Rain or Shine the Road is Mine

January 08, 2009

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Location:

Woodland Hills,UT,84653

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Olympic Trials Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Unaided:

5K - 17:11 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:48 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

Painters' 1/2 Marathon 1:22:42 (race time 1:21:39 adjusted to true up to 13.1) (1/08)

Aided:

St. George Marathon 3:00:41 (2007)

Ogden Marathon 3:02:18 (2nd place) (05/08)

1/2 marathon - Hobble Creek 1:17:14 (8/08)

10K - Deseret News 10K - 35:02 (7/08)

Short-Term Running Goals:

10K - sub 37:30 flat

5K - sub 18

Make the effort to find races to compete against more elite ladies.

Proposed racing schedule 2008 (feel free to provide feedback):

May 17 - Ogden 1/2 marathon

June 14 - Provo River 10 Miler

July 4th - Freedom Festival 10K

July 24th - Deseret News 10K

August 9th - Provo River 1/2 marathon

August 23 - Hobble Creek 1/2 marathon

Sept 6 - Spanish Fork 1/2 marathon

Oct 4 - St George marathon


Long-Term Running Goals:

Run St. George 2008 in 2:50 or less, gauge whether an OT time is in my future.

Personal:

I used to run for BYU, but only after trying out three times and finally walking on, so I was never a star. However, it was wonderful to run with great people and under Coach Shane. When you run with fast people, you can't help to improve! I graduated BYU in 1998, and didn't run a race until 2002, after having my second child. My hiatus and other crazy life commitments have made my competitive running suffer, but the last couple of years I have tried to get back into it the best I can. I have been married since 1996, to Paul Lowry, who is a runner himself. I have three boys (my three rascals), ages 8, 6, and 4.

Miles:This week: 28.54 Month: 63.98 Year: 63.98
Asics Stratus 2.1 (purple) Lifetime Miles: 276.92
Mizuno WaveRider (aqua) Lifetime Miles: 404.19
Brooks Defyance (blue) Lifetime Miles: 203.46
Mizuno Precision (yellow) Lifetime Miles: 399.44
Saucony Type A2 Racers (red Baby) Lifetime Miles: 81.29
Brooks Defyance #2 (blue) Lifetime Miles: 181.46
Mizuno WaveRider #2 (aqua) Lifetime Miles: 41.20
2009 Driving Miles Lifetime Miles: 55.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
9.647.360.000.000.000.000.0017.00

I wanted to do intervals today, but with my pains from Monday lingering yesterday, I thought I should go safer with a marathon pace tempo.

I also have been generally unsuccessful with recruiting other runners to do speed with me.  Ali has been a good sport and helped me through some, but she's not allowed to do speed right now. So today is third day in a row alone.  I know I need to get tougher and learn how to push myself even when I am all alone, so this is kind of a transition period for me, transitioning into solo running.

I warmed up just over three miles, had a lady tell me that she almost ran into me and to be careful and I told her she almost ran into me because she didn't stop for her stop sign.  She didn't have anything to say about that (or I just didn't hear her because she drove on).  I started into my tempo.  I was hoping to start at 6:30 pace and then drop toward the end.  My gps watch seemed to wig out on me toward the middle of the run, logging a 7:13 and a 7:50 mile (even though I was still breathing hard and working over turnover).  Since I didn't know what my true pace was, and I was afraid the watch was accurate, I got psychologically weak, thinking perhaps I am just in a huge training slump, perhaps I'll never be strong enough to push myself all alone, tons of negative thoughts.  It was not so glorious.  I know I didn't push myself as hard as I should have at parts.  My legs felt really dead the last half too.  But I didn't give up and just pushed through.  I don't know splits because the watch was not working properly.  I finished in 48:51, which would be quite bad if my watch was right, and it was 7 miles.  So I almost lost it driving home but held out hope that perhaps the watch was measuring off.  I put my run into the course tool, and my overall run was 12.07 per my gps watch, and 12.5 per the course tool.  The tempo part was 7.36, which puts my average pace at 6:38, instad of 6:59.  6:38 isn't glorious but is much better than 6:59. 

I then used the course tool to measure yesterday's run, which measured at 12.71, instead of the 12.34 by my watch.  I generally knew that my watch tends to measure miles long, but come on, this is not a reasonable deviation.  Running the same course every day isn't an option because of being a lone woman, so I may need to spring for the more current version of the gps watch.

weight 120

endurox and stretching.

PM:  4.5 on treadmill.  My four year old was the only one home and awake, and he pulled up his red camping chair in front of the treadmill with some snacks and a pink lemonade and watched me run for part of the run.  He offered me some pink lemonade and how could I refuse?  I am glad my stomach is strong.  He then got bored and started sweeping the basement.  He is so sweet.  So I started out really slow and gradually worked up to 8:00 pace.  Recovery, recovery. 

I will do one legged squats 3xtwo ways, and leg scrapers (one and two legs) tonight.  This is my only weight routine I do (other than abs), and it's with light weights (12 lbs in each hand).  Of course, I do these weights while watching America's Next Top Model.



Asics Stratus 2.1 (purple) Miles: 12.50Brooks Defyance #2 (blue) Miles: 4.50
Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.75Total Sleep Time: 7.75
Comments
From Superfly on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:06:44

Good job buckling down through this training phase. The thought of tempo or interval workouts just makes me nervous right now.

So are you still planning PF Changs as your next big race?

Keep up the good work!

From marion on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:07:45

I think your workout was ever so GLORIOUS!! ;) As for that woman- you just have to remember that most people can't read. I know, I know- our babies can read a stop sign, but it seems to be beyond to intellectual grasp of most drivers.

From The Howling Commando on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:13:22

I think you showed grit and determination, Michelle!

I hear you on the "lone runner" part. I rarely get to run with anyone else :(.

As for the watch.. what version do you have? I use that GARMIN 205 and it is great!

From MichelleL on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:17:26

I have a 301, so it's the generation before yours.

From The Howling Commando on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:19:41

Aw nuts! Maybe Santa will be good to you this year :-D

From MichelleL on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:23:45

Benn - Santa already bought me something nice, exactly what I told him to. I even gave him a coupon for it. It is a Kitchenaid stand mixer. So no GPS for me.

Clyde - yep, still planning on PF Chang. I have the flight, the elite bib, and I need to book a room now. As I did the workout, that's what I was thinking of, PF Chang - I am an idiot for signing up for that. Just another demonstration of how I need to get stronger mentally :)

From marion on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:25:08

michelle- Which one are you getting? I LOVE mine! What color?

From MichelleL on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:57:09

Artisan 5 qt in stainless steel. Its in Paul's closet and he won't let me open it until Christmas.

From marion on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:08:03

nice!!! Do you want to come over and learn how to make bread? With your current jam making skills, you will be over the top- domestically speaking, in no time flat! ;D

From The Howling Commando on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:14:23

OH MAN! KITCHENAID MIXER?!?! MY MOMS HAD HER EYE ON THAT FOR YEARS! Really nice :-D

From MichelleL on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:36:35

Marion - I just made bread on Sunday. I don't make bread every week, but can do basic breads just fine. Thanks for the offer though.

Benn- When you start making the big bucks buy her one. It will make her year. I've had my eyes on one for over a decade.

From marion on Nov 12, 2008 at 13:10:40

You are a domestic goddess!!! There is nothing like homemade bread :D

From Clay on Nov 12, 2008 at 16:18:42

I have a white one and I use it to make killer chocolate chip cookies!

Michelle, I have an extra Garmin 205 if you want to make me a deal, its like almost new... I like it better than the 405 that I have now the only draw back is it doesn't have a heart rate monitor, if that's important to ya.

From TylerS on Nov 12, 2008 at 17:54:28

You need to find another guy or girl running partner and then I will make it to your speed sessions. I saw you running yesterday all by yourself, your hair is really short?!? Find us another running person on this end of the county! Great run by the way!

From marion on Nov 12, 2008 at 18:16:56

I could follow you guys in my car ;)

From MichelleL on Nov 12, 2008 at 18:51:21

Tyler - I should call Steve King/Darren Cable to see if they want to join. Could you run Saturday if we find more company?

From Teena on Nov 12, 2008 at 20:23:10

Okay, I just had to comment on this post bedause this line made me laugh uncontrollably ... "Of course, I do these weights while watching America's Next Top Model." Don't know why ... but I thought it was so stinkin' funny.

Michelle, I got a silver KitchenAid for my birthday (but I got it about 6 weeks early because my hubby was too excited). Worked out fantastically because he felt he had to get me something else on my real birthday!! LOVE THE MIXER!! I have made enough dough for 6 loaves of bread all at once!! SWEET!!

I know you think Santa won't give in, but Costco has a $40 off coupon for their 305 right now.

Btw, amazing run today. It is so hard to dig deep (obviously your deep is much deeper than mine) when the watch indicates that you are going much slower than you should be, or in your case than you are going. You did FANTASTIC!!

From Jon on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:11:23

Are you using a Garmin 105? Is that why you are having issues?

From MichelleL on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:16:35

I am using a 301, so the elogated version with heartrate monitor (though I hardly ever use that feature). I think it has gotten less reliable over time. I'd like to have a reliable gps for PF chang, but I also feel like it would be irresponsible to spend that much money on another one at this time.

From Teena on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:19:15

Michelle,

Let me know if you want to borrow a watch for the race.

You have so much discipline ... in so many ways!!

From Teena on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:24:57

Here's another idea Michelle ... why don't we get 17 people to put in $10 each and you can get the one from Costco! I hate the idea of you not having a reliable watch. You are far too talented. I'll put in the first $10. I'll even be the one to buy the watch and those interested in donating can send me their $10 in the mail. This could be so easy!! Seriously, no reason you shouldn't have a watch.

From MichelleL on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:32:57

Teena, that is so generous, but not necessary. If I really want a new watch I could buy one, but frugality is good. I do receive financial benefits from my racing, like free shoes, and my travel voucher from St. George Marathon pays for my flight to PF Chang. By paying your race fees, you do subsidize my running in that way (I often get free entry into races and prizes), so that's the extent of the subsidy I should squeeze from you :)

Don't let my whining arouse philanthropy, instead you can donate that $10 to the Food and Care Coalition or some other food pantry, that's a much more worthy cause than "Let's throw $10 at Michelle so she'll stop whining" fund. (Though your intents are kinder than to get me to shut up). I'm sure I'd just find something else to whine about.

From Teena on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:43:07

You are so funny!!

Okay, but let me know if you change your mind or if you want to borrow one.

You're great!

From Clay on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:57:42

Michelle, I have a 205 that you can have, its like new... Let me know.

From TylerS on Nov 13, 2008 at 15:32:11

Michelle if you can find some company I think that I could run on Saturday. I will have to find a sitter, but I think that I could make it work.

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