community

Hi there. Okay I am just going to say it. I miss having a work out partner. I am kinda lonely. There is this blog called, Real mom nutrition  I enjoy reading it. Well she put out a challenge for 12 days of exercising. It was great because she made a page on facebook and you liked her page and then everyone checked in each day with each other to see how they were doing and motivate each other out. I totally enjoyed it. I have joined other blog competitions that are suppose to help you stay on track but they don't have the community feel. I like reading the facebook posts about what people had done for the day. It was like I had a community of workout buddies.The best part was that everybody was at a different level or doing different exercises and it didn't matter. We were just buddies helping each other out.  So, I am wondering is anyone interested in doing this with me?  I would love to check in with anybody or everybody?  We don't have to do it every day but maybe every other day or weekly. We could start a challenge to exercise together from now until New Years day.

Who's in it with me?

THis same blog also found this great 100 push up challenge that I would like to do. Check it out and see what you think

Leave me a comment and let me know and if there is interest I will set things up.
Just keep running. Corrine

I am Lazy and I paid for it!!

Okay so this week I have been lazy. No excuses just lazy. I slept in a few times and just was lazy. Yesterday was one of those lazy days. I blame my husband really. You see he decided to sleep in as well. Do you know how hard it is to get out of a warm comfy bed when your spouse is still in it?  I thought I will work in a small run on the treadmill later in the day I was going to enjoy laying in my bed. BIG MISTAKE!!!!
You see the day started out with very sad news. A family member had just lost their brand new baby. I was and am heart broken for them. I felt helpless and sad that there really wasn't a lot I could do. When it comes to my family I want to help them anyway I can and this is one of those moments that there wasn't much I could do.

Later in the morning my friend (who is also family because of marriage) came over with her three kiddos. We had 5 kids running around the house while we tried to craft. Things were going great ( as great as they can when you have 5 kids running around screaming and laughing and playing) until her two year old let out a huge scream that we knew was not okay. I ran to the top of the stairs to grab her( my friend is very pregnant so running up stairs is not tops on her list). My sweet niece was crying also saying I didn't mean to I didn't mean to. I surveyed the damage and the little two year old had got her little finger shut in a door. It looked gross. Knowing my friend has a weak stomach I grabbed her little girls and said, 'Heather don't look yet." It looked bad. I ran to the bathroom to clean her up and it still looked bad!! My friend decided to take her to the ER. This now left me with four kiddos, lunch to make and one kiddo to return from school shortly.

While all of this was going on my 2 1/2 year old decided that she was going to potty train herself. I give her credit she did pretty good but not  the best day for me to help her. She wore her cute little hello kitty underwear all day but not once did she make it to the potty to poop. Nope all three times the poop ended up in those cute little hello kitty underwear. One time she said I have to go poopey so I picked her up quick and ran to the bathroom and as I was pulling her hello  kitties down I and stepped towards the potty I felt something soft under foot. AHHH S***( as my mother would say). Yep she didn't make it again. Now I had to clean her up and also had to decide do I just throw the shoe away or try to clean off the crap. Meanwhile as I am dealing with this the other kiddos all need something (are you freaking kidding me!!)  I was done with hello kitty at this point and said hello diaper.

I finally sat down after eating pepperoni pizza to watch the pac 12 championship college football game. I felt like a big blob and I thought. Crap I really should have went running today.

Keep on running. Corrine
P.S. I did run this am. 7 1/2 miles and I totally needed it.

Running with the Turkeys Recap!

I love that my sister is blogging about running again.  She is my inspiration.  I love the picture she posted of us as little girls.  The picture was taken Christmas morning.  We both got those fancy shirts from our Aunt and I loved that mine was an ice cream cone.

I have a recap from my 1st Annual, "Run With The Turkeys" race.  It wasn't actually a "real" race, my friend and I didn't want to pay the $20 to sign up for the Community Turkey Trot... so we made up our own race.  We had a total of 3 runners.  No timers, No worries, we just had a good time.  However, I did make us some pretty fashionable race bibs. They were not as nice as real race bibs, but people drove by and wondered where the race was.  We told them we left them in the dust, and then my friend gobbled at them! Just kidding, not about the gobbling though.  

After reading my sister's recap I realized how different we are! She is ultra competitive, and me not so much, sort of.  When we were younger I was chosen for the teams because I was tall, could run pretty fast, and most of the time I could catch.  They chose my sister because she was out for BLOOD! And she could run fast, and catch all of the time!  I'm glad she's like that because I would have NEVER played softball if she wouldn't have signed up first, or basketball, or water skiing, and certainly I would not be running if it weren't for her.  Some of us need that nudge to get us going, and then there's me who needs a BIG nudge! Thanks for keeping me going.

(I wanted to show how lovely our bibs were, not how lovely I look in this picture!)

My goal for December is to just keep running.  Johanna :) 

Turkey stuffer recap!

So I wanted to post this sooner but our internet modem died on Wednesday night. Hmm, it's funny when you realize just how much you use the internet.
I was reading in runners world and it talked about after a race it is a good thing to hash out race with someone so you can review it and figure out what went well and what went wrong. So you small handful of people are going to be my group that I hash out my race with.
The morning was beautiful couldn't have asked for nicer weather in November. The sun was even shining and I live in Oregon, that doesn't happen a lot in the winter. I woke up early (not to early that would be crazy) and I had a small breakfast of Kashi cereal. It really hit the spot. Usually before my morning runs I don't eat but I had over an hour to wait before race time so I knew I needed to eat something small. My husband dropped me off and I could hardly believe how many people were there to do the race. I am very competitive so this started to make me nervous. I often look around and try to eye who is my competition (ha, like I'm gonna win a prize or something). I decided that I couldn't do this to myself I was there to race for myself and get the time I had set out to get not to beat anyone else. So, I found a bathroom and went into the stall. I believe in a Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers so I said a small prayer asking for help to calm down and just do the best that I could do for that day. It worked. I went back outside and headed to the starting line. I wasn't nervous just anxious to start running. Bummer part of the race was that A LOT of people waited until the morning of the race to pick up their packets so this made start time late by like ten minutes. When I say a lot I mean a lot. Even after starting late there were still people pinning on numbers and not at the start line when the gun went off.

I have to admit I was worried that I started out to quick which is a mistake I make a lot,but I kept going and found my rhythm and it felt great. I got the time I had been working for which made me really happy.
The race showed me a few things about myself. One shorter races are fun. Two I am tougher and a better runner than I give myself credit for. I really need to quit comparing myself to others and just work harder on making myself the best me I can. Three I also realized that I have got to stop neglecting my core work. Toward the end of the race I could feel my core and it felt weak. I know that if I had worked harder on it I may have been able to go a little bit faster.

All in all I loved this turkey stuffer. I felt so invigorated when I was done and it gave me back some motivation and some love of running that I have been missing.

Goal for the month of December; CORE and all over strength training.

P.S. I also had a nice thanksgiving as well. hope you did too.

Keep running. Corrine

Turkey stuffer!!

Hi! How was your weekend?  Mine was pretty nice. Saturday I started the day out with a run on the treadmill. At first I was not that excited  to run on the treadmill but with the schedules we had that day I really had no other options. To be honest it turned out to be a very nice six miles. I felt really good and it was nice to just run. I turned on pandora and the first song that came on was an oldie but a goodie. It was Erasure: Take a chance on me. That started my mood out great. As I ran on the treadmill I was more like run/dancing. If only you could have seen my arm movements they were totally awesome.  So all in all a great run on the treadmill.

This week is the 5K turkey stuffer. I have a time goal for this race. I have never run a 5K with a time goal in mind. The one's I have run I am usually just running for the fun of it. I have to be honest with a goal I am kinda nervous. My running hasn't been the greatest as of late but this has given me some motivation to keep going.

What about you are you running a turkey stuffer?

Also, this morning I read a great post by Dorothy over on mile post. I have been reading her blog for a while now and I really like her. She is an amazing runner who has an amazing story. Her post today was about dieting and food. I really like her thoughts about this and I feel the same. Check it out if you like. 

new view = smarter perspective

Part of pre's trail.

Okay like my sister I have been MIA from blog world but not the running world. You see my running this year has been sub par for my standards and it was getting me down. My foot has been bothering me and I may have to have surgery and it just seems like my runs are work instead of fun like they usually are. My life has also been busier.  So needless to say my motivation has been low. I had big dreams this year. I really wanted to run a marathon and try to PR but with my foot I decided with the help of my physical therapist to back out on any marathons this year. I took the summer easy and kind of started from scratch with my running.I had plans to run a half marathon this month but found out the one I had been planning on got changed and I was not able to run it. This really didn't help the motivation department.  However, today I went for a run on an old trail that I haven't been on it while. If you have been to Eugene you may know of Pre's trail. I drove to it today and had the best run ever. Running on the soft bark and next to the river I found myself enjoying my run today. My thoughts where even great. I decided that it is okay that I am not running this massive big races but I am still running. There are a lot of people out there that can't run 6 1/2 miles like I did today and there are a lot of people out there that would love to run my pace (which by the way is not fast).  I got a new perspective on running today and it added some umph to my motivation bucket. Maybe a marathon isn't close in my future but a 5K is and then maybe a 10K and then a great half and it those go well and my foot holds up we will brave the marathon again next year.
So, if you need some motivation find a new view for your next run.  Just keep running! Corrine

Therapy Sessions

I have been MIA in the blog world.  There for awhile I was MIA in the running world too.  I had some big changes in my life that were causing me  a lot of stress.  I was moving to another town and not able to find a place to go in the time frame I had.  I was also sad to leave my friends who I grew to love and were always there for me, and I was sad to leave a town I loved living in as well and being so close to my 92 year old grandma.  So, I would set out on a run and get all sentimental and start crying on my run! (I know, pathetic, but I know you have a route that you run that is your favorite go-to route) But soon I was crying not only on my run, but pretty much at the drop of a hat.  I knew everything was going to work out just fine and that my life would go on, and so on the outside I was calm, cool, and collected.  However, on the inside, I was a jumble of nerves who couldn't sleep.  Feeling like a zombie, running was the last thing I could think of doing.  I kept telling myself if I could just go for a run I could think much clearer and it would settle my nerves.  But the exhaustion would win and another day would go by without me running.

After finally getting moved  I knew I needed to start running again.  I kept thinking about the title of this blog and how running, in the past, had cleared my head and made life a little bit easier to handle. I was  finally able to sleep so the exhaustion was gone but now I needed someone to nudge me just a little.  So, I texted a friend and asked her if she wanted to run.  Our first run was a hill run! YIKES! I hadn't run a hill in, hmmm, yea not really trained on many hills! But I did it! And I felt great.

At first I just wanted to run.  I didn't want any expectations of training for anything or running at a certain pace I was out there to feel better.  It worked too.  It was fun to be out running with someone and hashing out our day-to-day problems, AND running up some pretty big hills!

Works for me! :) 

I'm ready to be pushed, and I sort of need some goals to work toward to keep me going.  So I gathered my posse and I'm signing up for the Ogden, Utah Half marathon.  I sent out the invite to some friends and family because I need the support, and it also holds me accountable.  If someone else is running because I talked them into it, you can bet I'll be training. If any of you reading want to run with me, or around me, or even if front of me (I'm ok with that) sign up, and hurry it fills up fast (last year only took 5 days) Registration starts Nov. 10 at 6am Mountain time. It's not until May 19, 2012, but it gives me (and you! :) plenty of time.  

Win some, loose some

I have been playing on a Co-Ed softball team this summer and I was trying not to get injured before the Ragnar.  So I took every precaution I could.  I stretched and tried not to start off too fast while running the bases. Well, I still stretched, but I may have gotten a little relaxed after the Ragnar because I injured my hamstrings.  I don't hit the ball far enough so I have to race to 1st base, and I think it's the running fast from a stopped position. That's my guess anyway.  I've had a great time playing ball, but my hamstrings are not liking me right now.

I talked my brother in law into running a 5k with me this last weekend.  His excitement for the race spurred me on even though I wasn't running very much or very well because of my hamstrings. I had all 4 kids in tow and arranged a place to stay the night, and as I was driving there my brother in law cancelled.  What? The nerve! I was a little bummed.  Knowing my hamstrings were hurting I thought about not running, but I really wanted to go and feel the excitement that is present at races.  I also talked to my dad's wife and she was running the 10k at a pace I thought I could keep up.  So I signed myself up for the 10k.

The week before the race I took it easy and stretched to get those silly hamstrings to loosen up.  We even did yoga the night before to help it out some more.  I would love to say it helped, but sadly, no I felt the same.  I would like to say I was even smarter and decided to run the 5k, but no I'm not that smart.  It was a painful 6 miles where my legs cramped the whole time.  I don't think I would have stuck it out with out my running partner with me.  I thought I came in dead last, but I got the race results and I was 2nd to last! :)

We sat around to hear the race results and to hopefully win some of the fabulous prizes awarded.  They were giving away 3 bikes, iPods, camelback fuel packs, shoes, tons of prizes.  My daughter saw that all three iPods given away went to three kids her age!  She said geez I should run so I can win some awesome prizes.  Right then the light bulb went off in my head and I said Monday morning we will start Boot Camp and train to run a race.

Monday morning came and off we went.  I calculated that three times around the block was 0.9 of a mile so they each had to do three laps.  At first, my oldest son was dragging his feet.  My husband challenged him to a race and off they went.  They loved showing us how strong they were.  They started doing pull ups in the trees and my oldest son started doing sit ups and went on to do 200 sit ups and 50 push ups!  We are off to a good start.

I may have done terrible at the race, but I think I may have won at getting my family more active.  I'm hoping we can keep each other motivated.

Ragnar Van 1 Highlights

I know you have all been on pins and needles waiting to hear about the Ragnar Race!! So here goes...

I was in Van 1 we started the race at Utah state University's track.  My first run was 6.7 miles, or 7,  give or take 3 tenths of a mile! I was so excited and nervous to get running I forgot the sunscreen! Ouch! I felt pretty good about my first run.  I wasn't expecting any hills and thought, by the description, it would gradually climb.  It climbed all at once.  I looked ahead and saw a lady I was trying to keep in my sights and she was walking the hill so I decided I would do the same.  Turns out it was a good idea because I was able to run the last two miles and felt good.


My next run was at night.  We all had to wear reflective vests, a head lamp, and butt lights.  I really don't like running in the dark, my imagination gets to me.  It didn't help that some guy made a googling sound as I ran by, and now that I think about it there were no street lights either! But a fun 3 mile run anyway.  After our van ran this section I was tired and couldn't keep my eyes open.  I fell asleep in the car and stayed there until the sun came up the next day.  Well, I think my arm was in some crazy position so the blood ran out of it and that is what actually woke me up! Oh, ya and the dream I had about not wanting to run my third leg! I must have been tired.   Then I got out of the van and went to cheer on my sister as she came in.  It was good to see her at 6am finish with a good 10 miler!!

My last run I didn't fair as well.  At one of the major exchanges, I think Snow Basin, they had a PT' van.  So I went and told them my problem and she rolled out my IT Band.  Felt good.  She, the PT, told me at another major exchange she would also be there and just come and get the foam roller.  So I did and I rolled my IT Band just before my last leg.  I felt pretty good and thought I was ready to run my last race! Mentally I was excited.  This was it!  I was done and I did it! Except when I started running those silly IT bands felt like they were bruised which made it really hard to run.  I did make it to the end, obviously, but no records were broken on this leg! I made it and then I soaked my feet off of a bridge in some very cold water.  Felt nice.

The Ragnar Wasatch Back was a great relay race to be in.  The scenery was beautiful, the course challenging, and the team I was on was THE BEST!  Great people who always cheered me, and others on.  They were all laid back and didn't expect more than what you could do.  The team you are on really makes a difference with this type of race.  Not one of us said we wouldn't do it again.  I think we all said next time...  My next time I will be a stronger, faster runner (I think that is my vow at every race!).   It was encouraging to me to see the strength and determination of the athletes I was running with.  One runner, in van 2, wouldn't let someone take his place during his last leg even though he was in a lot of pain because he wanted to finish his leg.  The 12 leg on our team was someone who had the hardest course.  His legs were long and had hills (and when I say hills it's more like mountain passes) galore!  He was always positive and finished strong.  Thanks team, "A Bad Case of the Runs!"  I had a great time.

Maybe if we all chant loud enough we can get my sister to tell us ALL the details of Van 2?  Let's hear it! Van 2, Van 2, Van 2!

Me & my teammates before the race. 

Our logo on the van. I like the dirt sticking to it!

All of us running to the finish line.

I love this picture. We were posing for a team picture but were handed our badges of honor and our medals. The badges are decals for your car you only get when crossing the finish line. 

 And yes, I earned it. It's on my car! 

Team photo at the end of the race.  We look pretty good even if some of us didn't get a shower! 

Ragnar Ready!

This Friday my team, "A Bad Case of the Runs" will be racing across the Wasatch Mountains from Logan, Utah to Park City, Utah!  We each will run 3 times.  We start at 11am on Friday and hope to be done by 6:30pm on Saturday. That is if we can all keep our paces as outlined by the Ragnar Staff. Yea right!  I am leg 2, 14, and 26.  Which means I will run around 12pm, 10pm, and 9:30 am Saturday.  My sister is leg 9, 21, 33.  She will run at 6:40 pm, 4:18 am Saturday (which happens to be a no support leg) and at 2:49pm, Saturday. Her last leg starts at an elevation of 5763 ft and climbs for 3.2 miles to 7233 ft! Climbing 1400 ft.! Whew! I'm glad it's her and not me!  The runner after her will climb 1600ft in 4 miles! 

I am excited to be participating in this race and be among the masses.  There are 1100 teams of 12 people, and 20 teams of 6, which means OVER 13,000 runners! Wow, that's about as many people that live in a small town! 

I  love all the camaraderie that comes with being part of a team.   It will be a crazy couple of days, but I think I'm ready.  I have been anticipating this race since last summer and never thought it would actually get here.  I feel good about my training. My body feels stronger and my running is improving.  I'm hoping the excitement will help get me through the tired muscles and lack of sleep.  

Wish us luck!  

Hard things

I have this running issue. I won't go into details because, well, it's the internet and there is such thing as TMI! I will say that if I run an hour or more my tummy gets real upset with me. There were other related problems that led me to seek the advise of a Dr. After visiting with him he decided that he knew what would fix it. So the procedure was done and my symptoms were still there. I returned to the same Dr. and he was baffled. He was certain he had fixed the problem and said, "why don't you choose another form of exercise?" I smiled politely and proceeded to tell him how I thought the problem should be handled. He wished me good luck and said to come back and see him if it didn't work. What I failed to tell the Dr. was that running wasn't just my form of exercise, it was so much more.

I recently read this post and as I was reading remembered a post my sister wrote. I often wonder if I have the running "gift". In fact, I asked my sister why it seems so easy for some people, and others work so hard. Is it genetics, hard work and determination, no fear? It may be a combination of all of that. When I was a kid I thought I was runner, and knew I could out race half the girls in my neighborhood. In fact, one day I raced my best friend across her back yard. When I reached the other end of the yard I couldn't stop and put my hand through her wooden fence. And yes, I did win that race. In Jr. High, my track coach told me she found my talent in running too late. I was a runner who kept getting faster (probably why I ran through the fence!). I didn't know what to do with that so I stopped running.

I think had I not had these experiences as a child and read these posts I may have taken that Dr.'s advise and quit. But he has no idea how hard I have actually worked, and how much time I've spent working up to 3 miles, 8 miles, and finally 13.1! Both of these blog posts gave me the voice I was searching for. Running is hard! In the first post she challenged readers to finish this sentence, "Running is hard, but I stick with it because..." I thought about why I stick with running and this is what I came up with. "Running is hard, but I stick with it because I CAN DO HARD THINGS!" It's my motto now. I 'm taping it to my mirror and my treadmill, and when my run seems hard I say in my head, "I can do this because I can do hard things!" It may seem cheezy to you, but it has worked for me.

My BIL texted me the other day and said he just ran 3 miles and he didn't know if it was fast or not, but he did it. I thought what would MY coach say to me? So I told him I've learned the hard way that running is an individual sport so if that's your time celebrate it. Running 3 miles it great! He said if he could catch his breath he would!! So for now on I'm going to take my own advise and celebrate each mile I run no matter how fast because running is HARD!

Just a side note from your coach. I know I posted this in the comments but I don't know that our readers always read others comments. I learned something from Sister Dalton, the general Young women's president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saint, she is also a runner and she has even done Boston. Her motto use to be I can do hard things but she changed it to, With the Lord I can do all things! This is my motto and so as your coach I think you should think about changing yours just bit.
Corrine!

Mad Recap

The M.A.D. Race was well, a little mad!  Glad I ran the 10K because the Half Marathoners actually ran 15 miles! There was a little confusion as to where to turn.  This was the first year for this race so they have a few bugs to iron out.  However, everyone who ran seemed in good spirits which made for a good day.

The night before the race I was a little nervous.  Even though I was just treating it as a training run I was still worried. I was worried my hips and back would start hurting, and my legs seemed to be tight, and I was running by myself.  I was talking with my dad via text that night and his last words were, "start slow and finish."  Ok. I can do that.

I got there early because it wasn't clear where my race started and, well because I am a nervous nellie.  One of my first races I did the start time was listed differently on the web site I looked at and it actually started a half hour earlier than what I had read.   Luckily, my friend and I decided to show up a half hour early the day of the race,  but it wasn't early enough. We were yelling at our husbands to let us out of the car so we could run with the rest of the group, and her husband said no that would be cheating you have to start at the starting line! So I get a little nervous.  It was good I did get there early because I had to park a half mile from the starting line. I figured it was a good warm up.  As much as I stretched I still felt tight and it was worrying me.

The race began and we all started out.  I love the excitement in the air just before the race and during the first few minutes of the race.  I started out slow and ran very cautiously.  I felt really good throughout the race and tried to keep a level head and not get discouraged by anything.  There was a lady that kept running ahead of me and then stopping to walk and then I would pass her.  So I told her if we just kept playing leap frog the rest of the way we could keep each other going.  After that we ran together and pushed each other to the end of the race.  My little sprint to the finish felt really good and I believe I could have run a little harder, but hey, it was just another training run I will have to sign up for a "real" race in the future!

This was a good first race of the season.  I needed the boost of confidence that I could run 6 miles and live to tell about it.  I think I needed to go by myself and do a run alone and get myself through it.  It was also good to be among other runners and I think for the first time I didn't compare myself to other runners. I had a good time and I'm excited to sign up for more races.  

Until the next race... Keep running!

Let's get Ready to Run!

This Saturday kicks off my first race for the summer.  I'm running a 10k in the M.A.D. running series.  It's a benefit run for Olive Osmond Perpetual Hearing Fund.  I don't think Donny will be there but some of his siblings will be there to put on a benefit concert Friday night.  Moses and Kaylee Kinikini from this season's Biggest Looser will be running, (not sure which race)  but they may take the place of Donny!

I'm not treating this race as a race that I hope to take first place in or get an amazing time.  I am really thinking of it as another run with a number attached to my shirt (or pants if your my dad) and a bunch of other people, with numbers on their shirts will be running it with me! It will be like one big running club! My big focus right now is the Ragnar Relay in June and hoping that I can feed off the excitement at the race.

I'm so excited about my new workout gear! I needed some new summer clothes (some of my favorites from last summer are too big! Yea for me!) and I found some bermuda shorts I love, love, LOVE! They are the Brooks Glyceren Bermuda II.  I am not a short, shorts kind of gal and I don't like things too tight so these are perfect for me. Not to tight and gives me the coverage I need.  The world is NOT ready to see too much of my thighs!


I'm excited to get out there and run and cheer on some of my friends who are also running this Saturday! Go get 'em Ladies!

It's a daily thing

Last Saturday I had a terrible run.  My two-year-old decided he really wanted to come with me.  So I got him bundled up and in the stroller and headed for a very windy run.  I ended up walking some of it because the wind was blowing so hard pushing the stroller became very difficult.  I didn't feel good after the run and even took a nap!

Yesterday I went out for a run and decided not to take a watch or timer I was just going to run.  I didn't want to know it took me a very long time to reach my set distance, I was out there only to run.  Usually I walk the short distance from my house to the corner and do a little stretching (waste a little time, gear up for the run)  but yesterday I ran the minute I got out of the door.  I started running down the street and thought,  can I keep this pace?  Wait!  I wasn't going to think about that.  Just run!  And I did.  With every step I felt strong.  I didn't feel as if my feet were shuffling on the ground. I was running.  Through the whole run I didn't have a time when I felt like I needed a break. My body felt great, my mind felt great this is what I needed.

I am usually a patient person with other people but I am finding I am not so patient with myself.  I expect myself to be progressing faster than my body wants to.  Then I forget the whole reason I started enjoying running and it becomes a chore.  I have to remind myself that running is daily.  Each day is different and no two runs are the same.  Some days I may feel like crap and need a nap after a run and other days I may feel invigorated and ready to take on four kids, two cats and a husband! So I blogged about this last run so I can remember how a great run feels.  

I have been calling one of my friends each Monday this last month and we tell each other what healthy choice we are going to set as our goal for the week.  I have a hard time with the scale and loosing weight so I am making it about a healthy lifestyle and changing my bad habits for good ones (and hopefully that will help in the weightloss?)  My first goal was to drink more water.  Next was not eating after 8pm.  My third goal was to exercise early in the morning.  I should have re-thought that one it was a bad week to try that, but I have a goal for next week!  I can't say I have been perfect with all three of these goals, but I have made improvements.  This type of goal setting works for me because I don't feel like I am trying to do too much at one time.  It's manageable for me.

I'm going to remember that each run and each lifestyle change is daily.  I may have really good days and of course I will have bad days, but each day I'm doing something and in the long run I will be better for it!

*Image from Google pictures. 

Boston Marathon Course Tour

In honor of the Boston Marathon this Monday take a look at the course. There are three American women to watch, Kara Goucher, Desiree Davila, and Blake Russell.

Have any of you ever wanted to run the Boston Marathon? I know my sister has that goal.
I know some of you ran races this past weekend, or put in some mileage, chime in and let us know how you did. I ran this weekend with a babyjogger in the wind and it was hard. However, I did think of my friends running full/half marathons this weekend and that is what got me out the door. Thanks ladies.

who deserves the title of runner?

Mother of: 2 “beautiful little girls who are my inspiration”

I have decided: ”Runner” is a title you give yourself, and I’m giving to myself now. Anyone can run if they just decide to go and do it.

Okay so these pictures I copied from the blog http://anothermotherrunner.com/ I wanted you to look at these pictures of all sorts of different women who consider themselves runners. What makes somebody a runner? Is it natural born ability, is it mental toughness, is it how far and fast someone can go that makes them a runner? How can one person run a marathon and another only make it around her block? Is the first one a true runner and the other one just a hopeful woman who wants to be a runner? Do you have to have the approval of someone else to tell you that yes you qualify for the title of "runner"?
In my personal opinion anyone who laces up in whatever shoes they choose to wear and heads to the treadmill or out her front door can confidently call herself a runner. That woman that day can hold her head high no matter how far or how fast she is going. She does not need to qualify for Boston or have the approval of anyone to hold her title confidently. I believe that all this woman needs to do is to choose to run and she can consider herself a runner.

"She believed she could, so she did"

Believe in yourself and that is all you need. Believe in what your doing!!!!

Run on my friends!!!!

are you ready for this!!!

Are you ready to put on your big girl shoes and push yourself this month? A fire was lit under me today by something someone said. This person unknowingly said something that really makes me want to push out of my comfort zone this month and prove to myself and to them that I can do hard things and I can do anything that I put my mind to. Now what was said or who said it is not a big deal but it really made me start to think, and I have decided to set a goal.
I am going to share my goal and my progress here on the blog. I must admit just doing that is going to be hard for me because now if I fail you all will know and that is a bit scary. However, I have put on my big girl shoes and I can do this. Are you ready?
Goals:
1) I am going to my core exercises once everyday Monday-Saturday. These exercises include the following: ( I know for some of you this is not hard but for me it is something I always put on the to do list and never to do it)
Single leg squats 2 x 15 reps each leg
Heel raises with a tennis ball 20-30reps
Plank 1 minute hold x 2
side plank 1 min hold x 2
side plank with rotation 1 min x2
Bird dog10 reps each side hold at top for count of five
Bridges 1 min hold followed by 15 reps of marching followed by single leg hold
Superman 10 reps
sidelying leg raise with toe turned out 30 resp followed by doing with leg at 45 degrees and 90 degrees
sidelying bicycles
clam shells
v sits 20 resp
bicycles 20reps each leg


Now I know I said that I was going to post about core stuff but somedays I barely have time to sit and read one or two emails so look at my list above and you can ask me about some of the above exercises that I have chosen for myself. Also you can go to runnersworld.com and they have a great section on core exercises with some great videos too. As I go along this month I might make changes to my routine by adding different exercises and as I do I will share them with you so that again you can keep track of me and make sure that I am doing them. If ound this book that I really like called: "After the last PR" by Dave Griffin and he says this about our comfort zones: " we all have a comfort zone, a safe room we usually avoid leaving, afraid of what might happen if we do. With preparation, we can expand its walls, but even then,, our greatest potential never resides there."
What are you going to do this month to break out of your comfort zone?

Executive Decision!

I've made a decision.  It was rough, but I've made up my mind.  I have decided to run the 10k on May 14th instead of the half and here are my reasons:
  

• I have noticed that putting on milage my hips are not cooperating. So more adjusting and more strength training.  
• I think my brain can't handle it! Right now it just seems to overwhelming, and it was making running more of a chore than fun.  I want running to be fun and just for me.  
• I was talking with my "coach" and she said every time I start focusing more on loosing weight than running I get frustrated.  
• I talked to the "head coach" (my dad) and he suggested that I need to peak for the Ragnar and not the half which is a month before the Ragnar.   I was using the May 14th race as a stepping stone for the Ragnar so it only makes sense to peak then, right? 
• Like I said I really needed to get back to running for myself and for the fun of running.  I do want to run a half this summer just after I get my grove back.  

So, here is to a week of running for fun! How do you keep running fun?

No Motivation!

So this week has been a bust as far as motivation!  I should be running or strength training right now, but here I sit trying to figue out why this week has been so BLAH!  I really hate it when I have a week like this because I end up getting really hard on myself.  I also think, well darn there goes another week that I haven't lost any weight!

I did really well last week, near perfect!  I even got myself outside on Saturday for five miles! Yea me! It was great I loved it.  I also squeezed it in because I had a surprise trip sprung on me.  I was very proud of myself because it was any easy cop-out for me NOT to run.  Over the weekend I was excited to have another good week like that.  Monday came and went and so did Tuesday.  I ran Wednesday, but here I sit again feeling guilty that it is dinner time and I should have done something by now!

Does anybody else have this problem?  What do you do to keep motivated?  

Wasatch Back Relay

Spring Fever!

Today I got on my treadmill ready to run my 4 miles and after mile two I couldn't run anymore! I wasn't tired. I know I can do it. I just did it two days ago. So after my two year old asked me to open a granola bar for the 15th time (which I discovered he was only eating the chocolate chips) I couldn't do it!  I was just bored! I am ready to run outside in the fresh air and know I have to run the rest of the way because I'm not home yet!

Spring fever is among us here in the cold, cold northwest! My kids saw the sun yesterday and wanted to play outside.  Kids are riding their bikes to school dodging leftover snow piles geared up with snow coats, snow hats, and gloves.  My cousin from California was going to school here one year and she said these people are crazy wearing shorts and riding skateboards in this cold, cold weather (it was March and probably 40-45 degrees).  I asked her if she knew what Spring Fever was and she said no.  So I said you have just seen it.

So my goal for this next week is to get outside more and enjoy any weather, I hope.  I am a wimp when it comes to being cold, but I did run two weeks ago in 29 degree weather.  I can handle it, right?

The last post by my sister was about what she learned the hard way and strengthening your core.  Well me being a newbie to running I found out core strength is key as well.  I found myself ready to run my second half marathon and my hips were were hurting.  I couldn't run and it hurt to walk. Very painful.  Fortunately, I have a brother in law who is a Dr. and can adjust my hips for me and a sister who suggested to do hip exercises.  I have had great success with these exercises and now I am back running and planning my second half for May.

The first exercise is called a "Hip-Up".  You stand on a stair, or bench with one foot on and one foot off and that foot lowers and lifts the  hip up!  I do about 2 sets of 10 each side and try not to hold on to the wall. Well, most of the time anyway! I was reading and found out that if I can't do this without holding on it is a sign of weak hips! Go figure!

I found these exercises on Youtube and have really liked them. I don't know if they are the "Top Four" exercises, but I do know they have and are helping me.

Disclaimer- I'm not a Dr. or Physical Therapist so if you have hip pain go see them before trying any exercises.  

Happy Hip strengthening! Oh ya, and don't forget to stretch!  

-Johanna

A secret about running I learned the hard way!

Okay I know the few of you that read this have been waiting to long to hear from wise old me. (HA! Ha! Ha!) I have decided to share something about running with all of you that read this (like 2 of you) that I learned the hard way. Okay, since I started running I have had three injuries that have sidelined me from running for awhile and let me tell you when you want to run and you can't it kills you. The first one I banged my knee and it hurt for over a year until I found a fabulous physical therapist who helped me figure out that my IT band was tight and that my quad had gotten weak. Next time I got hurt was last year and I was finishing up a 20 miler and I rolled my ankle on a curb five weeks before my marathon. Again a fabulous physical therapist helped me out again. The third time is right now. Crazy but my left big toe has really been hurting so I went to the PT to ask for help so that I can start upping my miles again. After seeing him and thinking about my other injuries and reading about this I realized that CORE WORK IS WHERE IT IS AT!!! You may ask why? Well you see had my core been in better shape my IT Band would not have had to work over time to compensate for weak hip muscles and me banging my knee just aggravated the whole thing. Second, after rolling my ankle I was given exercises for it but also exercises to help me control my core. Now with this last injury my big toe hurts because my foot is compensating for a hip weak muscle. CRAZY I know it. Well I am going to be doing some more homework. I am going to be dusting off my old text books and I am going to be taking an online class to dust off my old gray matter. (I have a degree as a physical therapist assistant but I haven't used it since my son was born 8 years ago. Sad I know) As I am learning again I am going to try and share with you what I learn. I am going to do posts about the certain muscles that make up the core and I am going to research exercises to help strengthen them. Now, really I am doing this for total selfish reasons because I want to help myself but I guess if you want you could benefit too. So the moral of this whole post is NOT TO NEGLECT YOUR CORE MUSCLES!!!! Go do some of your own research and share with me what you find and together we can help each other stay on the road to running.

Schedules, schedules

The last two days were beautiful! Sun was shining and it was near 45 degrees here. So I took advantage of running outside. It's a good thing too because today it's snowing! It was nice to be outside running. I'm a whimp and I don't like running in the freezing cold. I don't have all the right equipment, I dont' like being cold, and I'm afraid of falling on the ice.

As I said in my last post I needed some motivation especially in the winter to keep me running. Don't get me wrong I do enjoy running, I just get Cabin Fever so my motivation is very low. So I started looking into races to sign up for and found a friend who is willing to run it with me. We don't live in the same town but it will keep me going knowing someone else is expecting me to run. Then comes the second issue for me... the training. I dont' mind training, I really like it. I always imagine myself becoming this svelte runner who runs with ease. With that in mind, I get really annal about planning out the perfect training plan for me. For example, should I do P90X two days a week for my strength training, or log on to Runner's World and design the perfect strength training plan that will make me a better runner? Do I run three days a week or four? And on and on and on (really frustrates my sister because I call ALL the time. Remember, I consider her my coach!) Whatever I do I am always questioning if it is the best training plan for me. There is just so much information out there and everyone has an opinion as to what is best.

So I went to Hal Higdon and found his half marathon training plan. I Kept most of it the same but just adjusted it to my schedule. I decided to try the P90X and if it gets too time consuming (each video if 60 min.), or if I just can't seem to "Bring it!" I will change my strength training plan.

Does anyone else have these issues? Or are you just out there putting in the miles and not worrying about training and schedules?

I Run

I run
I run because I can.
I run with friends and I run alone.
I run without music most days so that I can hear myself think.
I run before the sun comes up most days.
I run when it is quiet.
I run in the rain.
I run in the cold.
I run in the sun.
I run because it makes me feel strong.
I run because it gives me confidence.
I run because it clears my head.
I run because it helps me get rid of stress.
I run for myself and nobody else.
I run to beat my own time.
I run to prove to myself that I can do hard things.
I run to keep my sanity.
I RUN!!
Corrine.

Why do you run? Finish this for me. If you don't run what do you do that is just for you?

Running to Keep OUR Sanity

"Running To Keep My Sanity" is adding another author! My name is Johanna and my sister Corrine started this blog to track her running workouts and her progress. She has been running for quite awhile and I always admired her for that. I started running after I had my first child 10 years ago and then had 3 more babies and a husband who worked a lot so running was put on the shelf. This past year I have taken up running again and found that I not only lost weight, I found sanity!

Last Spring I found a running partner and we started running. I was desperately trying to loose some weight, but found the harder I tried to loose weight the more the weight stayed on! I went back to visit a Dr. because my thyroid was enlarged and he told me that I must have gotten the fat gene in my family and I would probably be overweight the rest of my life. I should therefore focus on being healthy. I went home and cried a little, well a lot and then I got mad at him and decided to prove him wrong. So I decided to focus on working towards something focusing on "being healthy". I convinced my running sidekick that we should run a relay race. I told her that having other people that were counting on us would encourage us to keep going, and it worked. We worked hard and put in the mileage and ran our 5 mile part of the relay. We also had a great time. After we finished I was looking for another race or goal for us to complete. So I signed up to run a half marathon.

During my half marathon training I found out I really enjoyed running. I enjoyed the time with my sidekick as we hashed out issues we were facing in our lives. I also found out I like running by myself! Running is my "Time Out", it's my time to myself and I don't have to get more chocolate milk in the sippy cup, or referee a battle about who has had more time on the computer. Running became my thing and now my kids associate me with running. They even made me a character on the Xbox with workout clothes. Running gave me some sanity in my life. After a run I found I can think clearer and handle life better.

I decided to start blogging with my sister because I understood the title of her blog and what it really meant. She is my coach, wether she likes it or not, and I am ALWAYS asking for advise about running and what I should do next. I want to be as fast as she is some day so if I pick her brain and find out what she is doing I can become a better runner and why not share that with others? And I could share what I am doing that is working for me as a new runner. We are real moms trying to keep our sanity, and our common denominator is running.