ABOVE AND BEYOND-8 miles

I was shooting for a seven mile run today, but I ran 8. It was good and hard all at the same time. I ran from my house to the top of unity pass and back. The hill was hard. I think it's a good mile. On my way back my hip flexer decided to be a brat. It made the rest of the run pretty painful. It just didn't want to stretch my full stride. Probably from taking shorter strides UP the hill. It's hurting pretty bad right now, but nothing Advil won't cure. Steve came to check on me during my run. He drove up just as I was reaching the top of the hill. Just when I needed him he was there. He went to go get me a Gatorade at the gas station. I was well down the hill when he finally returned with fluids. He ran up to the trail to offer me a sip. I took a little one as I kept running(I never even stopped through my whole run), and left him in the dust. Then he drove off and left me in the dust. Home seemed like such a long ways away, but I made it.

TRAUMA ON THE TRAIL-3 miles

Yesterdays run was full of trouble. I was down one mile with two left to go. My IPOD stopped! I seriously thought I was going to cry. I charged it before I left so don't ask me what the heck even happened. I had even loaded some new songs on it. I was so mad I was going to just stop and turn back home. My music is what makes me run. I have certain songs that help me focus on my breathing, my stride and pace, and a few that really get me moving. I just didn't know how I was going to finish with out them. Then, I thought how pathetic I would be if I had come this far into my training and then would just quit because of stupid music. I have never stopped short on any of my runs. I have never slowed down and walked because I am tired. I have never even stopped for a drink. So, I wasn't going to stop this time. Instead, I listened to the ugly sound of huffing and puffing all through my run. I did it. I was proud. Then, for part 2 of the trauma. I bent down to give Havie a kiss and noticed her little beanie was missing. This is a hat that has sentimental value to me. She has worn it since she was born(yes, it still fits her). She is also wearing it in one of my favorite pictures of her. It was something I wanted to hold onto forever. It even has a little sweater that matches it. I went back out and looked for it alot of the afternoon. No luck. The wind had also picked up so who knows where it could be. Probably somewhere in the desert, or on some other babies head. Well, I think I did good today, considering. It at least gave me some good angry energy to work through on my 7 mile tomorrow.

ME AND MY GIRL-4 1/2 miles

I took Havie with me on my run today. She has been soooo sick, and I'm sure it all stems from the day care at the legacy center. So, I am going to try to avoid doing my runs on the track. As long as it's not raining we'll be headed outdoors. Haven was so good. She didn't make a peep the whole run. As I was cooling down I noticed she was asleep. I don't know if she had just drifted off, or if she slept the whole run. I was suppose to run 4 today, but I felt so good I decided to push a little further. It is always so rewarding. I hadn't ever pushed Haven for more than 3 miles, and that was on the track. I was so proud that I hurdled hills and bumps with her in tow. I talked with Melissa on the way home. She is training for a triathlon this summer. I suggested we do the Pony Express days 5K. She was all over it. She is going to join me for a 3 mile tomorrow. It will be nice to have a Friend out on the trail. For now I am hoping the weather holds for tomorrow.

FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY-3 miles

Today's run really helped me sort my head out. Haven has been so sick and miserable. Which obviously interprets that I too am miserable. I didn't get much sleep last night and we spent the whole morning at Dr's offices. It was a good break to be able to go home and leave for a run, even if only for a short time. I guess I could have made it take longer, but I was a little anxious to get Havie Raye back in my arms. I got a honk along the way, I think from Kelly, maybe not. Anyway, it looked like her car so I waived back. The honk came just when I needed it. Then as I was winding down, Emity and Tiffanie pulled up and I had a quick visit with them. Of course I blabbed about myself and all the things I was excited and frustrated about. Hopefully they didn't mind. I know I can be so annoying. It was so good to have good friends today to help cheer me on.

WET MARSHMALLOWS-6 miles

Saturdays run was totally awesome! I ran the whole 6 miles without stopping. It took just over 1 hour. I started about 7:45. It was cold, but I had to get out and do it so I could stop being afraid. The sun popped up over the mountain and it was gorgeous. It made me think, "Oh ya, this is why I run". I immediately felt the warmth. It was just what I needed at that moment. I was so ready to reach my finish mark, but it's crazy how you also feel like you could just keep running. My hips started hurting a little towards the end. I just imagined them as big wet marshmallows sliding around. It must have helped because I finished. It was such a great feeling. I think I'll reward myself by buying more tunes! Today finished week 4 of my training. I have ran 51 miles this month! I have burned at least 5000 calories! That should be rewarding enough. My miles really bump up this week. No more short runs through out the week. I am really going to concentrate on my liquids, and food for fuel, not for fun. Wish me luck, I'll need it!

PERFECT TIMING-3 miles

My run took place outside in the afternoon today. It was beautiful, and somewhat warm. As I was running I thought, "what the heck have I gotten myself into?" "This is crazy!" I think I was starting to feel some anxiety about doing 6 miles on Saturday. Not to long after I ran into MariAnne. She is a cutie who runs all over Eagle Mountain with her kiddies in tow. She is amazing! I have her number and have wanted to call her and recruit her for help and motivation. It has sat in my drawer and I have done nothing with it. I didn't want to bug her for fear that she would think I was a nerd. We chatted for a few minutes as I begged for her help. She offered it up freely. I know she can help me. She even said she would be happy to do some long runs with me. There is hope! In the meantime I am gearing up for Saturday. My other ankle has been hurting this week. Oh the pain! Oh well!

40 MINUTES-4 miles

I wish I could break my 10 minute mile rut. I've only done it once. It's just such a good comfortable pace for me. Today I focused on lengthening my stride, but it didn't help my time. Although my legs are starting to feel sore, so I must have worked some good muscles. I have my eye on a GPS watch. It can help me train to increase my time and distance. It will most definitely help me in my training. I am hoping to get it very soon! tomorrow I will catch my run outside in the afternoon. Looking forward to it!

BACK AT IT-3 miles

So, Saturday's run doesn't exist. My mind was so tired. Running involves major brain power for me. I have a few weeks extra to fit in my schedule so I started last week over again today. It is almost 3 miles from my house to the stop sign by the school. I took that route and threw in a lap around the block. It doesn't seem far at all when you drive it, but it does when your running it. It was good today though. The sun was so hot I had to strip my jacket. My ankle is acting up again tonight. I think from taking a few days off. Good reason to NOT take a break.

UPHILL BATTLE-no miles

It was an uphill battle to get my run in yesterday. It didn't happen. I actually cried over it. I was ready with the kids to head for the gym after dropping other kids off at school. I realized I left my IPOD so I turned back home. The roads were so icy. I was determined to go, even if the weather was not in our favour. I was a witness to an accident and stopped to lend help. At that moment I knew I wasn't making it to the gym. I had another plan. I put Haven down for a nap and went to Stephanie's to use her treadmill. Haven woke up screaming just as I was ready to start. We ended up at the doctor with double ear infections. At this point in the game I had to stop and tell myself that today I can't be a runner, I need to be a mom. So I was, to the best of my abilities considering the circumstances. I have thought about how to get myself ready for a 6 mile on Saturday. Each run prepares me for the one ahead. I'm not sure it will happen. That's OK, I keep telling myself. I will run as far as I can on Saturday, and start my week over. I have an extra week of training to spare. I'll use it now and hope I don't need it later. What I learned from all of this is that the reason I am running is so I can do better at being me. So, when the time presents itself for me to be me, I need to just be me. Who knows if I can be me later.

TIME FOR ME-3 miles

My post is somewhat like my run yesterday. I wasn't sure if it would get done. Haven is sick, probably from the day care at the Legacy center. So, I couldn't go in. everyone else in the house had such hectic schedules, I didn't know how I was going to fit myself in. So I panicked. I found a solution. Put Haven down for a nap, and beg Stephanie to take the monitor, and Lucas. She offered her help and I left. I did my 4 mile up towards unity pass. It was hard. My butt and thighs felt so heavy. They did not want to move. I just kept talking to my parts and told them to get up and move. It must have worked because I finished. Thank goodness. Now I am on my way to do my 3 mile for today. I'm gearing up for a 6 mile on Saturday!

28 MINUTES-3 miles

It snowed last night-danget! Saturday's run was awesome and it got me excited about runnung outside more often. For now, I'll hope for good weather for my long weekend runs. The track was hot today. At one point it felt hard to even breathe. There were so many people there today. I was hoping the snow would have been discouraging for others(I'm so rude), but no such luck. I got a good time on my run today. Since my first week my time has been the same for my 3 mile run. I lowered it by 2 minutes today. I know it doesn't seem like much, but believe me it is. It was a celebration for me today. I have kept myself motivated by buying music from itunes. I load a few new songs on each week that are fun to run to. Tomorrow is a rest day. I plan on enjoying it!

ON ICE-5 miles

So, my foot hasn't been the only thing on ice thus far. Today, a good portion of my run took place on ice. I have to get my run in early. I am so fearful that if I wait until later in the day that it may not happen. Plus, I'd rather go get it done, and feel good about it the rest of the day. So I left the house at 8:30 and headed to the trail. It had rained last night and the trail was spotted with ice. The reason I don't run on a treadmill is because I hate the feeling of working and getting nowhere in the end(and I am not lucky enough to have one). Well, today, the ice made me fell like I was on the treadmill. Going, going, going, and getting nowhere. About half way through I decided to hit the road(where no ice was present). I could imagine all the annoyed drivers wondering why the city paid for a trail and I was using the road. Oh well. All of my runs so far have taken place inside, on a track. Today was the first day out, and it made all the difference. I could actually imagine myself running this race. I started at the stop sign by the school. My half way marker was the unity pass sign. It was a good climb up the hill. I kept telling myself, "If you go up, then you get to go down". Down was awesome! The view was fabulous! Mist gathered around the base of the mountains. The sage was invigorating as I inhaled the cold air. This really felt as good as it gets. As I approached my final mile to my ending marker I felt a surge of energy. I raced the last mile. It was Incredible. Today has been so great. I have had a feeling of accomplishment that has carried me through my day. And, I am excited about the week ahead. Week 2 accomplished. Week 3, here I come!