Take one a day....

So, somehow I need to get it through my brain and heart that exercise is not optional for me. It is an ESSENTIAL not a non-essential. So my new self-talk is "don't forget to take your medicine...EXERCISE"! I wanted to do a 5 K on Thanksgiving morning, but chickened out to do it alone. So I did my own walk/run 5 K around Liberty Park with Sol. :) It was great. Anyone want to join me for the future to make a Thanksgiving tradition of doing a 5 K in the morning? Its quite a great way to work up an appetite!

Fighting Against Depression and Addiction

I was doing a little bit of online research about running today and found that a few different places recommended running as great therapy to treat people with clinical depression and people coping with addiction.

A Chance to Meditate

One motivation that's been getting me to run is the opportunity it gives me to meditate and receive inspiration. If not inspiration, it at least gives me a fresh perspective on things and seems to clear the stage in my mind. It truly prepares me for my day ahead, that's why I've found much more satisfaction going in the morning verses in the middle of the day or at night.
This morning I ran all 40 minutes without my i-pod. There was one time, going up a hill where I thought it might be easier to get up here if I had some good beats to listen to, but other than that it was super refreshing. I'm happy to know that I can not only do the run, but still enjoy it, without listening to my i-pod.
Don't get me wrong though, there are some days when I definitely don't feel like going.
The recent weather has been a huge blessing and another motivation that has gotten me out in the morning. I just think about how we don't have very many days like this left, and that pushes me out the door.

I'm a Turtle

Just a confession I have to make. I haven't run in weeks. I've been thinking of starting up again -- but just can't seem to get my momentum going.

Run for women's freedom and empowerment!

I had a thought today while I was running. For anyone who would like to participate but are not sure what type of freedom to run for I have a suggestion!
Watch any or all of these videos below:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/08/20/magazine/kristof-audioss/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvee_dGl9yw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlIv55oLfsA

October 10, 5 K

So the run was great. Thank you Rachel! It was fun to see all the people in different costumes. They called us the Blue girls, because we were wearing our blue t-shirts (from the last race) over long sleeve shirts. We did a better time too - last one was completed in about 35 minutes. This one was completed in about 32 minutes. Just for the record, Rachel would've finished earlier but she is good enough to run with me.
The interesting thing about this 5K is that there was a "false" finish line. They had us run back through where we started and many, including myself, thought it was the end. I got a boost of energy thinking it was the end, a pair in front of us, sprinted through the cones and .....ooops...keep going! Some people just stopped and walked, I thought they might even end right there. It made me think of life - of getting different spurts of energy to get through something, and then when we find out that isn't the end, sometimes we want to give up. So my lesson - steady and constant finishes the run, and if I get energized in a season of life, great. Just don't let myself give up when that burst is gone and there is still the journey to continue.
May we all be constant, with sprints here and there, even when its not the end!

Hey Everyone! April & I are running a 5K tomorrow morning. Here's the link that explains the cause. http://utahlosetheshoes.com/costume-5k
It's for a local organization that fund raises for an NGO that works to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and education among African youth through their love of soccer.

Ok, I am going running tomorrow morning... this is my commitment, so hopefully it will happen!

P.S. I found workout programs that help you get in shape and ready to run a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon or a whole marathon. Check it out!

http://www.personalrunningtrainer.com/half-marathon.html

Up the Hill

I want to share one specific experience that happened on the 5K. This was my first time to do the full 5k - I hadn't even done one around Liberty Park yet. Plus, the park is pretty flat compared to the hills of BYU campus. The first big hill came and I slowed down, but I could do it. The 2nd big hill came going up the south end of campus (towards the Benson building) and I was already feeling oxygen depletion. Rachel was a great encouragement, and yet my legs were still about to buckle. Then I remembered that Dad had asked me to think of him when we were running - and to run for him, since he can't anymore. I thought of that, my eyes welled, and I knew I had to make it up the hill running, because I could. Thanks Dad, for asking us to run for you.
Since the 5k I have been pushing myself harder around the park when I go running, and sometimes I just want to stop. Why not? Nobody is watching, no race or run is at stake..in fact it would just be easier to stop. But then I think of individuals particularly in my family who inspire me in many things, who love me, and who would cheer me on if they were there and knew I was struggling. And so - I keep running and I make it.
So to all of you, when it seems that the "run" almost has you beat - think of me - I am cheering you on, and think of all those that love and inspire you - and remember you CAN DO IT!

I love you all!!!!

Voices of Courage

I finally uploaded the pictures from Rachel and my first run. It was a free 5 K sponsored by the Women's Center at BYU and the theme was "Voices of Courage" against abuse in any form. Here is the pledge - and I think it is a great one.

Even David, Ian, and Sol signed their names to the pledge after the run. It was great to have fans there, and especially to have David's encouragement and support in this.

I am SO grateful to be able to run with Rachel. I think this run was pretty easy for her, but it was intense for me. Thanks for staying back with me sis, chatting with me, and doing it together!


Ian asked if he could run the race and go across the finish line with me too. We did a rerun - which you can below and I told him I could take him on a full future run. He is a great fan to run with because he says, " Go mama! You can do it! Almost there!"

Race the Rain

So I was determined to not let my day get by on Mon without a run. It was 4 pm. I decided to get Sol in the stroller and Ian on his bike (because he didn't want to go in the stroller) and head to the park for a run. It was a run walk of about a mile to 1 1/2 miles. Ian biked the whole way - an amazingly strong 3 year old. Half way around the park we saw the dark clouds coming and decided to race the rain. In Ian's words, "the rain won us mommy." We got home wet and a little chilly but energized and had fun. I found that running backwards (as I pulled the stroller so Sol could see Ian coming towards her) is an interesting work out for muscles I never knew I had. :)

Gratitude

Awesome Rachel! Thank you for getting this going! As I ran one day this week, I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the body. Gratitude for the ability to move, to extend my joints, and to move in a way which increases my heart beat and releases endorphins.

I am super excited this morning to run, and silly enough - somewhat nervous. I couldn't even sleep very much last night because I was thinking of this morning. I am so grateful and happy that I get to do it WITH someone, and who better to do it with then a dear sibling. Thank you Rachel! And thank you everyone if our family for your loving support and words!