Here we go again~

Okay, prepare yourselves. This mornings entry may be a little too spunky, cheer leader'ish for the average reader, but, here it goes:  Yeah, it's MARCH!!! Yeah, it's WARM!! Yeah, my leg didn't hurt today!!  Yeah, I got up and ran!! Yeah, I felt great the entire time!!! Yeah, I ran with great friends who brighten my day!! Yeah Yeah, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

Really, I feel like I am on cloud 9 today.  This morning I actually got up easy and LOVED my run with the Heidi's.  We did the 5 mile square with the pretty little road add on, however we decided this is going to be our normal route from now on so we need to come up with a clever name, any ideas???  "5 mile square with pretty little road add on " is a bit of a mouthful!!  But, it was so nice to get out and run today. It was bright half way through our run, the birds were churping, it was warm, Man, it was great!! It helps that I have gained weight and so starting today I am turning over a whole new leaf. I need to be pumped up about this!!  And, if I admit this on the blog it binds me to it right?  So, I am ready to turn over a new leaf.  I look forward to running more, feeling good and hopefully having a good attitude through all of it, YEAH!! Go........., Fight............., WIN!!!!  ha ha~

Avg. Pace: 8:44

So, I went for a P.M. run tonight for the first time in a long time and BOY, WAS IT NICE!!! I had planned to meet JaNae but while driving to meet her passed Heidi C so she stopped and came with us for the first part of our run (the end of her run).  It was so fun getting out at this time of day and having some girl time.  JaNae and I just kind of improvised and made up a route as we went along.  She ran a marathon just a couple of weeks ago and this was her first time out since then.  Plus, she has an injury that she has been nursing so it was just an easy little running/chat session. It was so good to run with her.  At the end she was ready to turn off and head back to the car but I wanted to get one last mile in at a faster pace, so I turned Left, made a small loop and caught back up with her.  Again, great run, great visit, It was a Great night!!! I am glad I was able to get out!!

splits: 9:00, 8:40, 9:08,9:04, 7:45(this one felt so darn good), 8:08 (last .5) avg: 8:44

Okay, so I am not quit as chipper today as I was on Monday. I am still Happy, just not completely phsyced, cheer leader, valley girl'ish as on Monday. I am not sure if it is due to the fact that we stayed up until 12:30 to watch American Idol that has me tired today, or the fact that I am trying to cut out my sugar/chocolate intake, but either way, I just feel more tired today.  In any event, we got out this morning for our "NEW LEAF" route (thanks for the help on that one JonA, the name passed the board with flying colors).  Poor Heidi C is having some problems with one of her knees and so we took it a little easier today and then Heidi W and I kicked it into high gear the last mile.  If anyone has any advise I can give her, please let me know, I am sure she would love some input.  It is hurting her on the outside of the knee.  I have advised ice, stretching, taking a day off in between and taking glucosomine, so let me know if I am way off!!    Anyway, it's always nice to get out with these girls and it was a BE-E-A-Utiful morning!!

splits: 9:20 (warm up mile), 8:57, 9:01, 8:56, 8:51, 8:06, 7:46 (last .5 mile).  Avg: 8:51

So, those of you who know me, or have even seen me, know that I am a brunette.  This has been the case for just over 4 years. However, before this, I was a blonde and had been my entire life. Moral of my story is that I pay heavy attention to the word "USED" to be a blonde.  Last night I attempted to go back to my blonde days and lets just say TRAIN WRECK!!!!  It was a horrific experience. After almost 5 hours at the salon, I left with 3 different sections of hair. The top part being mostly orange, with some plantinum blonde areas, mixed with a little brown and gray....... yes, I said gray. Then, the underneath part that was actually pretty decently weaved, but also resembled the gray tint, and then the third section was the inch of roots left from my original brunette color making it look like it had been months since I had my hair done. Needless to say, it was Horrible and made for a very long night, I was sick to my stomach and had a hard time dealing with it.  I do not mean to seem so dramatic, but hair is a very big deal in my opinion.   So, I got up Friday morning (the next day) to run and I was a little wiped out because of the whole ordeal. Heidi had to witness the catastrophy (sorry about that) but was so nice and even sent me flowers later that day with a card that read: "Sorry that you had a "bad hair day" yesterday".  Talk about a sweet friend.  Anyway, we trudged along and tried to make the most of the run. I didn't even dare look at my watch when I got home because I didn't want to know my splits, but I did and it actually wasn't as bad as it felt.  Avg. Pace was 8:42.  So, I am sure you are all on pins and needles about what happened with my hair?  I went back into my lady first thing and she put dark back on and got me all fixed up.  However, some of the highlights did pull through.  So, now I am a brunette with some dramatic highlights.  A compromise I can handle!! HA HA :) Thanks for letting me share the drama~ 

What a fun weekend. We went with Tyler's family up to my sister in law's cabin  for a little getaway.  To give you an idea of what my plans were while we were up there, I only packed sweats and books in my suitcase.  A nice, relaxing weekend.  It was so much fun.  But, Saturday morning my mother in law got out a work out video to do, so I joined her.  We did some walking in place and then I tried to bump up the cardio just slightly and did some push ups, a little yoga, and some other little stretches, etc.  It wasn't anything major, but it was nice to do something. I actually had sore arms on Sunday too, so I guess I worked them harder than I thought.  It was so fun doing that with my mother in law, and again, Such a fun weekend!!!  

I opted to switch shifts with Tyler yesterday morning for a night run, but the lovely storm that swooped in ruined that idea and so I needed to get out today for sure.  Tyler and I are both in church callings that require our Tuesday nights so I had called one of my Young Women in advance to ask if she could come sit with the boys, while Tyler and I went out together.  However, she got here to babysit and Tyler wasn't home yet so I went out by myself. I didn't leave my house until after 9:00 so I was a little scared.  Yes, I am a wimp, I will admit it.  But, it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it tonight.  I had my ipod and the chill in the air was perfect.  I just ran 2 miles out and then back.  I am going to try to hit tomorrow morning (despite the painful adjustments to the time change) and then again Thursday in preparation for the Spectrum 10K this weekend. Can't wait!!  

Splits: 7:59, 8:18, 7:59, 7:45.  Avg: 8:00 (Darn 2nd mile!!!!!)

5 mile square this morning with Heidi.  This time change is officially kicking my butt and I feel tired all day long.  Hope I get into the groove soon. 

Heidi's knee is still bothering her so we took it easy today but it was so nice to run with her.  She is a great friend and I always love talking to her.  What would we do without good friends? I honestly wonder how I would survive. Thanks for the run Heid!!!  

What a fun race and a fun weekend.  Heidi W, JaNae and I left for St. George Friday afternoon for a girls racing weekend.  We got to St. George, went to dinner, went to a movie, the grocery store and then stayed up until 1:00am just talking, WHAT MORE COULD  A GIRL ASK FOR??  Oh, I know, a 10K the next morning!!!  So, we got up and went and ran the race, then went and got massages, went shopping and drove home.  It was a jam packed day and a half, but very fun!! 

So, now onto the race.  It was an interesting race from the start.  We got to the church (to meet the bus) at about 8:10.  The said the last bus would be leaving at 8:30.  Well after sitting and waiting for almost 35 more minutes (now putting the time at 8:45) we finally got on the bus and headed up the course.  When we got up top I needed to use the bathroom so just as I got in the lovely porta potty, I hear the announcer yell "30 seconds".  (Okay, not much time to pee, just get out there).  So, I ran out just as the alarm sounded to start the race.  I was trying to shuffle through people and find my groove on the road and with my breathing, kind of running here and there when some lady behind me said "Your strike is off, that is not a smooth run."  I was insulted and felt stupid.  I didnt' remember asking for her opinion and yes, I was not into an official groove yet, so I am sure it was true but I didn't need that to start my race :(.  However, I just kept running and eventually found a good place on the road and my breathing settled in.  Almost immediately, I just took a breath and said to myself "I LOVE ST.GEORGE".  Oh, it is so beautiful down there!!  First mile was down hill and fast (I avg. a 6:45 pace, I think I was running from the lady who was critiquing my form).  But after that, it kind of rolled and was perfect.  I started to struggle a little at about 4.5 when going through a neighborhood that had a gradual incline but cute little Marcie in front of me, 6 months pregnant and kicking my butt, motivated me to keep pushing through. I figured if she could keep going, I had no excuse not to (Way to go Marcie, you did awesome by the way)!!  So, I finished strong and felt pretty good with all things concidered.  If MichelleL were to ask me if I felt like it was a race effort, I would have to say Yes!!  Heidi and JaNae did awesome too!!  It was a very fun race and I am so glad that I did it.  Not to mention that it was my second race for the Runner's Series so I should officially be eligible for the marathon now, YEAH!!!   A holler out to Smooth, JonA and Kelly that I ran into down there. It was so good to see all of you guys!!  You all did GREAT!!

Avg. Pace: 7:21

Met up with Heidi C this morning for the 5 mile square.  Her knee is feeling a little better so she wanted to take it easy and I was a little sore from Saturday so I wanted to take it easy, so we just took it easy.  Heidi is such a sweetie and always so good to get up and get me out in the morning.  It was a nice, easy run and a great way to start a Monday!! 

Avg. Pave: 9:00

So, it's been over a week since I last ran and after eating myself into sickness for my birthday, I felt it was time that I got out for at least a couple of miles.  I didn't leave my house until 9:50pm to go though, so I just ran out and back.  I ended up going 4 miles because I felt so good and it felt good to get out and run.  I hope to be able to start putting some more miles in soon!!! 

Avg. pace 8:17 

Met up with JaNae and Heidi W this morning for a little walk/run work out.  Tyler was planning on leaving the house at about 7:15 for the Riverton half today so I knew I had to be home for that.  It was really fun getting out with these girls and to have some time to visit and catch up!!  It was in no means a work out that pushed me, but it was still nice to get out none the less.  Then, I came home and got myself and the boys ready so that we could go up to the finish of the Riverton Half and rally my hubby in.  He ended up taking 2nd place over all, WAY TO GO TY!! I also want to give a big holler out to Kelli, Smooth and Marion who did so stinking awesome today!  I also saw Michelle N, Peggy, and a few others from the blog.  It was a fun, cold, fun morning!!!!  Good job today everyone!!  

Did a quick strength training video tonight by myself down stairs in attempts to get some exercise. I had planned on going running all day, but the weather did not permit, so I settled for some in home options and the Treadmill made my sick to my stomach to think about. Therefore, I resorted to strength training and it actually felt really good! I know I will be sore. I always like that feeling.