The good old Payson Days 10K run.  I actually have a little bit of centimental feelings toward this race because many years ago, it was the first 10K that I ran (thanks to Aly Dart).  However, back then the coarse was different and I did not have a good time (in either pace or experience).  I remember that by the end of the race, I really thought I might die and my family would have to come and recover me from off the side of the road.  However, today was great.  Tyler and I decided last minute to run and so our little cousin came over to sleep with the kids so that we could go.  I was a little concerned this morning when I woke up to the sound of rain (at 5:30am) and had actually somewhat convinced myself that I would not be running today. But, we decided to get up and drive over to see what happened closer to the start time and go from there.  The weather actually ended up to be, in my opinion, perfect.  It was a little chilly at first and during the race we actually even got a little rain to help keep me cool and energized.  I do not run well under heat (all the more reason I am worried about the SGM) so today worked in my favor I think.  I came in 2nd in my age group (which is a first in a LONG TIME, thanks to a smaller groud then some of the other races I have been too recently) and I actually felt really really good during the entire coarse.  My total time came in at 47:29 so I averaged a 7:38.  This was my fastest 10K to date so again, that made me feel pretty good.  But the highlight of my day was meeting some fellow bloggers (Hello out there Marion and Kelli) and partaking of what might have been the BEST banana chocolate chip pancakes smothered in buttermilk syrup, YUMMY, after the race!!! That was very very nice of you Marion, Thank you!!!  I look forward to the next few weeks of training in preperation for the SGM, I am really really hoping to qualify for Boston, I need to both physically and mentally train over these next few weeks.      It was a great race and a great start to a new week!!

Very late night run tonight but after Sasha's advise, I have to try harder to run more consistant during the week.  So I left my house at 9:00 tonight to go for a quick little jaunt.  I got some new shoes that I wanted to try out too, so that was a little added motivation to get homework done, the house tidied, kids to bed and be on my way (thanks for your help in accomplishing this Ty).  I felt really good tonight and might I just set the record straight (in case I have not made it known before) that I LOVE THIS WEATHER!!!!!  I run so much better when there is a little chill in the air.  So, here are my splits.

1. 8:06

2. 8:00

3. 7:45

last .7 = 7:37.  Avg pace 7:54.  

 The shoes were awesome, I really think I am going to like them and I just want to get them a little more broken in so that I can run in them for the marathon.  Can you believe it is less than 5 weeks away?   CRAZY!!!  Now that I have been blogging (both on my family site and running site) and it is after 11:00PM I think it's time to hit the sack.  Night night ya'll. 
 

Another late night run tonight, however, I got out a little earlier (8:30) and at least tonight it seemed like Salem was a little more "alive".   Last night when I went out it was very nice weather but seemed like a Ghost town around here.  And for the record, can I just speak my voice here and say one thing that Salem lacks, Street Lights.  I think that the city would really benefit from some street lights over here.  At least for us runners, that should stand for something right?  Ha ha. 

Tonight was better though.  There was a ball game going on (we live about a mile away from a ball park) so the lights were on.  There were people out and I just felt a little more comfortable being out on the open roads by my lonesome old self.  I went a total of 5 miles tonight and averaged a 8:02 pace over all.  For some reason these last two nights have seemed much easier to run at this pace.  I don't know if it's because I am just becoming a better, more skilled runner (Hey, I got skills.........yeah right) or if it is because it is dark outside and I am a scaredy cat just running my butt off to get home faster??  Really, every little noise scares me and as I run I am just sure that some wild beast is going to come out and attack me and there will be nobody around to hear my screams for help.. .....  Okay, a little dramatic there. 

In any event, my breathing has felt pretty good, shoes are great, body feels good and when I get home, I am so glad that I went out and that I am done for the day.  We are officially just 30 days from the marathon.  Wow, that is coming quick.  Night night.  I am checking in early tonight. 

Today was not an actual "mile" day, but a work out none the less and here is why.  I used to be both a cheerleader and a member of the Las Chalitas Drill team, back in my "glory" high school days (that were all but glorious).  There are times that I am both proud of this and also a little embarrassed, but it was times like today that I am very thankful for those memories, those friendships and just the idea of having a "personal THING" that I was and can be a part of.  The drill coach during my time on Drill team is still doing it today. In fact, she has been the Drill Team Advisor/Coach for I think going on 30 years now.  However, she has decided to quit this ever so long obligation as Advisor next year to move on to bigger and better things.  So, she has put together a "Drill Team Reunion" for all of the girls that have been on the drill team since she has been the advisor.  What we do now is learn a dance and perform it at where else?  THE HOME COMING FOOT BALL GAME HALF TIME!!!!!!  So, tonight we met for the reunion and learned a dance accoring to our era.  OH, it was funny!!  I am an absolute un-cord, it was comical.  But it was great to see old friends, have some "me" time and learn some moves.  We will see our presentation goes Friday night at the ball game.  Good times!!! 

This morning was the first time in a LONG TIME that I have had to run by myself and let's just say that "I enjoy running so much more when I have someone to go with".  It was a little harder (Okay okay, maybe a lot harder) to get out of bed knowing that I had nobody outside waiting for me to go and for some reason, I could not get  my body going this morning.  Maybe I am more like Kelli then I thought and it takes me 3-4 miles before I can get into a groove??  So, I trudged through the first 3 miles and then after that started feeling pretty good.  It is always a great way to start a day and to get some needed miles in.  However, for future case, I prefer running with someone.  Hint hint..................!

Avg pace overall = 8:25

I look forward to a nice 15 miler tomorrow with my hubby.  Did you all hear that, YES, I am actually going to go running with my hubby!!  And.... it's all because I am as fast as him now, it has nothing to do with the fact that he wants to go on an "Easy" run in pursuit to running the last 26 miles of the Wastach 100 with his friend tomorrow night. Really I promise!! :)

This morning Tyler and I, along with Mike L, went out for our "easy" training run.  It was such a beautiful morning again with the fall, crisp mornings that I love so much.  Seriously, I am having a much easier time getting up to go running these last few days, then i was back in July, I love this weather, It motivates me (for the 20th time now).  Anyway, Mike came up to our house and we left from here to run the same coarse Tyler ran on Thursday.  It was actually the first time that Tyler and I have run together all year, so it was very nice and fun to run with him for a change.  I guess pretty much our date for the weekend.  Tyler had to take it easy today because he is running the last 26 mile leg of the Wasatch 100 with a friend starting at Mid-night tonight.  He left our house at 12:00(noon) to help run some errands, pick people up and drop them off, etc.., then will start running at mid-night and expects to finish about 8:00am in the morning (yes, I am starting to think he is borderline crazy).  Do you realize that this would mean Tyler will put in more miles in a single day, then I did in an entire week, CRAZY!!!  But, if he has the motivation to do it, then I am proud of him for that.  

Anyway, back to my run today.  So at about 9 miles in, we actually ran into the group running the Spanish Fork half marathon.  At first I kind of felt dumb but then it became pretty fun to watch that a little bit and not have the pressures of running it competitively.  Okay, that is a lie, when I saw them all running, I wished that I was running with them.   We saw Sasha, Michelle, and Tom, Kent Wing, some fellow bloggers (I know I am forgetting some) and then the Purple Ponytail caught my eye (Kim) so I ran with her for just a minute.  She was just sailing along like it was nothing.  GOOD JOB KIM ON TAKING 1ST PLACE IN YOUR AGE DIVISION, YOU ROCK!!!. 

So, All in all it was a great morning and fun to be out among so many trained and skilled runners.  I am looking forward to the Payson Canyon 22 mile run next week before I start to taper in pursuit of the SGM, Yikes, It's COMING..............................

 Avg pace: 8:39

Monday morning..... what it is about Mondays??  Sometimes on Monday I feel rested, refreshed ready to take on a new week, a new task, a new achievement.  Other times, I feel tired, exhausted, ready to do none of the above.  So, for this Monday I felt................ the later of the two, tired and exhausted.  I don't know why but I just had a hard time getting up and going this morning.  Maybe it is because I averaged about 5 hours of sleep both Friday and Saturday night,.....hmmmmm, yeah, maybe that had something to do with it!?!

Okay, enough belly aching.  I met JaNae at 6:00 and we did a quick 4 mile run around the river bottoms and ball park area.  There we a lot of people out this morning and we passed Michelle L while we were out.  It was dark though so I am  not sure she realized that it was me, so, Hey Michelle!! Actually it was probably because she zipped past us so fast that we hardly even saw her, that was really the case (speedy woman).  After I was done I felt really good though and was glad that we had gone out (thanks JaNae).  

Avg. pace 8:45  

I did it!! I ran today!!  It is now 10:20pm and I just walked in the door from running but never the less, I ran.  This morning, I was supposed to go with Heidi but I woke up with a soar throat and decided it was my bodies polite way of telling me to sleep in (at least that is what I told myself my body was telling me).  So I slept in (sin #1) hoping that I would go later tonight.  Then, I went to work and committed sin #2, I ate a chocolate donut (yes, Kelli, I know you have already forgiven me for this), not to mention a few little candy caramels ( i don't know what was with me today).  Then I worked late, ran to piano lessons, then came home had a quick bite to eat (pizza, of all healthy things, but Tyler made it so I appreciated that).  Then ran out the door to Young Women's, then walked in the door at about 8:45 giving me enough time to say goodnight to the little ones, visit with Ty for a minute and then JaNae came over to meet me for our run.  So, we walk outside at about 9:30 and just as we walk outside, it starts to rain.  I sit for a minute thinking, is this a sign that I should not go running......... then guess what popped into my head?  Donut, pizza, etc...... you NEED to go running.  So, despite the rain, the wind and the time of night, we did, we ran.   And, the best part is that I felt GRRREAATTTT!!!(imagine the Wheeties Tiger saying that when you read that part).  I don't know if it was the sheer knowledge of knowing I had an extra 1000 calories to burn, my new shoes (thanks for the re-lace Ty), the company, or the rain?  I think it was a combination of all the above.  Now, I am going to go shower and maybe get some reading in to calm me down so that I can get to sleep to meet JaNae again in the morning.   Night.  

Avg pace: 8:33 

JaNae and I met again this morning (after our wet and wicked run last night :)) for another morning run.  I have to be honest, it was much easier for me to run last night then it was this morning which is usually the exact opposite of how things work for me, weird.  We ran the same loop as Monday only backwards this time (and with a little pit stop in between).  We got a little rain this morning as well but no where near what it was like last night.  It was a good start to a Wednesday and good to get out on Wednesday (since my husband is still in recovery, I am trying to take advantage of the rare occasions this week). 

Avg Pace: 8:43 

So, three good things about today:

1. I Did NOT have a chocolate donut

2. I accomplished my visiting teaching for the month

3. I got to go running again with my husband for the week, wow am I lucky or what?

There were many other good things today, such as waking up to a beautiful day, had a good day at work today, getting past the 7 year anniversary of September 11th, and tonight Tyler had a ball game and so he took the two older boys with him and I got to have a solid hour and a half with my baby all to myself. Good day today!

So, tonight we had a girl from the ward (thanks Lexi) come and sit with the boys (who were all in bed asleep) so that we could go for a run. I have to take advantage of these last few and ever so precious days of recovery for Tyler. So we left our house at 9:00 and ran "the 5 mile square." This is the same coarse I did the other night in the rain, however much more enjoyable this time because there was a full moon so the road was more lit and there was no rain. I felt really good tonight and we managed to keep a good pace.

Avg Pace:  7:59 

I am on my 4th day solid of running this week and have plans to go tomorrow morning and then again on Saturday so Yes, I am prematurely going to pat myself on the back for going 6 straight days in a row of running for the FIRST TIME IN HISTORY!! I figure if I am going to be on this blog, I have to step it up a notch so I am trying. Now it's time for shower and sleep. Night~

Man, it must be the week for the "5 mile square", but it's a good one and so I will keep at it.  Why is it that Pre-FRB, I would have felt amazing knowing that I had run 5 miles a day but now Post-FRB, I feel so lazy, whimpy and inadequate only running 4-5 miles a day.  OH, I know why!!  Because there are people like Michelle, Kim, Kelli, Marion, Tom, Tyler, etc. who are running 10 miles a day, and also biking and doing yoga, What the heck!??!?! How in the heck!?!?!  Not fair!! (yes, I am now laying on the ground kicking and screaming).  HA HA, just kidding, I am proud of all of you, for real!!

 I met up with Heidi C this morning (thanks for getting me out Heidi) for a nice little 5 mile run.  Because I sat up blogging until mid-night last night, I had a rather hard time getting out of bed and getting my body to move but by about 3 miles in, I was feeling much better.  Heidi is such a sweet heart and so much fun to run with, I always enjoy our visits.  Now I am at work wishing I was out running again.  But John Mayer rockin on my i pod is keeping me content, I love the man!!  Looking forward to our long Saturday run tomorrow and then a day of rest, yeah!! 

Avg Pace: 8:45

Wahoo!!! I did it!! I ran 6 days this week!!  I am now officially celebrating!!! 

Today was a great run and coarse for a long mile training run.  We (Tyler and I) met up with Michelle, Josie, JaNae and Kyle at the Mapleton part before loading up and driving to the 7 mile marker from the Hobblecreek Half.  We then ran up to the start line of the half marathon coarse and all the way out, giving us a total of 20 miles.  My watch was not working too well on the way up so I have no idea what pace we averages (Tyler estimates about a 9:25) then we had a quick little break up top before hitting the down hill.  Tyler, Michelle and Josie (aka "The Speedsters"), took off before I even had a chance to say goodbye and so I hung with JaNae and Kyle for a couple miles before taking off to do my own thing.  I stopped a few time and forgot to stop my watch so according to the watch, it showes an average pace of 8:02, but I think I was really more around 7:45-7:55 while running.  When all was said and done, I was only a minute later then when I finished the Hobble Creek half, so I felt really good about that.  Now we get to start tapering so I am prety excited for that!! 

Thanks again to all for a great day of running and helping me get in 6 full days this week for the first time ever!!!   Good Week!!!

Oh, P.S. If  any of you get a chance, check out Michelle's post.  If you read it very carefully there is a part that talks about her having a hard time keeping up with me, really!!!  I am not lying :D, just thought you would all like to know that, ha ha ha~

I did it! I ran today!! Now before you start forming opinions or yelling at me because of my lapse in running (I know that is what you were thinking), I do have a rather good excuse for my laziness.  I actually had to go in Monday for a minor surgery on my throat (esophagus).  I was pretty out of it Monday and then didn't feel very well yesterday so I just got out this morning.  In all honesty, if I would not have know that the Heidi's (Heidi W and Heidi C) were waiting for me, I probably would not have gotten out of bed this morning either.  But after I was up and running, it felt so good to be out, so Thanks Heidi's.  We did the 5 mile square and then it was off to a usual morning.  I felt really good today and again, it was just so nice to be out.  Just a few short days until the marathon (17 to be exact).  Have a great "hump day".

Avg. Pace: 8:49 

Isn't consistency a beautiful thing.  I mean really I would rather know/assume what my day is going to be like over having surprises thrown at me all day (in less they are fun, exciting surprises of course :)).  The reason I start with that disclaimer today is because you are going to be so surprised what I did today......... are you ready....................... you sure.....................  I ran, the 5 mile square!!!!  I told you, I knew you would be surprised!!  In all actuality, this little 5 mile quare is a great route and feels more like 3 miles.  It is flat, one little gradual incline and then flat again.   You know how there are routes that you run on for 3 miles and it feels like it's been 10 miles (that is also the way it is for me on a treadmil), and then there are routes that are 10 miles and they feel like 5-6 miles. I felt good today, it was a beautiful morning, good route, and Heidi C and I went out again together, so add conversation to the mix and voila, a masterpiece!!

Thanks Ty for taking the early shift again so that I could go run this morning. I told you, I think I can get used to this schedule, really!!! 

Avg. Pace: 8:47.   Just 16 days until the Marathon, yipeeeee!!!

Wow, what a Friday(long story, I will spare you the details).  It is now 6:00pm, I am still at work and just posting my morning run.   Interesting enough that it has been almost exactly 12 hours since I started running.  Okay, I guess that wasn't all that intresting, but I just put the times together and at least feel it was worth mentioning.  Amazing how fast the hours in a day fly by :).  

Met Heidi C this morning and we did a new little route, incorporating part of the 5 miles quare, but threw a new little road in to liven things up a bit!!!  I felt really good this morning and am looking forward to my 15 miler tomorrow and then a pretty slow week next week because Tyler will be hunting.  The marathon is getting close!! Can't wait!

Avg. Pace: 8:50

This morning was a great confidence booster for me concerning the SGM.  I wanted to go out as strong as I could and try and maintain at least marathon pace, if not better for the entire run and guess what?........... I did it!!!  I did it, I did it, I did it did it (yes, I am now doing my victory dance).   I know I am probably celebrating something that I shouldn't even be celebrating, but let me share some thoughts that I had this morning during our run.  My main goal through this year of training has been to qualify for Boston at the SGM, but here is what I have come to realize.  Even if I do not qualify for Boston, I have already accomplished so much this year.  I have incorporated running into my daily life, I have met new friends (thanks to the blog) that have really set a great example to me.  I have made personal records at every distance of race I have ran this year: 5k, 10k and 1/2 marathon.  I have stayed injury free (for the most part), I have strengthened myself and maintained balance  at home and in my daily life (okay maybe not 100%).  I feel very thankful that I have been able to do all of that.  I feel very blessed to have a healthy  body and mind that allows me to have done all of that.  Life is great and so no more pressure on myself  about Boston, I am already a winner!!! 

Thanks Tyler for helping me out today and for keeping my breathing and pace in check.  Thanks for being so positive this morning and sacrificing your morning to stay with me during my 8 minute pace, when I am sure you wanted to be going at your 6 1/2- 7 minute pace.  Thanks for staying just that single step ahead of me so that I had something to chase, but most of all, thanks for the little bum slap (thanks to Marion and Michelle for this too :)) that kept me in check for the last few miles of the course today.  It was a great morning. 

Splits: 8:31, 8:08, 8:09, 8:05, 8:07, 8:02, 8:02, 8:09, 8:15, 8:09, 8:07, 7:59, 8:16, 8:03, 7:52.  Avg. Pace: 8:04 

I can not believe it is already the 22nd of September, this month has FLOWN BY!!! I think it is the anticipation of the marathon that is making it go faster :).  Today I met with "the Heidi's" for the 5 mile square.  I was a little tired this morning and could not wake up, therefore, the first couple of miles were a little hard but after that I started waking up and going, I felt really good.  I love these girls and love running with them.  I have really enjoyed this year of training with them along with so many different people.  Thank you to so many who have inspired, exemplified, pushed, pulled, encouraged and supported me this year.  I really appreciate it <sniffle, tear>.  Have a great Monday ya'll!!

Avg pace: 8:50

Oh, I loved this morning, loved it loved it loved it!!!  Yes, I am chipper (probably lack of sleep).  I met up with Heidi W, Heidi C and JaNae to do 6.5.  It was pretty cold when we started but ended up being absoultely PERFECT weather to run in!!  There is something about getting up (Okay, not really the part about getting out of bed), and running in the morning that I have come to fall so in love with.  I love the converstation, the company, all of it.  Plus, JaNae just got home from vacation (she was gone for 8 days, this seemed like an eternity), so it was SO GOOD to run with her again!!  A great start to a beautiful day. 

Avg Pace: 8:50

Wow, if that isn't a taper week, I don't know what is ( I barely broke 20 miles).  In all honesty, Tyler has been gone hunting this week so I have been limited in how much I could run.  I was able to go a total of 3 times which is actually better than I had predicted, so I have to feel good about it. 

I met with JaNae this morning; guess what time we started running......... did you guess............????  7:10am!!!!  Can you believe that?  This is officially the latest that I have started running this year (aside from races and all).  But that is the beauty about this time of year.  You can start later and still maintain cooler temperatures.  We did a new course this morning and I do not know if it would be considered the best course to run the week before the marathon, but it sure felt good to get out and challenge ourselves.  It was literally up hill until mile 3, then up and down for the next 3 and then a flat 2 miles to end.  And, I am so proud of myself for breaking the mold and stepping outside of the 5 mile square, Way to go Kellie!! (yes, i am officially trying to boost myself up here and impress you all in another way so you won't pay that much attention to my mileage this week :).

Splits: 9:26, 10:11(this mile was killer), 9:04, 9:09, 8:17, 8:44, 8:27, 8:25, 7:44. 

AVG PACE: 8:53

 It's hard to believe that in just one week from this time, I will hopefully be done with the marathon! I look forward to this week and to getting down to St. George.  Good luck to everyone during these last few days before the Big Day!!
 

Oh, it was hard getting out of bed this morning.  However, thoughts of the marathon and the facts of it's approaching date got me up and out.  It was a great morning and it was very nice to be out.  I met up with the Heidi's for the traditional 5 mile square.  If I haven't said it a hundred times before, I love running with the Heidi's.  We were laughing and enjoying ourselves after just a few short minutes of meeting up.  If it's not the running and the marathon that got me out of bed, it was the thoughts of running with them that got me up, so thanks Ladies!! 

Oh, wow, I am officially starting with the "belly aches" that come with a race.  Usually these come the morning of a race, or the night before, but not in this case.  They started yesterday!! I was sitting in church, going through the week in my head  and it dawned on me that I am no longer counting down the marathon in weeks but in DAYS!!!  Yikes!!  My stomach is doing flip flops right now while writing this.  My thoughts, feelings, prayers, hopes, wishes, desires and emotions are with all of you this week.  Just a few more days until the BIG DAY!!  Have a great week!!

Avg Pace: 8:48

Went 4 quick miles with JaNae tonight.  Actually it felt more like 10 miles.  I had eaten a later dinner and so my stomach was not in the right place so it was a little harder to run.  We didn't start running until 10:15pm so it was a late night, but always nice to get out and have a little conversation time with my "friend". 

Avg Pace: 8:48