My arms almost fell off.

Two Saturdays ago I went to a different spin class than I normally do. The spin teachers at my regular gym rotate every other week, and one is good and the other plays horrible music and is silent the whole time. So I decided to switch it up and go to another gym on the week when the not-so-good teacher is there. Let me tell you, this teacher nearly killed me! I should have known something was up when she walked in and her arms were killer. Sign #1. Sign #2 was that several people in the class asked where the coldest part of the room was (as in where the most fans would be hitting you at all times) and luckily for me, I was parked on the coldest bike. And the 3rd sign was that she told us she was teaching a 6am spin class on Thanksgiving. Crazy, I tell you.

So the class started out normally, with some jumps and hills and whatnot. The music was medium; she found some odd techno remixes of old rock songs, but then mixed in some new songs too. But then she started getting crazy and forcing the class to do hundreds of bike push-ups and arm raises and arm crosses and all sorts of other arm things and mine were on fire.

Brutal.

I will not be at the class at 6am on Thanksgiving, but I am thinking that if I ever want awesome arms, I will have to make this class part of my rotation!

Back on the injured list.

Well, I'm bummed to write this post, but it's probably better get my frustrations out here instead of complaining one more time to Chris about how much I want to be running...

After my half marathon three weeks ago, I had some pain along the back of my hamstring. I did some research online and found a forum where another runner had the same pain, and it was basically just a strain from overuse. It makes sense, because the half I ran had a ton of downhill and some uphill, and I hadn't trained much on hills, so I wasn't too worried about it. I did some yoga and tried to stretch it out a lot, then headed back out to run.

But now I'm having some serious pain on the inside of my foot, near the arch, and going up to the inside of my ankle. I took all of last week off from running, and just did cross training instead, but when I got on the treadmill yesterday, it started aching again at mile 3. So frustrating! I don't know what the exact problem is, but I'm taking another few weeks off to try and let it rest. If I still have the pain then, I think I will try to go back to my sports medicine doctor to see what he can find.

Aside from that, things are good. I had training last Friday to volunteer at Salt Lake County Animal Services, and then I spent an hour hanging out with some cats that afternoon. It is going to be such a fun thing. I basically get to brush, play with, and pet the cats that are in the shelter, and talk to people who come in to adopt them about what kind of cat will best fit in their home life. It works out well for me too, because Chris is gone a lot at school, so it's a good way for me to stay involved in things and not just sit at home and be sad and wish I was running. So that's what's on my agenda for tonight - hanging out with some cats and cross training!

Feeling nostalgic.

Last night, I went to Provo to visit my friend and see her new house. I decided to leave work a little bit early and go to the gym there instead of fighting more traffic at 5:00. I haven't been to Provo in awhile, and most of the time when I go, I have a specific event (visit a friend, go to a basketball game, etc.) so I usually don't have time to kill when I'm there. Last night I drove past my old house, which is on the way to the gym I used to go to, and I was feeling some serious nostalgia for the memories.

Wellington II (where I had some of the best and worse roommates of my life!)

So as I was sweating it out on the stair climber, I was looking around my old gym and remembering how it all began for me. It was Christmas 2007, and I was seriously overweight. My sister asked if I wanted to run a 10K with her, and I couldn't imagine saying yes. The day we had to run the mile at school had always been the worst day of the year for me. It was hard and painful and I wanted no part of it. But then my dad chimed in and offered me a plane ticket to Oregon to run the race if I trained and signed up. That was more appealing, since I was a poor college student and always looking for a free trip to visit my nephews. So I looked at Hal Higdon's training program, and felt really overwhelmed. I honestly didn't think I could do it. The first few weeks of training were so hard. I could barely walk the amount that was on my schedule to run.

I spent a lot of time here.

As I got a little more endurance, I ran my first 5K in Highland with my dad. It was reallyreally hard. But when I crossed the finish line, I got this rush of excitement and was so proud of myself for finishing and sticking with it. When I ran the 10K with my sister, it rained the whole time and I cried. But as I finished, I felt that same amazing feeling. So I started talking to my friends at work about other race distances, and they recommended a half marathon. So I signed up for the Salt Lake Half in 2008. At one point during that race, I seriously considered getting on Trax for the last 2 miles. It was hard. But I loved it.

I actually did one of my long runs with my work friend, Ashley, and we ran all around Springville. It was one of the hardest runs I ever did. I think that was partly because she is really speedy, and partly because she had run many more miles than I had, so her endurance kicked mine to the curb. I finished that run and was driving home and passed a McDonald's. I stopped there and got the biggest Diet Coke they sold and sat in my car for about 20 minutes, trying to recover.

Memories.

Since those days, I can run a half marathon without feeling like I might die. In fact, it has become my very favorite race distance. I trained for the St. George Marathon in 2009, but due to a knee injury, I couldn't run the race. I had to take close to a year off, just focusing on healing and low-impact exercise, and met with four different doctors in hopes that they would have an answer. No one did, but as I continued to lose weight and follow their advice, I was able to train for 4 more half marathons and run them pain-free. I might never get to run a marathon, but who knows? I am just excited to see what is ahead in my running life.

running survey!

1. What is your favorite type of cross training?

I've been doing spin classes, which are really really hard, but I always feel awesome after it's over.

2. What is your favorite song to run to?

Katy Perry- Roar

3. What brand of shoes do you wear?

I used to only wear Asics, but then I got analyzed at a running store and they told me I'd been wearing pronation shoes but I don't actually pronate. So now I wear Mizuno Wave Sayonaras. And I love them.

4. Do you wear a hat when you run? 

No. But I probably should, because look at this hair. 

5. What temperature is your favorite for running?

60 degrees with the sun out.

6. Do you run solo or with a buddy?

Always solo. Anytime I run with another person, I feel like I am holding them back and they are annoyed.

7. Are you a morning, noon, or evening runner?

My very favorite time to run is 9am. But since I have a job, I have to settle for 5pm runs on Monday-Friday.

8. Do you have any big races coming up?

Not really. Thinking about doing the Winter Running Series in January, which is a 5K, 10K, and 15K, all two weeks apart. The next race I'm signed up for is the American Fork Canyon Half, which isn't until June.

9. What is your favorite post-run snack?

Diet Coke and Cheez-its.

10. What is your favorite distance?

10K, because I can run it without requiring a ton of training or stress. But I also love the feeling at mile 13 of a half marathon.

11. What is your favorite race?

American Fork Canyon Half. 100% of race proceeds are donated to help pay for cancer treatment for patients who can't afford it. And it is so completely inspiring and motivational.

12. Do you wear a Garmin?

Yes. Used to wear the oldest one they made, but Chris's parents gave me the Forerunner 10 for my birthday this year. It's pink and cute!

13. What is your least favorite race?

The SheRuns 10K that I ran last summer in Heber. It was poorly organized and not well marked at all, I got lost and ended up running an 8K.

14. Who is your running idol?

My sister and Hungry Runner Girl

15. How long have you been a runner?

I ran my very first race in 2007. And it was brutal.

16. Do you run with your wedding/engagement ring on?

Never. I don’t like anything on my hands.

17. What is your favorite workout?

Long runs are tough, but I love the feeling of pushing myself to run farther than the last one. I also am getting more into speed workouts!

18. What do you drink to stay hydrated?

Water. I took Gatorade in my hydration belt during the Haunted Half and it was pretty delicious though.

19. Where is your favorite place to run?

Provo Canyon

20. What do you carry on a run?

iPod nano on every run. If it’s longer than 6 miles, I will usually bring fuel (Power Bar energy blasts are my new favorite) and a hydration belt or pack with water.

Haunted Half

So, back in August, my friend and I decided it would be a good idea to sign up for a half marathon in October, since both of us were struggling with motivation, and a race always helps with that. Well, fast forward to the week of the race, and boy were we cranky about it. It was almost like someone had forced us into doing it, instead of the truth, which is that we paid our own money to sign up. Neither of us had trained as much as we wanted, and with interruptions to normal life like vacations, getting sick, work trips, and dog sitting, we just didn't feel ready. But it was SO much better than I thought!

Bald...always a good look!

So in Utah, there are a lot of really pretty canyons that people like to run down. This race started with a bus ride to the top of Emigration Canyon, which is close to downtown. It was pretty chilly up there, but considering that it could have been snowing, we counted ourselves lucky that it was 40 degrees. The first 7 miles were downhill, so I was making good time. Then the course turned near the University of Utah, and the rolling hills began. Most people were walking because mile 7 was pretty much all uphill, and it was tough. There were some really fun things at the aid stations, like mini cake bites, bobbing for apples, and eating a doughnut on a string. I didn't do any of them, since it seemed like a good way to have runner's gut for the rest of the race, but it was a fun idea.

Miles 9-10 ran through Federal Heights, which is a really cool neighborhood in SLC. Sometimes when Chris and I like to dream, we imagine ourselves living in a house up there. Part of mile 11 ran through 2 cemeteries, but luckily nothing jumped out or tried to scare me. There were a few more uphill parts, then a few more downhill, but it wasn't too bad. The last mile was on a walking path through a park, and then I crossed the finish line! I immediately requested a drive-thru for a diet coke, and Chris obliged. It's always fun to see a friendly face at the finish line, and especially when that face will walk to the car and pick you up, instead of making you walk an extra half mile to the closest parking spot.

This medal glows in the dark, which probably makes it worth the run!

I would definitely run it again, but I would add more hill training!

Also just signed up for the AF Canyon Half....coming up in June!

Remember...

Remember that time when I decided I was going to blog every day to help keep me on track with all of my goals?

...yeah...

But here I am again, trying my best to get back into the groove! My half marathon is 43 hours away, and boy am I nervous. I ran a half in June, but haven't quite done all of the training runs that I should have done, so I feel very unprepared. I read this interesting post about what to do when you're not really ready for a race, which helped. So I'm trying to let it go...knowing that the runs I did do will help, and that it's not my first time running a half, so I know what to expect. It's okay if I don't have an awesome time, because honestly, I don't care much about time anyway, and I never really have an awesome time, even when I train :). I still beat everyone on the couch!

So that's what's up. Also, I had a very fabulous vacation last week. Chris was on fall break from school, and one of my besties scored us buddy passes for flights and a free hotel room that was only a half mile away from Disneyland, so that's what we did! We actually left a few days earlier and went to San Diego to visit Chris's grandparents and my other bestie, who is living down there for grad school. The buddy pass situation was a little crazy, since we couldn't get on any flights to San Diego, but it ended up working out just fine because we got on a flight to Orange County and then just rented a car. It was so fun to see friends and family, and then on Sunday we headed back to Orange County to pick up my friend and her little guy at the airport. They had some flight troubles too, but finally got to the Ontario airport around 10:30pm.

Coronado Island

Beach = Love.

The next day, we went to California Adventure, which was awesome. They built a new area called Cars Land, which looks exactly like Radiator Springs from the movie, and there are a few rides and shops. Plus, there is an AWESOME ride - we actually waited in line for fast passes as soon as we got there at 10am, and the fast pass time was 6pm! It is so popular. The ride takes you through the town and gets your car ready for the race, and then you come up next to another car and race through the hills of Radiator Springs! So awesome. The last ride we did was a water ride, and we got totally soaked and freezing, so we headed back to the hotel and went to bed at like 9pm that night.

In line for the fast passes

On a very crazy, very fun Mater tractor ride

Here's a trick: fill your bag with lollipops to entertain a 3 year old in line. You're welcome.

Then the next day was Disneyland, which was super fun (as always). The lines weren't too long, and we figured out some tricks with fast passes so we were able to go on more rides. My friend's son is 3 1/2, but is unbelievably tall, so he could have gone on every ride in the park except Indiana Jones. We took him on Pirates, but he was pretty scared, so we stayed away from roller coasters and anything else that might have scarred him for life. The coolest part of the day was when we went to Mickey's Halloween Party! They sell separate tickets for the party, and you can come into the park starting at 4pm and get a wristband. Then, around 6pm, they kick everyone else out who doesn't have a wristband, and the party starts! Everyone (except Chris) dresses up, and there is trick or treating, tons of cool decorations, and the rides are pretty much empty. So we walked onto a bunch of the bigger rides, plus got about 4 pounds of candy each! They don't mess around. It was awesome, and I want to do it every year until I'm 100!

On the Matterhorn

Waiting for Star Tours (PS did anyone know they made it 3D??)

A kitty, Frankenstein's monster, and a skeleton!

Positivity

I'm working on being more positive with myself, focusing on the things I accomplish instead of the things I didn't. The comment from my dear sister on my last post helped remind me of that. Instead of being frustrated with myself for only running 5 miles, I should be proud that I got out there and did the 5, even though they were difficult. Instead of beating myself up about eating Yogurtland three times last week, I should be proud that it wasn't seven times.

My job is being the assistant to the director of about 15 medical offices in the Salt Lake area, and every other week, we meet with the managers of all of our clinics to discuss issues, present new information, and talk about how things are going. One of the biggest things that my company is promoting is Living Well, both to our employees and our patients. Since we all will have better health if we focus on exercising more and living a healthier lifestyle, it translates to our jobs and how we provide care to patients. With huge changes in the health care system, we are all going to be held responsible for the choices we have control over, and will probably start to see serious consequences if we choose to ignore the issues.

So part of our wellness kickoff was giving presentations about healthy living to our managers. Each person on our admin team took a topic (Eat Well, Sleep Well, Move Well, Stress Well), and mine was Eat Well. I felt a little silly going in front of 35 people who manage employees and run clinics, since I am not the poster child for healthy eating (see paragraph 1, sentence 4). But I did a lot of research and gave a presentation about what had worked for me: never trying to "give up" your favorite foods, looking at healthy eating as a lifestyle instead of a diet, and fads that don't work on a long-term basis. I don't talk a ton about when I lost all my weight, mostly because I feel like it's not relevant to most conversations, and I don't want to be the person who is always talking about weight loss. But it was interesting to give this presentation to people who don't know much about my history or story, and still give information that was useful. It made me feel good when several people came up to me afterwards and thanked me for the information about how to pack a delicious salad for a quick and healthy lunch, without all the lettuce and veggies getting soggy (pack it in a mason jar), or share their own favorite healthy eating tip that can help me as I continue.

My boss gave a presentation in which she mentioned what she calls "drops of awesome." This is a system that her family has initiated, where you focus on all the little successes instead of the big, overwhelming goals. So my drop of awesome last week was cutting out one Diet Coke per day, and substituting water in its place. Oh, and not going to Yogurtland every single day!