roughly 50 ft.

I ran- to the observing eye it was probably a lopsided shuffle but it inside it was my strongest stride ever!

Erin Would Be Proud

My 11 miler today was full of hills.  Not the cute rolling hills, but long stretches of massive inclines.  One after another after another.  I purposefully made the course hard because it was my last double digit run before my thanksgiving half marathon.  Well, around mile 9 I started running up a street I never had before.  I'd driven it, yes, but y'all know incline is totally different on foot.  I turned a corner, realized it was yet ANOTHER crazy long hill.  I stopped.  Looked at the hill. Shook my head and shouted

DAMMIT

then, I strapped on my Erin-hills-are-fun-mojo and ran up that sucker. 

Cussing AND running hills, I truly channeled you today, my friend.  

Cold Air

The other night I walked outside the instant the cold air hit my lungs something inside my body so natural couldn't get enough of that crisp air. I wanted to feel my legs moving quickly beneath me as I filled my lungs....it made me smile and think of all though cold mornings laughing as we ran down the middle of the street in those wee hours of the mornings- followed by a warm cup of joe. (Thanks for the introduction to the coco-motion)

Running For Erin

I've been at a loss for what to do for our sick Tres Amiga, Erin. She's still super sick, still in and out of the hospital a little weaker with each hospitalization. Her attitude is amazing, optimistic, and faith-promoting. After visiting with her in Utah I resolved to be more positive and have more faith that things will eventually turn around. If she can do, by golly, I can too.

Each time I lace up to go out and run I think of her. Lately not a single run has gone by where I haven't thanked God for the opportunity I have to be healthy, to be running, and to realize something that simple can be taken from us so quickly. To honor my friend, my body, and my health I decided my races this summer were to be dedicated to Erin in hopes of her turnaround. I know its not "doing anything" and in the end it only makes ME feel better, but I hope in some small way the Lord feels those extra prayers and the extra pounding on the pavement in her behalf.
This weekend I ran a massive 10k. There were 60,000 runners. Insane, I tell you. I decided to 'go public' with my Erin-ness and spent most of the race answering the question "Who is Erin? Is she ok?" I got to spend my hour of running talking to strangers about my amazing friend and asking them for prayers. If nothing else, now more people in the world are shooting vibes straight to heaven for Erin. Some people misread my shirt and yelled "Go Erin! You're doing GREAT!" It made me teary but I thought, "that's right.. go erin! you ARE doing great! keep fighting!"

My heart breaks for my friend and I wish there was something I could do to make her better. But, until I make the amazing scientific breakthrough, I will continue to take care of my body and enjoy the health I have and pray that Erin will, too, be able to hit the pavement with me again one day.

Update

Our sweet Erin rebounded-ish enough to be discharged for a few weeks this month but she is now back in the hospital. She's still super sick. Her body is still eating itself. She's still under 100 lbs. They still don't know what to do and there are many teams of doctors completely puzzled. There still aren't answers. We don't know what to do for her except pray and hope for the best.

Tres Amigas Prayer

We break this blog silence to ask for a special favor. Our third amiga, Erin, is extremely ill right now. They still aren't sure what's going on. She's been sick for quite awhile now but lately it's gone from bad to worse. She's currently in the hospital, again, fighting. Literally, there is nothing we can do for her right now but pray and hope her doctors can figure out what is destroying our friend. We're feeling antsy and want to DO something. This is where you, our fellow running community come into play. Erin can barely move right now, let alone walk or run....

Would you dedicate your long run this Saturday to Erin?
Would you just think of her, pray for her, send good vibes to her doctors and her body, or even just sprint 400 meters for her?

Running has been my friend, and has brought me some of the best friends a girl could ask for. It has taught me a lot about myself and about life. Running listens to me, and makes me move at a pace where I can listen to myself as well. When its just the two of us on a cold dark morning I know I can count on running to help me work out my thoughts. Oh how grateful I am for running in my world! -Erin 2010

At this point that's all we can do - take it out on the streets and pound out the pavement, each step hopefully sending enough good will to help this thing turn around.

Ankle Weights

I ran 5 miles with ankle weights on yesterday.

At the time I thought it was an awesome idea... push my legs harder and use the muscles more, right?

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

It hurt. It hurt so bad, ladies.

however, it hurt bad enough that I'm determined to do it AGAIN to prove to myself that it doesn't have to hurt that bad each time. cause i'm cool like that.

ps, i just registered for a half marathon on february 26th. woot. it was only $35!!!

proof that i live in stars hallow

took these beauties of my running area the other day.  each time i run downtown i run pass the gazebo and start singing "where you lead... i will follow..."

then the other day i was driving in our little city center by the library and noticed this antique store. doesn't it look like it could be Ms Kim's?  

so i think you two should come here and enjoy my little stars hallow with me.  that's all. 

5:30

5:30 use to be the time I would get up to run wit my two favorite girls now its the time I wake up to have my blood drawn to tell me how sick I am for the day....but not for long I hope :)

Brrrrrr

I'm officially wearing 2 pairs of pants, 2 shirts, 1 coat, 1 tuque, a scarf and gloves when I run.  And occasionally my spikes.  Running feels like it takes double the effort, and the wind bites.  I remember when I used to see runners out in weather like this and thought they were certifiably insane.  Hmmmm, maybe there is some merit to that.

But I do think it's fun when ice crystals form on my eye lashes.

Insane I tell you.

Random Man Run

I keep meaning to post about the funniest run we had a couple of weeks ago, and I keep forgetting.  So even though it's late and it's going to seem thrown together, here is the story.
So about 2 weeks ago Lesa and I headed out for our long run on Saturday morning.  We head out a little later than our usual time because both our hubbies' schedules allow for that.  However, even though we go later on Saturdays, we typically NEVER see another soul out and about at that time of morning.  You know what I'm talking about.  Well this particular morning we were only about a half mile into our run when we saw a man walking toward us.  He looked like a nice enough guy, and neither of our creepy guy alarms went off...that is until we were about 5 feet away from him and he starts laughing hysterically to himself.  Like gut grabbing laugh, then says, "Hello ladies," through the laughter as we passed him.  Ummmmmm ok.  That was random.  But we just kept on running and didn't think much more about it.
Then on our way back on our loop we passed another gentleman, this one a little older, and as we passed him he yelled to us, "Give it hell girls!" with an accompanying fist shake.  We both just busted up laughing and decided that maybe those men needed to stay in bed longer that morning.  We decided that it was officially the random man run, and that any time we needed a little motivation we'll just yell "Give it hell girls!" So the next time we get to run together (like in a bazillion years) don't be surprised if you hear a little fist shaking shout from me to give a little encouragement!

i need some mojo

hey ladies. i've lost that lovin feeling. i need a challenge. one that i need to be held responsible to. i can't register for a race, dang fees. but i can compete....against myself. will you challenge me to something? something with a timeline? otherwise, my running career might be slowly dying in front of my eyes.

I woke up this morning to snow on the ground and was quickly filled with the best of memories of our early morning runs on the first day of snow. I enjoyed every minute of our early morning work outs for those two years, but I didn't realize at the time how much I would always treasure those sweet memories o how I would always consider those memories one of the sweetest seasons of my life...I have you two to thank and share them with! Heart you two!

Don't We Clean Up Nicely?

Proof that we don't always look like we just rolled out of bed.  Haha.

Muah. Love you girls. 

You're the best friends a girl could ask for.

\Now move back.

A good idea isn't always the best thing

So saturday morning was one of those perfect runs- I ran 3 miles with my neighbor, it was just a fast easy great coversation kind of run as we were ending I realized I really really didn't want to...so I decided to keep going and keep going I did for another 3 miles. The next three miles alone I prayed, I poundered, and I ran strong and fast. It felt so good to be able to run strong- since feeling strong and healthy really haven't been feelings I have had of late. I thanked my Heavenly Father for this speical moment to be back in my game. I came home with great plans for my day...and then it happened. My vision went blurry, I got light headed. No biggy right? I drank a glass of water, made me some breakfast, drank more water, took a shower, drank more water. Nothing helped in fact at this point I was dizzy and my head was killing me. I climbed back in bed and didn't move until 2 in the afternoon! I should have stopped at 3 miles I guess I am not that strong or healthy- but o'well at least I got a good prayer in :) and 6 miles is actually decent milage for the day!

I Started Running Again

No Connor isn't sleeping through the night yet.  In fact, he still wakes up more than once most nights despite my best 'you-have-got-to-get-on-a-routine' techniques.  But I have been dying to get back out there.  These past couple of months have left me feeling unstable for reasons you're both aware of and all I could keep thinking was, "I NEED a good run."  So yesterday morning I decided I was back in the game.  I'm already exhausted so why not?  I went yesterday and this morning.  It felt amazing.  I am so.dang.tired. but it's totally been worth it.  I suddenly feel like Lori.  No sleep and still functioning.  It must come with having more than one kid.  Well at least it did for me....I'm always trying to be like you Lor!  And I was even chipper in your honor yesterday Erin.  Man I miss you guys.

stinking guts

So my guts are still full of infection I have been going in every two-three weeks since June and I either get a whole new set of meds or they add to the combination of meds they already have established- bottom line is running long distances isn't happening. So last night I came up with a new plan.....operation 5k! My work has a 5k at the end of september and the ladies in my hood always run the BYU alumi 5k in October. So I am going to train for them (yes a 5K) I want to be FAST...we are talking Amanda style fast! (well maybe not that fast I naturally don't carry those skills). I will probably run my work one with Hayden so my goal 27 minutes and for the BYU 5k I am thinking 24 minutes 23 minutes if I am lucky :) silly goals I know but I got to have something as a goal besides laying a solid duce! yep I did say for the enitre internet world to here

Very Excited

I have taken a complete month off of running, off of any sort of impact on my knee, and off of any therapeutic pavement pounding mornings. Quite sad, but the good news is I can now TRY to run again. Once I rebound from this fun little sickness and my lungs choose to be able to breathe again, I'm at it.

So excited I can hardly wait. I don't even care that the humidity is hovering 90% and I'll probably look like I just took a shower. Nope, don't care even a smidge.

The countdown is on.

Really?

Summer is coming to a end, 

I can tell in the morning the air is cooler, the shadows are growing longer, the sun is still waking. 

Its sad saying good bye to a friend I have enjoyed so much this summer.  

But nothing compares to quite fall mornings, breathing in crisp clean air and crunching leaves under my feet  Really, could it be almost  be here?  Is it just around the corner?

I LOVE fall running!

My Ragnar Recap

 can be found here.

love you ladies.