Saturday -- I did a little 2.5 mile run. It wasn't bad. But the best part of the day was my bike ride! Yep, still love my bike. I did the 1600 North loop. I had done a little ride on Friday as well. The good that has come out of all that running is that I do feel that my legs are stronger in my riding.

Feeling much better! I have been taking it pretty easy this week exercise wise. I did go to the gym tonight. I did a light workout and then put my pass on hold. See ya in the fall! Now it is time for swimming and biking! I will probably have to do a little running in there too.

Monday -- feeling much better after a VERY sore weekend. I headed back to pilates after a few weeks off. I didn't do much more than stretching and moving. It felt good. My legs are still a little wobbly. Taking it easy this week.

Utah Vally Half Marathon! I still can't believe that I did a half marathon. You know how I don't love to run so doing more than a 5 or 10k has not really been on my list. Not really sure how, but Peter talked me into it a few months back. So, how did it go? Well, I am glad I did it, and I am really glad it is over! It was hard, I am not going to lie. It was such a great site to see the sea of runners going down Provo canyon. I started off great. I was worried about my knee going into the race (I had been having trouble with it) but my knee felt fine. Miles 1-about 7 or 8 were good. I was keeping a good pace and feeling good. (pace around 10:30) Miles 8-10 were getting hard. My endurance was waning. I hit mile 10 and pretty much fell apart. I just lost it. I slowed way down, really affecting my pace. It was just hard, it hurt to walk, I didn't have it in me to run. But I did it. I somehow got through the last 3 miles. My goal was to not go over 2:30. I managed to do it in 2:30! Boy it was hard. I do wish I had been just a little more prepared. There is a part of me saying that I never want to do that again, but somewhere deep down inside I sorta, kinda, might want to try it again ... just to do it a little faster, in not so much pain. ;) For now I am just going to focus on being able to get up the stairs!

I decided to look up a half marathon training schedule (I have been kinda going off Peter's). Just curious what they would say to be doing the last two weeks before the race. I decided to go with their plan. Tuesday was a rest day, Wednesday 4 miles (it was the longest four miles. I felt fine, but I just could NOT get into it.), Thursday 3 miles (three miles now feels so easy and almost fun as a training run. My knee was not being happy on this run. Oh and I saw TWO snakes on the trail.). My knee has been getting more and more sore. I have been icing it like crazy! I know that the best thing right now would be to stay off it ... but how can I do that 8 days before the race? Will missing those last 15 miles of training really make a difference at this point? I just need to get through the next week and then I can be done! I don't want to do this again and I really don't want to not do it because of an injury. I am suppose to do 8 miles tomorrow ... but I am not sure I will.

Monday -- 5 miles. It was a pretty good run. I swear 5 miles is as hard as 10. I had been at the cabin for the weekend eating lots of bad food. I was feeling it.

I ran 11 ... that's right ELEVEN miles today! It was a great run. I felt good, I even shaved off some time. I am not really getting faster but I am getting more consistent. I did this run in 2:03:00. I really think I can do this half marathon ... and maybe even do it in my goal time. I am feeling good about my running right now. 11 miles ... can you believe it!

Wednesday -- 8.03 I had a nice run. I am loving this new route ... it has a nice variety. I felt good and even shaved off a little time. At about mile 7 I got a butt cramp. Never had that happen. I think it is where my hamstring connects to my glute. My legs were really feeling it later that night. Ended up with ice on my knees.

Monday -- set out to do 11 this afternoon. Had a nice route in mind. Turned around at 5.5 and was starting to feel really good. Slow .. but good. I am working on not caring about speed and caring more about how I am feeling and endurance. The winds started ... oh boy! Then the rain. At first it felt nice cause I was kinda warm. But then it started raining really hard. I had not seen Pete since about mile 3. I was coming up on a spot that if we wanted to bail we could, but after that we would have to finish the last 3.5 miles to home. I ducked under a tree and waited for a few min. Not seeing him coming I kinda got worried. How did I end up so far ahead of him. I decided to start running back the way we had come to try and find him. I did. We decided to seek shelter and see if the rain would let up. I was starting to get really cold. I didn't mind running in the rain, but I did mind the wet cold that was setting in. Just before we got to where we were headed mom pulled up. She had been headed home herself when the rain started and decided to come looking for us. Thankfully she rescued us. I ended up getting in a nice 7.5 mile run. Wouldn't you know it, the day I am feeling good we have to cut it short. I am noticing that I do feel like I am getting better with the distance. When I ran 7, it got really hard around mile 6. When ran 8, it got hard around mile 6 and 7. When I ran 9.5 it got hard around mile 7 and 8. Today I was feeling really good at mile 7+. I have got this week and next week to get some good miles in before the race in 3 weeks. Of course I wish I had a couple more weeks to get comfortable with the longer runs. 13.1 is going to be hard, no doubt, but I am starting to feel like I just might be able to do this ... not promising in a timely manner. They did say the course would be open for 6 hours! ;)

Saturday -- Race For Red. Didn't have a great race. Started out strong and just bombed in the end. 99% of it was mental. I seriously need to get over this mental self-destruction! 32:50

Thursday -- 6 miles. It was another good run. Not AS good as the one before but I felt pretty good. I set out to do 8 but underestimated how far that was. I ran through a part of PG and across AF.

Monday -- If this is what people who love running feel like when they run ... I get it! I had the best run. No watch, no gu, not a lot of direction. Not even really sure how far I went. 5 ish .. I think. I felt strong and fast! I forgot about running. I wish running was always like that.

Saturday -- 9.5 miles! Holy crap! It was hard! I basically walked the last mile. Now that I am away from the situation I really think it was as much or more mental than physical. How do you learn to push ... not stop! I was not going to die or collapse. So how do I mentally push through it? Advise please!

3.5 mile run to Pilates. I did a nice kettle bell workout and got a good stretch in.

A woping 3 miles on Tuesday. 3 is not 6! Felt fine ... increased my speed a little. Eating crappy really affects my running so I need to focus on eating better.

My ankle has been very tender/sore since my Saturday run. I finally figured out that on my run I had rolled my ankle. It wasn't a big deal but that is why it is sore now. I didn't want to irritate it more so I just did the cross ramp at the gym for 30 min. I am planning on running today. Keep my fingers crossed!

Saturday ... EIGHT miles! Ok, so it was ridiculously slow and I barley made the last two miles ... but I did it! 5 weeks until the race. Can I do it?

The six miles down the canyon didn't exactly work out. I did run down ... just not as far as I was expecting. It turns out that from Bridal Veil to Riverwoods is about 4.25 miles ... if that. It was a nice run. I like the whole ... going down part!

I am not being a slacker with posting ... I just have not actually done anything! This week will be better.
Monday I did pilates and kettle bells. I am trying to get at least a little running in everyday. After pilates I did a short run. 2 miles -- ish. My legs were heavy and it was hard after my kettle bell workout.
Tuesday I ran 4.25 miles. It was ok.
The plan today is to run 6. We'll see!

5 miles on the TM (it was so cold and windy). It felt pretty good. I was trying to push myself a little ...push through the discomfort. Teach my body and mind that it can do it! :)

Saturday -- 7.16 miles!!! I think that might be my longest run to date. It was slow ... but I felt pretty good. I am always a mental case when running. But the last couple miles my body felt fine but it was my mind that was a mess. I have got to figure out the mental part of running.

Monday -- Pilates and kettle bells. Pretty good workout. Then I headed to the gym for a quick run. (around 2 miles is all) I am trying run at least a little everyday.

Monday -- Pilates. I had a great workout. A full reformer and kettle bells. I added a some weight and some exercises. It felt good.

Saturday I headed to the canyon trail for a nice run. The weather was beautiful! A perfect day. I headed out with 6 miles in mind. I ended up doing 5.25. I was slow and heavy. My legs were tired. This running thing is not going so well. I am feeling a little discouraged.

Had an ok run this morning. Ended up doing 3.5 miles. I think I need to learn to push myself harder or something. Ugh ... running!

Monday I went for a run. I set out to do 6 miles. Well that didn't happen. I felt like junk! Four miles was all I was able to accomplish. An hour later I went to Pilates. I have been so hit and miss with my pilates. It was a nice work out.

Saturday, the designated long run day, was suppose to be a 6 miler. It was cold and snowing (Utah spring!) and I just couldn't make myself go outside. I headed to the gym and got a nice 4 miler in. I have slowed down (hard to imagine I know) but I feel so much better and actually find myself enjoying my run. I have come to accept that running for me is not, nor ever will be about time. I am not a naturally fast runner. I am sure with some consistency and time I may get a little faster. It is just not something I am going to worry about right now. Taking that pressure off myself has made running a lot easier!

Well I'm back. I know I have said that before, but I really am this time. I am dying that it has been 5 months since my last post. Oops. How time flies!

This time last year I was signed up for several races. Women of Steel Tri, Alcatraz Swim, Ragnar Relay, ... I was all about training and working out. Things sure have changed. Pete finally convinced me to sign up for the Utah Valley Half. It is no secret how I feel about running. Why would I do this? I need an excuse/motivation to workout that's why. Life has gotten so ... SO ... so busy. (out of control really) Regular exercise is something I need. It does help me cope. Now if I could only have a couple more hours in my day.

It isn't like I have NOT been exercising. It has just been very sporadic. Having this race in just a couple months is making me make it a priority. So here is to getting back in shape! Let's do this thing!