Daily Mile

Ultramarathon training can be hard.  Getting in miles and weight lifting can be hard.  But, I was reminded today of something that I'd forgotten.  Running the day after squatting heavy is hard. Really hard.  So, I took it slow and easy.  I enjoyed the day with my pup and didn't push distance or speed.  Tonight, my legs are really mad at me.  In fact, I'm going to go foam roll and go to bed.  But, running on tired and sore legs is excellent training for ultras, so I'll take it as a win!

Ozzy and I enjoy the view of the Wasatch from our neighborhood park.

3.1 miles

38:01

12:15 average pace

Daily Mile & Lift

I figured something very important out today.  Lately, when I run on the treadmill at the gym the front of my shins gets totally cramped.  I chalked it up to running on the 'mill and let it go.  But, today I decided to lift and then do a road run since I knew it would be pretty warm.  And it happened on my run!  By about one mile into my run, the front of my shins was a hot mess and I had to stop at my house at 1.5 miles to foam roll my shins.  Then it dawned on me!  It's pump!  It only happens when I run after lifting!  Duh! It was like a light bulb.  So, now I know.  Run first, lift second.  Very important!  

I also took Ozzy running with me for the first time in quite a while.  After the elbow dysplasia diagnosis he was constantly limping after runs, so I haven't run him in months.  I only took him the first mile and a half and he did great, and still no limping!  Yay!

Chest & Arms day

Bench press

Narrow triceps dips

Dumbbell bench press

Skull crushers

Barbell biceps curls

Overhead cable rope triceps extensions

Cable biceps curls

Love this pup!  Crossing my fingers I get my run buddy back!

A girl and her dog on a nice warm Spring Winter day.

Plus, look who came out to play!  Hello bicep vein.  I think I love you.

3 miles

30:28

10:09 average pace

Daily Mile

It felt great to run today after a few days off.  I was seriously shocked at the end of the run that my pace was so slow.  I was sure that we were running in the 10's.  Meghan met me at 6am and we ran to the nearby rich neighborhood and gawked at the houses as we ran.  Fall is certainly here.  It was time for gloves.  I'll wear shorts until it's 40º out, but below 50º I need gloves.  I hate having cold hands!

Did I mention my second ultra is coming up?  (Insert evil laughter) Well, it is!  Only 22 days left!

4 miles
45:14
11:18 pace

Last minute, I decided to go to the gym after working in my daughter's class.  I can't believe some of the horrible fitness and nutrition information I overheard some "personal trainers" telling their clients!  One trainer boasted about eating white bread every day, but justified it because he works out five times a week.  Good grief!  Forget the bread, lift heavy instead!

My routine today:
Dead lifts
Bench press
Lat pulldown
Lat arm raise machine
Hamstring curls
Hip adduction & abduction

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

After a lovely day of rest, I'm feeling tip top!  I was rather slow, but felt quite fine.  Luckily, Katherine doesn't mind a nice easy run now and again.  She and I headed to out on our new favorite five miler, to Crestwood Park.  I was just a little slow, which is to be expected.  Now, only forty one days until Antelope Island 50k!  I can't wait!!!

5.08 miles

1:10

13:46 pace

Daily Taper

I suppose I should taper this week.  Bah humbug.  That's okay, it gives me a chance to do more yoga!




3.1 miles
35:51
11:34 pace

Daily Mile

Today was fantastic!  I ran from the girl's school down to Crestwood Park again, did two laps and headed back home for a clean 10K.  I felt really great and it was a beautiful, cool, cloudy morning.  Love days like this!

On another note, I'm thinking more and more about a 50 mile race next year.  I really really want to run the Headlands 50 in California.  It just feels right.  I feel hesitant because it is during the school year, but hopefully we could make it work.  I guess I'll just keep dreaming about it at this point!

6.2
1:06
10:47

Daily Mile

The start of today's run was really stiff, slow and sluggish for both Katherine and I.  But, by the time we made it to Crestwood Park trail we were feeling loosened up and enjoying ourselves.  My legs were hurting really bad yesterday and they feel really great now!

5.06
1:07
13:16

Parley's Historic Nature Park

Ever since the Buffalo Run I haven't been wanting to spend much time pounding the pavement.  In fact, I'd nearly rather go to the gym than run on the road.  I decided to see if there were any dog friendly trails near me, so what did I do?  I Googled it, of course!  Being that a lot of the Wasatch is a watershed, dogs aren't allowed on a lot of trails*. Now, I already knew that Mill Creek Canyon is a great place to take dogs.  On odd numbered days they can even be off leash.  However, today was the 10th and I really wanted to take Ozzy with me (I very much dislike running on trails with him on leash) so I opted to check out Parley's Historic Nature Park, which starts at Tanner Park.  It was a nice little trail, and Ozzy had a blast running around with all the other dogs there.  It's not the kind of place you could get a long run in, but it was perfect for a quick run.  I'm sure I'll go back again.

3.6 miles

45 min

12:30 pace

*Check out this resource on dog friendly parks and trails and the Wasatch Front.

Early Morning Love

This morning I headed out at 6am and ran to Meghan's house where met up with her for a lovely morning run.  We headed up through the neighborhood and to a short bit of trail nearby.  Then we decided to run up to La Caille, a very swanky restaurant that keep birds and other animals on theirs grounds.  We saw lots of animals and had a very nice run together.  It was just the right temperature and Ozzy was very happy to get out and run.  I hadn't taken him out since before the race!

My little visitors came along too.

This is where my girlfriend Paula used to live, right around the corner from me.  I run by her old place all the time.  Sure wish she still lived here.

Small stretch of trail about four miles from my house.

The entrance to La Caille.

My beautiful running buddy!

We saw four deer,

Two peacocks,

and a bunny (directly to the right of the green bridge.)  There were also lots of geese, ducks and some swans.

The restaurant.

The run felt good.  My right leg is a bugging me a bit now, but not too bad.  I'm still sore from yoga yesterday!  It's nice to be out running in the warmth of Spring.  I love these early morning runs!  And Jeff and the girls were even still in bed when I got home.  

12 miles

2 hrs 30 min

12:30 pace

One last run

I just finished up my last training run. Katherine and I did a whopping 2.3 miles. It felt really great to get out, as I've been very anxious today. But this is it. I can't be any more ready than I am at this moment. Thanks to all who've wished me well. Your words will pull me through those last miles. My next post will be a race report! It's go time!

2.3 miles
25:13
10:58 pace

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

Daily Mile, Race Week Style

Let race week begin!  Only four days left until race day!  Can you believe it?  It seems like just the other day I was sitting down to make out a training plan for this race.  Now I sit here with only two runs left until the race is underway!  The past couple of days have been pretty emotionally intense as race day gets closer and closer.  I've been feeling excited and a bit nervous going over and over things in my head.  I've packed and unpacked my Nathan pack multiple times and set out a variety of race day attire.  Plus, I'm pretty sure I'm over thinking race day nutrition, but c'est la vie! What's a girl to do?  I'm sure I'll go over it all at least a dozen more times before Saturday.

Now on to business.  I ran this afternoon.  Three miles was nice and quick and since it's a beautiful day I really enjoyed myself.  I ran without my Garmin *gasp* so I wouldn't feel pressure to run quickly, and what do ya know?  I ran quickly anyway!

I ran in my new shorts that my wonderful running buddy, Katherine got me!  They're awesome and oh so very Renee!

3 miles

32 min

10:40 pace

That reminds me, I need to buy sunblock.

let the tapering begin!

Ten miles hardly seems like a long run any more! I started off in the dark, which is always fun in a spooky kind of way. I ran a few miles and then meet up with Meghan, which was good times, then headed back up the hill towards home. I was just starting to feel really good when I got home. I'm pretty sure that is a good sign!

Ready to go!  

Oh Dark Thirty

Ten miles by 8am.  Not too shabby.

10 miles

2 hrs

12:00 pace

Daily Meh

How was my run today? Meh. I went out at 6am, which was partially the problem. But even after I woke up a bit I still felt very complacent about running today. It happens. But, I ran and that's what counts.

3.25
40:32
12:28

Daily Mile

So, turns out that I messed up my neck with that fall on Sunday.  I have a bunch of little pebble-like knots at the base of my skull and neck.  Fabulous, right?  Luckily they don't hurt too much and I have only lost a little range of motion.  This morning I went for a massage and that helped some.  Then I squeezed in a short run.  What a gorgeous day!!!

2.75 miles
32 minutes
11:38 pace

Sun + Shorts + T-shirts OH MY!

Today I was just heading out the door when Jeff called me from the gym.  He was about to go on the treadmill for a walk, so I suggested that he come out and walk with me before I went on my run.  I ran across to the gym (.41 miles) and we walked 1.65 miles before I continued on my way.  It was mostly cloudy, but became more sunny as I ran along.  The best part of all was that it was about 45 degrees out, perfect for running in shorts and t-shirt!  I was SO happy!

1 hr 35 min

7.61 miles

12:29 pace (not bad considering the walk!)

nighttime is the right time

Yesterday I was home with a sick kid all day. After Jeff got home from work I decided I should run. I was  a bit indecisive about it, but lucky for me Jeff encourage me to go so I laced up and headed out at about 7:15 p.m. I took my pepper spray,  my dog, my headlamp and headed up Viscounti. It was quite warm, about 50°, and slightly breezy. Perfect running temperature. It was fun to run at a different time of day. I don't usually run at night, but I was very glad I went!

5 miles
55 min
11:00 pace

New Blue Shoes

Today seemed so fast after Sunday's long run.  I had Clarissa in the stroller and the dog, but it still seemed easier!  I met Katherine for a couple miles of her long run and then headed back home.  It was cold, but sunny and beautiful out.

Bundled up and ready to go!

"Mommy, make a funny face!"

My view today.

Today I realized that I was overdue for a new pair of shoes.  Check out this sad pair!

Wow.  I really was overdue!

Ahhh!  Nothing like a new pair of shoes!  I even got a free pair of socks, thank you Wasatch Running Center!  Oh, and I went up half a size to see if that helps with my lovely toenail issues.  DO NOT ask me what size they are.  They're HUGE.  That's all you need to know!

4.5 miles

54:58

12:12 pace

Daily Mile

Today was fantastic! I met up with Meghan for part of the run, which really makes the run go by fast.  Meghan is training for a half marathon coming up this Spring, so she's back to training again. Today was sunny and crisp and I was full of energy thanks to my new long run bff, 5 hour energy.

I was feeling good and a bit goofy when I got home.

10 miles

1 hr 55 min

11:30 pace