Daily Mile: The fun we have

This is what happens when Katherine and I are feeling less than enthusiastic about running.  In fact, we were both feeling quite slug like today.  That's okay.  We still had a blast out on the Sandy Rail Trail.

Someone left their forty on the trail just for us.

Does anyone else make friends with their shadow?  I like to watch my shadow when I run.  As silly as it may be, it motivates me!

I had gotten a ways ahead of Katherine when what do I notice sitting on the side of the trail, but a folding chair.  Time for some more tomfoolery! 

Miraculously, despite running into the wind the first half of our run, and feeling like slugs, we managed an okay pace.  Daily mile, done!

7.1
1:21
11:24

Long run cut short

Saturday I ran about five miles, then picked up Katherine and we continued on.  It was very windy and a storm was threatening to take over the valley.  We decided to go on an adventure through historic Sandy and see some new sights.  

This stop light talked to us, "Wait to cross 9400 south."  

The cold wind picked up and we put on our head socks.

Let the snow commence!

It was pretty warm, so the snow was really wet and was sticking to our whole bodies.  My arms and thighs were covered with a blanket of cold, wet snow.  In a matter of minutes it went from partly cloudy and windy to a white out snow storm with inches of snow on the ground.  We were soaked and freezing and decided to call it quits.  This is the first time I've ever cut a run short due to weather.  

My entire body looked like this!  Brrr!

It was a very good run, despite the brutal conditions and I really wished we could have continued.  It just wasn't the smart thing to do.  

16.69

3 hr 34 min

12:50 pace

Training Week 10 or I love Maverik

Today was one of those awful/wonderful runs.  It started with a failed trip up Millcreek Canyon due to a blocked road and full parking lots.  Katherine and I were going to meet there, so I called her and told her it was a no go, to meet me at the Sandy Rail Trail.  After about 45 minutes in the car I was ready to get this run started.  Of course, I forgot my Garmin   At that point I was frustrated and decided to just let it all go.  I got in about a twenty minute run before I met up with Katherine and we headed on our way.  Despite the clear blue sky and the sunshine we were both very grumpy about running and agreed that we would rather be in bed.  We kept on keeping on and the next thing we know it began to rain.  This did not lift our spirits.  I vowed to not let Katherine quit if she wouldn't let me and we motored on.  Then, I had and idea and we left the rail trail on a mission and almost immediately felt better.  We were headed for the nearest gas station for hot coffee!  Yes, we stopped and bought coffee and then proceeded to run with said coffee and drink it through straws!  Despite the fact that it was now pouring rain we were quite happy and were finally beginning to enjoy our run.  It's amazing how a crappy run can suddenly become a fun run and not really have anything to do with the terrain, weather or anything else that would seem logical.  It's completely mental.  That adventure to the gas station (I should have known, Maverik is "adventure's first stop"  HA HA HA) took us down roads we'd never ran and we were having a blast!

On the Rail Trail we were running so sluggishly you might have mistaken us for these fine fellows we happened upon. 

Two cups of  piping hot motivation!

It's easy to run and drink coffee from a straw.  Who knew?

Thanks to my two awesome running buddies, this totally crappy run turned into a fun party run.  I finished my three hours with a smile on my face!

3 hours

Approximately 12.5-13 miles.  Since I forgot my Garmin I don't really know.  Katherine had hers, but I ran before she arrived and a bit more after she left, so this is my best guess.  For the sake of having mileage to write down I'll just say it was 12.75. 

Week 10

Monday: Yoga

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 4, plus weight lifting

Thursday: 4.6

Friday: 1, plus 30 min. elliptical

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 12.75

Total: 22.35

Previous Total: 209.47

Training Grand Total: 231.82

18.15 miles

Well, I did it.  It was a long haul, some good, some bad.  But, I did it!  I headed out the Sandy Rail Trail from Sego Lily and went south.  I went all the way to Draper Park and then headed south on the Porter Rockwell Trail from there.  The first half of the run I felt good.  It was snowing fairly heavily, but I was dressed for it and kept warm.  My glasses got covered in snow at about mile two, so I took them off.  Not sure if there is anything I could have done about that, but I could see much better without them, so that made me happy.  At the half way point I started feeling bad.  My right leg was bugging me a bit and my spirits where low.  I asked myself why on earth I was out in a blizzard running for four hours!?  I did a bit of stretching and by the three hour mark I was feeling quite chipper and remembered exactly why I was out there!  I felt great!  By the last two miles I was hurting again, but this time mostly physically.  I played "Ultramarathon Man," by Dean Karnazes and that always picks me up when I'm struggling.  That man is an inspiration!  This evening I am hurting quite a bit, but it's been a very busy day with cooking and a kid's birthday party included.  I'm very happy to finally sit with a bag of ice and compression sleeve.  Oh, and my foam roller.  Ahhhh...

Feeling fresh and happy.

The trail was mostly plowed and even and though there was snow, it was relatively easy going.

Can you see the tired in my eyes?  This is around mile fifteen.

18.15 miles

4 hr 10 min

13:46 pace

Now who wants to place bets on how many miles I'll make it tomorrow?  

Training Week 5. Not the End of the World.

This week has been up and down, but luckily ended on a good note.  Today was my second back to back.  I met up at Katherine's house and we ran down to the Sandy Rail Trail for a seven miler.  It felt good, but my hamstrings were a bit mad at me.  Seven miles seems over really quickly after running 15! I'm so excited about the shorts I just packed for my runs next week in Florida!  Bring on warm Christmas runs!

Week 5
Monday: 3
Tuesday: 6
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Rest
Friday: 15
Saturday: 7
Sunday: Marathon Plane Trip (not my favorite kind of marathon!)
Total: 31

Previous Total: 88.39
Training Grand Total: 119.39