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?

Dear Everyone, Please Plow....

We've been hit with storm after storm here along the Wasatch Front. And running in winter is my favorite time of year to train, HOWEVER, my runs have been quite trecherous as of late. I.e., husband and I went for a run Saturday morn and for the first 3ish miles, we were dodging cars because the sidwalks were impossibly uneven with several layers of snow and if you tried to run on them, you were sure to twist your ankles every other trot or so. AND, I think the cities have cut back on snow removal because of the recession, because WOW, there is almost no space along the side of the road between the snow and moving vehicles. So this is my plea. If you have a sidewalk, take a little time, get a workout, and shovel por favor. Then, bundle up and join me for a jog. I'd love the company. Hint, hint WRFDJ.

PS, congrats to Kera-- new beautiful baby boy Asher! She kept me up to date on the blessed event via text messages. I particularly loved the one that read "one push and he was out." Please, let me have a pregnancy like hers. And no, that wasn't a clue. Sorry to disappoint.

How are you guys doing on your training?

New race, new group member, new motivation...

Hello readers (if there are any left),

Well, after trying over and over and over again to get everyone going again so I no longer have to run by myself, I think I have successfully convinced the ladies to train for the 09 SLC Marathon with me. We officially started training this week, and the first group run is Saturday. I hope everyone keeps it up! I get lonely out there by myself!

And, welcome to Ang from Marathon Mommies who is now a member of WRFDJ! She recently moved to Utah and is going to join us in training for the upcoming race.

So, here's to a fresh start! Gooooooooooo team!

P.S. Husband and I did complete the Snow Canyon Half Marathon in November. Race report to come soon.

Happy Running!

Will run for really good Thai Food

******Originally posted from Kera's Blog.

Man, did I need a girl's night out.

We met at Thaifoon downtown, and had an absolute blast. It was so fun seeing the girls again- especially pregnant Kristie. I can't believe we are only 2 weeks apart! We ordered family style, which was great, since I didn't have any money, and sat and talked for hours. We walked around Gateway mall, and then went for hot chocolates at Barnes and Noble. We then continued to disturb everyone with our "girl" talk until they closed. It was awesome. I'm going to be outnumbered at home for next the few years, and it's easy to forget how essential good girl friends are.

I love you guys!

The crew, plus one beached whale in taupe.

I guess two weeks can make a big difference.
(I'm just going to keep telling myself that.)

so I know you'll think I'm crazy....

But this snow storm has really got me itchin' for a good, long run. There's something so magical about the quiet of the snow--running through the crisp air with white sparkling all around me. I love the sound of my running shoes hitting the freshly fallen flakes, and the feeling afterward that if I can run through the winter, I can conquer the world. Tomorrow morning I'm planning 11 big ones along a pretty tough route with some hella-hills. Husband ran it yesterday and said it almost killed him. I, however, am feeling strong. Wish me luck.

I ran 10 miles....

On. A. Treadmill. If any of you have done this, you know how incredibly boring it is. I didn't dare run outside in the dark again, so I turned on HGTV (because basically, no matter what is on, I get sucked in like a moth to a flame) and just sucked it up and started running. Well, over an hour later, I had finally made it. That's my longest run for this race thus far.... here's to 11 this weekend. I have some work to do before I am as fancy-schmancy as these guys tho...




And, PS, I had a dream last night that it took me 7 hours and 52 minutes to complete the SLC Marathon next year. I was working out of town and had been drifting in and out of sleep-- I never sleep well in hotels.

In dreamland, by the time I reached the finish line, there wasn't a big crowd to cheer me on, just a few disgruntled volunteers who said "Geesh, it took you long enough. We've been waiting to clean up while we waited FOREVER for the last runner!"

I woke up in a panicked sweat at 2:30am in my lonely hotel room, with no husband there to say "it was just a dream. You're much faster than that, honey."

Please, tell me this isn't a sign of things to come next year.

This.....

Is what I've felt like trying to run as of late. No energy, feeling like I weigh 80-million lbs, with big "F" for Fattie on my chest. Thoughts, ideas, advice? All is welcome.

Stranger Danger

I love running at night. It's always so quiet, peaceful, with the moon shining down and the stillness of the darness. But, I shall not be running at night for quite a while, at least not in deserted parks after my run last night.

Husband and I both had things going on all day and finally decided to go out for our run around 9:30pm. We are at different paces (as I have mentioned before, husband runs at a completely unfair speedy pace he doesn't deserve) so we thought Sugarhouse Park was a pretty safe bet. It's a big loop, so we could run at our own paces, but still run together.

We drove to the park, parked on one side, and started off. I was keeping up with him for almost two laps, then I started getting a side ache and stopped for a minute. When I picked back up, I started noticing dark figures in the grass, people who for reasons I don't wish to know, like lurking in the blackness, a handful of drivers sitting in their cars with the windows rolled down, smoking cigarettes and staring. My mind immediately went to a story my station did recently on Cruising in local parks, including Sugarhouse. If you don't know what that is, ignorance is bliss.

Just as I ran through a narrow part of the path, lined with cars, the street lights went black, leaving me completely vulerable surrounded by creepy strangers and I started to panic. I heard a voice in my head say run-- fast! It's not safe for you here! I searched frantically, and couldn't see husband. I started to sprint. I sprinted up that massive hill, down the other side, and all the way to the car and still couldn't see husband anywhere. I waited by the car for several minutes, debating my next move. I still had one more mile to go, but didn't dare go back to the complete darkness. I started to sprint again, back the other direction, thinking surely I would run into him soon. My heart was pounding, and not from running so hard. I ran back up another huge hill, and finally found him. I grabbed him, with tears streaming down my face. I was worried something had happened to him because it was taking him so long!

So, lesson learned. No more running in dark in deserted areas.

Don't worry....

I'm still alive, and still running. Tho, not many other members of the group are right now. Everyone is too busy having babies and living out of state, so I have enlisted another running partner: my sweet husband. We are signed up for the Snow Canyon Half Marathon in November, and he, of course, is already beating my time. I hate boys.

Anywho, I've decided I'm going to start blogging again, whether the other girls are or not.

Got some new running shoes and have a really fun run planned for this weekend, our anniversary:) Blog post to come.

How the heck are all of you? If you're even still checking this blog?