Telling My Tell

   When my friend Josh contacted me to ask if I would be willing to share my running story with Weber In Motion (a group of women who are training for the Ogden Half Marathon or 5k with BMIs over 30), I jumped at the chance. For one, I love public speaking. For two, I could be a member of the group (hopefully not for much longer...). And there is something about sharing your journey that motivates you to do better. It was the perfect thing to get me out of my running slum I have been in.

Josh and I with Weber in Motion.

   So Wednesday night, Josh and I shared our running stories. It was an awesome experience. You could feel how nervous they all were for the task they were training for, but who isn't. This next race will be my second half and I am nervous (like lay awake at night and worry, but that is a different story). Maybe when you stop getting nervous, you stop trying so hard?

   I know in my experience preparing for my first half, I read as many stories as I could find about how other's first half marathons went. I soaked in their knowledge and set my goals for the race based on what other people said about themselves. I know that it made my race much more enjoyable knowing a little about what was coming and having realistic goals. I just hope that sharing my experience and story motivated those women as much as the stories I read motivated me.

The necessary silly picture.

Deep Into Training

   I know I shouldn't be saying this, but I am so thankful we are having a mild winter. I have been able to run outside so much and I am so thankful for that opportunity. I am now in the middle of week 7 of my half marathon training for the Salt Lake City Marathon. Things are going SO much better than the last time around. I am running injury free (knock on wood) and am loving the sport for the first time. I decided to stop comparing myself to Mark and his natural speed abilities and just focus on improving myself. And instead of trying to run straight, I am doing timed intervals (run 7 minutes, walk 1) and I have seen an improvement in my mental game and running abilities. Last year I was DREADING long runs, but this year I am kind of sad when they are over. I am really enjoying running. There is a lesson to be learned here, kids: Just run as best as you can. And run for you. If only I had figured that out 2 years ago when I started.
   I have also been trying to lose weight and have been struggling. I have been fiddling around with my calories and trying to figure out what to do. I knew I needed to raise my amount I was eating to help fuel me through my runs and I have been really concentrating on getting to my goal of more than 6 fruits and vegetables a day. And yet, I was plateaued off at only 10 pounds down. Then I did something crazy and stopped doing Jillian Michael videos (she was getting on my nerves) and started doing Tae Bo to cross train. I lost 6 pounds with just that one switch. Sure, my muscles hurt, but the change has helped in so many ways. I have always liked Tae Bo and it has really lifted me out of my funk. That, coupled with the yoga and training schedule I have, I hope, will help me get a PR at SLC.
   So things are going great. Mark is finally feeling better from his IT Band injury, and training is going well for him as well. So well, he has decided to run the Utah Valley Marathon in June.  Yes, MARATHON. He has decided that 2014 will be his year to do the big 26.2. I have decided to train with him. It isn't like it will hurt my training. His decision has also made me decided to do the Big Cottonwood Marathon in September.
    I know, I have always said I never wanted to do a marathon. And I didn't. That is, until I joined a running group on Facebook that connected me with a whole bunch of awesome Utah runners. A lot of them are training for the Ogden Marathon and Mark and I have been on a training run with a few of them. I guess you can say we drank from the Kool-aid. And it is YUMMY! So, Mark is now into week 2 of marathon training. Josh said he would run both races with us, and we are so thankful. We are pretty lucky to be living where we can do all the races and be part of this lifestyle. It has been amazing.

Addison's Birthday and First 5k

   January 25 was a big day for us. We celebrated little Addison's 3rd birthday AND she got to run her first 5k with us. We specifically chose the "No Snow" Indoor 5k hosted by Habitat for Humanity because it is a fun run, which of course means informal. And, you run a loop 4 times, which means if Addison got bored, we could leave the course and eat pancakes while Daddy finished his run. Plus, it only cost us $20 for the 3 of us, and we got shirts! What a deal!
   This is the second year Mark and I have done this race. It was our first ever 5k last year. It was the perfect race to run as our first. And, just like last year, we got Susette and Josh to run it with us again. Susette, being the machine that she is, was deep into her training for a 100 miler (no, that isn't a typo) and Josh is in perpetual training for one race or another, so both of them showed up early to get in 12-15 miles. I joined in with them and ran 3 before the race so I could run with Addison and Mark could do his thing during the race.

And we are OFF! Addison happily running.

   By time the race started, I had done my 3 miles, Mark had walked Addison around the course, and Susette and Josh were on mile 6 or 7 (nope, not a typo). Addison had a great time running, until it was time to turn around and go back the way we came to finish the loop. Then, there was no moving. She found a Mt. Dew soda machine and was insisting we get one (no clue where she could have learned that Me. Dew is delicious...). Just in time, Daddy was coming back on loop two and Addison forgot about the soda and started chasing him. I was able to stop him long enough to get the car keys to go get a money in case we "needed" a soda to talk her into another lap. So we made it back and then she wanted me to run with her on my shoulders, so we headed out on lap two. We did most of the lap that way, until my neck was FREAKING and my legs were dying. Then she decided that she could run some more. But as we were finishing lap two, Addison spied the pancake breakfast and decided 1.5 miles was enough for her. So we stopped at 30 minutes.
   Addison loved the juice and pancakes, I enjoyed a dose of ibuprofen with my breakfast, Josh ate a little and headed back out to get in 12 miles, and Mark quit before 3 miles because his knee was hurting. All in all, the race was excellent. It is well organized, there is a raffle at the end, and best of all, it is cheap. I can't wait until we do it again next year.

What a great day to run with such great friends.