14 miler

Today I ran 14 miles, my longest run ever! It was a balmy 73 degrees. If you don't know much about running, 73 is hot! 55 degrees is the ideal temperature to run.

Normally I would have been excited for 73 since it has been hot, but this week it got down below 60! So I had some awesome runs this week! Which kind of made this run hard.

When it is cooler running is fun and exciting for me. When it is warm, it is hard and sometimes grueling!!! So I need to be grateful for those times when it is a joy and get through the ones that aren't.

I guess that is why running is quite often compared to life! There are so many similarities! Enjoy the good times and remember them when you are going through the bad!

Life since San Fran

So I don't think I have written anything since San francisco. I am back to training for another half in October. But ultimately I am training for a Marathon. Yes, a marathon. When making my training schedule, I didn't make it for a half, I made it for a full.

Blake is running the Tulsa full, and I want to run it too. I was going to sign up next week, but I also have to make sure we have babysitters.

Anyway, running has been hard. It has been hot and we just got back from traveling last week, then Blake went out of town. So it has been crazy. I think when the girls are back in school and we all have a better routine, we will all be happier. Which means momma will be happier and run better. I have been 30 sec slower. I don't know exactly why but I know I need to loose AT LEAST 50 lbs! So that is going along with all my running goals!

Oh, I am not cutting my hair until the Ogden marathon next may! Fun!

I'm a half marathoner!!!

I ran my first half this morning. The day started with Blake leaving for his marathon. Sara was awake at 4am, and couldn't go back to sleep. I laid by her, and she finally fell asleep. Then Faith woke up to eat. During this time I was sleepy but mostly ready to go. I fed Faith and "rested my eyes" while she ate. She got done at 6:10 and I needed to leave by 6:30. So with Vicki's help, I did.

I got to the bus that would take me to my start line in Golden Gate Park. I met Jamie. She is from Anehiem, and lives next to Disneyland. She was a nice lady and was fun to talk with. We stayed together until the race started. She was walking & I was running.

While we were waiting for our wave to start, we watched for Blake. The marathoners ran right by us. I was watching and found him. I waved and when he got closer he came and gave me a kiss! It is just what I needed! I had never run my first race by myself. I was so nervous. But when I saw him, I knew I could do it!

My plan was to run a 2hr 45 min half marathon. Which means I would run 12min 35sec miles. Well I started running and I was running 11:45. I thought my watch was broken!!! I ran that the whole way. I felt awesome. I didn't get sore until the last 3 miles. The Golden Gate Park was beautiful! It was a wonderful way to see San Francisco! So my time on my watch was 2:35! That's 10 minutes faster than my goal!

I am a very blessed woman! God has given me three beautiful and healthy daughters, and a husband who loves, supports & pushes me! I am so grateful to both Blake's family and my family, who cheer us on and make it possible for us to do what we have come to love...Running! I am truly grateful for all of my blessings!!!!

12 miles, check!

Today was my last long training run! I did it, 12 miles! It's the furthest I have ever run. Not as fast as I wanted but that is ok. I am not far off the time I want to run! My hip is still annoying, and hopefully with a little rest it will be better. Now I taper until the half marathon in San Fransisco in two weeks.

I can't believe it has come so fast. I remember when I decided to run this race. Now it is two weeks away! I can't wait!

I had the greatest help today! Blake, Emma, Sara & Faith came and helped me. It made my run easier, and they cheered me on. I loved hearing Emma & Sara cheer, "go mama go"! I am so grateful that I have such a great and supportive family! I couldn't do this running thing without them!

10 miles!!!

I did it! I ran 10 miles this morning! This 193lb, 33 year old woman did it!!! I got up at 4 and then left at 5am. I am thankful for having my own coach that lives with me! I couldn't do it without Blake. He gets up with me and gets me all ready to go. It takes most of the nerves away!

Last Sunday I ran 8 and I was tired but it felt pretty easy. This week my legs felt like I my thighs were made of stone! It started at mile 6. I really didn't know if I would physically do it. Mentally I would NOT let myself stop, even though I really really wanted to! My fear was that if I did stop, that I would not be able to finish.

I realized I have NEVER EVER purposely put myself through that much pain! But I also realized I was mentally stronger than I ever realized. And during this last month, that is something I needed to realize!

I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband and that he is my best friend. I have three beautiful girls that are so sweet and loving! I am grateful for all I have!

I DID IT!!!!!

P.S. Next week is 12! Ahhhhhh:)

Wow what a run!

So I haven't been feeling very good lately and I have had a sore hip. Tuesdays run was better than Sundays because my hip hurt less and I was 30 sec per mile faster. Today's run was a tempo run. I was supposed to run one mile warm up, run 3 miles @11:53 and run 1 mile cool down.

I started out ok. The first two miles are the hardest for me. Then I got in a groove and felt great! I ran as fast as 11:48. I was so happy! Plus my hip didn't hurt! Yay!!!!! And it was 60 degrees. Even better!

So I didn't cool down at the end, I just kept going until I got home. I really felt good and the run was awesome! I never thought I would be here after having Faith 3 months ago! I am so proud of myself!

8 miles

Today I ran 8 miles. I ran 8 miles one time with Blake last year. My experience this time was very different! 1. Blake was at home with the girls. 2. I have a sore hip that made it so I couldn't run like last Sunday. 3. I still did it!

Last year I would have used my sore hip as an excuse not to run. This year I am training for the San Fransisco half marathon and I only have 4 weeks left to train! No excuses and I want & need to run as many miles as I can before the marathon!

Besides the pain and being a whole minute slower than I was last week, I enjoyed my run. I enjoy the time to myself. It helps me to feel good & the only thing I have to worry about is making to the end. All of life just pauses until my run is over.

I am proud of myself for running. It is not something many people do or even want to do. I would never have thought in December of 2008 that I would have had a baby and 16 weeks later I would be running a half marathon!!!

I could never have gotten to this point without my family! I love Blake, Emma, Sara & Faith so very much!