Getting closer...

 We had quite a wintry week here in Utah.

It even snowed.

And when it wasn't snowing, it was raining. And freezing.

So Saturday came and once again, it was about 40 degrees outside.

The good news for me?

Freezing my fanny makes me run a hecka lot faster.

The previous Saturday, I ran 10 miles at about a 9:40-9:50 pace. 

Yesterday I ran 11 at a 9:03 overall pace.

I was elated.

I needed that boost of confidence SO bad.

But it wasn't just the cold weather that helped me.

It was that brain of mine.

As every runner knows, running is mostly mental and I just had to get my head in the game.

Instead of being worried about the distance and getting injured and all those reasons I was telling myself to just take it easy, yesterday I just wanted to dominate the asphalt, to take charge of my run instead of just letting it happen. I pushed myself, and it felt great.

I have also amped up my mid-week training.

I was only running Tuesdays and Thursdays mid-week before, and that just wasn't cutting it.

I added another day (or 2? I can't remember) and I pushed my pace on those runs. 

And lastly, I did a bit of carb loading on Friday.

Who says carb loading is only for race day? If you're going to run 11 miles, have some carbs the day before. 

I did have some uphill climbs, but I'm happy to say I maintained my pace decently well on them.

I think it makes it a little easier when the goal at the top of your hill is this:

I feel a lot more optimistic about the race now.
I hope I can stay around a 9 minute pace again this Saturday when I go for 13!

Ten Mile Technology Meltdown

Ran 10 miles yesterday for the first time since Ragnar.

I felt pretty good- legs got a little stiff on the last mile or so, but I was okay.

My technology, on the other hand, was not okay.

I started the run using Justin's iphone/Runkeeper.

About 4 miles in, the headphones started going out.

I took them off and carried them.

About 5 miles in, the iphone started dying.

By 6.5, it was almost dead.

I ran to my house to grab my ipod/nike+ sensor to make sure I did exactly 10 miles.

My nike+ sensor must be losing battery power because it wouldn't work.

Luckily I know a route that is a little over 3 miles so I just ran that to complete my 10 miler.

I tried using my headphones and got to listen to the music go in and out for my last three miles.

Thanks for nothing, technology! 

Before my technological meltdown, Runkeeper said I was doing around a 9:40 pace.

I don't know why I'm so slow. The downhill in this half is really going to have to do its job if I'm going to finish in less than 2 hours. The last time I ran a downhill course (Provo 10 miler), my pace was under 8 minutes. I would need to be in the 8-9 min/mile range right now to be anywhere close to that. Oh well. I'll just keep plugging away and see what happens!

A little self reflection

Had to be brutally honest with myself during my 7 miler today.

I've put on some pounds and I'm not as fast as I thought I was.

But it's okay. I'm not gonna go sulk with a tub of ice cream or anything, I just need to work on some things before this half next month.

Before, during, after the move... I was not exercising consistently at all. I was eating whatever was easiest. And as it tends to do, it all caught up with me.

Because it was so hard for me to squeeze in exercise, the few times I did make it to the gym (maybe once a week?), I would just bust it as fast as I could on the treadmill for 3.2 to make myself feel like I was still in shape. I would stay in the 8 minute mile range, sometimes dipping into the upper 7's, feeling really awesome about myself.

But that was on a treadmill. And I don't know if this is true for everyone, but I can go way faster on a treadmill than in real life because I don't have to push my pace- the machine does that for me. I also never touched the incline so I didn't have to face one single teeny, tiny hill. No wind, no uneven terrain... none of that stuff.

Now that I've been running outside again, everything has changed. If I want to go fast, I have to do more than push a button and keep up with the spinning mouse wheel. I have to tell myself, "You can do better. You can go faster." And then actually do it. It's hard! 

And then there's the old running weight-o-meter, feeling every ounce of extra weight pulling you down. Not enjoyable.

So! I have six weeks until this race. Today I worked really hard and I did 7 miles at a 9:14 pace. 9:14 is not bad, it's just that I had to work so dang hard for it. My training goals for the next six weeks are to drop a few pounds by eating right (uh.. and eating less... chocolate... and ice cream...) and to push my pace on my shorter runs so I can be more comfortable running a teeny bit faster on my long runs.

Okay! Here goes!

New trails!!

(photo from The Daily Herald)

We've been in our new home for one week now and this morning I finally got to try out the running trails in Daybreak, which is right next to us. We don't officially live in Daybreak (yes! we don't have to pay their pricey HOA fees!), but we're reallllly close.

I knew there were running trails, but I didn't realize how many trails there were. I could run forever out there! It was awesome. On my way up, I had gorgeous valley views and then I ran around the lake. I ran five miles, but when I got home I told Justin I just wanted to go back out and do it again, I loved it so much. He said that is annoying. haha

One of my favorite things about running has always been exploring new areas, so today was awesome. Can't wait to find more trails and get favorite routes. 

I may have enjoyed it a bit too much, though, because I did a 10 minute pace (according to my Nike+ --finally found the foot sensor again when we moved). But I loved it. Plus, Justin and I are running the Halloween Half Marathon in Provo next month and I don't want to hurt myself. Haha remember how I thought I was going to run that race last year? Two and half months after having Kyle? Hahaha! I know there are people who do that, but I'm definitely not one of them!

Anyway, loving our new house and our new trails. Hopefully I will be a little faster next time though. :)

Final days before Ragnar

The Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay is only a few days away. 

I guess this is as prepared as I'm gonna get!

I ran 9.5 miles on Friday night in my new Mizuno Wave Inspire 6's (last year's model = half price).

I decided to get them, even though I know it's not recommended to get new shoes right before a race, because I was still having some recurring ankle pain on my right side and my left shin was really starting to aggravate me.

So being the brave (dumb?) soul that I am, I ran 9.5 miles on my first try in them.

I got done with that run with absolutely zero pain anywhere.

Totally convinced that worn out running shoes are to blame for most of my injuries!

I ran 5 miles in them yesterday and some hill runs today and still not an ache or pain anywhere, I'm loving it!

Tomorrow I'm going to take the day off and Thursday I'll do a nice & easy 2 or 3 mile jog and then Friday morning IT'S ON!!

I feel a little guilty that this race has been shadowed by our Disneyland trip, which we'll be leaving for on Monday. My mind is totally in Mickey-land right now, but I am trying to focus on this race. I really need to get my head in the game. I'm also a little nervous because this will be my first time leaving Kyle overnight (thanks to Justin's mom and my poor sister Tiffany, who was supposed to be running the race with us, got a stress fracture, and will now be sleeping over with my kids!).

But yeah, despite my distractions and my jitters, now that the race is practically here, I'm getting pumped!!

Up the mountain

I'm not one to run with things in my hands, but I really wish I'd brought my camera along today.

Last week I got ready for my Ragnar distance run, and today was the day to get ready for my 3.2 uphill climb (they changed the course a bit because of some road damage we've had after LOADS of rain this Spring and my hill got cut by .4 mile! YES!!).

So I drove wayyy over to the East side so I could run up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Okay, it's only about 10 minutes away, but it feels like another world.

I parked in a neighborhood just outside of the canyon and as soon as I looked in front of me, I knew why people pay big bucks to live that far East.

It was a bit overcast but the sun's rays were breaking through clouds and shining onto green mountains spotted with misty clouds nestled into nooks and crannies.

Just breathtaking.

The birds were in heaven and singing loud and clear and the river was coming down next to the road with whitewater force. 

It was runner's paradise.

I went about 4.2 miles up and straight back down.

I was aiming for 3.6 up but I missed the landmark I had chosen on mapmyrun. It got to the point where I was pretty sure I had already been 3.6 so I ran to the first landmark I could find (some fancy shmancy house) and then mapped it when I got home. And 4.2 uphill was just fine, I feel a lot more prepared for Ragnar now.

 I was surprised that the hill really didn't seem that intimidating. I wish it had been more steep like the hill in Ragnar will be, but this was the best I could do.

There were moments where it got steep but mostly it was just a long, gradual uphill run.

Here's the breakdown: this run had a 1050 ft. elevation gain in 4.2 miles and the Ragnar hill has a 1400 ft. elevation gain in only 3.2 miles. So it's a lot more steep, but I'm hoping I can handle it. 

My ankle worries are dissolving. It is stiff and bothering me a bit, but I think with ice and ibuprofen I'll be just fine.

Alright, three weeks to go!

Going the distance

I have to admit, I wish I had trained a little harder for the Ragnar. It's in 4 weeks, so that only leaves 3 more Saturdays for long runs or hills. 

So today I got out there and ran 10 miles to make sure I was ready for my 9.6 mile leg.

Mentally, I was fine. It actually didn't feel as long as I thought it would. But around mile 7, my legs started to fatigue a bit. I took a gel but it didn't really help. My legs just aren't used to this much distance right now.  But they made it through just fine. I have no idea what my pace was. I really should be tracking it, but we lost the foot sensor to our Nike+ and I just haven't put any effort into tracking my pace since. I really hope I'm under 10 minute miles. Please, please let me be faster than that by now.

Only problem is some ankle pain. I took some ibuprofen and I'm icing it and crossing my fingers it doesn't become a problem. It started on Thursday when I tried to be all gung ho and set the treadmill to a 7.0 incline and ran 2.25 miles. DANG that was hard!! My ipod was dead, too, and honestly, it was miserable! I think I was going like a 12-13 minute pace and it was still crazy challenging! And I got the beginnings of a nice little ankle injury as a souvenir. Why do I do these things to myself? And maybe the better question is:

Why did I sign up for that crazy hill in the Ragnar?

I'm seriously getting nervous about it.

I can just see my team cheering me on as I shamefully walk up the hill.

NICE!

So yeah, the good news is I ran 10 miles, woo hoo! Furthest I've gone since having Kyle.

Bad news is I may be injured... please let the bad news go away.