The Chickens are multiplying

So I went for another run last night...More chickens on main street...Seriously where do I live? Anyway it was a nice run. Temple hill still sucks....however I did pass some dudes running up campus hill...yeah I'm awesome :). Then I was again annoyed by the lame-wad frat boys chillin on their front lawn. and then I passed another dude running down the other side of campus. Then it got feeling so nice out...and like a half second later it was storming like crazy and I got pelted by debris waiting at the light :(. All in all it was a good run....So not ready for the upcoming races.... st George Marathon in 67 days...save me

2 more runs in

So Thursday and Friday I did 4 milers...nothing too exciting to report. There were chickens on main street...only in Logan... I also downloaded some new running music. I discovered that I kinda like rap....well... german rap....and I don't think it's cool german rap....he counts to eight a lot in it....not sure what the other words are but its got a good beat so lo que sea. I also heard a good song with my brother and his wife...I'm on a boat... I find if I listen to it and close my eyes I can almost forget that I'm not super cool and on a boat and feel like dying.....but I would not advise running with your eyes closed as there are some safety hazards to doing such i.e. curbs, intersections, cars, the occasional truck driving down the sidewalk, chickens roaming the streets, and mud puddles. The last of which I ran through while avoiding being hit by a cop. Thanks Mr. police officer for running me into the mud. Though it did make me feel a little more hardcore...anyway.... I'm home now for the weekend...we'll see if i get a good run in. That's all for now.

Another run down

nothing too exciting on this post just another 4 mile run. I definitely think that running is a mental challenge. I went running alone tonight and there was no one else out running or walking for the first mile or so and I felt great. I didn't start to get tired until I started seeing people and wanted to catch them then I started to realize how tired i was. Moral of the story: running is mental... :)

The Batman Belt

So...its hot outside. Finally. Which makes running difficult seeing as mornings and I don't get along too well. I finally broke down and bought me a batman belt...For those of you who don't know what a batman belt is, they are running utility belts that make you feel like a super hero.Tonight was the first night I ran with it. I was SOOO glad I had it cuz it was stinking hot outside. However, the entire time I was running I wanted to yell out go go gadget....something.... I couldn't think of anything clever to say :(. Also, I really need to get used to running with water...It was really hot outside so I drank a lot which caused some problems. The sloshing of the water in my stomach made me super sick....I about puked on main street...SOOO glad I didnt although right when I was about to lose it some dudes that thought they were all that were walking by....in my mind I thought it would be really funny to puke on them....see how awesome they felt after, but I restrained myself and made it home with no public barfing. All in all a good run. And when you see a super hero running down main street in logan....I'm really not a super hero....though i am pretty awesome...or something like that.

The Marathon

So yeah I've been a horrible blogger.... I ran the marathon last week and have not blogged about it yet. Sorry, not sure anyone reads it anyway but still...anyway the important thing is that i finished it. I know people were thinking I was really hard headed for not dropping out cuz everyone else i planned to run with dropped out but the only rule i've had with myself for running is no DNFs and so i couldn't well... wouldn't drop out.so heres the run down of the race....no pun intended :)

Step one: Getting to the start line

by far my least favorite part of race day. i hate getting up particularly that early, and those buses reek. seriously. i have no appetite at 3 am and icy hot fumes mixed with bananas and oatmeal and generally stinky people do not mix well. the bus ride also absolutely terrifies me. its a fairly long busride and i know that i have to somehow get all the way back....i just hate how long that ride takes...if it takes that long in a bus how long will it take me to run? This year i also had some really annoying girls discussing their prerace diets in the seat next to me...they were crazy health runners...i am not one of those people...while i sat there listening to them i had my diet coke out getting some prerace caffeine.

Step two: waiting for the gun

so this year i decided its much more fun to wait for the race to start with people you know. I really kind of struggled at the start line. I found my own little patch of dirt sat down finished off my coke and oatmeal...breakfast of champions there. used the port-a-potty. wandered around some more had an apple....used the port-a-potty again....wandered around listened to people complaining about having to WALK to the fires...yes they were annoyed that the fires were not right next to the start line. they actually had to walk through port-a-potty boulevard to get to them....sure you can run a freaking marathon but you cant walk to the the fires 300 meters away??? anyway, it finally go to be 15 minutes to the start time so i got ready to go got my ipod ready and dropped my extra layers at the bag drop. then i heard a gunshot....start??? a few minutes later they announced that was the start for the the wheelchairs. seeing that it wasn't super well announced i headed over to the start line so i didnt miss it. just as we all started to line up some local decided he needed to get his huge truck and trailer through the start gate...well... he was just inching through not stopping hoping that we'd all just get out of his way. he was a real peach. anyway the race was about to stop so he had to wait at the front of the start gate :). Anyway no announcement was made and the gun went off again... everyone just kinda looked around at each other then they came over with the megaphone and said ummm that was the start...good luck. with that we all squished through the start line like a flock of sheep.

The first half:

I found the first mile of this race to be really hard for me. I was feeling really alone at this point. I am so used to always having my family there to run with and this was the first time i had no one else out there with me. I got really teared up during the first mile and i'm sure everyone was thinking wow one mile in and shes already crying? she ain't gonna make it. I always have liked the beginning of races being to see everyone in the family out there and trying to keep up or catch up, but i was on my own this time and it was harder than i expected. I finally kicked it into gear and stayed with a big pack until mile 11. I struggled through miles 8-9 getting into the canyon. There were a lot of steep rolling hills through that area and i was just not having it. i also started feeling really sick which would be why i stopped for so long at the halfway point aid station.

The 2nd half:

so i was not feeling so hot by this point i was really sick to my stomach and my muscles started cramping. I took on a new strategy run until the cramp hurt too much to keep going... walk until it released and the run again....this was a painful and time consuming process. I was so excited to get the last really nice downhill portion. The section from nun's park to the mouth of the canyon. I passed a lot of people at this point and it felt really good. I also was thankful for all the cheer i was getting from people stuck in traffic. Cheer makes a big difference. I finally got to the mouth of the canyon and got some cheer from another runners family and started to run again then i saw my brother and his wife and i was SO happy to see them. cheer is good but cheer from people you know is the best. I was so excited to see familiar faces and to know that i was likely to start seeing my family until the end. (this was mile 20) I got my sorry body down to mile 23 and saw my family waiting for me there. This was the best aid station ever. The volunteers were handing out otter pops and I was dying of heat and then once i passed the real aid station i found my aid station from my family. it was awesome to have everyone out there cheering me on. it really meant a lot and i really enjoyed that diet coke...probably not the best idea to run off with it though... just fyi of you run with an open can of coke your hand will get sticky. I loved the course change because by mile 24 I could see the finish line...it was just a matter of dragging myself to it. which i finally did...not a great time but i did it. it was awesome having everyone there cheering me on as i finished and i still just love that feeling of crossing the finish line and knowing that i had given it my all.

what i learned:

1. either misery really does like company or everything is better with family...i think its probably the latter of the 2
2. there is a time where i am really excited to see a port-a-potty
3. i CAN go it alone
4. im blessed that i dont have to go it alone
5. i love my family and am blessed to know that we get to be together for eternity
6. even if it makes you sick---- drink water during the race....i was super dehydrated after...no bueno
7. whether you think you can or you think you cant youre right
8. i can still do hard things.

Ready or not

Well the marathon is here.... I am so not ready for it... but I am excited. Well... one minute I'm excited then the next I'm scared out of my mind. This will be the longest run I've done by myself. I finally finished printing my shirt last night. It's not perfect but it's better than running with a duct tape badge. Wish me luck!

I'm not in Provo anymore

So I went running again on Friday....gotta get down on friday... anyway, it was a great day for a run and for really jacked up trucks to drive down the sidewalk...on the main drag!! Yeah I'm still not savvy on all the names of roads in Logan...I think it was 200 West anyway...it's the main road. I was in the zone doing my thing when i realized there was a giant truck....driving right at me...on the freaking sidewalk....I moved over and ran on the grass and gave him the stink eye. In the end it was a nice 4 miler.... I just wish trucks knew to drive on the road not the sidewalk...maybe its just a Logan thing....

Island in the Sun

So...for the past few months this fabulous song by Weezer has been my theme song...I hate being cold....and today I finally felt like I was on an Island in the sun. :) The sun was out it was nice and warm...a bit hot to be out running but I had some reggae going.... all in all a nice run. I'm so glad to see the rain go. My shin splints are back though... I havent had them in over a year now so Im hoping they're not long lived. Anyway glad to know that there is still a sun behind all those clouds. :) and that's the end of that chapter...

Raining.....again

Well... I'm spending the weekend in Utah valley with my family. Unfortunately its raining here....I just really hope it gets over it soon considering I'll be running the marathon here in two weeks..Well....not here but in the canyon. If its raining here itll be pouring there. I really dont want a repeat of last years marathon here. Then again i dont want it to be deathly hot like st george...just pick a happy medium! That's all... for now.

On the Road Again

Well I got a good run in again tonight. Im so glad the rain is finally leaving....although I do love to watch the rain...and I think electrical storms are amazing. Anyway, the run was actually really good...though my ankle was not enjoying it...i think my body is anti running the entire first mile of every run is like death. everything hurts but around 2.5 miles i guess it finally just gives in and goes into zen mode. I was happy to see that the dead bird which I blogged about earlier was cleaned up...or eaten....I prefer to think it was cleaned up :)the other really grosses me out.... and to think i want to be a forensic scientist. anyway...Logan was beautiful tonight such a nice night for a run. I think I'm finally to that point where running makes me happy...and to think the first time I went running I cried my eyes out and vowed to never do that to myself again... but it really is such a stress reliever for me now. This week I've been stressing out over guys...i totally thought I was in love and thought everything was "perfect"....but then he's ignored me all week long. I dont know why but i was coming up with all kinds of excuses for him that he was just so crazy busy to talk...hes not and even if he was he should make time for me if he really cared...Conclusion: he doesnt really care and I deserve way more than that. My run tonight finally brought back some self-esteem and its awesome. I do deserve to be treated way better than I have been and i'm not putting up with it anymore...so if you think this post was about you...then if you really want me around youre going to have to actually work for it. Moral to the story...never be afraid to try new things, they might just change your life and moral #2...men are morons :) That's all for now

p.s. Avril Lavigne's Everything back but you was my power song tonight...totally fit my situation...thanks avril

Oh the Humanity

So I finally got to run again on Monday between the rainstorms. I attempted to take a picture of the Temple and my dreaded temple hill...but unfortunately apple is anti picture taking... the ipod has a video camera but no camera....genius. Anyway all I ended up with was a 2 second video of my fingers...seeing as apple also placed the lens right where you would hold the ipod...also genius. Anyway...I would have pics...but I don't...so blame apple. All in all it was a good run though, although I HATE the frat boys by USU so...if you guys are reading this...I am mentally flipping you off :). Anyway...back at the farm...or road I guess... I saw the saddest thing ever... There was a dead bird on the sidewalk...It wa so sad...maybe running just makes me emotional...idk but it was terrible.. It looked like it had fallen out of a tree and it was partially eaten by bugs... sad...and terribly gross. Again...if you wanted pictures blame apple. Anyway...17 days until the marathon... Beer me strength.

Rain...

It's raining in Logan...again... to run or not to run...

I chose the not to run option... my road is now a big puddle....id rather not soak my shoes and all that goodness...besides the fact that i think my office was struck by lightning...so tomorrow is another day.

Lessons from Lake to Lake

So some of you may know I ran the Lake to Lake relay with my brother in March. It was really hard but it was probably one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever had. I found so many parallels between running and the gospel. Here are a few:

• Study the course: yes they gave you a map for a reason...even though they do give out awards for the team who was lost the most....its not a good thing


• Study the scriptures: We have been given guidance and direction and do not need to face the world blindly....and I highly doubt you'll get an award for being the most lost.


• Stay on the course: There is only one right way to get there....follow the marks on the path


• Hold to the rod: Life is much easier when you hold tight to the rod


• It's not necessarily bad to stand out: So I ran this race dressed as Princess Daisy and my brother was Link form Zelda...yes I ran the whole thing in a dress, princess gloves, and a crown. We also had every team out there cheering for us.


• Stand a little taller: As members sometimes we get nervous of what others will think of us but it's ok. We are a "peculiar" people and that's awesome seriously check out the foot note... we are a "purchased" people...how awesome is that. God loves us he bought us back from sin through the atonement. It's ok to be peculiar.


• Follow the old guy: so...if you read my previous post you will have read this little tidbit already...seriously though they have been doing this for 60+ years....they know what they're doing


• Follow the prophet: He also knows what he's doing. He has been given the power to receive revelation for us. He will never lead us astray.


• My parents love me: My mom should seriously get an award...she took on the nasty duty of massaging in Icy Hot on my leg halfway through the race...and she also had the elixir of life...an ice cold diet coke...and my dad will always be there for me he was there when I didn't think I could make it


• God loves all His children: God loves us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. My parents knew that it was hard for me to do what I was doing yet they didn't let me give up on it. So it is with Heavenly Father, of course He knows that what He asks of us is hard to do, but He also knows our potential. He knows who we can become and He will never give up on us.


• Keep your phone handy: So when I run...usually on longer runs I get really discouraged at some point and need to call someone to get a little cheer. Keep a phone handy


• Pray: God hears and answers prayers. He's always there. So I said that my dad was there for me when I didn't think I could make it...the last 3 miles were torture...I was exhausted and it was in sand and gravel.... I had gone 24 miles already and was spent. But my dad drove alongside me encouraging me every step. God is constant...when we need Him most He will be there.


• We can't go it alone: So I ran this with my brother. He promised me that the last mile he would come run in with me. The mile wasn't any shorter because I had my brother to run me in but it was infinitely easier to have that support.


• Take His yoke upon you: Just as my dad drove out to bring my brother to me. God sent His Son to be with us. We will still have trials and we still have to do the work. Taking His yoke upon is doesn't mean that things will be easy. Things will still be hard but with God nothing is impossible.


• No DNFS: This is my running mantra... DNF stands for Did Not Finish. I will always finish the race. I may not finish first, but I will always finish.


• Endure to the End: God wants finishers...that phrase was posted on the door to UVU Institute and it has kept me motivated through a lot of different runs. We are here to prove ourselves, that we can weather the storm. That we are truly dedicated. It will be hard but God will never give us anything that we cannot handle.

I can't describe how amazing it felt to cross the finish line...I can do hard things.

Utah Valley Marathon

So... Utah Valley Marathon is coming up... all too quickly. June 11 I'll be running down Provo canyon...hopefully this year it won't rain...and I do have a cause. I will be running in honor of my mom who was diagnosed with Parkinson's. I have joined with Team Fox which is part of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. I hope to raise $1000 for the foundation. I only have a few weeks left before the marathon. My posts from now until then will likely be about how much I hate hills (particularly the hill to Logan temple and USU campus...no bueno), obnoxious "runner" girls (I will lovingly refer to them as the maneaters..), annoying bikers who think they own the road, and so on. Running isn't all bad though.. I have learned a lot about myself. For example:

1. There is a time when I actually do enjoy listening to "All the Single Ladies"

2. I am a germaphobe

3 I have good reason to be a germaphobe.

4. Runners are gross

5. I shouldn't run with open wounds

6. Running will always be hard

7. I can run a marathon

8. I can run a marathon in a dress.

9. At mile 20 a grape is the best thing I've ever eaten

10. The worst smell in the world is the bus to the start line...bananas and icy hot mmmm

11.Follow the old guys...they've been running since before you were born

12. Never underestimate the importance of a good pair of shoes

13. Running CAN make you happy

14. The harder the race the better the finish line feels

15. I can do hard things.