2.26.2010

How Adorable is My Niece?!

Goals Met!

Yesterday was super exciting for me!

Here's why:

Goal 1: begin 2-a-day workouts - check!
I had spin class in the morning, and ran 1 mile after work, then went to yoga

Goal 2: Run continuously around the track (1/4 mile) without stopping - check!
I not only ran the whole thing, but felt like I could have kept going!

Goal 3: Beat my pace record of 14 minute mile - check!
12 min. mile baby!


Goals for this week:
- 2 days doing 2-a-days
- each day I run on the track, I will run 1/4 mile continuously

2.24.2010

Ups and Downs

Well, sadly, there is no picture this week with me holding up 8 fingers and a gigantic grin for accomplishing 8 miles. However... I am excited to post that I did finish 7 miles while visiting my parents, and that means running (well mostly walking quickly really) in all kinds of terrain and up and down many, many hills!
It's really interesting to me to discover just how mentally challenging this training is vs. just physically challenging. At one point during the run, I felt that we had gone at least halfway, but when I looked at my GPS tracker it said a very sad 3.13. I was so disheartened! I had spent so much of my energy and was looking for a boost to get me through the rest of the run. I instantly had my mind made up that I was done. I was ready to quit. And honestly, if I hadn't been running with my sis-in-law, Danielle, I would have headed straight back to the house and stopped there. She is a trooper. She told me we could do it, and that if we started running more, we would finish quicker. So we tucked in and and headed up a big hill (if you live around the Buhl canyon, you know just how big these hills really are) to another road to hopefully get us some more miles.
So at this point, my mental state was moderate, and I was ready (and willing) to finish. Another 30 minutes later though, we decided to check the GPS unit again to see how far we were.

It read: 3.13!!

Somehow when I had checked it before, it stopped tracking. I'm not sure if I accidentally pushed a button or what, but it went kaput.

Instant depression.

We had NO IDEA how far we had gone, and NO IDEA how much further we needed to go. We were both wiped, and had at least another half mile back to the house. Unanimous decision: cut our losses, and head home.

Today (after letting myself get over the disappointment of not completing my run for the first time) I decided to use mapmyrun.com to see just how far we went. I was very surprised to find that we went 7 miles! Not nearly as bad as I was fearing (5 miles)!
So, this week I'm going to kick butt! I'm not skimping on my runs, and I'm hitting that 10 mile run this weekend with the energy of a 5 year old with ADD!!

2.16.2010

Happy Times

I get bored and impatient at red lights.
So I entertain myself with my iPhone.
Safe? No.
Fun? Yes!

During the Super Bowl Joie found a pair of my dad's reading glasses.
All she needs is her golf clubs nearby, and a biography of Lincoln to carry around,
to complete the "papa" ensemble.

This weekend I got to babysit overnight!
The first of many aunt and niece sleepovers to come.
Being an aunt is magical.


Oh, and I ran 7 miles on Sunday.
Woo Hoo!

2.07.2010

Running like a Squirrel

So I'm still running... still training... and still loving it!
Running has become a bit easier each day/week. It's still a challenge, and will probably always be to a certain point, but I can feel that I've gotten stronger, and am starting to get in shape. My foot doesn't hurt as bad as it was. It still gets a little sore, but as long as I ice it and elevate sometime during the day, it does pretty well!
Hannah and I after our 4 mile run in the
snow 1/31/10

After my 5 mile run 2/7/10
(not shown is my sis-in-law Danielle who was a trooper and ran with me)

2.03.2010

My Favorites...

Afternoons spent with my niece

The curiosity of little ones.

Long walks on pretty days.
A good book on a comfy couch.
Secretive smiles.

Little shoes, that are pink.
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
~Anonymous

Remembering Chance Michael Rowe

1 year ago today we lost a very special little boy. I ask for prayers for his mom and dad as they deal with the anniversary of their tragedy.
He was a wonderful, amazing soul, and he is missed by many.
We love you Chance!

You can read about him here and here.