Exercise Example

Little ones just want to do what we do. Exercising isn't just to keep me healthy, it's to teach my kids how to keep themselves healthy.

Sweet Pea exercising like Momma.

Running On Vacation: Waterton Lakes National Park

Why I LOVE running on vacation. . . .

Just look at that view of Waterton Lake.

And The Prince of Whales Hotel.  So wonderful.

Utah Valley 1/2 Marathon 2012

I didn't know if I was going to be able to run this race because A) I didn't train well and 4) I got Mastitis and a Sinus Infection the day before.  Oh the pain and fear of not being able to do what I had spent the last 2 weeks convincing myself I would at least attempt.  But I got the go ahead from the Doctor.  If I felt good when I woke up the next morning, then it was okay to run.

So, 3 am came sooner than I wanted it to, but I was feeling well.   A little tender, but well enough to head out to the course.  I got up and got ready.  A friend of mine picked me up and we headed out to catch our bus up the canyon.  We caught the bus and because I hadn't eaten anything before I left home, I felt so sick.  But my wonderful friend gave me half a cookie and I felt WAY better.

When I hopped off the bus all I could smell was SMOKE.  The heaters they had were barrels burning wood.  It was a little much for me that morning.  It was better when we walked past them all.  The 1.5 hour wait at the start line went really quickly.  I was glad.  And I wasn't too cold.

Then it was time to start.  All I could think was, "Just finish. Walk as much as you need to.  Just finish."  I was feeling great and had also decided that I would try to run at least the first 8 miles. 

It was exciting at the beginning of the race. There was music blaring and plenty of people ready to set PR's.  It was beautiful..  The first 8 miles went by super fast because of it.  Not to mention, it was downhill.  It wasn't too hot.  Just a PERFECT day for a race.

Me at mile 11: 

I'm so glad that I was able to run most of the race.  I stopped at mile 8 to call my Hubby and tell him where I was, so that he and the kids could be at the end to cheer me on.  (Yes, I made a phone call in the middle of my race)  Then I walked through all the aid stations after that to drink some water and suck on an orange or stretch a bit.  But besides that I ran the entire race.  I can't believe it.  But I'm super excited for the next one.  I'll actually train for that one.

I ran the 13.1 miles in 2:33:47

That made my split time 11:44/mile.  I'm so glad.  I just wanted to keep my mile time under 13 minutes.

I took 1913th place out of 2510.

186th out of 385 in my age group.

The goal next time:  To finish in less time.

Utah Valley 1/2 Marathon Update

A few months ago I had decided with my entry partners to change to the 10K instead of running the 1/2.  We just don't have the time or haven't taken it to train.  Because we had decided this, I hadn't been running much AT ALL.  However, my brother, who did the actual registering, forgot to go online and change the race.  AND we forgot to remind him to do this.  By the time he got online to do it, the deadline for changes had passed.

So, in a week and a half I will be running in my first 1/2 Marathon. Alone. I have been ditched by my surgery recovering Mother and my Brother is just leaving the state.  (I think he's hiding from the race we didn't train for.) ALONE. For this very long distance I have never attempted.  

My goal:  to finish the race before they start taking the blockades down.  Even if I have to CRAWL across the finish line, I'm going to do it.

Joys Of Running

I ran today. 

I got up off my fat butt, got the kiddies in the stroller, and RAN.

It felt really good to get out and do it.

Good, if bouncing boobs, slapping thighs, and a very jiggly tire around my midsection were what I was going for. 

Although I now have raw skin all over, I will be going out again. 

The more I do it, the less noise and rubbing. Right?

Post Pregnancy Exercise Reality

I realize it now.  This year will not be my pedal to the metal year when it comes to exercise.  We have had a handful of sicknesses this LATE flu season.  I'm getting used to having 2 kids and keeping them on a healthy schedule AND still focusing on the fun stuff every day. 

This, I have felt, has left my health on the back burner.  Something I never wanted to do.  So, I've re-evaluated.  I understand that for my sanity and the survival of my family, I NEED exercise and healthy living in my life.  I also understand that I didn't have as much time to dedicate to these things as I did when I was single or just had my Hubby to worry about.  This year is about Baby Steps.

Baby Steps to Eating Clean
Baby Steps to exercise
Baby Steps to NO more TV
Baby Steps to outdoor fun with little kids
Baby Steps to de-cluttering my house

and there are so many more.

I'm beginning my healthy living with the Eat-Clean lifestyle.  No more processed foods.  Smaller portions.  And more meals a day.  This is not going to be an easy change, but this is going to be a FANTASTIC change.  I guess we'll see together how this first year of Eating Clean goes. 

Wish us luck.

Happy Birthday 5K

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to run in my friends Birthday 5K. She wanted to celebrate her own birthday with friends and by running. Something that she is blessed to be able to do. I thought it was a fantastic idea. So, my Hubby and I bundled up the kiddos on a cold Saturday morning and ran the 3.2 miles around our neighborhood.

It was so much fun. Fun to be with friends. And fun to run a race on a route that I knew well. And who wouldn't want to run a Birthday race when there are cupcakes at the end that look SO FANTASTIC!?


They were fantastically delicious too!