Frigid 5k!

Yesterday was the "frigid 5k" in Provo that '26.2 Running Company' put on (they weren't kidding when they named it frigid!! It was freezing!). It was the same course at the Fortune 5k. I won't lie- I was a little nervous. Not because of the distance, but because I had made the poor decision of doing a really intense weights workout this last Wednesday. I thought that there would be no way that I would still be sore by Saturday.

I was dead wrong.

The workout I did had millions of squats and lunges. Awful. I was just hurting! I had a hard time getting up stairs and things like that. Friday night, I was just praying that I would be able to get out of bed to the race.

Race morning came and I woke up thinking- I can do this! I got up, ate breakfast and got on the bike and spun a little to get the legs warm. I then stretched and then the nerves started to kick in. I was still having quite a bit of pain in my inner thighs. I had thoughts of not going, but I would feel guilty if I didn't run it because I paid money for this race.

I finally got the guts and headed out. I got there and checked in and headed to the starting line. The race was pretty good. The course had a few hills but wasn't too terrible. I could feel how sore I still was but I just kept saying my mantra of "I am awesome". Okay... I know, totally lame! But really, mantras help a lot! It keeps you going and let be honest... I start laughing to myself when I say it sometimes because it sounds ridiculous- but when I laugh, I just feel way better and I feel like I can keep going!

I finished this race in 25:39!! This is the best I have done post foot surgery! I am so excited! I finished 4th in my age group too! Heh, okay.. woo.. 4th... but I still got a ribbon :-) And... the age group was weird.. 0-30 instead of splitting it up a little more. So, that's still good, right?

I apologize, no pictures. We forgot the camera- oops! Just remember, if I had stopped to go back to get the camera, I might've chickened out and not done the race! :-) I like having 5ks in my marathon training schedule. It helps me get a feel for where I'm at.

I am awesome. haha.

Another running skirt giveaway!

"Endurance Isn't Only Physical" Is doing another RunningSkirt.com giveaway! Go over to the blog to check it out- contest ends on 3/5/10 at 11:59pm. I so want one!!

51 days...

That's right, Folks! 51 days until the SLC marathon!! I am kind've freaking out here! I feel confident about it when I don't really take the time to think too much about it. However, when I think about some of my "failed" long runs I get a little nervous and feel like I set myself up for something that is starting to feel impossible. Anyone else ever felt like that?


I am really excited though because I have reserved our hotel room for that night and I feel like things are just coming into place! The 2 weeks following the marathon are going to be crazy! Jon is graduating with his masters of information systems the following weekend and then the week after that we are moving to Houston, TX!! These are exciting times! Bring it on!

On Tuesday I was thinking about all of the above during my run. I was doing a 4 mile run on the good ol' hamster wheel at the gym. The last half mile though, I really started to struggle. I don't think I was really going too fast, I think I was just staring at the mileage and I felt like I had been going forever and the numbers were changing in slow motion! Then I started to think of my mom. She passed away when I was 11 from what started out as breast cancer. I started to think about how much I wish she was going to be there at the marathon cheering me on and then at Jon's graduation with her big smile. As I was struggling to finish up that last half mile I just kept thinking, "If Mom could battle her fight with cancer for like 5 years- I can make this last measly half mile." Then I just took off (as much as you can on a treadmill...) and I finished strong.

This is part of the main reason why I run. She was never able to come to a cross country or track meet but I always felt like she was there- pushing me on when I didn't want to go any further. This marathon I am running it in memory of her. I'll be wearing as much pink as I possibly can and I will be pushing along saying my silly mantras and thinking of her and hoping she'll be running along my side pushing me along.

I am thankful for my family. My husband is my biggest fan and he cheers me on in every race... hmm.. maybe I should get him a cowbell? More manly than a pom pom, no? My in-laws will also be there cheering me on! They are some of the sweetest people I have ever met and they have truly inspired me to get back on the wheel this last year!

Okay, last thing, promise. I want a running skirt so badly. However, I feel like it would be frivolous purchase right now because of our big move coming up and we'll be really poor right before Jon starts his new job! I've been checking different sites and I want them all! I just can't find a reason to justify buying one when I already have perfectly working shorts and things.

However, I think I found the one that I really want and if I can buy it- I will most def. be wearing it at the marathon! It is by "Tricks" aka: Skirt Sports. I believe this was one of their first styles that started it all. I want all of their skirts! They have lots of pockets for whatever you take on runs and also they have coverage underneath (always a plus). The main good thing about this particular skirt is that when you buy it- you are donating to cancer research. See... it wouldn't be THAT frivolous... right??? Here is a link in case anyone really likes it too :-) Breast Cancer Marathon Skirt

Check out all that pink! I want! :-)

Running skirt giveaway!!

I want a running skirt so badly!! The skirts over at runningskirts.com are so dang cute and the have full coverage and pockets!

There is a giveaway over at "Endurance Isn't Only Physical" and I am so excited about it! Go check it out! There is even a code for a 15% discount over at runningskirts.com!

Trippy Dream... and random post...

So.. you know you think about something way too often when you start dreaming about it, right?

Well last night I had this dream that it was race day for the SLC marathon. It was really odd. And one more piece of info for you all to help make sense of this... I have been reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Anyways... so for whatever reason I was on a bus and the race people were taking all the participants to a point in the course after we had run a few miles (weird, right?) and I was getting all nervous about my time and what my garmin would say. I was running and my form was all wobbly and I couldn't get it to feel right. I felt so off and I was just in a panic. Then out of no where "Hades" flew in and was trying to take me down into the underworld and then "Medusa" in all her snake-y glory was going after me too! So I was running with my eyes closed so I wouldn't turn into stone. Haha... it was so messed up. When I finally finished the marathon it was dark out and I spent the whole day running and I couldn't find Jon and Hades was still after me and Medusa had turned some other runners into stone...

I woke up feeling so weird! Nothing like running from mythological people, right?

Okay... lame post, but not much else to write at the moment. I've just been keeping things inside for runs and I am itching for it to not be 15degrees out when I can run outside!! Speaking of running inside... last night at the gym Lifetime was on TV and there was this really scary movie on! I'm too short to get the remotes to change the channels so I was just trying not to watch it the whole time! Boo!

53 days until the marathon! I am getting nervous about my shoes. They are still in pretty good condition... but will they be by the time of the marathon? Do I get new shoes before them? I want to buy Newtons really badly! So, I guess I'm looking for some advice? When do you get new shoes? I know they base if off mileage but I have gone like 700 miles in the shoes and the tread still looks fine with some normal wear. I guess, how bad would it be to change shoes a little over a month before the marathon? I'm really bad at knowing when to switch up my shoes! Help!

Okay, random post over. :-)

Running Apparel Giveaway!

There is a running apparel giveaway on one of my fav. blogs! You should check it out!

http://www.runzoerun.com/2010/02/giveaway-hurray.html

Even if you don't win the giveaway- this blog is one to check out. Zoe is an inspiring runner and she always gives me pick-me-ups when I'm feeling like I can't do it anymore.

Fortune 5k

EDIT: Here are the details from the race

Here are a few pictures from the race! Details to come!

And.. for your enjoyment- here is a pic of us at the Valentine's day dance hehe
(after the 5k- we're hott!)