Hello Again!

I know it has been awhile.... So here is what has been going on in my running world.
YES!!! I am still running regularly. Now that the burning question is out of everyone's mind I can move on. I can't really remember the last thing I posted about, and being I am too lazy to click back and read my last post, I will just say what races have been done this year so far.
Besides a bunch of 5k's I did the Salt Lake Half in April, the Bryce Canyon half in July, and then the Park City half in August. I found something interesting, though. I didnt register for the Park City because it was closed by the time I got online to do it. But my friend was running it so I decided to just be a tag along. I figured since I didn't pay for it and wasn't getting a shirt then why gut myself trying to beat my time? So my friend and I ran it with her mom. Our pace was quite a bit slower but I have never had so much fun on a half marathon! I love that race and I will do it again next year. I will even pay for it! I have my eyes set on the Snow Canyon half in St. George at the beginning of November. This one I will do my best to beat my best time this year. So, if anyone wants to go along let me know! There is also a 5k so even if you are not up to a half there is still something for you to do and be involved!

It has been awhile

I have finally signed up for another half marathon. I didn't know if I would feel good enough to do it but I ran 8 miles (of hills) in AZ this past weekend in hot weather and felt great! So, I figured I can at least finish the Salt Lake half in 3 weeks. I am so excited but still a little nervous after the long siesta I have taken. But I have come across some great new running partners that help light that fire again. I know that I will not beat my best half time but hopefully I will beat my worst. Anyway, I can't make any promises that I will post again before then so wish me luck!

I know, I know, I know....

I have really let this blog dwindle. I don't update it nearly as much as I should but I find that I don't have a lot to talk about. Nothing earth shattering in the running world for me yet. (i.e. I haven't won the Boston and I haven't made it on the US team yet) I still need to register for Ragnar... I am such a procrastinator! Anywhoo, I did have a bit of an epiphany (did I spell that right?) the other day. Let's face it, I haven't ran a lot since I had surgery but I have been BUSY!! Lame excuse, I know. But I have started teaching a spin class 1-2 nights a week as well as hopping on our spin bike a couple times during the week at home. So the other night Ryan and I went to the gym. I decided I would run on the treadmill since my running shoes were feeling a bit neglected. I cannot tell you the difference in my run! I had so much more stamina! My leg turnover was quicker and I didn't tire near as easily as I thought I would. Now that I spin regularly I see how it really does compliment running. So, now I am all amped and pumped up to run regularly again. Just in time, too, since training for the Ragnar starts next month. So, if you feel as though you might need something else to help you running out, SPIN!

My Past weeks in Running (or lack of...)

Christmas is a very difficult time to get the motivation to work out. I worked out but when it came to running it didn't happen. I had surgery 2 weeks ago and something about recovery time didn't help that either. So, here I am. I ran last Friday- only 3 miles but it was on top of 3 inches of snow and ice so I am going to go ahead and say it was 6. I forgot how hard it is to run in the snow! But, I did it and felt good about it. This week I plan on doing better even though the kids are still out of school. Thank goodness for DVR'd shows and Rock Band to keep them occupied.

Turkey Trot and the running week!!

I know that I already posted this on my other blog, but it is only appropriate that I post on my running blog!

I finally did my first race of this year. I am so amped and ready to do farther distances. I am thinking maybe a half the first part of next year. Let me know if any of you have ideas for some around that time. (preferably closer to home) My time did end up a bit slower than the first time I did this race but that is ok. It won't be too difficult to get my time back down. I ran this with my friend Nicole and then found my good friend Nat (in the picture) while we were there. She is going to join my RAGNAR team with her husband, brother and dad! I think I have a full team now! YEAH!!!

Anywhoo, this past week was a good running week. I have hit all my runs without having negative running thoughts. Now back to my trip down memory lane. This one is from my days of only running on the treadmill before I started doing races. I was at Lifestyles gym running on the hamster wheel. There was a lady running about 3 treadmills away from me that caught her foot and tripped while running at a high pace. She tried to catch herself but her foot caught her leg AGAIN which caused her to flip around, land on her butt on the tread and then get booted off. For any of you who know me, I find such humor in things like this. I was laughing so hard I had to stop running. (She was fine, just a little tread burn so it was ok for me to laugh.) I couldn't run for about 5 minutes becuase I couldn't stop laughing.

WITH THAT SAID.... two weeks later I was running on the hamster wheel again, when MY FOOT caught the back of my leg and down I went. I grabbed the handles and tried to pull my legs back under me. After 6 strides and really loud banging I finally was able to pull my feet back under me.

I won't laugh at anyone ever again when they fall on the treadmill.

Running Week 11/24/08

This past week was CRAZY busy. I found that I had all sorts of motivation. I did all the runs I planned on as well as threw a couple of spin classes in the mix. I have started doing my long runs on Monday's. It seems to be the day I have the most motivation being that I had Sunday off from caring about running and what I eat. So Monday is damage control day. So, last Monday I finally got out and did a 6 mile run. I know it isn't far but you would be suprised how hard it is for me to break away to do more than a half hour run. I have the Turkey run on Thursday- my first race ALL YEAR! Pathetic, right? It is sad to me that I finally get all my motivation back when the warm weather moves out and the inversion sets in. Actually we have all been spoiled by the Indian Summer we have been experiencing. Maybe that is where the motivation comes from.

Anywhoo, back to memories of funny running experiences, my friend and I were getting ready to go on our long run. I had been having some pain in my knee so my friend said that she had IB800 I could take. So I went over to her house and she told me to go ahead and pull the medicine out of the cupboard and to get her one as well. So, I pull the 2 ibuprofens out, take mine with water and then put hers on the counter until she was ready for it. After she gets her shoes on she comes into the kitchen and asks where the pill is. I point to the one on the counter. She takes one look at it and says, "That's not the Ibuprofen- what did you take?" Aparently I don't read labels. I had pulled out her husbands amoxicillen and taken one.

Now, I have some great memories since moving down here and running. My "running partner gone prego" and I were on a 13 mile run through slush. I think the slush was 6 inches deep in some areas. We got really good at running in the car tracks, however, I still seemed to get soaking wet by mile 3. My shoes were sloshing with every step. It was miserable. And if that wasn't bad enough, "I had to go". We were in the middle of nowhere on a nice country road and the ONLY option I had was a ditch that sat about 3 feet off the road. So, I looked for a moment where we didn't see any cars coming and down I went. If someone would have driven by they would have seen a head sticking out of the ground. Luckily no one did.

Why I run...

I know that it really isn't time for an update, but I want to take a minute for a little reflection. I think that since I have been running and going to spinning a lot more my mood has been fantastic and I love everyone. Gotta love those endorphines, right? Anywhoo, it is my dad's birthday today. He is on his 15th year of his 49th birthday as he puts it. We hadn't had the closest relationship growing up and it wasn't until about 4 years ago that we really started to try and mend things. Since then I have been so greatful to have developed the relationship we have. He has had totally high cholesterol as well as blood pressure for several years. I have been so worried about him because I have a lot of years to make up and am not ready to let him go. I saw him the other day after a few months and realized that he has lost a lot of weight. He isn't running or doing anything drastic other than eating right and exercising. He looks SO GOOD! His blood pressure and cholesterol have both gone done and he was able to fire his fat coach. :) I even see a difference in his mood. He seems happier. I am so proud of him for making this goal in his life and accomplishing it. I almost wanted to put 100 lbs. so that he and I could go on the Biggest Loser together but now I don't need to. So this brings me back to why I run... I have always ran because, A) I don't want to gain weight, B) I enjoy the freedom I get from it C) It keeps me sain.
But after seeing what losing weight has done for my dad's health, I found that I need to add one more reason to my list and that is D) it keeps us around for our families who love us and worry about us.
This goes farther than just running, though. I need to start eating a bit more healthy and drinking a lot more water. I have known this all along but it sinks in a bit more when you see the results in someone close to you.