Sometimes I just don't want to....

It is after 2:00pm and I am still in my running clothes.

I came home from work at 8:30am and put them right on.

I had pure intentions on doing 6 miles today.

It never happened.

Ironing. Cleaning. Washing dishes. Sweeping. Cleaning. happened.

And I am ok with that.

I want to constantly run three times a week.

To get to that point will make me really happy.

But today is about doing whatever,

well actually getting stuff done,

except running.

Then Bruno Mars pops in my head...

"Today I don't feel like doing anything"

I probably should go get ready for work now.

I wish I could stay super consistant.

I get an a good groove while training for a race,

then after a race the drive totally drops.

I am fighting myself to go running.

I have given myself a week or two of the

lazy approach to working out.

I haven't pushed myself.

I haven't ensured I get my runs in.

But I finally have the drive back.

At least I hope.

My run today went fabulous.

It felt good to get out the door and get it in.

I have learned I really like running earlier in the morning

then later on in the day.

I don't have any races set for the rest of this year yet.

There is a Nike's women's race in San Francisco

in October I feel like signing up for.

Because I do have a goal before I die to run a race

in all 50 states before I die.

A cool race I am looking forward to is a marathon in Alaska!

I hope I can reach 50, or even half.

That would be so awesome.

SLC Half Marathon

The SLC Half Marathon was almost two weeks ago now.

It was such a BLAST!

I was lucky to run it with my brother, Shane, and SIL, Tam.

At the end of my race with my finishing medal.

I realize everyone gets a medal at the end of the races,

but I still feel so special when I get that medal.

I even made the lady handing the medals out

put it over my head like I was on a podium.

I loved it. I don't think she was amused.

James' Uncle Gary runs the second aide station at mile 3ish.

He took this lovely picture of us.

See I told you this race was a blast,

we all look so freaking happy to be running.

Please notice my and Tam's nails,

I think the fact that we painted them blue gave us extra strength.

The start line with everyone crossing.

The start is always my favorite.

I get all giggly cause I am so excited/nervous for the race.

And to see all those people jammed together is always a sight.

One of the best moments was running into my dearest friend, Jen,

at the porta potty.

I think it had been at least a year or so since I had last seen her.

Nothing is a coincidence!

I didn't think I would see her because she is freaking fast,

and I would kill over after the second mile running her pace.

She is awesome. Seriously awesome.

And just because people never believe how long the lines

always are for the porta potties.

When you gotta go, you gotta go.

The three amigos before the race.

The three amigos after the race.

It was so great to run with my family.

I kept getting all sentimental saying

how proud I was that we were running this race.

How we are making ourselves better physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Setting good examples for their kids, and our future kids.

The SLC Half is such a fun race and I can't wait for the next race!

3 days

Three days until race day.

Only fitting I write three things I learned this week about running.

1. I should not run at night unless I truly concentrate on what I eat during the day.

Bad news.

2. My body enjoys running and gets more energy from doing the workouts.

3. I really enjoy long runs. As I am doing shorter runs this week I am almost sad,

I don't have the silent push of a long Saturday run.

I am stoked to run with my siblings on Saturdays race.

It will be awesome and I just can not wait!

SLC Half is one awesome race.

WOOP! WOOP!

GO RUNNERS!!!

Turbo

Seriously I love Turbo Jam.

It has those awesome workouts and you can choose what you want to do.

Like today while James was snoozing in the next room,

I was able to do 20 min cardio then 40 min weight train.

It was awesome.

I feel better and am glad to have been able to workout

and not make it super loud.

Although when I am home alone working out

the TV volume is cranked high and I'm hooting and hollering

along with the DVDs.

Hey, it makes the workouts more fun!

I haven't had a gym membership for almost two years now,

and I can proudly say I don't miss it!

I am so excited for the SLC half marathon next weekend.

It will be so fun to run with Shane and Tam.

And my cousins husband, Cameron, is doing the full marathon.

I have never been more proud of my family then when

we all focus on our health and to make ourselves better!

10 miler

The 10 miler went great yesterday.
I am amazed at our bodies and how well muscle memory works,
And how clearing it is for the mind when you run.
Only 2 weeks until the race.
I am so excited!

16 days

Whoowie!

16 day until the SLC half marathon!

Yikes!

I have been been doing pretty good keeping up on training.

I was hoping to run 12 miles at least twice before the race,

but I am sure I will be fine.

I was excited to run while we were visiting Utah.

Do some of the old routes I use to enjoy.

And it didn't happen.

I was having too much fun and never got around to running.

Since being home I have jumped back into it.

I ran my hill run yesterday,

and did a strength train DVD yesterday.

I was hoping to run 6 today,

but as I am feeling tired I decided to just do the run tomorrow.

Sometimes it's nice to just sit back and rest.

Let your body and mind take a break and push it the next day.

Eight is great!

I have been incredibly nervous to run 8 miles.

Who knows why.

But today I set out and at the end of the run all

I could keep thinking to myself was,

"Was that really 8, cause that was way too easy."

I am so proud of myself for sticking with running.

Pushing through the bad times.

Improving myself all the time.

And reaching new limits on days where all I can

think about is taking a nap.

So my new motto for mileage is Eight is Great!

My mind

Nothing is stronger than our minds.

I was SO TIRED this morning.

I did not want to get my butt out the door to run 6 miles.

I tried to keep being positive and tell myself,

I can run. I can do it.

Surprisingly I did it.

and I'm not so tired anymore.

I feel rejuvenated and stronger that I pushed through

that little block and did the run.

Sigh... I love running!

Hill running

I'm not the fastest runner.

I wish I was more faster than I am,

but I know I may not be able to be the fastest.

I'm ok with that.

But as I have been working on increasing my speed

I have noticed that with strength training

and challenging my muscles I am able to run harder.

There is the dish by where we live.

A 3.5 mile hill run that is intense.

The first hills you run you start at 150 ft

and increase to an altitude of 580 ft.

Ya, I am panting by the time I reach the top.

It's a challenging loop that I aim to do every week,

and hopefully soon will be able to run twice in a row.

But as I have done my normal runs I credit my

stamina on those runs to the hill runs.

I will forever love hill runs!

Even if I curse for most of the run. :)