Todd's the Man!

Well Todd is the only one who has done any running lately. Jeremy and I have been so busy with house building that I haven't had any time to go out. Tom has been busy with work and busy with being sick. We really need to get it together. I feel like we are falling further and further behind.

Todd set out to run by himself. He said he pretty much did the same route me and him did a few weeks ago. Way to stay on track bro!

**STATS**

TODD

Distance: 10.03 miles
Time: 1:35
Pace: 9:29 min/mile
Temperature:?
Time of Day: mid morning

Striders 10K

A few days ago we tackled the Striders 10K. It was just as brutal as I remember. That dang last hill will get you every time! I was fortunate to meet a girl on the way up who refused to let me walk. She encouraged me up the entire way, which I was really grateful for. I ended up finishing strong.

Todd and Tom both ran well. It's funny to hear what everyone thinks about the hills and what their strategy is to get up them.

My sis-in-law Shay said she ran well too. I didn't get to talk to her much because just as we all finished the wind kicked up and it was REALLY cold. We bolted home.

Two weeks to go and we will hit the hardest run of the series: The 10 Miler!

**STATS**

Distance: 10K
Time of Day: 8:00 a.m.
Temperature: Cold and windy

ME
Time: 57:17
Pace: 9:13 min/mile

TODD
Time: 56:04
Pace: 9:02 min/mile

TOM
Time: 1:01:56
Pace: 9:58 min/mile



A girl I met at the starting line. Her name is Nelly and she is from Salt Lake. She motivated me up 36th street. I started to walk when she ran by me and told me not to stop. She told me to just take baby steps. And that is what I did. She kept encouraging me up that last hill. I felt really strong following her lead. I love making new friends.Betty Yamashita, cousin Meghan Manning, Tom, Neil Manning, Todd, Me
(my sis-in-law Shay and her friend Mandy ran as well) The wind picked up right after this pic. It got really cold!

UGH

Yesterday Todd and I ran a really hard 10 miles. I let him be the navigator and he took me all over. We ran Glassman Way across 89 into the neighborhoods, back across 89 towards Harrison where we crossed and ran Old Post Road and then up and over Weber State. We cut through Weber State and back out again and ran up Harrison to 40th where we went west and turned on Monroe. Monroe killed me. It was our last mile or so and it was a gradual uphill until we hit Glassman again where it was a steep uphill. Once we hit 10.5 I stopped us. We still had a block or so to home but I was done and wanted to have some walking cool down time.

It was a good route with a lot of hills. Seemed to take forever though. Todd did really well and only stopped a few times to stretch his legs. I felt stiff the entire time like I was carrying bricks in my legs. I need to have an attitude adjustment. My mind and body are just not into it. Last year I used to get excited about long runs. I would look forward to the challenge. This year I think I just have too much going on so it isn't as exciting. I need to change that because attitude makes all the difference in the world how you feel while running.

**STATS**

Distance: 10.5 miles
Time: 1:52
Pace: 10:39/min/mile
Temperature: Not too bad
Time of Day: 12:30 p.m.

Striders 5K

This past weekend started the Striders Winter Racing Circuit. Funny how you forget about all those steep hills. I did beat last year's time though, so I was happy. Even though I was bent over at the finish line just trying to breath. :)

It was fun to hear what everyone thought about the course. Todd thought it was brutal. He was laughing saying he thought he was cardio strong but now he wasn't so sure.

**STATS**

Distance: 5K
Temperature: Low 30s
Time of Day: 8:00 a.m.

TOM
Time: 30:09
Pace: 9:42/min/mile

TODD
Time: 27:09
Pace: 8:44/min/mile

BRANDY
Time: 27:15
Pace: 8:46/min/mile

After the race. Cousin-in-law Neil Manning, Todd, Tom

Neil, Todd, Tom, Me, friend Mandy & sis-in-law Shay

Our cheering section, Shay's family. Porter, Kallie, Myleigh and Mike (who was trying hard not to look at me)

15 Miles

Starting Line

Yesterday the three of us headed out for 15 miles. It has been awhile since the three of us have ran together.

I was excited about the new route my dad came up with. We started at his house and headed down Harrison Blvd to 21st street. Then headed west on 21st until we hit the WalMart (where we stopped for a quick bathroom and stretching break). From there we hopped on the parkway heading further west. I can't remember the mile we were at when we decided to turn around and head back east. By the time we hit Washington the wind was really hitting us so we got off the parkway and went down Washington a few blocks before crossing over into some neighborhoods. We weaved around until hitting into the parkway again. We ran a few miles east on the parkway and then turned around heading west again on the parkway ending at the botanical gardens. Whew!

Up until WalMart it went really fast. After WalMart it seemed to drag. I wasn't feeling tired or anything...more bored than anything. Running is such a mental game! Todd, on the other hand, had more issues during this run. His IT band is really giving him a hard time. When we turned down 21st street we told him to cut over and go straight to the botanical gardens where his car was. He said he didn't want to and ended up suffering the entire run. It was like watching me last year. I was feeling for him cuz I know the pain he is in. To ease the pain he compensated his running form which was really painful to watch.

Aside from Todd's issues, it was a good run. I liked the route. I just wish my mind was more in the game. Tom looked strong the entire way.

**STATS**

(Todd & Tom finished a few seconds after me)

Distance: 15.01 miles
Time: 2:39:05
Pace: 10:36/min/mile
Temperature: Can't remember but it was really windy on the parkway
Time of Day: 9:00 a.m.

Finish Line