Huntsman 5k

Last weekend I ran my first 5k!  A runner friend of mine, Dona, recently lost her twin sister to Leukemia.  Dona has since been raising funds for AML.  

If you would like to help, here's how:

 When she texted me to ask if I'd join her team and run, I didn't hesitate to say yes!  The run was fun, yet strange.  As I'm usually taking the first three to five miles very easy, I knew I needed to step it up. I didn't break any land speed records (I'm pretty sure I've said that particular phrase about five millions times!) I felt good and did pretty well! 

Dona and I after the race. She had t-shirts made up for the whole team!  Team Eileen, in memory of her sister.

 

Go Team Eileen!  Dona, cheering other team members into the finish!

 

Michelle, Dona and I have run quite a few miles together.  Both, wonderful ladies!  I was happy to be part of this!

 

Official time 31:52.4

10:17 average pace

Not bad for a distance runner who just ran a hard trail marathon the weekend prior!  [pats self on back]

Nighttime Fun!

There is something very wonderful about running at night.  It's a little bit scary.  It's it a little more difficult.  And it's a lot of fun!  I got a fun group of runners to join me in Corner Canyon on Friday night for a fun jaunt in the woods!

Annnnd, now you can't see!

A line of headlamps in the dark.

Can you see us?  Maybe just our teeth?  

Night time runners!

Thanks for coming out everyone!  It was FUN!

7.97 miles

1:37

12:17 average pace

Daily Mile

This morning Jeff and I rolled out of bed just after 5am for a little running fun.  Katherine met us at 5:30am and we all headed out around the hood.  If was cold, but beautiful out.  Jeff did the first three miles with us ladies and then Katherine and I did another mile and a half before she had to call it.  I decided to go for a clean five and call it good.  No better start to the day!

5 miles

56:58

11:23 average pace

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

Rest Day

Naw.  Just kidding.  Sunday I had the chance to run with Meghan and Rob, so I couldn't pass it up!  We did a bit of the trail system near their house in Sandy and a bit of the neighborhood.  It was super fun to run with this crew again!  It had been too long!

Thanks for taking all these photos, Rob!

I told you I was always serious when I run.  No fun.  Just work, work, work!

Thanks to this girl, I am the runner I am today.  One day, long ago, she said to me, "Hey, do you want to run a marathon with me?"  The rest is history!

Something about running long distances with someone makes your friendship special.

8.65 miles

1:42

11:48 average pace

Stormy Saturday

The wind was insane this morning.  Steady 15mph winds with 46mph gusts.  There was also a 50% chance of rain.  Sounds like the perfect conditions for a nice long pre-sunrise run!  Katherine was supposed to go with me, but ended up texting me at 5am to say she wasn't going to make it.  I left the house (pepper spray in hand) before 6am, so I stuck to the main streets since they're more well lit and more populated.  I didn't have a definite route in mind, so I just ran along as I pleased.  Then it struck me, I'd pop over to Katherine's house for a photo bomb in her yard!  

It was fairly warm, but the wind gusts made it cooler.  Normally I really dislike running in the wind, but I was really eager for a long run so it didn't really bother me.  Kurtis put some new songs on my mp3 player for me that I really enjoyed and I was keeping a nice pace despite the wind.  I got sprinkled on a bit, but nothing too bad.  Plus, it was my first run in my new Altra Instinct 1.5s so I was excited to test them out.  They are a total dream!  As Katherine said, "They're like running on marshmallows!"  After about five miles I decided to text Meghan to see if she wanted to come along for part of my run.  Turned out she and Rob were heading out at 7:30a to run, so I met up with them then, and they ran me home.  It was fun to run with those two!  It had been a long time. 

Good morning Sandy!

Blogger really brightens up these photos.  It was much darker out, but the clouds were amazing.

Red light district?

Katherine's house!  Geez, why'd you ditch me!?  (It was actually quite nice to have a solo run, so don't feel bad, K!)

What up!?

Sweet dreams 

Look who I found!  Thanks for taking me home, guys!  

Altras!!!

I also tried out this new UltrAspire Quantum belt I just got.  It was really awesome!  I couldn't even tell I was wearing it!  The only downside is there is no place for hydration, so I had to carry a handheld.  But, it was super comfy and perfect for my phone, keys and food!  

A fabulous run with great friends and some awesome new gear.  Doesn't get much better than that!

12.11 miles

2:08

10:34 average pace

But wait!  It does get better!  I took Kurtis to get new shin guards for soccer and I saw this little rain jacket/windbreaker!  It's super light weight and the sleeves are long enough!  I'm skinny and have, as my Dad puts it, "arms like an orangutan" so finding sleeves that are long enough on a small can be hard!  Not sure exactly what water resistant means, but at that price, I couldn't resist!  So, now I need a rain run to try it out.  *Ahem* Mother Nature, you got that? 

Daily Mile

I was so sore this morning that I decided today would be a rest day...until Meghan texted me at 4:30 this afternoon asking if I wanted to run three miles with her.  Well, duh!?  So, she came on by and we did a couple quick loops around my hood.  A great way to finish off the day!

3 miles
32:04
10:41

Super Saturday!

First things first.  A shout out to my son, Kurtis, who watched four little kids this morning so Katherine and I could go for a trail run.  Thank you, Kurtis!

Bonneville Shoreline trail, oh how I've missed you.  I love this stretch of trail.  We started at Hidden Valley Park and headed south toward Corner Canyon.  The trail conditions were stellar, and there was even a good stretch of dirt.  That's right, folks, dirt.  We were both feeling really good and happy to be running.  I was feeling in top form and was cruising uphills like I never have before.  I can tell that all my leg work is paying off on those uphills.  The entire run was great!  Then we headed back to my house and did a bit of an ab workout and some stretching before Katherine gathered her yard apes and went on home.  A good time was had by all!

Whaaaat!?  Dirt!?

I have no idea how Katherine managed this epic photo bomb, but it is outstanding!

The halfway point.  Sunshine and dirt.  What more could a girl want?

It's days like this that I remember why I love running so much.  My entire day is better on days like this!

7 miles of bliss

1:32

13:08 pace (that may sound slow, but on this trail in these conditions, let me assure you it is not!)