The tide is high but I'm running on

Tuesday I had one last hoorah on the beach before packing the family off to the airport.  It was a beautiful morning, just the right temperature at about 55º.  When I got the the beach the sky was on fire.  The picture just does not do it justice.  The tide was fairly high, so the running was a bit difficult, but not too bad.  Just a bit bumpy and uneven in patches.  It was fun to run as close to the water as possible without getting soaked by a wave.  At about mile six I totally petered out.  I did so much running last week because it was warm and because I love running on the beach, but my body has gotten used to fairly low mileage.  I just did what any party runner would do, and stopped for lots of pictures!  

The sky fire

 The whole sky turned this pinkish purple color and it was reflecting on the sand and water.  It was beautiful.

 More jellies!

This guy had seen better days.

Now this made my day!  A tree on the beach!  To whomever put it there, thank you from the bottom of my heart!  PHOTO TIME!

 This biggest one I'd ever seen!  Keep in mind those shoes are a ladies size 11.5  No small kicks!

 I saw these chairs on my last run too, but this time I was compelled to sit for a moment.

 Too bad Speedy K wasn't there to fill the other chair!

 A surfer heading out.

I loved all my beach runs!  Now, it's back to bad air, snow and ice.  Time for some runs above the inversion!

8.44 miles

1:39

11:43 average pace

Like Daily Mile, but better

I love running on the beach. That is all.

5.03 miles

59:03

11:45 average pace

Daily Mile

Fall is here!  It was chilly, at 47º this morning!  I had to wear sleeves and a headband.  I felt great, and luckily so did my running buddy.  Meghan and I cruised up and back on Viscounti feeling quite great on this crisp morning.  Not sure I'm ready for the cold weather, but I guess I'd better get used to it.  Winter is on it's way!

The moon was big and bright this morning, lighting our way until the sun came up.

5 miles

55:42

11:08 pace

lap 1 (uphill)

2.5 miles

30:27

12:10 pace

lap 2 (downhill)

25:14

10:06 pace 

Plus, I ran the half mile home from walking my kids to school this morning, so today's daily mileage is 5.5!

Daily Mile

Who doesn't love a little 5am gully run?  Yesterday Katherine and I, armed with pepper spray cans, headed into the Dimple Dell gully.  I really enjoy the mystery and excitement of running in the dark. Plus, it's so quiet and peaceful which as a busy mother, I truly appreciate.  Bonus, Katherine and I found an amphitheater that we didn't even know existed!  I love exploring!

The sun was coming up as we finished. 

I love running with this gal!

4.69 miles

1:08

14:33 pace

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Some runs are good, some bad, and some downright ugly.  Some runs are all three.  Today was all three.  I started off at 5am into my neighborhood feeling very sore from weight lifting yesterday.  Plus, there is so much smoke in the air from the fires in Colorado that the air is dry and unpleasant to breath. I just felt like a lump.  I thought about cutting my run short, but decided that would be, as Katherine would say, "lame sauce." So I put in my ear buds and let Will I Am motivate me to the half way mark.  Once I hit half way, not only was it downhill, but my spirits were lifted and I started feeling fantastic.  It always amazes me how some runs can start out so crappy and end so wonderfully.  Another day, another run owned!

5 miles
57:58
11:36 pace

lap 1
2.5 miles
32:51
13:08 pace

lap 2
2.5 miles
25:07
10:03 pace

Daily Mile

Today I met Katherine at her place at 5:30am.  We ran the neighborhood and chatted it up.  We have both decided that road running is just an evil necessity and that we much prefer trails.  At least we can pound the pavement together.  

You know you got up early when you put your running pants on inside out.  Nice buns, hon!

5.21 miles

1:02

11:54 pace

Déjà vu

What was I just saying? Oh yeah, I can't get enough early morning trail runs!  If I could start every day with a trail run, I would.  Katherine and I headed out just before 6am this morning on Bonneville Shoreline Trail at the Coyote Hollow trailhead.  We headed up the Potato Hill trail to Ann's trail, southbound.  We had never been out so far on Ann's.  What an amazing trail!  We loved it!  It was raining/sprinkling/misting on us the whole time, but it was warm enough that we weren't cold.  The fog and mist that was rolling around the hills was amazing!  The trail was rolling, mostly uphill on the way out and speedy downhill on the way back.  There were patches of mud that made us slip and slide, but not too much.  Overall is was fantastic!  Plus, we saw a deer and heard lots of birdsong which made it even more awesome!

Headlamps to start.

One misty, moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather...

My best trail running buddy!

Can you see me?

Fog!

The giant mansions throw me off, but only a little.

On top of the world!

We made it back to the car, a bit wet and muddy, but oh so very happy!

6.78 miles

1hr 36 min

14:15 pace

lap 1) 55 min (uphill)

lap 2) 41 min (downhill)