I started running in the fall of 2007. I truly believe I was inspired to start running and I have seen some very big blessings come my way because of following that inspiration.
Ran Boston Marathon 2013 & 2014. My favorite PRs: 2011 at the SG 1/2 and 5K where I ran the 5K in 22:22. 2013 Nebo 1/2 (downhill) 1:36:15
Short-Term Running Goals:
Long-Term Running Goals:
Running throughout life with Tom. Staying healthy and happy.
Learn from others, learn from myself, work hard, do my best, enjoy!
On running and on life.....
On occasion we need to make a second effort - and a third effort, and a fourth effort, and as many degrees of effort as may be required to accomplish what we strive to achieve.
~Thomas S. Monson~
Personal:
Going to St. George? Bag the hotel and stay in one of our condos instead!
Tom and I had only gone about 10 steps when he hit a buckle in the road and did a nice slo-mo fall. Luckily he was able to get out of that situation with no problem. Hopefully tomorrow he doesn't notice anything because of it.
We just enjoyed a nice day of running on the river trail. Tonight we start the Christmas party season off with our Meadowlark 1st Ward Christmas party. They are doing a simple home style dinner and tradition sharing night. I think it sounds nice.
One of my favorite family Christmas traditions is our annual jigsaw puzzle. We start a 500 or 1000 piece puzzle about a week before Christmas. It is so nice to gather as a family or stop by the kitchen table on your own for a minute or two to find a few pieces. The goal is to have anyone who stops by during that time to come in and they can't leave until they find at least one piece. That doesn't always happen, but it's fun when it does. Puzzles are a great way to spend time and visit with loved ones. This will always be one of my favorite things to do! I need to get out and find the perfect puzzle for this year. Maybe a nice picture of Denmark.
Lots of people met at the church this morning! It's always fun to have a big crowd and listen to everyone's conversations. It helps the run go quicker even if you are feeling kind of sluggish like Tom and I both were this morning. There was a bit of snow on the roads but it wasn't bad...just had to watch for the slick spots. It was fun checking out people's run by their foot prints. We sang Happy Birthday to Stephen (and Mark even though he doesn't live here anymore).
Today I went with Tom for his speed work. Of course I can't keep up with him but we were back and forth on one stretch of road so I was able to help cheer him on with his 1/2 mile repeats. I decided to try one of my own to see if I could do anything very fast. It was fun to run 1/2 mile in 3:30. Maybe next week I will have to try to do more than one. But for the most part I am not going to be working on speed for then next year.
Tonight I was able to go to a very nice RS dinner and program. Candi Jensen spoke about Angels among us. She gave us some good advice. Sometimes we are brownies and milk and chips and salsa. : )
Tom and I got to enjoy watching the total eclipse from start to finish. Fun run with about 8 or 9 fun running friends.
Today I am lucky to have my little brother who loves to fix things at my house fixing things! He is in heaven and when he gets done we will have a garage door that works again! Woo Hoo! Thanks Shane!
I don't know how it got to be the 12th of December already! Holy cow...time sure does fly!
Yesterday I had a very sore throat. I wasn't too excited about going out and sucking in the wind or cold or filthy air. I decided to try to tackle the TM. I got a movie ready but I couldn't get it to work. Dang...something is messed up with the tv (or me) but I think it's the tv because my son couldn't get it to work either. So I did it without the movie and without music. It wasn't as as bad as I thought it would be. I guess I'm glad we have a TM this year in cases like this.
Fun run with Tom today! Shorts weather in December with some sun poking through always makes for a nice run!
On the trail we had to move a tree that a beaver had cut down. He had been working hard...he had cut the tree down and then started up the trunk a bit on the trail. He left a mess. We cleaned up most of it, just a few shavings left. It would have been fun to see him in action. We've never noticed beaver or many signs of them in the past. We will keep an eye out for them more now that we have evidence that they are there!
We also watched a big ole owl swoop away and then what we are calling a Blue Herron. Not sure if that is what it is or not. We saw him the other day too and one of the guys said that is what it is. Whatever he is, he is huge...I'm not quite sure how he flies!
Our final bird watching event of the day was a hawk that was being picked on by some small bird. I'm not sure why the little guy was so feisty! But I'm sure if the hawk would have wanted to he could have eaten the little guy for lunch!
Even if Tom and I aren't doing a planned run together it is still easier to go out at the same time as he does. We were able to run our mile warm up together and then his speed work kind of puts me in the dust so I do my own thing.
I decided to try a few 1/2 mile repeats after a 2 mile warm up. Plan was 4 in about the 3:45 range with a recovery of the same time.
1. 3:51, (a little too slow)
2. 3:46, (just about right)
3. 3:36, (too fast, very tight right hammie)
4. 3:45, (just right, no tight hammie)
I am not really working on speed but I think I will try to do this kind of workout on Wednesdays if it feels right. I need to be careful and keep myself injury free for my 5 marathons of 2012.
Tom took the day off so we could start our Christmas shopping. We decided we better get going since we only have a week to do it. You may think we have been procrastinating...but it was planned. I think we will spend less and have less stress getting it all done in a few days.
Before our shopping day we were able to get 7 miles together and then I got one with my ever-so-eager-doggy.
Tom and I started out a bit before everyone else today because I had to be back earlier for a Primary breakfast that I was in charge of. I wanted to get at least 12 in but was only able to fit in 11. Temps were between 16 - 18 degrees. It was a little nippy at first but we always seem to warm up and get used to things.
Our Primary does an appreciation breakfast each December. It was fun to get all our teachers, Activity Day leaders and Cub Scout leaders together and let them know of our appreciation. Yummy breakfast casserole always gets them to come! : )
Today we need to get the house cleaned and do a bit more shopping but instead we are watching BYU/Baylor and doing our Christmas puzzle! : )
Wow! How it got to be December 20th I do not know! Tom and I ran out to the horse at the three mile turn around and then back to get the doggy for his mile to make up our 7 miles in the gunky air. I hear tale that the gunk will clear out tomorrow....looking forward to that!
The day after tomorrow we will welcome Jennifer to our home for the holidays. She is a friend of Tyler's from Denmark. We are excited to have her come and to help her enjoy her time in America!
Late last night our guest from Denmark arrived. We were in bed when our son brought her home so we met her this morning. Her name is Jennifer and she is a fun Dane to have around. We have had a fun day with her today and look forward to having her with us for Christmas.
Tom and I got out in the late morning after having a bit of Christmas present exchange with my parents who are on their way up to stay with my brother and his family for the weekend. I love being able to be with many family and friends during this wonderful time of year!
This Christmas Eve morning run ended up a bit shorter than I had planned. I was feeling some pains that I didn't want to push any further. I sure hope Santa or Tom is bringing me some new running shoes...these have too many miles on them!
Six easy miles with Tom but for me the first mile felt very hard and it was the slowest of all the miles! I guess I've got a little too much holiday cheer in my mid section right now! : )
Enjoying some more family time! I love when Tom has days off!
We said goodbye to Jennifer, our Danish visitor, today. It was fun to have her bubbly personality with us for the Christmas season! She will now visit with Elder Camp from St. George for a week or so before heading back to Denmark.
Tom and I drove down to the Dixie Center to run on the trail down there. Tom was planning some speed work so I warmed up a mile and a half with him and then we each did our own thing.
In my 8.5 I had one 7:42 mile. The first 2 miles were over nine the rest were 8:06 - 8:56.
Today has been a work day at the condo for Tom and I. We were able to fix a few things, do some deep cleaning and paint a bathroom. It feels good to get some of these things done. We have to head back home tomorrow to the Christmas mess and have a whole nother work day or two there! : (
For our work break today we went on a very nice leisurely run on the bunny trail. The bunny trail passes a cemetery. As we passed there were three different graveside services going on. One was a little tiny baby coffin. : ( Someone had a very sad Christmas holiday. We walked as we passed by in respect for the deceased and the families.
Down the lane a bit is a bird watch area. We went in and watched the ducks and a few other kinds of birds. Chatted a bit with a lady with the most amazing camera lens! She has a fun hobby with that thing! She gave us a little more bird info than we were planning on but it was nice to talk to her!
Finished up the run with the awesome hill back to our condo. I was using my new Kinect skills to imagine powering up as I passed certain landmarks. Who said video games aren't good for ya?! : D
Tonight we enjoyed a nice little dinner at the China Palace. Enjoyable time with my really cute hubby!
The last run of the year! Wow! Where did the time go? I'm still getting used to writing 2011 and now I need to write 2012.
I ran with a big SF group while Tom slept in a bit for his tempo run a little later in the day. I was kind of surprised at the size of crowd we had today considering the howling wind we all listened to last night! It was a nice run though with fun company.
