Summer Running

I dont have any pictures and not any races to report. But Ive been having some really fun summer runs. We were in Utah for over a week and I got to do some of my favorite runs there. I ran with Noah's sister Mary. She is kind of new to running and this was our first time running together. She recently ran her first half marathon and did really well. It was fun running with her and bonding with her over a view of Pleasant Grove. She showed me a new running route- a canal that I didnt know was there. It is really close and convenient to my in-laws house.

I pr'd on my interval session on the Pleasant Grove Highschool track the next morning. Thanks to the cooler weather in Utah.

I got to run twice with Marcie. Once in Provo Canyon where she challenged me with her 8:16 pace for 9 miles. Go Marcie! And a 12 miler in Ogden. We ran a nice foresty trail run for the first few miles. Unfortunately the foresty trail ran out so we finished on a nice paved trail. Its the trail that is part of the Ogden Marathon. I really enjoy catching up with Marcie while we run. (literally and figuratively!) Conversation is easy and the miles fly by. I am already anticipating our next run when I go back in the fall.

I had a chance to run with my brother Blake. It wasnt a real chatty run. It was only 4 miles but more up hill than down. Blake was visibly holding back to run with me. I enjoy running with Blake, because its something we can do together one on one. But I think Ill be in trouble if he ever has time in his life to run consistently! He is already naturally faster than me at the top of my game. Im glad he puts up with my pace.

And then today back to a long hot arizona run. I anxiously anticipated today, as 13 miles is the minimum distance we feel is worthy of a post-run chocolate milk. I took a lemon-lime gel on the way there and celebrated post-run with a chocolate milk from Circle K. Me, Barb, Cynthia, and Karen ran the canal system to my gym, getting 9 miles on the way, and then finished up with 4 more miles on the treadmill.

The treadmill and the indoors might not be as glorious as a foresty trail run, but there IS something to say for a posh fancy flushing toilet, a clean white sweat towel, and a cold drinking fountain. Not to mention stepping into the cool air conditioning. Aaaaah!

Good stuff, all of it! Thankyou friends! Thankyou running! Thankyou God, for our sport!