Each Day Is a Gift

63F mostly sunny 52% humidity.  Ran with Wendy and Leslie east on MCT to Dry Creek tunnel, west to 600E, Center, Perry Home.  Leslie kept us at a sub-10 pace which felt good but my lungs had a hard time reciting "Living Christ" and running at the same time.  AP: 9:48 (10.05, 9:48, 9:41, 9:38, 9:48)

This is how much we've memorized:

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millenia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.  None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New.  Under the direction of His Father, He was the Creator of the earth.

63F mostly sunny. With Wendy east on MCT to 1200E tunnel turned back and saw Leslie, Karen and couple ladies biking east.  Really miss Karen who's nursing her PF.  Home via 600E.  AP: 10:35. 

Memorized next sentence of Living Christ:  "All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John1:3)

Went to PD lab, on the way home we stopped at Wasatch Running Center and bought me a pair of Nike running shorts that has pockets inside the waist band, 40% off! :)

66F windy.  Ran with Wendy and Leslie north on 600E > 3200N > 810E > MCT to 400E >3200N > 600E.  Our run looks like a square lollypop.  AP: 10:11.  Wore the new bra and shorts (pockets filled with Gu, inhaler, chapsticks and salt-caps) that I will wear on Sat. for test-drive! :)

Memorize the next sentence of Living Christ:  "Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.  He went about doing good, yet was despised for it.  His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill." 

This afternoon, Jeannie and Dwight (Elder and Sister Inouye) are coming home from their 18month mission in Hong Kong serving as Asia Area Medical Advisor.  We're going to the airport for the welcoming home!  So excited to see them!!! 

This was one of my most unprepared marathons.  Hadn't run much since UVM in June.  Been busy with planning my son's wedding and enjoyed having my grandchildren home the last couple months.  Did a painfully slow 20 miler two weeks ago and called it good. 

Hitched a ride yesterday with RAD (she and MarcieW were pacers for 3:55 and 4:00).  Knowing that I would need to have my bag with me at the finish, I packed very light, just my race clothes/shoes/watch, toothbrush and washcloth.  We arrived at the Expo shortly after noon where Lowell met me.  He and Susie treated me to lunch at Butter Burr's.  It's always a pleasure to visit with them.  Then we went to the pasta dinner and listened to the speaker, Paul, a wheelchair athlete who motivated me to meet challenges with courage.  Went to bed around 11pm after taking a Tylenol PM at 9.  Made Lowell promise to get out the door early enough so we won't miss the bus.  Last year, we nearly missed the last bus if weren't for MarcieW holding the bus for us since Lowell had her bib.

Woke up before the alarm with 45 min to do the morning stuff.  Looked for something to eat or drink and was surprised that there was only banana for breakfast.  Lowell had some throw-away gloves for me and a ring with blinking lights.  As we drove around the corner and pulled into the parking lot, we saw the last bus pulling away.  So, Lowell went with Plan A (which he wanted to do in the first place)...drove to JoEtte's house which is about half mile from the start.

By the time we parked at JoEtte's house, Lowell put on his warm-up pants, walked up to the Start, we had may be 10 min before the race start (6:15am).  The PoP line was long and we were still in line when the 10 yo girl sang the National Anthems.  Needless to say the race started while I was still in the honeybucket. 

Start temp was in the mid 30s, clear sky.  I found myself running in the dark at the back of the pack and heard Lowell's hacking cough from behind.  He passed me and took off chasing after the 4:20 group.  I was planning on starting with the 4:45 group, so figured I'd gradually catch up with them (I did around mile 3 and passed them).  Somewhere in the second mile I spotted Brent Z.  We ran together and with another lady till the out-n-back at mile 7 and the first uphill.  I let them go and watched for Lowell and my friends on the opposite lane coming down.  Saw MarcieW, KarenT, Amanda and Brett...but not Lowell or RAD. 

Temp was perfect, calm (at this point), clear blue sky.  Although it's not as green as in years past. 

Took a Gu at the aid station just before mile 8.  Used the PoP at mile 14.  Leaped frogged with a girl wearing a sign "Running for my Dad".  I love hearing inspiring stories from fellow runners.  That's the beauty of running at the back of the pack.   Ran the half in 2:15:xx.  Soon after the half, the pack thinned out significantly and we were all strung out running on the old highway next to the railroad.  Loved it when a train go by with its choo-choo! :) 

The occasional canyon tailwind (which is not as perceivable) quickly turned into side wind as we turned west in Inkom.  Somewhere around mile 16, I spotted Lowell upahead.  He was walking.  I gradually caught up to him and jokingly thanked him for waiting for me.  In a defeated tone of voice, he announced that he's finished, done!  I asked what's wrong? are you hurting? are you tired? did you eat your bacon?  He simply said: "I'm used up, nothing left in me.  I tried doing 3:1 with the Maniacs and couldn't keep up with them.  I could only do 1/10th of a mile and had to walk."   I encouraged him to run with me.  He ran may be 100 yards and then walked.  I stayed with him until he insisted that I leave and he went off the roadside to pick up some disgarded gloves. 

I soon saw TJ driving back on the course and knew that Lowell had called him.  At mile 18, they pulled up alongside and told me they'll meet me at Century High.  TJ took my gloves which was not a smart move because within five min. my hands were freezing. 

I should mention that as soon as we turned north around mile 16, we encountered a 15-20 mph headwind.  The wind literally took my breath away.  I had to use my inhaler which unfortunately has expired a year ago.  At the mile 18ish aid station, I took two ibuprofens and salt caps and third Gu.  I kept telling myself, just make it to Century HS.  There were zero spectators this year (possibly due to the colder temp).  I walked most of the uphill under the freeway overpass at mile 21. 

I saw no one waiting at the Century HS as I approached.  Just as I got there, Susie pulled up and gave me a hug, then TJ pulled up and I waited for Lowell to get out.  He's revived!!! apparently TJ had gotten him a Dr. Pepper.  He had also peeled the timing chip off his bib.  It's now his mission to run with me and let me draft off him.  Susie would track us along the way just in case Lowell called it quit again!  Seriously, he was my hero, running the last 4+ miles with me.  It would've been an ugly lonely finish if weren't for him. 

#59 done!  They had the best post-race food ever at Pokey.  Sizzler was one of the sponsors this year.  We had steak kabob, rice pilaf, baked potato, water melon, chocolate milk.  Susie drove me, Lowell, Karen and Evan Tree back to Clarion Inn. where RAD and MarcieW let met shower in their room before RAD drove us back to Salt Lake.  I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends as RAD who takes such good care of me!

Best part of the afternnon was home with hubby watching BYU beat Nebraska with a hail mary last second TD!  GO COUGS!!! :)

Quads are so sore and tight.  Walked with hubby.

Attempted to run but quads still sore.  That's what I get for not training on hills.  Walked 2 miles on the TM and rode 30 min. on the recumbent bike while reading and reciting "The Living Christ".

On our way to Moab leaving at 10am.  Got to RV Park around 2pm.  Hubby did dialysis while I fixed us lunch.  Drove to Canyonlands NP.  Hiked short distances to view the sights and arches.  Got back to RV Park around 8pm.  Fixed dinner and watched the movie Aloha.  Nice to chill with hubby.

By the time we got done with disconnecting the dialysis cycler and breakfast, it was 10am when we headed out to Arches NP.  It was getting warm (low 80s).  We talked to the ranger at the visitor center.  She advised us to tour the Windows.  Hiked up to the North Window with hubby a half mile hike.  I held an umbrella to give hubby some cooler shade.  The heat was hard on him.  He sat under the shady part of the arch along with a group of Uni students from UK.  Then he proceeded to walk back down to the car via the Turret Arch route.  I continued on to the South Window and Turret Arch.

I fixed lunch and hubby did his mid-day dialysis.  I could not get the air-con on using the generator.  But the vent/fan works fine with opened windows in the RV to keep hubby cool.  He'd always take a short nap after the mid-day dialysis.  So grateful that he's able to enjoy some traveling.

We drove along main road of the Park and stopped along major viewpoints such as Firey Furnace, Landscape Arch.  We walked Devil's Garden on the shady part and turned back where it's sunny.  Our last stop was Delicate Arch.  Hubby made it to Wolf's Ranch and turned back.  I decided to hike up, not knowing how long or strenuous the route would be.  It was 5pm, hottest time of the day, with no shade and carried no water.  It took me 45 min to get to the Arch.  It was well worth it.  I lingered for about 15 min taking pictures and soaking in the beautiful scenery.  I knew hubby would be worried so I began my trek back to the car which took about 30 min.  I was parched by the time I got back. 

Hubby wanted to eat out instead of have me cook dinner.  So we drove to Moab and ate at Sichuan.  We had King's Seafood Special (prawns, scallops, fish, mussel, crab legs with pea pods, julien carrots, baby cucumber, water chestnuts, mushroom in a garlic chili pepper sauce).  SO DELICIOUS!  We also had Shrimp Chow Mai Fun.  We ate the whole thing!  I also drank 4 glasses of ice water...I was so dehydrated.  My legs were also very tired. 

Got back to Archview RV Park around 8:30.  Showered and watched another movie then fell asleep under a stary stary night sky. 
 

I was going to get up early to run. But I was so tired when I woke up and hubby was dead to the world.  Knew I had to help hubby get ready, I decided to get started on packing away.  Left the RV Park around 10 and drove to Dead Horse Point State Park.

So glad we went, I had no idea Dead Horse Point is so vast and beautiful.  Some says it's wider and better than the Grand Canyon.  Also didn't know that there's a Potash Pond where salt and potassium are harvest.  If the temp was cooler I would've walked/hiked along the rims.  Hubby did mid-day dialysis and lunch at the visitor Center Parking lot, then we drove to the Point and got out to take pictures.  We stopped at a view point on the way back.

We stopped in Provo to pick up Bryan's suits and ate at Panda Express.  Got home just before 9pm.  Hubby drove most of the way as I do not like driving through the Spanish Fork Canyon!

It's been a fun trip!

Hadn't run a single step all week.  So when Wendy invited me to run 13 miles with her and Stephanie starting at 6am, I happily accepted.

We ran on MCT from the Canyon Rd bathroom in PG to Orem.  I picked up the pace a tad on the way back, stopping to gu and drinking at the fountains. Quads still a bit tight.

AP: 9:57 (10:24, 10:20, 9:56, 9:56, 10:13, 10:28, 10:24, 9:48, 9:34, 9:30, 9:35, 9:28). 

Foam roll and stretch. 

***I am so slow these days!  I seriously need to loose these 10-12 lbs, get more sleep, eat healthier, do some core strengthening exercise.  I am back at the level I was when I first started running 10 years ago.  Back then my goal was to be able to run a 10 min mile.  It took me over a year to reach that goal.  My first marathon in SG 2005 was 4:38.   Now, I need to run 9:55 AP at SGM in order to BQ.  I know it's not going to happen.  But I can work at it over the next 6-9 months or even a year.  Right now, my priority is my hubby.  Racing needs to take a backseat and I am totally at peace with it! 

As for reciting the Living Christ, I have the last three paragraphs left.  I am certain that I'll have the whole thing memorized before I turn 60 next month! :)

Best part of the day was watching (with hubby) BYU beat Boise State,  another nail-biting last min. miracle pass topped off with an interception TD.  Disappointed though at one of our RMs who got a personal foul...what's the matter with my Poly boy?

61F With Wendy on MCT 810E > dry creek tunnel > 610 E.  AP: 10:38
 

63F 100% humidity light rain.  Ran with Leslie and Wendy to Mitch Hollow home via 610E and Perry Homes.   AP: 10:14.  Had no lung power going uphill.

Had a rough night of 3 hrs sleep.  Raining windy dreary day.  All my running buddies are staying in.  Finally got on the dreadmill and nearly abandoned the thing and barely eeked out 3 pathetic miles.  Did some foam roll and stretch.  Better day tomorrow!
 

54F sunny light breeze.  Met Leslie in front of her house and we ran up on MCT via Center to Rail trail junction, turned down on 600E.  It was a lot of work and hard breathing to run in the 9s.  AP:  9:51 (10:56, 9:44, 9:14, 10:19, 9:35, 9:29, 9:12)

Clinic visit with doc. was good.  Dr. Cline changed hubby's night time PD Rx to 4 cycles of longer dwelling time and total of 9,000ml.  He's been gaining weight (fluids) and his b/p increasing.  His PD Rx was changed to all "greens" (2.5% dextrose) to pull more fluids last month with no success.  Hopefully with longer dwell times it will help him pull more fluids.

After we got back, I went to fix Joyce lunch, then got her up and dressed for a walk around the block and we sat and visited in the back yard for 45 min. and picked corn and raspberry.  It was such a delight.  She's always saying thank you to me!  :)  She'll be 88 in Nov.  My mother-in-law is exactly one year older than her!  My mil is the most amazing and healthy woman I've ever known! :) 

54F, sunny calm.  Gave Joyce her morning meds then headed out solo on MCT via 810E to dry creek tunnel turned west to 1500W bathroom, turned home via Center.  AP: 9:41 (10:22, 9:48, 9:33, 9:31, 9:33, 9:30, 9:21)  Lots of walkers, cyclists and runners out this beautiful morning.  Immediately after the run, went to fix Joyce breakfast and gave her the other morning meds.

Registered for Boston.  Hope I get in.  Hope hubby will be well enough to fly/travel by next April.

43F sunny clear blue sky calm.  (Wish I was running TOU today, I love that race.)  Wore l/s top, capris, headband and sunglasses.  First 8 miles with Stephanie and Leslie down 3rd west to State St to access Rail Trail then up to MCT.  Stopped at 1600W bathroom to drink and blow nose.  I did not walk the entire uphill, albeit slow.  Steph and Leslie stayed with me up rail trail but once on MCT Leslie took off and my lungs just couldn't keep up.  It felt like my entire airway was filled with cotton.  Did a lot of spitting and luckily no asthmatic cough.  When we reached bottom of Dry Creek they turned back to head home as they only needed 10 since they're running Huntsville Half next Sat.  Mile 1-8: 9:55, 9:00 (downhill), 9:26, 9:48, 10:18, 10:34, 9:42, 9:39

Continued up Dry Creek, drank at the fountains at the top.  Stopped at Mitch Hollow to drink and used the bathroom (mile 9.4) Felt pretty good, decided to take Gu at the next fountain (mile 10.3).  I was planning to run 16 but the weather felt great so decided to keep going to Lone Peak HS trail head bathroom to drink and blow nose (mile 12).  Decided to take the trail towards Art Dye Park for another 0.5 mile then turned back to add on another mile.  Drank along the trail fountains and at mile 14.75 fountain I took a little longer to stop to visit with another runner there.  He's about my age and also training for SG.  Turned out he served a mission in Taiwan same years as my hubby.  I still have 4+ miles to go and with this longer stop, I decided to skip the stop at Mitch Hollow and made it to the next fountain at the top of Dry Creek.  My stomach started to gurgle and legs got heavy...running low on energy.  I only had the one Hammer Gel at mile 10+.  I know I'll be hitting the wall about the time I climbed out of Dry Creek.

I had to walk portion of the uphill where a shirtless teenage boy ran past me...such a show off.  Took the last stop drink at 810E fountain.  Tried to muster the last ounce of energy to push home.  As soon as I arrived home, hubby was outside with ladder and trimmer.  He had me steady the ladder while he trimmed the bushes at the roof-line.  Then I helped him gather the branches and trimmings.  Mile 9-18+: 10:40 (up Dry Creek east side), 10:17, 9:51, 10:08, 10:08, 10:31, 9:55, 9:50, 10:57 (up Dry Creek west side), 10:16, 10:18. 

18.5 miles AP: 10:04 with 9 pit stops.  This run is indicative that I am not in BQ shape for SGM.  I'll taper for the next two weeks and do my best come race morning. 

Super slow 6 miles.  Recited the Living Christ with Wendy.  I got it all memorized last week.  So I think it took me about 2.5 weeks!  Walked the last mile when we saw AndreaM and JennieY and decided to walk with them and recruited them to memorize the Living Christ!
 

Ran with Leslie and Wendy down Dry Creek to Mitch Hallow and back to Center with Leslie to add on an extra mile.

52F.  Ran with Wendy (she's tapering for Huntsville Half).  Leslie was riding her bike. 

54F.  Ran first 4 with Leslie (she's tapering for Huntsville Half) on MCT west.  Then 4 by my self on MCT east.  First time in weeks or even months that I finally feel like a runner. 

AP: 9:45 (10:17, 10:08, 9:36, 9:29, 10:28, 9:34, 9:20, 9:08)

No running today.  I've been deep cleaning the house every day this week in prepration for a Sunday dinner for our long time friends and their family.  I started cleaning the windows and furnitures.  Today I finished the kitchen window, and mop the hardwood floor which has not been done for over two years.  Tomorrow after my run, I will clean the bathrooms, do laundry and grocery shopping.

My running partners left early for Huntsville Half.  I woke up at 5 and pittered around till 7:15 and went over to Wendy's house to give Joyce her morning med.  Then headed out towards Alpine.

Ran to MCT and trail by SR92 over to Suncrest and traverse east to Alpine park.  Drank at mile 2 and at the park's "fountain of youth".  Ate a protein bar (these were bought for hubby but he didn't like them), stretched and turned back home.  Legs were heavy and I was super tired and thirsty.  AP: 10:04.  My last mile was a death march.  I was hoping to run this 11 miler at MP (9:55)...failed majorly! :(   (The Courgars failed even worst!)

After I got home, I quenched my thirst, used the bathroom then went over to make Joyce's breakfast and give her the other morning med.

I was wiped out the rest of the day, but managed to clean the bathrooms, laundry, grocery shop.  

For Sunday dinner with the Tateokas, a total of 14 adults and 4 little kids) I cooked teriyaki salmon, chicken tender, shrimp tofu, stir-fry peapods-red n yellow sweet peppers with chicken.  Grandma brought potstickers, Jen brought spinach salad, Steven brought fruits and Nadine brought brownies n ice-cream.

We saw the most amazing blood moon, lunar eclipse as it rises over the mountains and above the open field in front of our house.  Had no idea that the next lunar eclipse will not happen until 2033.  Good thing we were outside saying goodbyes to our families and friends.

Went to bed so late last night that I stayed in bed this morning while my running friends texted about how they're still sore from Hunstville Half so no running this morning.

We went to the viewing and funeral of a long time Lehi friend and former neighbor, Patriarch Reed Sunderland.  It was a great funeral service and wonderful to see so many old friends who are truly salt of the earth people.  Lotsa tears, bittersweet day!

No text from my friends!  I finally dragged my tired self out at 9:45.  It looked deceivingly cool because of the overcast sky but temp was 70F and felt rather muggy.  I could not for the life of me ran farther than 0.25 mile before succumbing to walking.  I made it to the bridge down at Dry Creek and walked back up.  I walked the last mile home reciting aloud the Living Christ. 

Hubby's INR has been all over the place.  It's 4.1 today.  The hemmorage in his right eye is finally clearing up.  Hopefully he'll feel well and look fine for our upcoming mission reunion in our home on Thu.  We'll have about 50 of our returned missionaries attending... what should I make for dinner for these young hungry college kids?!!!

On MCT east to Dry Creek and back with Wendy.