4/13 run

Today was beautiful outside! I decided to run outside. It wasn't the "best" run in the world for me- but it still felt really good.

Bad Weather

So, like last Saturday- tomorrow is going to be cold, rainy and really windy.. so they say. Because of this, I decided to take that run head on today after work. It didn't go so well. I was on mile 2 and I'm not really sure what happened, but before I knew it... I was flying to the ground, left shoe off (and flying) and hands out infront of me to brace myself.

That's right. I fell.

I'm fine and all that, but luckily I had my phone with me (Jon made me take it and I'm glad he did). I called Jon to tell him what happened- just to let him know and he left in a flash and got to me really fast. He made me get into the car and my run was officially over. So, I won't lie- I'm pretty down in the dumps about it and tomorrow's forecast isn't looking so good.

:-(

Planned Saturday 4/11/09 Run

I found this run on Mapmyrun.com and I didn't want to forget what it was :-) This run will actually run a very small part of my 10k race in July.

"Why you all sweaty...?"

Napoleon Dynamite after practicing his dance moves :-)

Today after conference, I ran 5 miles!

It has been quite a while since I've run this far. The only confession that I have is... I didn't run it outside... I ran it at the gym on the treadmill. Not the best, I know. It was really cold outside and was raining and snowing a little bit. I didn't want to get stuck in that and get sick (because I always do if I'm out in the cold rain).

It felt really good. :-) My goal was to go 6 miles but, I was running out of time and I had to get back home so that I could take Jon to priesthood session (parking is a nightmare!). Either way, I'm happy with my work out :-) Hopefully the scale will be happy too.... heh.

Here is my shameless plug for the Zune... I love it! Jon has been helping me put movies on it so I can watch them while I'm on the elliptical or treadmill. The movies get me through longer runs- something to laugh about or exciting action scenes to get you moving faster. I know they have tv's at the gym and you can plug in and listen to whatever the tvs are on... but I'm never really interested in what's on- so this way, I can choose what I want to watch and it's better than sitting at home and watching it.

My only small complaint that is entirely my own fault (b/c I chose the type of zune I have): It would be better if I had a bigger screen (I only have the 8gb one-it's a lot smaller), but it's still pretty awesome. In case you care to know... I have watched: Princess Diaries (haha), Twilight and Stardust (awesome movie- you should really see it). Remember.. I said that mine is only 8gb and I have tons of music and these movies on there... well these and Enchanted and Cinderella (I'm such a dork).

Shameless plug over.

The last thing I wanted to say is that I signed up to run a 5k when we're in New Hampshire in May. I'm really excited because I'm getting some of my family to do it with me. A couple years ago- they would have laughed at me for asking them to do it w/ me. In the last 2 years a few of my siblings really got into gear and made it a goal to be healthier- and they have succeeded! I'm really proud of them and am excited that we can share something in common now and celebrate our accomplishments together- which doesn't happen too often because of distance and oddly enough- age differences.

I'm in for a real treat....

So, Saturday Jon and I decided to drive the 10k route. . . Oh.My.Gosh. Let's just say... they weren't kidding when they called the hill "Goliath". You know when you drive up a really steep hill (or in the mountains) and your car is trying to accelerate and you feel like it'll stop any moment (if you car isn't 4 wheel drive)... yeah, that's what it was like.. in the car. I'm going to die! Oh man... what did I get myself into!! Well, no turning back now!

Here are some pictures of the start of the HUGE hill..


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And when you think you're done.. think again! This is where you turn the corner at the top of the first link... awesome.


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View Larger Map



Note: Check out all the amazing houses if you click on the street view- you can look on every side- the houses are HUGE!

July 24th

I was trying to focus on goals for myself for the summer so I can get back into longer runs and getting back into shape. I came upon the "Pioneer Day Classic" they have a 5k or a 10k. Being old average me- I thought about doing the 5k. However, really thinking about it... if I sign up for the 5k- I'm just going to be stuck at 5ks. So, I decided to hold my breath and sign up for the 10k. This will give me the opportunity to focus on longer runs so that a 6 mile run won't feel so bad. My coach always used to say- "In order to run a specific distance comfortably you need to be able to run double that distance." In cross country we would have to be able to run 6miles so we weren't dying on race day. For those of you not very familiar with 5ks or 10ks... a 5k is 3.1 miles and a 10k is 6.2 miles. Maybe I won't get up to 12 miles by then- but I have a goal to be able to run 10 miles by July.

Here is the course:



Wish me luck! I've already registered... no turning back now!

PS: this course includes a hill that has been named "Goliath".... time to start running hills....

Updates

If you have been following our other blog then you are aware that my life has been pretty hectic between getting the stomach flu to Jon having his hand injury. Usually, I'd shake my head to lame excuses, but I assure you- once you are down to 3 hands and arms in the family... doing things are a lot harder than you'd think. However, I am please to announce that I have joined a gym!!! I can't tell you how long I have been waiting for this.

24 Hour Fitness was offering a special where you didn't have to pay an initiation fee at sign up and they really didn't have any strings attached to it. It's month to month and you have to give them at least a 30 day notice before you cancel. When I did Gold's during my freshman year at BYU- my contract said one year.. and some how their contract said 2 years... imagine that. Anyways, I am really pleased with my membership so far. I've gone at all different times to see when it's the busiest or whatever. No matter what time I have gone so far, there always a machine open that you want and I haven't had to wait for anything. I am meeting with a personal trainer (using my free fitness orientation meeting w/ a trainer) this upcoming week. I can't afford to have a lot of personal training or anything, but at least getting started and being reminded of all the stuff I used to know how to do will be really helpful!

Some thing else that is really cool is that they have a rewards program. If you complete different things you receive "medals" online and you have 6 months to get up to 24 medals (I currently have 5). After those 6 months you can use your "medals" to receive different gifts. I have my eyes on a 10 cup food processor. My current one can only hold a little more than a cup.. it's wimpy... but it was $10! The program is a little bit of a motivator so you can get something you really want. The more often you go to the gym, the more medals you receive- or if you try a group class, visit w/ a trainer for your orientation.. etc.

This will also give me a place to go at night when Jon is gone in Houston so I don't have to be "alone". I'm not very good at being alone at night. Hopefully I'll lose weight and not just "eat my feelings" haha...

I have nothing big that I'm training for right now. Although, there is a March Madness party for the business school's students and their families on March 27th. At the party, they have something called a "Corporate Climb". You race in the Tanner building and you have to run up and down the stairs (the tanner building has 7 (very tall) floors). I'm thinking about doing it as a "biggest loser" challenge.

Here is the race outline:
Wish me luck!! :-)