Rain? Snow? Wind? Pshhhh! Sounds like fun!

When the weather forecast calls for 40% rain/snow mix you never know what you're going to get.  Those weather predictions are rarely accurate.  I figured 40% looked like pretty good odds that our run would be dry.  Well, it was dry.  Aaaaand, then it wasn't. 

I picked up Katherine at 6:30am and we headed to Draper Park to run the Porter Rockwell trail.  It was cold, but the clouds didn't seem too ominous.  Then, around 3.5 miles it started sprinkling.  No biggie.  We have run in the rain and snow a million times.  But then at the half way point the wind picked up, the temperature dropped, and the snow/rain mix started pelting us like mad.  It was fairly miserable, but of course, we were still having fun!  We knew there was a tunnel coming and we could get out of the wet snow and wind when we got there.  We were really happy when we got to the tunnel and braced ourselves for the final few miles in the freezing storm.  

We made it, happy as clams to be back at the car.  My hands were so frozen that I couldn't turn the key in the ignition!  Luckily Katherine's hands don't get as cold as mine, and she was able to.  It was just like old times.  Running in the most ridiculous of weather.  I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else!  Thanks for the run, Katherine!  

A beautiful sunrise greeted us as we began our run.

We ran on part of the Porter Rockwell trail that we'd never been on before.  That was super fun!

Half way.  Let the fun and games begin!

Can you see the snow coming down?

We were soaked already with three miles left to go!

Renee: "Hey, Katherine!  There's a light at the end of the tunnel!"  I crack myself up!

And of course, we have to stop for a picture with Rex, who was all dressed up for Halloween!

Look familiar?

We took a different route back and it cut our run a little short, but that's just fine considering the weather conditions!

9.23 miles

1:55

12:27 average pace

Daily Independence Run

I woke before 5am yesterday and realized it was pouring rain.  Luckily, I knew Katherine would still be ready to go at 5:15am when I picked her up.  We ran Corner Canyon from the Equestrian Center up Canyon Hollow, out Ann's to Potato Hill and back up Creek View trail.  At about half way, it stopped raining and we enjoyed beautiful views of the valley.  A wonderful way to start the day!

Wet and happy!

Look who wore red, white & blue shorts on the 4th of July!  And we didn't even plan it!

8.2 miles

1:55

14:01 pace

Rainy Day Schedule

Turns out Jeff didn't have to work today, so first thing he and I headed to the gym for a chest (and hips for me) workout.  It felt great!  I am getting stronger.  For the first time ever I was able to add weight to the bench press bar!  I added 14 lbs, for a total of 59 lbs!  That is huge since when I started lifting in Fall I couldn't even do the 45 lb bar! 

In the afternoon Katherine and I had a little Bonneville Shoreline Trail love planned.  It had been raining all day and even had some snow mix, so I planned accordingly.  

Gear* all laid out. 

Ready for the rain!

There were a few puddles, but nothing we couldn't easily skirt.

Katherine was insane in her short sleeved shirt.  She was mostly okay, but would pay for the choice when we turned around and had a strong headwind.

The valley was really beautiful.

Snow up top.

The winding trail you see there is my favorite part of this run.

We made it to Corner Canyon and then turned around.

On the way back Katherine was a bit cold and ran with her arms in her vest.  As Katherine put it, she was the chicken runner!  

It was really quite a fun run.  Don't ever skip an adventure because of bad weather.  Sometimes bad weather is what makes the adventure!  

6.2 miles 

1 hr 28 min

14:12 pace

*My gear worked out perfectly.  I was warm, but not too hot and dry for the most part.  It was about 38 degrees out and raining very steadily.  We encountered very minimal snow/rain mix.  Here is what I wore:

Lightweight long sleeve

Lightweight rain coat

Leggings

Ankle gaiters

Visor

Clear lenses in my Tifosi's

Ear warmer headband

Gloves

Lightweight wool socks

450.3 miles down, 2 to go

450.3 miles.  That's how many miles I've run to train for this 50k.  I have a two miler on Friday left and that's it.  Can you believe it?  

Today my mind is an endless reel of questions and lists.  Should I pack a drop bag?  I think so, since the weather is so squirrely. Why is it only going to be a high of 34 degrees on race day?  At least it isn't supposed to rain.  Ok, I'll pack a drop bag, then at least I have extra clothes if I need them.  What should I bring for after the race?  I should get some beer for after the race.  I wonder if they have any good gluten free beer at the liquor store.  I think I'll make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  I had better make bread. Why did I have a sore throat this morning?  I hope it's just the weather.  I hope my right leg doesn't bother me on race day.  I'd better use the foam roller and stretch again later.  What should I wear?  Long sleeves.  No.  Short sleeves and a long sleeve.  No.  Long sleeves and a vest.  Ok, yeah, that will work.  You get the idea.  It doesn't stop!  And I still have three days until race day!  It's going to be a long week!

Stuff, from left to right: clothes for after, clothes for drop bag, hydration pack and food, clothes to wear and Luna the cat (he's not coming on race day though.)

Oh yeah, and I ran today.  It wasn't a great run, but it was fine.  The weather is cool, wet and windy.  A wonderful first day of Spring.  HA!  I think it was good for me to get moving, but  my mind wasn't in the run.  My mind was on Saturday.  

3 miles

33 min

11:00 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

Accidental Adventure

Today's run started out simply enough. My family all loaded in the van for Boondocks (think arcade + bouncy houses) and I set off on foot.  Only nine miles away I would run and meet them there. Easy enough right? Around the time I knew I would need directions in Draper my cell would not pick up wifi, and I didn't know the way so began to wind through the streets guessing which way I should go. Long story short I ended up lost.

But let me back track a bit. The run from my house to Draper is mostly downhill. I love running downhill! I brought Ozzy along with me. We encountered a bit of rain the first few miles, but nothing too bad. The next few miles were beautiful. The sun peeked through the clouds and giant sun rays where shining through the cloulds and onto the mountains all around the valley. Stunning!  When it started getting dark and I called Jeff trying to figure out if I was on track.  He didn't know the exact address, and after a few chats and texts I decided to just continue west.  As it was growing darker I looked in my pack for my flash light only to find it was missing.  Bummer.  Luckily I was wearing a bright yellow top and lots of reflective gear.  I got to the frontage road and thought I was nearly there but I hit a dead end.  At the same time a car came up next to me driving really slowly (I think he was as lost as me) and I was happy to have both Ozzy and my pepper spray with me.  I had two choices.  A field with a large antlered dear bounding toward me, or turn around and go back the way I came.  I chose the latter.

It was dark now and my phone battery was getting low.  Jeff called to let me know they were on their way to get me and we discussed my location.  A few moments later they zoomed passed me on the freeway honking away.  Then just minutes later the family pulled up and scooped Ozzy and I up and we headed home for a nice hot pot of ham and potato chowder.  When we got home I remembered the nagging ache I was having on one of the toes on my left foot.  What a surprise I had when I took off my shoe!  And before you say so, I already got fitted by a running store for new shoes that are in fact a whole size larger than usual. Small price to pay for the fun I had.

This accidental adventure was amazing!  I had so much fun!  It was just what I needed.

Mileage:
10.8
1 hour 46 minutes
9:49 minute/mile pace