Run Love

Yep, I'm still running.  I've been at it a solid year now and I truly love it.  A few times I've been asked what I would recommend to someone just starting out.  So here is a quick list of the things that I think made me successful, and also things I would have done differently that I learned along the way.

1.  Commit.  Don't say you're gonna do it if you aren't.  Commit yourself to a six week program.  You're barely looking at 30 minutes per session.  That's a whopping 90 minutes per week.  I strongly recommend planning when you will do it at the beginning of the week too.  Look at your schedule and decide ahead of time which days you are going to do it and approximately when (like after work, or when your little ones take their first nap).  Then DON'T even allow yourself to think about whether you feel like doing it, just do it. It's on your to-do list.  Also, since you've planned out ahead of time when you're going to do it get ready.  For instance if you plan to do it right when you get home from work then as soon as you get home change straight into your running clothes.  If you plan to do it at nap time then when you get dressed on that morning get dressed straight into your running clothes.

There's a reason they say that you never regret a workout.  Seriously.  You will NEVER EVER look back and think, gosh I wish I hadn't done that 30 minutes of run/walking this morning.  You will however get to the end of the week and figure out you have to do 2 workouts on both weekend days and think, gosh it would have been so much easier to have done this on Tuesday instead.

2.  I figure most everybody has either an iPod, iPhone, or some other sort of android device.  Download the Couch to 5K training app. If you search C25K in the search field you'll get several that pop up.  The app will allow you to listen to your music while a voice chimes in and tells you when to run and when to walk. It uses a run/walk method slowly increasing the running until you run the entire time.  All you have to commit is 3 days per week.  You don't have to have a treadmill, you can do the same thing outside.  Especially now that the weather is getting warmer.  I started this program literally 6 weeks after I had Oliver and when I ran my 5K, I ran the ENTIRE thing.  And trust me I wasn't in any kind of physical shape when I started.  There were definitely times when I doubted I could do what the program wanted me to do the next week, but you know what, I always could.

3.  Sign up for a race.  I know it may seem strange to actually want to pay money just to go "torture" yourself with running.  Truly I don't think anybody really *gets it* until they participate in a race.  There are plenty of 5K's you can do for $20 or less.  I would strongly recommend that you choose a 5K and sign up then work  your way backwards 10 weeks (most C25K programs run 9 weeks but I would throw an extra one in there just as a buffer to make up for a bad week).  You can always repeat a week at the end if you stay on track.  That gives you your start date of your training program and you know you have to stay on track because now you've paid money.  Who wants to throw away that registration money.  DO NOT wait to sign up depending on how the program is going.  Just do it. 

And don't let your age, size or fitness level deter you from participating in a race.  Seriously.  I see people much older and much larger do MUCH better than me on a pretty regular basis.

The first race I placed in my age group.

Okay, so you're got a training plan and you're signed up for a race .. what next?

4.  Equipment:  Really you don't need much by way of equipment for the 5K distance.  At least not for your first race I don't think.  I ran mine in my old pair of Nike Shox.  However, this ended up being the one thing I wish I had invested in from the get go.  A good pair of real running shoes.  If you suffer from anything like shin splints or some other sort of pain you associate with running, then get some real running shoes.  I could recommend what works for me, however honestly the best thing you could do in this circumstance would be to go into a specialty running store and have them analyze how you run.  Wasatch Running Company in Sandy is a favorite of mine.  Also, Salt Lake Running Company are super nice too. They will have you run on a treadmill and record it so they can see how your feet land, it's all free although then you usually feel pretty obligated to buy a pair of shoes.  At least I did.  I only did it once though and now I order all my shoes online for cheaper.  Often times you go up a half size in your running shoe too.  As far as clothing goes Target has a great range of C9 (formerly Champion) exercise clothing.  It's worth investing in at least one running outfit just to wick the sweat away from your skin and avoid any chafing issues.  All of my sports bra's are C9, I love them and they work just fine. If you were to go and buy 1 piece of running gear just for the fun of it, buy a running skirt.  They are so much fun. 

If you're going to be training outside then I would recommend a couple other items.  First of all a handheld water bottle.  It's important to hydrate as you're running.  I prefer the one like the link where it has the neoprene cover, plus the design helps so that there isn't a ton of sloshing as you're running.  Also, since you'll likely be running with your cell phone if you go outside I also STRONGLY recommend a SpiBelt.  This is one of the best inventions ever.  You really don't even notice it on once you get used to it and it doesn't bounce at all!  Cell phone and key fit easily in this pocket. I have a double pocket belt which I'm really glad I got. I run with more than just my cell phone though.  So the single might be just fine in the beginning.  Obviously these are optional but they are two things I use on just about every run now and wish I had purchased much sooner than I did.

5.  Don't obsess over your pace at all.  There is no such thing as too slow.  Just because you feel like you could run faster or longer than the plan, doesn't mean you should.  Stick to the plan.  There's a method behind the madness. If you do too much too soon you could end up injuring yourself .. and that just sucks.

That's pretty much it.  I did ALL of my training for my first 5K on my treadmill.  One point of note would be that if you do the same thing I would recommend bumping your treadmill incline to 1%, this helps to mimic outdoor conditions a little bit better.  But you really can do all your training on there and successfully transition to the outdoor race.  Now, I rarely run inside.  During the week I run all my runs on my lunch break (that's 3 days).  Then I do my weekly long runs on Sunday mornings usually.  A year ago running 3 miles without stopping felt like a HUGE HUGE accomplishment.  Today 3 miles is a no brainer, it's so incredibly easy.  Last weekend I ran 10 miles and dare I say 10 miles isn't difficult for me at this point at all. If you had asked me a year ago if I thought I could run 10 miles I would have said you were crazy!  It truly is very addicting.  I look forward to running and I truly feel lucky that I can.  There is no stereotype of who can or can't run.  ANYBODY can run .. I promise. 

Get a friend to join you!!  I look forward to my Sunday long runs SO much.  And I love that I convinced my best friend to join me in this crazy world of running.  I also love that Jeramie is jumping on this wagon too. 

Rebecca and I at her first 5K.



I got to run her in to the finish which was really fun.

Not to mention that we also run races with Evan and Rachel as well.  Coming up next is the Salt Lake City Half Marathon in only a few short weeks.  I'm so excited because I have big goals to demolish my previous Half Marathon time.

Dirty Dash in Sept. 2011

This was REALLY fun.

Have I convinced you to lace up some shoes yet?

Just give it a try.  I don't think you will regret it.

If you really want a lifestyle change then start with step one and commit.  I think the worse thing you could do is sign up for a race and then not dedicate the 3 days per week to the training.  This will result in what I can only imagine as a feeling of failure.  Then in the back of your mind a little voice will be telling you that running isn't for you.  Not true.  Set yourself up for success, not failure.  I will never forget the first time I crossed that finish line. 

I will also never forget 8 months later when I first crossed the finish line of my first half marathon.

I ran my first half marathon in 2 hrs and 45 minutes.  I have lofty goals for Salt Lake.  I cannot wait!

Then we are signed up to run the Timpanogos Half Marathon in July, I'm thinking perhaps the Hobble Creek Half Marathon in August, then for sure the Provo Halloween Half Marathon in October (we're already registered), then perhaps the Las Vegas Rock and Roll FULL Marathon in December.  It's possible.  Jeramie and I would run it together, and it would require us to start training at the beginning of August.  YIKES!!  If not Las Vegas I will run either the Salt Lake Full or the Ogden Full next year.  Either way I shall be running 26.2 miles sometime within the next year.

So there you have it. 

Anybody want to run a race?  Bueller .. Bueller ...

15 month Comparison

Well it's come up a few times in the last month who Oliver looks like.  I tried hard to find a picture of Jeramie at this age and I thought I had some but darn it if I couldn't find any.  But in my opinion he still looks an awful lot like Jackson at the same age.  Not exactly though.  He doesn't have the big eyes like Jackson and obviously they're a different color.  Well .. and he has a different shaped mouth.  But they definitely look the most alike.

Speaking of Oliver ...

I definitely have been feeling like a do a terrible job of taking pictures of him at this age. I know a lot of it is that I hardly take any pictures in general this time of year.  And as it's getting warmer this will change.  Overall he's doing great though.  He's such a tough kid and thinks he's just as tough as Jackson and Wyland.  He likes to get into the cars and play with Wyland a lot. 

Oliver 15 Month Stats:

Weight:  22.5 lbs, 22%

Height:  31.18 in, 54%  (this is down from 67%)

Head:  18.5 in, 45%

Jackson at 15 months:

Weight:  20 lbs, 3%

Height:  31.1 in, 50%

Head:  18.5 in, 42%

For whatever reason I can't find any of Wyland's growth charts.  Bad mom.

Right now Oliver also spends a great deal of time climbing on things.  Specifically the dining room table.  You can often find all the chairs stacked in the corner and the bench upside down in my kitchen because he's wicked quick.  He is also known as the naughtiest of all the boys.  Definitely getting a bad name for himself. At home and also at both grandparents houses.

This past Thursday we went to my mum's for dinner.  In the few hours that we were there Oliver managed to spill a soda in the basement, spill my mum's coffee all over the floor (don't worry he didn't get burned), and he may have fed something he shouldn't have through the dog gate that proceeded to get chewed up. Then as we were leaving he picked up and smashed a cute little bunny candy dish.  He's SO NAUGHTY.  This was all in only a few hours.  Good thing he's cute too.

Brave Boys

So a week and a half ago we went in for a dental check up and the news was not good.  Well okay .. it was partially good.  Baylee had zero cavities .. she was in real good shape.  Jackson on the other hand had two.  Wyland .. well Wyland had a lot of issues.  But we knew going in that Wyland was going to need a lot of work. Baylee was is a similar situation at his age.  We had her dental work done up at Primary Childrens years ago.  She was such a trooper .. but then she always is when it comes to anything medically related.

When the dentist suggested that we put Wyland under general anesthesia to get all his work done at one time we jumped at the opportunity.  I wanted it to be as little traumatic for him as possible.  They assured me they would call me early the following week with estimates and the such after talking to our health insurance.  They called and offered us the following Monday.  Ironically enough this was the same day I already had an appointment for Jackson to get his teeth done so the timing couldn't have been more perfect.  They thought Wyland would likely go in at 6:30am so Jeramie and I both scheduled the day off of work.  I usually get super anxious about this kind of stuff and I was actually surprisingly calm with the impending dental surgery.

So this morning I was up at 4:45am (oh my goodness is that early) .. 45 minutes later we were walking into the surgical center which happened to be in the same building as the dentists office.  Wyland was barely awake and was his usual mommy clinging self.  We spent most of the first hour just sitting around.  He was the only patient there that early.  They came to take his temp, check his oxygen and then next thing I knew we were walking back to the surgical room.  He didn't want to ride in the bed. This was the part that I was dreading the most I think.  As we walked through a set of double doors the next thing I knew the anesthesiologist was saying, okay Wyland as he lifted him out of my arms.  Wyland began crying and I did an about face and walked out.  Man did that part suck.  But having talked to them during pre registration they had assured me that he would be knocked out with a gas mask within a couple minutes.  So they walked me back to the waiting room where I settled in with my Kindle for a two hour wait by myself.  The dentist had told me that he expected it would take an hour and a half.  I mentally had planned for two hours.  I remember them telling me the same time when I went in with Baylee ten years ago.  It didn't take an hour and a half.  Needless to say after we hit the two hour mark that next half hour seemed to drag endlessly.  I was watching the clock and planned to head over to the reception desk and ask for an update once the clock in 9am.  However, with minutes to spare the dentist walked out FINALLY.  Everything went well and they would take me back to him in about 5-10 minutes.  And so I waited some more.  Finally they took be back and while I expected him to be awake at that point, he was sound asleep.  Apparently he had woken up and had a bad case of the shivers and was in some pain so they gave him another dose of IV meds and it promptly put him back to sleep.  And so we waited some more.  My poor baby looked like he'd been beaten up.

 Finally sleeping beauty woke up.

He didn't cry like I expected that he would.  Which was nice.

We were quickly released to come home.

Once we were home Wyland chilled on my lap for a while just soaking up the love.

Then because Jackson had also been such a brave boy Jeramie had promised to take him

to Target for a toy (plus pick up a prescription).  Next thing I knew Wyland was

bouncing off the walls to go too.  After we came home he took about a two hour

nap and ever since has been just fine coping on some ibuprofen.

He's a happy kid to have his new teeth, even though he's afraid they're gonna fall out.

 Jackson getting gassed up prior to his filling.

I'm so proud of my two big boys today.  They both did such a good job.  I'm glad that it's all over and done with for another year.  And it was really nice to be able to stay home today and just cuddle and coddle.  Love these guys so much!

Disney on Ice

Last weekend we were lucky enough to get to go to Disney on Ice.  My mum is always so generous, especially when it comes to the grandkids.  She got us row 7 seats and since most of those grandkids are boys they were especially excited that this was a Toy Story themed Disney on Ice.  Jeramie was working and so I dropped Oliver off with Grandma Robie.  It stresses me out a little taking the kids to these kinds of things on my own, especially if I don't have enough hands as there are small children.  It ended up being my mum and I, and 6 kiddos.

The kids LOVE riding the train.

We got there right as the train was arriving and therefore missed the first one because we weren't situated with tickets yet.  I don't know about other people but buying train tickets is kind of a pain in the butt.  There is nothing there that tells you about what tickets to get.  And how old the kids have to be in order to need a ticket.  Since we had missed the first train I tried to Google on my phone to see if I could find somewhere online that would tell me how old they needed to be to buy a ticket.  Nothing.  So we ended up buying full price tickets for myself and Baylee, and then discounted tickets for my mum, Zarley, Owen and Jackson. Then didn't buy tickets at all for Xavier and Wyland.  It was a total guess.  We weren't really that worried until we saw the police coming around and checking tickets.  At which point we started to really worry that we had guessed wrong.  But really .. why don't they have some signs posted??  I guess technically we got lucky because they just passed by us and all was fine. But then the same thing happened again on the way home!  Yikes!!  We literally got off the train right as the police got to our section because we hit our stop.  After some serious research online afterwards I figured out that kids under age 6 ride free and I guess we should have paid for a full fare ticket for Zarley.  But since we bought the two 5 year olds tickets we actually paid more overall than we needed to so we probably would have been ok. 

Another tidbit of information that I learned is that Baylee should be able to qualify for a discounted fare.  I just have to get an application and have her pediatrician fill it out and then pay $2 at which time she will get the discount then moving forward.  So I called and they're mailing me a form.  We don't actually ride trax all that often but if it's good for a lifetime or something then we may as well get the card and have it for when we do.

The show itself was fun.  The kids all got a snow cone in a cup they could take home.

I ate most of Wyland's.  I love snow cones.

The got a couple bags of cotton candy that came with some fun hats that will stay at Grandma's house.

Thank you so much Grandma for the super fun day!

Everything happens for a reason.

How ironic, the same day that I wrote my last post about the trouble that we experienced down on the Parkway last weekend then that night when I got home from my parents I get a text from my sweet sister in law Rachel that they found a body in the river!  That in itself is troubling.  I've thought to myself as I have retold the story about our events that Sunday whether people just think I'm crazy or dramatic that I went as far as to call the police.  At the time it was scary.  In the moment it felt like the right and responsible thing to do.  How to you explain to someone that something just didn't "feel right"? It was a sixth sense kind of thing.  I still maintain that those guys down there were not just taking the stupid dog for a swim in the canal .. I mean really who does that at 10am on a chilly 30 degree Sunday morning?  Then brings a WET dog into their work truck?  And why would the guy have had to walk way up the trail to be able to do it?  It's just weird and really makes no sense.

So going back to this poor girl who has been killed and dumped in the river.  It's scary on so many levels.  This past Sunday morning as I mentioned solely because of the events of the week before my friend and I ran a different route.  Had we ran our usual route at our usual time it's very likely that WE could have been the ones that found that bloody shoe.  And no I'm not being dramatic.  This is literally the plain truth.  We had 9 miles to do on Sunday, which would have meant that we headed out for 5.5 miles before hitting our turnaround point.  From our starting point this would have taken us within mere feet of where the body was discovered and within feet of  the footbridge where that shoe was found.  THAT is disturbing.

And still they have no idea what happened to this poor girl.  The police indicate that they do not believe that this was a "random act of violence", it was an isolated incident.  Joggers and the such should not be afraid there is a serial killer on the loose.  But really, how do they know??  They have no idea what happened to this girl, no idea who killed her or why.  I was listening to the news on my way home from work yesterday and they report that "the trail is safe".  However, without even taking a breath they also say that you should take precautions, don't go down there at night .. run with a partner .. etc.  So which is it?  If it's safe then why should you have to run with someone?  Shouldn't you just be safe?  The police also indicated that they "routinely patrol the trail".  Umm .. I've been running down there multiple times a week for at least 5 months now.  I have NEVER NOT ONE SINGLE TIME seen any police down there patrolling the trail.  Salt Lake County indicated that they work hard to clear out dead brush to keep it safe, I will agree with this.  Just a few weeks ago they were out there clearing away a lot of debris for several days. 

It's so frustrating.  Am I safe?  I feel like I take the best precautions that I can.  I run with pepper spray and now a knife as well.  I keep my music super low and periodically check over my shoulder to see who might be gaining on me behind me.  I don't "zone out" .. I work hard to remain alert to my surroundings.  I wish it were an option to run with a partner every time I head out.  But lets face it, I'm out there four days a week.  I don't run my long runs alone ever.  I used to have a running buddy at work, but his wife became uncomfortable with his running with me so frequently.  There aren't any other girls I work with that run, at least not during lunch hours.  So my options are limited.  Kind of sucks.

So it goes I guess.  I will continue to run.  Probably still on the Parkway.  But those creepers make me really mad.  I hate that as a woman we have to worry about our safety.

Truth #1:  Female Runners have to constantly worry about their safety when out running alone.  Men don't have to worry about that stupid shit.

Truth #2:  Male Runners look a little weird in running tights.  At least us ladies have lots of super cute clothes to choose from.  For example running tights can make your butt look fabulous and running skirts are just super cute period.

Today I am grateful for my running buddy.

Nothing like a sweaty post-9 mile picture.

Swimming and Birthday's

Last weekend was a very busy and interesting weekend.  Let's just say we interacted with the police twice on Sunday.  We'll get to all that later thought.  We began the weekend by starting up swimming lessons again.  This time I signed up Wyland as well.  He was excited to join the big kids in the fun.  That was until he found out how cold it was, then he wasn't so sure anymore.  But he did stay in the whole time and once I got him all dressed again he was a happy camper.

That little boy in the middle there decided to take himself for his own swim while the teacher was taking one of the other kids out for some practice.  While the lifeguard slowly got out of his chair the boys mother (pictured above in soaking wet clothes) jumped in after him.  Boy was she embarrassed afterwards.  This week when they walked in I told her, "Now no jumping in the water today."  Not sure if she thought I was funny .. lol.  But I'd been there with Jackson.  I knew what that moment felt like.  I didn't have to jump in fully clothed but I definitely got soaked from him when I hauled him out of the water.  Having kids near water is scary the majority of the time.  This week I had to take all the kids by myself.  I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't a little nervous.  It's really hard juggling that many by myself.  The challenge is that we are there for an hour and a half because there's 30 minutes in between the end of the boys lesson and the beginning of Baylee's.  This week I changed the boys into dry clothes and then we walked up the parking lot to pick up a cup of coffee and a couple cookies.  So we survived and I was very happy!

Then Saturday was Jeramie's sister, Gelasia's birthday.  So Wyland helped me make a casserole to take with us to the party that night.  He was actually really good at tearing up those tortillas.  He was also very proud that he helped make dinner.

The birthday girl and her brother.  We found out a couple weeks ago that Gelasia is pregnant with her first baby.  We're all very excited for her.  She's going to make a wonderful mama!  Secretly I think we're all hoping for a girl .. however her husband who already has two girls is definitely hoping for a boy I'm sure.  It's kind of fun because it means that her baby will come to our house during the week to be watched by Robie.  Which means I will get some newborn cuddle time most days when I come home from work.  Yay for newborns!  But I guess Oliver better prepare himself .. he's not gonna be the baby anymore.

Then as we were getting ready to have cake Grandma Robie let little Oliver stick his fingers in the cake.

He was really liking that frosting!

The next morning (last Sunday) I was set to head out for a quick 3 miles with my friend Rebecca.  It was a taper week and so we didn't have much to do.  We started this new tradition where we run out 1 mile further so that we can stop off at the new Beans & Brews on the way back.  We grab a cup of coffee and then walk the last mile back to the car.  It works out perfectly.  Well as we were on our return walk to the car all of a sudden there was this other female coming towards us in running gear and behind her about 20 feet was this guy running in jeans and a black work jacket.  Ever since that lady in Montana was kidnapped and killed a few months ago we're definitely on high alert.  And you can usually tell who seems like a bit of a creeper and who doesn't.  Well instantly Rebecca asks me whether I think the guy behind the girl looks normal.  I replied definitely no and she took my coffee as I grabbed my pepper spray out of my SpiBelt.  The girl ran straight up to us and said, "does it look like that guy is chasing me?"  Long story short she was completely freaked out and the guy was definitely a creeper.  She said to us she was going to pretend she was meeting up with us and we knew each other.  So we began chatting and the guy stopped and asked if we had seen another guy with a dog.  We said no and just started walking away.  She told us there was another guy up further ahead that was with him and equally creepy.  We talked about giving her a ride to her car or how she could go up a block and run down a road that runs parallel to the parkway.  In the end we stopped a guy that was just heading out for a run (a normal looking guy) and asked if she could run with him for awhile.  He was totally cool about it and off they went.  We then were back at our car.  We warned another lady that was just headed out on her own. She was appreciative and got back in her car to go run by her house, however she did ask if we called the cops.  Duh!  Guess that's probably a good idea and so we did.  Good 'ole Siri helped hook us up with Sandy City PD.  They had us move to the top of the parking lot and then keep an eye on the guys.  There were now three of them and a dog.  Fortunately the South Jordan PD got there before they left and stopped them for a little chat.  The police called me once I got home to get my story again while they were down there with the guys. 

So the story they gave the police was that the guy with the dog (whom I remembered later in hindsight) had taken his dog there to swim in the canal.  The three guys all worked together and the guy running had decided that they needed to leave real quick and had gone off running to find the guy with the dog.  The other guy sitting on the bench was supposedly injured with a groin pull and so he was just sitting there waiting.  The cop asked me whether I thought it was a believable story.  I told him no.  They were definitely NOT in a hurry to leave as we sat at the top describing them and their vehicle.  Plenty of time for the South Jordan PD to get there.  But I also understand that they didn't actually catch them doing anything illegal and therefore couldn't actually do anything.  It was scary and made us really grateful that we run together on the weekends.  I'm so tired of feeling like we can't just go for a run without worrying about our safety.  It's frustrating. 

As if that all wasn't enough I was driving home from work and I saw the guy with the dog in the truck we had seen only a few days before.  Turns out he lives right by me!!!!!!!  I'm sure it's just a coincidence but it's still a little unnerving.  I definitely came home feeling very grateful for my running buddy and my pepper spray.  I have added to my "defense" tools that I run with.  Just more weight for me to carry with me.  And this week we ran a different route.  It's too bad.  But I'm very grateful that we've never actually run into any real problems.  We continue to try and run very aware and smart.

Then that night as we were headed up to my parents the alarm at our house went off so we had the West Jordan PD out clearing the house.  Turns out it was just the dogs. 

Yes, we interacted with 3 different police departments all in the same day!!

All's well that ends well right?

Three Things Thursday

1.  Oliver has some seriously cute hair.  All of my kids have been blessed with great hair.  He's never been to have a "real" haircut yet, however he's gotten some trims at home time to time.

2.  I love seeing how Oliver likes to play and keep up with the bigger boys now.  He thinks he's so cool.

3.  Oliver also thought he was pretty cool up there on the mantel.  And that would be the second lamp my boys have broken up there next to him.  We don't normally keep it up there, it was up there to avoid further destruction.