Ladies- One thing in common.

What does running, yoga, rock climbing, dancing, zumba, weights, parties, work, and crossfit have in common?

You need A GOOD BRA for all of them!  And, seriously, if you don't have a good bra then it is time to invest!

Check this out:



I don't know how it works, but for some reason when you wear this bra, when people watch you run it looks as good as it does in slow motion on the movie.Amazing, eh?

Now head on over to www.handful.com and pick up one of their nude, cocoa or pink colored bras for a discounted price while they last!

Weekly RUNdown

Overall I felt like this was a good week for me.  I had minor aches and pains, but I think I am healing and should be able to resume training this week.  (Albeit with less miles and NO speed work- I'll wait a few weeks or a month until I add that in).  Here's what my week looked like...

Monday:  IT Band/Shin Rehab, 30 min. 100 workout, 15 min.  The 100 workout was a fun change!  I didn't do the running on this and instead did 10 full sit ups.  I wanted to make sure my legs were fully recovered from the race the previous Saturday, so I took an extra rest day.  Here is what I did for the 100 workout:

100 Jumping Jacks

90 crunches

80 squats

70 leg lifts

60 jumping jacks

50 crunches

40 squats

30 leg lifts

20 jumping jacks

10 minutes of running

Tuesday:  3.08 miles at 8:45 pace/mile.  Ran with Jami and felt great.  Minimal tenderness in my shin.  I was also annoyed that the Biggest Loser wasn't on.  Booooooo to the State of the Union addresss!  (I'm joking here.  Kind of).

Wednesday AM:  IT Band/Shin Rehab, 30 minutes.
Wednesday PM:  Elliptical, 30 min, Resistance program 3.  1 mile walk at 4.2 on TM.

Thursday:  3.08 miles at 8:40 pace/mile.  Ran by myself- NO PAIN!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!

Friday:  Elliptical, 30 min.  Walked .79 miles at a 4 on the TM.  Kids.  It's practically impossible to workout while they are around.  This workout was so interrupted and finally I just quit on the treadmill.  Ridiculous.  Note to self:  6 kids and a workout doesn't mix.

Saturday:  4.2 miles at 8:43 pace/mile.  Ran with Jami and Breona.  It was entirely too short for a long run!  I can't wait until I can work back up to 10+ on the weekends again.  I miss it so much.  And while I'm talking about it, I really miss running fast.  A LOT.

Last Week's Goal:  Nice and easy on the running.  I said I didn't want to go more than 3 miles, but I was feeling so good that I felt like it was okay to push it up just one more mile on Saturday.  I ran easy pace wise and felt good.  I feel like I'm strong enough that I can start working back into things.  I can for sure keep running 3-4 days per week.

This Week's Goal:  Keep up the cross training and strength training. I am on a roll with cross training and I want to keep it up!

I am reading Run Less, Run Faster, and I have decided to train with their "3 plus 2" program for the Ogden Marathon in May.  (3 days of running and 2 days of approved cross training- swim, cycle, rowing).  I feel like it will help me get through the marathon training without injury (hopefully!) and if it makes me faster, that would just be an added bonus.

I love to run fast, but I love just being able to run more than anything.

Considering that Ogden is at the beginning of my race season, I want to be able to get through the marathon healthy so I can continue on racing this summer.  Wasatch Back is less than a month after the marathon, so it is very important to me that I run SMART.

Favorite part about your workout week?

Pain free run, and cross training on the elliptical with Audra on Wednesday night.  Friends make everything better.

Also!  I returned the Brooks Cadence running shoes (sad face) and bought some New Balance stability trainers.  I ended up with a refund of $10.69.  I also paid my friend Whitney $35 for the Dirty Dash 5K that we will be running together in June.  That brings my RUNNING total to $405.78.  Yikes.

Got Acne?

I've struggled with acne since I hit puberty, which for me, happened to be about my sophomore year of high school.

Acne bites.

I've tried several things off and on over the years and have been using Proactiv for the past 5 years.  While it keeps my face semi clear, I still break out.  Especially on my forehead, along my hairline, and my chin.  I've heard that running is supposed to "help" with acne, but for me it has only made it worse.

Around Christmas I was so fed up!  My skin was terrible and I was about to see a dermatologist when my Aunt Jenn told me to just buy a Clarisonic Mia- after all, that is what her dermatologist recommended and it was working well for her.

So, the day before Christmas I ordered one off of Amazon and have been using twice a day ever since.

MY FACE HAS NEVER BEEN SO CLEAR.  At least not in the last 14 years.

Not only that, but my zits, even the really big deep ones that are under the skin, seem to clear up in half the time.

I highly, HIGHLY recommend.

Does running make you break out?  What do you use to help keep your skin clear?


***This company knows NOTHING about me.  All opinions are my own. 

Confession

Sometimes a well placed swear word can be really, really funny.

I don't know why I'm on Dailymile.  Peer pressure?  Probably.

I worry that I might be a hoarder sometimes.  Why do I need to keep all of these race medals?  And bibs?  What's the purpose?

I'm pretty sure that sleeping in every day for the last nearly 3 weeks has murdered my previous running routine.

I want to eat healthy.  I do!  I just love sweets and fats too much.  Dang that top triangle in the pyramid that you are supposed to "use sparingly".

Speaking of- what is up with how often they have to change the food pyramid?  I can't keep up with it.  In my mind- we're still talking the four food groups and there's none of this pyramid garbage.

Mathew McConaughey.  He is so hot.  And his last name is ridiculous to spell.  Thank goodness for Google.

Sometimes my kids will be talking to me for an entire minute before I realize that they are talking to me.  I remember my Mom doing this and it drove me nuts as a child.  Look at me.  You do become your parents no matter how hard you try.  Just accept it and move on.

I've been tracking my calories using the myfitnesspal.com app on my iPod. I'm obsessed.  Did you know that a tres leches cake from Cafe Rio packs 860 calories?  I know this because I ate one, and then about DIED when I added it to my food journal.

That cake- TOTALLY WORTH 860 CALORIES.

I wish I could go to the movie theater every week.

And get popcorn and Raisinets.

I can't remember the last time I cleaned my bathroom.

The Bachelor- though raunchy at times- makes me laugh so hard that I can hardly stand myself.  Those women.  Where do they get these women??!!

I'm going to go eat some cookie dough now.

Weekly RUNdown

It was a good week.  I'm ready to start running though.  For real.

Monday:  ITBS/shin routine, 30 minutes elliptical, walk 1 mile on TM at 4.2
Tuesday:  ITBS/shin routine
Wednesday:  30 minutes elliptical, walk 1 mile on TM at 4.2
Thursday:  Stretch for 45 minutes, Elliptical 30 minutes, ran/walked 2 miles on the treadmill in 25 minutes.  This was my runnerversary!  2 years of consecutive running.  I can't believe it.  I had minimal shin pain on this run.
Saturday:  Chinese Dragon Run.

Last week's goal:  Go to bed at 11PM.  Whelp.  I was in bed by 11 on most nights, but I wasn't going to sleep until midnight.  I'm such a night owl!  What's wrong with me?!

This week's goal:  Nice and easy on running- no more than 3 miles at a time and no more than 3 runs this week.  If I can stand it- only run twice.  I talked to my PT at the race on Saturday and this was his suggestion.  I will add a half mile to each run each week.  (So next week I will run three, 3.5 mile runs, and the next week can be 4 mile runs and so on and so forth).

Something is still up with my left leg.  It feels kind of like a tight tendon or something?  I don't know.  I'm still icing, cross training, stretching, and foam rolling like it's my job.  If only someone would pay me for it....

Chinese Dragon Run Race Recap

***New post on the family blog- {He can read!}

The Midway Running Club is putting on a new series of races this year, and the first race was the Chinese Dragon Run to celebrate the Chinese New Year.  As part of the race they put on a kids race.  Will and Annie were so excited!

As they got dressed Annie kept saying,
"These are my running pants, just like you, hu Mom!"
"These are my running shoes, just like you, hu Mom!"
Will and Annie were wearing black and pink converse shoes respectively- they were certain that they would make them run faster, just like Benny's made him run faster and jump higher.

Annie ran with the 0-2 year olds.  It was a close race between her and the little boy behind her, but Annie is just like her mama and ended up with a 1st place win!

Will's division was 5-8 year olds, so he was one of the youngest.  He is also just like his mama- started out really fast and then died near the end.  He still finished in 6th place and did a great job!

The adult race was 4710 meters (2.92 miles) to celebrate the year 4710 on the Chinese calendar.  Since I have been fighting off some shin pain, I took it easy and tried to enjoy myself in spite of the wind, cold, and sleet.  The race had an indoor finish- which was fun for my family to hang out in.  I finished with an over all time of 21:39.9 with a 7:24 average pace.  It was a very small race and I ended up taking 1st overall for women.

They even had a dragon and everyone got to dance with it!

Annie and Will got chocolate dragon coins, a fortune cookie, and a party popper in their surprise Chinese box.

I won a gift card to the Canton City, and a $2 bill in my red envelope- a Chinese custom for the new year.

Is it possible that I can breed a family of runners?!  I hope so!

Year Two

***Update to the family blog- {Dear Mom,}

Yesterday was my Runnerversary- it has been two years since the dreadful run down the street that left me wondering if I might pass out.  Or worse, die.

Two years later I can say that you won't die from running.  (Although there are many times that you might feel like you will).  I have learned a lot in the past couple of years and things have changed for me so much.

I've learned that cotton isn't exactly the best option for running attire.

It's best if more thought goes into buying shoes than picking out the cheapest pair that you can find.  (Speaking of new shoes- remember these?  They are going back to the store.  After finally being able to run in them I've discovered that they make my feet go numb.  No bueno.)

Running partners are priceless.  They will get you out of bed in the morning, cry with you when you are injured, and carry you up a mountain with their encouragement.

As good as it sounds, you don't just lace up your shoes and hit the road.  You lace up your shoes, use the bathroom, strap on your garmin, layer on your reflective vest, adjust your headlamp, use the bathroom again, wait for your garmin to locate satellites, stretch, and then hit the road.

You never know where your potential lies.  Just when you think you can't go any faster, you can.  When you can't push any harder, you do.  And when you think you can't run any further, you round the corner with the finish line in sight and a final boost in your lungs and legs.

All in all, running is good.  It's good, hard, work.

And the second year is equally as rewarding as the first.

Del Sol Ragnar right before I ran a 4th leg.

Won a race outright.

Salt Lake Half Marathon with my Mom and kids.

Meeting Christopher McDougall with running partner Holly.

Running the Dirty Dash with my son. 

Wasatch Back 2011- Desperate For A Party!

Darcy prodding me up the Ragnar hill.

First full marathon- Top of Utah

Wasatch Back Marathon- 1st place Women's Relay team.

Vegas Ragnar and 3rd Ragnar of the year.

Boston Qualifier!

Confession: I'm scared.

I just spent the last hour and a half pouring over some of my old posts and hashing out a new training schedule for the Ogden Marathon that I'll be running this May.

I'm totally scared.

I've done this before!  I don't know why I'm all butterflies and jelly legs, but I totally am.  There are a lot of things that I love about the marathon, but there are a few things that make my knees go week, too.  I can't narrow it down to any one reason, so here's the short list:

1. I have to do it alone.  I won't have Darcy to plug in all of those long runs with me.  Part of me is really excited to see what I am really capable of without someone pushing me forward or holding me back, however, that is a lot of time to spend by myself.  This loneliness leaves me feeling scared.
2. Injury.  I ended up with IT Band Syndrome (again!) two and a half weeks before my last marathon.  It was frustrating, painful, and emotional.  I don't want to go through that again.  I know this comes with the territory, and this leaves me feeling scared.
3. Training.  This is a lot of dedication.  Although I know I would be running anyway, knowing that you are "in training," and especially for a marathon, it all takes on a different feel.  All these little boxes and numbers in black and white freak me out a little.
4. 3:30.  It's written in black and white.  On my training schedule.  By my bed.  It. Scares. The. CRAP. Out. Of. Me.

Here we go again....

What do you think is the scariest part of a marathon?  Distance?  Pain?  The unknown- or the known?

Weekly RUNdown

This was definitely a different week for me.  After hearing the official news from my Physical Therapist on Monday, I decided that there was no way I was just going to sit around and wish I were running.  I kept busy doing a lot of things that I hardly ever never do.  (But most definitely should be doing!)  So, even though I didn't log any miles in my running shoes, it was a good week.

Monday:  IT Band/Shin Splint rehab exercises
Tuesday AM:  IT Band/Shin Splint rehab exercises
Tuesday PM:  30 minutes elliptical- Resistance program 1
Thursday:  45 minutes of stretching.  (I foam roll and stretch nearly every day, but it usually only takes about 15 minutes.  Today I did a lot more focused stretching than usual.  I'm going to try to spend one night doing this every week for 45- 1 hour).
Friday:  30 min. elliptical- Resistance program 3, walk 1 mile on 4.0 on the treadmill
Saturday AM:  Nike Training Club App- Arm definer, 15 minutes.  Holy crap.  Kicked my butt.  My arms have been SO SORE.
Saturday PM:  30 minutes elliptical- Resistance program 4, and walk 2 miles at 4.2 on the treadmill

After a week of rest I no longer feel pain in my shins while I'm resting or walking around.  That is good news!

Highlight:  I've been doing the elliptical/treadmill walks with my friend Audra.  She took last year off because she had the cutest baby girl EVER, but she is starting training again and will be running the Wasatch Back with me this year.  I. LOVE. HER.  She was my original therapist training partner when I first started running nearly two years ago (on the 19th of January!) and it has been so much fun to train with her again.

Last week's goal:  Follow my PT's advice.  No running.  Check!

This week's goal:  Go to bed before 11PM every night.  I'm a night owl and mornings have been killing me.  I know that in order to stay in tip top shape I need to get adequate rest.  That means I need to knock it off and get my butt in bed earlier.

Do you spend any time stretching every week?  Do you have a special place in your heart for your training partners?

Everything relates to running.

This is basically how I feel right now... only you can replace the girl with my running parter and the road.
ONE. MORE. WEEK.

New Oshes

***The IT Band/Shin Splint rehab post now includes all the videos.  Check them out if you haven't already.  Thank you for not mocking me (at least in your comments)!  I'm aware they are dry- These were all business; welcome to the serious side of Amylee.

Moving on.

Growing up, we called shoes "oshes" in our family (pronounced uh- shez). Why? I have no idea, but don't you feel closer to me knowing that random fact?

So.... NEW OSHES!!!!!

Brooks Cadence: Minimalist footwear with support and stabilization; basically a hybrid between a minimalist shoe and a normal trainer.

They're black.

And purple. 

And I'm completely in love. 

 Well, as "in love" as you can be without having run in your running shoes. Hope y'all got out there and enjoyed (or will enjoy) a nice long run!

Brooks Cadence Running shoes:  $128.22

RUNNING total: 381.47

Running in HOT shoes:  Priceless

IT Band & Shin Splint Rehab Exercises

First off- I'm so awkward.  How in the world did I study theater in college?!  WHY DID PEOPLE EVER CAST ME?!

I'm baffled.

Second- I love you guys.  A lot.  Here's the proof:

IT Band and Shin Splint Rehab Exercises

Disclaimers:

*My husband makes me laugh.  This cannot be stopped, or controlled.

**I am not a photographer.

***I am not a videographer!  I'm so awkward on camera.  Just, get over it and follow the exercises.  You're welcome that I got over my insecurities so quickly to offer these to you ;).

****I am not a doctor.  If you are suffering from pains, I cannot tell you enough how much I encourage you to go and see a physical therapist.  Only they can properly diagnose you and give you the treatment you need.

That being said, here are the list of exercises that my Physical Therapist gave me for IT Band rehab as well as shin splints.

1.  Bridges and Clam Shells

2.  One legged bridges- You bridge up and extend one leg.  You then lower your buns until they nearly touch the ground and then bridge back up.  If you are a weakling like me, these will kill you!  My hamstrings often cramp during these.  I do 12 on each leg, then switch.  2 sets on each leg.

3.  Monster Walk and Side Steps

4.  Dead Lift Leg Raises- These are like a dead lift using 10 lb weights (feel free to use heavier!) only you lift one leg as you bend over.  Do 12 reps on each leg and then transition to backward lunges.  Do 2 sets of each exercise.

5.  Backward Lunges- These are your basic lunge, only you step backward instead of frontward.  Do these while holding 10 lb. weights.  Do every other leg for 30 repetitions.  2 sets alternating with the dead lift leg raises.

6.  Weighted Squats- (If you have access to a gym, I would do the leg press using only one leg).  50 squats with weights (10 lb).  2 sets.

The following are for Shin Splints:
7.  Body Twists

8.  Eccentric Calves

9.  Heel Walks

RUNNING total

I started running because it was a cheap hobby.

Cheap MY EYE.

This year I have decided that I'm going to keep track of every cent I spend that is running related: races, supplements, clothing, shoes, gear, you name it.  I have a bank account that is set up for running.  I try to save 25 cents for every mile I run (which equals about $25-$30 a month).  I'm pretty sure this barely pays for my shoes.

Since we are, indeed, "starving college students," I have decided that I'm going to tally up just how "cheap" this little hobby of mine is.

So far the bill is fairly small:

Physical Therapist, 1/9- $50.00
Chinese Dragon Run 1/11- $13.25

But I know it is destined to grow.

I did pay for 2 big races last year that I am going to include for this year.  They are the Ogden Marathon ($85.00) and the Wasatch Back ($105).

That brings my running total for 2011 up to:

$253.25

Yowza!!!!!!!!!  Don't tell my husband.

The shirt I've been wearing every day since last Friday:

Family blog updates: {My Baby}

I love the Nike clearance rack.  LOVE.

Why do I make that face all the time?  It just happens.  The camera comes out and my mouth just drops and my eyes bug.  I can't control it.

I also picked up a green shirt that says "Fast", but of course I promptly spilled sausage grease all over that one.  I've been working on the oil spot for days trying to get it out.  I really wish it would because then I could change my shirt.

PT says...

No running for at least two weeks.

It's weird- normally I would be totally devastated by this news, but I feel fine!

Perhaps it's because I don't have a race.  Perhaps it's because I'm so relieved that I don't have a stress fracture and two weeks feels like nothing compared to 4 months.  Perhaps it's because I have been feeling so sore and run down that having someone tell me that I have to take time off takes the pressure off of me- I don't feel like I'm just "wussing out".

Yesterday I had not only one, but two Physical Therapists working on me trying to get me back in running order.  For TWO HOURS they shocked, poked, stretched, massaged and essentially attacked both IT bands, both shins (with extra attention on my left), both hips, my right hip flexor, and my knee caps.

In short- I'm a mess.

I plan on cross training on the elliptical some, but mostly I'm going to be doing lots and lots and lots of strength training.  I'm going to definitely be a STRONGER runner when I get back at it.

I'm so glad I decided to go in.  My body needed it.  If you are feeling aches and pains that are nagging and concerning- don't ignore it.  Go see a physical therapist.  You won't regret it, promise.

(And this is coming from someone who doesn't like to spend a dime on anything- let alone seeing a doctor.).

After talking about my form and shoe options, my PT is encouraging me to go with minimalist shoes.  I've had the New Balance 10's for awhile now and absolutely love them.  In a few weeks I am going to transition to running solely in those.  My form is better when I run in these, and until I learn to run correctly, I'm just going to continue to get injured in normal trainers.

Time for a new pair, though.  I'm stoked on these:

I'm also going to be reassessing my marathon training.  Lots of blog posts to come on that, and I'm going to break down the IT Band and Shin Splint rehab exercises for you all.

If you couldn't run for two weeks, what would you spend your time doing instead?

Weekly RUNdown

I knew I was feeling run down, but I think I was in denial about how run down I actually am.  I ended up taking an extra day of rest this week because I can feel several things coming to a head.  I've had shin pain since October that I keep pretending isn't there.  I thought it was shin splints at first and now I'm not sure.  This past week it would ache when I wasn't running- bad sign.

Besides that, I can tell that my hips are out of whack again.  They pop when ever I'm going up the stairs and if I'm doing any sort of strength training.  Hips that are out of place = tight IT Bands.  On my longer run this week I could really start to feel it on my right side.


Anyway- all of this means that I took time off last week, today, and I'm seeing my physical therapist this afternoon.  Better to get things under control sooner rather than later.

That being said, here's the RUNdown:

Monday:  5x400M repeats with 1:30 rest intervals in between.  Pace was pretty inconsistent- between 5:35 and 6:00 pace.  Times were 1:23, 1:26, 1:29, 1:29, 1:30.  These worked me pretty good.  I'm not used to running such short intervals so I struggled getting the pacing right- I was going to fast, and then too slow, and then too fast, and then too slow...  I'm sure I would do better if I were to do them again.  I could really feel my IT Bands super tight, as well as the pain in my left shin after this workout.  I decided to take the next day off of running.  I finished this up with 2 Yasso's at Mindy's pace (3:30ish).  Total mileage was 5.33 miles.

Tuesday:  Nike Training Club App (it's for women)- Muscle Definer, 30 minutes with weights.  It is not news how weak I am.  This kicked my BUTT!!!  I was so sore the next day and was sweating up a storm when I was doing it.

Thursday:  5.18 miles, 8:45 pace with Jami.  Took it easy and slow.  Still feeling all sorts of soreness from earlier in the week.

Friday:  9.55 miles, 9:23 pace with Mindy.  I almost died from Hypothermia on this run.  I was planning on doing 13.1, but I couldn't make it another step.  I under dressed and was miserable the entire time.  It was 12 degrees and I should have worn a wind breaker over my running clothes.  I won't forget next time!

Saturday:  IT Band Rehab exercises- glutes, hips, calves and feet, 30 minutes.  My shin was feeling pretty painful so I skipped my normal Saturday long run.  Strength training was good though; I needed to do it anyway.

Last week's goal:  Foam roll every day.  Check!  I took the time every day (I even had to get my butt out of bed one night after I remembered!) and I'm so glad I did.  I'm feeling so sore and run down and I know foam rolling will help.

This week's goal:  Follow the advice from my PT.  If he says "No running", then I'm not going to.  If he says "Do your exercises every single day," then I will.  Ugh.  I'm scared about this appointment.  All you bloggers (ahem, Kim and Janae) have me freaked out that I might have a stress fracture.

What is your favorite speed work to do?  Where do you do it- track, street, or treadmill?  How was your workout week?
 If you already are my friend on Daily Mile, then I'm aware this stuff is old news. I keep this blog as my running journal so I'm sorry about the repeat.

Are you on Dailymile? Add me.
Facebook? Like me.

Confession

I'm a drill sergeant parent... and team captain.  I learned last week that people on my old Wasatch Back team nicknamed me "Sarge".  I would be more upset if it wasn't accurate.

I went for a run the other day and realized I forgot to put on a sports bra.  The kicker- I didn't notice because of how it felt when I was running- I noticed because I didn't have a good place to clip on my iPod.

I hate the name of my blog.

I made a New Year's Resolution to only have one sugary treat per day.  It's ridiculous how hard it is for me!  6 days and so far it has been a success.

The thought of running a marathon again makes me want to run and hide.  I'm scared.  Marathons are hard, but TRAINING for a marathon is a billion times harder.

I keep my kids up during the day so I can put them to bed early on Thursdays.  Why?  Two words- Grey's Anatomy.

I'm so baby hungry that I might just keep this little baby that I watch during the day.  His mama can just find a new one, right?

I want to nap every single day.

I like popcorn with equal parts butter and popped corn.

I like toast with equal parts butter, bread, and strawberry jam.

I like pancakes with equal parts butter, and pancake.
I like butter.

Go and GET IT.

I read this on my friend Nicki's blog (who just so happens to be running the Wasatch Back with me this year! ) and I absolutely had to share it with you.  You want something?  THIS is how you get it:

If you want a thing bad enough
To go out and fight for it,
Work day and night for it,
Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it;
If only desire of it
Makes your aim strong enough
Never to tire of it,
If life seems all empty and useless without it
And all that you scheme and you dream is about it,
If gladly you’ll sweat for it,
Fret for it,

Plan for it,
Pray with all your strength for it,
If you’ll simply go after the thing that you want,
With all your capacity,
Strength and sagacity,
Faith, hope, and confidence; stern pertinacity,
If neither cold or poverty, famished and gaunt,
Nor sickness, nor pain,
Of body or brain,
Can turn you away from the aim that you want,
If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
You’ll get it.

-Anonymous

FIRST. PLACE. FINISH.  Wasatch Back Marathon Relay 2011

 

What great thing are you going to sweat for this year?

Winter? WTF?

Not that long ago I did a post about what to wear for winter running.  Apparently I can throw all of that out the window because yesterday when I went to the track for my workout, this is what I wore:

No, I'm not pointing out the fact that I have been running for nearly two years and don't have any calf muscles.

I'm pointing out that it was JANUARY 2ND and I ran outside in CAPRIS.

What is with this weird weather in Utah?  It was 43 degrees when I ran last night at 5:30PM.  And we still don't have any snow!  Last year it looked like this:

This was just for good measure.  I love this boy.  A lot.

I have a sneaky suspicion that the Ragnar Relay people are going to be freaking out about all of the snow up Avon Pass and Guardsman again come June because we get dumped on late in the year.

I'm going to enjoy the warm streak while it lasts!

What's the weather like where you are?  Running in snow?  On the beach?

Weekly (yearly) RUNdown

Success!!!!!!!  I feel like I beat the holiday slug feel and was able to finish the holidays (and the hardest week in the year to run- between Christmas and New Year's) with a bang.  So, so happy.

Sometimes it's hard to run when all I really want to do is snuggle on the couch with these people.

Tuesday:  Hill repeats, 8:20 pace, 5 miles, 444 foot gain.  I am SO TIRED of hills kicking my butt.  I think I'm going to start heading up Snake Creek and Guardsman this week since we still don't have any snow.

Thursday: 7.5 miles, 8:35 pace with Jami.  Does anyone else besides me and Ashley feel like running in fog is the same as breathing in jello?  Seriously.

Friday:  Treadmill 5K, 7:14 pace.  I don't think I've ever liked the treadmill as much as I did on this day.  Probably because I knew I was only going to go 3 miles!

Saturday:  11 miles, 8:31 pace.  It was great until mile 7; that's when I regretted eating 3 pieces of french toast, 3 pieces of bacon, and a glass of orange juice only 30 minutes before leaving on my run.  Whelp.  I won't do that again.

Last week's goal:  Run 20 miles.  Check!  It may not seem like it, but it was pretty hard to get this done this past week.  There was LOTS going on.  I'm sure you can all relate.

This week's goal:  Foam roll every day as well as after every run.  I'm feeling some IT Band tightness and I need to do what I know will help me- and that means foam rolling like it's my J-O-B.

And for the year.....

I love garmin connect.  LOVE IT.  I'm going to attempt to use Daily Mile (be my friend!) this year, but pretty much everything I do is better tracked with my Garmin anyway.  I love looking back over my days, weeks, months, and today I was able to look back at last year...

In 2012:

Count:	192 Activities
Distance:	1,230.89 mi
Time:	177:00:25 h:m:s
Elevation Gain:	46,828 ft
Avg Speed:	7.0 mph
Avg HR:	170 bpm
Calories:	111,968 C
Max Distance:	26.56 mi
Avg Distance:	6.41 mi

Running 192/365 days is pretty incredible!  Especially when I was injured for the better part of May and September of this year.  This made me want to make a new goal, too- This year I want to crest 50,000 vertical feet!

Know what's going to help?  Signing up for the Wasatch Back Marathon :)

No, your eyes aren't fooling you.  That's nearly 3000 feet in elevation gain in 7 miles.  At the beginning of a marathon.  Wanna run with me????

 With this bad boy, I will be in it to FINISH.

What CRAZY race goal do you have this year?

Besides the 50,000 vertical feet, I want to BQ at the Ogden Marathon in May, and run a 10K with a 6:59 pace or under.