winning and losing

With temps in the low teens at noon, and -4 when I wake up.... I have been hitting the treadmill for the last week. I have to admit, I really don't mind the treadmill. The first few runs kind of mess with my head, but after a week.... I am settling into a routine and only missed half of my long run on Saturday, due to needing to be a mommy. ;)

After my 7 miler today, I had a gentlemen next to me ask if I had won my race. I laughed, because I guess I did. I felt great today and really felt as though I could have run forever. I sweat like a pig on the treadmill and it makes for some gnarly chaffing. yuck. I like that I can play with my speed, and the incline to make for a more entertaining workout. I don't own a treadmill, so I hit the YMCA. I am such a people watcher. Running for over an hour on the mill, at the YMCA makes for some great people watching. I am scheduled for 14 miles this weekend. I pray it warms up enough for my wimpy butt.

As for the Sporty Girl Giveaway I posted about last week... guess what?!?! I won. Wahoo. Time to shop for some bling to showcase my passion. I love winning. As for losing, the only thing I like to lose is weight... which I have been doing well at. YAY ME! Double yay to The Biggest Loser Finale on tonight. Go Aida. I will be tuning in after my 5 year old's Christmas program at school. Did y'all watch the Biggest Loser Marathon last week? I love that episode. Even though I have run 13 marathons, it is still so motivating to watch them cross the finish line.

The hubby is still doing well in his half marathon training. He ran 6 miles last week, his longest run ever. I am so proud of him. Also, my twin sister started her marathon training to run her first full in April.... which I will be able to run with her. So exciting.

RUN FAR!

Give away....

me me me... I want one.

Holy crap. Go check out this super cute athletic jewelry by Sporty Girl.

Stacey over at Runner Girl is having a giveaway I want the race bracelet.

I am not sure which marathons I would put on the tags.... I think 13 tags would be a bit much. Maybe Boston '08, STG '07 and RUN FAR.... huh??? I will have to think about it.

Time to fix it.....

Hello, my name is Janice and it's been 3 1/2 months since my last post.

Funny how my last post was on August 10th and I was posting about being a blog slacker. I have kind of fallen apart since my last post... physically, mentally, Spiritually and emotionally. I am working on getting this all back to normal. I focused on the Spiritual side and the mental side first. The emotional part is kind of being fixed just by fixing the other stuff. Time to fix the physical part. I am embarrassed to admit I have gain a lot of weight since July. I have not been watching my calories, and I have not been running or exercising like I use to. Time to fix that and get it together. Not the best time of year to get focused on LOSING weight, but I have to. I want to run a marathon on March 12th and training started like... last week.... eek. I was able to squeak out 7 miles this morning. It was slow compared to where I was 6 months ago. Time will fix that too. I have also been checking out the marathon calender for 2011 and I am thinking about running 3 marathons in April.

March 12th Land between the Lakes marathon, Grand Rivers, Ky
April 3rd Knoxville, TN
April 16th Salt Lake City
April 30th Kentucky Derby

I am also looking at a few in May and June. I figure... "train" for one marathon and then squeeze a few in and kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Or maybe I am just a little crazy with a few screws loose. ;)
Since my last post, we have moved. The hubby got a new job at a bigger hospital. We are still in Ky, but moved 4 hours west. So far so good. I am hanging in there and trying to not think about myself... except when it comes to running. I think I may have convinced the hubby to train and run his first half marathon.... He is a busy guy so "time" will tell.

Which races are you planning on running in 2011?

marathon #13.... and other stuff

Why yes, I am a blog slacker.

I had a fabulous trip to Utah.... of course. It couldn't be anything but fabulous. I was able to see plenty of family and friends. My cup (heart) was running over with joy by the time I went home.

Just a few things we did... bullet point version.

* Sisters retreat. (I have 6 sisters, 2 sister in laws and a wonderful mother, and 1 niece that made it this year for our 10Th annual retreat in southern Utah.)

* Hiked Angels Landing at Zion National

* Saw "Tarzan" at the outdoor theater (H.O.T)

* met up with this amazing lady (Stacy).... most of you know her as Runner Girl. Check her out. She is amazing. We were able to have dinner, chat it up and she came with us to see "Tarzan"

* Swim with lots of cousins

* Lunch out with family members

* Do plenty of hair cuts

* Play Bunco with my twin sisters group of lady friends

* Run my 13Th marathon with my older sister, Maria. It was fabulous. We had such a great time. I loved every minute of this marathon. OK, the last mile was torture for me. Hot, and I was hitting the wall fast.

* girls night out.... miss my peeps

* date night with my hubby and his family members.... I was missing him after a week and a half

* My hubby's sister is a photographer and she took our family pictures. They turned out great....

Here are some pictures of the Deseret News marathon (in Salt Lake City) I ran with my sister. It was an early start, very DOWNhill, It got super hot toward the end of the race, but all in all, I loved it. Of course this may have something to do with the fact that my hubby, twin sister and niece met us along the course at 3 different spots and gave us ICE cold water, Gatorade and salty treats. Between the two of us, we ended up stopping 7 times along the course. We were not in any kind of a hurry to get to the finish line. We enjoyed being together and running a race TOGETHER for the first time. We still managed to finish in 4:08. I was pretty pleased with our time. Here I am catching ICE that my sister was throwing at us as we approached. YUM-

Here we are at the finish line. Hot and very sweaty.... and very happy to have crossed the finish line together.

Des News marathon

In 2 weeks I am running the Deseret News marathon in Salt Lake City. That's right folks..... a July 24Th marathon in Utah. What the heck was I thinking? Oh that's right. Vacation+Sister+marathon= awesomeness. Can you tell I am super stoked about running #13 with my super cool older sister?!?! She is only older by 16 months, but she is still older. This is Maria while running her last 50 miler.... yes, that is snow behind her.

She is amazing. Maria just recently ran her 4Th 50 mile Ultra marathon. She inspires me everyday to be a better mother, sister, wife, friend and runner. If you have been reading my previous posts, you will wonder what happened to the twin sister, who was also suppose to be running this marathon with us, as her first 26.2..... well, let's just say ITB... ya, sucks.

This marathon takes place on one of the hottest days of the year for Utah. It also happens to be on a state Holiday, so the last few miles are run down a huge parade route. The race starts up the canyon, so it will be about 50 degrees to start, but will warm up quickly. It is a fairly small marathon. I think I read somewhere that it only has about 500 runners each year. Needless to say, I am still very excited and feel ready. Well, after tomorrow's 22 miler, I will feel ready. Hope the humidity stays low. Good luck to all you runners racing this weekend.

question

Any of you other runners who are suffering through this awful humidity.... I have a question for y'all. Does the humidity slooooow you down? I have felt as though I have slowed down my average speed so much in the past 6 weeks or so. The only thing I can think of is the humidity. Growing up in Utah and living there until just 2 years ago, I am just not use to it. I hate it. It makes for a loooong and hard run. I find I lose my energy faster. I feel as though it is sucking the life out of me. Any of you other runners feel this way?

B.L.A.H.

HUMIDITY + LONG RUN + POURING RAIN = BLAH

It has been so humid here the past couple weeks. I know other parts of the country get it a lot worse the Ky, but where I grew up in Utah and then moving to Ky 2 years ago, it is still a shock to my system. BLAH. I got up at 5:30 to run and still was slapped in the face with humidity and rain. Blah.

It has been over a month since my last post. You may be wondering what I have been up to. Hmmmm, nothing. Running and trying to keep my kids busy and keep them from whining. I love/hate summer break. I fly to Utah in a month and I will be running marathon #13 in Salt Lake City with at least one of my sisters. My twin sister was training for it, (her first) and then her ITband went wacky. I suffered from ITband about 8 years ago, and went through a month of PT. She can't run at all right now and so she most likely wont be able to run with us on July 24Th.

My hubby has started running since my last post. He started out slow at about an 11 min pace an now he is between a 9:30- 10:00 min pace. In a month. He is up to 4 miles, but he is suffering from shin splints, so he has backed down. We are picking him up some new shoes next week. Should help. He was also having some trouble breathing and I kept telling him to be patient, it would get better. Well, he started to have tightness in his chest and talked to one of the doctors he works closely with, and they decided it was exercise induced asthma. So he is using an inhaler and it has helped tremendously. YAY! How great it will be to get him trained and doing a 10k and then maybe eventually a half/full.

Hitting the wall, from a kid's point of view...

I have the most wonderful friend who I can count on. She is so kind and always willing to take both my girls when I ask her too. So when I asked her to take my girls while I was in Cincinnati for the marathon, she of course was happy to help me out. They had a great time and of course played till they were worn out. They also attended a Derby party, where the kids all picked the horse of choice and also hit a pinata shaped as a horse. So cute. Anywho.... When we picked up the girls, and as we were driving home, Greg and I were chatting about my race and I said something about HITTING THE WALL..... well my hilarious little 4 year old asked....

"Mom, you hit the wall? Is that why you have a bruise on your elbow?" lol ~

I didn't even have a bruise. She just assumed I had really run into a brick wall. Kids say the funniest things. I did how ever feel as though I had truly run into a brick wall..... all week. This was my 12th marathon and also the hardest recovery. I have been so sick, and my legs have been toast. More then usual. UGH.... No wonder I didn't BQ.... something is up with my body right now. I have qualified before (twice) and I know I will again... hopefully sooner then later.

On a happy note... we are running in a 5K tomorrow morning. It is going to be my 9 year old's first, and my husbands. I will post all about it on Monday. We just need to figure out what we are going to do with the 4 year old while we are running... maybe my trusty friend can come watch her for me... ha ha

Flying Pig race report.

This wont be a long post. Short and simple.
It rained and it poured and there was even thunder and lightning at the start. We were soaked before the race even started. I started with the 3:40 pace group. Lost them at 6, when we started with the hills. From 6-8 it is almost constant hills. At about mile 8 the hilliest part of the course was over. But there were still more little hills to come. I caught up to the 3:40 group at mile 12. Stayed with them till 16.5ish... and by mile 17 I was having a hard time keeping up. I knew I had to slow my pace. I was so mad. I was fighting with anger, and doubts and frustration. By mile 18.5 I told myself it was OK to not BQ. Once I agreed with myself... I was fine. I settled into a new pace, and felt happy. I did slow down a touch more as the miles went on. My left hip was killing me, I couldn't stop and walk through the water stations anymore because it was to hard to get running again. At mile 24 the 3:50 pace group passed me and I thought I could keep up with them... nope. So I slowed back down to my 9:30 pace and just finished.

3:51:06... avg of an 8:50 pace... not my best, but not my worst.

I am a little bummed I didn't BQ, but considering I had been sick all week, the hilly course, and the rain and really my lack or training... I am happy with my time and I am even happier that I am able to run. I am so lucky and blessed to be a runner and to love it. I am amazed each time I cross the finish line that I am able to push myself for 26.2 miles. (garmin said 26.5)

So whats next you ask? Marathon #13 will be in Utah with 2 of my sisters. Frances, my twin, will be doing her first full. We are running the Deseret news marathon on July 24Th in Salt Lake City. I am so excited about this one. No pressure at all. Just 3 sisters running together and crossing the finish line together... no matter what. I will have to wait to BQ in Sept or Oct, and I will find a much flatter/faster course. Greg was standing above me on an over pass thingy, and so the pictures are from a distance. Here are a couple. He took them with the super fast shutter speed option... so I have about 30 shots of me running. It's fun to scroll through them fast on the camera and watch myself run.

Crossing the Finish SwineWalking back to the hotel, I made him take one of me with my medal.

Bring on the Flying Pigs

Everyday for the last month I have been receiving an email notification, informing me how many days till the FLYING PIG MARATHON. Today it says 2 days till race day. (More like 2 days and 17 hours) Am I ready??? Maybe.

I want to feel ready. I didn't REALLY train for this marathon, as far as time. I trained for a half marathon which was at the end of March and after that race, I realized it was time to register for the Pig. I was also very behind on my long runs. So basically my training for this marathon was one 20 miler, then a 10, then a 23 miler. Ya... not the best idea. I am still holding out for a decent time.

Also, this week I have been fighting a little head cold. I seem to always come down with something during taper. What is up with that? My last few runs have kind of sucked rocks, and my 25 min swim yesterday was not to much fun either.

The weather is also showing Scattered thunderstorms. hmmm, could be fun.

Aunt flow will be visiting that day as well. Lucky me.

So my plan for race day is to stick with the 3:40 pace group until I just can't hang on any longer. I really hope I come in under 3:40:59.... BQ baby. If I don't, no biggie.

Did I mention this is marathon #12? This is also the Pigs 12th annual marathon. How great.

Good luck to all my other fellow racers this weekend. Make it a good one.

The ultimate running athletes

Have you ever been to a horse race? They are so much fun. My husbands Grandpa and his new wife were out visiting from Utah, and we were able to take them to the Keenland horse races. My friend's hubby is the general manager of one of the local horse farms, and they hooked us up with box seats. The view was awesome, and we had a great time. Eric, my friends hubby, taught us how to bet, and we tried to understand the process... we didn't win anything, but we had fun trying.

These Thoroughbred race horses are gorgeous and they are some cut, and healthy creatures. When I come back in my next life, I want to come back as a Thoroughbred here in the Bluegrass of Kentucky. They are treated like royalty. We also took them to tour the Adena Springs Horse farm, (which is the Farm Eric runs) where we watched a breeding... that is always a good time. My little 9 year old picked this horse below to win it's race. She told her dad to bet on him, and he didn't. This horse ended up winning and she was so mad at her dad for not listening.

Boston

I crossed that Boston Finish line 2 years ago.

Had the time of my life there, even with a terrible run (stomach bug). Even with the stomach issues, I had a great time. My qualifying time was a 3:27 and my Big Boston marathon time was a disappointing 4:15. I have some unfinished business there. I am hoping to qualify on May 2ND when I run the Flying Pig marathon. This is the first time I have really said this out loud, because I haven't wanted to jinx it. If I don't BQ in Cincy, then I will sometime this year. I know I have it in me again. I would just love to get it out of the way, so my other marathons can be a bit more enjoyable.

So Congrats and good luck to all running Heartbreak hill. Enjoy your experience.

I love me a great long run.

Today for my long run, I was hoping for 20-22 miles. I was a little anxious about my run. Some weekends, I just get nervous about running alone. Have I told y'all I train alone? I do. I don't mind it most runs, but occasionally, I think it would be nice to have someone who lives around me, who runs my same pace-ish. I love running, and I love training for marathons, so I don't give up.

I love running, and today was no different. I ran and I ran and I ran... alone. I was able to make it 23 miles... alone. hee hee. My feet, toes, legs and mind are tired. I choose to do my long runs on Saturdays, because church is at 9:30 Am on Sundays, and I don't want to run after. I feel terrible I choose running over yard work, family fun, and over nighters on Fridays. My hubby will get so much finished in the time I run 20 miles. He cleans the house, gets the kids ready, does some yard work, and will be showered before I am done running on a Saturday morning. I feel guilty. Do any of you feel this way? If so, what do you do, to make up for it?

P.S. The hubby never complains about my running so much. He loves it. I love him.

I want to give a shout out to my girl Stacey. If you don't read her blog, (click here) you really should. She has a goal of running 40 marathons by the time she turns 40... in 14 months. She has 25 marathons to run till then. She is so amazing. Today she ran marathon #16, in Salt Lake City.

Flying Pig.....& All about the ladies.

My next race (marathon #12) is the Flying Pig Marathon on May 2ND, in Cincinnati. I ran this marathon last year, but it was 8 days after I ran Kentucky derby. Remember last year Kentucky Derby was super hot, and miserable... then 8 days later ran the Flying Pig... I ran both races in the same exact time to the minute. 4:23.... I am hoping to beat that time this year in Cincinnati. Unless something terrible happens, I am certain I will.
I want to run this ALL women's Half Marathon, In Nashville, TN this Sept. I went to register last night, to receive the early bird price of $50..(or first 250)... to late... So I will be waiting a few weeks... the price goes from $85 to $90 on June 1st... May 31st, I will register. :)Look at the goodie bag you receive and the the super cute medal with charm in the center. I can not wait to run this race. I will also get to meet one of my bloggy friends "Runner Mom".

half marathon post race post, and my hubby must really love me.

Kristal-Tracy-Shana-Tera-Joe-...bottom...Jamie (think that is her name) Me- Wendy (we are missing a few of our YMCA family... just didn't find them before the race) I forgot my camera, so this is the only picture we have of us. It was taken with an iphone. I look like such a dork. The back row is up on a sidewalk and I was in front slouching and made myself look like a hunch back. Terrible.

Good things:
*My hubby and my twin sister were both there to cheer me on.
* Had lots of friends from the YMCA to meet up with.
* Didn't have to stay in a hotel the night before.
* Couldn't have had more fun cheering for my friends across the finish. For most of them, this was their first.
* The honey on the wheat rolls at the finish line.
* Beat my goal time of 1:50... crossed in 1:45. 10th in my age group out of 222.
* Beautiful and scenic course......Lexington is the horse capital of the world, rolling green HILLS.

Not so good things:
* The parking (getting in and out)
* Hilly Course..... but really that is all I train on around here.
* The finish line timing clock was on the wrong side, so you had to cross the finish line and turn around to see the time. How lame is that.
* It rained the entire race..... of course the sun was out shining by the time I got home.
* With the rain was a cold, wind... ugh.

I did have fun, and I am very pleased with my time. I loved cheering for my friends, and they all did such a great job. So proud of them.

For five weeks my hubby and twin sister had a little surprise up their sleeves. Last Wed my twin and her two daughters flew in from Utah, and surprised the girls and I. They did so well keeping it a secret. I did however figure it out the day before they got here, but the girls were pleasantly surprised. We have had a great time. My oldest turned 9 on Saturday, so it was nice to have family here to celebrate. They go home tomorrow. Sadness.

Lexington Half Marathon

My next race is going to be the Lexington Half Marathon. I am so excited about this one. I live just minutes from Lexington (Ky) and I am thrilled I will be able to sleep in my own bed the night before. I think this is the first race over a 10K where I have been able to do that. I always travel to my races and end up on a friends couch/floor or a hotel room. I have several girl friends from the Y (trained for the Tri with these lovely ladies) who have been training and are also running this half. For most of them, it's their first half. It has been so exciting for me to watch them turn into runners... (not that they love/like it) The race is March 28Th, and I am very excited to get out there and do my thing. I also need to decide which Full marathons I will be running this year. Not exactly sure why I haven't done this yet, but it's partly because I am just lazy. :) I think I will do the Kentucky Derby Full marathon again at the end of April, but I know I am way behind on my miles and where I should be at this point.

huh, oh well. I will be fine.

First Tri = SUCCESS

I did it. I finished, and I had the time of my life. I am in love with this thing called the Triathlon. It might have only been an indoor, but it was so much fun. All my Y girls kicked some serious trash. My goal for the swim was 20 laps, I got 21. YAY. My goal for the bike was to hit 6.5 miles, because that is what I was able to do in the Mock Tri's.... once I got on the bike, the tension felt great, I decided to tank the bike part a little and save my legs for the run... dumb idea, I know. I got 5.8 miles on the bike.... didn't place well on this event. Then for the run, I wanted to hit about 52 laps on the tiny little track (18 times for a mile) I was hurting on the run. My legs were tired at first, the kind of loosened up, but my belly up into my shoulders were on fire. I was hurting. I felt as though I was dragging a$$... When I finished, my counter told me I ran 59 laps, I was shocked. I will take it. There were 13 women who completed the race, and I came in 2ND. I was very happy with that. My friend Brenda, who has been coaching all us ladies, came in 1st, and my best buddy Wendy, came in 3rd. It was so much fun. After the race, I decided to do my 10 miler. I was a little worried I would drag because of the tri, but I felt great. 10 miles after a Tri in 1:25.. not to bad.

Top row: Debra, Kristal, Brenda (1st) Cathy Bottom row: Wendy, (3rd) Shana, Me (2ND)
This is a pic of the girls I workout with at the Y and who I have done most of the training with.

Ready or Not....

Ready or Not... the Tri is Saturday.

I am so excited. I couldn't sleep last night. We have done 4 Mock Tri's and I have felt awesome with each one. This last Monday I improved my run from 50 laps to 52 laps in 20 min. My swim didn't feel as though it was improving, but today I got in the pool and swam for 20 min. The first 10 I warmed up and just focused on my breathing and on my arms. The last 10 min I pushed it hard, and did 11 laps. That is my fastest... YAY.....

So ready or Not... Here I come. I am addicted.

I received some goodies in the mail today, and I will be testing and posting a review soon.

Mock Tri #1

I did it. I made it through 20 min of swimming, 20 min of biking and 20 min of running. Can I just tell you..... IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. I loved it. During my swim practices, I have already run, or lifted weights, so today it was nice to be fresh and 100% ready for the water. My goal for the swim is 20 laps in 20 min. I think I did that today. Think?? ya, well I lost track, so I was either 19 or 20 laps.. I'll take 20.

We rushed into the locker room, changed into our cardio gear. We made our way into the spin room, and jumped on our bikes which were pre-set at the tension we will have on race day. I guess the man who set the tension puts them on what he claims is a 5.... girls who did this Tri last year, say it feels more like a 7, so we are training on a 7. It is tough for me to hold a 7 at the RPM's I want for 20 min. I have some work to do. The bike was the hardest on me for this reason. We can't touch the tension at all, and they watch us and time us, and check the pedometer on the bike before and after to see how far we go. We didn't check our distance today. Maybe during next weeks mock.



So like I said before the run is on he indoor track. It is a tiny track. 18 laps make a mile. I have never really run up there for more then a few laps to warm up for boot camp. I stayed on the hills of Brenda, who is the person who won the entire thing last year. She rocks! Our first mile was 7:11... wow, then she said the 2ND mile was 7:33 or something like that. We were 4 laps shy of 3 miles. So we decided our goal for race day is 3 miles. That is 54 laps around the track. We are going to try running with little clickers. The run was not to as bad as I thought it would be. I was very happy with it.



We had so much fun that we decided to try it again.... 2 more times before March 13Th. :)



So my sister received her package today, so I can tell you what I ordered. I didn't say in my last post because I sent her my old one and I knew if she knew what I ordered, she would figure it out, and I didn't tell her what I had sent. Anywho.... I got me a new GPS watch. YAY!!!!

I got the Garmin 405. I didn't ever use the heart rate monitor with my old one, so I ordered just the watch, No heart rate monitor. I haven't run with it yet, but I already love it. I am running long tomorrow, so I will be able to test it then.

Running Warehouse

I love to use runningwarehouse.com to order my running shoes and clothes. Of course I like to try the shoes on first, but when I find the shoe I want, I order from here. They are always at least $10 cheaper and it's free shipping all the time. I also receive my package within 2 days, always.... it may say 8-9 days but I get in within 2 days... I am in Ky, they are in Ca (i think) They were really good with me when I had to send back a pair of shoes last year too. Last night I ordered me some Roctane (GU) and some Luna Moon chews (yum). I also got me a new somethin somethin... but I can't tell you all just yet... I will in a few days when my twin sister receives her package I just mailed today, to UT...... she is going nuts not knowing what is in the package. I sent her a Web cam, which she knows about, so we can Skype (I miss her dearly) plus a little surprise. I love you Franny. After I made my order I started looking at the New Balance, Breast Cancer awareness line, on the running warehouse.com site. Oh my word. I need these shorts, ($23.95)

and this shirt ($14.95).... They are cheap too. Maybe this weekend I can butter up the hubby and make another order. I love to run in slightly longer shorts, and this top is so cute. What do you think?

Thursday we wont be having Yoga class, because the instructor is in the process of moving. The sub is also out of town. So a few of us girls from the Y are going to have a mock Tri. I am so excited, because I want to get an idea of what to expect on March 13Th when we have the REAL tri here at the Y. Have I mentioned it's a 20 min swim, 20 min bike (on the spin bikes) and 20 min run on the very short indoor track. (18 laps makes a mile) yikes

Last week my friend timed a few of us in the pool for 20 min. I was able to swim 19.5 laps. WOW. I surprised myself with this. Remember, I just started swimming a little over a month ago. I hope to get a full 20 laps on race day. Not sure what to expect on the bike, because I only bike during spin class, and it is still only once or twice a week. The run is going to be tricky on the indoor track too. I hope to run 2.5 miles, but not sure I can do it on the stuffy, short, congested track. I will let you know how Thursday goes. Prayers my way would be wonderful. tee hee

just some stuff..............

I have been MIA lately due to NO INTERNET... argh. We have been in the process of switching providers and no Internet for me. Back online today, with faster, super speedy Internet. :)

Updates....

Still swimming, and loving it. I am swimming about twice a week, and feeling better with each swim. My friend from the Y is going to start teaching me flip turns.... yikes. This will be nice. I feel like such a newbie (OK I am a newbie) when I touch the wall and turn like a child. hee hee.

I snagged me some new kicks the other day. I have needed some new shoes for a while and finally dug into the check book and picked some out. I love them. The last few pair have been the Asics Kayano's, but I heard the 16's were not so great. I decided on the Asics Nimbus and I am happy with them. Two days after buying them I ran 12 miles in the new beauty's. Felt great and now I am thinking about snagging another pair for the other days. (like to switch my shoes each day)

I came down with a little cold last week. It didn't turn into much of anything but annoying. I am flemmy and yucky all day every day. I feel like such a puke when I am at the Y in classes and snuffing and sniffing and sounding like a RHINO. errr. :)

My little Beagle (Nellie) got super sick a couple of weeks ago. She spent the night in the doggie hospital and they never really knew what was wrong with her. A few night later she got even sicker and started vomiting blood and even had it in her diarrhea. Poor baby. She is doing better now. Pretty sure it was something like "Gastritis" (sp?) She is doing better and I am looking forward to warmer, dryer days when she can run with me again.

My left foot has been bothering me. It's right where the toes bend. I think it is wanting to be a stress fracture, but I am hoping with new shoes and babying it, things will get better. :) Rest.... what's that?

'Shut up and Run'..... giveaway.

Have you ever bloggy met Miss "Shut up and Run"? She is Hilarious. She is also hosting a great giveaway sponsored by Champion (Target). Click here and check it out. I lover their sports bras and would love to try the long sleeve top and fleece jacket+ the pants sounds great. I need/want it all.

feeling good.....

Um, it was in the low 20's here this morning. I hate running in the cold, so I hit the dreadmill at the YMCA.... I don't mind the treadmill to much. I like it actually. I have a lot of friends at the Y, and the treadmill allows us to run 'together' but separate, (lol- now I sound like my 4 yr old speaking) For instance, today, I ran 7 miles on the treadmill, while my girl friend ran her 3 right next to me. We run at very different paces, so the treadmill gives us a chance to chat it up while getting our sweat on.

After the treadmill I jumped in the pool for a swim. I went 3/4 mile today, and felt GREAT doing it. I am really digging this swimming thing. I need new goggles.... mine really do a number on/around my eyes. I looked all puffy and funky for an hour after I finished. (the 4 yr old made sure I new I looked funny)

Headed back to the Y tonight, with the hubby. He will warm up while I do the abs class. Then we will hit the bikes for a 45 min Spin class. I love Monday's. I get to workout twice. :)

friendly.giving.motivator

I just had to let you all in on my new adventure. Not new to most of you, but something I have not done in several years and I am picking it back up. Swimming Laps..... I love it. There is this girl back home in UT, we use to be friends. She is a GREAT swimmer. We fell out of friendship love, and we don't really care for each other anymore. So every time I would think about swimming again, I would talk myself out of it, thinking..... "I don't want to be like her, nor do I want her to ever think I am trying to be like her". Well, I live 1500 miles away and I have also come to a place where I just don't care what she or anyone else thinks of me. (well I do, but I kind of don't) So with the new thinking of "Who gives a crap" I started swimming again. It has helped that I really really want to do this indoor Tri here at our YMCA. It is in about 5 weeks and I thought I had better get swimming. It's 20min swim, 20 min bike, 20 min run... hey I can so do this. So I started swimming last week. I am in heaven. Last week I swam Mon and Thur and it was tough. It took me 25 min to swim 1/2 mile. (I have to stop to catch my breath a lot) Monday I went again and I am not sure how long it took me, but I know it was closer to 20 min. YAY ME! Going to hit the pool again tomorrow. I might even push it and go 3/4 mile. :)

So, for the title of this post. Today was yoga day. I love yoga. It is very challenging for me. I can't really reach my toes and I hurt and shake and it just kills me to get through the 75 min. I do it for the stretching part of it. I don't really care for the head stands and funky upside down poses and things... I can't do them anyways. I still go and I feel as though it has helped. At one point in today's session, she had us meditate for about 2 min on 3 positive attributes we have. WOW.... I didn't realize how hard that was going to be for me. By the end of the 2 min I was tearing and runny nosing it a bit. It felt good to think about me, for a min. I came up with.....

Friendly.Giving.and Motivator.

I feel as though I am a friendly person, always willing to meet new people and except new friendships. I enjoy learning about other people and I try to show kindness and sincerity. I also feel as though I am a giving person, of my time, friendship, and anything else someone I care for might need or want of me. Sometimes this is not a good thing, but I feel as though I have controlled it pretty well. Lastly, Motivator.... I have been told by many, that I am a motivating factor in their decision to run a 5k or to even just start exercising. WOW, how nice of people to tell me this. But I have found it to be true in other ways as well. I am always the first one to push someone to try something new. A new hair cut, new outfit, new workout, and to motivate to push through the hard parts of life. I think today, I need to take my own advice. :) It's been a long week, and all I can think about is when I will be able to visit my friends and family next in UT. Not sure when that will be, but until then..... I will 'just keep swimming.'

feeling grateful

I am feeling very grateful for my body today. Most days all I can think about are the things I would like to change about how I look. Today, I am feeling blessed to have the health and strength to run the way I do, and to add all the extra workouts I enjoy on top of that.

My dad will be 70 this year and on Monday he had his left hip replaced. He has been in pain for many years but the last 6 months or so the hip has gotten more painful. He and my mom were serving a mission for our church and so he waited for it to be over to have the surgery. The mission ended in Dec, so they set the surgery up for this past Monday. He lives in Utah and it just kills me that I can't be there to visit him, to hug and kiss him, to support my mom. I have a huge family (6 sisters 2 brothers) so it's not like my parents are alone on the journey to physical free-ness (is that a word?) I love you dad..... heal up quickly so you can get back in that pool to swim laps and back on the streets taking those walks you enjoy so much.

While I was on the treadmill this morning at the Y, a man came in. He is in a wheelchair and he has had both legs amputated. I don't know him, I have never talked to him. I was making up all kinds of stories in my head about why he had to lose his legs. But then I started thinking about what an example he is to all of us. He is bound to a wheel chair day in and day out, yet here he is at the Y, hopping on and off his chair to different weight machines. I noticed that I was feeling a bit lighter and happier with each step I took. I am grateful for my body and I am even more grateful I enjoy staying active. I hope my love for physical fitness will rub off on my daughters.

I also have a few friends who are going through medical ups and downs right now. One friend, after 7 1/2 years, is being weened off her heart medicines. She is such a trooper and has come a long way. I am so proud of her and she inspires me daily. I have another friend who seems to never catch a break when it comes to medical issues for her and her family. She was given some crappy news last week about her 7 year old and also about her own health. I love these girls more then words can express, so I wont try. But they both inspire me to be a better mom, wife, and friend. Thanks for being such amazing women in my life and for being my friends. (you know who you are)

I am also very grateful for my husband. He works so hard for this family. He is always looking ahead and trying to make sure we are happy and healthy. I couldn't ask for a better husband. I am not the easiest women to live with and he sure puts up with a lot of crap. Thanks for loving me.

I'm not worthy

I have been the worst blogger lately. I rarely come by my blog, when I do, it's just to update my mileage tracker. I have been a slacker in reading other blogs as well. It's not that I don;t have the time, or that I don't want to read them... I love reading all of your blogs very much. I have just become a very lazy blogger. I try to post at least once a week on my family blog, so our families in Utah can view recent photos of my kids.... but I have been terrible on the ole running blog. I am struggling with finding anything worth the effort to blog about. My life is very... plain. I love my life, it is just very uneventful since moving to Ky. So I apologize. I wanted to thank you all for coming by and visiting and leaving me such sweet comments. I 'puffy heart' comments. So I have to say... I am NOT worthy of having 100 followers. WOW. Thanks. I will be catching up soon.

(((HUGS)))

what would you have done?

So Tuesday's are boot camp day. I went and had a great/hard workout. When I leave the Y on Tue I always sign up for Spin class the following morning. (Wed) I think there are only about 10 bikes and so I like to be sure I get one. Normally, the class is NOT full, but I sign up anyways. Well this morning I head out the door, and off to the Y, Drop off the 4 yr old at child watch and in and down stairs for Spin. I walk in and all bikes are taken but one... the broken one. WHAT THE HELL. The one day I don't get there early enough.... So I jokingly say, out loud, "OK, I signed up, who didn't" and then I laugh and walk out, up stairs to the dreadmill. I was planning on running after spin anyways, but I was looking forward to a beating on the bike as well. So annoyed and frustrated, I start the treadmill... Two ladies did come up stairs and offer me their bikes, but I was NOT about to take them. They told me they hadn't signed up and that I really should have the spot. I just couldn't get myself to be the Bitch who took over their bike. So I didn't get to spin today, and instead I ran 6 miles on the dreadmill. My chest was hurting and it kind of scared me, other wise I would have gone a little longer. Oh well....

So... what would you have done? Taken the bike? Gone to the administration? yelled? laughed it off? I really am over it... but I haven't blogged in 13 days and felt I needed to get something out there. I don't know how all you amazing bloggers come up with something to blog about day after day. My life is just way to boring.

10 miles for 2010

I ran my 10 miles for 2010 this morning.
When I left the house my little temp thingy said it was about 30 degrees.... this was with the sun beaming right on it. I checked the weather online and it was more like 20 degrees, and 57% humidity and a wind chill of... I am not sure, but OMGosh, it was cold.

I bundled up and headed out the door. I run alone, and today felt VERY lonely. The cold, and wind just really pissed me off today. I don't usually mind to much about running alone, but it seems on the first day of the year, while running 10 to celebrate 2010...... it was lonely. Oh well. I got it done and I was very happy about it. I didn't feel all that great. Heavy, sluggish and slow... not a great combo, especially when you are already miserable in the cold. I finished my run in 1:26 min.. not to bad, but I can usually finish a tad faster. Again... oh well. I jumped in the shower and it was such a strange feeling. I hadn't let my body temp rise to room temp, and so when the hot water hit my freezing cold skin, it just felt... not sure how to explain it.... weird. Then the skin started to itch.
Enough whining... I ran my 10 and I am very happy I did.
Happy New Year to you all and may 2010 bring love and happiness.