2008 in review........

I wish I could ramble on about all kinds of races I ran this year, but I can't. I ran 1 half marathon back in January and 2 marathons. Considering all the traveling I did with my hubby in the earlier part of the year, and then moving from Utah to Kentucky in July, I am pleased. The only thing I would change about my running in 2008 is that I would have kept my miles up even after moving. The move was a big one, and it messed with my mind a little, I was nervous to try out a new town and to do it by myself was scary to think about. I eventually started running outside again, but only for my long runs, which I run on Saturdays.

Now a little about the three races I ran this year.

I ran the Painters Sun

Half Marathon in January with these beautiful ladies.

Maria (sister) Sarah (sis-in-law) Me~ Frances (twin sister) Amberly (niece)

This is a fun, chill, marathon. The weather is always perfect, and the people are just so nice. It was Sarah, Frances', and Amberly's first half. All with great times.

Oct of '07 I qualified for Boston, and ran it in April of this year. First, I have to say, "I LOVE Boston so much". Not just the race but the city too. I loved everything about that trip. However, I had a bit of the stomach bug to start with and so by mile 9 when I stopped to pee, my time started to slow because of some major pain in my belly. I finished A LOT slower (4:15) then my qualifying time (3:27) but I was just happy to be there and took in the entire experience. I can't wait to re qualify so I can try it again, and maybe with a better time.

This is me and the Hubs on the Duck tour. I am sporting my coveted Boston '08 jacket.

I was able to at least start the race with two of my cousins, (Matt & Laura) who are also from Utah. We had so much fun catching up and touring the city together. They are great peeps.

After Boston I got the post-race blues big time. So I quickly decided to run the Ogden City Marathon which was a month later. This race I too was able to start with one of my cousins, (Becky). We met up that morning to ride the bus up the canyon together. She was also meeting someone she had never met but knew through a friend, and her name is Runner Girl some of you may know her through the blogging world. She is fabulous and I am forever grateful I had the fortunate opportunity to have met her. Check her out, she is trying to run 40 marathons by the time she turns 40, she is 38. Go girl......

Well, all though it was a small year in regards to races, it was big year for my family. I am just happy we are all healthy and functioning as well as we are after the big move. Happy New Year, and Happy Running.

My new Header.....

My sister in law was so kind to change my blog a bit for me. She made me up a cute Header and she changed the colors a bit. I love it..... In the Header you will see a fence, I am not sure if it is, but it looks like Kentucky, or I should say, it looks like the horse farms out here. I also was happy with the runner she put on my header. At first look I thought, well she looks like me, but she is skinny and so I told myself it wasn't. When I emailed Kristi I told her "Thank you for the header it is great, now I will just make my readers think that girl running is me". She got a kick out of that one, cause it is me. Back in June of 2007 I ran the third leg of a Triathlon, and she took this picture of me. It sure made me look at where I am now with my fitness and how I have let myself go. It just confirms in my mind "I have a lot of work ahead of me, and 2009 will be a good one."

I hope everyone has a safe, fun and exciting New Years Eve. We are staying at home with the kids and playing games, and maybe we will let them stay up late. In the next few days, I plan to give an overview of 2008 in running. It isn't much but I will give it a try.

* one hint.... I ran Boston this year....

Merry Christmas.......

I have been LAZY this week, I am almost to embarrassed to tell you all just how lazy.... I ran a little on Monday and then lifted.... yep, that is it. So tomorrow I am lifting for another hour and then running 5. Saturday will be an easy 10 miler. I was hoping to skim through the Holidays with no weight gained...... nope.... I have gained a few and I am sick about it. At first I thought I would wait till Jan 1st, you know, new years resolutions and all that good stuff. I decided today after looking at myself in the mirror, that I need to start now, today. No more Christmas goodies and no more sugar. I have the biggest sweet teeth of anyone I know, except my 3 year old and she got it from me. I also have a weakness for Diet Pepsi. I love it. I drink WAY to much of it, and as soon as the 6 cans that are in my fridge are gone...... no more. I have always known this but not really thought or cared to much about it, but Jillian from the Biggest Loser put it best..... "If it doesn't have a mom, or grow in the ground or a tree, then DON'T eat it". So that is it, I am watching my portions and making better choices starting right now. My oldest will be 8 in March and we have some family coming to Kentucky for her baptism (we are Mormon) and I want to look and feel my best. Right now I don't, but I am going to change that.

So with training and making the best choices in the kitchen, I am hopeful I will be a hot momma by the end of March. Thanks for listening to my ramblings of my sad little (chubby) mind.

Wishing you all a Merry and HEALTHY Christmas weekend.

Not a great week.......

Monday: Lifted for and hour and ran 3 miles

Tuesday: Sleet + Snow= school was closed

Wednesday: 45 min spin class

Thursday: 1 hr and 15 min of Yoga followed by 4 miles on the treadmill

Friday: a 3 year old running high fevers, with sores in her mouth, diarrhea, coughing, drippy nose and an upset stomach....I hope to do a Tae Bo DVD and some at home Yoga.

Saturday: 16 mile scheduled long run

Not a great week, but as long as I get that 16 miles in I will be happy. So pray for good weather and that I don't come down with what the kids have.

RUN FAR!

Dentist vs Running

I hate hate hate going to the dentist. Every six month when the hubby reminds us we are due for cleanings, I pray, cross my fingers, and just plain beg that I wont have any cavities. I have said for some time now, "I would rather visit with the Gynecologist." I think I mean it too.

I had to go today to get two little cavities filled. My cute, precious 3 year old has two as well and they fixed the smaller one today and next week they will dig in and attack the big one. This was our first visit with this dentist and Holy crap, I knew it was expensive to get your teeth fixed, but this guy is outrageous, even after insurance.

So today this is what I have to say.....

I would rather run 26.2 miles, untrained, no Gu, No ipod, & No GPS, then go to the dentist....... (shiver, shiver)

*I will admit, it wasn't as bad as usual today......

Saturday's long run report.

I am happy to say, I felt great. I felt like I could run forever. Well not really other wise I would have finished the 15 I was scheduled and not wimped out with only 14. I run a road that is super hilly, I mean Hilly with a capital H.... hell, lets capitalize the entire word.....HILLY.

I like running hills, I always have felt strong running hills, and I really feel they just make you a better, faster, stronger runner. So Sat, I ran this road, we will call it.....HILL road. I ran 7 out and 7 back. The town I live in does not have many roads with a shoulder of any kind. So I pick this road because the only thing out there are horse farms. (I know, talk about GORGEOUS) and there is not a lot of traffic. I have kind of fallen in love with this route. I would run it everyday if I could. I am going to copy NikeMom and the next time I run this route I am going to take my cute, pink camera and takes some pictures for you.

Anyways, I am super happy I prayed for great weather. It was 31 degrees when I left the house but 39 when I got home. I ended up shedding my top layer, and my gloves. The sun was out and shinning so bright, no rain, no snow and just a touch of a breeze. It was perfect.

14 miles in 2:03....... I was happy with that, considering all of my HILLS.

Motivation needed......

Thanks to all who gave advice on running with a cold. I guess I already knew it all, just wanted/needed a little support. I am feeling better.

I have been struggling with logging miles since being home from our trip. I can't blame it all on my cold, I have just felt sluggish and lonely. Don't get me wrong, I like being in Ky, it is where we need to be right now and it is really good for my little family to depend on each other. I just miss our families and our friends. So when it comes time to run, I talk myself out of it. Not sure exactly why, you would think the opposite would happen. I didn't run a long run last weekend and I have only logged 6 miles in one week. UGH..... I am beginning to wonder if I will be ready for my Feb marathon. I am scheduled to run 15 this weekend and I am nervous about it. I am going to pray for decent weather and some more then decent Motivation.

I have been lifting weights and I went to spinning yesterday and did and 1 hr 15 min of Yoga this morning. I love spinning, it kicks my butt and Yoga, well I am not flexible at all, so it is very challenging for me. We worked our upper body today in Yoga, so I am certain my arms will be sore tomorrow.

Run Far!

Running with a Cold....

The day we left Utah, I felt a cold coming on. I thought I was keeping it at bay pretty well until yesterday when I woke up. My face and head feel like a train ran over it. I still managed to run three mile yesterday, but today I could barley breath and felt like sleeping in. I am hoping maybe later today I will feel a bit better and head out the door for a quick one. Any tips on a faster, recovery and/or tips on running with a cold?

Winter Rules

I am home from Utah , and we had a great trip. We visited lots of family and friends, and we were very ready to get home to our own beds. Thanks to Franny and Nikki for putting us up for the nights we were in your town. I was able to log 26 miles while in Utah. I was pretty happy with my numbers, considering I was not sleeping in my bed and eating all kinds of crap. While running my long run on Friday, I had a Mule deer buck and Doe jump out in front of me, it scared me at first and then I just stood there and watched them run away. I was reading in the Dec issue of Runner's World, on page 34 it has an article on "Winter Rules, How to stick with training when it gets dark and chilly". I hate running in the winter. There are fewer daylight hours and it is cold and windy and wet. I run alone so it gets hard to push through and get up and run the miles I need. I have found that if I register for an Early Spring Marathon it will get me out the door and pounding out the miles. (I have registered for a Feb Marathon, how's that for early Spring?) I usually run on the treadmill during the week and hit the road on Sat for my long run.

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MAP IT

Scout out well-lit, traffic-free routes near your home, office, and kids' activities. Find two or three alternatives near each place so that you have options for different conditions-and a little variety. Find a few indoor options, too. Many health clubs offer winter memberships, and some malls and arenas open their doors to runners after hours.

DO IT MIDDAY

If you can't find safe options for running in the dark, go out at lunch. At first you might feel sluggish exercising midday, but after two or three runs, you'll feel better. The break from your desk will leave you feeling refreshed and energized. Make sure to have a light snack one to two hours before your run.

HIT A HILL

Hills build leg and lung power. Find a moderately steep rise, or set the treadmill at a two- to four-percent incline. After a warm up, run up the hill for five to 10 seconds, then walk downhill. Next, run for 10 to 12 seconds, picking up the pace slightly, and take a one-minute walk break. For the last segment, run for 10 to 20 seconds. On each workout, add 15 to 30 seconds of running and a one-minute walk break. Be sure to cool down.

PICK IT UP

Speed work can help you make the most out of your limited time. After a warm up, run for 20 seconds at a pace that's slightly faster than usual, then walk for 40 seconds. Do this twice more, picking up your pace slightly each workout.

Thankful for.....

I am Thankful for my feet, (even though they have been giving me trouble recently) for taking me on more miles of running fun then I can even count.

I am Thankful for my ipod. I just started running with music about two years ago, and it really makes a difference when you run 20 miles all by yourself.

I am Thankful for my trusty Garmin GPS watch. My hubby gave me the 401 for my 30Th birthday last year. I love being able to look down and see how long, how far, how fast I am going.

I am Thankful for my running shoes. I usually run in Mizuno's but this last pair are Asics and they have been pretty good to me. And they are pink, which I love.

I am Thankful for my fuel belt. It carries my water, Gatorade, and GU's while out on a long run.

I am Thankful for my Pepper spray. It helps me feel a little safer when I am pounding out the road all by my lonesome.

Most of all, I am very Thankful for my wonderful, understanding husband who has bought me all of my running gadgets. I don't work outside of the home and I don't bring in any kind of paycheck, so I really appreciate my hubby for supporting me in my passion and always willing to buy me the next best thing.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my running/bloggy friends. We are off to Utah in the morning to spend the Holiday with our family's. I hope you all feel the spirit of Gratitude and have a joyful Turkey day.

Just in case.......

Just in case my Husband or anyone else is wondering what to get me for Christmas, here is a tip.

A medium in black would be great...... =)

Click here for the link... thanks honey.

* not that my husband needs help buying me gifts. He always does a great job with surprising me with items I love, I'm just sayin..... just in case.

I love it when....

You know when you are out running (sometimes, in running on the treadmill) and you kind of start feeling like you want to go home and call it quits, cause your feet hurt. Or because you're just not feeling it that day. Or because you are cold or hot or tired, and then all of a sudden one of your favorite songs come on (if you run to music, which I have to do now) and all of a sudden you feel so energized and happy to be hurting and happy to be where you are. I love those songs.

The songs that get me jazzed and ready for more are:

"Pump it"..... Black Eyed Peas

"Survivor"..... Destiny's Child

and usually anything from the "Rocky" soundtrack.

What songs get you jazzed?

Bring on the hills.....

I have had a tough week and when I woke up this morning I didn't want to go for my 11 mile run, especially when I saw the rain and wind. So I got back in bed and waited an hour to see if it would clear up at all. It didn't, so I got dressed and took my Ibuprofen and got all my must have little gadgets. (GPS~Pepper Spray~ipod~Fuel belt with One Gu~ and a rain jacket)

When I walked out the door I felt the cold wind hit my face and the little rain drops and thought for a sec about turning around and getting back in bed. I didn't and I started my watch and off I went. I posted a few posts ago about a really hilly road that I have been running on. I have a love/hate relationship with this road. I love it cause it challenges me and I hate it cause it challenges me. =) I decided to run this road again today and while I was out I had some thoughts about life and running that I would like to share. I am not very good about turning my thoughts into words, so bare with me.

On my run today I faced all kinds of challenges that could make any sane human being turn around and go back home. I thought I was prepared hell, I had all my gadgets, what else did I need? Well I quickly realized I should have added: Gloves, a hat for my ears, and a long sleeve shirt under my waterproof jacket. (it was colder then I thought) But with the rain, wind, cold, hills, dogs, on coming traffic, and not dressing warm enough, it just made me want to push harder through my run. With every hill that came, I just pushed harder and with every rain drop and gust of wind, I pushed harder. And to my surprise, I felt so good today, tired but good. I ran hard and fast and felt great to the end.

It made me think about how in life we have so many obstacles come our way. We walk out the door and never know what the day has in store for us. Yet with every hill we climb and with every gust of wind that wants to push us over we have to push hard to not let it get us down. We all make mistakes in life (and in running: I forgot my warmer stuff) but sometime if we let them, these mistakes can work to our advantage. We can learn from them. We become stronger from them. Life throws us all kinds of Hills, long and not so steep, short and very steep. With running we can see the top of the hill and it makes us push harder to get there, but in life we can't see the top of the hill and we have to use all our faith and know that we can and will make it. The Hills in life and the hills in running have one thing in common: they can only make us stronger runners, better wives, mothers and friends.
So I say "Bring on the Hills"

A little shout out.....

During my 10 mile run on Saturday, I was thinking of my twin sister Franny and my brother in law Brian. They just ran in the Snow Canyon Half Marathon and did very well. Franny had a PR of 2:02 and Brian ran his first half ever with a 1:50. Just think.... you are both well on your way to your first Full 26.2, I know you wanna. Jenny..... I hope your knee is healthy so you can run the Painters Half in January. You all inspire me so much. See you in two weeks and two days. (Thanksgiving)
Since Franny is to sore to hobble to her computer =) and post the pictures they took before and after, I snagged a picture from this past January when we ran the Painters Half.

RaeAnn~ Sister (5k)..... Maria~ Sister (half).... Sarah~ sis-in-law (half) Franny~ sister (half).... Me (half)..... Jenny (5k)... Brian (5k)....... Jeffrey 12 (5k) Nephew.... Amberly 16 (half) Niece

And this isn't even half of my family.

9 miles of Hills..... UGH

I know you are all waiting on the edge of your seats to hear about my 9 mile run from Saturday. Oh, you're not? Hmmmmmm

Well we did it. We ran 9 miles. It was really nice to run with someone, even though she doesn't like to talk so we both wore our ipods, it was still nice. The roads here are HILLY. Yes I just moved from Utah where they have Mountains, but you don't run up in the mountains all the much. (if ever) You stay down in the valleys where the humans live and then try to stay on the flat roads, unless you are doing hill repeats or have to run that hill to get home. Here in Ky, you can't get anywhere without going up and over and then down a million hills. Franny and I picked a road that has gorgeous scenery, but we ran over 13 hills in 4 1/2 and then we turned around and did it again to get home. Yes, some of these hills are not as big as others, but about half are serious hills. I guess one good thing is, it can only make me a stronger runner. So if 9 wasn't punishment enough, we decided to do 5 more on the same road on Monday. We are truly rock stars. Here are just a couple of picture we took to show off the road we ran on, and No the pictures do not do the hills justice... they were hard.

While Franny was here we decided to have a little competition from now till Thanksgiving (3 weeks) to see who can lose the most weight, Greg is playing too. Then after thanksgiving we are going till the first of the year. We both know we need a little motivation over the holidays to not get carried away, so we thought we would focus more on the weight we need to lose and not the food we want to eat. (WE LOVE OUR SWEETS.... thanks mom)

Here is a picture of Franny that I took, not going to say what she was doing, but you know, right Franny?

Conversation with Morgan while making lunch:

Morgan: "mmmm, I love cookies" (she was eating a cracker)

Me: "mmmmm me too, but I am going sugar free till Thanksgiving."

Morgan: with over exaggerated excitement....... "I want to go too"

Oh the innocence of my three year old.

Here is my adorable three year old after applying her own makeup yesterday.

Happy CANDY eating... and then running it off the next morning.....

Happy Halloween Everyone.. all I can say is, it's a good thing Frances and I are running 9 miles in the morning, cause we both 'puffy heart' Halloween candy, and all the yummy treats we hand made yesterday. Yikes.......

My twin sister Frances......

Frances~Janice

So I have never in my life gone more then a month or so with out seeing my twin sister Frances. We moved here to Ky in July and I have not seen Franny since then. So we are talking 3 and a half months here folks. That is a long time for us. But for those of you who only know me via the blog world, I will give you a bit of a back ground with the two of us.

Growing up we were completely different from each other. I was wild and outgoing, she was quiet and very shy. As we got older (just after high school) we started to not only get along, but want to hang out with each other. She got married about a year after High school and had a baby pretty quick. I was married about 6 months after Marcus was born. We had our little girls just 6 weeks apart, and they are best friends. They get along so well and they miss each other just as much as Franny and I do. We were in the room when we had our babies and we have been there for each other through out the years. I adore her, and she doesn't even know it.

Well, the reason I have decided to blog about her on my running blog instead of my family blog, is because while she is here, I will actually have someone to run with. I know, Yay for me. She is running a half marathon 4 days after she gets back to Utah. This will be her third and she ran them all this year. I am kind of hoping that maybe next year she will realize that she is capable of running a full. (wink wink)

My feet hurt......UGH

My feet have been hurting. Not really sure why, because I have not pushed my miles or pushed anything for that matter. When I wake up in the morning, the bottoms of both feet hurt. I think it is Plantar Fasciitis. About five minutes of walking and moving around, they feel OK. Later in the day, mostly when I am ready for a relaxing moment and sit to watch a show or go to bed, the tops of my feet ache. I had a stress fracture in my right foot at the beginning of the year and I am certain it just has not healed, even with all the Non-running I did this summer. The problem is, on my left foot, it is starting to hurt on the top where my toes bend. I massaged my feet the other night with some delicious lotion my sister in law had me try from The Body Shop. (smelled so good) As I was massaging that area of my foot, I would get moments of serious sharp pain. What is wrong with me? Why does it seem that when I am ready to get serious about training and my routine, that something decides to break on me? UGH......

What a great quote by an even greater man....

In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called FINISHERS. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great. One day each of us will cross the finish line. Will it likewise be to the cheers and encouragement of those we have loved and served? Hopefully, it will be to the approbation of our savior, who because of our faith and good works, will say, "Well done, though good and faithful servant."

Thomas S. Monson

Blisters

I didn't get to much running in over the weekend due to the fact that we were moving. So when I ran my measly 3 miles today, I was a little shocked that my blister spot was bugging me. I thought it was getting better and tougher. I guess I was wrong. I usually run in Mizunos but this last pair of shoes I bought are Asics. Not sure what to think of it all, besides....OUCH!

Hmmmm.....

I am moving this weekend, so before I tear the computer apart and stuff it into a box for who knows how long, I wanted to post something........... Not sure what.. but I will think of something. Hmmmmmmm.......

I guess I will just update you on my workout routine.

I told you before that my friend Wendy and I are following a weight lifting plan from the book "The new Rules of Lifting for Women" and we have finished two weeks (she is one week ahead of me) I really like this plan. I only lift three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. My workout consists of two sets of five different workouts. When you time it and do it just the way the book tells you to, I am done with in about 20 min. I know, nice huh? I can already feel a difference as well. and Wendy said the same thing.

I am still running on the treadmill, which does not bother me to much. I am hoping once we are in the house and the time changes, so it is not so dark when I get up to leave, that I will start pounding the road again. For now I am content and happy with the treadmill. Last week I was sick, I only logged 6 miles. As of tonight I have logged 13 miles. I plan on running 5 tomorrow and then about the same on Saturday.

I have cut out almost all sweets, which is really hard for me. I have a very large sweet tooth. Tomorrow is my little Morgies birthday and we had cake and Ice cream tonight (moving tomorrow) and I had about three bites of my cake and couldn't finish, and I didn't even try the ice cream. I was sick. Really.. I was. I am trying to decide if that is a good thing or bad. (I really know the answer)

One last thing.. My new Running shoes gave me a blister the first couple of times I wore them. My blister is almost gone. yeah!

Marathon Mommies

Look at some of this cute stuff I found while surfing around on running blogs. What do you think? Should I order the decals? And which shirt?

You can customize this decal with the number of kids you have. What do you say Maria? Should we tell the world we are Marathon Mommies? I love that it has the kids running behind the mom. Taylor has been wanting to run lately. I will take her up to the school parking lot and she runs laps around while wearing my GPS watch, she loves to keep track of her time, and distance. We even got her some running clothes. ;) Morgan gets so angry because she can't keep up, she ends up sitting on the sidewalk crying her eyes out.
Which shirt do you all think I should get?

You can find these items at the Marathon Mommy blog spot, click here.

10 Reasons Why Running is Better then Reality TV

I found this on one of the Running sites I frequent. I thought it was funny. I changed Numbers 8, 6, 4 and 3, because his were lame and I made it a bit more personal.

10 Reasons why Running is better then Reality TV

10) At the end of my run I don't have three judges telling me how bad my form was.
9) My "catwalk" has cobblestones and is covered with trees.
8) I don't have 10-12 other competitors planning my eviction, I choose when I am finished.
7) My runs have never been "a little pitchy, dog."
6) In my running world I can Out wit, Out last and Out play my last race, or bad running day.
5) Sometimes there are more interesting freaks on the road than on TV...now that's reality!
4) I am never "Eliminated from The Race" unless I choose to be.
3) The "Stars I Dance" with are my 7 & 3 year old when I walk in the door from a long run.
2) Hell's Kitchen is running on a July day in my neighborhood.

and, the number one reason running is better than reality TV...
1) No Simon Cowell!!!

I have to admit though, and don't boo me of stage, but I have kind of missed Simon. I am looking forward to a new season of American Idol.

Here is a list of some of my favorite Reality shows I watch:
* The Biggest Loser
* Survivor
* Dancing with the Stars
* The Amazing Race
* The Bachelor (ette)
* Big Brother
* The Next Food Net work Star
I know I need to get help.

New Rules of Lifting for Women

My friend Wendy told me about this book called "New rules of lifting for women". I have not read it yet, but she has. I ordered mine and it should be here next week. We are going to follow this three day lifting plan, we start Monday. I will let you all know how the book is and how the works outs are.

Also, if you look at my side bar you will see that I have a "How many can you do?" badge. I found this link on one of the running sites I read, and this man started a 100 push-ups plan. After you take the initial test, you figure out where you are and which plan will work best for you. Then you follow his 6 week plan and by the 7Th week you should be able to finish 100 push-ups with minimal rest breaks. I am starting mine on Monday. He claims it is a great work out because, it is free, it works your upper body and it works your core, and hello..... I need all the work to my core as possible.

Finding the REAL me.....

I read an awesome post on another Runner's blog. She referred to building a running life to building a house. I feel like she wrote it just for me, so to give you a better idea, I just went ahead and posted her words exactly.

"Back in January, I received a wonderful email from a woman named Susan. She was writing to tell me that she had just started running and while looking for inspiration she had come across my blog. She made a comment in the email about wondering if she was "built" for the whole running thing.In my response to her, I made the analogy that building a running life is just like building a house. We need to lay a good strong foundation, pick a design that works for for each of us individually, and make the framework solid. Then we can mix and match to suit our styles - change the wall color, change the flooring - whatever we want. Sometimes things break during the building process, and that's OK...because as long as we tend to the leak before the roof caves in, we can still keep building. If we don't tend to the leak, we may have to postpone the project longer than we wanted to or worse, start rebuilding from the ground up.

I have recently found myself strengthening my weakened foundation.Over the past year, it was all I could do to maintain the rough framework of my running 'house.' At the end of May, I began to thicken the layers, slowly adding pieces back on. Twelve weeks in to the process, and I'm beginning to resemble the runner I used to know. I've still got lots of construction ahead of me, but I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and swing the hammer a little harder.

I hope you can take your time building *your* house and make your love affair with running last a lifetime. Be inspired by other 'home owners' - but don't get caught in the trap of comparing yourself to others. You do what you can do, do what's right for your 'home' and the rest will fall in to place."

So there you have it.... This blog is intended to track my process, good or bad, to the runner I use to be. I have never stopped running completely, or stopped thinking about when or where the next marathon would be, but I have lost the REAL runner in me this summer. My plan is to somehow find her again before it is to late. To late for what you ask? Before I forget what it felt like to cross the finish line in the Boston Marathon. Before I forget the sound of my own shoes pounding out the pavement. Before I forget what it feels like after waking up at 5am and heading out the door when it feels like you are the only one awake. Before I forget what it feels like after you have just run 20 miles on a Saturday morning.

Now you might ask.... Why do you want to remember that? Well My Friends, because it is what makes me, me. And I feel that somehow with this move to Ky, I have lost that part of me, and to be honest, I think it is my favorite part of who I am.

How bad do I Suck?

So this morning the Alarm goes off, I hit snooze once and then jumped out of bed. I was pretty excited to get out and run in the fresh Kentucky air. It has cooled off alot and I was excited to not feel so much hot humidity. I get dressed, throw my cute Boston '08 hat on, and head to the Kitchen. I take my three ibuprofen that I always down right before I run. My GPS is ready to go and so am I. I unlock the door and walk out onto the front porch. The first thing I notice is that is is REALLY chilly, and then I notice it is REALLY dark and then I notice it is REALLY Foggy. You know in the movies that take place in the deep South, and the camera will scan over a farm or empty Field and there is a layer of misty fog? That is what it felt like. Except it DID NOT feel peaceful. To be Honest I was a bit creeped out, and since I Don't have my pepper spray yet, I started to feel all panicky. I have developed this somewhat new thing for me since moving to Kentucky, and it is called Anxiety. I get it over the strangest things, like going to Wal-mart, talking on the phone, going to Church, and I guess running in the misty Fog. So I turned around and went back up to bed for thirty minutes until it was time to get Taylor ready for school. I went to the gym at 8:30 and suffered through another 4 miles on the treadmill and then lifted my legs.

THE END!

Monday's Run....

I set my alarm to go off at 5:55 AM, and it went off when it was suppose to. However, I didn't check it last night to see if the volume was up. The girls watched a movie on my room last night and I think my cute little 3 year old played with my alarm clock. So by the time I woke up and looked at the clock I didn't have time to get out the door and have a decent run before i had to wake up the 7 year old and get her ready for school and out the door. ( she wakes at 7 and out the door at 7:30) So I went to the YMCA and ran 3 miles on the treadmill. They have child watch which starts at 8:30. So little Morgie and I make it there about then. I usually don't mind running on the treadmill, I think it is the lazy part of me, but the YMCA here is so HOT. There are no fans to circulate the air and I feel like I am going to DIE. UGH... Oh well, at least I got a few miles in, RIGHT?

My new Purchase's

I just want to share some of my new purchases I made last night. I buy most of my running shoes, apparel and items from RunningWarehouse.com.

I bought this super nice Waterproof Jacket. I need one big time here in Kentucky. It rains alot more then in Utah, and when it rains here, boy does it rain.

I usually run in The Mizuno Creation, but decided to go back to the Asics Gel, and give it another try. I found these in Pink.

I use to always run with a thing of pepper spray around my hand, but earlier this year while training for The Boston Marathon, It slipped out and I never saw it again. I decided I needed to purchase another one.

When I am running a long run, i will drink both water and Gatorade. I have heard about this Accelerade, and decided to give it a try. It is suppose to help speed recovery.

And then for fun, I got this cute T-Shirt to wear around and lounge in. I don't have a close family member or friend that has gone through Breast Cancer, but someday I might. I want to show my support today.

Running Far and Strong

This is going to be a blog for me to post all of my running thoughts, efforts, accomplishments, and races. Running is on my mind 24/7, yet I never blog about my running on our Family blog. I think the reason for this is because I am certain that all though my readers love the fact that I run, they don't want to hear about it all the time. They would rather know what is going on with the girls and the fun and silly things they say. So I have started this blog for....me, and for anyone who wants to know what I think about when I run, or why I love it so much. I am hoping that having to post my miles, times, and efforts, I will be more motivated to keep up my running. Since moving to Ky, I have only run a handful of times. It is not because I don't LOVE it anymore, it is not Cause I don't want to. I simply have fallen out of the habit of early morning runs, because I haven't been training for a marathon this summer, which I usually do. And being that I AM NOT a morning person, getting back into the habit with out a running buddy (I miss you Mindy) to meet up with at 5:30 AM, makes it incredibly hard to roll out of bed and run in a new town, with new roads, the humidity and loneliness. I am determined to get my lazy arse back out the door no later then 6:00 Am every morning. After I do it for a week straight, I will be in more of a habit. So wish me luck....