Stop and Stretch

Kudos and a big THANK-YOU to my coach Steve Ashbaker for coaching me to a 3:31:07, a 13 minute PR!   I was so excited at the end of the race!  And wet, cold and windburned!  Thank-you also to the BBK's!  I never would have gotten up at 4:30 and 5:00 all summer long to run all those miles without you guys!  You also make all those miles fun and entertaining.  

Cheris, Michelle N. and I lined up by Bill, Mr. 3:30 pacer.  We started running when he did, and then suddenly, he was gone and we couldn't see him anymore.  So we were left to set our own pace.  The first mile was a little slow, we got faster as people spread out.  Julie and Angela caught us as we headed up Veyo.  That was really fun to run all together for awhile.  They got ahead of us at Veyo, and then because of different bathroom breaks, etc, we didn't all stay together.  Cheris and I were able to stay together the whole marathon which was very motivational!   

At half way we were about 3 minutes behind our goal.  We were able to pick it up and finish  close to our goal time of 3:30.  Overall, I was very pleased.  I have some new training goals to try to get me to my new marathon goal next year. 

It was great to see so many people I knew - BBK's and from the blog.  You all make running and racing even more fun!

It was so awesome to run with everybody again this morning!  Ran through the neighborhoods,some of it faster than I probably should have for my first day back. 

I ran a very lonely 9 miles on Hastings Rd. in Green River, UT.  Thank heavens for my ipod and the beautiful scenery.  In an hour and a half, only 2 cars passed me.  However, I did see a red fox, three deer and a large herd of cows.  Luckily, none of the wildlife decided to follow me!  My legs were very tired for the last mile.  The next time I go out of town I want my running group to come with me.

Ran 4 slow miles around my neighborhood.  9:40 pace

I ran to the group meeting place to get in more miles.  By myself I ran slowly, but with the group my average was 8:34.  Funny how that happens.  We ran 6 and then I ran home again plus a little extra in my neighborhood to get 9. 

Some runner's slow is other runner's fast.  I ran an intense tempo run today with the BBKs.  I'm sure it was an easy run for many of them, but for me it was definitely a tempo run.  Except for my warm-up and cool down with Cheris.  Those were nice and slow.

What a beautiful morning for a race!!  The weather was perfect.  The course was mainly downhill on the way out which made coming back a little tougher.  One racer carried a huge pumpkin the whole way!!  I tried to run with it afterwards, it weighed at least 20 pounds.  I could hardly run.  That's what makes the world so great - people doing things that I would never do, but it makes life more interesting.  I would have carried a tiny pumpkin!   It was fun to see a few BBKs there!

Nice and easy this morning.  3 miles- 10:37 pace

Ran through the neighborhoods with the BBKs.  Enjoyed conversation with Peggy, Lisa and Dean. 

Ran with the BBKs on the Parkway Trail today.  It's nice to have the trail going north of 9800 for 3/4 of a mile now.  The big white horse that came onto the trail right in front of us was a little spooky.  Other than that, a very good run. 8:35 pace