Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Mmmm...

I was reading this blog yesterday and she was making her own LARABARs. I've never had one before, but it looked tasty so, I went to the store and got some dates. Yeah... dates look weird! I wasn't too sure about it, but I figured I'd add some Nutella to the mix and it'd make everything taste great.

(Not the BEST picture, but they're oh, so good!)

This morning I threw a pound of dates, a cup of cashews, and a couple big spoonfuls of Nutella into my food processor and made myself my own Nutella Larabars. I laid it all out in an 8x8 pan and put it in the fridge for about an hour and they were good to go. They taste kinda like brownies. They were just the right texture and even my daughter who doesn't like nuts or Nutella (weirdo!) ate them and wanted more. That's the other cool thing about these, they're made with "good for you" stuff so you don't have to feel guilty eating it. 

I love simple treats that are good for you. :)

Sunday, June 26, 2011

American Fork Canyon Half Marathon

Better late than never, right? ;)
 I ran in honor of my Aunt Marena on the right. :)

I got up yesterday morning at 3 am to run 13.1 miles. Yeah, I'm a little nuts, but it was fun (well, for the most part.) I woke up and finished my shirt that I started the night before. I picked a dark blue shirt for colon cancer and freezer paper stenciled the words on with silver. The only thing I did wrong was I put too thick of a coat on it and it wasn't dry when I pulled it off so the letters looked a little funky. Anyway after messing with that for a little bit I got my breakfast ready (oatmeal and banana) and was about to walk out the door when Annabelle woke up wanting a blanket and a drink. I hurried and got her all settled and left. I got down the street and realized I forgot a hair tie. I can't run without my hair back... I don't know how some women do it. It would annoy the crap out of me. 

Anyway, I made it down there and on the second bus up the canyon. It was super dark and a little chilly when we got up there. I brought a blanket with me to use, but at the last minute I decided it wasn't that cold so I left it in the car before getting on the bus (I shoulda brought it. Oh, well...)

Start-Mile 3
Well, the race started on time (6am), but for some reason I was thinking it was supposed to start at 630 and that's what I told Jason (more on that later). We started out going down hill through the canyon.  Before mile one we ran through a little river going across the road. There was no way to miss it, so my feet were soaked with ice cold mountain water. From then on the miles just flew by. I was going at around a 1040 pace and I was feeling really comfortable.  When mile 3.1 hit I thought, "10 miles to go. I can do this. I've done this before." For some reason I wasn't feeling the music I had so, for the majority of my race I just enjoyed what was going on around me.

Mile 4-7
I was feeling AWESOME! Down hill all the way. I was letting my feet go with the down hill and I felt great. I was down to a 930 pace when my garmin lost reception and got a little screwy. At mile 7 it said I did a 639 mile and that my fastest pace was a 315 mile (YEAH RIGHT!!) There's no way I could EVER go that fast. I caught up to this one guy and my feet fell in line with his and it totally got me in the groove. I kept thinking, "1, 2, 3, 4...1, 2, 3, 4" over and over in my head. (I know, I'm weird...)

Mile 8-10
I was out of the canyon and things were starting to level out. No more down hill and my legs were starting to feel it. I ended up running with this one lady for a couple miles and saw that we were ahead of the 2.20 pacer. I was so shocked that I was that far ahead of him, but I started to slow and he passed me. 

Last night I watched this video (it's SOO funny!) and when my mind started wandering, I started thinking to myself about how I've never had to go #2 while running and how I would totally hold it in if it was me. Yeah, I jinxed myself. Around mile 9 I started to feel it. OOOooh, did I feel it. (A jalapeno burger from Carl Jr's is NOT the best pre race dinner.) I passed an aid station and the port-a-potties cause there was a major line and I didn't want to waste my time waiting in line. I shoulda though cause around mile 10 I REALLY really really had to go. So bad that each time I started to run I had to stop and walk cause I was totally going to mess myself. lol!
Mile 11-13.1
Around mile 10.5 there was a single port-a-potty on the side of the road that I was lucky enough to use without having to wait too long. I ended up wasting what felt like 5 minutes at the potty. After that I felt better, but my legs were feeling the little break and they didn't want to go fast. I tried using my music, but I still wasn't feeling it. It was actually making me go slower. I needed someone to talk to and no one was around so, I tried calling my brother and he didn't answer so, I called my mom in Africa. 

I was starting to get all emotional around mile 11.75 telling my mom that I hate running races alone and I really hope Jason is there at the finish cause I really need support right now. My mom and dad were driving through the jungle in West Africa with some missionaries when I called. She told me to just imagine my dad waiting for me and running the last bit with me (that's what he did at my full marathon last year) and that my aunt Marena was there by my side. I could hear the missionaries in the background saying I was doing good and to keep going. I started getting all choked up and hung up and started running again. My bro called when I had less than a mile to go. My legs wanted to walk, but my heart wanted to run. I really just wanted to be under 2.40 and I knew that if I kept walking I wouldn't make that. So, Adam told me to pretend like I was doing fartleks. Run some, walk some until I got to the end. I did and I saw the finish and kept running. 

Finish:
I crossed the line and my feet were killing me. I had a couple little blisters from some flip flops that I wore a week ago and I think the wet socks from the beginning made the blisters worse. I called Jason cause I didn't see him at the finish. I knew he was trying really hard to be there. I wasn't upset because I told him the wrong start time, so it was my fault. (Note to self: Tell Jason the RIGHT start time!) Brianna was SO sad because she wanted to cheer me on and didn't get the chance to. She even made a sign for me.

So, I did a fake finish so she could say, "Go ma!" It wasn't the same thing and she was still sad. Oh well, the next half is in August and it finishes right by my house so it'll be easier for them to be there at the end.
I ended up finishing the race in 2.36.02! Not bad!!! I finished and I reached my goal of being under 2.40. Imagine if I didn't waste time at the bathroom, I would have been even better. It's all good though. I did well. I'm proud of myself. I did really well, I mean really, it's only been 5 months since I had Rosalie. I wouldn't have EVER imagined running 5 months after any of the other kids. GO ME! :) 

I woke up this morning and my legs were ACHING!!! I swear I didn't feel this achy after the full marathon and I was prego at the time. I bet it was all the down hill that is making them ache so bad.

Now I gotta get some rest and get back to runnin' for my next half at the end of August. I just wanted to say thanks for all the support from you guys out there. It means a lot. :)

Friday, June 24, 2011

Race day tomorrow!!

So, tomorrow I'll be getting up at 3AM to run a race at 6:30AM in the mountains of Utah all for a great cause. Since the race is for cancer research I've decided that I'll be running for my Aunt Marena who died of cancer in 2005. She was such a wonderful woman.

Wish me luck! It'll be my first race since having Rosalie 5 months ago and I've been fighting a sore throat all week and I pray I feel 100% in the morning.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Country Fest 5k


Yesterday I signed up last minute for a local 5k. I haven't run for about 2 weeks thanks to wussing out and not running in the San Antonio heat. I thought a 5k would be a good way to get back into things. Sooo... I signed up and picked up my packet.

This morning I got up at 5:30 and headed over to the race. It was a little chilly this morning, but it was the perfect running weather. I love weather like this. I think it was in the 60s this morning. 

 Anyway... They told us yesterday to pick up the timing chip this morning, well.... that didn't happen. For some reason they didn't have the chips so we weren't timed very well. I'm so glad I have my Garmin. I started out feeling great other than my lungs having to get used to breathing again. I was feeling a little burn, but I got used to it quick. 

The first mile passed by quickly and so did mile 2. I even passed the water station without really know it. I finished the race in 33.47 according to my garmin. That's almost a minute faster than my last 5k!! I'm so proud of myself for doing so well after so much time off. I felt really comfortable running today. I love when I go faster than I feel. 

Anyway... I hope everyone who ran today had a great run! :) 

Half marathon next Saturday!!!!! Eeek!!!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

cookies

Why do cookies have to taste sooo good? I've done really well at staying away from them, but it's tough when your husband cracks open a box of Samoas and offers you some.


Starting WW tomorrow.

Half marathon in a week.

Possible 5k on Saturday.

Haven't run in 2 weeks.

Sore throat.

Tired.

A little depressed.

Need a good run.




The End....

Saturday, June 11, 2011

SLACKER!

Yep, still in Texas and still haven't run. It's too hot.... That's my excuse. Tomorrow I have 10 miles scheduled. I wish I can get it in, but I have to drive 2 hours to Dallas to pick Jason up and 2 hours back to Waco or 5 hours back to San Antonio. We'll see. I really need to do it. All I've been doing for exercise is pushing a stroller in the 100 degree heat while checking out all the different sites with the family. Fun fun.

Yesterday I stepped on a toad....
 That's exciting right?  I stepped on the thing barefoot. GROSS!!! It still gives me the chills thinking about how it felt squishy on my heel. YUCK! I didn't squish it, it hopped away with no injuries, but still GROSS!

I was also stung by a bee on Monday. Not too big of a deal except it was on my elbow and I'm pretty allergic to the stinkin' things. My elbow swelled up and itched like mad. It's just now starting to go away. 
Oh well, it's been fun! I love spending time with my family. :) I'm going home soon and then I can get back to running. Hopefully I didn't lose too much of my training by missing these couple weeks. I have a half in less than 2 weeks!! Eeek!

Monday, June 6, 2011

San Antonio...freakin' HOT!

For the past few days I've been in San Antonio, TX visiting family. I've attempted to run a couple times, but by 7 am it's already in the 90's and the humidity is way up there so my 6 mile run on Saturday turned into a barely there 1.75 mile run. Call me crazy, but I'd rather take the altitude that Utah brings over the heat of Texas. Man, oh man...

I made up the other 4 miles by walking around the Alamo and the River walk down here. Pretty cool stuff....it was freakin' hot and I got a little tan, but the stuff was neat.

Later this week I'm going up to Waco and Dallas and I'm hoping to be able to workout at the fitness center at my bros place. I need to figure out something cause on Saturday I have a 11ish (hoping for more) mile run due.

I had the Utah Valley Half scheduled for this weekend, but I decided I didn't want to run my first half since having Rosalie and not have anyone there at the finish.Plus, I didn't want to fly home with 2 little ones by myself. Soooo, I switched it to the American Fork Half. It'll be a good race and it's for a good cause.

Hopefully this week I'll have a better post with some running included. :)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

We've got a winner!

Thanks to all of those of you who entered the giveaway

Lucky number 6! Danae you won the Auria earphones! :) 
Email me your info and we'll get these sent out to ya.

This morning to celebrate my birthday AND National Running Day I went out for a 5 mile run and then came home to eat some birthday pancakes with a big "C" for Cathy in the center. :)
I was amazed with my run this morning. I started out feeling slow even though I was going much faster than I thought. I ended at a 10 minute mile pace. GO ME! :) I felt great!! I love runs where everything goes smoothly.