Here we go again~

I truly can not believe that it is already July, the summer is flying by!! Happy July everyone! I feel bad that I pretty much haven't done one thing with my kids this summer but I am going to blame it on the rain over my negligence, just in case anyone asks why ;).

So, my very first tempo run this morning and WOW, I am tired. This by far was harder to me then speed work (at least the speed work I did last week).  I actually got to bed early (about 10:30) last night so I got about 7 hours of sleep and I swear, the more sleep I get, the more tired I am in the morning, WHAT IS UP WITH THAT??  So, I met up with Heidi who was also tired and we had a hard time getting started but finally agreed that it was time to get going.  So, we did a mile warm up and then 3 miles tempo and a mile cool down.  Then we got to "the corner" where we always stop and walk it out and decided to take a lap around the neighborhood to cool off a bit so that added another 3/4 of a mile in walking (not counting as distance though).  I am tired and not looking forward to the next tempo run. Glad it's not until next Wednesday, but then we have to add another mile to it, oh well.......no pain, no gain!! 

Splits: 9:01 (warm up) 7:42, 7:30, 7:22, 8:15 (cool down).

I found a quote yesterday that I like so I am sharing it (Not to copy cat Kelli or anything).

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" ~Winston Churchill  ( I likey this quote).

Went to a late night movie with my friend JaNae last night so I couldn't wake it up this morning to exercise.  However, I think I got a pretty good ab workout due to laughing me stinking head off at "The Proposal", WOW, cute movie!  Maybe I will try to do something later tonight!  

So it's official, my back is messed up!!  By last night, I could barely even move. I have no idea what I am going to do but it's my own darn fault for missing my Chiropractic appointment yesterday. 

Last night my dear father in law volunteered himself for a Grandpa's sleepover with all of the grandsons (so nice of him) so we dropped off our 3 boys and went out on a date!! We went to dinner and then Yes, went and saw the Proposal again, I am pretty much addicted to it I think! It was a fun night out aside from the fact that I was walking around like I was 90 years old by the end of it.  So, in any event, I was not able to get up this morning and run either.  I wanted to give me back a little break so that I could try to run my long run tomorrow.  However, I did go and get a Pilates movie from Wal-Mart that I did tonight so at least I did a little something!  

Last night Tyler and I stayed at our family cabin with my mom, etc so we had to get up extra early to make it down for our Saturday run.  Thank you to my mom who agreed to watch the boys so that we could come down together.  We woke up about 4:45 and left the cabin at 5:00 (only 15 minutes away), picked up the Heidi's and headed over to S.F. to meet up with JaNae (Ty was meeting up with Rich).  We had planned to do 14 miles and I kind of had a route mapped out in my head but when we were only about 3 miles from the finish I looked at my watch and we had only gone 8 miles, SNAP!!!!, we had to add on 3 miles.  So, we kind of improvised and took some turns here and there to get our mileage in.  All in all, I felt pretty good today. My back is sore and I had to stop and stretch it several times, but I tried to take the down heels easy and listen to my body.  We had some good heels today and so I felt a was a very versatile course.  It was very muggy this morning but good cloud coverage so we didn't get pounded by the Sun, BEAUTIFUL!!  It was a perfect morning for running with girl friends. Thanks Ladies!

Avg. Pace: 8:27

Met with the Heidi's this morning (and Jileen from our neighborhood as well) for what was supposed to be another "mailbox" route day.  However, after assessing the situation with my back, I asked the gals if they would be willing to keep it a bit more flat this morning to which they agreed, THANK YOU LADIES!!  I had a hard time at first but after about 3 miles I started feeling better and got into a groove.  The last mile felt so darn good I was actually sad I had to stop but I think my body must have been telling me something because the second I stopped, my back started throbbing.  So, I went to the chiropractor and he said that my disc is now putting pressure on my nerve. No wonder the pain has been so intense these past few days.  Worse, he told me I have to take this week off.  There is inflamation clear up my spine and my muscles are very tight trying to protect it all from getting worse.  Yes, I am in a bit of a pickle!!  So, I will take this week off but I am running the Red Hot Pink Chick 1/2 on Saturday if it kills me :).  No, I plan to take it very easy but hope to get through these next few days.  If for any other reason, I think I will miss the socializing as much as the running :(.  Darn injuries! 

Avg. Pace: 8:37

I was going to try to get up and do a workout video this morning but slept in so I just ended up doing my pilates movie tonight instead.  Being very careful not to strain my back.  I got about 35 minutes in at least before having to stop.  I guess it's better than nothing! 

Oh, and I also did 250 jumps on the jump rope. Probably not the best thing on the back but I wanted to get my heart rate up for just a split second! And, it worked~

Ty has been gone all week and I have been banned from running so I just did a little exercise video again tonight for my exercise, at midnight none the less. I have basically completely dropped the ball with my exercise regimen but I guess that has to happen from time to time.  I am looking forward to next week in hopes that my back will permit me to run some more~

"Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful Day" la la la la, can you all hear the tune in your head??  I am singing it as I blog this!  Really, a very fun run this morning. A big thanks to Marion, Josse and Michelle for putting this together and working so hard to bring us out and accommodate so many pink runners, it was a blast!!  Tyler and I met up and drove over with Mac, My friend JaNae and her hubby Kyle, Brandon and Tiffany(a first time 1/2'er or a virgin under Marion's classifications). The weather could not have been more perfect. The course was pretty and the ladies (and men, my hubby being one of them) were all so much fun too.  On the way up the course there was a pretty strong head wind but it sure felt nice coming down.  I was so excited to run this morning and get some miles in but knew I wanted to take it easy so as to go easy on my back and fool my chiropractor into thinking that I had really taken the day off :) I felt really good the entire time and now only have a little tightness in my muscles (lower back) but nothing that is prohibiting me from doing anything so I feel very lucky!  I ran with Tiffany and Janae until the turn around, then got a bit ahead of Tiffany because her knee was hurting her and so she wanted to take it a little easier.  Then JaNae and I stuck together until the last half of a mile when our hubbies met up with us and we ran in with them.  I only got 2 pictures so if you want to see a bunch link over to Kelli's blog (Kelli) or Marion's or there is a link posted on Leslie's blog thanks to the services of her dear husband Herald who was the official photographer!!  You will have to check out all of the pink outfits and the beautiful onsamble I wore accompanied by what else?? Bright Red Lipstick!!!  We SO need to do this next year.  It was a ton of fun!! Thanks again Ladies for all of your efforts!!  

Avg pace: 8:47 (however this is just my running avg.  I stopped my watch a couple of times when taking water breaks, etc. Just being honest here) :)> 

Tough run this morning.......well at least half of it was.  The Heidi's and I left our houses this morning and ran 2.5 miles UP Loafer canyon.  I have driven this road a number of times but never ran it and BOY, is it deceiving!! It was a tough run and I sounded like I was in labor most of the time (with the heavy breathing and all). However, the run back down was sure fun.  Amazing how much faster it went coming down as opposed to going up!! I don't have my exact splits but know I was in the 9 min miles going up and mid to high 7's coming down.  Avg. Pace 8:47

It was Tyler's day to run this morning so I slept in a bit longer (6:15am) and got up and did some pilates with resistant bands.  I think it is a pretty decent work out. At least I feel my muscles working and dont' feel like I am straining my back or doing anything that will bulk me up (when saying this I am sucking in my stomach trying to pretend like I am long and lean, ha ha ha :).  Then I went outside and jump roped 200 quick jumps and ran up and down my street once to get my heart rate up.  I think I may try to run a few miles tonight, just easy miles becuase it's my tempo day tomorrow.  I am honestly scared about it!! Wish me luck!!!

I am DONE with the Tempo RUN Baby!!!!  WAHOOOOOO!!! Man it's nice knowing that I don't have to do that for another week.  So my friend JaNae and the Heidi's and I met up this morning for the event.  I am some what dreaded the thought of this run beings that last times tempo run about sent me into cardiac arrest. However, I must admit that today was a bit easier. Our plan was to start slow, tempo for 4 miles averaging a 7:42, then cool it down the last mile.  The first mile warm up was very easy at a 9:14 pace, then we kicked it into hi gear.  Heidi W and I stayed together the entire time which was nice, even though we weren't able to talk and be our normal "chatty" selves.  First 2 miles were actually pretty easy, the 3rd mile at tempo got a bit harder and by the 4th, my legs were tired and my lungs felt heavy.  It was nice to back it off a bit for the last mile.  Funny, how after you have ran faster than your normal speed for a bit, even when you "slow" down, your pace is still pretty good!!!  Splits: 9:14, 7:42, 7:37, 7:28, 7:24, 7:55 (cool down), last .25 was right at a 8:00. 

Now it's off to the shower to get my day started.  Have a good one ya'll~

Easy 5 miles this morning with the Heidi's!!  We were all a little tuckered from yesterday's Tempo run and wanted to run today so that we could take a day off before our long run Saturday!! It was a beautiful morning and nice to get out!

Do you ever have one of those days (running days) when you just never get into a groove??  Well............today was one of those days for me.  Usually when I run I eventually get into a mode where I can just run and it doesn't feel like I am using every ounce of exhertion that I have to do it.  However, today I was tired the entire time.  I kept waiting and wondering when my body would fall into that mode and it just never happened.  Oh well, I know you have to take the bad with the good but it just made for a hard run today.  We met a little earilier then normal (that may have been one reason :), then ran out 1/2 a mile and back in the opposite direction to get a warm up mile in, then ran out and around the golf course and back.  When we got our behind the golf course there was a VERY VERY Strong head wind.  I swear I felt like I was running in place (glanced down at my watch and pace was 9:05) so it was a bit tougher then it had been in the first place but it eventually eased up and it was just back to being "hard" again.  Sorry, I know I sound awful negative, I am glad that I got out and got the chance to run, but it tuckered me right out.  I am looking forward to a rest day and a better week next week.  It's FIESTA DAYS BABY!! And,  my little brother comes into town for his yearly visit next Saturday, I can't wait to see him, his wife and his darling little boy again!!! Look forward to this week :)

Avg. Pace 8:37

Oh, Monday!!! What is it about Mondays?? I have decided that there is just a feeling that comes with Monday!!  I always have a hard time getting out of bed (even despite the fact that I got a 2 1/2 hour long nap yesterday, that NEVER happens), and so I know it has nothing to do with the fact that I am tired, just that it is Monday!!  But, we got up and got out.  The Heidi's and I left our street and ran into Brenda Loss who is going to try to start coming with us.  It was nice to have her a long, she is a very sweet lady!!! The air felt pretty dry when we first started but about a mile in I changed my mind........it was VERY muggy!! But, it was still great to get out and get my week started off the right way!! I am taking a cross training day tomorrow then running a new 7 mile route on Wedesday that I look foward to.  It will be called the "Pond Route" (just for Teena)!!  We just keep rackin in the Routes.  I love marathon training!!

Avg. Pace: 8:41

I started with a bit of jump roping this morning to get my heart rate up!! I found it tends to stay up a bit if I do this first and then move onto a different workout.  So, I just did 200 jumps and then took it inside to do some pilates.  So, then it was onto pilates with my resistant bands and Suzanne Brown (aka home video).  For some reason it was a bit harder today then I recall it being from last week (which was nice).  And, I am really starting to enjoy this workout.  I feel like it strengthens yet stretches my muscles as well.  I would like to do more of this.  Maybe I can start being like everyone else on the blog and run, do pilates, yoga and bike all in one workout instead of breaking it up into days :)!!! You all amaze me!! Maybe some day?!?

Have a great day ya'll, it's July 21st, only 3 days until the 24th of July, PARTY ON!!!!

7 miles and not a step over!! I met with Heidi C and Brenda for the new "7 mile Pond Route", however I think I need to look at the exact coordinates again because we ended up having to tack on some extra mileage at the end to get to 7 miles.  It was an okay run, still not feeling like I am all together with it or that I am getting into a groove when running.  I think it is the heat! I have never ran well in heat and so, I am going to blame it on that for now!! However, it was fun to run a new route, fun to chat with the ladies, and fun knowing that I have my work out in for the day! I plan to do some cross training tomorrow before the Speedy Spaniard on Friday and my 20 mile long run Saturday!! 

Avg. Pace: 8:36

It was Tyler's day to run today so I planned on getting up and doing some cross training but DANG, I slept in. I was planning on getting up at 6:30, but didn't wake up until 6:45. I actually tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't (my mind started wandering) so at 7:00 I figured I may as well get up and do something.  However, now my time was cut short so I was only able to do 30 minutes of my pilates work out.  Oh well, better then nothing I suppose :).  It's July 23rd!!! Fun weekend ahead~

I need to get out tonight and run .3 miles so that I can get to 40 this week!! Do you think I can do it??  FUNNY~

The Annual Speedy Spaniard!!! Oh, I am not sure if it's funner to run this race due to tradition or just to see all of the familiar faces when running (more at the start line).  Either way, I have grown to love this race.  It is getting a lot bigger however, Almost 650 runners this year.  I first ran this race back in 2000 when I was just 9 weeks pregnant with my first son and there were only 150 runners.  When I crossed the finish line (back in 2000) it was over 90 degrees and NOT PLEASANT! That was the first time I thought I may officially die due to running :).  From that time on, I had no desire to run it (or come to think of it to run in general).  However then I ran again in 2003 (had a baby June 2004 so no running that year) and then have ran it every year since 2005, Yes, I like it!!! It is a fun one.  My goal was to beat last years time which was around 1:49 I think.  I went out a little fast and I feel I paid for that later.  I had a hard time staying motivated at the end. I was alone pretty much the entire time until my knight in shining armor, AKA, Kelli Stephenson, came to rescue me at mile 5.  She had to talk me through the last mile and we finished together, THANKS KELLI! I am not sure what is getting my energy down lately but whatever it is, I need to figure it out (Maybe it has a little to do with my sugar intake, I have to ease up :)). All in all I was happy with my result and was happy that I got to see familiar faces and meet some fellow bloggers face to face for the first time.  A big shout out to Linds, Lily and Merri. It was so nice to meet you all.  ROCK ON FIESTA DAYS!!! 

Avg. Pace: 7:19

HOLY SHNICKIES, I am done with my first 20 miler and lets just say that it is a darn good thing.  I know I have complained about my energy level lately (sorry :(), but something has got to give.  I actually started hallucinating  today, not a good sign right? However, I must say that it was actually a pretty fun course.  We (the Heidi's, JaNae, Sue and I) started in Spanish Fork, ran out toward Lindon, then around Spanish Fork, out to the airport, over the over pass into Mapleton, along the highway, back by the golf course and around back home, YIKES!!  I was a very long run.  A big, HUGE, MONSTROUS, GIGANTIC, ENORMOUS, GINORMOUS, MONGORONUS (yes, I made that last one up), THANKS to my dear friend JaNae.  She actually went out last night after the Rodeo and set water out every 3 miles for us.  She was out until 1:00AM and we met at 5:00 this morning.  That is a good friend there and there isn't a day that I am not thankful for her :).  We had to tack a bit on at the end and I knew I needed to get a little over 20 to make it to 40 miles for the week so I kept going and got to 20.5, stopped, stretched, walked and then ran out the last .5 to get to 21 total. Thanks for the run ladies. I really hope that I can get past this little funk that I am in and be a little stronger in the future. I need to ease up on the sugar.  How possible do you think that is going to be with the Rodeo tonight and a family reunion this weekend.  BE STRONG, Kellie....... Be strong!!! Keep cheering me on ya'll, I know I can do it with your support!!!

Happy Saturday! My brother comes in today and is here until August 5th! I can not wait to see him and his family and spend time with them all.  I am so excited that I could do a heel kick right now..............okay, maybe not :)

Avg. Pace: 8:44

Okay, so I totally slept in today! I guess that is bound to happen when you PARTY HARTY all weekend due to Fiesta Days and my brother coming into town.  What a fun weekend though.  So, Ty and I actually didn't go to bed until after mid night last night.  Did anyone have the chance to get out and look at that beautiful sky last night??? Wowsa, it was BEAUTIFUL!!!  We went out and layed on a blanket and watched the stars until it was very late, I think I want to do that more often, it was fun!!! But, it resulted in a late night and a hard morning trying to get out of bed. Tyler actually was going to get up and go at 5:00 but he got up and turned the alarm off then climbed back into bed.  So, then my eyes popped open at 6:08 when I was supposed to meet Heidi at 6:00.  I asked Ty to go see if she was outside while I started getting dressed and sure enough, she was (THANK YOU HEIDI and TYLER FOR CHECKING).  So I threw on clothes, threw my hair back and out the door I ran (wait, I brushed my teeth too).  We had to stretch for a bit and then right when we were getting ready to start we saw Mac who was on mile 9 of her 10 miles for the day (HOLY COW!), then ran into Michelle who was out walking for the first time today (HOORAY MICHELLE!!!), Man, it was nice seeing her out on the road again!!  We ran a very nice and easy recovery run around the 5 mile square due to time and energy.  I really should have done more because it is going to be a low mile week due to my family reunion, but oh well, I enjoyed the late night star gazing with my hubby and the fun weekend so my running can suffer a bit this week :)

Avg. Pace: 8:40

A measley 20 minutes of yoga was all I did today :(

AM: I was supposed to get up and run but I woke up having back spasms and thought it may not be the best option.  Not to mention the fact that I was stinking tired.  So, I got back in bed for 15 minutes then got up and did pilates and a bit of yoga.  Total work out time was 40  minutes. 

PM: Coach Tyler convinced me into going down to the track for some 800's.  So, we got the boys loaded up and went down.  Evan wanted to run a little bit and Kael and Jack just played in the sand and hung out.  It was fun.  My first go at 800's.  WOW, it was very hard.  I ran one warm up mile at a 8:25 pace then started my rounds.  They went as follows (forgive me if I don't comply to traditional format).

1. 800: 3:30 (.5mile)

recovery lap (.25 mile) 8:48 avg.

2. 800: 3:32 (.5mile)

recovery lap (.45 mile, stopped to check on kids and ran with Evan a bit) 9:06 avg.

3. 800: 3:23 (.52 mile)

recovery lap (.5 mile) 8:37avg

4 800: 3:24 (.5 mile), PAIN, PAIN, PAIN!!!!!

walk out .25 mile

Total Distance with warm up, cool down and 800's = 4.5 miles.  Feel like I just completed a science project.  I can see how that would really help speed someone up but it was hard for me.  I appreciate Tyler going down with me though and helping me along the way.  I hope to be able to do it again soon!!

Opted to get up this morning and do some pilates since running didn't work out and I wanted to make sure that I got one more work out in  before leaving.  I did 35 minutes of pilates followed by 20 minutes of yoga.  A nice relaxing morning and easy on the back........I likey!!  I am on my way to my Family Reunion where I intend on doing absolutely no running.  Just river rafting, hiking, walking and chasing kids instead!!!  Of course there will be lots of relaxing in there too!! Can't wait!