Training Days 12 & 13

Before I dive into my training recaps, I wanna remind everyone to visit my fundraising page. My marathon is less than 3 months away and I'm still about $1000 short of my fundraising goal. I need your help!

At the end of March, some of my teammates and I will be holding a used book sale at the Provo Library. All proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you have any books that you'd be willing to donate, please let me know and I'd be happy to come by and take them off your hands. Then, don't forget to stop by our book sale in March to replenish your library shelves with new reads!

And of course, if you'd like to make a donation directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit my fundraising page, located here.

****************************

Gotta double up on this training post because I forgot to post the hellish 11 mile run I did 2 weeks ago up in Bountiful.

Pretty much, the Bountiful run was the most difficult run I've done. I know I said that about our Wasatch Blvd. run as well as the Gardner Village run, too, but this Bountiful run was H-A-R-D!!

Coming off the 10 miles I did in Vegas, I was super excited and eager to tackle the 12 miles we were scheduled to do in Bountiful. But little did I know, Bountiful Blvd. was packed with the steepest, longest, and rollingest hills of all time and eternity.

My game plan was to run the flats and run halfway up the steep hills and walk the rest of the way up to the peak when I got tired. 6 miles in and finally to the turn around point, I was spent. I attempted to run all the way back, but it didn't happen. I found myself not only walking the entire way up every hill but also walking many of the flats as well. I probably walked about 2 of the 5 miles on the way back.

Yeah, that's right 5, not 6. We were supposed to run 12 but by the time we got back to our cars at mile 11, none of us had an ounce of energy left to run the last mile. So, 11 it was.

After last week's run of death through Bountiful, yesterday's team run was a nice and

easy recovery run. We went about 4 miles down the trail and up to the point of the mountain...where we almost got blown off the the trail.

It was so windy at the point of the mountain. Dany and I kept running into each other cuz we were literally being blown over. But save for the gale force winds, yesterday's 8 miles were nice, easy, and relaxing. Thank goodness for recovery runs!

But the best part about those 8 miles? Coming back to our cars and eating birthday cake! It was one of our teammate's birthdays, and we celebrated by stealing bites from a cold, gooey, and absolutely DELICIOUS chocolate cake. Yeah, never mind that nutrition clinic we had a few weeks ago! We refuel with baked goods and Starbucks!

Happy birthday, Sabina! Thanks for sharing your special day with us!

Don't forget to visit my fundraising page and make your life saving donation today! And always, thank you for your love, generosity, and support!

Gosh!!

I never watch American Idol. After the first season and Kelly won, I was over it. But tonight at the clubhouse, I had 5 miles to run and I figured I'd give American Idol another shot just to pass the time.

I guess tonight was boys' night or something like that? Anyways, contestant Casey James donned his guitar and stepped up to the microphone to croon out a rendition of Bryan Adams' Heaven.

While Casey was singing all I could think about was this:

Seriously, doesn't Casey...

...kinda remind you of John Heder?

They're both goofy looking and just plain ugly. He'd better not win. Vote for Pedro.

I Wish Fashion

My loyal followers, I apologize.

I've been so super busy with work and life that I've severely neglected my blog. And, when I have had a free second to post, I'm usually posting about running. Sorry, I know that gets boring.

I wanna do a fun post about my recent trip to Vegas, but it will probably take me a while to gather my pictures and my thoughts. So in the meantime, I thought I'd steal another fun post idea from SSLA. This list entitled "Stuff I Think is Cute on Other People But Would Look Terrible on Me"

1) Strong Shoulders
An 80's era throwback but with a bit more sophistication and command. I'm not a fan of the boxier, over-sized look of the boyfriend blazer, but I do like the femininity of the Balmain and Givenchy styles. However, I have the broadest shoulders you'll ever see. (Thanks Dad.) I have no business accentuating these boulders nor could I even find a fitted jacket that wouldn't tear to shreds anytime I flexed my lats.

2) Skinny jeans
I love the idea of a skinny jean paired with adorable flats and a gorgeous, billowy, empire waist shirt. Or, to spice it up, skinny jeans and some rockin' stilettos. However, there isn't a single part of my body that'd I'd label "Skinny." So once again, I have no business squeezing my tree trunk legs into this type of denim. And don't even get me started on low-rise versions. Can anyone say, "muffin top?"

3) High-Wasited Pencil Skirts
Again, another era throwback. This time, a little reminiscent of the 1940s. But I can't seem to pull this look off cuz I don't have the right curves. Rather, I have too many curves, if you know what I mean.

4) Boots
Riding boots are my all time favorite style of boots. Complementing a crisp button-down and tailored jeans, paired with a lazy cardigan, or even worn with an airy boho-chic dress, this style of boot is one of the most versatile fashion trends. Of course, I have huge Poly calves that only dream of sporting ANY type of knee high boot. (Thanks again, Padre.) Riding boots were made for the long and lean, both of which I am not.



What are some fashion trends you wish you could pull off?

Training Day 11 - Vegas

How do you spend a weekend in Vegas? Going to Cirque shows? Eating at buffets? Gambling? Shopping? Frequenting strip clubs?!?

I spend it on Tanaya Road, running 10 miles.

TEN MILES!!!

T-E-N!!!























Word to your mother.

Training Day 10 and Valentine's 5k

During the week, it's all I can do to get through my 3 and 4 mile runs. Last week I did most all of my running on the treadmill. BLAH!! I used to run exclusively on treadmills because I was too scared to run outside for fear that I'd run too far away from home, get too tired, and not be able to make it back! But since I've been running outside, treadmills have gotten so boring and I find it incredibly hard to stay motivated while on one. The second I get tired, I just hop off and head back home!

And running on the indoor track at BYU? That may be even worse than the treadmill. There are sooooo many people at the track in the

morning. The whole ROTC crew, the swimming and diving teams, 2/3 of the soccer mom population in Utah County, and every single old person. Having to dodge between Grandma and Corporal Cope, I swear it takes me twice as long to get through my miles.

So by the time Saturday rolls around, I'm thinking that there's no way I'm gonna get through the long run with my team. I was practically crawling through that final 3rd mile the other day on the treadmill! But crazy thing is, these long runs have actually become some of my most enjoyable workouts.

I dunno if it's cuz I'm running with good friends and we're just shooting the breeze the entire time, but I feel like I'm flying through the miles when I'm with my team. Granted, the runs are still difficult, especially when there are CRAZY hills involved. But surprisingly, the long runs are quite relaxing and fun.

That's how this past team run went. Of course, the first 2 miles or so were torture. I always seem t

o struggle through the first 20 minutes of a run. Needing to warm up, my body has to ease into the run and get used to exertion. But once I hit about 3-4 miles, it's like I'm on cruise control.

This past team run up at Wasatch Running was pretty chill. A nice, flat trail, good company, and a rested body all make for a gratifying run. Not to mention, I think I finally found a supplement that will provide the calories I need while running without making me poo myself: Honey Stingers. It's natural gel that tastes delish too! I'm excited to have finally found something that works. I was getting super nervous that I was gonna have a diarrhea blow out during mile 14 of my marathon!

So, since my run went so well on Saturday morning, I figured I'd try my hand again at another 5k. I rested for a couple hours after my team run, then suited back up and headed out again for another run.

Put on by the Utah Running Club, the Valentine's 5k was a simple out-and-back run through Provo Canyon. I figured I'd be pretty tired, after having run nearly 8 miles just prior to the race...and I was.

Just before the turnaround point, I could feel my legs start to fatigue. I was scared that my legs were gonna quit on me and I would have to crawl back to the finish line. Luckily, I swallowed a Stinger and got a second win. And wouldn't you know? I actually finished the race 1 minute faster than I had the week before! Probably cuz Lolli and Ry were there to cheer me on again!

I wanna do another 5k soon and try for a PR. Once I do that, I'll move on to 10k races, I think. Though, maybe I should just try for a half marathon. By the end of this month, we'll have completed a 12 mile run! Crazy! I keep inching closer and closer to those 26.2 miles. This is REALLY happening!!! Tell you what, though, I definitely couldn't have gotten this far without the help from my team, teammates, family, and friends.

A GINORMOUS thanks to everyone for all your love and support. You'll never know how much your encouragement really means. Pretty soon, I'll be crossing that finish line with thoughts of you all!

Thanks a million times over!

Superbowl

So, who're you rooting for? I'm cheering for Kendra!

No, I don't follow football. I follow celebrity gossip! And the only reason I know which teams are vying for a ring this year is because I follow both Kendra Wilkinson and Kim Kardashian on Twitter.

Now, those that know me understand my obsession with Kim Kardashian. She's super hot hot HOT and if I could reincarnate myself, I'd choose to be Kim. Pretty much, Kim Kardashian is everything I wish I were physically. (You think my insurance would cover butt implants?)

However, there is one thing I don't like about Kim: Reggie Bush. Not because think he's a crap football player or anything. I don't even watch football! Rather, he's straight up ugly! Hank Basket is way better looking.

Now, I don't really like Kendra for two main reasons: 1) She's blond 2) She has the most annoying laugh of all time and eternity. Still, she's got some swagger and thinks she's ghetto fab. And if Kim and Kendra got into a street fight, I'm pretty sure Kendra would light Kim up. Plus, Kendra and Hank are way more down to earth than Kim and Reggie (as if I know them all on a personal basis and we all hang out on Saturday nights.) I mean come on, Kim. Are you really gonna wear a $2000+ Balmain jacket to a football game? And I thought I was high maintenance.

When Hale Freezes Over

This past Saturday I skipped out on my team run to attend my very first race. Put on by the Hale Center Theater in Orem, the 5k began at the theater and dipped down to Geneva Road, looping back up to the Hale. And because it was just a 5k, I had so much fun running it.

Training with my team, we've made it up to about 8 miles now. So, the 5k was pretty easy for me to run. Though, I wasn't anticipating the huge, long hill that brought us from Geneva back up to the theater. I was hoping for a PR but I didn't take that hill into account. It slowed me down quite a bit. Still, I ended up finishing right smack dab in the middle for my age group and about the same overall. I placed 14th out of 28 for my age division and then 47th out of 86 overall.

I really wasn't looking to be competitive. I just wanted to have fun. And since it was super chill and super stress free, I had a great time. And it was fun to have my family there at the finish line, holding signs and cheering me on. It warmed my heart :)

To celebrate my first run, we went up to Sundance with some friends to go boarding. HOLY CRAP! Running the race was SOOOOOO much easier than snowboarding! While riding, I'd have to sit every few minutes or so because my quads were burning! And poor Ryan and the rest of my friends, they had to keep stopping and waiting up for me because I was so slow! Never mind the fact that I almost pummeled a couple of them trying to get off the ski lift!

For the record, I used to be pretty dang good at boarding. My Freshman year at BYU, I actually took snowboarding classes as part of my wellness requirements. My teachers were great and I actually learned how to 180. In fact, I loved snowboarding so much and got so good at it, that I ended up doing nothing but riding my entire Sophomore year...aaaaaaaaaand that's when I failed my classes and lost my scholarships for the semester. (Don't worry. That very next semester, I worked crazy hard and got my scholarships back. Phew!)

But, a few years later, I tore my ACL and had surgery that kept me off my knee for one whole season. The following season, I was pregnato. Finally, last year, I got myself back on the mountain, but only about twice. So this season, I thought it was finally time to jump back into it. Well, my bank account and quads disagree.

Sorry to my husband and friends for complaining. I don't know what happened to me. I used to be good! I promise! Now after having a baby and almost killing myself in rugby and while longboarding, I'm a big fat baby. Though, I'm sure my family would disagree and say that I've ALWAYS been a big fat baby. They're right. I'm drama.

Regardless, I did have fun on the mountain. Though I complained a lot and my legs felt like they were on fire, I was happy to get back on a board. I bet if I went a couple more times I'd get back into the swing of things. Maybe I just won't try snowboading again after I've just run a race. I probably need to let my body recover in between physically demanding activities.