Running in Park City

I think I have finally recovered from running The Pink Series Half Marathon, either that or I am really slow at posting about it! It really was a great experience and so much better than my previous half in Farmington. The race was set for October 8, 2011 and I was making the final plans for the big day. I trained better and focused more on my running and getting the longer distances in so I would have the endurance to make it to the end. I found myself really looking forward to my long runs on Saturday and amazed myself each time I got back from a 2 hour run that I was still moving! The best times running were when I could let my mind go, not worry about when I needed to walk, find that awesome stride and just go! One time I was out running before the kids had school and I needed to get home so Nick could go to work and I came to an intersection and completely tripped and fell! I was watching to make sure the cars would stop and didn't watch my footing, I banged up my hands and knees and hurt my pride more than anything, I ended up walking most of the way back and getting home much later than I should have. Nick and I decided to make it an overnight trip and enjoy some quite time in beautiful Park City, it was great to have a little getaway. My parents were great to come and stay with my crazy kids, I'm sure they were glad when we got back! I'm also so very grateful for my loving and supportive husband who took care of things while I was out running and then took care of me after the race!

The night before was the packet pickup at the Newpark Hotel. It was great to meet the ladies behind the race and to get the things needed to be prepared for the early morning. I had a rough time sleeping and was very nervous for what lay ahead. The weather was not cooperating, it was a very cold, windy, and SNOWY weekend. I had to be to the shuttle by 7:00 am to make sure I had a ride to the start, so many of us were waiting inside the hotel to stay warm -- it was really cold!

Being bussed to the start got my nerves going again and then waiting outside in the cold conditions wondering why am I doing this? I was able to meet and talk with other ladies as we huddled together trying to stay warm, it helped to see those familiar faces along the course! I was excited to learn that this race would have pacers to help along the way, I really wanted to hang with the 2:30 guy and almost caught up with him at one point but I fell behind and finished at 2:37. I was really bummed at not hitting my goal time of 2:30 but I did shave off quite a few minutes from my last 1/2 marathon. The course was beautiful and once I got running the cold didn't bother me, it actually helped me run better because I was not hot. I was having a really good run and right on pace maybe even a little ahead of time but then I hit the 10 mile wall and I felt like I was stuck. I probably walked most of that mile, it was hard for me to get back into the groove. I got to mile 11 and I knew there was only 2 miles left. I could still hit my goal if I really pushed for it but I couldn't do it. As I came to the white barn at mile 12 I had to keep telling myself only 1 left to go and to keep with it. The last half mile wrapped around the Newpark Town Center and condos and I could not see the finish line to know when I could push that last bit of energy into gear, it seemed like it just appeared as I rounded the last corner. It was a great sight to behold and I about fell apart when I saw my very supportive husband at the finish line waiting to give me a hug. Nick volunteered to help at the finish line and was clipping the timing chips off the shoes. There was the Fab Four at the finish handing out the ribbons and medallions and welcome the finishers. It really was a great time and a great race and would love to run it again and the other races in the series!

Beautiful Park City

Looking so thrilled be there!



The awesome pacer guys!

Yeah for the finish line!


Not a pretty picture but I did just go 13.1 miles!

The Fab Four at the finish

The finishers medallion, so much cuter than a big chunky medal

My very used and dirty running shoes, put in a lot of miles!


I asked Nick to take some cuter pictures of me, didn't want my only memories to be tired and sweaty!

It came and went!

Remember way back when I first started this blog (and actually posted things) I had planned on running a half marathon? I figured it may be time for an update.

I signed up for a local race thinking it would be better for me to know the area and help me not be so nervous, well turns out I was still really nervous. The big race was on July 9th, it came sooner than what I was ready for. My training was not great, I had skipped to many runs, I ended up walking more than I wanted while training, and the longest I ran before race day was 9.5 miles. Lucky for me I had my good friend and neighbor Megan there to run with me and push me, she has run many half and full marathons before so I was glad she was on my side!

Before the race


The race starts and we get going, pretty soon I hear from the people around "this is going to be hard, I'm already having a hard time!" Didn't help that the race started on a hill, one that we were all not prepared for, one of many that was to come. After about a half mile Megan and I look back and see only a handful of people behind us, we both look at each other trying to figure out how that happened. In all her other races, Megan had never been in the back before so I felt bad that we were behind. We decided then that we would not finish last. A few more miles pass and I am starting to get really uncomfortable, something in my system was playing a trick on me and causing me to look for the nearest bathroom. So now I'm trying to deal with an upset stomach, just what I need for my first half. We do pretty good keeping up with the runners around us and even have some bursts of speed and pass some. Most of the race was slow and go but I still looked behind to make sure we were not last. The course was hard and miserable with intense hills everywhere, I soon realized it was a bad idea to sign up for this course. I thought running where I train would be a good thing but turns out I just dreaded what was coming up and the big hills that awaited us. We make it to mile 10 and I feel like I can't go any further, I was thinking to myself it was just three miles left I can go three miles that should be easy, but I had never run three miles after I already ran 10. I wanted so bad to finish strong and get a good time but it wasn't going to happen. We finally make it to the last little downhill before the finish line and we see a runner who was behind us the whole race take a short cut and was now ahead of us. I was really upset about it but got over it and thought she probably didn't see the markers properly. Turns out we finished before the three hour time limit by a mere 14 minutes and didn't finish last with one pair of runners behind us.






After we finished I felt really bad about not getting the time I wanted. I struggled with feelings of failure even though I did just complete a half marathon. I thought when I finished that I would be done, that I can say that I did it. Well now I am motivated to do more, to get a better time, to train better, become a better runner!

I'm looking forward to another race in October!

What? I have a blog?

Wow have I totally neglected this blog or what! Maybe it's because I haven't felt like anything I have been doing was worth posting about. I do need to get back on the ol blogger and keep my progress up to date. It's been a busy couple of months with family, school, and other things happening. Though I haven't been blogging but I still work out. My half marathon is creeping up in just over a month and I'm really hoping that I will be ready. I have been following a plan I found online and I'm trusting in the process. Somedays are really good runs and others I feel like I can barely lift my feet. I was hoping that all this running will help me lose weight, but I haven't had much success in that area yet. I lived in denial about why I am not losing pounds because come on I am training for a half marathon that should work. After watching the premier of Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition and the girl on the show during the third part of her plan only lost 3 pounds in three months, it caught my eye. Here she was working out hours and hours each day and only lost 3 pounds, what it came down to was her eating -- and that is what it comes down to with me as well. I am hoping to figure out my nutrition and change that part of my lifestyle. A big help that I have found to help calorie count and track food is http://www.myfitnesspal.com



I have been a member on this site for quite some time now but haven't fully utilized the program. It's time for me to take charge of what I am eating, take responsibility for what I am putting in my body. I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to some of my favorite foods and snacks, but if I want to make this work I'm going to need to let go.

Waiting, Wishing, and Hoping

I get these days when I wonder why am I really doing this. I get frustrated when I don't see results that I think I should be getting. Why else would I put myself through an hour long workout 6 times a week? Why then am I giving up some of my favorite foods in exchange for celery and salads? I do love how I feel after a workout and I do love giving my body the nutrients it needs, but I need to lose weight and it is just not coming off. I know that my size does not define me and I know what I can do, but I would love to have my outside appearance match all the hard work I am putting in.

So today I find myself WAITING for the results to come, WISHING to have the body I want, and HOPING that what I am doing is working.

It happens . . .

It is that time of year, the time of sharing and giving. Too bad it is sick germs that are being shared. Yep, some sick bug made it's way into my home and has infested us. I've been fighting it for four days now, and my kids have also been battling it. It's nothing more than a head cold with a cough and running nose, but is sure has taken its tole on me and my family. For me, I feel like I need to let my body do it's thing and get rid of the bug so I choose to rest and not workout until I feel better. Maybe I'm wrong and I should keep with my workout plan, but really I already feel crapy and who wants to add to that.

So when you get sick, do you workout through the sickness or let your body rest and recover?

Convenience

It is really nice to have the convenience of a treadmill. I'm not one to go running out in the bitter cold first thing in the morning. I think about taking the two younger kids in the double jogging stroller while the older two are at school, but that makes it harder to push the 60+ pounds. So that leaves me to my treadmill, I like having my time and distance displayed right in front of me. I'm hoping to get a garmin forerunner training watch that will tell me my distance, speed, time, and even my heart rate as I run outside. Today I gave it a valiant 4 miles, it took me longer than I wanted but I got it done!

Pushing it

Do you ever feel like pushing yourself to see how hard you can work? Well, today was one of those workouts for me. I did a dvd that I have done lots before but I added more intensity and more weight. What a difference that made. I felt stronger as I powered through the moves and proud of myself for pushing through the hard parts when I wanted to quit. Plus it helps to have a workout buddy like I talked about below, this time it was my four year old son, he sure made sure I was doing it right!