Running Update

I didn't run on Wednesday but it was supposed to just be an easy 2 mile run anyway. I was sick and wanted to rest instead. Today I ran my 5 miler. It felt good to run the old route again. I really was excited to run it since the last time I ran it was when I hurt my foot and then got my new shoes. I loved it, especially at the beginning of my 4th mile, some one had their sprinklers on and I ran through them. Ahhhh it felt so good. I think that when I run everyone should have their sprinklers on. It gave me a boost of energy and sent me into my second wind. Then towards the end of the 4th mile I ran through another one. It was awesome! I tried to hit one more in my 5th mile but I missed the timing. I ran an average pace of 13.46/mile. That is awesome!! My next race is schedule for Sept 27th!

Two Times Tuesday

Two fabulous things happened just within a half hour of each other and I had to share. Julia, Connor and I went walking a mile tonight (since we are preparing for our Stake Run/Walk on Sept. 6th) and Julia ran the whole first half of the mile. She was going to run the whole thing but a wiener dog scared her and she lost her momentum. But I was so proud of her for doing it. She stretched with me and after and ran like a champ. Way to go Julia.

Then I put them in the tub after we ran. It was a good way for them to cool off and also to get clean. I always have Connor sit on the little potty (just to get the habit down) and tell him to go potty. He usually sits there for a minute and then says it is coming (but nothing ever does) and then he says he is done. Well today I was distracted and he and Julia sat on the pot together. I came back in from putting his dirty clothes in his hamper and there was a stream coming out. I was awe struck. It was so cool. He didn't even say anything but just looked down and said nothing. I was elated and trying not to scare the poor kid so I gave him high five and told him he was so very good. I hope this is a sign of things to come but I won't push it. I promise, I won't. (crossing fingers)!!

I have two great, awesome, fabulous and amazing kids!!

Running Update

Ran my 3 mile run tonight and found out after logging it into my daily plate that it wasn't 3 miles. Grrrrrr. So that stinks but oh well. At least I ran. Besides the hill at the end of Burch Creek should count as 2 miles any way. It is a killer every time I run it. It never gets easier.

On the brighter side:
Steve called today and told me that he is going to be home tomorrow. I am so excited!!!! My honey will be home very soon. :) Oh and the kids are happy to.

Julia's First Day of 2nd Grade

She was ready to go from the time she got her backpack on her 7th Birthday (here she is at the Layton Duck pond with her brand new Bratz Backpack) but she had to wait until Today.
Here she is waiting in line to head into class with her teacher in front of her. This woman has spunk. She got Julia so excited on Back to School night that Julia almost cried when we had to leave. Miss James has so much enthusiasm that it makes all the kids really excited to be there. Connor and I dropped Julia off this morning, on her first day, since Steve is still in Texas. I didn't even get teary eyed because she is going to have so much fun. Connor cried but I am pretty certain it was because he didn't get to play at the playground. :)~

Dare to Push Yourself

So I was talking to Matt (Windy's Husband) about my running and he was telling me how good he was back in the day and I was really impressed. He used to run really fast so I got this great idea that I would challenge him to a race. Just a quick one, a sprint. So today since I was going over there for dinner I thought that I would bring my shoes and Matt and I would race. It has been awhile since he ran so I thought I had the upper hand. WRONG!! He kicked my butt! But you know what I am soooo determined to kick his next time. Nice job Matt!

To brag about it is only fair so I thought I would save him the trouble. Also I have to say he cooks a tasty steak. We had Ribeyes for dinner and they were most excellent. I tried cooking steaks when I stayed at Windy's last week and made them so well done, Windy won't even eat the one I cooked for her. :`(

Still miss Steve but talked to him a lot today over the phone he is having a good time with my Dad and classes are going to be pretty standard thus far. Hang in there honey we love you!!

Running around, Lagoon and sore feet

The day started off nice. I had a lot planned with next week being the first week of school for Julia and myself. I was able to get a jump on Julia's school shoping on Friday so that we nice to have that out of the way. But mine I waited until the very last minute. Of course Beat the Bookstore was sold out or didn't have any of my text books so I had to pay full price for new books at Webers book store. Oh well at least they had them. Got that all done and with shoping out of the way I moved on to my next Saturday Activity.

I decided I wanted to run because I knew I was going to take the kids to Lagoon today (I know call me crazy) and we were going to stay late. So I called our very good friends the Combe's and they were available to babysit. I ran my 4 miles which is right on with the plan and ran it in good time (13.3 min/mile). I ran at the Weber track which is nice and air conditioned. :)

Then it was time for Lagoon. It was hot so the first ride we chose to ride with the Rattlesnake Rapids. Everyone got soaked which was really nice because it was really hot. Connor didn't like the ride until the very end when we got off, then he loved it but he didn't want to get his picture taken so he is mad. I spiked his wet hair just for shear spite. :) I know I am evil but he is so cute when he is mad. He did ride the Terrorride with Aunt Emily and loved it, so maybe I just need to take him on the scarier rides and then he will have more fun at Lagoon. We spent several more hours there but only after Matt and Roy got the privelage of taking Connor and Christopher home so they could relax. It was a big sacrifice for them but I think Emily and Windy wanted them gone any way.

All in all it was a great way to spend the last Saturday before school starts. Our family will have one last horay in October when we go to Disneyworld. Of course there will be more Lagoon trips just not as long and definently as late.

My feet are sore from all the running and walking.

MIA = Update

Apparently, I have not been updating my blog enough. Because my sister said so. What I didn't remind her was that I have been busy and so has she. Monday started with starvation because I was getting my Colonoscopy on Tuesday afternoon so I didn't even get to run because I was miserable. Turns out that my Colon check was clean so it looks like I am just allergic to everything any normal human being eats. Bummer! Really though I can't look a gift horse in the mouth. This is what I have been praying for and at least I don't have cancer. Which is the worst that could have happened so Thank you Heavenly Father for Blessing me with Allergies instead of testing me with Cancer. I am really grateful. I know that you think I am being sarcastic but really I have had too many friends get it and it touches too close to home when I think about it. It is scary, I know it is survivable but it still scary. I have been doing better about finding what I can and can't eat. I actually have a set daily menu that keeps me happy. Although I have gotten sick of salads but at least I can eat them.

Steve has started his second Masters (in Library Science this time) and had to go to Texas for the week to attend a seminar over the weekend. We are very fortunate that it is close to my Dad so we got the flights free (from a very good friend that works at Southwest), the lodging for free and my Dad offered to chauffeur him around as long as we paid him gas. AWESOME!!! So we miss our Husband, Father and Mr. Mom but I will cope. x-)

I did run tonight which is good since my next run is at the end of September, its the 7 miler. I love it. Hopefully Windy and my Mom will join me soon so we can start a family running club. With Jeremy in the family it would be cool to do a long distance running club. Like we all set one day a month where we start at the same time and run. That would be cool.

Any way, there you go Windy, I have updated my blog and now everyone knows all my intimate details and what the heck I have been doing the past week. Oh and we are staying at Windy's house and that is why I haven't really blogged I haven't really been at my computer.

Love you all!
~Mindy

5K Dash for Donation Run

I did it!!! My first 5K. I ran my best time yet and now have it recorded. Woot. Yeah for me!!!!!! This picture is of me and Julia before the race began.

This is me right before I crossed the finish line. Yes if you look close I am crying, I know I am a big boob!! But I DID IT!!!!!

Official time 38.19 min (12.31 min/mi) 38th place overall and 5th in Women 31-36. Results: http://www.runnercard.com/runner/data/1825/1524/result/Womens_5K.htm

Running Update

Yesterday was really hard for me. I got on the scale in the morning and had gained a pound over night. I was depressed. I had been loosing about a pound a day up to that point and it was most vexing. My new dietary restrictions (Allergies) have been really boosting my weight loss so this was shocking. All day I was thinking about my run and how, according to the plan I was only supposed to run 2 miles and I just new that it wasn't going to be enough. I kept telling Sam that I wanted to do something more but she kept telling me to stick with the plan. So I did. For some reason the run that night was tough. Even though it was only 2 miles it was hard for me to force my legs to move forward it felt like they were stone blocks. It took longer than normal for them to warm up even after stretching. Any way I made the run and finished in 26 minutes (Still a 13 min. mile) and felt good. I drank my water (55 ounces, I was thirsty) and watched some TV. I decided to jump on the scale to check my weight OH MY GOSH I gained 5 pounds!!! What!!!! I felt sick. I had to have read it wrong. Nope I really did gain 5 pounds. I wanted to cry. I took a shower and then sulked to bed. But as you probably have guessed it had to have been the 55 ounces of water because I woke up this morning and jumped on the scale ready to be depressed but nope it was down and I had lost the pound I gained yesterday even. :) What drama! Sheesh. Why do I do this to myself.

This past weekend was Julia's Birthday (she is 7) and what a crazy weekend it was. First there were only two things planned. She has her usual sleepover with a few of her girlfriends and then we have the family party. It started out normal...

Here the Diva's are getting ready for a fabulous night of movies and talking until 11 pm. Left to right: Darci (friend from the ward), Julia (The Queen), Sophia (Cousin 1), Isabel (Cousin 2), and Michelle (Cousin 3).

Cupcakes were provided by a good friend of mine at work who bakes cupcakes for all occasions. Her website is cupcakeshop.blogspot.com and they were so good (well so I was told by everyone who ate them, because I can't eat them).

Then this is where it went all sorts of spontaneous...

We made a trip to the Living Planet Aquarium, we didn't realize it was going to be so much fun with Windy and Matt's Family, Craig and Karalene and her brother, Mike and Cindi and Granddaddy. It was lots of fun and well worth the trip.

Julia got to touch a Manta ray (I have no idea how to spell that). It took her a few tries but she did touch it and thought it was really cool.

Then she and Connor got cool presents. She got a backpack Dolphin stuffed animal and Connor got a Nemo (clown fish).

More spontaneity...

Chucky Cheeze's cause it is right down the road.

Here Julia and Granddaddy are patiently waiting for their Pizza. There was entertainment but I won't bore you with the goofy shots.

And here she is driving her on bus with a dog and Granddaddy. Chucky Cheeze's was fun but way too hot. They need to ventilate that place better.

And the last thing was the family party which I think topped off the weekend perfectly. All our family showed up that could and a few really good friends. Julia felt like she was the center of the universe and really that is all that is important.

Blowing out the candles.

Me and my Princess!

Happy Birthday Julia!!

Running Update...two things I didn't think I would have to think about while running...

So tonight was an eventful run. I was doing a 3.5 on my training plan but my route was going to take me 3.7. It was really windy so for the first part of my run I was running against the wind. It sucked a little because my throat got really dry and on the flat parts I felt like I was going so slow. But then when I started getting hot it was nice to have the cool breeze blowing. I was focused on my foot falls again this time and I made sure that I went heel to toe all the time. I felt really great the whole run keeping that pace. Towards the end two interesting things happened. I was watching the clouds roll through the sky and noticed some lightening off in the distance. I picked up my pace a little (a very little) then as I was trying to concentrate I noticed to my right a house with its garage door open and a big German Shepherd type looking dog sitting very still in it. Well my parents own two German Shepherds and they have taught the kids that when a dog starts barking and playing rough the best thing to do it stop and tell them no. By no means run because they think you are playing. So here I am running and passing a German shepherd. My brain was going about a million miles a second and I didn't know if I should stop or just sprint. So I told my self, "Don't make eye contact, don't make eye contact. Just keep running nice and steady." (Lightening cracked in the distance). FREAK!! OK I freaked in my head but not out loud. The dog didn't chase and I made it in before the lightening got too close but man for a few blocks there I was frantically wishing my legs hadn't just run 3.5 miles so that I could sprint home. I ran slower (14.59 min. miles) but it felt nice to be running longer than 40 minutes so I won't complain. Besides those hills are killer. I really need to run without hills. I bet I would kick butt!

Breaking Dawn

YEAH!!!!! I finally finished it last night. Woot! Spoil away this was the best book series I have read in awhile and I am glad Sam convinced me to read it. It ended exactly the way I wanted it to. It had so many twists and turns that it always kept me interested. Love it!!! Read it!!! Believe it!!!

For all us WoW geeks out there...

And for all you not so WoW geeks (it's World of Warcraft). I saw this on a truck at my work the other day and had to giggle. ...and I won't let my husband by T-shirts for this reason. Honey I am sorry I still won't let you but I didn't freak out when you bought the hat. That is my limit though if you ever do anything like this I will have to do something drastic.

Again for all you not so WoW geeks here is what a Swift White Mechanostrider looks like in the game.

Running Update

On Hal's training plan today was my 2 mile day. I was a little worried that it might not be enough so I read up on Hal's website and one thing he suggested was that if you find you are running easy then try to focus on your stride. Making sure that you hit the ground on your heel and then push forward with your toes. So as I paid more attention to my feet I noticed that when I start concentrating on going up the hills or I am distracted I will pound the pavement with my whole foot. So I worked really hard to not do that this time and surprisingly it felt like more of a workout. I was worried that maybe I was running slower because I was so focused on my stride but when I finished my 2.07 miles I was at 26 minutes. WOOT!!! Still a 13 minute mile. Oh my gosh I can't believe last month I was happy with a 15 minute mile and now I am at 13. Yeah for me!!!

Breaking Dawn and Blogging

So help me if anyone blogs about Breaking Dawn and puts a spoiler in it without warning, I will shoot them. I want to read your blogs but please warn me before you put the details in it. I will finish it this week and then you can spoil to your hearts content but warn me first.

Thank you and love you all!!

Running Update

I ran last night, just 2.54 miles but I ran at 5:30 pm. OH MY GOSH IT WAS SO HOT!!!! I can't believe how hot it was. I brought my water so I never passed out but man at one point I was praying for more shade. I wanted to try and run during the sun light hours because I want to make sure my body can take it so I need to do it a couple more times but I think I am going to wait until next week. Sheesh. I am still on track with my 10K training plan so I am very happy with my self. My 5K is on August 16th in Ogden. I am so excited I can't wait. See you out there!

Julia's Day

Julia is going to be contributing to my blog every once in a while since she see me do it all the time. So this is her first entry as a blogger.

Mommy and I went running errands. We had fun. First we went to the hospital to get mommy's prescription. Then we went to the gas station. It was great to do the gas on the car because I got to do it. Then we went shopping we had to go twice because mommy forgot to buy hot dogs. I like going places with my mom or other family members.

Running Update

I ran tonight, 3 miles, nothing new except I tried to keep a faster pace. I still finished in 40 minutes which is a 13.33 minute mile so I am happy with myself. Still feeling great in my new shoes and loving the cooler nights that are coming a little bit ealier.

Week in Pictures

At the beginning of the week Windy, Matt, Their kids and My Mom and Dad were up at Pineview for the week. We went up when we could and had a good time playing in the water, roasting marshmallows and eating smores.
Julia on the boat. Styling in her goggles and life jacket!
Connor trying to be a brave little boy.
Julia, Jeffrey and Matthew living it up on Big Bertha.
Connor at home on the beach where it is nice and safe.

Then there was Lagoon on Friday.

Connor on Odyssey (first time) not really having a good time.
Julia and Cousin Christopher behind us having a great time.
Connor not liking the space ships. It was a cute moment when after the ride started Christopher started patting Connors head to try and tell him everything was going to be alright.
The last ride Connor rode that he didn't like. He loved the bumper cars and the motor cars. He was awed by the Terror Ride but cried after the loud honk at the end.

Steve had his foot nitroed (to remove what we think was a wart) so he was unable to join us for this trip to Lagoon.

After the park closed we were waiting in line to get out (in our car) and there was some drama. A guy hit me in the parking lot and then drove off. I filed my first hit and run report and learned two important lessons. 1) When you get hit make sure along with the license plate number, make sure you get a good description of the person driving and the make and model of the car. Otherwise, like the police officer told me it is a very long shot as to if anything will happen. 2) Make sure you don't leave Lagoon at closing time. It sucks.

It wasn't a total loss though. My car looks OK (we will still get it looked at) and it was a great time to teach Julia about taking responsibility for things and not ditching like that bad guy did.

It has been a great week!