Training Week 4

Monday Weight lifting, full body
Tuesday 9 miles
Wednesday Weight lifting, full body
Thursday 3.1 miles
Friday 1.5 hour hike/run + weight lifting, chest
Saturday 5.67 miles
Sunday 8.65 miles

Weekly Total 26.42 miles (it was a little more than that, but I didn't track my hike/run on Friday)
Training Total 100.35 miles

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

Party Running

I joined in the annual birthday run for Ryan, my friend Lindsay's husband.  We met up at the Wild Rose trailhead in North Salt Lake and headed up into the mountains.  It was a gorgeous day, but very windy. There was a pretty good group of us, but three of us ladies ended up trailing behind and enjoyed a leisurely run and chat.  I enjoyed getting to know some folks that I have only known peripherally.  Despite the beauty of the mountains and the wonderful company, I went home with a headache from the crazy wind blowing in my ears, nose and eyes.  

Perfection.

I love this girl!

Good morning Wasatch!

At the end of our run we ended up in the neighborhood.  The guest house in the back of this mansion is the size of my house!  Must be a hard life.

Because we're rad like that.  Twins.

The birthday king with his noble steed.  Happy Birthday, Ryan!

5.67 miles

1:26

15:11 average pace

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 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!!!

Training Week 3

Monday HIIT
Tuesday HIIT
Wednesday 4 road miles
Thursday 3.75 road miles
Friday Yoga
Saturday 16.5 miles Buffalo Run 25k
Sunday REST

Weekly Total 24.25 miles
Training Total 73.93

Daily Mile

This picture perfectly describes my run today.  Beautiful, sunny, and most pleasant.  

3.75 miles

43:13 

11:31 average pace

Daily Mile

My son used to run with me quite a bit.  Then he quit.  Cold turkey.  I ask him to go with me often, and the answer is always the same, "No!"  But he's been talking about the upcoming soccer season and wanting to run, so I was thrilled when he said he wanted to go with me on Wednesday!  We did two miles together, then I left him at the house and did a bit more on my own and then did one last half mile with both my girls on their bikes.  I love when my kids want to be involved with my running!  I hope they each find the thing they love as much as I love to run!

My sweet "little" boy!

Still loving these Altras!

4 miles 

42:42

10:40 average pace

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

Trails! Trails! Trails!

I headed back to Corner Canyon this morning and out the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  I took the trail I had found on Thursday, Oak Hollow and continued out it.  Oak Hollow ended up running along between a golf course and houses.  As lovely as white as white resin fence and million dollar homes can be, I headed back toward Corner Canyon.  My plan was to head out Ann's but it was the only part of the Canyon that was closed, so I went up Clark's instead.  I felt great from the start of my run.  The temps are up a bit, but the breeze kept it pretty chilly.  It was a beautiful morning and I was thrilled to see loads of deer and moose tracks!

This picture was an accident, but I kind of like it.

This tunnel does, in fact, lead to the very south end of Ann's Trail!

Ann's here I come!

So cool!  I've been out and back on Ann's a million times, but never bothered to head out on BST from there.

Moose!

I didn't go quite as far as I had originally intended (I was aiming for at least 13) but it was a great run none the less!

12.7 miles

2:44

12:54 average pace

Flex Friday

Last night Jeff and I went to the gym together for a little chest action.  I had an awesome PR on the decline bench press!  115lbs for five reps!  BOOM!

30 min elliptical

Incline bench press

Decline bench press

Incline dumbbell press

I take myself very seriously.  No fooling around!  Okay, well maybe just a little...

There is that awesome bicep vein again!  

Trail Run Thursday

Yesterday was so glorious that I ran trails in my dreams last night a woke up thinking of going back to the same spot tomorrow!  I headed down to Corner Canyon (a last minute decision) and decided to just go on out Ann's for a bit.  But, I got to a fork in the road and decided to continue on BST, which I had only done one other time.  And that time I was in a world of hurt.  That run sucked, therefore, in my mind that section of trail sucked.  It didn't.  Plus, I went the correct way and found even more of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail that I had only seen on a map!  New trail!  Outstanding.  I made the decision to let my five mile run be a "run until you have to turn around because you have kids to pick up from school."  I found yet another trail I'd never been on, and was really enjoying the day.  I wasn't super speedy, but I was enjoying poking along seeing new sights and stopping for lots of photos.  Like I said, a glorious day!

Bonneville Shoreline Trail heading south from Coyote Hollow Trailhead. 

Time to switch things up! BST here I come!

Deer or Moose?

Heading up to South Mountain Overlook (also a new to me, very short, section of trail)

The view from South Mountain Overlook

After crossing a road, I ended up here.  New (to me) section of BST!  WOO HOO!

Weeee!  This is grand!

And what is this!?  I think that will take me back up to Ann's trail!

But, I decided on Oak Hollow...

Still loving the new vest!

Look what I found!  TRAILS!

Can you guess where I'm heading to run tomorrow?

6.31 miles

1:19

12:31 average pace