Here we go again~

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