Sister Run #SpringBreak

Today I flew to California to visit family and friends. Our Friday night?  We all went for a run.  It was my sister-in-law's idea and it was a great idea!


What a great way to start my Spring Break.

We got to run from their house to a lake.  I had run around this lake the last time I visited them and I fell in love with it.  I was glad to go back there again.  

I logged 4.7 miles.  

The first little while my sister-in-law ran with me.  We split after that and I ran alone.  Then I ran with our friend for a short time and eventually we all came back together again.

Running in California is quite amazing.  I can't wait to run some more.

Runaway Girl

20 Mile Journey and an Ice Bath

As you can guess from the title, I went on a 20 mile run.  That's the longest distance I've ever gone!

I woke up knowing I had to go for a long run so I could feel more prepared for my marathon.  I made sure to have my iPhone charged for music, that my outfit was good for the weather, that I had a camel back with water, and that I had one of those goo packs to try and see if I like it.

I was going to put sunscreen on and even brought it downstairs with me, but I forgot to put it on.  I wanted to wait until I was ready to leave so I could have it last more time on my actual run.  I realized this as I was not that far from my house, but at that point I didn't want to back track.  So I just told myself it would be okay (it wasn't okay).

I basically took a tour of the city.  I went to Liberty Park, Sugarhouse park, Foothill area, up to the avenues, over in memory grove area, to the temple, and then home.  It was a blast.

I had two large hills on my run.  The 900 south run came around mile 3-4.  It was rough, but I had done that before so I knew I would be okay.  The other hill, up Virginia street, was around mile 13-14.  I knew that once I got to the top of that hill, I would try the goo thing that runners use.  I got to the top, had the huckleberry flavored good, and well, I liked it!  The bad part, I ran out of water at that point.  

I was a little worried because I was dehydrated, needed to log more miles, and the sun was beating down on me. I considered calling my mom to bring me water since my parents house wasn't too far away.  But instead, I figured I'd tough it out and cut my original route so I could get to memory grove faster and fill up my camel back at the drinking fountain.  I was so happy to get to that drinking fountain.  

The next part of my run was to the Salt Lake Temple.  I was so excited for this part.  I knew that I was going to take a break there and just bask in it's beauty.  It reminded me of the goals I made and how lucky I am to be where I am.  It was the last break before that last stretch to hit 20 miles.  

It took a lot, but I ran.  I watched my tracker to make sure I would know how much longer and where to run.  I wanted to run even more, but my pace was so slow I knew it was time to get home.  By the time I got close to my house I was around 19 miles so I had to run past my house and get that last little bit in.

I made it.  20 MILES!  Even though my pace wasn't the ideal pace, I was proud of myself.  

I decided to reward myself.  I went to the story and bought 3 giant bags of ice. The cashier asked me if I was having a party.  I thought to myself, of sorts.  I told her about how I was going to take an ice bath and had to explain to her what I meant, and why.  

The ice bath was the right idea.  Yes, it was freezing.  Yes, it was amazing.  I wasn't even sore the next day!  I felt healthy and good. 

Now I need to work on my time.  And bring enough water for the journey.  Haha.

Runaway Girl

Never Let Them See You Cry

Being a lacrosse coach is an amazing experience and I love that I get to do something that I am passionate about.

Being a lacrosse coach is also emotionally draining.

After some of the games I just have to sit in my car and give myself a moment.  Sometimes I shed a tear or two.  I would never want the girls to see that. The girls really are super awesome.  The part that gets to me is that they keep losing and keep getting injured.  I want them to do well and sometimes I wonder if I am doing enough as their coach to get them to where they need to be.

After today's game I really just needed to go for a run, and that's what I did. I ran 3.9 miles at an 8:42min/mile average pace.  It was a great run and a night run.  I love night runs.

Coaching give me the opportunity to help the girls on the team, but it also pushes me to use my talents and become a better person.

I love it.



Runaway Girl

Triple Park

Today was the day I went on a long run.  The plan was to run at least 10 miles.  I went ahead and ran 14! And it was so nice outside, I wore shorts and a tank top.  Great day.

My knees were both feeling it.  But the pain wasn’t the “I’m in so much pain so please stop running or you might damage me”…..it was more “we haven’t run this far in awhile, but we will make it”.

I had an average 8:54min/mile pace. 

I had a blast.  I hit three different parks on my run.  Liberty Park, Sugarhouse Park, and Reservoir Park.  It was so much fun and I knew that I was going to accomplish something.  I was happy to get home and realize that I ran 14 miles and that my training didn’t all go down the drain during my recoup time.

I made sure to hydrate like crazy, and I iced both my knees that night. 

I’m taking care of myself.  My runs are taking care of me.  God is taking care of me.

I'm on the uprise.

Runaway Girl

Dark Night

I wanted to get a quick run in before the sun went down, but the sun already went down.  So I still ran.

I ran 3 miles, but it felt good.  I hadn’t really been running a lot lately so I wanted to make sure I still had it.

I still have it.

I ran 3 miles in with a time of 23:20.  That’s an average pace of 7:41min/mile.

I think that’s faster than what I ran in cross country when I was in high school.

I still have it.

Runaway Girl

No Brace

Yesterday I ate at Tucanos for dinner and didn’t get to bed until 2am ish.  Not a good combination knowing that I had to run in the morning. 

I let myself sleep in and was finally out of my bed at 11:35am.  I felt a little sick and knew that I couldn’t run right away if at all.  I watched a little bit of tv and ate some multigrain cheerios.  I didn’t want to eat anything that might make me sick on my run.  So…..no milk, and no heavy meal.  I also made sure to drink water so I wasn’t dehydrated.

Finally, I put on my running clothes, updated my running playlist, and stretched in order to prepare myself.  It was time.

I went out the door hoping for a long run.  I debated in my head what exactly to do.  As I got more into my run I decided today was the day to get in some miles.  Today was the day I ran a longer distance.
But today was also the day I wouldn’t push myself too hard in order to keep letting my knee heal and get used to all this.

I ran my usual route and turned up 1700 south.  I knew I wasn’t running as well as I normally do, but I was going to be fine.  When I got up to 1700 East I wanted to try a new route (and honestly I was feeling like I couldn’t make it as far as I wanted to).  I turned left and well…..I turned back once I saw that the street didn’t look like it was normal and curved into what I didn’t know.  That would have been an adventure though!  Instead I went back and went the route I usually do.

I’m glad I did.  I got my smile back at a point and my playlist played the right song at the right time.  I think the smiling really started when I saw a unicyclist.  I saw a man carrying his unicycle to cross the street.  Then he cycled on the other side of the street from me in the same direction.  It was sort of fun to run with him, but not really.  Haha.

I was also happy that my knee was doing well as I ran down 500S.  My knee also did well as I ran down south temple.  Those were the two downhills I was worried about, and in the end I survived!

I ran a total of 9.2 miles at an average 8:48min/mile pace.

I feel really good.  I still have a long way to go, but considering the roadblock I had, this is good.  My pace will get faster as I get stronger.  And the miles will keep going up.

I’m not giving up and I’m determined to keep moving forward.

And I love the knowledge I am gaining along the way.

Runaway Girl

Night Run

Tonight I knew I needed to run at least 3 miles.  I told myself no slacking, so no more slacking.  Before I went out the door, I decided to run my 4 mile route instead.  

It might not be the safest thing to do, but when the sun is down and I go for a run, there’s a certain feeling of power.  I felt like I pushed myself a little more (because it’s dark and I need to get home).  It’s a time to end the day the right way.

I also learn to focus a lot more.  When it’s dark (even with the street lights) I can’t always see the sidewalk cracks and such.  I have to make sure I don’t trip.  I definitely thought that I had a higher chance of tripping on the uneven sidewalks, but luckily I didn’t.  

The funniest part of my run was when I was flying down south temple at the end of my run.  The song playing was about to end and I was thinking about how i always like to end on a good song, but I didn’t want to deal with fidgeting with my music and just finishing strong.  I thought to myself, ‘I hope it’s not ‘Trumpets’…..and I bet now that I’ve thought that it’s gonna be that song’.  

The next song was ‘Trumpets’.

I laughed and let it play as I sprinted home.  I ended with an average pace of 8:09 min/mile.

Tonights run let me smile again and just feel the happiness of running.  

God knew that I needed running back in my life.  He also knew that I needed to have a humbling and reflecting break.  My knee made it so I had to stop running, which was really hard.  But I was able to see so many things.  I was able to slow down in life, and I needed that.  I learned that I can’t always run away from things.  I can just enjoy what’s right in front of me.  :)

Runaway Girl

President's Day

A day off of work means time for a run.  I slept in and then headed out the door.  I decided that I would try to run my 5 mile route, but as I was running I decided that I would extend it to a longer run.  

I ended up running 6.1 miles and the best news of all?

MY KNEE DIDN’T KILL ME!!!!!

I’ve been more conscious of stretching and icing.  I feel really good about this.  It’s been hard not to be as on track as I’ve wanted to be for my marathon, but I am extremely grateful that I’m able to heal and still run.

And my pace?  8:36 min/mile.  Not too shabby.

Runaway Girl

Friday the Thirteenth

Friday the Thirteenth doesn’t mean unluckiness for me.  I went for a wonderful run in the morning.  I only ran 3 miles, but my knee is feeling so much better!  I’m feeling pretty positive.

My pace: 7:53 min/mile

Runaway Girl

No More Slacking

I was going to wake up and go on a run before work, but last night I was cleaning and such that I ended up getting to bed way later than I wanted and I was feeling sick. 

So, instead, I slept in a little, went to work, and then went for a run after that.  I decided that I would run my 4 mile route.....which involves a big hill.

I love running that hill. 

I felt pretty strong.  I didn't push myself too hard to make sure my knee would be okay, because it's definitely still healing.  I also am noticing that even though my health is not 100%, running makes me feel like I can pretend that it is for a time.

I smiled a bit on my run.  I thought about strength and how I was going to be stronger because of my running.  And not just physically.  I'm extremely grateful that I have a more consistent running schedule back in my life and that it hasn't come with extreme pain.  :)

Today.....I ran for more strength in my life.  

I'm back.

Runaway Girl

Thank You

The weekend was interesting.  I was going to wake up early to run this morning before work, but I needed the sleep.  So instead, I ran to FHE.  The run there was good, and the run back home even better.  I felt this peace about it.  It was nice to have the break of two short runs so that my knee wouldn’t have too much pressure.

I ended up logging 5 miles.

The best part of the run was the impression I got to take a little detour.  It was weird, but I really felt like I should just take a chance to do something bold.  And honestly after that, I felt peace.  More peace.  I smiled and I just wanted to throw my hands in the air.  Maybe even scream “We’re FREE!”.  Haha.  But really, that was pretty much the feeling.

A day can easily be turned around.  We don’t have to dwell on/in the past.  We can just run forward. :)

And sometimes we just need to say: 

Thank You.

Runaway Girl

Almost Two Trip

I got some advice as to how I should recover quicker so I could actually run my marathon.  Because as I said before, I WILL RUN!

Three times a week I need to do this routine:

3 mile run before work, stretch, and ice.

3 miles run after work, stretch and ice.

So I went for a 3 mile run.  And this was such a good run.  At one point I almost tripped.  And then at another point I almost tripped.  I couldn’t help but laugh.  One of them, which I’ll try to explain, went a little like this:

There was a nice break in the sidewalk which made one square higher than the other.  

The front of shoe hit this and I lost balance.

I put my hands out in case I actually fell.

I’m pretty sure I stumbled (and looked like an idiot) for a good while trying to not let myself fall.

And then I recovered.  

For anyone who saw this little adventure, I hope they had a good laugh.  I sure did.  And I stayed positive.  I thought, maybe that needed to happen so my knee would get put back in a better place.  Yeah, it’s a weird thought, but it made me feel better.

And in the end.  I felt great!  3 miles for the win!

I’m getting better.

Runaway Girl

Take It Easy

My next run was just going to be nice and easy.  And that’s exactly what it was.  I ran to a meeting I had for my church calling.  As my runs have been lately, it was dark and later in the night.  It was the right thing to do.  

I ran 1.6 miles at a 8:27 min/mile pace.

Even though it was short and not fast, it was for me.  I wasn’t worried.  I was just going for a run. :)

Runaway Girl

Quick Runaway

It’s a Tuesday night.  I had been feeling pretty good.  I hear something that doesn’t sit too well with me.  I play a church basketball game and try to shove it off.  Still, it lingers.  I stay for a bit to watch our boys play and I decide that I need to leave.  I need to run.

It’s late and dark.  But I feel the adrenaline kick in and I run.  I hold back some tears, but also allow myself to shed one here and there. I pray.

I get back and I’m better.  I know that things will work out.  

I needed a moment to get away so I could clear my mind.  I didn’t know the full story and I had no reason to get mad.  I’m really glad though.  I was able to not get angry.  I don’t want to be that kind of person.  And so, I refuse to get mad.

Runaway Girl

Knee Test Part Two

I decided it was time again to test my knee and I went on a run.  I woke up early so I could get a run in before I went to work.  The sun hadn’t risen, which was a little exhilarating.  Unfortunately my knee wasn’t the best and I realized that something really was wrong.

I can’t even last 3 miles without being in pain!  At least I was at a 7:52 min/mile pace.

This is where I got worried.  I really need to figure out what to do because no matter what, I will run that marathon.

So, we will see what happens, and there’s still something to learn.  I can do this.

Runaway Girl

Recoup

Today was the day I run another long run.  My goal was at least 16 miles, and honestly I craved more (even 20 miles).  I went to the store beforehand to buy a knee brace just in case.

I ran my 6 mile route first, and then I would add on my 10 mile route, with a little extra depending on how I felt.  

Well I didn't feel too good.  My knee was fine for the first six miles, and even a little bit after that.  But I knew I was going to have to re-route my run.  I walked for small stretch and then ran until I knew it was way too bad.  I logged 13 miles and had to put my pride aside.  I walked the rest of the way home (around 2 isn miles I think).  

I don't like to end a run early, but I do like to learn lessons.  Today I learned a lot.  First off, maybe this was a way to humble myself.  I also learned more about the word 'heal'.  In this case, I need to take it easy and not run too much.  I also don't have to just sit around.  I need to go to the gym and work on strength training.  That's the cool things about healing.....you don't have to stop, you just have to change.

And by focusing on healing, I'll be even stronger when my marathon comes around.  I'd rather not run now, then not be able to run the marathon at all.

So today wasn't ideal.  But I refuse to be mad about it.  There's something good in every situation.  I found the good and I'll keep moving forward.

I'm running to stay positive and for strength.

Runaway Girl

Knee Test

Today I decided to go for a short run to see if my knee could handle it.  I hadn't run since Saturday because I was worried.  I did play tennis yesterday and I was fine.  

Three miles.

I was going a pretty good pace and nothing was in pain.  At one point I was scared and could feel my knee slightly, but I tried not to think about it.

In the end, I survived.  And so did my knee.

I don't know if I could handle a long run just yet.  I want to ease into it.  I also should probably get something for my knee when I do decided to run a longer distance.

Anyway.....today's run was needed.  

I ended up running 3 miles with a 7:41min/mile pace.

That to me is a success.  Now I just have to make sure I continue to keep up my fitness level and be careful on my knee.  

It's going to be a good year for running.

Runaway Girl

Uh Oh.....

So on Saturday I wanted to make sure I went for a long run before the break was over.

My original plan was to run at least two laps around Sugarhouse park.  I only ran one lap and then headed towards home.  It might sound like I gave up, but in the end, it was the right idea.

My knee was killing me.  And the more I ran, the more my knee hurt.  It started in the front and eventually my whole knee was in pain.  And not the usual pain I would feel on a run, but I swear my knee was going to blow out.

Being the stubborn person that I often am, I decided to keep running.  I really wanted to get my miles in, and maybe the pain would go away.

It didn't.

I stretched a little at one of the stoplights and when the light changed I started running and felt fine.  Not too long after that though, the pain came back.  

I had maybe two more miles to go and really didn't want to walk.  I had to though.  I put my pride aside and walked.  Honestly, it wasn't easy on me mentally, but I really didn't want to injure myself.  All I could think about was my marathon.  GAH!

I had to run.  

I ran the rest of the way home.  I was in pain the rest of the way home.  I told myself I need to enjoy the run.  I told myself to eff it. I made it home.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure it's my IT band.  I knew I'd have to take it easy for awhile.  I went walking on Sunday and I could still feel the pain.  Dang it.

So basically I have to be careful.  I can't be stubborn.  I have to be smart.

Let's hope I don't get too far behind in my training.

I'll have to look at this as a way to humble me.  For something.

Runaway Girl

Hello 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

This is the year I run a marathon. Weird.

Yesterday (January 1st), I woke up and knew that I was going to go for a run.  It's the best way for me to welcome a new year.  I decided to run up Virginia street (yay huge hill!), run along eleventh ave, go around the horseshoe, and then end up at Memory Grove.  

I walked the snowy path up to my favorite spot and I was SO happy.  As usual. I love this place and it always brings peace to my life.  I was freezing at this point, but it was so worth it.

I walked back down and then ran back home the rest of the way.

When I got home I noticed on my Strava App that I had 6.9 miles, so I ran up and down my street until I got 7 miles.  I had to.  Haha.

It wasn't my fastest run, but it was definitely a really good run.  Even with the ice and snow, I had fun.  It gives an element of challenge to my run.  And luckily I wore the right attire that I didn't freeze while I was running.

2015 is going to be a good year. I've had my challenges, and I'm ready for new challenges.  

Life is so good.  

Run It.

Runaway Girl