Pilates. Boy can I tell that I took 3 1/2 months off. I am slow and weak! I am taking this week pretty easy. My knees are sore from the run. I figure it is better not to push it this week. I will get back into real working out next week.

It finally feels like summer. I got up early and went for a bike ride with Emily. We did the WordPerfect Hill loop. It is a nice little ride. About 10 miles. Love my bike!

Still recovering from Ragnar. Actually feeling really good. My knees are feeling a little tender and I am tired. But I feel a lot better than I thought I would.

I went back to Pilates today for the first time in about 3 1/2 months! I felt SO good!

Did the Ragnar race over the weekend. It was CRAZY and FUN! I ran 13.1 miles in 3 legs over 24 hours. I had some great runs. My night run was my best. I loved it. It was a great experience.

Back home ... ran Provo canyon this morning. 3.5 miles. My shins are now hurting. I think it is because of the knee brace. I sound like an elephant running. I feel like if it is not one thing it is another. I would like to just have a nice run where there is not something wrong!

Emily and Gavin got here this evening. We went for a little 2.5 miler to see how they do with the altitude. They seem fine. I didn't wear my knee brace and had no shin splints. My knee was fine ... but it was only 2.5 miles. It is good for me to run with people. It helps me pick up my pace and doesn't let you stop.

I don't think I will run again before the race.

6 miles 60:03 I actually did a little more than 6 miles ... and it really took me more than an hour. But I only clocked my actually running time. It was just a rough run. I don't think I ran an entire mile without stopping for one reason or another. Shoe, stretch, finding a Book of Mormon in the road ... I just couldn't get into a rhythm. But I did it and it is done!

I was talking to a friend (Sandi, here in WA) who is a runner. She was talking about how she loves to run because she can just let her mind go. I need to learn to do that better. I find myself thinking about the run, about my body, about my pace etc the entire time. I need to stop thinking about running and just let my mind go somewhere else!

Did a little 2 mile run this evening ... just trying to get use to the multiple run thing. Reminding my legs that we will be running again. It was ok. It was hot.

3.27 mile run /33:14. Went back along the lake because it has some nice hills. Felt good. My pace is getting fast on the flat for sure.

I am in Moses Lake, WA for the weekend visiting a friend. I went for a fabulous run this morning. She lives right by a lake so I ran down by the lake. There were some good hills to run up and down. I have not done enough of running up OR down hills. I ended up doing a little over 4 miles. Average pace was 10:15 ish. It is so fun to run in new places. I felt really good to. I am trying to really push liquids to make sure I am hydrated ... I think it makes a difference. Good run today.

2 mile run this morning. 20:32

I had my appointment with Dr. Rich this morning about my knee. Good news! I just need to build up my inner quad muscle (I have no idea what that is really called) When I run longer distances or more miles it fatigues and so my bigger or outside muscle takes over pulling my knee to the outside causing it to rub which is causing the pain. He gave me some exercises to do and a brace to wear. I am SO glad it is not something more serious. I really like him and would totally recommend him to anyone with a sports injury!

Went for my 3rd run in 24 hours. 3 miles ... 34 min! Wow! I have not run that slow in a LONG time. It was more that I took a lot of walk breaks ... as in I think I walked 1/4 of it. I was dead! I just could not make my legs move faster. I ran up Prove canyon again, totally planning on doing 5 miles but there was no way. It was hot and I was just beat. A little worried about the race next weekend. Good thing my long run is at the beginning AND my last leg is down hill.

Back to posting my workouts. I have been running (did 3 while in Cali) and of course did a little swimming but just didn't post them.

Ran Provo canyon with Peter tonight. 5.75 mile. Total time (with a water stop at the half way point) and several walking breaks 1:02 (ugh!). It was a bad run. I felt crappy the entire time. I hit 5 miles at about 53 min (not far off from my Moab time) so that wasn't too bad considering I took a water stop in there and a couple walking breaks. The last .75 was obviously very slow. I had the chills again to. My knee did ok. Started to have some pain. Stopped and stretched. Didn't help much ... or maybe it helped it not get worse. ? Not a great run but at least I got the miles in.