Just the two of us...

Well, this morning's run turned out most unexpectedly. Even though we've gained group members, our run consisted of just 2 ladies this morning; myself, and the lovely Steph.

I sent out the location and time email earlier this week like I usually do, and didn't hear back from anyone saying they weren't coming, so I assumed we'd be a full house. I had forgotten that Melissa had a garage sale, so she wouldn't be there, but everyone else, or so I thought, would be their usual wonderful selves at Liberty Park at 9am.

9am came and went, but I still wasn't worried. We are always late. Always. Someone is always running behind, okay usually almost everyone, so we always get a bit of a late start. Then, around 9:20, I started sending out text messages and making phone calls. Slowly, I started hearing back.... and, it ended up just being Steph and I, which is such a shame because the weather was perfect, it was a beautiful morning, and the park was irresistable.

I felt horrible, because Steph is so new that we are at dramatically different paces and I left her in the dust. So really, we both ran alone in the same park. Me and my thoughts, and the new Coldplay song. Loving it, btw. Great song to run to. Download it pronto.

Hope you'll all be back next week. Please feel free to post your excuses in the comments section.

Our group is growing....

Pleas join me in welcoming our new group members: Angie, Steph, and Christina. These are all amazing women who are sure to add some new flava to our already stellar group. So excited!

I am stoked

I am so excited to have our group together and to be doing something on my Saturdays again. I so enjoy having a goal and working towards it with these girls. I have already seen a change in my outlook and attitude since I've been running again. I'm excited that we are going to be doing two races. People used to ask me what my hobbies were. I would say well I like to watch tv or I like to... I don't know. I could never think of any. Now I am proud to say that running is my hobby. I don't really like the whole running part as much as I like the feeling of accomplishment. Well sometimes I like the running part. Anyway I'm grateful to be apart of this group. We are all different but we are all runners.

New...

There's something wonderous about starting fresh... with a new goal, new group members, new running gear, and new hope. We here at WRFDJ started anew on Saturday, and I am already filled with a sense of anxious anticipation for the many miles that lie ahead... for this time I am an experienced marathoner, and know what to expect. But, we have some newbies in our group, and for them this will be a new journey.

Our group, though incomplete on Saturday (we missed you Kristi, Kimmie, Tara, and Angie!), is already starting to meld. Steph is a welcome ray of sunshine, and Mel and Kera, I'm so excited to be on this road with you once again.

Our new race goals: Top of Utah in September, and the Provo River Half in August. And, I have apparently lost my mind because I kind of agreed to run the Wasatch Back with my next door neighbor's team. They lost a member recently and even though the race is less than a month away, I said I'd be the fill-in. It's a relay race from Logan to Park City, over two days. Yes, you read correctly. I know, crazy.

So, here's to newness-- new experiences, new blisters and sore muscles I'm sure to feel for the first time, and new aspirations!

Mommy!

Whoa! I am so sore today. So glad today is an "off" day as I can barely move.
All for designer jeans....it's worth it, right? ;)

First Run.....In About 5 Years

First of all...thank you so much for allowing me to be apart of your running group! I was feeling a little nervous because it has been so long since I have run or been active at all...but I was totally put at ease by my new friends. Thank you, thank you! It was so great to meet you Melissa, Kera & McCormick. I am so excited to meet the rest of the group. What a beautiful day it was and looking forward to the challenges ahead.
To Designer Jeans!!!!

my toenail fell off.

It's about time.

First Run

Saturday morning was my first official run since the marathon. I still have all my toenails and my kneecaps are still attached, so I thought I would give it a try. I went for an hour along Wasatch Blvd. The weather was beautiful and I really enjoyed myself. I am going to start training for the Top of Utah half. I don't know if I'm crazy, since I'm going to be very pregnant, but whatever.

Miss you all girls and please let's plan another lunch or something.

Race for the Cure

Jen, Kimmie, Melissa, and Tara. Love these girls!

It was a beautiful morning for a race, and several things made this race particularly wonderful. First, some of my girlies were there: Kimmie (+boyfriend:), Melissa, and Tara (+cute son:). The weather was pur-fect (crisp and sunny), and we were running for a good cause-- breast cancer research. 19,000 peeps showed up. Wowza, more than the marathon!

But, my favorite part of the race? The team names. Gotta love names like "Save them all, BIG and SMALL," "Harleys for Hooters," and "Team Tatas." Love love loved it.

So uh, what now?

This is a rather disgusting confession. Brace yourself for the nausiating details that are sure to follow. Ready?

I am a picker. I pick. Scabs, zits, dry skin, you name it. If it's pickable, I'll pick it. Yes, even on other people.

Some would say this is gross, I say it's handy. But, it's definitely somewhat of an addiction. So, you better believe I've been working on that loose toenail since marathon day.

Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we? As you will recall, several toenails on both feet turned black in Mid-March. Below is a picture of the blackened toenails around that time. Yes, I've been documenting their life and death. Notice the blackness on both feetsies' pointer toes.On my marathon day, April 19th, it seems said black toenails thought mile 16ish would be the perfect time to start lifting and making what would inevitably be a permanent departure from my foot. They caused me much pain and suffering on race day, and turned my socks a lovely shade of crimson (yes, blood). Real nice.

Well, since race day, they've been holding on for dear life by a thread... a thread of skin. And here's where it gets gross... in case it wasn't gross already.

One toenail in particular has been lifting at a rapid pace-- much faster than the others, and so I have concentrated much of my picking on it as of late. Yesterday I noticed I could lift it all the way up, and look down at skin never seen before. It's like a whole new world down there. Here is a photo of such lifting.

Well, this morning I ran race for the cure. Yes, toenails weren't participating, and bothered me the entire time. And so I had a dilemna... do I yank it off? Do I leave it alone and let it continue to look disgusting and cause me pain? I tried my best to just leave it be and let nature take its course, but it's been nagging me all day, while I've been at work.

And so, tonight, just a few minutes ago....

I pulled it off. I don't know if you can tell there's just pink skin left there now... no nail. It didn't hurt, it just gave me sort of a shock to see the gaping hole on my second biggest little piggy, like an empty eye socket just waiting for a glass replacement. Sadly, I don't think they make glass toenails, and so I am hopeful a fresh new nail will soon grow in it's place.

And do I keep the now detached nail, sort of like a missing tooth? If I put it under my pillow tonight will the running fairy come and leave me money?.... or acceptance to the St. George Marathon? (wishful thinking:)

So, calling all toe-nail-less ones who have limped the path less travelled before me. My question is, so uh, what now? I don't know how to get my cute pedicured toe-nail-ful feet back. Assistance needed in the repulsive isle. Yeah, I'm gross. Awesome.

Stupid St. George Lotto Meanies....

We didn't get in! I'm convinved it's because we're entirely too hot for them, and they're concerned we'll raise the already toasty temperature on race day to an unbearable level for the other runners. Aw well, congrats to all you who got in. Guess we're not cool enough for school.

So, looking ahead already... ideas for other marathons in the fall? Maybe Top of Utah?

I'm going to sulk for the rest of the night with a cookie-dough shake from Sconecutter. So there, St. George.

Worth Every Mile....

Well, we did it. We finally rewarded ourselves for our many miles, months, missing toenails and protesting muscles. We bought ourselves some sexy designer jeans. Oh yeah, baby.

We met at Paradise Bakery, the place it all began when we first met to talk about running a marathon so many months ago. Then after good conversation and cookies, it was on to the main event: picking our reward.

Take a look at our selections.... and btw, the dressing room attendant wanted to punch us in the face with every picture taken because it was a busy night at the Nordstrom Rack. But, come on, how could we NOT document such a momentous occasion?

I love love love these ladies, and can't wait for our next training schedule to begin. Until then, I will strut my stuff in my new jeans and feel so great about what we accomplished, and the friendships gained.

I must be insane

I can't believe Jen actually talked me into this. Ever since I agreed to register for the St. George Marathon, I have felt nauseated. WHAT was I thinking? I have never been able to run one mile. What makes me think I can run a blasted marathon? So my adventure begins. I hope I can prove to myself that this is a possibility for me. Bad knees and all. First a trip to get the right gear (again I have no idea what I'm even looking for) and then taking that first step onto a treadmill or pavement. I'm getting anxiety just thinking about it.
Even if I don't make it all the way to the marathon I'm hoping this will lead to a healthier life. I needed to make this commitment to give me a push into the right direction. (Thanks Jen for being the "Push")
I had no idea that by agreeing to register yesterday on the phone to Jen that I would get on the blog this morning and find my picture and profile as the newbie of WRFDJ. I guess there's no turning back now! Toenails, . . . I send my apologies now.

Here we gooooooooooo!

Yep, we did it. Melissa, Tara and I signed up for the St. George Marathon lotto. And, I think I've convinced my dear friend, Angie, to join us. WRFDJ is already gearing up for another big race, and yet my poor toenails still haven't recovered from the Salt Lake Marathon. They're hating me right now.

So, here's hoping (sort-of nervously) that we get in! I do have to say, I've missed training these past few weeks and really can't wait to get going again.... just didn't think I'd be thinking about another marathon this soon. But ready or not, here we come!

What do you do when your car breaks down and you need a replacement?

You run, literally, to the car rental place and get another one. You should have seen the look on the clerk's face when I jogged in out of breath. She said "we do have a pick-up service, you didn't have to run here!" I replied, "I like to run." She still didn't get it. I'm thinking all of you will get it, though.