Just do it.

A post from my personal blog...

6:30am: baby cries.

he finishes eating and for some reason i'm awake. invigorated actually. i imagined what it would be like if i could go for a run. then i realized that i can. it may not be far, and it may be cold, but i can at least try it.

I tip-toed around awkwardly looking for clothes that I haven't worn in awhile. My Nike Pro running tights. My Nike Pro Shirt. My Nike ACG jacket. An ugly hat. My Black Diamond gloves. my socks. My trusty Sauconys. My broken iPod.

I had a half of a chocolate GU and I was off. It was dark. It was cold. But the crisp air woke me up and I was excited.

Hold Tight, by the Chemical Brothers blasted in my ear. I remembered what it was like the morning of the marathon. Dark, cold- feeling nervous. I had no idea how my body was going to perform that day, and no idea today. But my mind made me think I could go for it.

I ran along Wasatch Blvd. I love that run. The cityscape to the west and the mountains to the east blows me away every time.

Why do I love to run?

It makes me feel empowered. To know that not many people like to do it because it's hard. It's really hard. To be alone with yourself and your thoughts. Especially when you have my thoughts. But then, your mind clears and you let go. Your mind and your body are in a constant battle. Most times either one or the other is trying to give up. But you figure it out and keep going. and sometimes you don't. but either way, it's cool.

I went farther than I thought I would and finished strong. I walked up our driveway feeling like I could be a better mom and wife. I forgot about the crappy week I had. I walked through the door to the sound of dad and son giggling in bed. and I realized why i love to run, and where I always want to end up.

don't judge....

Sometimes I listen to Miley Cyrus while I run. I've also been known to allow Hillary Duff to grace my ipod. My new favorite is "Breakout," by Ms. Hannah Montana herself.



And yes, I am fully aware the lyrics say "My parents say I'm lazy. Gettin' up at 8 am's CRA-ZAY." And there is also a reference to a school bell.

So what if I'm far from a tween. So what if her dad was popular when I was her age. Say what you will, her beats keep me boppin' while I trot through the snow.

Don't hate. Just "Let go-oh-oh!"

ok all you lurkers....

Don't be shy! Go on, comment away! We would love to hear from you! And, maybe it will give me a little kick in the bootay-- I seriously could use one this week. I'm in a bit of a rut.

Spandex is Happiness

Somebody had this sign on their garage during the SLC Marathon last year. I couldn't help but use it as my title today because I wore my capri spandex to the gym. I had no other choice. And I decided on my way over there that I was just going to own it. I didn't care who saw me running in all my spandex glory. But let me tell you, spandex really is happiness! I love all my running tights. I do usually wear a running skirt over them to cover my buns! I have never had enough guts to wear the skirts to the gym though.

Anyway, I had a great run. I ran six miles while watching American Idol/Lost recap shows. I ran the last mile a little faster. I love doing that.

P.S. Wouldn't you know it that a tiny little girl in her running tights got onto the treadmill next to me. Whatever, I didn't even care.

10 Miles and a Mustard Miracle

Last night my husband, who is in the MBA program at BYU, says this to me, "I think I already told you this but I have a group meeting tomorrow at school at 10:30." Um actually no Babe, you didn't mention that. That's why I wasn't able to make the group run this morning. *SIGH* But, I did do it on my own. And I actually had a really great run.

I started out from my house and headed for the Provo River Trail. It is just over 2 miles to get there. Then I headed towards the Canyon. I always go the other way to avoid running up the canyon, but today I decided I could use some hillage. When I got the the canyon, I needed to run 1.75 miles up it. I was nervous, but running up the canyon was not what I thought it was. It was very very gradual. Nothing huge. I couldn't help but thinking how much Jen would love it because is had little yellow and white lines just like a road, and instead of dodging cars, she could just dodge bicylces. :) And it was BEAUTIFUL! So I got to 5 miles and turned around. I love doing out and backs. There's something so great about turning around and knowing you are more than half way done. I was at 53 minutes and some change. So I get headed back down, which was AWESOME. Who doesn't love running downhill? Then a problem occurred. I started getting a major cramp in my right calf. YIKES. All I could think of was that I was 4.35 miles from home. A long way to run with a cramp in my calf. However, I remembered a little nifty trick my older brother taught me. Apparently when you have a muscle cramp,a little mustard will cure it. I was running with my fanny pack(it doesn't look like a 1980 fanny pack, it's a running one that is way cuter) and it had mustard packs still in it from when I ran the Pocotello marathon back in Aug. I had never had to use them before. So I stopped, stretched for a minute and downed 1 mustard pack. And before I even began running again, it was like I had never even had a cramp. A little mustard miracle! I was feeling great! When I got back out to the mouth of the canyon I stopped at the subway to use the facilities, buy a gatorade, down a gel pack and then I continued on my way. I was feeling so good that I sped up. I ran mile 9 at about a 9:30 pace and the final mile in under 9 minutes. My second five miles I ran in about 48 minutes. Crazy right! It was a good run for me. Hopefully next week will be the same.

And I did take a couple of pics when I got home, but they were nasty. I have learned to only take before pictures! (Or at least have some makeup on when I start the run. )

So how were your runs today????

Jen. . .this one is for you

Jen has oh so sweetly, (and aggressively) reminded me a ba-jillion times that I need to blog. I have been avoiding this for several reasons:
1. I haven't run for 2 months
2. I was prego and lost it . . .so I had a pitty party and became a recluse
3. My treadmill is broken, and with three kids at home. . .I am 1 stroller seat short
4. I HATE running (during the run. . .but admit enjoy the rush after)
5. I like to make up as many excuses as possible to get out of running

So now what? I really really really hate running. I NEED to run. I want the body gained by running, I need to do something for my heart. I would kill for some alone time. But how does one become a runner? I thought you'd say that. So basically what I'm hearing is that I have to START. Crap. This is going to be harder than I thought.
Well, the hubby is going to fix my treadmill tomorrow, so no excuses there. I'm going to download every favorite song I can possibly think of, as music is a major motivator for me. AND as soon as I can hit the 5 mile mark (go ahead all you marathoners. . .gets your laughs out now at my measly 5 miles which will be a HUGE accomplishment for me) I am going to insist on a massage gift certificate to reward myself.
If any of you pro's have advice, . .feel free to push it along my way. Deep breath. Ok, I'm committed.

It felt like Spring...

As I trotted through town on my run today. The snow has started to melt and I swear the grass is starting to look green. I know it's too soon to have Spring Fever, but the warm weather made my run most delightful and excited for the marathon. I do wish it would stay like this for a while.

Has anyone tried...

THESE? I saw a woman running in a similar contraption in Sugarhouse Park last week and while I was a slippin' and a slidin', she wasn't having a bit of trouble running on the ice and snow. She said these bad boys were the secret. My only hesitation is I would be worried about them messing with my stride, or giving me an injury from screwing up the bottom of my shoe and making it uneven. So, what do you think?

Nothing like a nice run-- with a partner!

Now that you've read Ang's post about our first run together, I'm sure you think I'm a crazy, speedy, car-dodging lunatic with a death wish for myself and my running buddy, but let me assure you, I LOVE that I had someone to run with today!

Yesterday I sent out the info about where we would run via text, as usual, and, as usual, the "I'm not coming" texts started pouring in. So, I prepared for another lonely run but then I got one from Ang-- hers said she was in! I was pumped!

I planned to run my regular route-- down Highland Drive, up 6200 S.-- and I mean UP:), North on Holladay Blvd, then down Murray/Holladay Rd. There's something magical about this route because a portion of it is the SLC Marathon route. It always makes me smile when I'm running up 6200 S. to where the halfway mark was.

Ang was right on time. Huzzbin, on the other hand, basically rolled out of bed and as I was walking out the door to meet Ang, he was slurping cereal (of course, Cocoa Puffs) and still not dressed for our run. I told him he better hustle his bustle, and left.

A girl after my own heart, Ang wanted to document the occaision and pulled out her camera for a photo op. I could feel it was going to be a good run.

We started off chatting. I am used to chatting for the first little bit of a run, then I like to "Zen", put on my music, and get in the zone. We learned a lot about each other for the first several miles, and then we hit a major hill and a lot of traffic and the chatting stopped--- and I guess the fear for Ang began.

Seriously, I do fear cars, but what am I supposed to do? Running on the road is much better for you, and pedestrians have the right of way! So, maybe there was a little bit of vehicle-dodging involved, but it was worth it for the great hill workout we got in!

I love running up a big hill because I know I get to run down it next! And as we ran down, I got into a groove that stayed with me for the rest of the run. We finished strong, and I can't wait for next week!

Ang, to use a famous Kristi quote since she is out recovering from giving birth to her new babe, "Hills are our friends!"

xoxo,
Jen

Top 3 Reasons Why Jen is Going to Kill Me!

I should preface this by saying that today I was lucky enough to get together with Jen and go for a run. Even though my title makes it sound like I wasn't having a good time, I totally was. Thanks for running with me!!

1) Jen runs through traffic like nobody I have ever met! She is fearless. If there is a sidewalk, I always opt for it. Jen, not so much. Today on our run, she had me running on a white line between lanes, through a HUGE intersection. We're talking cars exiting the freeway on one side and cars going straight on the other. Luckily, this wasn't for very long. :)

2) Hills. I basically have started this marathon training from square one. The last time I had run before "official" training started was on Aug. 31st. So I'm really not in the best shape, or any kind of shape, AT ALL. I went to by where Jen lives for this run, so I was totally oblivious to what kind of terrain we would be running on. Well, apparently Jen is partial to hills. Lots of hills. While running under the freeway through the huge intersection, we were also going up a big hill. I was feeling it!

3)Jen wants me to have a heart attack. Let me just tell you last week I ran 8 miles and averaged just over 11 minute miles. I told Jen this before our run. We started out at a nice slow pace and I pretty much talked her ear off for a couple of miles. Then the hills started, which meant we got to go down hill. We got up to a pretty fast pace running down the hills, but then Jen never slowed down. I looked at my Garmin, and at one point, not on a downhill, we were running an 8 minute 13 second mile pace. My heart was pumping! We slowed down a little, but certainly not to an 11 minute mile pace!

Jen, I'm totally kidding. I'm so glad we got together to go for a run. You definitely made me push myself and that's a good thing! See you next Sat.


Pre-run picture taken by Jen's husband. He ran too, but was way faster than were. :)

another congrats...

Kristi gave birth to beautiful baby girl Reese on Tuesday night. She's just perfect. Congrats!

get your crunch on...

A friend passed along this crunch/push-up plan that is sure to get my once rock hard abs back to their best. Every day you do the amount that is scheduled for that week. Here's to a beach bod in the middle of winter.

week 1 : 100 crunches/10 push ups
week 2 : 200 crunches/20 push ups
week 3: 300 crunches/30 push ups
week 4 : 350 crunches/35 push ups
week 5 : 400 crunches/ 40 push ups
week 6 : 450 crunches / 45 push ups
week 7 : 500 crunches /50 push ups

Thank you to the hot body who invented this little sched.
You in?

I'm a gal who loves a cute running outfit...

...And that's exactly what my big sis got me for Christmas. She got me these in Tar/Clay Green and this sassy number in Clay Green/Matte Silver. Both from Nordies. Can't wait to try them out.

I also love a great run like this morning's-- bright blue sky, white, fresh, sparkly snow, great company, and good tunes. I heart winter training.

The Huzzbin joined Tara and I for our long run today. He's signing on to run the full SLC Marathon with us. Ang was going to come, but the snow would have made driving most hazardous. Hope she comes next week.

And, just to make this post a wee bit more random, I want to start doing this. Already went to one class and it rocked my socks. Don't judge... join me! I've decided to make cross training much more a part of my training for this next race, and that is just what I think this body needs. Promise it's not what you think-- okay, it's not EXACTLY what you think.

Also went skiing for the first time this season on New Year's day. It was Huzzbin's first time ever. We took a private lesson (worth every penny). He rocked it. Can't wait to go again!

What are you doing to cross train?