New Year's Resolutions

Accountability.  Yep, it is all about accountability. After a month of horrendous, pig-like eating and absolutely no exercise, it has come to this.  After Christmas I was in the shower and thinking about it, how I felt my life was spinning out of control and how I had to get a grip on what was going on in my life.  I have come up with a plan.  And I am inviting all of you to come along with me.  I am going to use my blog to give myself accountability.

Here it is...this is what I look like today.  

Look at me, I am so sad!!



When I was taking these pictures Zach informed me that I was immodest. Yes, I know son, but I don't want to hide behind my clothes.

I just measured myself. Whoa, what an eye-opener! 

Waist - 35"

Chest -39"

Thigh - 25"

Arm - 12.75"

I don't know what I weigh, but I would guess around 163 or so.  I will update that information when I get it.

Clearly, you can all see that I have some work to do.  But never fear, I have a plan.  On March 12, I will be running the Six Tunnels Half Marathon in Boulder City.  I have exactly 10 weeks to train for this race.  My husband bought me a Garmin for Christmans and I have a new resolve.

I purchased a small planner that I will be using to write down everything that I eat. I am going to drink water and cut out all soda and juice. I am going to read more books and stay active around the house. I am going to keep myself busy with house projects and educating my children.  I am going to eliminate the eating-out syndrome and utilize my awesome cooking skills.

Yesterday I threw away all errant candy and Christmas treats. They are gone. But I did buy a large stash of sugar-free gum for those times when I just need something. Gum seems to work well for me.

Yep, I am living the cliche, but I am going to do it with flair.

Snow Canyon Half Marathon

Several months ago I came to a stark realization. I was never going to lose that baby weight or find time to exercise unless I had something to train for in the future. It just was not going to happen.  So, with flippant comment to Carolyn at a Relief Society Meeting, we both decided to run a half marathon.  On Saturday, we accomplished our goal and completed a half marathon.

Rinar also decided to join in the fun because he has gone all "Olivia Newton John" on me these days.  He is so into running and biking and swimming.  It is like he is possessed.  It is cool and I am glad we have something we can do together.

It was a beautiful day Saturday morning, perfect conditions for running.  I wasn't nervous at all.  I was ready to get it done.   The three of us decided to hit the potty one more time at the start of the race and every other racer must have thought the same thing. The line was ridiculous!  We all finally made it out and as I turned to start for the line, they started the race.  It was a good thing we had a timing chip so the race didn't really start until we crossed the starting line.  

I felt incredible the first 6 miles. It was so easy.  I had been diligent in getting all of my training runs done, so I knew that I was prepared.  But you never know how your body will react.  Unfortunately, I got a cramp in the 8th mile and I had to walk for a minute to get it out. Then I made sure to walk again at the 9-mile water stop.  I drank a full glass of water and some gatorade and then got going again. I really wanted to stop at mile 12 for some more water, but I decided it wasn't worth it. Either way I was going to hurt and I just wanted to get done!  The race finished on the track at Snow Canyon High School. I didn't know if we would have to run around the track, but I mentally prepared myself for any possibility.  Sure enough. We had to do a lap around the track. Whatever.  It was over soon enough.

And I ended up with a great time:  1 hour, 53 minutes and 2 seconds.  That equals out to 8:38 mile splits.  I am not going to complain about that because I never trained strenuously. It was a nice surprise.  Rinar got in at 1 hour 45 minutes and Carolyn finished in 2 hours and 6 minutes.  We all did great.

Sunday was not so good.  So. Sore. I. Couldn't. Walk.

We both looked like penguins waddling around.  But I am ready to do another soon. Watch out. Maybe I can do it faster. We shall see.

Do Run Run

I decided that the only way I am going to lose the last 10-15 pounds from two consecutive pregnancies is to train for something. Therefore, on November 6th I will be cruisin' down the beautiful, scenic Snow Canyon State Park, on gravel trails in the park, over to the Entrada lava fields and finishing up at Snow Canyon high school.  Yep, that is 13.1 miles. It is definitely more appealing than doing 26.2.  I am going to really have to work up the courage to try a full marathon again.

I was sort of inspired by Rinar's triathlon on Saturday.  I still have no desire to do a triathlon. I think those people are c-razy. First of all, getting in icy cold water early in the morning is not my idea of fun. Plus, I am a slow swimmer. I can swim long distances. I know I can, but picture a sea turtle and then it gives you a picture of my swimming abililties.  Maybe I could get faster. I don't know.

Then you flop out of the water like a soggy doggy and race frantically to a bicycle that costs way too much money.  I know I would love the zooming along aspect of the bicycle portion, but I am sure I would crash. Road burns wouldn't go well with my racing ensemble.

The worst part for me would be going from 25 mph to 7 mph.  It is a buzzkill to start running after you have been biking. I could imagine it is like running with a spare tire around your waist.  Ugh.

But maybe I am wrong.  I have much respect for my triathlon husband and brother-in-law.  They are doing great things. I just don't think I am up for that.  Plus, when would I ever find the time to do that much training? The great thing about the training program I am using for the half-marathon is that I only have to run 4 days a week.  I just want to finish with a decent time. I think if I stick to my schedule I will be able to do it.

Plus, I just got a new pair of Asics yesterday and they are pink with a paisley print on the inside. It is perfect. 

Girl power!

Rinar's Half Marathon

Rinar ran the Painter's Half Marathon in St. George last Saturday, the 17th. He did a great job and was able to break the 2 hour mark, with a time of 1:57:02. This is him before the race with Eli. It was really cold. I was going to stay and watch him start, but Eli had other ideas.

I came back a little later and saw him pass the 3-mile mark.

Here he is at mile 12. He was not as happy at this point in the race. I ran the next 3/4 mile with him and helped him along. I think he was very happy to be done.

His Mom and brother Lyf came to cheer him on. Lyf brought his entire family. It was a lot of fun to have them all there.