9.5+4.5

Another training run completed. I love the feeling afterward. Sure my legs are a little sore, but its a good sore. My legs feel "worked over" in a wonderful way. Like theyve worked hard and done a good job. I like this feeling. (As opposed to the sore I feel in my core sometimes after a muscle class- this sore just makes me feel like I have a tummy ache. Not so good.)

Ive now gotten to the exciting part of my training- where Im running distances longer than I would for a half- marathon. I love getting to this point!

I like to think about those of you training for St George in Utah- keep me updated on how your training is going! Stay connected!

Hannah it sounds like you are having some success with bare foot running. And Marcie, how are you doing? Are your feet doing better? You sure seemed to run strong the day I was with you- 3 saturdays ago...

Next week is a "pull back" week, and only 10-11 miles for me.

Happy Training Everyone!

McDougall's Never Run Barefoot in an Arizona Summer, I'm Sure...

How funny that Hannah just posted about Chris McDougall! I literally just came out to the blog to share an article with all of you that I read today. Quite an interesting take on running barefoot. To my surprise the top blog post was about the very same guy that the article is about. Well, Hannah, great minds do think alike! I think I might pick up that book to check out what he has to say. I’m definitely not going to start running barefoot in our AZ summer – I’m thinking 3rd degree burns or melted feet doesn’t sound too appealing. Anyways, here is the article! Hope everyone is well…I know it has been awhile since I’ve blogged. I have a stack of stories I’ve been holding back! ;)

http://www.philly.com/philly/health_and_science/20090720_Baring_his_sole.html

Learning All Over Again

I've been so frustrated about my injuries that I've been open to all kinds of opinions about running. My neighbors recently finished reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Have any of you heard of this and what do you think about it if you have? I have only read one chapter about running shoes that was recommended by my friends. He basically suggests that we, humans, were born to run and wearing shoes that prohibit our feet from acting as they naturally would is creating more injuries. I'm tempted to try these shoes ... the Vibram Five Fingers. What do you think??

8.75 + 5.25

Lindy inspired us to try a long outside run again today. As Lindy said we ran the first part outside, beginning at 4:40am! I'm starting to feel a little crazy.

I was talking to my daughters ice skating coach this morning who knows I usually run on Saturday mornings and she asked when I started today. I told her and she thought I was absolutely nuts and must be totally obsessed with running. It made me think...is she right? Am I obsessed? Right now I think so. This marathon training has kind of taken over my life. I worry every day about getting in my four runs for the week. I think about getting enough sleep so I can run well. I've been stretching every day to avoid injury. I think a lot about what I'm going to eat before and after my runs (that deserves its own blog later...) I've planned my vacation days around the runs I need to do, and I've spent my entire summer clothing budget on running clothes and shoes. That sounds obsessed!

I have to admit that I actually enjoyed today's run. If you are wondering, the low temperature this morning was 88, the sun came up a little more than an hour after we started and then it began heating up. I was glad when we walked in to the air conditioning at the gym. I don't think there will be many hotter days this summer, so at least I know running outside is possible, at least for awhile.

8.5 + 3.5

Did it, and actually enjoyed it!!!

My first freaky hot (post-"im not running outside anymore") run. Lisa and Cynthia with me. Wouldnt have done it without them. We did 8.5 outside, and then finished on a treadmill. They actually did more than me- shooting for 14 today! I, being a heat-wimp, chose a little easier plan. Which got me off 2 miles earlier today.

Marcie last winter you and Hannah did not do enough complaining about the bitter cold! I do go on and on about our heat...

Will someone else post? I feel dumb that it's been me the last 3 or 4 times in a row.

Oh- also want to mention that Julie Davis and Sarah Parker just ran a half- marathon in Utah! Ask them for details. They are AMAZING!!!

nine under nine

I had a good run with Marcie Saturday. In the gorgeous Provo Canyon. I am never disappointed- by the canyon, or the time spent with Marcie. (o:

I felt like it was one of those days where we easily fell into sync- step for step. Although I think she was really holding back because I was gasping for air, and she was breathing easily. But still- she was able to hang back and sync with my steps, and it felt good.

We had a good chat- or at least I talked allot and Marcie is such a great listener.

Running is my absolute favorite way to meet up with a friend.

When we got back to the cars, I asked her if this was a good simulation of what St George would be like. She laughed at me. Yes, if you added 15 more miles and some big hills to it....

Hmmm. I can do this. (o:

Thanks for a great morning, Marcie!

When its all hills

I ran 32 miles in North Ogden. And not one of them was FLAT! I went there to see my family. I didnt do these 32 miles in a day- this was done on 5 separate days. (o: I mostly ran through neighborhoods, but North Ogden has beautiful big majestic mountains that can be seen from everywhere. So the scenery was enjoyable. One of these runs I did with my brother Blake. But I will do a seperate blog about that one, when I get a chance.

Besides hills, I encountered wind resistance, and chasing dogs.

This morning, as I ran in the freaky early hours of the morning, enduring the Arizona heat, I thought about how today I was running on totally flat ground. It was a relief to my muscles. So I thought about all the different kinds of resistance we encounter. In running. And in life. And how sometimes everything falls together and is easy, and maybe we get a PR. But how I often benefit the most from the slower runs, where I felt more challenged. And in life I often learn more from doing the harder stuff. Even if the recognition or the reward is not there- this is when I sometimes feel that Ive become a stronger person.

Sunny Arizona

Here is the quote for the week "I am NEVER running outside ever again!!!" As spoken by Lisa Bell, at the end of our run tuesday morning.

Lisa was being her usual dramatic self. Of course she will be back outside in about 6 weeks. But I thought it was a great quote to describe how we are ALL feeling right now in Arizona!

Im actually impressed with myself because last year I moved to all indoor treadmill on June 12th. It is July 1st and I am proud to report that I ran outside this week. But I dont know if I couldve done it even one more time!

I will only be running outside when I am out of town now. Thank goodness for vacations! And for treadmills!

It was a great season- Thankyou Islands Running Club for all the wonderful miles spent together!

I will end my (outdoor) season with a quote by Kristen Armstrong:

"....My friends and I care so much about running together. The time spent training, early morning hours running side by side, is time devoted to the knowledge of one another. It takes a bit of time to get caught up (and this is the typical amount of time we allocate to "connecting" with our friends over lunch or coffee, then part ways and wonder why we feel vaguely dissatisfied), and after we get caught up on what we have been up to, we can connect more deeply on the level of who we are. Relationship resides here."