Believe to Achieve

Ran at 9:05 at PG High School track from PG pool while kids finished up first swim team practice.  First meeting so got out too late to do a long work out but felt dragging anyway at first due to huge headache yesterday from lack of sleep.  Just couldn't get any quality sleep after Saturday night.  I might as well had stayed up after I got up at 1015 am (getting in bed at 7am).  Still trying to figure out the best way to not feel too badly after a night shift.  Boring conversation... on to running.  So I began, after two laps, to actually feel like a runner.  First mile 8:46 but last quarter 1:58 (7:52 pace).  Second mile still just gradually eased up on each 1/4.  Ended with quarter of 1:43 which felt very easy (7:06 pace) but actual mile was 7:27.  I was in the zone.  Last mile easy at 8:17 pace around track. Then had to go as kids out of showers (nice that I can see the pool from the new track).  Total miles here 3.4, then got home and ran another 4 miles starting nice and easy (loving the cool breeze and overcast) with last mile at 7:03, which felt really good.  I think that even just the one treadmill speedwork last Friday increased my leg turn over and oxygen capacity.  I usually do a 7:41 at the end and have that feel easy.  Time will tell for Saturday's race.  Still got three night shifts this week to work through.  Avg pace for 7.4 miles=  8:22.  

oh my, my stomach was in knots, nausea, heartburn, 8pm run. I tried to see if was better to stay up a few hours after getting home at 645 am from work and see if that would help me to sleep longer my dragging it out until I can't take it any longer. Well I only succeeded in sleeping from 830 until almost 1100am. Absurd. So I got up fixed the kids lunch, coached them in their chores (started a new chore chart for the Summer). Went back to bed at 130pm, could not fall asleep so took half a soma (muscle relaxant, which helps with my headaches and relaxes my brain, I try not to take anything). Wow I woke up at 6pm....like what day is it? Felt medicated wanted to run but ate first with the family and then tried to go out and the stomach just was so grossed out. Pace 9:55, then 9:12 for second mile. Was ready to hurl, took a shower sipped on 1/2 an otter pop.

Killer workout while kids at swim team. Ran up Battlecreek Drive 12-15 % grade (actually saw a sign wtih the grade at 14% on a similar hill while running south).  Ran up to top past water tower to Kiwanis Park (why are there two parks with this name?). Pace 8:48 Wow!!!  Then I headed back to where I saw the Shoreline trail about two-tenths down.  Hadn't ever run this so was in for an adventure.  What an adventure.  The BEST!!!  No word to describe, TRAILS GALORE.  Some shaded with trees and low lying bushes, single file.  The trail was wide at first but in order to avoid a man's property one has to divert on this awesome single trail which is clearly visible but had tall grass on both sides and beautiful purple hues surrounding as you look east.  Unbelievable.  How could I have missed this the past four years living here?  It twisted and had various turnoffs I chose to stay down as I had to be back soon to get kids.  I ended up north of Orem boundaries going south (I think 1250east, not sure) over to 2000 North Orem and down to the canal trail and back over on it to Battlecreek drive.  Pace swift for some reason.  Wasn't sure of pace as I was just on a natuarl high I guess.  Cruised down Battlecreek to Memorial pool.   Pace for 8.65 miles=  8:01.  With all the uphill I was surprised and felt parched and strong at the same time!!  Wish  I didn't have to stay up all night the next two.  I really love my job and coworkers, it is just the sleep factor.  At work I am up and functioning quite well.

PM run, blah feeling, before last 5 of 7 night shifts.  Smoky smell in air.  Someone burning ruining the usual nice fragrances of outdoors plus kind of warm out with a gentle breeze not so refreshing.  Probably my mood.  Only slept 4 1/2 hours all broken up through the day.  Ran 3.47 at 8:29 pace.

A BIG GROSS RUN FOR ME, although some may say my time is good (20:54) I was at least last Friday (before my 5 of 7 night shifts) felt I could break 20 minutes. But it just wasn't in the stars.....Kim on the other hand (I keep getting my speedy friends 9 years my junior to these fun races) did awesome (19:52). I think I am a better coach. So....I am not too down, I really feel I can break 20. The best part about the race was my 1st in Age Category Win. I guess it pays to be 40 : ))))) Mile Splits: 6:49 (uphill), 6:45 (slight downhill), 6:42 (a lot of downhill) After race went out and did another run around the course plus a 1.5 mile warm up before the race. Last two miles were at 7:25 pace.