Runner Girl's Blog Spot

Pro Compression Athletic Performance Socks Review

2011-11-18T14:01:00.005-07:00

I have a new love! I love my new Pro Compression Athletic Performance socks!

I've had them now for several weeks and I've been wearing them religiously...every cardio workout! Not only are they cute, they make me feel like I can go for hours..(:

Eric at Pro Compression sent me 3 styles to try. And honestly, I love all of them!

My favorites are these~ the Limited Edition "MJ Endurance." These *Stars* were inspired and designed by Olympic Silver Medalist and Ironman Hawaii world champion Michellie Jones.

This style is the Marathon Lite. It is the lightest weight, graduated compression sock available.

Eric also sent me two pair of the Trainer Low style. I like wearing these. To work, shopping, or just around the house.

Why compression?

Doctors will often prescribe compression footwear for patients who have poor circulation in their legs and feet. The compression footwear applies squeezing action to the legs and encourages better, faster circulation.

The same principle applies to compression running socks, and has been found to be of special benefit to the long distance runner. The repetitive movement of the runner's legs applies outward force to the blood, or pressure towards the ends of the feet. This discourages blood flow back to the heart and lungs, which in turn affects the rate of oxygenated blood carried back to the legs. By squeezing the legs around the ankles and calves, the blood is helped to circulate through the legs and feet more efficiently.

While it hasn't been confirmed whether compression socks actually improve oxygen consumption efficiency, there are a number of other benefits that runners have reported:

*Reduced distraction ~ the socks don't slide down your legs or slip and twist during the run, which also helps to reduce the formation of blisters

*Reduced muscle fatigue and pain

*Reduced development of shin splints by helping to hold the muscles in place

*Improved sense of balance

*Faster lactate recovery rate after a run.

Keep in mind that compression socks will not instantly transform you into a great athlete. But they do make a noticeable difference and can help you get a little bit more out of your workout and aid your performance. By helping flush the lactic acid from your muscles, you’ll experience a faster recovery time, too.

I highly recommend Pro Compression Athletic Performance Socks!! Check out their website here. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks again Eric and Pro Compression for the opportunity to try your fabulous products!

**Note the opinions in this post are my own. I was given product to use and review and was not paid for this.

PR* Bars~The Review

2011-09-27T09:19:00.005-06:00

I was recently contacted by PR Nutrition to try out some of their products. After reading about the PR*Bars online I was excited to try them. They sent me a box of PR*Bars and a customized Adaptive Nutrition Program.

The first test I put the bars through was the "Kid Test." Both my ten year old and my five year old liked them. Score! Oh, and I liked them too! Not only do they taste great, they have 15g of protein, 23 carbs, relatively low sugar, and are around 200 calories. Some of the other things I liked about them are...

* They are all natural

* They are gluten free

* They have no sugar alcohols

* And did I mention they have 15 grams of protein

The PR*Bar Fast Burn Nutrition Program includes a personalized nutrition and weight loss plan based on your lean body mass, individual requirements, and weekly training. According to PR*Bars, the program "aids in losing body fat, enhancing athletic performance, building lean muscle, and improving nutrition..." The main elements to the Fast Burn Nutrition Weight Loss Program are...

* Use of stored body fat for energy
* Reduces hunger and sugar cravings for 3-6 hours
* Increased levels of physical and mental energy
* Less fatigue, light-headedness, and mood swings
* Improved tissue repair and recovery, resulting in fewer injuries
* Increased metabolism as a result of an increase in lean body mass

I really liked the PR*Bars. I tried them before and after workouts with great results. They aren't just selling a nutrition bar, they're also encouraging better nutrition for improved performance and better health and body composition.

PR*Bars have been named the Official Performance Nutrition Bar of the US Olympic Team. You can find complete information on PR*Bars and the Fastburn Program on their website.
You can also find PR*Bars on Facebook. If you have been looking for an all around good nutrition bar, look no further!

Run Like a Girl Book Review

2011-09-05T20:47:00.001-06:00

I was contacted a several weeks ago to review Mina Samuels' book Run Like A Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives.

Run Like A Girl is part locker-room confidential and personal memoir, revealing how women build confidence by participating in sports, whether it's running, rock climbing, or yoga. Sports can indeed transform a woman's life in profound ways. Throughout the book the author illustrates how participation in sports can boost confidence and strength, and how it can then be seen in other areas of life. This book is inspiring, funny, and at times, heartbreaking. The candid stories of nearly a hundred women fill the pages. From a U.S.-ranked amateur triathlete who’s raising an autistic son, to a woman who runs her first marathon at sixty; and a young mother with scoliosis who cycles her way back to health; as well as sports icons Kathrine Switzer, Rebecca Rusch, and Molly Barker. These women all share how sports helped them overcome life’s obstacles and achieve the happiness and success they’d been running toward. Through Samuels personal experience, we are given suggestions on how to cope positively with all the negative self-image, and all of life's challenges. It is a light hearted, enjoyable read that leaves you feeling empowered. It truly shows how sprots can play a vital role in a worman's life.

“For anyone looking for a dose of inspiration before lacing up their sneakers, this book is it: part manifesto, part motivation, use it to go a little farther, faster, and feel better about every step.”– Lucy Danziger, editor-in-chief, SELF magazine, and co-author, The Nine Rooms of Happiness

"A book that is needed and important and life changing — all the things running has been for us!” – Kathrine Switzer, author of Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women’s Sports, Running and Walking for Women Over 40 and co- author of 26.2 Marathon Stories

“I was hooked after the first page. Run Like A Girl reminds me, once again, the power and importance of sport in young girls and women’s lives. As a mom and an athlete, I will continue to proudly run like a girl and support my kids as they do the same!” – Summer Sanders, Gold Medalist and TV personality

“A compelling and insightful book about using sport and physical activity to balance the extraordinary challenges women face. . . a must read for women athletes and non-athletes alike.” – Donna Lopiano, founder and president of Sports Management Resources; formerly CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation

About the author: Mina Samuels is a former trial lawyer, a human-rights advocate, a freelance writer and editor. In addition to many ghostwriting projects, her previous books include a novel, The Queen of Cups, and The Think Big Manifesto, coauthored with Michael Port. When she is not writing she might be off doing triathlons, marathons, biking, cross-country skiing, yoga, rock climbing, kayaking, snowshoeing, or hiking in far off places.

I have really enjoyed reading Run Like A Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives. I agree that transformations can and will happen and by staying focussed, we can overcome our obstacles and become better equipped to achieve happiness in our lives. "To be strong in body is to be strong in mind.” Check out Mina's blog and get your copy of Run Like A Girl here.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-17T06:17:00.002-06:00

Do you think it would improve my running if I did this.. Ha!

Active Bands

2011-06-28T17:16:00.000-06:00

Active Bands is having a fabulous giveaway over at their blog! You could be one of two lucky winners to get a free $50 gift card. Go check it out here!

I actually have two Active Bands and I love love love them! They don't slip and they keep your hair just where you want it...out of your eyes! Go on over to Active Bands and see for yourself how great they are!

The First Time

2011-06-22T20:20:00.003-06:00

There is NOTHING like crossing that marathon finish line for the first time! It is the most empowering feeling...Once you do it, you KNOW you can do anything you put your mind to!

That is my brother in law Jason.. He ran his first marathon a couple of weeks ago. It was so awesome to watch him accomplish this goal! We had been talking over the past few months as I had on the "Coach Stacey" hat. (: Sharing things that work for me and giving the last minute advice was so fun. It was exciting to live that "first time" through him. It made me stop and think and put things into perspective. That nervous energy you feel that week before the race, not being able to sleep much... I have long since outgrown that, and it was fun to feel/remember those wonderfully anxious feelings.

This race was also a first for me...I have never been on the cheering end of a race.. I have always been the runner.. It was fantastic to be able to watch the runners come in. As I looked at each runner I knew exactly how their races had gone by the looks on their faces, and I teared up each time. It was so emotional for me. It confirmed my love for the sport! I love running! I love the way it makes me feel! I love when I can say "Yep, I ran 26.2 miles this morning!"

Jason had a huge cheering section. Most of the family was there... And clearly, by the look of these kids, cheering for runners is tough work...ha!

Jason is signed up for his next race.. in September. Racing is so addicting!

Congratulations again Jason! Well done! We are all so very proud of you!

Ten

2011-06-21T19:31:00.001-06:00

It was nearly 10 years ago that I ran my first marathon... 25 marathons later, I feel like I have learned a lifetime of lessons. So, in lew of my recent birthday and being that I have entered a new decade.. I wanted to share the top 10 things (not in any particular order) that I have learned over these past years.

1. Less is MORE. When I was a young runner I was ~~a little~~ okay, a lot obsessive compulsive about my running. I loved running so much that I thought I knew better than the experts and added 2 miles to each training run... *sigh* Needless to say I did not make it to the starting line of the race I was training for. Three years and three stress fractures taught me I need to listen to my body, relax, and take it a bit easier. I have learned that in training for a marathon LESS is definitely MORE. Four running days a week is perfect for me!

2. I have learned that running is not the only thing that defines me as a person... I have just in the last couple of years realized this little gem, and it is actually quite a liberating feeling.

3. We have a saying in our house, "Can't walks on won't street." I have learned that you CAN keep going long after you think you can't.

4. Being a Mom is HARD. I am so grateful to have two fabulous kidlets who bring out the best/worst in me and teach me how to be a better person.

5. Pursue your goals and never give up!

6. Believing is everything! Believe in yourself. Believe in your goals. Running is 98% mental! If you believe you can, YOU WILL ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS! It really is that simple!

7. Don't take anything for granted. Especially your abilities, your family and your friends. Always be grateful. Let the people you care about know that they are important in your life.

8. Maintain a strong sense of humor.

9. Be flexible. I am a creature of habit and change is very hard for me. Being flexible with a training schedule or in life for that matter, is a great asset to have. If you miss a run, it isn't the end of the world. Sometimes you just have to make adjustments.

10. Anything worth having/achieving/keeping is going to take lots of hard work and effort. Finding the joy in the journey is key!

40

2011-06-09T13:23:00.007-06:00

I'm 40! And you know what? It wasn't as hard as turning 39 was! I must have got over the big 4-0 last year when I realized I was only a year away from that number..ha! I was going to do a 40 Things Post but I forgot the 40 things I was going to tell you....grin. So, what does being 40 mean to me?

*I am a Master Runner!
*I feel like I have "arrived" at something...a milestone..?
*I am middle aged
*I don't feel like I am "Over the Hill"!! In fact, I don't really feel any different than I did when I turned 30...only I look better now
*I kind of like my crows feet..heaven knows I have earned them

Thank you to my family and friends for making it such a fabulous day! I am a lucky girl..well technically, I am no longer a "girl" but I am definitely NOT a "Ma'am" either! (:

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-11T19:58:00.000-06:00

I saw this video today and thought it was inspiring...hope you like it as well.

Easy Canvas Prints

2011-05-10T16:48:00.001-06:00

This post has been a long time coming... I have had a little bit of crazy in my life lately...

Back a few weeks er, I mean, months ago Megan from Easy Canvas Prints contacted me and offered me a canvas print of my choice. This is what I chose...

I love this picture of my kids. I love it because they are running... on the beach! It captures perfectly some of my most favorite things in life!

The whole process of the Easy Canvas Print was just that...EASY! It took just a few minutes and it turned out great! I couldn't be happier! So head on over to Easy Canvas Prints and create your own print! Thanks again Megan!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-20T16:39:00.000-06:00

My boy won his race! Yep! He took first place in his 200 meter heat this morning! He was so excited! I was so excited! And proud! Yes..watching him win made me cry! There is nothing better than seeing your kids succeed in what they do!

The Protein Bakery Giveaway WINNER!

2011-04-19T11:08:00.000-06:00

The winner of The Protein Bakery Sample Box is The Happy Runner! Congratulations Felice! Email your address to me at runnergirl371 [at] gmail [dot] com.

Thanks to all of you who participated!

The Protein Bakery Review and Giveaway

2011-04-13T17:25:00.001-06:00

A friend of mine on Facebook shared a link to The Protein Bakery awhile back...everything looked so good...my sweet tooth got the best of me and I had to try it for myself. I contacted Stephen Lincoln, the owner and founder of The Protein Bakery and he graciously sent me a box full of delectable goodies! Yes, I got cookies, brownies, and blondies! Let me just say OH. MY. GOODNESS. We have been snacking on these little gems for a week. Everything has been so yummy, you would never know there is 6-7 grams of whey protein in every cookie and 11-12 grams in the brownies and blondies. You can find all the nutrition facts here. In fact, they even passed the kid test! My 4 year old was asking to have more constantly. (I thought I had a sweet tooth.. but she knocks mine out of the ball park!) Even my 10 year old liked them...and he is very picky with what he puts in his mouth!

Just look at these:

And these...

A few more...

Mmmmmm...

The Protein Bakery was founded by Stephen Lincoln 11 years ago. He has created a high quality product that is not only delicious but a healthier choice. Every item is all natural and wheat free. (Although the Allergen Alert on the packaging said: may contain peanuts, soy products, wheat and tree products, so if you do have a wheat allergy...?).

He believes that "the key to a better body is as much what you put into it. Not just regular exercise." I believe that as well! And who doesn't need more protein in their diet? The Protein Bakery has over 12 featured flavors and each aids in the ongoing development of the 600 muscles in your body.

Wondering where you can get these delicious, guilt free treats? They are primarily an online bakery. Their gift workshop/corporate office is located in New York City. Most of the retail stores that carry their products are on the East coast, but you can find a list of retail stores that sell the Protein Bakery here. But the best way to get the product is online here.

OR you can enter my giveaway! Stephen is going to give one lucky winner (sorry, US residents only) the Protein Bakery sample box! SCORE!! You will not be disappointed with these yummy treats!

How to enter the Protein Bakery Giveaway: (Leave a separate comment for each for 6 possible entries)

1. Tell me your favorite snack/treat.

2. Like The Protein Bakery on Facebook and let me know

3. Follow The Protein Bakery on Twitter and let me know

4. Blog/FB/Tweet about this giveaway and let me know

5. Follow my blog and/or let me know if you already do

6. Like Runner Girl's Blog Spot on Facebook and let me know

I will randomly choose a winner on Tuesday morning April 19th. Good luck! You will not be disappointed with these delicious protein packed treats! Thank you again Stephen for sharing your wonderful product and talent!

It's Wednesday..

2011-04-13T10:43:00.001-06:00

I heard this story several years ago and was reminded of it again last night. It is not running related but it really touched my heart and I wanted to share it with all of you...

No Limits

2011-04-09T22:15:00.001-06:00

"The greatest limitations you will ever face will be those you place on yourself." ~Denis Waitley

Do you put limits on yourself? Or is it just me? Why do we do it? Why do we put limits on ourselves? Why is it that sometimes other people see our potential before we see it in ourselves?

A few weeks ago I had an experience that got me thinking...I had an A-ha moment...

As I was laying on the weight bench under a barbell loaded with 135 pounds I was almost giggling, "I won't be able to do this! There is no way!" And with encouraging words from my hubby...I totally did what I "thought" I couldn't do! I bench pressed 135 pounds!...3 sets of 8!

As I finished the first set something clicked inside me, in that moment I realized I can do anything I put my mind to. Yes, I have had this epiphany before in my life, like the first time I crossed a marathon finish line...there were no limits on what I could accomplish! It was completely empowering. But somehow over the years I got stuck in a rut, so to speak and I have put limits back on my self not even realizing it.

"The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible." ~Arthur C. Clark

"In each of us are places where we have never gone. Only by pressing the limits do you ever find them." ~Dr. Joyce Brothers

As simple as it was, this experience has given me my mojo back. I have needed some kind of a jolt to kick me in the butt and get me going and this was just the jolt I needed! I have set some new and exciting goals for myself, not ready to share just yet, but I am really excited about what the future holds! I am not going to hold myself back any more! There are simply no limits to what I can do!

St George Marathon...The Video

2011-04-03T08:54:00.005-06:00

In case you wondered...This is exactly what it is like! I can't wait for October!

You can go here to enter the lottery... You know you want to! (:

Three Things Thursday

2011-03-31T12:15:00.000-06:00

1. The Sand Hollow Marathon. All of the reports/feedback I have read have been outstanding, and I wanted to give them another shout out! Jason Smith, the race director, put on an amazing inaugural race that went off without a hitch! I wish I could have been there! ~~Damn~~ Stupid knee! All day long last Saturday I was thinking about it and so disappointed that I was not out there running in the rain...you know, I run my best races in the rain! Well done Jason and the Sand Hollow Marathon crew! I WILL see you next year! I snagged this pic of the medal from Fast Cory. You can read his race report here. I want that "bling!" (:

2. Since I am on the subject of marathons...The St George Marathon lottery opens on April 1, 2011. That is TOMORROW! Can you hear the excitement in my words? Race day is October 1, 2011...you will not be disappointed with this race!

3. I have an awesome giveaway coming up...stay tuned!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-23T19:58:00.003-06:00

What the.... ? There are no words for this....

Three Things Thursday..The Irish Version

2011-03-17T13:17:00.003-06:00

1. "Bricks and mortar make a house, but the laughter of children makes a home" I love St. Patrick's Day! Lenny the Leprechaun came to our house again this year! He moved some furniture..the chair from the family room ended up on the kitchen table..pictures were turned upside down..green milk...and of course some gold chocolate coins and a few prizes were left for the kids. My 4 year old was all over it...she has been talking about "Leprechaun day" for weeks! I think my 9 year old may have "figured" it out...sad...

2. "May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you wherever you go!" I went off all painkillers (ibuprofen/Tylenol) this week...not a great thing when you have degenerative joint disease, aka osteoarthritis! But my body needs a break, I need to detox! The last few days I have been feeling a little sorry for myself, which is never productive...I realize that I have a lot to be grateful for! But whenever I see someone running I think, "Do they REALLY know how good they have it?!" To be able to run pain free...I was telling my woes to my husband yesterday and he put it into perspective for me...There are people who can't even walk and I am complaining that I can't run the way I want to...yep, that is perspective for you! "Life is like a cup of tea, it's all in how you make it!"~ so I will be happy (and grateful) for what I have to work with, because it could be A LOT worse!

3. "May the luck of the Irish lead to happiest heights, And the highway you travel be lined with green lights. Wherever you go and whatever you do, May the luck of the Irish be there with you!"

Happy St. Patrick's day!

"I was gluten stuck...

2011-03-10T16:15:00.001-07:00

"...Now I'm gluten free!" said my four year old the other day.

We have been talking a lot about a gluten free diet in our home lately... the benefits, things that are/are not gluten free, weight loss, the list goes on. I thought it profound when my girlie said, "I was gluten stuck, now I'm gluten free!"

When we lived in Hawaii I did an experiment. I went gluten free for a week to see if there was a difference in how I felt. Surprisingly, there is something to it! I had more energy, I didn't feel like I had a "brick" in my belly, and heck, I lost 8 pounds! But after that week of feeling great, I ate a yummy turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread...This is where the real test took place. It was almost immediate, that heavy feeling was back and I just felt blah and icky! That was all I needed...I was convinced!

As with most good things that take effort, this gluten free way of life has gone by the way side. When we moved back to the mainland a year and a half ago and we were staying with family...who are NOT gluten free, by any means, I just got out of the habit...In the back of my mind I knew what I needed to do but it was just easier not to. I have just been being lazy! It's not easy being gluten free, especially when I was the only one wanting to do it.

Gluten is found in everything...from cosmetics~ lip stick, lip balm, chap stick and shampoo/conditioner to over-the-counter medications and vitamins. It is even in crayons, markers and paints! Gluten is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in many foods. Being gluten free takes effort and planning. Since I am not a celiac, I don't think that I will ever be 100% gluten free.. I don't want to buy special shampoo and I'm not changing my lipstick, but I think there is benefit in being gluten free with what I put into my body.

This past week my husband has been eating gluten free and it has inspired me to do it too! I am definitely back on the wagon! I have even lost a few pounds. I just feel better on a gluten free diet! And isn't that what it is all about...feeling good and finding what works best for you?

Are you gluten free?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-02T06:20:00.000-07:00

A Monday 26

2011-02-28T05:18:00.004-07:00

I have seen this on several blogs over the last couple of days...and I wanna play too... Here are the ABC's of me...

Age: 39
Bed Size: Cal King, of course (My husband is a big man... 6'5")
Chore you hate: Ironing and dusting but I love doing the dishes! (I know, crazy!)
Dogs: Oh, how I miss my Alex

Essential start of your day: The LOO!
Favorite color: Pink
Gold or Silver: White gold
Height: 5'10"
Instruments I play: I can 'pick' at the piano
Job title: Administrative assistant.. mixed with a little of this and a little of that...I love my job
Kids: Two. My boy is 9 and my girl is 4... Love them so much!
Live: Southern Utah
Mom's name: Amy.
Nicknames: Stace, Mom
Overnight hospital stays: Nada
Pet peeve: When toilet paper is put on the wrong way...MUST be over...NOT under!
Quote from a movie: "Sharks are like dogs, they only bite when you touch their private parts." 50 First Dates
Right or left handed: Right
Siblings: Two sisters, I am the oldest
Time you wake up: 5 am except on Sundays I will sleep in until 7
Underwear: Yep, I wear them
Vegetable you dislike: Brussels sprouts...ick!!
What makes you run late: Going to the loo...one more time
Xray you have had done: Dental, right knee (3 times)
Yummy food you make: What makes you think I cook? grin...
Zoo, favorite animal: Giraffes and tigers

Rain, Rain...

2011-02-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

It's raining this morning and I find myself excited to hit the wet pavement! I love running in the rain! I don't know exactly when that happened, but I like it! I like the way the world feels when it is raining...quietly being renewed as the staleness is washed away. It makes me feel alive. It makes me feel happy. I think I may just have to jump in a few puddles to renew that inner child in me..the bigger the splash the better! (:

Three Things Thusday

2011-02-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

1. My next race is March 26th. The Sand Hollow Marathon. No traveling for this one...I get to sleep in my own bed! I just watched the video of the course...I am so excited!

There is still time to register! Come run with me!

2. I have a new page for Runner Girl's Blog Spot on Facebook. "Like" me here... Pleeease! (:

3. A while back I contacted Instaflex to try their joint relief product and I received a free sample in the mail. Along with the Joint Support, they also sent the Muscle Support and Bone Support. Score! I had been using glucosamine chondroitin and MSM prior, with not a lot of relief, so I was a little skeptical. Two weeks after starting Instaflex, I noticed that I had less pain in my knee. Woohoo! I'm not going to go into all the scientific mumbo jumbo, you can go here to read more about Instaflex. Looking at the ingredients Instaflex has the same as any other product, but it is in capsule form. I think maybe that is one of the reasons it works well. My sample ran out two weeks ago today and I started taking my old stuff, and have been having some issues again. The downside to Instaflex: It is a ~~little~~ VERY pricey. $70 for a 60 day supply. You can find Instaflex at GNC, and with a Gold Card, it will save you $15. I would probably continue taking it if it was less expensive. I just purchased/started taking another capsulated product from Vitacost to see if the capsules work better than tablets.Time will tell.

Have a great Thursday!

We Have a Winner!!!

2011-02-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

The winner was picked randomly...

Now, for the moment you have all been waiting for... Nurse Heidi... You are the winner of the free entry to the South Valley Half Marathon! Heidi, email me at runnergirl371[at] gmail [dot] com and I will get your entry to you. I wish I had an entry for each one of you who entered, but you can still sign up to run the race here. You know you want to! Congratulations Heidi!

South Valley Half Marathon Giveaway

2011-02-15T23:00:00.003-07:00

Okay my friends, here is the deal...Aly from the South Valley Half Marathon contacted me last week offering me a free entry into the race on August 20, 2011. (I am all over that). Not only is she offering an entry for me, she is also offering one free entry to one of YOU! But before I go into the giveaway details I want to share with you why I am so excited about this race.

Now, I don't normally do half marathons...I am an all 26.2 or nothing type of gal, but this particular race caught my attention because, not only do I know the area, it is in my old neighborhood! I used to do most of my training on the course, so I know it well.

The race starts in Rose Canyon...

We will run through the community of Daybreak...

And finish at SoDa Row in Daybreak...

And for those of you who want to visualize it this way... (:

The time has come... This is how you can enter the giveaway! Please leave a comment for each:

1. Follow this blog or let me know if you already do.

2. Like South Valley Half Marathon on Facebook here.

3. Post this giveaway on FB/Twitter/Your Blog and let me know. (1 entry for each)

I will pick a winner via Random.org on Wednesday February 23, 2011.

*Please note: Travel expenses are not included. I did not pay anything for this entry.

Good luck!

Surf City USA Marathon

2011-02-12T19:52:00.001-07:00

I love, love, love Southern California! There is just something about it that makes me happy. The ocean breezes. The perfect weather. The smells. Disneyland.

(Picture from Surf City USA Marathon website)

Surf City USA Marathon has been on my Racing Must Do List for quite some time.. AND it didn't disappoint! Running along the Pacific Coast Highway is my idea of a great course. I loved hearing/seeing the ocean waves as I ran...

We arrived in Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon, went to the expo, which was super... I love the surfing theme! Even with all the people, it was organized... Although, we did have to wait in a long line just to enter the expo... but with 20,000 runners, I guess that is what needed to happen and the line moved rather quickly, so no complaints. Once inside the expo I bee lined it to the packet pick up, bypassing all the shopping. I had my packet in hand in no time, which gave me more time at the beach with my family!

I arrived at the start line a little earlier than I needed to, but it was nice to chat with some of the other "early birds." The weather was cool and a bit overcast... Perfect for running a marathon.

Not much to tell in the way of excitement... But it was fun to watch all the runners as we had to switch back on the course a few times. I met a lot of great people and just enjoyed the day! I will definitely run this race again!

Aren't these medals GREAT? I think it has to be one of the coolest ones I have ever earned!

(Picture from Surf City USA Marathon website)

It was a happy race day for me! What could be better than running 26.2 miles with ocean views?

Running 26.2 miles with ocean views... And going to Disneyland with my family! All of my favorite things! The day could not have been more PERFECT!

I was so exhausted... and most likely will not hit Disneyland AFTER a marathon again...But OH was it worth it! (:

Thank you Little Caesars for making the Surf City USA Marathon possible! You guys rock!!!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else have to do this to get your Garmin 305 to charge/download??

Is there a fix... other than a new one?

Sand Hollow Marathon

2011-01-31T12:15:00.002-07:00

If you looking for a spring marathon then look no further! Sand Hollow Marathon is THE ONE! I just registered for it and can I tell you how excited I am to have another scenic marathon in my BACK YARD?! This year is the inaugural race and I think it is going to be fabulous! Mark your calendars for March 26, 2011. You can register here.

Let me tell you...Southern Utah is gorgeous, especially in the spring! Just look at this landscape...

The race starts in the small town of Hurricane, Utah and has a challenging and scenic loop course. You can read the course description here. Growing up in southern Utah and driving through Hurricane many times to get to Zion National Park, I KNOW this course is absolutely breathtaking. I have heard it said that it "kicks" the St George marathon for scenery. As you run you will be able to see many of the landmarks of the region.. Pine Valley Mountain, Zion National Park and the infamous Molly's Nipple... Yep, that IS the name of the mountain!

Come run the Sand Hollow Marathon... I know you won't be disappointed!

Three Things Thursday

2011-01-27T10:42:00.006-07:00

1. I have the cutest kids around! My four year old loves "applecadoes" for breakfast, but doesn't like "barnacle" chips (BBQ chips). She prefers broccoli to french fries and loves to change her clothes 42 times a day... My nine year old is the complete opposite.. He prefers toaster strudel for breakfast and gags on certain veggies, especially if they are in stir fry (because it is all mixed together)...grin. He loves anything that involves the water...Yep! We have a "dolphin" on our hands! I am so grateful to be their mom! It's amazing how much I can love two little people...

2. I am headed to the Surf City marathon! 10 more days! Let the count down begin! I'm so excited for that surf board *bling!*

3. Look what is coming in the mail! Megan at BuildASign contacted me several weeks ago and gave me the opportunity to create my own bumper stickers! This is what I came up with... If you would like one shoot me an email with your address and I will get one out to you!

My Top 10 Pre-Race Rituals

2011-01-24T06:04:00.001-07:00

Pre-race rituals. Superstitions. What ever you want to call it. We all have them. Those specific things we do come race day. Some people eat or drink special things. Others have a certain warm up routine. And still others have a lucky charm of one kind or another. Whatever they are, they make us feel prepared. They make us feel safe.

I don't know about you, but I am a creature of habit. I have a number of things I ~~have~~ like to do before a race. Maybe I am a little OCD, although my family would probably tell you I am a lot OCD. I have rituals. The following are my top 10 in no particular order.

**Sleep. I make sure I get a good night's sleep the two nights before the race. This really does make a huge difference! I also use GABA on those nights before the race.

**I Paint my toe nails. This is a must! Lately I have been including my girlie in this ritual...What girl doesn't like pretty toe nails?

**The day before the race I will eat a burger and fries. This is really the only time I eat fast food, and boy, does it taste good!

**A few days before the race I start gathering all the gear that I will need.

**Make sure my Garmin and ipod are charged.

**Brazilian...this doesn't always happen, but I like when it does!

**The night before the race I lay out everything I will need... I pin on my bib #, put my timing chip on my shoe, and just make sure everything is good to go.

**I always eat the same pre race breakfast: Strawberry or vanilla yogurt, a banana and water.

**I drink NoXplode...it's my morning wake me up...It also helps clean out the "pipes."

**Vitamin B-12 drops! I take this before, during and after the race! I realized a little over a year ago that I have a B-12 deficiency and this has really helped in my racing!

Well, there you have it, my pre-race rituals. What are your pre-race rituals?

I Was THAT Person.. A DUMB ASS!

2011-01-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

I went out for my longish run this morning. It was 34 degrees, sunny, blue sky, perfect really. I should have gone with my gut and turned around and gone another route...but no, I decided to stay with my plan and run on the bike path. Big, big mistake!

I crashed a race! Yep, I was that person, A DUMB ASS....UGGH! The first 3.5 miles was fine, there were just stragglers...or so I thought.

At my mile 4, that's when it became STRESSFUL. I was going the wrong way on a one way street, so to speak, just trying to stay out of the way. So, I ended up walking on the dirt shoulder for a bit until I could get off the path and on to the road. I'm sure this is how dumb I looked...like a DUMB ASS (only I still had my shirt on!)

And if I was a car... I would've looked like this... DUMB ASS!

It was an experience, What a DUMB ASS! Thinking about it, I should have just turned around and ran the race, and cut off the course before the finish line. (I probably would have ended up with around the same mileage). Next time I chance to crash a race... Hopefully I won't EVER make another DUMB ASS move like this again, but don't hold your breath! Have you ever been a DUMB ASS???

Super Heroes

2011-01-20T18:48:00.001-07:00

What is it about Super Heroes? As kids we were fascinated by them. We wanted to look like them, dress like them. We wanted to be just like them! I remember making/wearing bullet proof bracelets made out of foil and pretending to fly my invisible air plane. Remember that new pair of shoes you got..you know, the ones you just KNEW would make you "faster than a speeding bullet," and make you "leap tall buildings in a single bound." Those were the days weren't they?

I have been thinking a lot about Super Heroes. I watch my girlie play Super Girl in her Halloween costume and it warms my heart. I asked my kids, "What makes a Super Hero super?" Both of them said, without hesitation, "They help/save people." A Super Hero is brave, strong, determined, athletic, has special powers, earns respect, and has a goal, among many other things...

Just like in DC Comics, there are Super Heroes in my life. They may not wear a cape or a mask. They may not have X-ray vision, or have an invisible plane, but nonetheless they have made a huge impact on me. Since this is a running blog I wanted to talk about a few of my Running Super Heroes.

First of all, I have to mention Dean K.... He is a given! He is everyone's Super Hero, is he not?

Another one of my running Super Heroes is George. He is a master runner! George has run well over a hundred marathons and seveal ultas. He is a plethora of information! He taught me about eating a hamburger and fries as a pre-race meal. He also taught me to be grateful for and thank race volunteers. Because truly with out them we wouldn't be able to race. But George is a Super Hero because he always takes time to make sure those who are struggling are ok. I have seen him many times stop and walk with someone who is looking rough..he always gives that encouraging word and is in fact a Super Hero on the race course!

Sharon. I met Sharon at the 2008 Ogden marathon. We crossed paths around mile 21. She was a god send. I was nauseated and not feeling well at all and she ran/walked with me until the end. She totally helped keep my mind occupied. That day she really came to my rescue. I love seeing her now at races and giving her a big hug. She will be running her 100th marathon this year. She is definitely a Super Hero!

There's Janice who runs Far and Strong. She has lost 15 pounds! That is Super Hero in my book! There is Tall Mom Mel. She inspires so many! She has also had to deal with some pretty big obstacles over the past several months and she has proven her Super Hero status! And then there is Beth at SUAR...That woman has determination! I know if I had to run in a pool...it just wouldn't happen...ever! But she also has the best Super Hero costume!

But really all of you are my Super Heroes. The encouragement and support you give to your fellow bloggers...it is fabulous! I love our sport. Where else can you be friends with people from all walks of life? Where else can you rub shoulders with real life Super Heroes!

Running With An Angel

2011-01-14T18:30:00.002-07:00

I have been out of the blogging world for a while... No excuses really... Sorry I have taken so long on this update but here it is.

I ran my 24th marathon last Saturday, Hoo Ha! "The Running From An Angel Marathon" in Boulder City, NV. It was put on by Calico Racing and was a relatively small race...Only 85 marathoners. There was also a 50 mile, a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K run...475 participants overall! I really like these smaller races! Calico Racing did a great job. Organization was good, people were friendly and they had aid stations every 1.5 miles which was awesome!!

It was a scenic out and back course through the Lake Mead recreation area and running near the water is always a treat! Weather was good, temperature was good, just an all round good course.

As always during a race, I met a lot of nice people! I saw my running friend Sharon, who I see at nearly every Utah/Nevada race..she will be running her 100th marathon this year! It is always nice to see a familiar face!

The best part about Saturday was that my knee held up through the entire race! I woke up, took some ibuprofen AND put a Salonpas pain patch on it, I love the patch.... highly recommend them too! Then right before the race began I inhaled some Tylenol 800 mg, oh the life of a running fool! That all seemed to do the trick. I felt pretty good the entire race. Yay for pain meds!

The only thing I didn't like about "Running With An Angel" was the post race food...chili. We overheard someone say, "We just ran 26.2 miles and we get chili?!?" Maybe it was donated....? I had to pass on a bowl, not knowing how my stomach would react cause it was CHILI! Went with the fruit option instead. But overall it was a great race, Chili, Really, and I will definitely run another Calico race!

Thank you Little Caesars my Awesome Sponsor!!!

Keep running!

Numbah One Day of Christmas

2010-12-20T13:17:00.001-07:00

I love this!! It gets me in the Christmas spirit! I miss Kauai!!

Mele Kalikimaka! Keep running!

Tis the Season and a Winner

2010-12-10T21:21:00.002-07:00

Tis the season to feel stressed and anxious! I haven't bought one Christmas present! NOT ONE! Sigh...there is still time! Nothing like procrastination to get into the holiday spirit, right? I am hoping to get most of it done on Saturday.

I will be running on the paved trail again tomorrow. So excited. 8 miles. That doesn't sound like very much, but since the Mesquite marathon my knee has been giving me grief...so I'll take what I can get. Like my 4 year says, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." Those are really good words to live by. She is wise beyond her years.

So...for the information you have been waiting for...The winner, according to Random.org is #4:

JANICE at Run Far and Strong you are the winner!

Email me your address and I will get you hooked up. Congratulations!! (:

And now... for yesterday's songs...

Dancing With Myself~Billy Idol ---My friend Robin (FB) & Terri from Our Big Fat Greek Marathon
Cruel Summer~Bananarama---Julie from Adventure is Out There

Today's 80's trivia song:

"The five years we have had have been such good times..."

I loved the 80's! Keep running!

Three Things Thursday~The 80s Version

2010-12-09T07:40:00.001-07:00

1. I know, but I'm on an 80s kick right now! The winner from yesterday's song trivia is Flatout Jim! Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles. I loved reading the story!

Remember these?

What about these? I had the pink pair...yikes!

3. Today's music clip is:

"So let's sink another drink, cause it'll give me time to think..."

Ah...I'll give you two today.

"The city is crowded, my friends are away, and I'm on my own..."

Thanks for playing! My Sporty Girl Jewelry giveaway ends tomorrow! Keep running!

Like, Oh My Gosh!

2010-12-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

The 80s were like totally awesome. Like, oh my gosh do you totally remember like talking like we were all from the valley? It was rad. It. Like. Totally. Ruled. I have been listening to my 80s playlist on my ipod the past few days, it has been Dy-No-Mite! (:

I ran a new route the other morning and it was good. Every morning on my way to work I drive by this paved path and think, "I need to run down there." I finally did it! And dude, it was like totally awesome!

As I ran and listened to my bodacious 80s music, floods of memories and experiences came to my mind. Ha! Isn't it funny how music does that?! It like totally takes you back in time. With each new song my step seemed to get lighter and I found I was playing the "name that tune" game with myself. My hubby and I have played this game a lot over the years, playing a short bit of a song while the other person says the title of the song and who sang it. Like, oh my gosh, I like totally love this game!

I sometimes miss the 80s. But then, I remember this:

No, that isn't me, but I remember that style.. Like, gag me with a spoon!

So, like my point to this post is this... I wanted to play the Name that 80's tune with you, my tubular bloggy friends! Every day until Christmas I will post a line from like a totally random 80's song and you get to like guess the name of the song and the person/group that sings the song. So, like, here we go.

"Lying awake intent at tuning in on you..."

The first person to comment and get it right will be announced tomorrow and will get ALL the bragging rights. Good luck and party on dude.

Don't forget to enter my Sporty Girl Jewelry giveaway.. It ends Friday.

Keep running!

Sporty Girl Jewelry Review and Giveaway

2010-12-05T20:33:00.002-07:00

I have never really been a girly girl, but I do like jewelry! Ann at Sporty Girl Jewelry was so generous and sent me a necklace of my choice. I had such a hard time deciding which one to get. All of her designs are so beautiful. I love the simplicity of them. Her slogan is "Where Your Passion Meets Fashion." I love it!

I talked to Ann on Wednesday and I had the necklace on Friday. It came nicely wrapped, it felt like Christmas came early this year!

This is the one I chose. And I absolutely love it.

I also have my eye on this cute charm bracelet.. hint hint Santa (:

You get to choose the style of chain: bead chain, box chain, black rubber or brown leather. You can even choose the length of the chain. Each piece is crafted just for you!

Ann started her jewelry business 7 years ago with her Hip Mom Jewelry. Wow! is all I can say. As I perused through the Hip Mom Jewelry site, there was an adoption tab. If you have read my blog for any period of time you know adoption has TWO very special places in my heart! I got teary just looking at all the beautiful designs. "Faith Hope Love," "I Searched the Whole World For You." And my favorite, "Simply Blessed."

Ann is a wife, mom of 3, a business owner and athlete. She started Sporty Girl Jewelry this fall because she wanted to make styles that were sport inspired. I think she has succeeded in taking fitness related jewelry to a higher level of style while encouraging and empowering women. She loves fashion and believes that "just because we are athletes we don't have to be relegated to boring shorts and t-shirts."

Not only was Ann kind enough to send me a beautiful piece, she is also offering a $45 gift voucher for one of my lucky readers to pick out a piece of their own.

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory:

1. Become a follower of my blog (or tell me if you already are)

2. Become a follower of Sporty Girl Jewelry on Facebook.

For additional entries:

1. Visit Sporty Girl Jewelry and tell me which piece you would like if you won.

2. Visit Sporty Girl Jewelry's blog and become a follower.

3. Tweet/Facebook/blog about this giveaway.

This giveaway will end on Friday December 10, 2010

Good luck! Keep running!

**The opinions in this post are my own. Sporty Girl Jewelry is providing the giveaway item. They also gave me a piece of jewelry. I did not pay anything for this.

The winner will be chosen at Random.org

Reflecting

2010-12-03T05:15:00.003-07:00

I have been reflecting a lot about my year in running. I wasn't able to run as much as I would have liked, but it has been a great year! I've been reading other blogs and how they are reaching their mileage goals for 2010. My mileage goals went out the window several months ago...I guess I could sit back and feel sorry for myself, but you know, I don't. I am grateful for what I have accomplished. I have been able to do far more than I or the doc thought possible. That is a good thing! I have also been looking through past posts that I have written over the last couple of years and during that time I have learned so much about myself and running and what works for me.

I want to share a story I posted back in 2008 that was told by Thomas S. Monson. I hope you like it as much as I do.

"In everyone's conscience lies that spirit, that determination to measure up to the stature of true potential. But the way is rugged, and the course is challenging. So discovered John Helander from Goteborg, Sweden. John is handicapped, in that it is difficult for him to coordinate his motions.

At a youth conference, John took part in a running race. He had no chance to win. Rather, his was the opportunity to be humiliated.

What a race it was! Struggling, surging, pressing, the runners bolted far beyond John. There was wonderment among the spectators. Who was this runner who lagged so far behind? The participants on their second lap of this two-lap race passed John while he was but halfway through the first lap. Tension mounted as the runners pressed toward the tape. Who would win? Who would place second? Then came the final burst of speed; the tape was broken. The crowd cheered; the winner was proclaimed.

The race was over~or was it? Who is this contestant who continues to run when the race is ended? He crosses the finish line on but his first lap. Doesn't the foolish lad know he has lost? Ever onward he struggles, the only participant now on the track. Every eye is on this valiant runner. He makes the final turn and moves toward the finish line, the audience, as one, rises to its feet. Stumbling, falling, exhausted but victorious, John Helander breaks the newly tightened tape. The cheering echoes for miles."

We all face challenges in our running, or in life, for that matter, whether it be an injury or the blahs, we all face these obstacles at some point. We just have to keep our eyes on our goal and hang in there and remember that we do not run alone. The vast audience of family and friends will cheer our courage and will applaud our determination as we rise from the pitfalls and obstacles in our course.

Keep running!

Three Things Thursday

2010-12-02T06:08:00.001-07:00

1. I will be hosting another giveaway! I am really excited about this one! Okay, I will give you a hint...Sporty Girl Jewelry! Be sure to check back in the next few days!

2. I got my haircut the other day. I went in for a trim. I walked out with a 10 inch pony tail in my hand. Yep, I donated my locks to Locks of Love. What a great program they have! Did you know that 80% of the donations they receive are from kids wanting to help other kids? It makes me happy that I can help too!

3. I found THE COOLEST thing, well, actually it was my husband that found it. Salonpas Pain Relief Patches. I am nearly 40 and I didn't know such things even existed. Salonpas sent me some free samples to try. And try them I did!! After the Mesquite marathon my knee was hurting..bad. So bad I couldn't lift my leg without feeling pain. I slapped on these suckers and within 15 minutes I was pain free!! Oh my goodness! How have I lived without these?! I have become resistant to ibuprofen so these little babies are a godsend! The active ingredients in them are methyl salicylate and menthol. The beauty of them is that the medicine is going right to the site of the pain~ you don't have to digest pills to get relief. Salonpas is the first and only FDA approved OTC pain relieving patch. I gave a couple of patches to a work colleague yesterday to try. He came back awhile later and said, "Where can I get me some of those patches?" He said he had been a little skeptical when he put it on, but it worked great for him as well! For a list of all Salonpas' great products and where to buy them go here. I am sold! I will never be without them!

Keep running!

Barbie Girl

2010-11-23T07:35:00.006-07:00

My ipod had a mind of its own this morning...it was jumping randomly through my playlists. So, I "ran" with it. It was kind of fun not knowing what the next song was going to be... This was one that came on.. (:

Keep running!

Would I Change Anything?

2010-11-17T14:59:00.006-07:00

Someone asked me the other day, "If you knew years ago, when you first started running, about the knee issues you have now, would you do anything differently?" My immediate response was "Absolutely NOT!" No way! I would do it all over again! All the running experiences that I have had over the past 16 years have made me the runner I am today. I think it was Oscar Wilde that said, "You never get any fun out of things you have not done." That is so true!

I have been thinking about that question a lot and to be honest, there is something I would change. I would have run more marathons, more often! When I was a new runner I thought I needed to wait at least 6 months in between marathons. So not the case! The first time I ran back to back races (2 weeks apart) I PR'd on that 2nd race. At that point I was hooked! Train once for several races...that is my motto... It is also good time management. It works for me. And YES, I am careful! I take rest days, in fact, at my peak I would only run 4 days a week. I do listen to my body, probably to a fault!

Running is my thing. It is what I do. But running has become quite a luxury for me lately. I ~~can't~~ don't run in between races to give my knee some recovery time. I do strength train and get on the elliptical machine daily. Like I have said before, it is my new best friend! It is keeping my fitness up. I have been doing my "long runs" on the elliptical~ 2-3 hours at a resistance of 10. It is a far cry from running. So when I do get to run, it is magical! It is fantastic! It is heaven!

Since July, when I was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease (DJD), I have been so lucky to be able to run 4 marathons and 1 half marathon. And hopefully, will be running two more marathons this year. I have had to be extremely careful with my training. I don't want to make things worse, but I also can't sit back and let my knee get me down! You have to stretch the limits in order to find where they actually are. And that is exactly what I am doing. I know I will eventually have to take some time off to have surgery, but right now I am going to do anything and everything my body will allow me to do. And that makes me happy!

Keep running!

And The Winner Is...

2010-11-15T08:38:00.002-07:00

Lisa from Chasin' Bunnies
Congratulations! Shoot me an email with your address and I will get your info to SIGVARIS. Runnergirl371 [at] gmail [dot] com

Keep running!

Testing..

2010-11-14T11:19:00.001-07:00

I added a new app to my phone, wanted to see if it works..

Don't forget, my giveaway ends tomorrow. You can still enter here.

Happy Sunday! Keep running!

SIGVARIS Athletic Sock Review And Giveaway...My First One!!!

2010-11-10T19:45:00.001-07:00

I have been wanting to get some recovery socks for awhile now. With me not running as much in between races due to my knee issues, I have been feeling a real need for them lately. Recovery is taking me a little longer these days. As I have been reading about the great results other runners have had with compression socks, it has made me want them even more. So when SIGVARIS contacted me with a free pair of their Athletic Recovery Socks to try, I jumped at the chance!

You know that feeling your legs get after a long, hard run? A little bit Jello, a little bit sore, a little bit twitchy... Well, after the half marathon on Saturday I didn't have any of that. The reason..Recovery Socks! The idea behind recovery socks is that by lightly compressing your lower legs, they improve circulation and prevent blood pooling and swelling in the legs, thus reducing that after race feeling and speeding up recovery time.

When I got home from the race, my quads and calves were already starting to feel a little tight. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. Knee-high socks are going to help my recovery? But WOW! When I put them on they felt fantastic! Like a warm, cozy blanket...I didn't want to take them off. In fact, I wore them all day. They made my day (and the moving house) more enjoyable. But the most important question is: "How did my legs feel the next day?" The answer..They felt great. My calves haven't been sore.

There doesn't seem to be a set 'prescription' about when and how long to wear the socks. I know a lot of people wear them during runs and races, with great results. I wasn't sure I wanted to try that for the first time on a race day. But I will definitely try it in the future. As I said, I wore the socks for most of the day after my run. Some people say they wear them for an hour, some say for a few hours, some say they live in them. If you have any experience with compression socks, how long do you usually wear them? Do you race in them? And if you have never tried them, you need to.

So here's the deal with SIGVARIS: They are the global leader in medical compression therapy. And they are giving one of you a unique opportunity to win a free pair of their sports compression socks!

SIGVARIS Athletic Recovery Socks' slogan is "Because not all compression socks are created equal," and their reasoning is that most compression socks don't feature true graduated compression. Looking at the sock, the fact that these truly are graduated is obvious; you can clearly see that it's very narrow around the ankle, and GRADUALLY widens as it goes up the calf. Theoretically, this is conducive to good blood flow and faster recovery. You can read more SIGVARIS features here.

The SIGVARIS Active Therapy Socks provide:

~Increased circulation

~Improved blood flow through the veins

~Increased oxygen to the muscle tissue

~less lactic acid build up in the legs during exercise

~reduced exercise-induced muscle soreness in the legs

There are two socks in the SIGVARIS Active Therapy Line. The Athletic Recovery Sock and the Performance Sock. These two socks are designed to work together to peak your performance and enhance your recovery time.

The Athletic Recovery Sock:
~Promotes lactic acid flush-out and relieves delayed onset leg muscle soreness
~Features a patented Drirelease and embedded Fresh-guard that eliminates odors
~Features true graduated compression

The Performance Sock Features
~Achilles Tendon Protectors, reduces vibration on vulnerable ligaments
~Footbed cushioned Zone and To Protectors keep feet blister free
~Latex-free High Tech Fibers provide odor and thermal control
~Extra-wide Comfort Top Band keeps sock comfortably in place
~Features true graduated compression

Here's how to enter (comment for each):

1. Become a fan of SIGVARIS Active Therapy on Facebook and/or follow on Twitter (1 entry)
2. Write about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. (1 entry)
3. Follow this blog or let me know if you already do (1 entry)
4. Leave a comment stating your shoe size, the measurement of your ankle circumference, if you prefer black or white and which social networking site you joined. By doing this, you are agreeing to the terms of the contest. (1 entry)
The winner must agree to write a review about the socks on the SIGVARIS website. (Writing a review on the site will automatically enter you to win socks for all of 2011)
This giveaway will end on November 15th.

**SIGVARIS is providing the giveaway item. They also gave me a pair. I did not pay anything for this.
The winner will be chosen at random by Random.org. Check back on November 16th to see if you won! If I don't hear back from the winner within 2 days after posting that they have won, I'll random.org another name.

Good luck! Keep running!

The Art of Chaos

2010-11-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

Some people thrive on chaos in their lives and others (like me) feel like we can't breath. I feel like I am being pulled in a hundred different directions. There really is an art to balancing everything. If you have the balancing act figured out, please pass on your secrets. (:

I recently went back to work full time after being a stay at home mom for nearly ten years. Yes, I do have a sense of guilt for leaving my kids, but it is a necessity right now. I'm not complaining, it has just been a bit of an adjustment for my little family. I am grateful to have a job that I enjoy. I am grateful to work with people I like and get along with. I think that is rare.

I feel like I have no control in my life right now. We moved to a new house this weekend and it has been a little crazy. I have not been eating very well, darn you, Halloween! It is my downfall every year. And with everything else that is going on... I read someone's post the other day and she said she did not give in to one piece of candy. I was so impressed...and jealous that I didn't have that kind of will power this year. Oh well, it is a new day. It is amazing how when one area in your life is a bit nuts, all the other areas seem to fall in suit to the craziness. Maybe, it is just me.

I ran the Snow Canyon half marathon on Saturday...PR for me! Woo hoo! My knee hurt a little on the down hill, but it was a great training run for me. The weather was great. Southern Utah is beautiful in the fall! It was awesome running through Snow Canyon..so pretty!

Have a great week everyone. Keep running!

Patch-'em Up Injection

2010-11-02T21:30:00.001-06:00

I made a trip to SLC this past week to see Dr. Toronto. My knee has been popping with every step. It actually started before the NWM. The popping doesn't hurt it is just annoying and unnatural. I called him to ask about it and he said I should probably get more cortisone. At the appointment, I fully expected to be scolded for running two marathons so close together, but to my surprise he was excited, in fact, he was impressed that I was able to pull it off. He said it was a good sign and that my knee is doing better than expected, since these things can "go fast." We talked about my plans for future races and training. I think we have a great plan! I really do have the BEST doctor! I got another cortisone shot. Wow! What a difference! I haven't had to take ibuprofen for four days..IN A ROW!! (:

I can't believe it is November already! This month I have the Snow Canyon half marathon (on Saturday) and the Mesquite marathon on the 20th. And if all goes well, Las Vegas in December.

Keep running!

I Run To Be ~ NWM Race Report

2010-10-21T18:28:00.002-06:00

I have been excited about this race since April. I love San Francisco. I love chocolate. I love firemen, in fact, I found my new boyfriend. We hit it off like a house on fire... grin.

I love spending time in the city. Of course we had to go to Fisherman's Warf and Pier 39.

We flew in to SF on Saturday, the day before the race. I think that is when everyone else came into the city as well. The expo was so crowded...the line for the packet pick up was crazy long.. It was worse than the lines at Disneyland in the middle of summer, only it was cold. Oi Vey! But they were efficient and the line moved quickly, we were only in line for about 20 minutes. With packet in hand we left to explore the city.

Each street seemed to have a bigger hill than the last. I was getting a little worried about how I was going to handle the hills with my knee, it had been aching a little all week...I did just run the STG marathon two weeks ago. I was running this race against doctor's orders. (8 weeks in between races is what was recommended). But since this trip was already paid for and the bling came in a little blue box, I had to do it!

By the time we got back to the hotel, I had myself all worked up. And not in a good way. I was feeling apprehensive and nervous. I was having self doubt. I don't like feeling that way, so I pushed it away. I took my GABA and went to sleep, and slept surprisingly well.

The alarm went off at 5 am. I went through my routine. Ate a yogurt, a banana, took my vitamins (multi, B12, vitamin C, which aids in the absorption of the B12, fish oil, and glucosamine chondroitin. AND I remembered my immodium! (: I got to Union Square about 6:25. I was still feeling a bit uneasy.

I turned on my Garmin and it couldn't find the satellite, but I started the timer anyway as I crossed the start line. (I ran 1.75 miles before it found the signal). As I started running, all the uneasy feelings went away. I had this! It felt like clockwork. Nothing mattered any more, because I was doing what I love. I was running and it felt so good! The course was great. The hills were not as bad as I had anticipated! We started at Union Square and made our way to The Embarcadero..we basically ran the whole coastline of SF. I absolutely loved running through Golden Gate Park. The Eucalyptus trees smelled so good in the rain. We ran around Lake Merced and ended on the The Great Highway.

I was really emotional during the last half of the race. I don't know if it was because of all the estrogen around me, but I kept getting teary. And then when I finally saw the finish line I started weeping. I tried to stop and I was doing a pretty good job until I crossed the finish line and then all the emotion came out! The first thing I noticed were the beautiful firemen..then I notice the red carpet...then the beautiful firemen...very nice. I accepted my little blue Tiffany's box from a handsome man in a tuxedo and made my way through the finish area. I was trying to hold back my tears. I was freezing, and they were out of mylar blankets! One of the volunteers said, "If you had come in an hour ago, there would have been a blanket for you. Why did you come in so late?" I wanted to kick him in the balls! But I restrained myself..I went to the medical tent and the kind man looked at my teary face and asked, "Do you need a blanket?" He unfolded it and wrapped it around me and tied it, all while I just cried. I have never been so emotional at the end of a race before. Estrogen? I think yes! I didn't even stop to get a finisher's picture...ah well, they all turn out ugly anyway, right? (:

And later, when I opened this...

I cried again...

Keep running!

Thank you Little Caesars!!

Coming Clean

2010-10-15T18:42:00.004-06:00

I've been keeping a secret. Back in June, I went to see a doctor for my knee. Some of you may remember that this doctor was a complete idiot and told me I was "too old to be running and you should take up cycling..." Hmm that didn't go over very well...any way, long story short, he diagnosed me with ITBS. I still took a DNS for the Utah Valley marathon, even though he told me I could probably run it, "but I would pay for it." 8 weeks later I ran the Missoula marathon with relatively no pain, but after that race I was really sore. I was supposed to run the Deseret News marathon that month as well, but with the pain in my knee, I wasn't sure how it was going to happen. Since I was going to be in SLC anyway, I made an appointment with my REAL sports medicine doctor...Dr. Toronto...let me just say, I love Dr. Toronto!

Of course I told him what the other guy said, and the diagnosis he gave me. This was our conversation:

Dr T: He said it was ITBS?

Me: Yep

Dr. T: Did he take X-rays?

Me: Yep

Dr. T: Do you have them with you?

Me: No (I have since acquired them, and they look very similar to the ones Dr. Toronto took).

Dr T: And he said it was ITBS??

Me: Yep

Dr. T: Hmmm, he said it was ITBS..? Wow, that is surprising, let me show you why. (as he put my x-rays up to the light)

Those are my knees. Can you see the difference? I sat on the exam table while Dr. Toronto explained that my right meniscus is shrinking and it is half of what it should be. I have degenerative joint disease. He sat down next to me and looked me in the eyes and said, "I am really sorry, if I could change it I would." That is why I love Dr. Toronto. He gets it. He is an athlete. He runs marathons. He has treated every one of my sports injuries over the past 15 years and each time he says something like, "give it a rest for a few days, then on Wednesday run 3-4 miles and call me and let me know how it goes." Then he gives his advice for the next run... etc. He is very pro-active. But the best news was that he said I don't have to stop running! My 40 by 40 goal will have to be tweaked, it is going to take me a little longer, but I can still run! He gave me a cortisone shot, which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and it helped a lot.

Over the past few months he has been treating me over the phone. I have been on prednisone a couple of times, but things seem to be going well. I am learning how to adjust my running/training/racing schedule. The elliptical machine has become my best friend. I will eventually have to have surgery, but for now we will take care of it like this. I am really grateful that Dr. Toronto was the one to give me the bad news. It really could have been ugly for me getting this news from that first doc. My knee has slowed my goals down a little bit, but I am definitely not giving up! So that is my secret.

Keep running!

Oh, and go check out Beth's $100 giveaway for fitness at Shut Up And Run!

Three Things Thursday

2010-10-14T06:20:00.007-06:00

1. Did you know October is national pizza month? I am a little partial to Little Caesars...(: So go celebrate national pizza month and eat some pizza...don't forget the crazy bread!

2. We have been singing the song "Goodbye Earl" by the Dixie Chicks at our house for days! My girlie loves it, knows all the words, and sings it A LOT! She even sings it with that country "twang."

3. I will be running the Nike Women's marathon on Sunday. I always love visiting San Francisco!

Want to know why I am especially excited for this race? The "bling" of course!

These guys hand them out!

And add a little chocolate into that mix...what could be better?

Keep running!

St George Marathon 2010 Race Report

2010-10-04T21:38:00.005-06:00

I know I have said it many times.. I LOOOOOVE the St. George Marathon! I love the course! I love running in the desert! I love how the sun hits Snow Canyon in the morning! I love running by the volcanoes! I love running 26.2 miles! Saturday was a great day for me!

Half way up to the start I realized I forgot my Immodium! At that point my only thoughts were of Beth over at Shut Up And Run. No need to say more..(: After the initial panic was gone, I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the bus ride. And as it turned out I only had to stop off at the loo once (mile 16).

As I got off the bus, I knew it was going to be a hot day. I didn't even need my gloves! Someone said it was a record high for the STG marathon. In the six times I have run this race, I don't remember it ever being as warm as it was on Saturday.

I felt great from my first step. Everything seemed to just gel and there were no problems with my knee, in fact, there was no pain in my knee the entire race! Yay! I had to shed my long sleeves a half mile into the run. At every aid station I took two cups of water, one to drink and one to dump on my head. And towards the end I was dumping 3 cups on my head. I know that is what kept me going. I saw more full shuttles and medical help this year than in years past. Lots of people were affected by the heat.

Can I just say, if you are going to wear pea green, you shouldn't wear it from head to toe. Especially if you are a man. (You know who you are!) But more importantly, if you are going to wear pea green and fart repeatedly for six steps please have the common courtesy to keep it muffled... Now let me explain. As I was running up the Veyo hill I saw this guy who reminded me of the Jolly Green Giant. He was wearing green shoes, green compression socks, green shorts, green head band and green wrist bands. As I got closer, over my music, I could hear him farting with every step. I know we all do it, but I think most of us try to do it with a little discretion. We've all been running along and realized we just got a mouthful of fart, but when you get the audible with it... I quickly 'changed lanes' and passed his green arse.

The race was pretty uneventful for me other than "The Green Machine." The miles seemed to fly by and I just enjoyed the day. The last 3 miles seemed harder than usual. I appreciated so much the energy and encouragement the spectators gave. I made the final turn to the finish line and I was really feeling the heat. The National Guard was there along that last stretch. I was comforted knowing that if I needed help, they were there. As always, the St George marathon was awesome! If you haven't run it, make sure you put it on your to do list!

22 down...18 to go! Keep running!

Three Things Thursday

2010-09-30T09:58:00.000-06:00

1. I don't get Twitter! Although I have an account, (runnergrlstacey) I have never "tweeted." I just don't get it. If someone could explain it to me...

2. I am afraid of spiders! I hate them! I feel like I have to wash my hands after I see one... I had to kill one this morning...Ewww!

3. I am getting really excited for the St George marathon on Saturday! I just drove past the finish line area...They are setting everything up as I type this! I am giddy!

Have a great weekend and good luck to all of you who will be racing!
Keep running!

My Shameless Plug...

2010-09-29T18:31:00.001-06:00

...for free stuff! (:

Thank you CafePress for this SIGG water bottle with my Runner Girl logo!

CafePress offers millions of personalized hoodies, and 2011 monthly calendars for any brand, topic or interest. If you haven't already, go check them out! They have tons of designs to choose from or you can make your own!

Keep running!

St.George Marathon

2010-09-26T16:45:00.003-06:00

Hmm.. Eight years ago I ran my first marathon..the St. George Marathon.

Looking back there are several things that stand out in my memory. I remember that nervous excitement the week leading up to the race. I didn't sleep very well that week in anticipation, I remember I did a lot of deep cleaning. I remember the anxiousness I felt riding the bus to the start line early in the morning, not knowing exactly what to expect in the next few hours. I remember being ecstatic just making it to the starting line. I remember all the energy at the start listening and talking with other runners as we tried to stay warm by the fire. And then it was time..the gun went off and I was running a marathon! My first marathon! I had dreamed about that goal for years and it was finally coming to fruition. At mile 7-ish, the metropolis of Veyo, was the first of several times that I got teary. The spectators were cheering and I couldn't believe I was there. It was a bit surreal for me, I guess.

Then at about mile 18-ish, I got teary again..I had to keep reminding myself to breath..it isn't easy to run and cry at the same time. Once I got into town, it was really hard to hold back the tears. I was almost there. And when I saw the finish line and my family, that is when the tears really started. I had done it! Crossing that finish line was the most empowering feeling I had ever experienced. I had run a marathon! 26.2 miles! I KNEW at that moment I could do anything!

Next Saturday I will be running the St. George marathon again. (Marathon #22) I am so excited! Although I don't get nervous anymore, I do still get teary when I cross the finish line.. There just isn't anything quite like it.

Keep running!

Inspiring..

2010-09-23T19:38:00.001-06:00

I know this video has been going around, but I finally watched it today... loved it. And yes, I totally cried! So I wanted to share.

Keep Running!

America's Nutrition

2010-09-16T07:51:00.002-06:00

I am a supplement girl. I use creatine and I like drinking a protein shake after my workouts. I take a multi vitamin and fish oil every day. So when Zach over at America's Nutrition contacted me a few weeks ago to promote their website I was very excited.

America's Nutrition is a great site for nutritional supplements. They have a wide range of products from supplements to weight loss pills to protein powders. They also have bath and beauty products. They are located in Northwest Indiana, near Chicago.

Zach sent me some samples of protein powder: Dymatize Elite Whey Protein, and Musceltein Ultra-7 Protein. Some GABA (which I use the two nights before a race, helps me sleep). And some Glucosamine Chondroitin with MSM, which is helping my knee tremendously. Everything came quickly, and I would definitely recommend America's Nutrition!

They also have a great new blog: The Fit Wits and you can check it out here. Thanks so much Zach!

2010 Patriots Run

2010-09-13T15:57:00.001-06:00

I remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. I woke up, turned on the news and just cried as I witnessed those tragic events. Even now when I see the footage from that day, I get teary.

This past weekend on Sept 11th, I was able to participate in the Patriots Run marathon in Olathe, Kansas. It was an amazing event that I am so glad I was able to be a part of. Before the start, which was at noon, someone announced that as the troops in Afghanistan were running their Patriots's Run, they were shot at. Wow! I can't even imagine! We are blessed with so many freedoms in this country.

There were many soldiers there to support and participate in this event, which was held at the Great Mall. The course was a 1 mile loop that went through the parking lot. It was awesome to be able to run with the soldiers, many in their fatigues and a 60 lb pack on their backs...made me teary every time I would see them.

I wasn't sure how I would like the loop, but it was actually fun because we were able to see and encourage each other all along the way. And this was the one and only time I will ever run next to Sam Felsenfeld in a race..(: By the way, he ran the marathon in 3:42 and then continued on with the ultra, running over 54 miles in 9:11 and won the ultra!

Kim and Doug, who were my hosts, were just awesome. Thanks again for letting me stay and hang with you guys. This was Kim's 31st marathon and Doug's 87th! You are both my marathoning heroes!

I loved seeing the flags along the course..

This "Flag of Honor" has all the names of the victims of 9-11 printed on it..

It was raised for the entire race.

Kim and I before the race..

I met so many nice people at the Patriots Run this past weekend.. I like Kansas.

I can't imagine a better way to spend 9-11-10 than running in a marathon honoring those who serve and protect our country! I am proud to be an American!

**Thank you Little Caesars for making this race possible!**

SCAPE Review

2010-08-07T23:42:00.003-06:00

I have to be honest, I don't do sunscreen. I don't like the way it smells or the way it feels on my skin. I am also a sweater, and I don't like sunscreen in my eyes. So when the people from SCAPE contacted me to try their sunscreen, I was a bit skeptical...

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the bottle and smelled it. It doesn't have that 'sunscreen' smell. The lotion itself is not greasy, and rubs in nicely. It is noncomedogenic, so your skin can breathe. I love that. The face stick wasn't too thick or greasy either. All of their products can be applied to wet or sweaty skin, which is fantastic. I have used it on several long runs and have been very happy with the results!

Thanks SCAPE for letting me try your product and making me a believer!

*There were no animals or small children hurt in my testing of this product.

Missoula Marathon Race Report

2010-07-22T13:46:00.001-06:00

Wow...am I behind. It has been nearly two weeks since the Missoula marathon and I am just now getting to the race report.

I had a fabulous weekend in Missoula. My hosts, Barbara, Jason, Gabe and Elsie were just awesome! They made everything so nice and relaxing and I felt pampered. Thanks again you guys for a great weekend! Can't wait for next year!

The expo was held outside at Caras Park in downtown Missoula. It was small, but sufficient and they gave us a technical shirt and a reusable Missoula Marathon bag. I love when you get more than just a plastic grocery bag...I also liked that they had several water coolers set up around the expo. The Farmer's market was going on at the same time and there was a lot of excitement and tons of people all around. Missoula knows how to host a race!

The busses were organized and we didn't have to wait very long to get to the start line in Frenchtown. On the bus I sat by Talitha. This was her first marathon and she did awesome! You can check out her blog here. It was fun to talk to her and feel of her excitement. Sam Felsenfeld was also there, he paced the 3:50 group. If you haven't heard about his "Operation Jack" check out his website here.

Once we got off the bus, I headed to the port a potties and waited..the lines were long and there could have been a few more..But I got to the start line with about 8 minutes to spare. The gun went off and we were on our way. What a beautiful course! We ran along the Clark Fork River and they aren't kidding when they call Montana "Big Sky Country." It was a flat course as well, which for me, was perfect since I am still having issue with my knee.. no, not my ITB any more.. something else is going on..I will talk about that another time. There was one hill at mile 13.5 and I had to walk up and down, I was feeling some weird twinges. But other than that, there were no major issues.

I loved this race..EVERYONE was friendly. I made several new "friends.."

and the Missoulians..is that how you say it? were fantastic. Many of them had their sprinklers on the road so we could run through them, which was a godsend because it was hot. There were a lot of spectators at different points along the course. It was great to have people cheering... just for me..(: Thanks again you guys!

I really enjoyed everything about this marathon. It was their 4th year doing it. The Run Wild Missoula running group has about 1000 members..no wonder it was well organized and the little things were well thought out! Post race food was great. You know it is good when they have cold watermelon at the finish line! They had yummy pasta salad, watermelon/pineapple/strawberry frozen fruit popsicles, bread, and other things. And Barbara had a burrito supreme waiting for me!

I finished with a smile on my face and I will definitely run this race again!

Thank you to Little Caesars for making it possible! You guys are awesome!

I will be running the Deseret News Marathon on Saturday. It is Pioneer Day in Utah. It's gonna be a hot one!

Keep Running!

Success

2010-06-19T08:17:00.001-06:00

Thank you for all the nice comments! I love being part of the running/blogging community and having all your encouragement and support. I realized after I did my last post how whiney I sounded. I didn't mean to be Debby Downer, I was just venting. And no, I am not giving into the negativity! Running makes me feel good, strong and healthy! Why would I stop? My knees looked great..the X-rays showed no signs of arthritis, which apparently, according to the doc, is common in runners.

My 5 mile run this morning was a success. There were a few weird twinges in my IT band on the side of my knee, so I walked a few times and I walked down the major hill on my route. I also tried to keep my stride a bit shorter than normal. We will see how it feels later today..but so far, so good! :)

My most favorite thing after a hot and sweaty run is ice cold watermelon! There just isn't anything much better!

Keep running!

Feeling Old...

2010-06-18T13:21:00.002-06:00

I have been absent from the blogging world. A lot has happened over the last couple of weeks. Let me update you. First off, I had a DNS for the Utah Valley marathon. My IT band decided it had had ENOUGH! and rebelled, so much so, that I thought I tore my meniscus. I couldn't put my weight on it, couldn't straighten my leg, and there were popping noises...ugh. So to the doctor I went...

The doc came in shook my hand introduced himself and the intern that was with him. The questions started...

How long have you had the pain? How many miles a week do you run? How often do you change your shoes? You know, the regular questions...He then asked if I was taking any anti-inflamatory meds. I said I was taking 800 mg at night. "You are doing it all wrong. You are just taking it symptomatically, you need to be taking 600 mg 3 times a day and supplement with Tylenol. That may sound like a lot, but you have got to get the inflamation down." OK, done! He then told me I was too old to be running...ok, not in those exact words, but that is exactly what he meant! He said, "running after the age of 35 is not wise..." and proceeded to tell me that I should stop running and take up cycling. I agree, cycling is an exellent form of exercise, but running is what I love, it's what I do! After the manual testing he diagnosed me with ITBS. He really didn't give me any advice on how to treat it other than the meds..so I have been reading and RunnerDude gave me some great advice, thanks again! I have had several ultrasound treatments, and have been stretching and rolling out my IT band with The Stick. It seems to be feeling a little better, not 100%, but I ran twice this week, with relatively no problems. So tomorrow I will try to go 5 maybe 6 miles and see how it goes.

I went to the bank yesterday to make a deposit for work...the teller asked me if I had a son, I thought it was a weird question, but I said yes, and she said, "he came in and made a deposit a few weeks ago..." The boy she was talking about is my boss's son who is 22!...22! Do I really look that old? Alright, so I am old enough to have a kid that age, but my oldest is only 9. I felt a little sad the rest of the night and kept looking in the mirror and noticing more wrinkles...oh well, it's bound to happen sometime I guess. This will be me next week, what with all the stretching and aging I have been doing...

Have a great weekend. Keep running!

39!

2010-06-02T10:57:00.003-06:00

39! What does that mean? It means I am officially old..I have exactly 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days to run 21 more marathons to reach my goal!

I thought since it is my birthday I would share with you 39 random things about me...

1. I share my birthday with National Running Day...how cool is that?
2.What I really want for my birthday is this...

3. I have the best husband! He is my number one fan and he supports me in everything I do. I love you!
4. The only way I can remember how old I am is remembering how old my son is and adding 30
5. I love Disneyland
6. I love sushi ~ it is actually a great pre-race meal
7. I work my legs hard three days a week (MWF)
8. I don't like sunscreen. Bad, I know
9. I wear contacts
10. Right now, my favorite treat is chocolate covered raisins
11. I don't like shopping
12. I don't like to cook
13. I do like doing dishes... it is very therapeutic
14. I drink A LOT of water
15. I have lost 19 pounds and 8 inches since January 1st
16. I WILL qualify for Boston during the next year
17. I love it when it is raining and the sun is shining at the same time
18. I met Matt Damon last summer at Hanalei Bay. (Shook his hand and had a conversation with him. :)
19. I worked out with Gabby Reese... She is amazing.
20. I really miss Kauai!!!
21. I miss the Hawaiian trade winds blowing through my house
22. I love watching the sun set over the ocean
23. I am missing a toenail on one of my toes
24. I have the cutest/best kids in the world
25. I try not to eat bread
26. I love avocados
27. I have a serious sweet tooth
28. My son is a great swimmer..watch out Michael Phelps!
29. I am not very coordinated
30. I am 5'10"
31. I don't dye my hair..the sun gives me great highlights every summer :)
32. I like Volvos
33. I like Mexican food~ It is always my post race meal
34. I like getting pedicures, but don't do it nearly enough
35. I have never been to the East Coast
36. I would love to live in England again
37. I want to spend an entire summer traveling Europe
38. I am going to do the Goofy Challenge in 2012!
39. I might just want to do a triathlon....

Thanks for stopping by my blog! And Happy National Running Day!
Keep running!

20 Miles

2010-05-30T06:28:00.001-06:00

I love, love, love how I feel after a long run...lean and strong! And yesterday's run was fabulous! I ran my usual, favorite, middle of the desert route. Have I told you how much I love running in the desert? It makes me happy!

As I started my run, I knew it was going to be a good one, I could just feel it. Perfect weather, lots of good sleep the night before... and I wasn't disappointed.

A couple of crazy things happened though, when I reached the first half mile, I crossed the street, not remembering the baby birds in the tree on the other side of the road. As I was running, minding my own business, listening to Madonna on my ipod, a mama/daddy bird started swooping down... once... twice... and the third time it made contact. I felt so violated...Ha! I was just glad it didn't poop on my head!

The rest of the run was pretty uneventful, just me and the open road. At mile 17.5 I looked down at my feet, and thought they looked weird, then I realized I was wearing two different shoes. My Kayano 15s and my 2150's. I have never done that before. Note to self, turn on the closet light while getting ready.

I have always loved the Kayanos, but since they've tweaked the design, I prefer the 2150s. They are more narrow and my foot doesn't slide around as much inside.

Hope you all have a fantastic holiday weekend! Keep running!

Withdrawls

2010-05-21T14:50:00.004-06:00

I am having serious racing withdrawls...I have been feeling:
~Anxious
~Irritable..just ask my family
~I have poor concentration
~And I have been taking naps, I never do that.

My next race is in a few weeks and I am jonesin'. I keep looking on the Marathon Guide, hoping there is something new on the list...but there never is. I need help! :)

I am planning on running 18 miles tomorrow, hopefully that will cure my obsession for another week. The Honeysuckle is blooming and it smells so good when I run in the mornings...love it! Have a great weekend!

Keep running.

Three Things Thursday

2010-05-13T05:50:00.001-06:00

1. I have a black toenail. A new one. After the race on Sunday it was really tender and I wondered...but wonder no more, took the polish off and sure enough. Now I have a squirly toenail on both feet, lucky me!

2. It has been cold here the past couple of days. I've been wearing long sleeves, I even turned the furnace on for a few minutes on Tuesday.

3. Bethany and Ryan over at Our Love on the Run are hosting a giveaway for BeeCause Charms. Go over and check it out!

Keep running.

Cheribundi~Product Review

2010-05-12T13:50:00.002-06:00

I have always loved cherries. I have never found them to be that great in a juice, until now. I discovered cheribundi a few weeks ago when I received some samples in the mail. I was pleasantly surprised at how great the juice tasted. It tastes like REAL CHERRIES! They pack 50 cherries in every 8 oz bottle!

The great cherry taste is only the beginning of the many benefits of cheribundi. It is full of antioxidants and it is all natural and not from concentrate. I loved drinking this juice after my workouts. I found it to be a great post run or post lifting drink.

Both of my kids liked the juice as well, in fact, my three year old thought they were all for her. :) So...they are kid approved! And there really is no need to tell them that cheribundi contains Vitamin A, Potassium, Iron, Calcium and B-Vitamins...they just know it tastes good!

Cheribundi comes in three different varieties~original Tru Cherry, Skinny Cherry, which has fewer calories than the original and is sweetened with Stevia, and Whey Cherry which is packed with 8 grams of protein. If you would like to learn more about cheribundi you can sign up for their newsletter, become their fan on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or join them on You Tube. Check out their website for a retailer near you and some fun cherry recipes.

**Please note the opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.**

Grand Valley Marathon Recap

2010-05-10T12:25:00.003-06:00

There was a learning curve at this race for me. I have never run back to back marathons this close together before. (6 days apart).

A few things I learned:
*Don't eat like crap the week in between races
*Get more sleep
*Relax
*Don't see the 8 PM showing of Iron Man II the night before
*Did I mention don't eat like crap?

The race was put on by Mammoth Marathons. They sponsor five different races, and they do a good job. They don't do timing chips, just nice small races. There were probably only 250 people total combined for the marathon/half/10K/5K. I met a lot of nice people and I had a great time, for the most part.

The race started in the small town of Palisade, CO, which is just outside of Grand Junction. Grand Valley is absolutely gorgeous. We ran through the wine country, I didn't realize Colorado had a wine country, along the Colorado River. It was a pretty run. The hills were killer, which didn't bother me. The wind, on the other hand, I could have done without.

I started feeling fatigued at about 14.5 miles. I ate a GU at the aid station and as I approached 15.5 miles I saw a lady on the side of the road talking on the phone bending over...those of you tender hearted dog lovers feel free to skip down to the next paragraph...the lady had just hit a dog and it killed it. I won't go into the details but just know that I lost it, started crying, couldn't run or breath. It completely wiped me out! I had to keep pushing the sad images out of my head the rest of the race.

Emotionally I was spent, my bowels were acting up (even after two Immodium) and I was feeling sick. The stars were not aligned for me at this race. But I finished! Not my best time ever, but definitely not my worst!

#18 Done! Keep running.

Drink Coke. Get Fat...

2010-05-04T20:59:00.000-06:00

We went to the local convenience store tonight to get a slurpee. We had just finished playing at the park, the kids were hot and a slurpee seemed to be the thing that would "hit the spot." As we stood in line I watched as several customers came in with their 95 ounce refill cups...every single one of them was overweight. Do they not realize that it is the soda that is making them fat? Do they realize they are teaching their kids bad habits? HELLO! I bet Philip Morris wishes he invented cola. I drink the occasional diet Coke... It tastes great, especially with fresh squeezed lemon, but it is not an every day thing. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be on a soap box, it was just an eye opener for me and it made me feel sad. I try to be a good example for my kids, there are many times that I fail, but they know that exercising and eating healthy is important to me. Hopefully it will resonate in them as they become adults and they will make healthy choices.

Keep running.

OC Marathon Race Recap

2010-05-03T18:38:00.005-06:00

This was my first time running in California. I love Southern California. I have lots of great childhood memories there. I love the smells, the sun, the ocean...AND it is home to "The Happiest Place on Earth."

The OC Marathon course was great. It went through the coastal cities of Newport Beach, Irvine, and Costa Mesa. I especially loved running through Corona Del Mar... there are some magnificent homes in that area. The coast on one side, the smells in the air, California at its best.

The first 10 miles was along the Pacific ocean and Newport Beach. The weather was perfect, warm with a slight breeze in the upper 70's, perfect for running.

I enjoyed this race so much. It was well organized, although they could've had more volunteers at the aid stations, they just weren't prepared for the number of runners coming through. But there was great spectator support all along the course.

I felt strong the entire race. At about mile 20-21 I started noticing the runners who had hit the wall, I have been there and knew exactly what was going through their heads. I had been following what appeared to be a first timer, and I could see by the slump in her stride that she was hitting the wall. I ran up next to her and said, "Don't stop now," as so many other people had done for me in the past she smiled and she started to run with me. I have been so grateful for all of you out there that have told me to "Not stop now!" It has got me to my 18th marathon.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANY NAUSEA OR CRAMPING!!!!!! I think I have finally figured out what works for me. My last several races I have taken B-12 drops along the way. And the last two races I ate a burger and fries the evening before. I really think there is something to the red meat, fat and salty french fries :).

All along the route throughout the day I had seen people in red shirts that said, "Carey's Corps." At mile 26 a group of them passed me pushing a wheelchair. I didn't think anything of it until I crossed the finish line... they were all right there and I heard the announcer say, "Sergeant Carey is crossing the finish line with the help of his fellow U.S. Marine Corps platoon..." I turned around just in time to watch him get out of his chair and walk across the finish line..the tears just poured out of me as I watched and clapped for him. You can read Sergeant Carey's story here. Oooh-Rah Sgt. Carey! Congrats on your marathon finish!! It really was the highlight of the entire race for me!

Thanks again to my Sponsor: Little Caesars! I will be running #18~ Grand Valley marathon in five days! Almost halfway there! Keep running!

Why Do You Run?

2010-04-30T06:30:00.001-06:00

Good luck to all of you who are racing this weekend!
Keep running!

Taking Flight

2010-04-24T09:49:00.003-06:00

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to fly so you spread your "wings" and pretended you were soaring high above the ground? The possibilities were limitless!

This morning on my run I felt like I was flying. You know that mili-second between steps in your stride when one foot lifts off the ground and right before the other one hits the pavement?...you are in affect flying for that tiny moment in time. Perhaps it is a long shot, but that is how I felt this morning. The breeze was hitting me just right, and everything was working together like clockwork. I love runs like that.

Several weeks ago in church someone shared this parable:

"An enterprising turkey gathered a flock together and following instructions and demonstrations, taught them how to fly. All afternoon they enjoyed soaring, flying and the thrill of seeing new vistas. After the meeting, all of the turkeys walked home."

I have thought a lot about this parable and how I have been taught to fly, yet sometimes I settle for mediocrity in my life. Why is it at those times that I walk like a turkey? We all have greatness within us. We CAN soar like eagles! Today I feel like I am soaring. I am feeling motivated and excited about what the next several months have in store and I am grateful for the blessings in my life!

"One cannot consent to creep when one feels the impulse to soar." ~ Unknown

Keep running. (and soaring)

26.2, Tiffany's, Ghirradelli And Firemen

2010-04-23T16:37:00.000-06:00

I must say, that is a great combo... Running 26.2 miles, a Tiffany's necklace, Ghirradelli chocolate and Firemen giving you said chocolate. Does it get any better? :)

I have been waiting for this email for 3 weeks and today it came!

Dear Stacey,

Congratulations! You are now officially registered for the 2010 Nike Women's Marathon, a race to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!...

Race Day
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Race Start: 7:00 am
Union Square, San Francisco, CA

I am so excited! Keep running!

Salt Lake City Marathon Race Report

2010-04-18T12:58:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was a perfect day for running a marathon! The weather was beautiful, cool and sunny.

After hitting the porta potty at the start line, I went and sat on a curb and just people watched until it was time to start. It was fun to see all the different types of runners pre-race. The nervous first timers, the veteran runners, young, old, big, small...I really enjoyed just watching and relaxing. I didn't feel nervous, just grateful to be there. I knew the course and since this was my 16th marathon, I knew what was in store and what to expect over the next few hours.

I got a little teary eyed during the National Anthem and then the gun went off. It just felt good to be out there running. The first part of the course was my old stomping ground...we ran the same roads that I ran when I first started running over 15 years ago...so it was very nastalgic for me. At mile 5, in Sugarhouse park, I needed to stop for a potty break. The porta potties had a pretty big line, but since it was a park, there were real toilets up ahead. I ended up going into the men's room...all is fair in a race, right? :)

I had just passed Highland High School when I saw my friend Leslie on her bike. It was fun to see a familiar face! She snapped a couple of pics and then went on her way.

At about mile 7 I found my friend Susie from LocoMotion Running Club. I miss running with them. Susie and I ran together and talked for the next 7 miles and it was great to catch up with her.

The rest of the race was pretty uneventful except for spectators calling out, "Go Little Caesar!"
I finished strong and felt great! NO NAUSEA... through out the entire race! Yay, me!

Thanks again to Little Caesars for making this possible! 16 down, 24 to go!
Keep running!

#16 ~ Here I Come

2010-04-15T20:47:00.001-06:00

This is what I will be wearing on race day... In case you can't see it, I have disco on my chest! The words and the picture are all in sequins :) Don't you just love sequins? I feel like I should be running in Las Vegas. :)

Thank you for all the encouraging comments! I really appreciate all the support from you, my running/blogging friends!

This morning on my quick 2 mile run I noticed a sign, I don't know why I have never noticed it before, but it was significant to me today...25 more marathons...just around the corner.

I am just finishing up laundry and getting all packed to leave in the morning. I do still need to paint my toenails, that is one of my pre race rituals..gotta have fresh polish.

Good luck to all those who are racing this weekend! Keep running!

It's Official....

2010-04-10T00:06:00.004-06:00

I HAVE A SPONSOR!

For the past three years now, I have had it in my head that I wanted to run 40 marathons by the time I am 40 years old. Life got in the way, the economy went to crap, we had to cinch up our belts and stick to a budget, oh yeah, there was the fact that we lived on a tropical island for a year... I finally got it in my heart that this just wasn't going to happen, I just wasn't going to get to run my goal. A few months ago we moved back to the mainland and HOPE was on the horizon. Could I really do this with just the little bit of time that I had left?

So, here we are 14 months until I turn 40, Ugh!

But I have good news, I just found out that Little Caesars of Southern Utah will be helping me achieve my goal of 40 by 40! I am so grateful! I will be running 25 marathons over the next 14 months! I am so excited!

Never give up, never surrender!

My first marathon as a "sponsored" runner will be the Salt Lake City Marathon next weekend (April 17), and then averaging two a month until June of 2011.

Thank you so much to Little Caesars for helping me achieve my goals!

I just want to say that no matter what obstacles get in our way or how many times people may laugh at our ideas, we have to just keep running past those that don't believe in us and run towards those that do!

Keep running!

Happy Weekend

2010-04-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

I ran 16.3 miles yesterday. It was one of those runs that every time you look at your watch, 2 more miles have passed. I love a good run in the desert! I enjoy running on a seemingly endless road... just me and the blacktop for miles. This is what I see on my runs...

The mountain in the distance is Pine Valley Mountain...the largest laccolith in the world.

I feel so lucky to live here at this time in our lives. Although I grew up in St. George, I never thought I would live here as an adult. But it has been really nice to be around family, and they aren't kidding when they call this place "Sunny St. George." ( : The weather has been warm. The other day it was 61 degrees for my early morning run. It has been fantastic.

Have a great weekend. Happy Easter. Keep running.

Why I Run

2010-03-30T07:58:00.001-06:00

Have I mentioned that I love running? I love the way I feel after a run! I run because it makes me happy. I run because it makes me feel strong. Running is a big part of what defines me as an individual. I started running about 15 years ago, mainly to lose weight. But it became a way of life for me...an obsession, really. I remember as a girl growing up in St. George, having the marathon here every October. I loved going to the park and watching the runners cross the finish line. The looks of joy, satisfaction, empowerment, even pain on the runner's faces struck a cord with me even then. I wanted to experience that too! Thus began my marathon quest. After I ran my first marathon, which was St. George, I was hooked! It was the hardest thing I had ever done, it was also the most empowering. I loved being able to push myself to the limit and realize how amazing the human body really is. The more you push it, the more it gives. I love that! I am always amazed at what you can accomplish if you just put your mind to it. It is as simple as believing you can, the rest just falls into place. I am grateful to have a healthy body, that I can run and push myself to bigger and better things.

Have a great week. Keep running.

What a Pain in the...

2010-03-27T21:31:00.000-06:00

back! My lower back went out again yesterday...don't know what I did...just didn't feel right when I started doing squats. I got into see the chiropractor that morning. Why is it that you feel worse AFTER the chiropractor works on you than you did before you saw him?? My back has been so tight and sore. I've been doing the exercises he suggested and the hot/cold treatments. I didn't run my long run this morning, and that just makes me more frustrated! Ugh. I really hate feeling like a gimp!

On a more positive note...my friend Leslie is training for the Ironman St. George which is coming up in May. I am so excited for her. She is an incredible athlete, you can check out her blog here.

Have a great weekend!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T08:35:00.005-06:00

Top o' the mornin' to ya! St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays! Lenny the Leprechaun visits our house and just wrecks havoc...pictures are turned upside down, the milk is green and of course he leaves golden chocolate coins!

With it being St. Patrick's Day there's a good chance you might just run into a Leprechaun today! At least that's what my Irish friends tell me. So if you do, here's how to get the Leprechaun's Pot Of Gold...

#1 Sneak up on the leprechaun. Hopefully, he will be
absorbed in his work and will not hear you.

#2 Hold on to the leprechaun and don't let go. Expect
him to put up a pretty good fight, even if he is only
about 2 feet tall.

#3 Keep your eyes on the leprechaun. He will do anything
to get you to look away for a second. If you do, he will
disappear into the mist, along with the pot of gold.

#4 Make the leprechaun take you to his pot of gold.
You will find it at the end of the rainbow.

Hope you all have the luck of the Irish today.

A Little of This, A Little of That...

2010-03-14T18:53:00.000-06:00

I'm down 3 more pounds...it is about time my body let go of some more weight! I always find it interesting how when you step up your workout routine, you don't always lose the weight immediately, and sometimes you can even gain... I am hoping I have gone over that plateau on the scale. I am feeling great, my clothes are fitting better, I am actually back in my size 4's! Woohoo!

I had a great 10 mile run yesterday. I love a long stretch of road. I love running in the desert. I love how I feel after a good run...exhilarated, accomplished, strong!

I went to the local running store the other day..I was in desperate need of new shoes. I have been wearing the Kayanos for the past 10+ years. They have changed the Kayanos in the past couple of years, so I wanted to see what the "professionals" had to say about a different style/brand. First of all, the salesman said I don't need a stability shoe...hmmm? So, he brought out several different brands of neutral shoes in my size and I gave them all a test run. The Mizunos felt way too flimsy, the Brooks were good, the Saucony's were great...then he brought out the Asics 2150's, (yes, these are a stability shoe, but not as much as the Kayanos). I have to say, I am an Asics girl! But they didn't have them in my size... It was Zappos to the rescue! I ordered them at 11:00 PM and they were here the next day. Can I just say I heart Zappos!

Hope you all have a fantastic week.

WOW!

2010-03-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

This chick is tough! Check out this workout...Zuzana is my new hero!

You can find more of Zuzana's workouts at BodyRockTV. She is awesome!

This week has been great so far. Yesterday and today, I dawned my Mickey Mouse cap and my rain slicker, well, my husband's biking jacket, and went for a drizzly run. 2 years ago I would have never gone out in the rain...Now, I welcome it. I like the way the world feels when it is rainy. The smells are stronger, and it just feels fresh.

I went to sign up for the Ogden marathon...SOLD OUT! Ugh! When I ran it several years ago, I just signed up a few weeks in advance, who knew it was so popular. So, I am a little bummed. I am still working toward the 40 by 40, and I do have a glimmer of hope...I will keep you posted.

"Don't fear moving slowly forward...fear standing still." ~Kathleen Harris

Have a great week everyone!

Weekend Recap

2010-03-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

I love a good garage sale! And ours was GREAT! 2 days...$1500. Woohoo! The people in this town are CRAZY about garage sales. People take garage sales VERY serious here, I had no idea. They were lining up at 7:05 (the ad we ran said 8 am). I think I want to get more junk now, just so I can throw another garage sale! ( :

I was up at the butt crack of dawn this morning, so excited to go out and run! I ran 3 miles with no pain in my leg! Woohoo! I have been strength training my legs like a fiend the last couple of weeks and I think it has paid off. We'll see how the leg feels the rest of the day...After my run I worked my legs, butt and abs. I love Mondays!

This is going to be a fabulous week!

What's Holding You Back?

2010-02-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not." ~unknown

I love this quote! I have been thinking about it a lot lately, and how everything we do in life is based on our attitude. I have noticed that when I am not positive about something, it just doesn't seem to work right or I get frustrated...but on the flip side of that, thinking positive...ANYTHING is possible!

I have been trying to stay positive about a lot of things going on right now in my life. It seems like when I have control over one area of my life (right now it is working out/eating right), the rest of my life is in chaos...my house is a mess, I don't know what I am going to cook for dinner... the list goes on, so I will spare you the details... But why can't I just get it all together? This is what I will be working on!

I am going to do another trial run on Monday and if it goes well I will ease myself back into the running...you know 8 miles a day...( : Just kidding.

We are having a huge garage sale tomorrow and Saturday. Wish us luck to get rid of all our junk and hopefully make some money off of it!

Almost There!

2010-02-20T18:44:00.003-07:00

This past week has been relatively productive..even though I took the entire week off from running...I still worked out everyday. I worked my legs hard, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They are getting strong! I am trying to stay positive with the no running thing..it really is killing me to not be hitting that pavement, but I am actually seeing muscle growth, not only in my legs but my abs as well, I really do have obliques! ( :

I did go for a short 3 mile test run this morning. It felt good to run again, but there is still a darn twinge in my left leg...dang it! Some more rest, I guess.

Have a great weekend!

**Picture: Annette Milbers

Mistakes....

2010-02-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, I found my mojo...I just found it too much...let me explain. Since living in Hawaii, my running has been lacking. Not running as many miles, my runs have been hit and miss over the past several months. I ran the Mesquite marathon in November with running no more than 20 miles total in the 4 weeks prior...then I ran the LV marathon with even less...and to top that off, I hadn't been doing a lot of strength training for these wheels of mine. So, finding my mojo has been a real blessing, but I have been running way too much...6 days a week, I haven't been able to get enough. You see where I am going with this don't you? The last few days I have had a weird twinge in my left tibia...feels like a stress fracture could be lurking in there somewhere...so I am being forced to lay off the running a bit...frustrating, yes. I know better and I have just been dumb. Even seasoned runners make stupid mistakes, well, maybe not all of them, but this one sure did. So, where do I go from here? Well, taking a few days off is the start. We cleaned out our garage, and the hubby set up the weight equipment...WOOHOO! I have most of my gym back. So I will be working hard to strengthen my legs and I will not make that mistake again! I have been fracture free for over 10 years and I really don't want another one..EVER!

I am still feeling great about my weight loss efforts and looking forward to this next week!

I had 3 chocolate covered strawberries tonight...yummy!!!! My first treat in weeks! And worth every calorie! Happy Valentine's Day!~

My Lucky Day

2010-02-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today was my lucky day! I found a dollar bill while running this morning. I rarely see more than a penny...so, of course, I stopped and picked it up! Treat! I had to put it in my panties, for lack of a pocket, and I felt a little like a stripper... without the oogling...hehehehe.

I ran 3 fast miles. I have run everyday this week and it has been a fabulous week. I'm down 2 more pounds! I am so glad to have my "mojo" back! Running has become fun again and I am looking forward to the upcoming months and the progress I will make.

And another lucky thing....I won 3 hands in our family Uno game...that never happens! ( :

Have a great weekend!

Motivation ~ Found

2010-01-31T18:47:00.001-07:00

I have had a fantastic week! I feel GREAT!

Over the past several weeks, or months, rather, I have been struggling with my motivation. Not only in my running, but with life in general. I can't blame this lack of motivation on one particular reason, just a combination of things, I guess. I will spare you the details. This week I found my motivation... So,what is it that motivates me?

***New music on my ipod...right now, it is Lady Gaga. Needless to say, she is a "fascinating" woman. But every song has a great beat, I have been running faster. I have actually been getting up at the butt-crack of dawn to go running! OUTSIDE! I know, shocker, huh? Winter running for me is usually on a treadmill, but since I live in the desert, why not go out, it's a balmy 37 in the mornings...BTW, I don't know how you Canadians get out there and run in the cold everyday!

***The scale going down...I have lost a few pounds this week. Yay me! I have been eating better, which is making me feel better. I have cut bread out of my diet and I am eating more fruits and veggies. Common sense stuff, really.

***You, my Bloggy friends...reading your posts is motivating for me, I may not always leave a comment, but please know that you are all an inspiration to me! Thanks!

AND...is a Disco Stick really what I think it is??? ( ;

Hello 2010

2010-01-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

My name is Stacey, and I am a runner. My last run was two weeks ago...

I hit the 1000 mile mark for 2009 and then I guess I let life get in the way. Very unlike me with my running, AND to top it off last Saturday as I was getting ready to go on my run, I bent down to pull up my running tights and when I stood back up my SI joint was out. So, I spent the rest of the day in bed. Had a quacky house call chiropractor come on Sunday morning, and I don't think he got it back in all the way, although most of the pain was gone. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I went to a real chiropractor. Good as new!

I ran 10 miles yesterday to celebrate 2010! Thank you RunnerMom for the idea! I felt great, it was a beautiful day. My back started getting really tight a little past the 8 mile mark, so I stopped several times to stretch my hamstrings...they are the culprit! But it felt good to be out there again. I am so excited for this new year. I love a clean slate!

My fitness goals for the year are to:

*Run 15-17+marathons~ if I am going to get my 40 by 40 done I better get crackin'! I have 18 months~and 27 marathons...I think I can, I think I can...it isn't a matter of the actual running of the races, I know I can do that! It's the financial part of it all...

*Eat clean

*Lose fat/gain muscle

*Go to the gym~this one is hard for me. I really do like working out, I just like doing it in the privacy of my own home! We don't have room for our equipment right now, it is all in pieces in the garage...grrr

I'm heading out in a bit to run 5 miles, I love running in the desert!

Testing

2009-12-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is a test...wanted to see if the new app works.

MIA and a Race Report

2009-11-22T09:45:00.007-07:00

I have been out of bloggy land! So much has happened over the past month or so! We have moved back to Utah! Sunny St. George. Hubby and I grew up here and we have always said we would never live here...well, here we are. There are several reasons we came back to the mainland, but the number one reason is family. BUT my #1 selfish reason is my 40 by 40 is ON! ( : I'm so excited!

Although I miss Kauai, the beauty, the friends I've made, the ocean, the trade winds, the tropical rain showers, the plumerias, the waterfalls, just to name a few things. It is good to be back on the mainland.

We finally found a house and moved in last week. I am still not completely put away, but that is okay, I ran the Mesquite marathon yesterday and it was great!

First of all I have to say, I haven't been able to run over three miles at a time for several weeks. I have had plantar faciitis in my right foot and my outer calves have been giving me grief, so much so that my form has been off and I can barely lift my feet...crazy! So, going to the sports doc was a must when we got back. And it doesn't hurt that he is cute! ( : He gave me a plastic cup to put in my shoe for the PF and he said that for my calves, the new Kayanos are not as supportive for my high arches as the older versions...so I tried the Asics 2140s. They didn't make any difference. Luckily, the St. George Running Company took them back. That is service! So, Friday night, the night before the marathon, I called my friend, who is a nurse, and asked her what she thought. She said it sounded like a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Could it possibly be that easy??? No calf pain...and no nausea! It was a two-fer. I'll tell you what I did a little later in the post.

The marathon started just outside of St. George, although we drove down to Mesquite to ride the bus and pick up our packets. The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold and blue skies! The scenery was a bit desolate, being a desert and all, but it was beautiful in its own right!

There were only 189 marathoners, so it was a small race.

The first 10 miles just flew by. The course was relatively flat and slightly downhill. At mile 11 the rolling hills started, which I didn't think were that bad.. after running the Kauai marathon, no hills are that bad! ( : At mile 15 my quads started cramping, I have never done that before, but I also haven't been running very much! (My last long run was 12 miles, mid October). I realized that it hurt more to walk than to just keep running, so that is what I did. At mile 20, I still didn't have any nausea, I was feeling great! I'll take cramping over nausea any day!

I crossed the finish line before my family even got there. I knew at the halfway mark that this would be the case. My husband was shocked and impressed! heehee. But with no nausea, I was able to sit and enjoy eating post race food. I ate 2 yogurts, a banana, 3 waters and a powdered donut! ~ Normally, I can't choke down anything, let alone something sweet!

The race was pretty organized. They ran out of water at the mile 15 aid station, but they were on top of it and got some there as fast as they could. (that is why I always carry some with me). The medal was a little cheesy, my husband hit it right on the head by saying, "Did they pull that thing out of a cracker jacks box?" Funny. But for the most part, I really liked it. I would run it again.

The B-12...I took 17 drops under my tongue before the race..

Mile 10 ~ 7 drops

Mile 17 ~ 3 drops

Mile 20 ~ 1 drop

I actually didn't count the drops during the race, I just guessed. I forgot to take it immediately after the race, and during the drive home I started feeling a little sick, so I took some and a few minutes later I felt great.

Keep running!

UGH!

2009-10-16T19:22:00.006-06:00

Last night as I was getting into my bed, I felt the urge to go to the bathroom, not an uncommon thing for a girl who drinks lots of water! Got back to bed and was almost asleep when that urge hit yet again. The urge continued for an hour....then I noticed there was some blood. That is NOT normal! and I was a little freaked out. By now I had spend about an hour and a half on the potty and it was 12:30, WAY past my bedtime. I was finally able to go to sleep and then I woke at 4:30-ish to go and it was bright red. I am probably giving you way more info than you want, but it freaked my freak! I called the doc's office and the receptionist said, "We don't have any openings until next week." And I said, "Well, I was hoping to come in today, since I AM PEEING BLOOD!" " Oh, can you come in an hour?"

I am on anti-biotics for 10 days. This is my first ever bladder infection/UTI. Yay, me. I am thirty something and I have never had one of these. I guess I have been really lucky! I guess I should be drinking more of this...

On a happier note, Candice over at I Have Run is having a great giveaway! Go check it out!

St. George Marathon

2009-10-09T19:15:00.001-06:00

I have been a slackah this week. I had a fabulous trip to Utah. When I got to LAX, I took a deep breath, ahhhh, the mainland! The smells were nostalgic. It was nice to rejuvenate. It was nice to visit with family and friends. It was nice to be able to do my hair without sweating from my elbows! ( : I have really missed the dry weather. But it was also nice to get back home to my family!

Last Saturday was a beautiful day for a run, the weather was nice and it just felt good to get back to my "roots." (St. George was my first marathon). At the start, I ran into a couple of old friends from high school. It was fun to catch up.

It felt good to be running in the cold, dry air. I ate my honey every 5 miles, the first couple were really cold, not as easy to suck down, but they still worked like a charm. I love it when you find something that works for you! The race was just as well organized as usual, the aid stations were great, as usual. The scenery was beautiful, as usual. St. George really is a fantastic marathon.

At mile 26 my brother in law and 2 nephews ran with me the last couple of blocks, it was nice to see them and it gave me a real boost! I felt strong the entire race. I attained my goals: I had fun and enjoyed everything!

What's next, you ask? You'll just have to wait and see. ( :

6 Days!

2009-09-26T17:18:00.000-06:00

Can I just say how much I love the St. George Marathon! I am flying out on Wednesday night and I am soooooo excited!

This is the Veyo hill at mile 7 of the marathon. It really is incredible to see all those runners on the road.

I love this part of the course, the sun hits those mountains in Snow Canyon just right.

I am feeling really positive about this upcoming race. Apparently there is a 7% rule. Runners from Hawaii run 7% faster when they travel to the mainland. I like that rule!

Many of you asked how I carried the honey with me on my run. I put about a tablespoon of honey in a sandwich baggie, tied a knot in the end and when I needed it, bit it open and sucked it out. Simple. I must say, the honey goes down much easier than Gu. And I don't feel icky. Used it again this morning on my 8 mile run. Again with great results! AND it's cheaper than buying the little packets! ( :

Oliver Shagnasty's

2009-09-20T18:28:00.001-06:00

I tried something new on my long run yesterday! Oliver Shagnasty's (I had to laugh at the name) Kauai Natural Raw Honey. And It Was Awesome! Sure beats GU!! I didn't get those icky throw-up hicups! And I had the energy that I needed. I am sold. (I tried to order HoneyStingers, and shipping to Hawaii was 3 times the amount I would've spent on the packets...so I made my own!) Worked like a charm too! I had a great 15 mile run. It was a beautiful morning. I ran the main highway and down to Anini beach. I love running Anini! It is so beautiful, the road is right next to the ocean most of the way, and there are bathrooms/water at the half way point. Can't beat that! I am ready for St. George...12 days!

The Race Report

2009-09-08T19:37:00.000-06:00

I always like to think about the race for a couple of days before I actually sit down to write my race report....This was my first "island" marathon. And boy, did it exceed my expectations. It was full of the aloha spirit!

It was a relatively small race, only about 1800 entrants, including Dean Karnazes. The starting line was great, there was a lot of energy, music, and of course, tiki torches. The race started at 6:00 am sharp! The start was lined with tiki torches and conch shell blowers dressed in the traditional Hawaiian attire. The gun went off and then they blew the conch shells, it was so cool! "The blowing of the conch shell" is an ancient Hawaiian ritual. It is supposed to give thanks, bring people together in harmony and receive blessings. When they are blown strongly, the sound can be heard for miles. It is common for the conch shell blower to blow the shell once in four directions to symbolize the four elements of the universe; blowing the shell to the East greets the sunrise; to the West honors the setting sun; to the North pays respect to the stars; and to the South pays respect to the forefathers. I love Hawaiian traditions!

It was a perfect day for a run, there was great cloud coverage and it rained for a lot of the race, which I was so grateful for! The first of MANY hills came fairly early in the race. They weren't kidding when they said it was a hilly course!

At about mile 14-15 I saw Dean, my new best friend, hehehe, he was on his 20-21st mile, it was just him and me running toward each other....and we "shaka'd" (hang loose sign) each other. Ya, it was the highlight, I was a little star struck, but I can say, I ran with Dean Karnazes! And come to find out, my friend's husband went to high school with him...who knew?

The start line

Along the course

There were hula dancers at several different spots on the course

The day was great, I did not get a PR, but I finished the race and I had a great time doing it. I met a lot of nice people and I was really impressed with the organization/preparation for the race. Jeff Sacchini and his staff did an excellent job! The course was absolutely beautiful! How could it not be, it's Kauai!

Aloha!

Look Who It Is....

2009-09-05T19:57:00.002-06:00

Dean Karnazes!!

Dean is the host of the Kauai marathon and he was at the expo this afternoon signing posters. Of course, I had to take a photo op.

I was impressed with the expo...it was very small, but we got great stuff! A Kauai Marathon tote bag, an aluminum water bottle, another tote bag, and a great race shirt.

I am excited to race in the morning. My goals for this one are very simple:

*Have fun

*Finish

I am not putting time restraints on myself, I am not sure what to expect with the humidity/weather. We drove part of the course today, and it is definitely a hilly course!

I'm off to the races~wish me luck!

Let the Countdown Begin

2009-08-27T00:40:00.000-06:00

10 days to the Kauai Marathon! I am actually getting excited! AND I am totally enjoying the taper! I'm still working out the logistics of race weekend, but most likely I will be driving 45-50 minutes down to Poipu that morning. (I really don't want to spend $500 on a hotel room when I have a free room, my own bed, and the home seat advantage!) Let the countdown begin!!!

It's Getting Close

2009-08-07T18:55:00.000-06:00

Wow! Has it really been almost three weeks since my last post? Time flies. School started for my 3rd grader, my house has been very quiet during the day. ( : And my 3 year old and I have been playing. It has been a lot of fun.

In running news...the Kauai marathon is approaching FAST! Only 30 days! The past few weeks I have been kind of dreading this race. It has been soooooooooooooo humid and my running has really suffered. This has been the hardest training summer EVER. How do you beat the humidity? I have always trained in the dry heat. Let me tell you...IT IS DIFFERENT! I am struggling with finding the right balances with everything. So, any tips you may have, pleeease, pass them my way!

I went to the marathon website and I got that twinge of excitement back. Apparently, the course is hilly. I love hills! And Dean Karnazes is the official host. There are only 1500 entrants and it is sold out. Even though I live on Kauai, I have not run any part of the course. Going to "town" is a hassle, especially on a Saturday, when I do my long runs...everyone else on the north shore is headed that way too! So, it will be a new and hopefully exciting route for me. I do know that it will be beautiful! How can it not be, it is Kauai!

This is near the finish line.

Have a great weekend everyone. Aloha!

WOO HOO!

2009-07-17T20:20:00.001-06:00

I'm running St. George! Just booked my flight this morning! I am so excited! St. George is my FAVORITE!!!! ( : (It's not what you know, it's who you know). Thanks, Mom! ( :