My almost run on the beach...

Sooooo my working out this week rocked. Yup. Uh huh. My bed was waaaay to comfortable, and I didn't have anyone to meet this week. So those are my excuses. Tee hee. Well Wednesday night we went up to Bear Lake to be with Jared's family and a run on the beach sounded divine. Me, the sand, the water and the quiet of the morning sun. Ahhhhh. It was a great plan, and in my mind it was amazing. then I got up and went out only to find that the water was so high that I couldn't go too far before I was stopped by the foliage...and as much as I felt like bush-whacking...well, let's just say my run turned into a walk. Ahh well. It was still beautiful. I really really love Bear Lake.
To make up for my sad runs this week I made myself get up and run this morning all on my own. 6 miles and I rocked it. Yes I did. Hills and all. So hopefully the half next week goes well! Wish me luck!

What I've Been Up To

I made a goal last week to workout 2 hours everyday for 6 days a week. I did all 6 days last week and am 3 days in this week. Our student loan life doesn't allow me to partake in races for the time being... sooo I've had to shift my focus from training to toning and building endurance. I'm actually kinda diggin the new workout regime. Goal one: workout 2 hours 6x a week.

the type of pictures I send to manda on the BB "shoot. me. now"

Yesterday I did a serious butt-kickin 60 minute cardio workout. A portion of it was making myself push through something that really hurt. How to do that? Make myself run faster for longer than I have since ummm I can't remember when. I set the treadmill to a 7:30 minute mile and went for it. It wasn't THAT painful until the last .3 mile. Made me all proud of myself. I made a new goal. Each time I'm doing a completely cardio-centric workout I'm going to do a 7:30 mile or less. My goal is to be able to run a 6:30 mile in 6 months from now. Just ONE mile.. and on the treadmill. I have no idea if I'd have the gumption to push my body THAT fast without the treadmill pushing me along. Soo... welcome to goal numero dos: 6:30 mile.

Goal #3? Swim 1.5 miles straight by January.

I'm excited for my new goals. It's odd not to have racing as my goal, but I'm excited to have some new goals. I'm sure as I work out more I'll be able to add to my goal list. What have you two cute girlies been up to?

Two Days Straight.

Good news, ladies. I have officially worked out two days in a row. I know, will wonders ever cease? I decided to cave and get a gym membership. I just can't do it on my own. Maybe once I know the area better and I can convince crazy souls to join me.. but until then the gym is my best option. Plus, it gives me something to do once I lose my husband to graduate school. They recently told Van he's "theirs" 40-50 hours a week, not including studying. Soooo yaaah I gotta find an outlet. The local, most affordable, and safest gym is LA Fitness. I tried the Golds Gym and it's in an area that I don't feel comfortable going by myself. The choices for Golds were a sketchy part of downtown Atlanta or the suburbs 30 minutes away. LA Fitness 4 miles down the road won.

Yesterday I drove out to Bridgettes gym and took her spinning class. She did a great job and I could feel my lungs screaming "see?? THIS is why you don't stop working out, cause now it HURTS!" I was a sweat puddle but loved it.

Today I tried out my gym. I was nervous and had all sorts of emotions about a gym. Call me crazy but pretty much everything in the working out world reminds me of you two. I know I have to do it, I just wish I knew someone, you know? I got Jaylee off to school and headed to the gym. I was so good girls, I did 45 minutes of cardio BEFORE my hour long class. I know. I was impressed too. When I made my way over to the class the first girl who spoke to me chatted about how her and her husband just relocated to Atlanta from Colombus, GA and she was here at this gym for her first time. I said, funny, thats a coincidence. I'm here for my first time too... we just moved here about two months ago. Then she asked "Where are you from?" "Utah" (which usually gets followed up by this question, and today was no different...)
"Are you Mormon?"
Yup. Sure am.
She got very excited and said "So am I!"

Now I know this may not seem like much. But let me tell you what. In my 2 months here I haven't just "run into" any other LDS members. Unless it was church related I have always been asked "Are you mormon?" and then followed by a "Huh...I knew a Mormon once..." that's generally the way to convo goes. So imagine my shock and happiness. THEN come to find out she's in my ward boundaries AND she's looking for someone to work out with. It was a blessed day.

I felt very watched over. Definitely need to thank the Big Guy.

Tomorrow is day three at the gym. Wish me luck!
btw, I sweat ALL the time. it doesn't matter if I'm working out inside or outside I don't know what's wrong with me--I'm ALWAYS dripping!!!

Provo River Half

I was nervous about this race. Very nervous. I had only half-heartedly trained for it, and Rachel had spent the 3 previous weeks nursing injuries...her knee, her back, you name it. Part of me really seriously considered going down, getting my shirt, and then not running it. I am soooo glad I did not choose that path. Despite all of our lack of preparation Rachel and I ventured our way down. We got down to the Riverwoods Shopping Plaza and found the camper with the bibs and t-shirts, which this year went all out and had set up out on the grass instead of handing them out from the camper. Impressive. Also an impressive change to this years race? Timing chips. They were going all out! While standing in line to get my bib a horrible realization hit me. I forgot my running shoes! All day long I'd been telling myself not to forget. Soooo of course I did. I panicked and called Erin (who graciously let us stay at her place) and asked what size of shoe she wore. Erin coolly responded not to worry that she was still in O-town and would be more than willing to stop by my house and pick them up. Erin wins major points.

From there we decided to go to Macaroni Grill to carb load. Nummy. When who should I see? Oh just all of Max's Ashlee's family. Yup! So we hugged and gabbed for a bit and then sat down for dinner. So random to run into them.

After dinner we headed back up to Erin's and settled in for the night because 4:30 was going to come way too soon. Even still we were able to muster this lovely shot on the bus.

The beginning of the race was cold. A cold front had come through sending our temps way below normal. The chill at the beginning was totally worth it though because the rest of the race was beautiful! Perfect running weather. Like the high when we finished was on 64 degrees. Say it with me. Per-fect. We started the race out strong, we felt good and were moving well. 5 miles was over before we knew it. Seriously. I'm not joking about that. It felt like it flew! By about mile 7 though Rachel's knees were giving her grief, but she just kept pushing on. As usual for me I was starting to feel really good about this time. She kept telling me to go ahead, but I didn't want to. I wanted her to have a great first experience so she'd get hooked! So we just kept pushing forward. Rachel did awesome. We really hadn't trained sufficiently, and she had so many injuries I was really worried about her. Even with all of that she was a champ! At mile 12 I was feeling GREAT, and Rachel wanted to amputate her left foot and this time she insisted that I go on. So off I went. I felt strong, fast, and full of energy! I haven't felt that way that far into a race in a loooong time. It was divine! I was totally eating it up. I tore through that last mile on a total runners high. It rocked. It made me remember why I love to run. I totally needed that.

Rachel came in just a few minutes after I did and it only took her about 15 minutes to admit that she liked it and that she was glad she'd done it. Have I created an addict yet? I don't think so. But she IS running Ragnar with us next year. Wuahahaha. And don't let this face fool you. She liked it more than she'll ever let on. That's just the Rachel way of things. Good job girly! I'm so proud of you!

Good News

I went for a six miler on Saturday. Ran 95% of it. And even enjoyed it. First time in a long time. Maybe it will get better after all. I think it was all the heart to heart chats we've had here this week. Let's keep it up eh? Love you girls!

Working Out In Humidity

86 degrees

with 99% humidity

feels like running through one of those sauna rooms where you can't see in front of your hands.

it was intense, my lungs felt like they were on fire.

our mile was timed.

mine was 8:15.

WOOT.

i was happy.

the end.

Can Do

Hey Ladies. After Manda's heartfelt post yesterday I had a good ole chat with myself. I have been pretty lackluster since moving to Georgia, a lot of having to do with what we all chatted about yesterday. The only thing I've consistently done is Bootcamp...once a week...far cry from my previous 6 days a week workout schedule. Last night I decided it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself because of these three things

1) As much as I want you to... neither of you will be moving to GA.

2) If I keep feeling sad about it, I'll never ever workout again.... and that's just no bueno.

3) I always feel better about myself and have a better attitude about life in general when I'm taking care of myself.

I made a goal to workout today for an hour and half no matter what. My alarm clock went off and I thought I hit the snooze button...nope... when I my babe started crying at 8:30 I grumbled (only slightly, cause sleep is divine) and told myself if I just put on workout clothes then I'd eventually workout. And you know what? I did.

I did a 30 minute DVD in my front room --with my girls. It was fun for them for the first 5 minutes and then it was a whole bunch of Jaylee saying "Moooooommmm how LONG is this?" and everytime I told her she could do it with me she'd stand up and say "I'm not old, I don't have to exercise!" Oh my silly kid. Reagan was all into working out. She was shaking her booty and laying down on the ground with me. When I started the ab portion, however, she decided it would be MORE fun to crawl ON my stomach and my head. Then Jaylee got into the mix and they were both jumping on my stomach (mind you, while I'm still doing abs). I got frustrated and didn't do the cool down section. I was still in my workout clothes and thought... okay... that was a half an hour... what now?

I strapped on my cycling shoes and went for a ride. I haven't been out since I messed up my hand in April. It was HARD but a very worthwhile workout. Because I had chosen to sleep in I was cycling about 11am... in the heat... I rode for about an hour. I came back dripping sweat, my muscles freaking, and my wrist throbbing but it felt SO GOOD to get out there again. So yay for me. I got up. I did my hour and a half of working out and I didn't cry. Alllll very good things.

Go Tres Amigas.