Daily Mile & Lift

Well, I'm back at it in full swing!  I'm not really training for anything (even though I'm signed up for Mid Mountain Marathon on September 13th) but just back to my running life as usual.  I've yet to run farther than three miles, but I want to make sure I'm feeling 100% solid before I go venturing out on some long adventure. 
Monday I ran three miles at Crestwood Park where I saw two different foxes!  One took off like a bat out of hell, but the other just hung out in the field watching me and Ozzy, my dog. Then I trained chest and hips (yes, I know strange combo) at the gym with Jeff. 
Today I got up early for leg day after visiting the physical therapist and having him tell me my quads are so dominant that they spill over the sides of my legs.  Hello hamstrings!  Straight leg dead lifts and leg curls, check!
Maybe tomorrow I'll get wild and try four miles!




 
3 miles
33:31
11:10 average pace 

Leg Day

Because training doesn't stop for vacation.  Plus, when there are grandparents and aunts and uncles all over the place, why not take advantage!?


Hey, it was Flex Friday when I took this picture.  That counts, right?

Jeff, getting new PRs!


 
And remember kids, never skip leg day! 

Rest & Recovery

The week after Bryce I felt I'd been hit by a mac truck I did nothing.  No, that's not true.  I hobbled around like a drunken sailor, iced my legs, soaked in Epsom salts, foam rolled and ate like... like... well, like I just ran fifty miles.  Cookies.  Cake.  Carne Asada.  I worked hard at replacing calories and taking care of my body.  By Saturday the swelling and bruising were gone and I mostly wasn't limping any more.  I was also itching to move my body.  I hit the gym Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.  Monday I actually got up early in an attempt to hike, but I just wasn't ready so after 3/4 miles I left Corner Canyon and went to the gym.  Then there was my epic fail of a bike ride on Tuesday.  Overall, I've been doing great.  I have been sleeping in a lot.  I visited the chiropractor and massage therapist which was miraculous!  I'm really looking forward to running, but I'm trying really hard to be patient.  My IT bands are still tight, so I want to give them plenty of time to chill.  Soon enough.  The mountains aren't going anywhere...

Jeff, killing it, as usual.

 Hike.  Psych!

 Oh yeah, and my nails are dropping like flies!

I Didn't Die

If you asked me what I thought of my second ever mountain biking experience I would answer, "I didn't die."  That about sums up my feeling on biking in general.  My girlfriend Meghan, whom I have run with for a couple years now, is an avid mountain biker.  She has been trying to talk me into going with her for ages. Well, it just so happens that I haven't been able to run since Bryce and am itching to get into the mountains and it also just so happens Meghan asked me to go mountain biking with her on Tuesday.  Well, I finally said yes.  Meghan and her husband Rob were planning to leave from their house and take a variety of roads and trails up to Little Cottonwood Trail.  This may have been biting off more than I can chew.  

Oh, who the hell am I kidding!?  I hadn't even been on a bike for about five years, and the last time I did, I rode my beach cruiser with a basket on front around the block.  On the sidewalk.  I'll spare you from all of the painful details, but here is the cliff notes version of how the ride went in my head:

1 hour and 15 minutes of "OH SHIT! I'm going to hit that giant rock!   OH SHIT! I'm going to get hit by a car!  OH SHIT!  I'm going to run off the trail!  OH SHIT!  My ass is killing me!"  Followed by 45 minutes of sheer terror and a horrible pain in the ass.   

All in all I can't say I'm itching to get back out there on a bike, but I am grateful for the experience and also for my very patient friends for dealing with my terrific inability to ride a bike.  On a good note, it was a great workout and a beautiful day!

There was a man and his motorcycle stranded on the side of the road, so we stopped so he could use Rob's cell phone.

Seriously!?  Who talked me into this shit!?!  I was certain I would be smeared by a car.  But, I didn't die!

I love you Little Cottonwood Canyon!

You may never see this again, so get a good look!

Yes, I was walking the bike.  What can I say?  My ass hurt!

And, it's okay if you need to have a good laugh at my expense.  I sure did!

Vacation Mile & Lift

Jeff and I got to go on a mini vacation together over the weekend.  Of course, we found a gym and went and had a little fun.  

This rope pull was actually really fun.  I'd never seen anything like it.

And this was awesome!  A climbing treadmill!  It was literally a giant treadmill climbing wall!

And I even hit the dreadmill!  Twice!

Saturday- Weight lifting, shoulders + 4 miles

Sunday 3.1 miles

Daily Mile & Lift

Monday was back day.  I did 40# dumbbell rows.  So that was pretty epic.  Tuesday I headed out to Corner Canyon because I'm really loving it there right now.  It was a beautiful, sunny day and I was reminded why I love this trail running bit so much!

That's right, ladies and gentlemen... FORTY LBS!

This photo is for my husband, Jeff.  

Ann's Trail

TrailAndUltraRunning.com  If you're a trail and or ultra runner and you're not on our Facebook group yet, you should be.  And follow TAUR on Instagram while you're at it.  @trailandultra

8 miles 

1:46

13:18 average pace

Daily Mile & Lift

Monday I kicked ass on an early morning five mile run up Viscounti. Then I hit the gym and did legs.  Jeff tagged along to the gym as my personal motivator and pushed me to do an awesome leg workout that I am still feeling two days later!  

Leg extensions

Hamstring curls

Squats

Leg press

Standing calf raise

Donkey calf raise

That five o'clock alarm sure comes quick!  But, I do love that early morning peacefulness.  

Run complete. My furry bud and I. (FARF?)

5 miles

49:15

9:51 average pace!!!

Lap 1

2.5 miles

28:17

11:19 average pace

Lap 2

2.5 miles

20:57

8:23 average pace!!!  Did someone call me Mo?

Proof!  BOOM!

Daily Mile & Lift (times five)

This week has been filled with a lot of wonderful runs.  Not only did I get to run with a new friend, I had the pleasure of being accompanied by my other half on three runs this week!  Jeff decided that he wanted to try a taste of my world and joined me for a few short jaunts this week!  What a stud!  Plus, we did the usual heavy lifting together.  

Monday was chest day, although I took it really easy since I was still sore from Bosho on Saturday.  Tuesday Jeff and I did the one and a half mile loop in our neighborhood together.  My legs felt really good after this and I knew I was ready to run again.  Wednesday was twelve plus miles of fun with my NARF (New Adventure Running Friend.) Thursday Jeff and I ran 2.54 miles at Crestwood Park and then hit the weights for a killer back workout.  Then, this morning he joined me yet again for 3 miles at Crestwood.  He'd better look out, I may turn him into a trail runner!

Some of my favorite things.  I know you may not recognize me since I'm not wearing anything fluorescent, but I promise, it's me!

Tuesday

1.5 miles

17:18

11:33 average pace

Thursday

2.54 miles

28:51

11:21 average pace

Saturday

3.01 miles

36:46

12:14 average pace

Daily Lift: Push Up & Pull Up PRs

A couple awesome things have happened this month.  I now can do 26 real push ups in a row! *Gasp* Right!?  Isn't that awesome?  Aaaand... are you ready for it?  THREE (3) pull ups!  (Go ahead and give the person nearest you a high five for me, okay?)  I'm feeling really strong and loving it!  So, at the gym yesterday I went ahead and killed it.  

10 min elliptical warm up

Squats (Got to use my new lifting belt for the first time!  LOVE!)

Wide lat cable pull downs

Wide grip upright rows

Barbell bicep curls

Military press

Hanging leg raises

Hanging twist oblique raises

And, now the moment you've all been waiting for... Shameless gym selfie time!!!

The Paddy Melt Challenge

In November I did a one week exercise and nutrition challenge called Thin for Thanksgiving.  It was fun and having accountability is always a good motivator.  I also had great results so when my friend Astrid announced she was holding another free week long challenge called The Paddy Melt, I jumped on board.  One of my cousins is also doing the challenge, so that's been fun.  Monday and Tuesday were hectic, so I didn't make it out to run or to the gym, so it was actually perfect timing.  I did these at home HIIT and Tabata workouts at home.  They are really great fat burners, and although they're not my favorite (I'd rather hit the trails) I know they're a good addition to an overall strong body.  

Monday

Tuesday

Training Week 2

Monday 3 road miles + weight lifting -legs
Tuesday 15 min elliptical + weight lifting -shoulders, back, biceps
Wednesday 3 road miles
Thursday 6.31 trail miles
Friday weight lifting- chest
Saturday 12.7 trail miles + 13 min HIIT routine

Sunday  13 min HIIT routine (I've joined another week long challenge, but that's another post!)

Weekly total 25.01

Training total 49.68