile like I used to, this is how I feel better about my time on the road. :o) This morning was another beautiful one... but I wasn't feeling it like I was yesterday. Again I'm keeping about a 9 minute mile when I do run, but my walking I think is getting slower. I feel like I can't breathe. Maybe my next rip to the doctor will be for an inhaler.  :oP  So, my 2 minute walking laps are really slow to catch my breath. I know I should be running slower, but I can't slow down. I guess I just need to work on strengthening my lungs again... get them back to what they were. Overall... lovely morning...love being on the road!!

28 minutes ~ 2.5 miles

22 Minutes (+ 6 minutes walking to get home)

This morning I felt like I could have kept going! The weather was perfect... beautiful sunrise. My legs felt great... my lungs were a different story, but you could tell by my pace that it was a good morning. My 3 minute running paces were between 8:45 and 9:15.  :o)  I'm excited about that. Now to get breathing down and my lungs back up to where they should be.

I'm really bummed about not doing the canyon run, but I'll be at the finish for my friend... who is going to kick some behinds on this race.  :o)  I have to say that I've been so proud of her doing her training on her own. She's going to do so well!

I'm going to lunch with some of my teammates from last years relay... we're going to try and plan on one later this year or the beginning of next. I need something fun to motivate me to keep going.

28 minutes ~ 2.4 miles

4 Miles

An evening walk that was TOTALLY needed... talking the whole way.  :o)  I wish the kids were old enough that I could do that with John every once in a while. But friends are always the best.

4 Miles

21 Minutes

...totally walking. Ok, there were a few 3 minute running streaks, but mostly walking and talking to my running partner that I'm ditching. It's official... I'm only doing the 5k for the AF Canyon.  :o(  There's no way I'll be ready even it I pushed myself on the elliptical and in the pool. So my neighbor is taking my half spot... and I'm signing up for the 5k.  Still... good cause.

1.75 ~ 21 minutes

20 Minutes

Another 20 minutes. It totally feels like such a waste... but baby steps. LITERALLY!  :oP  My pace is faster it seems. But when I look back at my times, I guess it's where it used to be. Oh well... this is all for my own good.

1.75 miles ~ 20 minutes

20 Minutes :o(

I went back to the PT... I have to start over. I guess I pushed myself to far too fast. My legs were in bad shape... they still feel bruised from the massage she gave me. They told me that I can only increase my time by 5 minutes per week!  :oP  That's going to KILL me!! But, I need to do this. I need to change my thinking... this is for the long haul. I'm changing everything about my running...so I need to stick with it.

This morning I went out for 20 minutes. The weather was amazing and I wish I could have kept going. I noticed a difference in how I run. It's easier to change my running than it was at the beginning. My pace is faster, which is good. Now, to work up the time and miles and LUNG capacity.  :o)  I only went 1.75 miles, but it was good... 3 minutes running 2 minutes walking. I need to get back to the Rec Center so there can be a possibility of actually finishing the race. I guess we'll just see how it goes. There's only 22 days before the race and if my calculations are correct... I'll only be up to 35 minutes of running.  :oP

1.75 Miles ~ 20 minutes

3.5 Miles

Grrrr! My legs are KILLING me!! I did my warm up stretches. I ran the way the PT told me to. I don't feel like I pushed myself any harder than I did on Saturday. I'm just so frustrated!! I don't have time for this!! I don't want to pull out of the race, but I sure don't want to walk it.  :oP  I guess I may just have to face the fact that I won't be running to beat my time. I'm running for the experience of it and because it's a good cause.

But in my heart, I'll be mad at myself for not being able to do better than the last time.

3.5 miles ~ 38 minutes

3.5 Miles

Did the usual loop this morning. The weather was PERFECT!! Tank top the whole way.  :o)  Did my run 3 walk 2... which turned into run 2 walk 1. I was tired. But I did pretty good... kept the running pace at about a 9:00. So I'm getting faster on the runs. Now to just work on keeping up with the 3:2 ratio.

I never realized how much a really do love running until it was taken away. I love that it's something I can do... ON MY OWN. My only competition is myself. And I love the solitude of it. I enjoy running with friends, but LOVE running alone. I'm going to do AWESOME on the AF run... because I'm running again and enjoying every minute. It wouldn't hurt if I beat my time either. :o)

3.5 miles ~ 38 minutes

2.5 Miles... FINALLY!!

After almost 7 weeks of "active rest"... going to the Rec Center and using their elliptical and pool... I RAN!! It was only 2.5 miles, but I did it! And it was GLORIOUS!!  :o) My PT told me to run 3 minutes, walk 2... so the running average pace was about 9:45. Not too bad. It won't beat my time, but it'll get me across the finish line.  :o)  Now to work my way up to at least 10 miles in 39 days. Here's hoping all that sweat and embarrassing "aqua jogging" pays off.  :o)

2.5 Miles ~ 23 minutes

40 Minutes

There was no one to ask questions about the Elliptical today, so I just hopped on again. I did lengthen my stride, which seemed to move the little light that showed a slow jog to a more faster jog. I didn't quite make it to the "running" spot, but I really pushed myself today. I was soaked in sweat by the time I left... so I guess it was a good day.  :o)

The PT also gave me some exercises to do at home to strengthen my calves and shins. Apparently my toes and hips aren't as flexible as they need to be. They have me stretching my toes, loosening my achilles tendon, and working on balance. It's kind of embarrassing how horrible I am at these exercises. I thought I was doing pretty good in the running area...I guess I was lacking in some areas. I'm glad I have these things to get me stronger. I'm excited to get back out on the road to see if these things they're having me work on will help my running. And let me tell you... I'M DYING TO GET OUTSIDE ON THE ROAD! I'm going to be so bummed when we go to St. George and I can't go for a run.  :o(

40 minutes ~ ?? miles (I forgot to look again!)

35 Minutes Elliptical

I went to the Rec Center and renewed my pass. I totally didn't want to... I want to be outside, but oh well. I need to do what I need to do to get ready for June. So, the physical therapist gave me a paper on "Running Equivalences" so I could continue training...Aquajogging 1.25x as long as running, Elliptical 1.33x, Stair Stepper 1.0x. I thought I'd just hop on the stair stepper and go for as long as I did for 3 miles... boy did I think wrong... it felt all wrong. I guess I was thinking it would feel like I was running up hill or something. I could not get a groove... I couldn't wrap my head around how I was suppose to work it. I'll have to try again another day. So toady I hopped on the Ellipitcal and went for 35 minutes. The frustrating thing is that it doesn't say how many miles per minute, so I have no idea how fast I was going. I guess I need to do a little research and find out how to keep track of myself. All I know is that I worked up a GOOD sweat and kept it at a "jogging" pace for the full 35 minutes and went a little over 4 miles (I think, I forgot to double check the miles)... but I'm assuming that miles on the elliptical is different than miles on the road.

35 minutes ~ ?? miles

Phsycical Therapy

I went to physical therapy today. Apparently I have some issues.  :o)  I'm not as flexible as I thought I was. And my joints don't bend as much as they should. Huh. Nice people... They showed me a bunch of exercises I need to do and some cross-training options while I wait 3 weeks. He also gave me some shims to put under my heel, to see if it helps, just with walking. So, I'm a little excited to see if these things help. I'm DYING to go outside. The weather is perfect and beautiful!! Sadly, most of my cross-training options are indoors... now I'm hoping for cooler weather, maybe some snow.  :o)  Here's hoping for a speedy recovery and somewhat entertaining 3 weeks. I get to do aquajogging.  :o)

Bad news...

I found out today I have a stress fracture on my left shin.  :o(  I finally made a doctor's appointment to see what's going on with my legs. They did an x-ray on just my left leg (because it was the most tender) and found either a stress fracture that is healing, or that had just happened... because it was so small. He told me I have to rest for 4-6 weeks. Even though I ran Tuesday, I'm counting this week as week 2 of resting.  :oP  I don't have time to rest!! There's only 10 weeks until the race! Oh well... I'll do what I need to do to get better. The good news is that he didn't tell me to stop running... he's sending me to a physical therapist to teach me how to run to prevent these from getting worse. Let's hope it works.

I actually cried last night thinking he'd tell me to stop running all together. I'm not ready to give this up! I've finally found something that I feel good doing... and it doesn't involve eating or laying around ('cause that's what I love to do). I'm proud of my races, even though they're certainly not fast and I'm proud of the fact that I can do something I never thought I could do. I hope my legs will heal and I'll learn how to run with them. Like I said before I'm not ready to quit!

The only thing that's good about the "rest" thing, is that this cold is going to kill me! I'm not sleeping well, and certainly can't breathe... maybe I'll get rid of both in the next few weeks.  :o)

3.5 Miles

Today was pathetic! I have a killer cold that is draining all my energy. I could only run 1 out of the 3.5 miles and then my lungs gave out. My shins weren't too bad while I was going (still couldn't get a good stretch) but when we finished, they were a little tender. Now, to just get over this cold!

3.5 miles ~ 50 minute... TOO MUCH WALKING!!

4 Miles

What a lovely BRISK morning walk. I loved it... so leisurely... chatting the whole time.  :o)  It's what I needed. Another day to get moving, but without the pain. I think I'll try it again tomorrow morning... see how the legs feel. Not much else to report.

4 miles ~ ?? minutes

3 Miles

Well, it's official... my shin splints are back. By the end of the day on Saturday, it felt like I'd been kicked up and down my shin bone. It was so tender. By Tuesday (after icing it daily and doing toe lifts) my legs started feeling better, but I'm not going to run on them until next week. This is the most frustrating thing!! I finally found something that I enjoy... that I feel good about doing... that makes me healthy... and I get this silly injury!  I know I need to see a Dr. and figure out what's wrong... I can't give up the sport just yet. I have goals to meet!  :o)

3 miles ~ ?? minutes

4.5 Miles

We ran the canyon again this morning. The wind was blowing pretty hard, but we were pretty sheltered in the canyon... turning the corner at the bottom, it almost knocked us off out feet. That slowed our pace quite a bit for the last couple of miles. I should have started our pace over to see how slow we got. It was beautiful and we ran more today than we did last Saturday. My shins are a little tender, but better than yesterday. I taped them up and wore my compression socks... I think that helped. I also iced them the last two nights and used John's back massager on them (that felt nice). I hope I can make it through this training without it getting too bad.

4.5 miles ~ 47 minutes

3.25 Miles

I squeezed in a run this morning before I had to go help at the school. My running partner was babysitting again this morning, so I went solo. I've forgotten how much I love running alone. It's nice to have someone to chat with, but I feel like I can motivate myself to beat my own time when I'm alone. But, I didn't do that great.  :oP  My pace was a little slow... and my shins were on FIRE, but I did it... and I survived.

3.25 miles ~ 37 minutes

3 Miles

And now the anxiety about shin splints comes in... THEY HURT today.  :o(  We did SO good on Saturday. I just could not get a good stretch this morning. Plus, we ran around a park today (my friend was watching a little boy this morning and we didn't want to push the stroller) on concrete... not good on the shins. I need to start remembering to ice them and do my "ABC's" with my feet. I know that helped last time... I guess I've gotten lazy. It was a beautiful day though.  :o)  Good chatting.

3 miles ~ ?? minutes (I forgot to start my watch)

5 Miles

Today we ran down the canyon... one of my favorite runs. It was really cold though this morning. We kept a really good pace, just to keep us warm.  :o)  I think we did really good. Our average pace was 10:40 and we did a little walking on the way as well. We were only suppose to do 3 miles, but we couldn't resist the canyon. As soon as we got out into the neighborhoods, we warmed right up... the sun was out and it was a beautiful day.

As soon as I got home, we had 3 little friends over... 2 boys Gracen's age and one of the boys little sister, Carson's age. They played outside ALL day. Even though I would have loved a little nap, it was fun having kids playing and having fun in the back yard. I'm excited for summer!!

5 miles ~ 54 minutes

4.1 Miles

Chatting and walking the whole way. My good friend Elisa called this morning for a walk... how could I say no.  :o)  It was great! The sun was shining... the company was great... I love strolls like this one.

3.5 Miles

There was a LOT of stopping to stretch today. My right leg was having a hard time. We did the 3 mile loop and did pretty good on the up-hill, and of coarse down hill was lovely but gradual climb and flat... that's what started to bother my shins. We may have to start bringing music and only talking on the walking parts. I need to focus on my breathing... get that back into rhythm. We get running and talking... I can't focus on breathing. Maybe it's like walking and chewing gum at the same time... maybe I'm one of those people.  :oP

3.5 miles ~ 42 minutes

2 Miles

Barely! I don't know what it was, but it was hard to get out and get moving. Probably because it was SO cold. We didn't go out until 10:00... by then I was ready for a nap (John's been keeping me up snoring).  :o)  It was not our best run, but at least we went out. The visiting is always nice.  :o) My watch shut off exactly half way out... so who knows how long we were out. All I know is that it was 2 miles.

2 miles ~ ?? minutes

3.9 Miles

Brrrrr! The wind was SO chilly this morning! I'm still shivering! My watch shut off half way through the run, so I have no idea how long we went, maybe 45 minutes? It was a good run though. My Friend, Sherri really pushed me to go farther than I would on my own... up hills and down. It felt good.

3.9 miles ~ 45 minutes?

3.1 Miles

You know I have to add the .1 of a mile.  :o)  I got in a quick this morning. My friend and I ran our 3 miles before my little neighbor came over for me to watch. It's nice to have someone keep you on track with your schedule, but I'm nervous that I'm such a loner runner that I'm going to not make a very FUN partner. Oh well. We did pretty good with our pace. We ran 1 1/2 to Walgreens and then ran half way back and walked the rest... have I ever mentioned that I'm not a big fan of hills.  :oP  It's mostly downhill to Walgreens but the coming home... lots of up. The weather was perfect and I'm loving the SUN!!  Saturday is another 3 miles and I'm excited to have the sun again!!

3 miles ~ 35 minutes

2 Miles

I should have run outside this morning... but the snow put me off. I headed to the Rec Center with my new running partner, Sherri, and hit the treadmill. We only had 2 miles, but being on that treadmill made it seem like the LONGEST 2 miles of my life!! I did ok... but my left calf start cramping (it still is). Thursday, I'm going outside if it kills me!! Time goes by faster when you're breathing fresh air.  :o)

The funniest part of my day, I had to go to Carson's class. So after the Rec Center I went home to quickly shower, but because of that arm workout I did yesterday, I couldn't move my arms enough to get off my tank top.  :oP  I stood in the bathroom for the longest time trying to figure out how to get out of it and get in the shower.  I had to just laugh.

2 miles ~ 24 minutes

2 Miles

So I finally found a schedule to follow to run a full marathon... I'm not saying that I'm actually going to do it, but it's a thought.  :o)  I am turning 40 this year... I said I'd try to do a full before 40.

I went to the Rec Center this morning thinking it would be a quick run. I went with a friend who has been talking about trying to do a half and asked if I'd help her train. So today was our first day training together and we ran into another friend who is a personal trainer and said she was working on her arms and asked if we wanted to join her... I'm not going to be able to lift my arms tomorrow!! They feel like Jell-O!! So what I thought would be a quick trip to the gym, turned into something MUCH longer.  :oP  Now, to find some energy to do the things I need to today.

2 miles ~ ?? minutes

5.25 Miles

I fell in love with running again today! The weather was perfect and a friend joined me along the way. We walked a lot, but we ran quite a bit too. My legs didn't hurt and my breathing was pretty smooth (unless I was the one talking).  :o)   It was good to get out and go!

5.25 miles ~ 1 hour 10 minutes (not fast at all... but I did it!)

3.36 Miles

Another lovely day... a bit on the windy side, but the sun was out and it was glorious! Again, not as fast as I know I can be... as fast as I've been in the past... but I did ok. I do beat myself up along the way. "Last year I could run this whole stretch!" "Just in October I could go 10 miles no problem, now I can barely go 3!" It's frustrating to start from scratch again. I know I can get up to the pace I was in October, but it's annoying that I'm not there NOW. Can you tell the level of patience I have?  :oP  I need to do it for the journey... I read a quote that I need to remember when I get disappointed in myself and my runs... "I run to explore. I run to escape the ordinary. I run… to savor the trip along the way. Life becomes a little more vibrant..." I did keep my running pace between 8:45 and 9:30 again... I'm getting there. Just got to keep going!

3.36 miles ~ 40 minutes

3.25 Miles

I'm back in the saddle again! And it felt GREAT!! It's been too long. I tried a few time while we were down in St. George, but it was hard with the kids. I did go on a leisurely walk/run/chatting-galore with a friend last week while the kids were at a sleep over. It was so nice to be outside!

The kids are back in school today, so I hit the road. Perfect weather!! I'm excited to be back at it. Not my fastest... lots of walking... but when I did run, I kept it between 8:45 and 9:30 minute mile. Now if I can get the motivation to RUN the whole thing... Amber, any suggestions?  :o)

3.25 miles ~ 38 minutes

Just Dance :o)

Don't laugh... I got all dressed to go outside. I got to the top of my street and FROZE!! The wind was so bitter. I thought about going to the Rec Center, but I couldn't bring myself to get on the treadmill. So I decided to go downstairs and play "Just Dance" on the Wii... HOLY COW!! I am drenched in sweat! I played for an hour!! Time flew by. Who knows how many calories or what kind of work out I got, but my heart was racing and I'm sweating, so it must have been good.  :o)

3 Miles

I was hoping to go running outside in the beautiful snow... but it was so cold and smoggy I opted for the Rec Center. I went and did my sprints. I ran into a lady that worked with me at girls camp a few years ago... it was fun to chit chat with her. I hope she'll come up and help me this year.  :o)  So after chatting with her for 20 minutes, I did 3 miles on the treadmill. Again, the workout made the time go by quicker.

3 miles, 30 minutes on the treadmill

?? Miles

Who knows how far I went today... I was on the track. I should be enjoying the outdoors on nice days, but a friend called, and who can pass up chatting.  :o)  We were there for an hour, walking, AND using weights as we walked. My shoulders are going to feel it tomorrow.

?? miles ~ 1 hour

3.77 Miles

Well, I got "laid off" of one of my jobs... I'm actually not really broken up about it. Well, the money was nice, but it just wasn't working out with me or with them. So, now I can do some of the things I've been neglecting. 

I got to run outside toady. It was beautiful! Chilly, but beautiful. My legs were a little stiff, but I made pretty good time, considering I walked quite a bit. Now, I need to start looking for a training program to keep me on track.

3.77 miles ~ 43 minutes

3 Miles

Today is going to be a crazy day... I did as much as I could this morning, now I'm off to the school to help in Gracen's class. I went alone to the Rec Center to do "sprints". I found a treadmill workout that included sprints. So I printed it out and tried it. I LOVED IT!! Walk, run sprint, walk, run, sprint... It made the 3 miles fly by (not to mention Cup Cake Wars was on) and I felt great. I did do 5 times around the track to get up to the full 3. I think I'll start doing that at least once a week. They have a "run faster" version... I may have to try that too.  :o)

3 miles, 30 minutes on the treadmill

3.15 Miles

I had a busy morning, but I squeezed in the Rec Center with a good friend... I've missed seeing her since we go to church at different times. We just walked and ran around the track. We had a lot to get caught up on.  Not much more to report on... just that I did it.  :o)

I've been a little bummed... my favorite relay is just not going to happen this year.  :o(  I just got asked to do all the food for Stake Girls Camp, which is the same week as the relay, one of the ladies in our van said she's out this year... AND no one will man up and run in Van #1. Are we really that bad?!? It was the one race I really looked forward to... now it's not going to happen. Boo hoo for me... but no worries, I'm looking at other relays we can do with only 6 people.  :o)  I might just get my way after all.

3.15 miles ~ ?? minutes

3.15 Miles

So lovely!! I had a very nice run outside. Not my fastest time, but not too bad. For just getting back in the game... not bad. PLUS, the sun was delightful!

3.15 miles ~ 40 minutes

2.5 Miles

It's been so beautiful this morning... I wish I would have done my walking/running outside, but I had to go early and the sun wasn't quite warm yet.  :o)  I did 2.5 miles on the track... running and walking. I went again with a friend and it wasn't too bad. We had a lot to talk about, so it was nice to be distracted. I do have next week planned to get in some actual running. My shins feel great, so I think I'm ready to start training. The week looks somewhat warm too. :o)

2.5 miles ~ ?? minutes

2.5 Miles

Thank you Elisa for talking me into NOT going to the Rec Center!! It was a glorious day! I didn't have a lot of time so the Rec Center made sense...until i felt the sun on my face!  I started out just walking... up all those nasty hills by my house, when I got to the top, I decided I needed to run down them. LOVELY!! I ran to the church, walked up to the equestrian park, and then ran back to the church and walked home. Only 2.5 miles, but I did it. :o) AND I'm not sore!

2.5 miles ~ 30 minutes

2 Miles

Another 2 miles down. Nothing spectacular. I went with a friend again this morning... it motivated me to get out the door.  :oP  I tried to do an incline today as I chatted with friends... it sure made the chatting hard. I was so out of breath. After we walked 2 miles, my friend showed me some good weight exercises that should strengthen my back (which is good for running). So we did that for a while... and boy am I feeling it.

2 miles ~ ?? minutes

2 Miles

Well, it seems I'm doing less and less when I go to the rec center. Today was more of a social get together...I went with a friend and we chatted while we walked around the track. W we did 2 miles, then we both need to get home. I'm planning on going again tomorrow...maybe going alone is best, I seem to get more done. :oP  Then again, maybe not. I'm giving myself 2 weeks of walking, then I've got to running...I'm going crazy!

2.5 Miles

I have been having the hardest time taking it easy. The elliptical is easy enough, but then I hip on the treadmill and the people on either side are running...I want to run. Who ever thought I'd say that?! This morning I didn't have much time, so it was a short day exercising. I did a mile and a half on the elliptical, then a mile on the dead-mill. Nothing spectacular, but I did it. :)

2.5 miles ~ ?? Minutes

3.25 Miles

I was a wimp today and went to the Rec Center... 19 was too cold for me this morning. I decided to do the elliptical... so I did 2 miles on that. When I got off I was all jelly legs, so I got on the treadmill for another .75 miles... just walking. Then I ran around the track for another .5 miles. My shins feel good. I'm not sore, so I'll be trying to go back tomorrow. I keep setting my alarm for 5:00... thinking I can head over to the Rec Center... but then I turn it off and reset it to 7:00 so I can get the kids up. I keep reminding myself that I do like getting up and going... I've just forgotten.  :o)  Maybe tomorrow I'll remember.

3.25 miles ~ not fast enough!

1.85 Miles

Look at me!! I'm finally back!!

 

First of all... this new year has not started out very nice. My computer died... taking with it 3 months worth of pictures and a lot of work documents that I need. Thank goodness I have this other work laptop. I'm hoping there's a way I can get stuff off my hard drive... I don't want to have to recreate primary, work, and personal stuff! AAARRRGGGHHH!! Now I have to find a good computer... and John said I can't buy a mac this time. Boooo!!

 

Anyway... on with the running. Or maybe I should say walking. :oP  I've been looking at the beautiful weather we've been having. Cold, but BEAUTIFUL and sunny. So this morning, I hurried and got my work done so I could go out. I knew it wouldn't be spectacular, but I needed to start some time. It's so frustrating to have to start from scratch again... but I guess that's what I need to do, after my shin splint acted up last year. I went 2 miles... probably walking at least one of those. The sun felt glorious and I wished my lungs, heart and legs would keep up with my desire to run. That was the part that was frustrating. I think I might start going to the Rec Center at 5:00 again to walk or do the elliptical and then maybe head out on the road if the weather's nice, after the kids leave. I'm anxious to get back out there... I know I need to take it slow, but the way my lungs felt this morning, I have no choice. I've got the running bug for sure!!

1.85 miles ~ 23 minutes