2 Sisters with Gastric Bypasses, and 1 Half Marathon

So, I've taken some time off from watching what I eat and exercising like I used to. Yes, I had a baby, and I did great during the actual pregnancy and only gained 20 pounds, but afterwards I found out that while I was breast feeding I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight. I picked up some really bad habits, and in doing so I've put an unwanted 25 pounds back on. But have no fear, I'm back!!! I've been training all winter long with my sister, and I just finished my 3rd half marathon. It felt great, and I'm already down 6 pounds (this week). I always love blogging about my running, so here are some of the highlights.

On Saturday, January 17th, 2015 me and my sister, Brandi, ran the St. George Half Marathon together. It was awesome!!! I loved everything about it - the training, the conversations, the bonding - I wouldn't trade a single bit of it (I'm not so sure Brandi feels the same way yet... but she will after the pain goes away completely). This was my third half marathon and Brandi's first. I was so proud of her. She did so much better than I did on my first marathon, and this course was the toughest too. The first seven miles were up hill, and we were literally the only ones we could see that actually ran the hills and didn't walk them (it must have been those hill sprints we did and loved so much!!!)

Running a half marathon is a huge accomplishment for anybody, but especially for me and Brandi who both topped the scales at close to 300 pounds only 2 and 4 years ago. I had my gastric bypass in May 2011 and Brandi in June 2013. Now what we have to careful of is not forgetting or belittling our achievements. I remember those days when my goal was just to finish and 5K - that was all I wanted. But now that I run at least a 5K (3.2 miles) 3 or 4 times a week, I find myself saying, "We're only running 3 miles" - like that is not an accomplishment in itself! There is nothing "only" about getting in shape and taking care of yourself emotionally and physically through running!!!

Well, it feels good to have one more half marathon under my belt. Although this will probably be my first and last winter marathon. Training is hard enough, but when you add running in the cold and dark, fighting colds and flu's, navigating around ice and snow, it's even more complicated. Plus, I could really use some sun on my legs! Although it was good for me to realize that I can run in the cold and be just fine. I typically hang up my running shoes around Halloween, but from now I think I'll keep running through the winter here and there, just not with the intensity and frequency you have to when training for a marathon. I'm super proud of you, Brandi! You're da bomb!!! Let's keep the momentum going!!!

This was me and Brandi at my very first 5K in October 2011. I had dropped close to 100 pounds at this point, and getting a gastric bypass wasn't even on Brandi's radar yet.

And this is us today!!! Together we're almost 300 pounds lighter and we're both officially marathoners!!! 

Halloween Half Marathon - 2012



Me, happy and smiling at the end of my marathon.

I didn't keep it a secret that my first half marathon, although rewarding, was anything but fun! It was grueling and torture. So, like an idiot I signed up to run the Provo Halloween Half Marathon on October 27th knowing I didn't have enough time to properly train, knowing that I was a few pounds heavier, and knowing that it was going to be brutally cold!!! And, I'm totally glad that I did!!!

I got to run with this guy... ooooh, creepy!



I can honestly say that I had a really fun time running 13.1 miles. Yes, it was cold. Yes, my feet and knees hurt. Yes, three days later my muscles are still sore. But, I kicked butt! I actually ran it a minute slower than my first marathon (although my pace was actually 15 seconds faster....) but I finished strong and had enough energy to sprint to the finish line. I was passing people right and left and even finished in the wave ahead of the one I started in. I couldn't be happier and it was great way to end the running season because I'm already looking forward to the next one.



The race began at Sundance and ended at this park. It was mostly downhill with a few bumps to keep it challenging. Perfect!



I'm going to try to still run a few days a week during the winter, but since it's pitch black in the morning and in the evening, and I work during the day, it's really not safe to be running. So, I'm going back to my 5 AM workouts at the gym. At least the gym is heated! :) I'm really not sure what my running goals will be next season, but I figure I have the whole winter to think about it!

  

Running a Half-Marathon - Check!!!

I did it!!! I finished my very first half-marathon. And, Wow! What an experience it was! Honestly, it was miserable. Absolutely miserable. The race was described as being "a fun and fast course" and I totally call BS on that one! It was uphill almost the entire time. It wasn't really steep, it was just a constant upgrade. It was tough. Really tough. In fact when I ran across the finish line everything was pretty much a blur. I remember seeing my family there, but all I could think about was that I couldn't stop walking. I honestly felt if I stopped I would have dropped right there and wouldn't have been able to get back up. I was nauseated and exhausted beyond all description. So much so I didn't even get any pictures which makes me sad now, but at the time I didn't care. I was just thankful to be alive!

Even though the course was tough, I still finished with a 10.24 minute mile, and I ran the entire thing!!! The last three miles were brutal, and a lot of runners just gave up (I've never seen DFNs in any of my races before), but I kept on running and every runner I passed gave me a little boost of energy. Can I say it was fun??? Mmmm.... not really, but I can say now that I'm glad I did it. It really was worth all the months of training, the 5 AM runs, the injuries, the ice baths, the limping, the shear PAIN!!! Do I want to run another one? Absolutely! And here are my reasons why...

Why Run a Half-Marathon???

1. You get to become part of something larger than yourself. You become a member of the "Marathon" family.
2. You get to be a part of something that is inspiring and challenging. You push your body beyond its physical and mental limits and finish in spite of that fact.
3. You get to blow past people on the course who didn't train as hard or as long as you.
3. You get a cool medal and tech shirt to show off to friends and family proving that you did it.
4. It forces you to get off your butt and get outside and run!
5. You get to know your neighborhood really, really, really well.
6. You set a good example for your children (and husband) about the importance of being active and healthy.
7. It's a goal you can set for yourself and actually accomplish. It makes me proud of me!!!
8. You get toned, sexy legs!
9. You get to see a lot of sunrises.
10. I want to do it because I CAN do it! I spent years and years abusing and taking my body for granted, and it feels fantastic to be able use my body in a way that it was designed to be used!

Celebrating Pioneer Day with a 10K

I ran the Deseret 10K on Pioneer Day in downtown Salt Lake City this year. There were A LOT of runners, and even though I shaved 3 minutes off my last 10K time, I actually finished further down in my division, but I'm totally fine with that. For me, it's all about improving my PR (Personal Record) and finishing 6.4 miles in under an hour makes me all smiles!!! Plus, my husband surprised me and got a hotel room at the Little America downtown the night before the race. That meant only a 4 am wake up time instead of a 3 am wake up time! So, we got to spend the evening before eating pasta and swimming in the hotel pool. Lots of fun!!!

The actual run was pretty hot and muggy, and I was really struggling that last half mile, but that's when I saw my family cheering me on. It felt so amazing to see them there. I still can't believe they dragged their kids out of bed at 5 in the morning, drove all the way downtown, and sat in the hot sun (and rain) to watch me run by for 30 seconds. I have the best family in the whole world. I love them sooooo much!!!  

This was my last race before I run my first half marathon in a couple weeks. And even though I doubt I'll finish with my usual 10 minute mile, I'm hopeful I'll finish in a respectable time! Well... actually... I forgot about my stupid hip. Grrrrr! I did something weird to my hip doing belly dancing a couple days ago, and even after taking a few days off, it hurt really bad on my run this morning. I have to try to figure out to get it healed up before next Saturday or else I'll be walking my first marathon... :(   

Earning My First Racing Medal

Last Saturday I ran my first 10K race. I chose the Utah Valley Marathon because I heard it was a fast, easy course. It didn't disappoint! This was my favorite race by far. I'd prefer 6 miles over 3 miles any day, and the weather was actually perfect. I started out conservatively at a 11:30 to 12:00 pace, but soon realized I could push it a lot harder. I crossed the finish line at an 8:00 pace which averaged out at a 10:00 pace. The only stupid thing I did was not knowing that the race was actually 6.4 miles long and not just 6 miles, so when my watch showed 5:90 miles I started sprinting towards the finish... I've trained sprinting for 1/10 of a mile, but not for half of a mile! I couldn't slow down though with thousands of people cheering me on, so I finished at an amazing time - just over an hour! The only problem is that now, three days later, I still can't walk!!!

But it's all good, and I'd do it all again. And finishing 6th out of 41 in my division for my very first 10K race isn't too shabby. I'm already looking forward to my next race (that is if I can ever walk again...) I'm just trying to decide if I should do another 10K or if I'm ready for a half-marathon. This whole running thing is kind of crazy, but it feels good to be apart of it. I just have to be careful and not train too hard at this point. I already have Paroneal Faciitus which is basically tendinitis in my foot. I've been able to keep going with the use of KT Tape, but if I push it too much too fast it'll turn into a stress fracture and then my running season would come to an abrupt halt! I'm trying to be smart though. I just spent $200 on new running shoes and inserts and they seem to be helping. I guess we'll just have to see where this journey takes me...

Me at the starting line in my new race day outfit I bought. Cute, huh? :)

My little trooper! It's not fun to have to wake up a 2 year old at 5 o'clock in the morning, and even worse when she throws up right before the race starts! 

Poor little Char was so sick, but she hung in there and was even ringing her bell when Mom came across the finish line!

Woohoo! My first racing medal! Yes, it's just a finisher's medal, but I could care less!

The beginning and ending of my race - just look for the hot girl wearing a pink tank and braids!!! :)

Cookie Chaser - 2K and 5K

It feels like I just barely posted my last 5K, but I guess it's been over a month... So, here we go! I ran the Cookie Chaser 5K in Riverton last Saturday. It was a low budget race, but still fun. Plus, I got to run a 2K to warm up before the actual 5K which was really nice, and I only paid $25 for both of them. I've been very surprised how expensive some of these races can be. I was going to do the Thanksgiving Point 5K that day, but it was $40. That's crazy to me. That's how much I paid to register for the 10K in Provo!

Me before the start of my 2K. These spring runs can be really chilly. It warmed up pretty nice later on, but my nose was running like a faucet... not very convenient or attractive!!!

Anyway, I loved this race for one reason - my mom got to be there! She has been such a huge supporter of me, and it was fun to be able to show her how far I've come. I know she's super proud of me and that makes all the difference sometimes! My results weren't too shabby either. I finished 4th out of 12 in my age group and 61 out of 348 overall. My goal was to finish in 27 minutes, and I did it - but barely!!!

The start of the 2K. I was using this race as my warm up run, so it was really low-key and fun!!!

I learned a lot of good lessons this race though. I only have a few more weeks until the 1 year mark of my surgery, so I'm not going to lie, I've been starving myself. I should have eaten more carbs throughout the week before the race, or at least on Friday, because I definitely felt my body running on empty the last half of the race. Another lesson I learned was that I need to cut my workouts down the week before a race. Weight lifting is a HUGE No-no because my arms are legs were still very fatigued the day of the race. Not cool!

Me before the start of my 5K. Making sure my Everclear and Metallica are really to go!

So, this will probably be my last 5K this year because I'm starting to train for a 10K. My goal (don't quote me on this) is to run two 5Ks, two 10Ks, and two half-marathons this year. We'll see how it goes, but the summer is still young and I'm already up to running 6 miles. If I manage to pull this off, these races definitely won't be for speed - I can tell you that already - they're going to be all about the endurance. If I finish with a 15 min/mile average, I'm gonna be dang proud of that!!!

The most awesome, most beautiful, most supportive mom in the whole world... and me!!! :)



Another 5K Under My Belt!!!

Last Saturday I ran my second 5K at Riverton City's event Run4Life. Even though the wind was definitely an obstacle, I was still able to shave 7 minutes off my time since my last 5K in October. I crossed the finish line at 29 minutes and couldn't be happier! My goal is to run 6 races this year, so I only have 5 left and I'm already registered for another one at the end of April. I hope to be running an 8 minute mile by the time I run my last 5K in October.

My husband bought me a sweet running watch for my birthday that tracks my time, distance, mph, route and even more! It's going to help me make my training a lot more productive. Who knows... maybe someday I'll even run a marathon!!!

It started out a very cold, windy day, but by the end of my run I was anything but chilly!!!

Hurray for runner #716. Hey, that's me!!!

5 Months = 5K!!!

Me happy and pumped before the race. My husband said it was cheating to get my picture at the Finish Line before I finished, but I knew I wouldn't get a chance later!

Me and my favorite little Munchkin. She got up super early to cheer on her Mama!

So, today was a cause for Celebration! Not only am I five months out post-surgery and down 110 pounds, but today I ran my first 5K. I've been training for several months now, and it paid off because I did great and felt fantastic! My goal was to just finish the race in 45 minutes, but I crossed the Finish Line at 36:29!!! Whew, what a relief - I didn't come in last! In fact, I finished 4th in my division. Just a spot short of getting a medal :(

I still feel like a winner though because this is a huge accomplishment for me. Five months ago I couldn't have walked a 5K let alone run the whole thing and still finish smiling! While I was training and miserable, I kept telling myself that this would be my first and last race, but now.... you could probably talk me into it!!! :) I'm definitely not a "typical" runner and I doubt I'll ever run a race longer than this (I just love my knees too much) but at least now I can say I am a "competitive" runner! ;)



And I'm off! Just another face in the crowd, but it was very personal accomplishment!



Me coming up the last stretch on the Jordan River Parkway. It was actually a very pretty run.

Kicking it into high gear for the last 100 yards! Go me!

Feeling really good now. Just passed my family with my little girl yelling, "Go, go, go"!!!

Just seconds before I crossed the Finish Line. Yahooooo!!!

I finished!!! Big hugs from my super-awesome sister, Brandi, who came to support me so early in the morning!

Yup, me and my cleavage! We made it together! Or should I say I made it in despite of my cleavage!!! :D

Two thumbs up for me!!! Yiiiiipppppeeeee!!!