Saturday, December 25, 2010

Just one more time


 The past few couple of years, my many of my extended family... on both of my parents' sides, have gathered in Midway to go tubing.  This was our second year of doing it on Christmas Eve.  Hayden had to work this year, so Aspen and I went solo.   This was her first year of LOVING it.  The first ride she had not realized you had to raise your bum as you slide down the hill, so she had a bit of a bumpy ride and was crying.  It didn't deter her.  The second ride was much better, and after that it was "Let's do it again" or "just one more time".  It was a warm and sunny.  It was fun to see some seldom seen family.

Me, Aunt Sheela, Sidney and Aspen

Friday, December 17, 2010

Back on the Bandwagon

I started charting my exercise/weight/calories on May 5th using myfitnesspal.com.  I thought I had been doing a good deal to stay trim... eating yogurt and a banana for breakfast, low calorie lunch, and running.  Once I started counting calories, I started realizing how many I consume between 3pm and dinner... and at dinner... and afterwards.  

So... 
fast forward 6 months...
I have dropped 21 pounds since then, even getting as close as 2 pounds away from my goal-weight.  The weight when I met Hayden (when I thought I was heavy... ha ha ha). 
I found different snacks from 3pm til dinner.
I  exercised consistently (which gives me bonus calories to "spend").
I gave up soda (even my diet coke... sob sob) and any drink other than water.
I ate smaller portions.
I logged it all.

Large: April, 2010... 196 lbs.  Small: 6 months later @175 lbs.

Well, as the cycle goes... and as it has gone through the history of time... 
I get comfortable where I am... 
get lazy, 
and start to let things slide.  
I stood on the scale this week.
It scared me.
So...
I'm back on the bandwagon.
Back doing what works.
Counting calories... exercising... eating better.

Now what to do with all these darn Christmas treats :)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Why I do what I do...


I ride east every other Friday but if I had it my way
The day would not be wasted on this drive.
And i want so bad to hold you
Son there's things I haven't told you
Your dad and me just couldn't get along.

So I'll drive
And I think about my life
And wonder why, That I slowly die inside
Everytime I turn that truck around,
right at the Georgia line
and I count the days and the miles back home to you 
on that Highway 20 ride.

A day might come and you'll realize
that if you could see through my eyes
There was no other way to work it out
And a part of you might hate me
But son please don't mistake me 
For a mom that didn't care at all.

And I'll drive
And I'll think about my life
And wonder why, That I slowly die inside
Everytime I turn that truck around,
right at the Georgia line
and I count the days and the miles back home to you 
on that Highway 20 ride.

So when you drive
And the years go flying by
I hope you smile
If I ever cross your mind
It was a pleasure of my life
And I cherished every time
And my whole world,
It begins and ends with you
On that Highway 20 ride....

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

sometimes you just have to RUN!!! (faster)

This race was originally supposed to be me and my running buddy.  She got injured... so I was flying solo on this one (however, her husband did run... and kept me company before the race).  
My previous best time was 2:05.  I've been doing good lately just to keep my pace under a 10 minute mile pace, which is 6mph.  Lately, I've been running with Jocelyn, who has kept my pace fast, and my motivation high.  She ran the Halloween half the weekend before my race, in 2:00.18.  
Oh man... I'd love to get that score.
Without any speed-work, and not many tempo runs, I was pretty sure it would be out of my reach to beat her time, let alone my previous best.  
 There were a couple people I scoped out before the race, one that was wearing basketball shoes, practice jersey and basketball shorts.  Dude... If I lose to that guy... I'll quit running.  (yeah... I need to figure out how to tone down my competitive nature). I started off feeling pretty good.  I had made a quick tempo playlist to run to, and had my phone app (my tracks) that informed me every 5 minutes what my distance, time, and pace was.   The first time I hear it, it said my pace was 7.4 mph.
7.4 mph????
That's an 8:06 pace!!!
Dang... talk about motivation.  I kept it going, but as I approached mile 8, I was down to 7.2 (8:20 pace).  The hardest miles are always 11-13, and this was no exception.  I knew I totally had the potential to beat my previous record, but I was BEAT... out of gas!  I was dragging myself at mile 12, even walking up a little rise of a hill.  I texted Hayden and asked him what the clock time was at the finish line, when I had 1/2 mile left.  
1:52
I tried to PUSH myself to get there faster, or pass someone, but I had nothing left.  Even the finish line was forever away, and I just remembering looking up at the clock thinking it was getting ready to switch over to 2 hours, and realizing what I thought was 1:59 was 1:56.  WOO HOO!!  Not only had I bested my previous time... by 8 minutes, I had pushed through to beat Jocelyn's time (which is a big deal to me because she is fast!).  My final pace was 8:59 per mile. 
How?  I don't know... because since I have been home, I find it hard to manage a 9:40 pace, let alone anything under 9.  It's crazy that I did it.

It was by far the MOST beautiful run I have ever done... short or long runs.  I am hoping it is on my annual list of runs to participate in.  It was especially beautiful because my two daughters and my hubby were waiting for me at the finish line.  We were able to stay at my parent's house in St. George, and had a great time hanging out together.  Thanks for nursing my poor sore muscles back to health Hayd!


Monday, December 6, 2010

Boo!

Yeah, so I'm running a couple months behind schedule.
It occurred to me this week that I, in all reality, could post a picture and a small snippet without having to write a book.  So that is what I'll do for awhile... at least until I am a bit more caught up.
Halloween was a highly anticipated event this year for Aspen.  She liked to play pretend "trick or treating" and come begging for treats or prizes from me weeks before the holiday even arrived.  She would insist on wearing her costume as clothes for the day, as pajamas for the night, or to change in to once she got home for the day.  I'm mean, and didn't let her.

It was a cold but beautiful morning.  I got all ready to run from Ephraim to Manti and back in preparation for my half marathon quickly approaching, but realized I had forgotten my shoes.  Let me just say, there are not many great running shoe spots in Ephraim (or neighboring towns).  We dropped $80 on a pair of shoes that were pretty much the only ones in the store that resembled running shoes in my size, and I took off for Manti.

New shoes + 8 miles + trail running = DEAD DOG tired, sore knees (and blisters on the feet!).
Needless to say, I only made it TO Manti, and a mile back toward Hayden's parents' house before calling in the rescue crew to come pick me up.

We were able to get a few houses for trick or treating, but for the most part, it was really too cold to do much more than that.  We were directed to a trunk or treat, and definitely made the most out of our time with that stop.

Aspen would NOT let anyone touch her bucket of candy... but when she wasn't looking, everyone was helping themselves to her treats.  Dad tried to hide her bucket... which led to a small drama-queen incident.

The problem with this holiday is that the next day she wanted to go do Halloween all over again.
Thank heavens for an annual event!!

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