Yippee-Skippee!

So, I need to brag for just a second...

Nic and I went on a six mile run yesterday and it was AWESOME! I won't lie... I'm sore in my groin, but otherwise, I'm feeling GREAT! It felt good to be out in the fresh air, running through Provo's East Bay area. It was also awesome to be out with my hubs. He's a great running partner. I've personally never done a six mile run. One mile has always been my "goal". So, wow, I'm really happy that we did it. And, our time wasn't bad either (for me). We did it in one hour and fifteen minutes. Yes, I'm a slow runner... but I did it!

Here's this weeks schedule:

Monday: 3 miles, easy pace.
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: Cross Training for 45 minutes
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 7 miles (I'm kinda dreading this)
Sunday: Rest

Okay, I gotta do my lovely homework. G'night.

Week Four... and Other Random Things

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Monday: 3 miles, easy run. Don't run too hard today.
Tuesday: 3 miles, a little harder run.
Wednesday: Cross Training for 45 minutes OR rest day.
Thursday: 4 miles
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: 6 miles

So, I didn't do my five miles yesterday. I'm thinking I'll do it tonight before I go to bed. I'm FEELING healthier, but wow, I'm really tired. I shouldn't complain... but I'm going to anyway. It makes me feel better.

My bro-in-law, who is a big time runner, told me that it's okay if you aren't RUNNING the whole distance for each days training. It's just important to get the mileage on your leg muscles (your gastrocnemius muscle, your soleas muscle, etc... I know that, thanks to anatomy. Yay.). Anyway, so I'm not feeling quite as discouraged as earlier this week. I'm determined to do this. Why? Because it's what is right for me.

Speaking of what is right and all things associated with it... I am undergoing some deep thoughts in regard to my education. I'm amazed at how Heavenly Father guides our lives. I have been taking a good look at myself the last while and I've learned some things. Some good, some bad. But, I am learning how important it is to heed the inspiration from Heaven.

I've been thinking a lot about this last year. I can honestly say that I love my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior, and I am so grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. For me, personally, this last year has been one of hardship. I have have been on the ever-dramatic, emotional rollercoaster ride we call grief. I can feel the stability returning to my spirit, my heart, my mind. I have been feeling the relief of finally being able to accept things, regardless how unfair I may feel they are. I have been feeling the peace promised to us because of the Atonement of our Savior. I wish I could put into words exactly what I am feeling.

I am just grateful. I'm so grateful for the experiences I have been blessed to have. How I love my little girl and I'm so happy for her. She is so happy right now. I love Nic. I couldn't ask for a better husband. I love my family. I am so grateful for them. I love my friends. I'm so grateful for those who have allowed me to grieve and be angry, to be happy and instantly change to weeping. I'm so thankful for those who have seen me in my most bitter, mean, hurt moments and have still loved me.

I'm not saying those hard times are over. But, I am saying that the storm is beginning to calm. And I am so thankful. I will forever miss my baby girl, but I know she wouldn't want me and Nic to be stuck in a rut of sorrow. Heavenly Father has blessed us in so many ways. Mercydez, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ want us, all of us (you too) to be happy. Joyful. Peaceful. Kind. Loving. Forgiving. Merciful. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know there will be many more dark tunnels ahead, there will be hard days, hard weeks, hard moments... but, I am grateful for the light of the gospel. It is helping me in miraculous ways. I am so thankful.

And, I want you to know that there is always hope. Never let the sorrow or heartache consume you. You can be saved. I have witnessed it IN MY OWN LIFE. The same blessings are available to you. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (St. Luke 11:9)

Week Three

Is this running killing anyone else?

Here's this weeks schedule. Sorry for the late post. I've been running all around.

Monday: 2 miles
Tuesday: 2.5 miles
Wednesday: Cross Training for 45 minutes or rest
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: 5 miles
Sunday: Rest day

So, I won't lie. I am running as much as I can, but I'm also speed walking. But, hey, I'm still doing it! How are you doing?

Happy late Valentines Day to everyone! Nic and I celebrated today. We went and saw "Valentines Day". I thought it was hilarious. It has its inappropriate parts, but, overall, I thought it was funny.

Thanks Love, for the fun afternoon.

Going, Going, Going...

Here's the running schedule for the week:
Monday:2.5 Miles, easy run
Tuesday: 2 miles
Wednesday: Rest. Don't do anything.
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Cross Training (biking, swimming, elliptical trainer, etc.)easy to moderate effort for 30-45 minutes.
Saturday: 4 miles
Sunday: Rest

I'm personally feeling a little discouraged. My tredmill needs to be lubed and we've been trying to find the oil all weekend. I confess, I didn't do my running on Saturday. But, I'm going to do my best to make sure I am prepared to do it every scheduled day this week.

This week is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week. Those of you who have shirts... WEAR THEM! I made up cute, simple valentines to hand out all week long. It just has some statistics and a cute little reese's heart candy on it. We love CHDers... spread the love by informing others about Congenital Heart Defects. Feel free to do the valentine idea, if you feel so inclined.

PS I really don't care about the superbowl very much, but I'm glad the Saints won. They totally deserved it.

Wahoo! Go Runners!!!

I'm so excited that you're gonna join me!!! Yay to Adrienne, Jenni, and Angel! If there are any others who want to run with us, feel free!!! Here's our schedule for the rest of the week...

Wednesday (today): rest day. No running.
Thursday (tomorrow):2.5 miles (WE CAN DO THIS!!!)
Friday (the day after tomorrow... haha): Rest day. No running.
Saturday (the day after... that): 3 miles (Focus all your emotion on it... we'll do it!)
Sunday: of course, this is a day of rest. :) No running.

So, not too bad... right?

So far, my groin is really sore. But it feels sooooooo GOOD! Yay!!!

Keep it up you guys! Blog about it! I want to know how you're doing! We'll keep each other going!

Yay for working towards better health for those we love!!!

Here We Go!!!

Nic and I are training to run the Provo City Half Marathon on May 1st... AND WE WANT YOU TO RUN WITH US!!!

Nic is a runner... he's a natural at it. BUT I AM NOT!!! So, join me! This is my first-ever attempt at this. And, I'm gonna do it. I AM gonna do it. With or without fellow runners, I'm going to do it.

Training starts today. Run two miles today. It's supposed to be a comfortable pace. Don't worry about the time, just run it. I just finished my run and it felt GREAT!!!!! I'm serious!!

Tomorrow's run is another two miles. Push yourself a bit. We'll do it together.

And, if it's hard for you to make yourself excited for this training, find someone to do it for... someone who would do it, but can't.

I'm dedicating my training and the half-marathon run to my little princess. My girl. My Mercydez.

I've learned something about myself... I'm much more inclined to do something if I focus my emotions on it. Take your happiness, your anger, your joy, your sorrow and FOCUS it on this. There's nothing wrong with being emotional! Make your emotions work FOR you, not AGAINST you. I'm an emotional person. Last year we built and planted a garden in honor of my princess. This year, along with keeping up on the garden, I'm doing this training and running the half-marathon. I'm hoping, if I can, to run more half-marathons. We'll see. One step at a time.

Leave a comment on my blog if you're in. There's no pressure at all. It's all in good fun and in honor of those we love, living or in heaven. Who are you dedicating your efforts to?