A dose of humility does a runner good!

Before I started training for my upcoming (in exactly one month...yikes!) marathon, I was feeling pretty on top of the world. I was sure I was invincible, and started my training with a bang. Experienced runners swear by the 10% rule (don't increase your distance or time more than 10% from one week to the next), but I was loading the miles on from day 1. I'm a fit person, I figured my body could take the extra mileage. And I have to say I did pretty great at first. And then I started hurting.

With running in the past, I've always been able to "run through" any pains I've had, and they've been short-lived. This time, however, the pain in my hip literally stopped me in my tracks. I was in denial, and tried to keep running, but it just got worse. It's AWFUL to feel like all the work you've done is for nothing. I found a Physical Therapist, and went for my first visit hoping she'd tell me I'd be up and running in a week. A week is not a major setback...it's a mini-vacation...long enough for the body to recover, short enough not to undo any hard work. To my dismay, she told me she hoped I'd be up and running in time for the marathon...best case.

I started telling myself that maybe I wouldn't run it after all. I avoided talking about running, blogging about running (did you notice I've been MIA?), and especially avoided talking to my running buddies (because I was mad that they were still running and I wasn't). I was mad at myself for putting such high expectations on myself. If I didn't care about my finishing time, I wouldn't have pushed myself so hard to begin with.

The last time I remember being so humbled was when I received my mission call for the LDS church. After studying Spanish for 7 years, and telling everyone how glad I was that I would never be one of those missionaries who didn't know the language (because OBVIOUSLY I would go Spanish-speaking), I was called to Finland. Yep, the country with THE hardest language. Learning Finnish was the most humbling experience of my life. But I did it. And after I did it, I realized how studying Spanish had actually prepared me to learn Finnish.

After nearly a month of NO running whatsoever, I was finally given the green light to start back up. And I'm hoping that my years of fitness preparation will come in handy as I gear up for race day. I've still been speaking the Zumba language, the Cycle language, the Elliptical-backwards language, and the strength training language, so hopefully my cross-training has prepared me to re-learn the running language (so to speak), because I've become one of THOSE runners. The kind who thought she knew everything about running, until her body told her otherwise.

My first "language" test was on Saturday. And in true Robyn-fashion, I didn't start back up with a 5-miler. Oh no. I ran 17. My leg actually felt great. I ran to my son's t-ball game (8.5 miles from home), met my husband, still felt good, and decided I could run home too. At mile 11, I tripped and fell again. I'm not sure what I was looking at, but I didn't see the dip in the road. I expected to land on ground, and felt like Wile-E-Coyote running off a cliff. The ground was gone. I rolled a few times, stood up, checked out my new marks, and started walking to the gas station across the street. A car pulled over, the driver asked if I was okay, and I started bawling, but said yes.

I got to the gas station, and called my husband to come get me. He loaded the kids in the car and started driving, then asked if I was really mentally ready to be done. I wasn't. I really wanted to finish my run. I went in the bathroom, washed my bloody hands, filled up my water bottles, and went back outside to finish my darn 17-mile run.

This marathon training has taken this overly-confident girl for a long ride on the humility train. Somehow I'm going to cross that finish line next month. I might be crawling, but I'm going to finish.

In life, when we set out to do something, things hardly ever go as planned. We stumble, we fall, we get injured. That's all part of this life experience. But when we've recovered, we have two options. We can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep going. Or we can quit. This goes for WHATEVER we're trying to accomplish. Weight loss. Jobs. Marriages. Relationships. Raising children. LIFE IS HARD. But we can do hard things. YOU can do hard things. When you're down, just get back up, and keep chugging along. Anything worth doing is worth fighting for!

Happy running!

Strained Hip Flexor/Iliopsoas...Marathon Training Week 9

It seems sort of silly that I'm still posting my training schedule, considering I'm actually taking a break from running this week. I know...I've said I'm taking a break before, but this time I mean it. I'm pretty sure I was more prepared to run my marathon BEFORE I started training. About three weeks ago, I was doing some interval training, and by the time I was done, I could barely walk. Apparently, a hip flexor strain is a common running injury. For me, it's a first. I don't like it. I've been trying to work through it, but I think it's making it worse. I'm frustrated with my body, but oh well. It is what it is. I guess it's an excuse to enjoy some of my other neglected favorite forms of exercise! I'm cross training, and calling a physical therapist tomorrow. But if you're here looking for a running schedule, here ya go! Wish I was doing it, too!

WEEK 9

MONDAY: Interval- 8 to 10 miles, 3 x (800-600-400-200m), at 5K-10K pace, 1 minute recovery, 3-5 minutes between sets

TUESDAY: Distance- 4 to 6 miles

WEDNESDAY: Tempo- 8 to 10 miles, 2 x 15 minutes at marathon tempo, 5 minutes recovery

THURSDAY: Distance- 4 to 6 miles

FRIDAY: Distance- 3 to 7 miles

SATURDAY: RACE! 10-13 miles

Any advice for an injured runner? Let me know...and have a great week! I'm exhausted...but I'll be back soon with more exciting things to say!

Marathon Training Week 8

WHOA...slow down! We're already half-way through the 16-weeks of training? Yikes! My marathon is 2 months from tomorrow! I'm actually excited for it to hurry up and get here so I can get back to a more normal fitness routine! The past few weeks have been a bit stressful. My body's hurting, and my hip flexor screams at me to STOP RUNNING! My husband took a few days off last week, and I thought I'd better take advantage and go on a long run while he was home with the kiddos.

Friday morning, I still got up bright and early to start my 15-mile run. I started out slowly, and felt like I was running through mud. I left my house, and as usual, just started running. I wasn't sure what course I was going to take. The Garmin Forerunner is the BEST purchase for runners like me...I don't have to chart out my run, I just look at how far I've gone and plan accordingly for when it's time to head home. I'm a little obsessed, however, and hardly keep my eyes on the road because I'm so fascinated by the things I can look at on my watch! I can see exactly what my pace is at any given moment, how far I've gone, how long I've gone, what my heart rate is, etc.

I'd like to think the Garmin was the cause of my fall early Friday morning, but I actually wasn't looking at the watch. I was hobbling along (in the dark, mind you), and the next thing I knew, I was catching myself on the pavement. My first thought? PLEASE don't let there be a hole in my brand spankin' new running capris! Then I felt the pain. Two bloody palms, one bloody knee, and one bloody elbow. And I hadn't even gone TWO miles. I slowly got up, and the ugly cry face appeared. I didn't know what to do, so I started running again. I couldn't see my injuries in the dark, so I just kept going. I cried for a good mile or so. And these weren't silent tears--I felt like one of my kids--I was howling. I thought about calling my husband to come pick me up, but did NOT want to wake up the kids. I'd rather suffer through a long run than face the rest of the day with 3 kids who'd been woken up at 5:30 in the morning. I considered just turning around and going home. But then I decided that I was going to do what I set out to do, darnit! In a strange way, my crappy run actually turned into a sort of spiritual experience for me. I may have to crawl to the finish line in May, but however the race turns out, I'll know that I worked hard to make it there. GALLONS of sweat, blood, and tears. Some of you think I'm crazy. Who would run 26.2 miles in one day on purpose? And who would spend every single day for 16-weeks getting ready to run it? And who would keep running after falling flat on the pavement? I'm here to tell you that if you could experience crossing the finish line (after all that) just one time, you'd be hooked. The moment you cross the finish line makes all the blood, sweat, and tears worth it. And that's why I keep running.

After a 15-miler in the morning, my sister and I threw a Black Light Zumba party that night. 90 minutes of Club Zumba! That's 4 hours of working out in one day...my kind of day! I haven't stopped eating since!

Have a great week!

WEEK 8

MONDAY: Interval- 7 to 10 miles, 3 x (1,600m) at 10K pace, 3 min recovery

TUESDAY: Distance- 5 to 7 miles

WEDNESDAY: MLR- 11 to 12 miles

THURSDAY: Rest DAY! 0 to 3 miles

FRIDAY: Distance- 6 to 7 miles

SATURDAY: Long Distance- 18 to 20 miles, easy, steady paced

If anyone's interested in attending our next Black Light Zumba party, there's one happening THIS FRIDAY night (March 25, 2011) at 6:30 pm at the DayBreak Community Center. It's $5 for residents and $6 for non-residents. I'd LOVE to meet some of my FitMePeeps! Let me know if you want to come! Otherwise, happy running!

Marathon Training Weeks 6 and 7...and the graphic details of my visit to the dermatologist

So last week's training for me was pretty much non-existent. My legs have been hurting, I've been worried about possible injuries, so I ran a total of 7 miles...all last Monday. Ouch! I was so motivated 6 weeks ago...time to dig deep and find some more motivation! Usually a week of not doing a whole lot does the trick for me...not exercising and eating junk seem to go hand in hand...so this week I'm back on track! My fridge is chock full of yummy produce, my running shoes are rested, and I'm ready for some running fun!

But did I mention that I lost my iPod at the gym? In the past few months, my gym membership has proven to be a much more expensive investment than I bargained for. One day, I dropped my kids off in the Kids' Club. When we arrived, my son was wearing his awesomely-warm-and-slightly-too-big-so-it-would-still-fit-next-year-winter-coat. After we left, I looked at him several times wondering why it suddenly looked so small. I finally looked at the tag and saw that his size 5T coat from BabyGap was now a size 2T. Same coat. THREE sizes too small. I take full responsibility...I'm pretty sure I grabbed the smaller coat from the same place I'd originally hung the larger one, but did not pay attention to him squeezing his long arms through the short sleeves. The small coat is now sitting under a desk at the gym, silently waiting for it's original owner to reclaim it. The larger coat has yet to be found.

A month or so later, I met my trusty running-sister-in-law-buddy on a cold, blustery Saturday afternoon. Rather than run in the cold, we met to do our long run treadmill style. I was mid-cleanse. I'd taught Zumba in the morning. My body (and obviously brain) were tired. What started out as a proposed 15-miler ended up being a very long 10 miles. When I finally finished running the 10-miles (that felt like 20!), I hit the cool down button, took out my earphones, wound them around my iPod, and stuffed them into the drink holder. I stumbled to a stop, stretched for a bit, grabbed my water and towel from the drink holder, and wearily left. Hours

later, my husband needed my iPod. I told him exactly where it WASn't. In my pink gym bag. When he told me it wasn't there, my heart sank. You know the rest of the story (except the part about the "thugs" who apparently hit up my gym on Saturday nights to play ball...after scouring the place for lost iPods and such). No more iPod. No more coat. Maybe it's a sign that I need to start running outside! I am SO HAPPY that Spring is literally just around the corner...8 days and counting!

My brain has been in a serious fog. Did you all remember to set your clocks forward last night? We sure didn't! My husband remembered when he looked at the clock at what we thought was 6:30 am (while getting ready for an early church meeting that starts at 7:00 am) and gasped realizing that he was already 1/2 hour late. I normally get up extra early on Sunday mornings to get myself and the kids ready for 9 am church. It's the one day I actually try to look my best! Legs shaved, eyebrows plucked, earrings and lipstick, the whole deal. Amazingly we made it on time...maybe I'll sleep in more often! But not this week....

This week I'm RUNNING!!!!! If you're following along, I'm sooooo sorry I missed another week of posting my training schedule. I didn't run either if that counts for anything. I did visit the dermatologist, however, so he could check out all the weird skin stuff I have going on. I thought having a baby made you lose all dignity. I've changed my mind. Visiting a dermatologist takes any dignity that was left! He first inspected the nasty recurring rash around my eyes. A week ago I seriously looked like quasimodo:

Swollen, rashy, gorgeous red, puffy eyes. The same rash I had 4 weeks earlier! The doctor's diagnosis? SWEAT! Great...I'm probably going to keep sweating, so PLEASE tell me I'm not going to look like this every Monday for the rest of my life. Since I was there, I also had a complete mole check...and yes...they check EVERYWHERE. Awkward. He burned off a few red beauties. And if you've ever been my hairdresser? You've felt the huge lump on the back of my head. Apparently, it's called a cranial sebaceous cyst. It's now gone, and in the place where it dwelt for many years are now stitches. Here's a GRAPHIC video of a poor guy having the same lovely, fascinating procedure!

GROSS! And cool! Apparently these are genetic, and often recurring. Next time I'll take my OWN video camera! And just in case you've gotten the wrong idea that I have it all together? Well there you have it...I'm rashy, moley, cyst-y, forgetful, and happy to start a NEW week!

Here's what we missed last week:

WEEK 6

MONDAY: Interval- 7 to 10 miles, 3 x (800m-600m-600m) at 5K effort, 90 seconds recovery, 5 minutes between sets

TUESDAY:Distance- 5 to 8 miles

WEDNESDAY:MLR- 10 to 11 miles

THURSDAY:Distance- 4 to 6 miles

FRIDAY: Tempo- 6 to 10 miles, 30 to 40 minutes continuous run at marathon tempo

SATURDAY: Long Distance- 12 to 14 miles, shorter long run

and here's what we're shooting for this week....ish....

WEEK 7

MONDAY: Interval- 8 to 10 miles, 2x (4x800m) at 10K pace, 90 second recovery, 5 minutes recovery between sets

TUESDAY: Distance- 5 to 8 miles

WEDNESDAY: Tempo- 6 to 9 miles, 2 x 15 minutes at marathon tempo, 5 minutes recovery

THURSDAY: Distance- 5 to 8 miles

FRIDAY: Distance- 6 to 9 miles

SATURDAY: Long Distance- 16 to 18 miles, running miles 9 through 12 at marathon tempo

There you go! Happy running! Hooray for a new start this week with the hope of SPRING!

Marathon Training Weeks 4 and 5

Whoops...somehow a quick trip to California, and the Happiest Place on Earth (but not the warmest place on earth...at least not last week...hello rain and cold and Mickey ponchos for the whole family!) got me a bit behind in my posting. However, a few days off running (due to the quick vacation, a sore throat, pink eye, and some other weird eye rash) made me sort of re-evaluate my plan. Even after several consecutive days of not running, my legs were still sore. I'm afraid if I keep this crazy pace up, I'm going to end up with a stress fracture or other injury. So...I'm going to continue posting my schedule, but I'm probably not going to stick to it 100%! A few little tweaks will hopefully get me to the starting line healthy and happy.

After talking to lots of fellow runners, apparently I found the hardest training schedule out there! Probably not meant for me...probably meant for the 10-year Boston Marathoners...or even the one-time Boston runners. My first and only marathon was over six years ago BEFORE three babies each lived inside of my body for 10 months!

I'm not saying I'm going to give up completely, but each week I'm going to probably skip an easy run and substitute it with a spin class. Also, my Saturday long runs have been killing me (after teaching an hour of Zumba). I'm also just having a hard time giving up so much of my family day! So early-Friday-mornings will be my long-run day, and Saturdays will be a nice, easy run day (if I decide to run at all...let's be honest!)

For the integrity of the training schedule, however, I will continue to post it as is. Please tweak it to fit your own individual needs/level!

WEEK 4

Monday: Interval--7 to 9 miles, 5 x (1,000m) at 10K pace, 2 minutes recovery

Tuesday: Distance--4 to 7 miles

Wednesday: MLR--9 to 10 miles

Thursday: Distance--4 to 7 miles

Friday: Tempo--6 to 8 miles, (1 x 15 minutes, and 1 x 10 minutes @ marathon tempo, 5 minutes recovery)

Saturday: Long Distance--12 to 14 miles, easy, long run

WEEK 5

Monday: Interval--8 to 10 miles, 3 x (2,000m) at 10K pace, 3 minutes recovery

Tuesday: Distance--5 to 8 miles

Wednesday: Tempo--7 to 9 miles, 1 x 20 minutes at marathon tempo

Thursday: Distance--5 to 8 miles

Friday: Tempo--4 to 6 miles

Saturday: Long Distance--15 to 18 miles, running middle 3 at marathon tempo

Happy training! When I get a free-not-running-or-zumba-ing-or-mothering minute, I have lots to blog about! Especially a cleanse my husband and I are (sort of) doing, and my new blender love! And maybe about how the Master Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland is actually worth the cost of your ticket if you have any little boys in your life... See you soon!

Marathon Training Week 3...I run because I can

So far, I've done a pretty good job of following my training schedules for weeks 1 and 2. The hard thing for me about marathon training, is that I don't always want to run when I work out! But I'm too competitive to not run. I can't not train. I have my running schedule in my phone, so if 14 miles is staring at me from the daily calendar screen, not checking it off will drive me crazy! So run I will. (But that doesn't mean I'm going to skip my favorite classes each week...a little cross-training never hurts, right?) Hopefully I end up at the starting line ready to run, and not completely haggard from over-training and exhaustion. Is it bad that I'm already excited for the marathon (at the end of May) to be over so I can chill out a bit?

Life is constantly full of reminders (for me) that there is much more to life than getting in a good workout. A week and a half ago, our cute little niece received a phone call the family had been waiting for for 6 months. She was getting a new liver! So less than 3 months from the time our little baby nephew was leaving Primary Children's Hospital, our 10-year old niece was entering.

In church today, we learned about "giving service." I couldn't help but think of the family that made it possible for our cute niece to get a new liver. At the time my sister-in-law received the phone call, Little C's "donor" was still alive...on life support. This individual's family had made the decision to take their child off life support, and were giving the liver to our sweet niece. As they sat tearfully anticipating saying goodbye to their loved one, we were all cheering--so excited that Little C. was finally getting another chance at a healthy life. My heart aches for that family, and I hope they know that they were an answer to a lot of prayers in our niece's behalf.

Another reminder that struck close to home for me, was the passing of a dear friend's mom last week. Around the time my baby was born last year, Caroline Rober was diagnosed with ALS--Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis--commonly called Lou Gehrig disease. If you want to learn about what's REALLY important in this life, read this blog about her journey. The most recent posts are the remarks given at her funeral. If nothing else, read my friend Mark's talk about his mom and the parable of the Christmas Lace. Incredible woman who never lost sight of what really matters, and left the best legacy for her children.

Life is so very precious. And for me, my health is something I try not to take for granted. I push myself to the limits because I want to be around for the long haul. I don't have control over a lot of things, but I do have control over how I choose to take care of the body I've been blessed with.

So this week I will run because I can. Will you?

Monday: Interval--8 to 11 miles, 2x (800m-600m-400m-200m), at 5K-10K pace, 1 minute recovery, 3-5 minutes between sets

Tuesday: Distance--5 to 6 miles

Wednesday: Tempo--8 to 10 miles, 2 x 15 minutes at marathon tempo, 5 minutes recovery

Thursday: Distance--4 to 6 miles

Friday: Distance--5 to 8 miles

Saturday: Long Distance--15 to 17 miles

Let the Marathon Training Begin!!!

Alright FitMePeeps! I'm getting a little tired of reading my old posts that begin with an apology for being away so long, so here I am saying that I. AM. BACK.

Before I officially start my long-windedness, however, I have to thank so many of you for your thoughts and concern for my sweet nephew, Baby Jack. The last time I posted, he was still in the hospital after his second surgery for Duodenal Atresia. Now he is home, he is gaining weight, and is doing great!!! Life is somewhat getting back to normal (is it ever normal?) for my family. Yay! If you want the full story of his traumatic beginnings, my sister is posting the details on her blog.

As for me, exciting things are happening in the fitness department! First of all, I am now an official Zumba instructor! I spent three years as a Cheerleader in High School, and when I graduated, I thought I left my booty-shaking ability behind. I guess it was just tucked away for future use, because I'm now spending some time three days a week with other women, teaching them the pure joy of shaking up a sweat! I don't consider this my "workout" per say (although the calorie burn is notably high), I consider this my fun break. Haven't Zumba'd before? Try it...you'll love it! And if you don't love it the first time, try it three more times...the more you Zumba, the more you love it!

As for eating meat, I'm still not (well...occasionally I am...but mostly not). In March, it will have been a year since I read The China Study. I have to say, I haven't had a hard time transitioning to a flexitarian lifestyle. BUT planning meals has been a bit of a challenge. My husband's biggest complaint with most of my experiments is that they're lacking in flavor. A few awesome blogs have helped lately, however! I would consider making these recipes even if I wasn't trying to limit animal protein! My favorite go-to-blog is now VeganYumYum. I even bought her cook book...her stuff is thatgood! (It helps that she's a great food photographer!) Another great (non-vegetarian) blog my friend told me about last week is Skinny Taste. For those of you Weight Watchers people, this blog is for you! With each recipe, she gives you the old points, and the new (points+) points! Yay for yummy, healthy, family friendly recipes!

A few months ago, I was featured on this post as one of 40 websites to motivate you to get healthy. I was classified in the "weight loss" blogs category with the description: "This blogger nearly serves as your personal cheerleader for getting and staying in shape..." Hopefully I'm thenon-annoying cheerleader type. Actually...I blog to motivate myself with the hopes that someone else will also find some inspiration! Yay team!

And speaking of inspiration, I need some quick! I am signed up to run the Ogden Marathon on May 21, 2011! So guess what that means?!?! My 16-week training schedule starts TOMORROW! Yikes! Actually...I'm really excited about it! I've been pretty nervous about this race, so I've been sort of "pre-training" all winter long. I'm up to 11-miles for my long runs, and I have to say that running has helped more than anything with the post-baby weight this time around! I never completely lost all my baby weight with #2, but am happy to say that third time's a charm!

And although I'm completely jealous of my husband's ability to wake up one day and just run a marathon, I'm definitely not following his example! A few months ago, I found a training schedule on the Boston Marathon's page, which I cannot for the life of me find again! Luckily, I programmed the ENTIRE SCHEDULE onto my phone's calendar so I'm going to stick to that plan as much as possible. However, if you're looking for a good training program, check this oneout. When selecting a marathon training program, you need to figure out what your goal is. Are you just trying to finish? Are you trying to improve your time? Are you trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon? (Eventually my goal...it's been over 6 years since my last marathon so while I'm trying to get a good time with this one, I'm not sure whether it will be that good). I don't think the program you choose is as important as just making sure you remember that 26.2 miles takes a long time to DRIVE! You're going to be RUNNING it! In order to run 26.2 miles, you need to run. Period. However, don't let yourself get so stressed out about running that you don't also plan adequate rest! Your body adapts to physical training during REST! For me, Sundays will be my guilt-free day of rest!

For other marathon training advice, check this out!

If any of you are training for a Spring Marathon, and want to follow along, here's my (somewhat brutal) plan for this week...with a disclaimer! Life is crazy, so as with everything, nothing ever goes completely as planned. If I miss a day (or two or three), I'm not going to stress about it! I'll do the best I can. A day missed is a day missed...I won't try to make up for it! That said, I'm going to try my darndest to do the following:

MONDAY: Interval (6 to 10 miles), 2 x (3 x 800 m) at 10K pace, 90 seconds recovery, 5 minutes recovery between sets. (+ Zumba)

TUESDAY: Distance--4 to 6 miles (+ Zumba)

WEDNESDAY: Tempo--4 to 6 miles (+ Body Pump)

THURSDAY: Distance--7 to 8 miles

FRIDAY: MLR--12 to 14 miles, steady, easy paced

SATURDAY: Long Distance--15 to 18 miles, steady, easy paced (+ Zumba)

Interval runs: Not an all-out sprint! The intervals should be run at a pace somewhere between your 10K pace and goal marathon pace. Mondays will be my interval days!

Distance runs: Your typical daily run...the most flexible in terms of distance and pace! Listen to your body, and run what "feels good."

Tempo runs: Try your best to simulate your marathon pace.

MLR: stands for "medium long run." This week, the difference between the MLR and the long distance run isn't much, but as the weeks go by, 12 miles really will just be medium!

Long Distance: Possibly the most important component of a marathon training plan! However, if done too long, too often, or too hard, it can also cause the most damage. I plan on running my long runs considerably slower than I hope to run on race day!

Cross Train: I teach Zumba 3 times a week, plan on hitting up Body Pump at the gym every Wednesday, and possibly a weekly Spin class.

Phew...it's going to be a crazy 4 months! If nothing else, my goal is to stand at the marathon starting line knowing that I've put in the work, and that I'm prepared. "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear," right? Come on legs and feet, here we go....

How the St. George marathon became the weekend that changed our lives forever

I'm pretty sure it's been at least 6 months since I last posted. There's NO WAY October 1st was only a month and a half ago. Remember me? Yes...I am alive. Yes...my husband survived his 10th marathon. And no, I had no idea that the St. George marathon this year would be the beginning of my family's life changing forever. NO IDEA. Get ready, because I'm going to get a lot more personal here on FitMePink than I ever thought I would. Ready? Here goes.

My big sister is my hero. She always has been. And now I know FOR SURE that she always will be. I spent my years growing up copying her every move. Everything she did was cool. Everything she wore was cool. She wasn't ever thrilled to share her clothes with me, but I had to practically beg her to wear something of mine, because if she ever wanted to wear my clothes? Then I had truly entered the world of coolness that every little sister dreams of achieving. Recently, my sister inspired me to become a certified Zumba instructor. Since she was so passionate about Zumba, I knew I had to do it. I left my baby home all day for the first time to attend the certification class. Totally worth it! My sister is a leader, my sister knows who she is, and is true to herself in all she does. She's definitely not the type to run a marathon just because everyone else is doing it (I'm totally that type!) She's an amazing mom, an amazing wife, an amazing sister, daughter, and friend.

I know we all have trials, but I don't think many of us will experience a trial quite like the one she's going through right now.

It all started last April. She was pregnant, expecting her fourth baby in October. Her husband, who'd lost his job a few years back, was finishing school. He graduated, and had seemingly plenty of time to secure a job before the birth of their baby boy. Several times, he was sure he had something promising, only to have it fall through yet again. Finally in July, he was offered a new position. The downside? It would require 8 weeks of training in Chicago. The date he would begin training was pushed back again and again, until he was told he wouldn't be starting until the end of September. A little disappointed, they figured that at least he could be home for the baby's induction on October 7th for one of his weekend trips home (promised every two weeks during training). And at least she had Zumba to look forward to...teaching 8 classes a week does wonders for a missing-your-husband state of mind.

With no husband, she was relieved that we would be visiting for the St. George marathon. Early Saturday morning, we left her with two of our kids, and her three, and headed down for the race. My husband hadn't trained, and we really should have just stayed home to spare him the pains that result from lack of training. But having spent the entry fee, he couldn't stand the thought of not actually running the 26.2 miles, so in Southern Utah we were. We got back to my sister's house late Saturday afternoon, and decided to spend the night, and hang out with her on Sunday before driving home.

Sunday morning, the contractions began with some spotting. She came out of the bathroom in tears, not wanting to be in labor with her husband so far away. We hung around all day, not sure we could leave her even though she assured me it was nothing. She figured she was just having contractions, and that they would just go away. Sending us home was a sign to the universe that this baby could not come two weeks early. At 6 pm we left, and I texted her to make sure she was okay. She wasn't. She'd just had two big contractions, so we turned around, I nursed my baby, and left my husband in charge of 6 kids as we headed to the hospital. Her baby was born two hours after we got there. It was a miracle to witness. I will never forget watching my strong sister give birth to this beautiful, precious, purple bundle. I will never forget cutting his umbilical chord. I loved all 5 lbs. 13 oz. of that little Jack as if he were my own. And I will never forget the hours, days, and weeks that followed.

Soon after birth, exhausted, and husband-less, the doctor came in to tell my sister that there was a slight chance the baby could have Down Syndrome. "Don't worry about it, it's probably nothing," he said. I watched her face, watched the doctor, wanted to kick him out of the room in a not-so-loving manner for tearing my sister's already upside down world into more broken pieces. We cried all night long. A few days later, her husband caught an early flight home, and relieved that the worst was over, we drove home with our three kids, including my amazing little baby who survived once again without her mama.

Before the hubby flew back to Chicago, my mom arrived to take over from Tennessee. Phew...the worst part is over, we thought. The baby's here. He has Down Syndrome. He was born into an amazing, loving family. They'll be okay. And then the throwing up began. "It's totally normal," the doctor said. "Just feed him some formula to help weigh it down." "Hmmmm... 4 lbs. 10 oz. I'm not too concerned yet. Let's re-weigh him in a few days." Finally, the waiting for answers had to stop. They were going to the emergency room whether the doctor liked it or not.

Two weeks after his birth, I was at the hospital again. This time, I was waiting at Primary Children's hospital for my sister's ambulance to arrive with her sweet baby. Severely dehydrated, he'd had zero nutrition in his tiny body for two weeks. I have no doubt that faith, prayers, fasting and blessings kept him alive when a doctor didn't. Diagnosed with duodenal atresia (apparently very common in babies with Down Syndrome...should've been one of the first things they tested for), he had to undergo surgery for the blockage in his intestines, but not until he was well enough. So three weeks ago, he had his first surgery. And this morning, they found another blockage and performed another.

My sister is my hero. Her family has been spread throughout the country. Her husband in Chicago, her kids with her in-laws in Southern Utah, and her at Primary Children's hospital because the only thing she can offer her sick (but recovering!) baby is her love, her swaddling arms, and her prayers.

Last night I sat in the hospital cafeteria with her as she talked to her kids on the phone, sang the "Transformers, more than meets the eye..." song to her 4-year old, listened as her 6-year old sang his made-up song to her, and as her 8-year old said their "family prayer." Today I watched her sit, exhausted in the waiting room while her now 6 lb. baby underwent another surgery. I saw her talk to her husband, and tell him the good news that the surgery went well, and saw her breathe a sigh of relief as she realized that his 8 weeks of training will be over in two days!

As I've watched my sister over these past weeks, I've realized how shallow my life has been. Every day I've woken up, worried about whether or not I can fit in an hour of exercise. I've been nearly devastated as I've driven to the gym without the chest strap of my heart rate monitor, for crying out loud. I've felt sorry for myself when my husband has had to stay late at work until, oh, 8:00 at night. So tonight, I sit here grateful beyond words for the birth of my sweet nephew. He has taught me more in the short 6 weeks of his life than I ever could have learned in a lifetime without him. I've learned that prayers really are answered. I've learned that my family is the most important and treasured of all my posessions. I've learned that the most important thing I can do is to nurture and cultivate my relationships with my loved ones, because tragic things happen every day. They need to know I love them. I've learned that a lot of people love me and would do anything for me. I've learned (again) that my husband is amazing...he's totally stepped up in the childcare department when I've completely dropped the ball to help my sister. I've learned that there really is a God in Heaven who is keenly aware of even the tiniest of babies. Through his tender mercies, we were in St. George at the right time so my sister wouldn't have to deliver her baby alone. I've learned that good things don't happen by coincidence. And I've learned that my sister is still my hero.

I think one day I'll look back and wonder when my life changed forever. I'd say it was the day Baby Jack was born. Welcome to our family, sweet baby. Hopefully soon we'll get to welcome him home where his family can all be together again. When that day comes, maybe I'll start thinking about training for the marathon I signed up for in May, or actually teaching the Zumba I was certified to teach. But until then, as I've said before, exercise IS important...but some things are more important!

Why does he keep running?

I'm sitting at the computer listening to two beautiful sounds...the first (and my FAVORITE): the sound of silence. The second: the sound of the washing machine. This would normally not be at the top of my list of favorite sounds, but tonight it is because it's pre-VACATION laundry! We're going on a mini-vacation this weekend to visit my sister who is having Baby #4 in a week, AND because my husband is running his 10th MARATHON (or 11th? hmmmm...not sure)!

I love my husband dearly, but when it comes to races, he both amazes me and irritates the heck out of me! You would think that by his 10th marathon (or 11th), he would have his training down to a science. You would think he would have his eating down to a science. You would think the fresh fruit I put in a nice fruit bowl on his desk at work would get eaten. You would think he would decide against providing a chili dog luncheon at work two days before the race. You would think he would remember how miserable he was during the last marathon that he didn't train for . YOU WOULD. THINK.

My husband ran his first marathon 7 years ago, and has yet to beat his time! He came close one year...within 2 seconds, but his first marathon was his fastest. We were dating at the time (well...sort of...we hadn't even held hands yet!) I sent him with a little "good luck" basket, and thought that anyone who could run 26.2 miles was amazing and stupid. The furthest I'd ever run was 3 miles! Little did I know that the next year I would be running alongside him in my first race ever! I didn't start with a wimpy 5K, oh no. I started with 26.2 miles. And let me tell you, it kicked my trash! I actually semi-trained for that race, although looking back, training for a marathon while planning a wedding, getting married, and living in newlywed bliss didn't really count as good training. I'm probably more prepared now to run a marathon after having a baby than I was then. But I tried!

My husband HONESTLY hasn't tried this time. The race is on Saturday, and he seriously ran TWICE in the month of September. On Labor Day, we ran in a 5K race, and last week I think he ran 8 or so miles. His life has been pretty crazy-busy, and I really don't know when he would have fit in running. He's not one to sacrifice sleep for a good workout like me, and when you're not putting it on the calendar, consciously planning when you're going to run, it's not going to happen. And happened it has not (thanks, Yoda).

In the past few weeks, we've had several conversations like this:

ME: Soooooo...are you really going to run that marathon next week?
HUSBAND: Yeah, why not.
ME: Well, you know you don't have to.
HUSBAND: Why wouldn't I?
ME: Maybe the fact that you've run less than 26 miles in the past 3 months?
HUSBAND: Oh yeah....that.
ME: So should we just forget about it?
HUSBAND: But it kills me to think I paid for it if I don't run!
ME: But you paid for it whether you run or not...the money's GONE, and I'd really love to have you alive. We could always drive down and get the shirt if you want...since you paid for it!
HUSBAND: Nah...I'll just run!
ME: Well do you think you can fit it even one long run?
HUSBAND: We'll see.

ME: AAAAAHHHHHH!

So I'm going to be the super-excited-supportive-spectator-wife, but this is the last time. Seriously! I think he really doesn't train just to bug me! From now on, I'm going to be the one signing up for marathons, and he can watch and worry! And if I don't train, I'm totally happy with a free t-shirt! I might be scooping him up off the side of the road at mile 13. And my kids will definitely wonder why daddy forgot how to walk! Wish us luck, and pray that I come home with a husband!

For you runners out there, do you train? Would you run just because you paid $90? Or do you feel like me...it's a sunk cost, so why kill yourself?

The Runner's Diet: 6 Tips

I'm a nervous wreck. My husband is getting ready to run his 9th marathon this week. The fact that he's done this 8 times before should mean NO PROBLEM, right? Well, if you remember his last marathon, I let you in on a little secret...my husband is a wait-until-the-last-possible-second-to-start-training-to-run-a-measly-26.2-miles-kind-a-guy. About a month ago, he came out of hibernation and started running. As a training bonus, he's been riding his bike to work. But the longest run my DH has yet to complete in his latest bout of training is about 8 miles. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8. That's not very many when he has to run 26.2 in a few days! If he acted at all worried about it, then I wouldn't be. But one of us has to worry!!! Why is it always me?

Another aspect of training that my husband waits until the last few hours to worry about, is his diet. This morning, realizing that the race is just days away, he nonchalantly sauntered into the kitchen asking, "So, babe...what do you think I should be eating this week?" Are you kidding me?!?! I didn't have an immediate answer. Can't he hear the echo of my nagging voice? "You really need to eat better if you think you're going to run a marathon in June." NOW he decides to care! So yes...I have tips for the next week. But really, I have tips for what he should have been doing ALL ALONG. I bring you my top diet tips for runners:

1. If you're just a normal runner, don't eat like an elite runner. If you're only running a few miles, you don't need to load up on energy drinks, bars, and gels. Calories still count...even for runners!
2. The Runner's Diet consists of a 50-25-25 plan. 50% of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates, 25% from protein, and 25% from fat.
   
3. I'm not a calorie counter, but if you know how many calories you're aiming for in a given day, half of them should come from carbs. Because carbohydrates provide the fuel you need for a run, plan to eat them just before and just after your runs. Opt for fiber-rich carbs with high water content.
   

Load up on these carbs:

Fruits (about 60 calories per serving)
Apple, orange, pear, nectarine
Banana
Peach, plum
Grapefruit
Canteloupe
Berries
Fresh pineapple
Canned fruit (in its own juice)

Low-Starch Vegetables (about 25 calories per serving)
Carrots, celery, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, leeks, onions, green beans
Green pepper
Asparagus
Lettuce/raw greens
100-percent vegetable juice

Carbs to eat a bit more sparingly:

High-Starch Vegetables (about 80 calories per serving)
Beans (lima, navy, pinto)
Corn
Peas/lentils
Baked white or sweet potato with skin

Pasta/Rice (about 80 calories per serving)
Couscous (cooked)
Brown or white rice (cooked)
Noodles/pasta (cooked)
Bulgur (cooked)

Breads/Cereal/Crackers (about 80 calories per serving)
Tortilla (wheat)
100-percent whole-wheat bread
Mini-bagel
English muffin: 1/2
Pretzels: 3/4 ounce or 8 sourdough nuggets
Popcorn (air popped): 3 cups
Saltine crackers: 6
Rice cakes (all varieties, large): 2
High-fiber cereals: 3/4 cup
Oatmeal: 2/3 cup cooked or 1 instant packet

4. Choose lean protein! Not only does protein help with muscle recovery, it also keeps you full longer!

Protein Selections:

Very lean (about 35 calories per serving)
Chicken or turkey breast (skinless)
Fish fillet (all whitefish)
Canned, water-packed tuna
Shellfish
Egg whites
Egg substitute

Lean (about 55 calories per serving)
Chicken or turkey (skinless dark meat)
Salmon, swordfish, herring, trout, bluefish
Lean beef (flank steak, top round, ground sirloin)
Veal or lamb (roast or lean chop)
Pork (tenderloin)
Canadian bacon
Low-fat hot dogs
Low-fat luncheon meats

Dairy Products (about 90 calories per serving)
Fat-free or 1-percent-fat cottage cheese (calcium fortified)
Low-fat, sugar-free yogurt
Fat-free, sugar-free yogurt
Low-fat cheese (all types)

5. Before you cut fat out of your diet, think again! Foods with a little healthy fat help slow digestion, and keep you full longer! 25 percent of a runner's calories should come from heart-healthy vegetable, nut, and fish fat sources.

Try the following fats of choice:

Fat sources (about 50 calories per serving)
All oils: 1 teaspoon
Avocado (medium): 1/8
Almonds, cashews, filberts: 6
Peanuts: 10
Pistachios: 15
Olives (green or black): 8 medium
Peanut butter (creamy or chunky): 1 teaspoon

6. Make sure you know your daily running schedule ahead of time, so you can plan your 50-25-25 eating plan around your runs. The bulk of your carbs should be eaten around your runs. Leave the high calorie energy bars and gels for race day, and fuel up during training with mother nature's choice: food!!!!

For more running tips, check out runner's world! Wish my hubby luck! And wish me, the spectator, luck! Not to give myself all the credit, but hauling two kids around to cheer on daddy is a lot more work than just running from start to finish. I'd trade any day! Well...maybe...just not on Saturday!

How 24-Hour Fitness Changed My Life

There are few investments I've made in my life that have reaped greater benefits than joining a gym. I had just returned home after living abroad (in cold, dark Finland) for 18 months. I was 30 lbs. heavier than when I left. (Side note: If you're ever in Finland, they have the BEST pastries! Don't leave without eating some pulla!) One day soon after returning home, some guy friends invited me and a girlfriend to the beach. I was mortified as I watched my friend take off her clothes to reveal a cute, slender, tan, perfect beach body. I've never wanted to be the girl who refuses to wear a swimsuit, so I removed my clothes to reveal a chubby and white-from-literally-not-seeing-the-sun-for-a-year-and-a-half- body. I wanted to hide. I wanted to be ANYWHERE but at the beach, wearing ANYTHING but the full-coverage, black one piece swimsuit that didn't hide enough.

Don't get me wrong. I don't believe that a perfect body is the only key to happiness. But I was depressed. I had just returned home from a mission I'd waited to serve my entire life. I'd had my life planned up until that moment. I wasn't sure what the future held for me at that point. I had a college degree to complete, and a Mr. Right to meet. But at that beach moment, I was miserable...and feeling fat and ugly didn't help.

A few mornings later, I woke up and made a decision. I was joining a gym. I didn't care how much it cost, I was going to join. Yes, I was the perfect walk-in-potential-member. I walked into 24 Hour Fitness (with my little brother who I coerced into joining with me), and started looking at my options. When the guy-hoping-for-the-sale told me about the "lifetime membership," I was sold. I knew that fitness had to be a way of life. I wasn't going to be in this for the short haul. I wasn't going to lose the 30 lbs. and quit. I was going to start doing something that I would continue forever. So I paid nearly $1,000 that day for a 3-year membership, and 5 sessions of Personal Training. (I now only pay $20/year to renew! Plus I get FREE babysitting! WOOOO!)

The Best Decisions I've Made On This Lifetime Fitness Journey

1. For me, joining a gym that day was the FIRST best decision I made in the beginning of my on-going fitness journey.
2. The second best decision was signing up for those 5 Personal Training sessions. Before working with a trainer, I really only did cardio. Working out meant running. Period. (OK, and Tae Bo with Billy Blanks). After my first few sessions with a trainer, I was sold on the benefits of resistance training. I was sore in places I didn't know existed on my body! I loved it! I loved knowing that I was making changes on my body that couldn't be made any other way. I fell so in love with resistance training, that I went on to become a certified personal trainer.
3. The third best decision I made on my fitness journey was stepping foot into a group fitness class. I used to watch from the outside and feel totally intimidated by the barbells, steps, and free weights. I vividly remember my first experience in a 24 S.E.T. class (strength endurance training). I looked to see how much weight the other ladies had on their bars. Being the overly-competitive girl that I am, I foolishly matched the ones with the most. I barely made it through class, and couldn't walk normally for days. I'm sure the instructor cringed as she watched my form...I had no idea how hard the class would be. But now, the classes are honestly what keep me going to the gym. They're on my schedule, and I plan many of my days around these workouts. I workout longer, and harder than I probably would on my own. I've made friends in the classes. I heart group fitness!
4. The fourth best decision I ever made was signing up for a race. Mind you, signing up for a full 26.2 mile marathon as the first organized race probably wasn't the smartest thing. A 5- or even a 10-K would have been better. But regardless of how long the race, I had a goal to work towards. I couldn't NOT run knowing that I would probably keel over and die on the race course if I didn't train. Running soon became an addiction with which I have an ongoing love affair.
5. The fifth best decision I made was asking for a heart rate monitor for Christmas two years ago. (Thanks, mom and dad!) I now strap a Personal Trainer to my chest, and wear it on my wrist for every workout...from running to Yoga. Love it.
6. The sixth best decision was starting a fitness blog with my sister. (Hi, Kimberly! You alive?) I love that fitness is always on my mind! I love that I get to learn as I research. And I love that I get to gleam insights from all of you lovely readers.

I hope to make new life-changing decisions in this on-going fitness journey. The most important thing for me is knowing that I'm doing something that I feel I can sustain for...well...forever. I don't workout for hours a day. That's not a pace I can maintain. But I can chug along, go to the gym, and not be completely mortified at the thought of wearing a swimsuit on my Cruise! Yes, I still have some post-baby-body issues, but I'm a happier, healthier, more confident me.

What decisions have you made in your fitness journey?

How to run a marathon...and enjoy it!

Well, he did it. My husband completed his 8th marathon on Saturday, along with two of his brothers. This picture was taken after the race. They all look like they're trying really hard to smile. I've already established how much I love watching marathons.

This was the first race (as a spectator) that I didn't spend the whole thing driving madly along the course to find a spot to scream at Joe as he ran by. Instead, my friend Katie and I slept in. Well...sort of. Joe thought it would be a good idea (before leaving) at 4:30 am to put Mr. Ornery Pants back on the mattress he'd fallen off of. Which led to the awakening of the Angel Baby. Which led to a party in our room for the next hour before everyone finally settled down and went back to sleep.)

Katie and I did Turbo Jam, ate breakfast, then shoved 5 kids in her van to meet our husbands at the finish line. I felt slightly guilty for not being more supportive. Until I found out that if I had been somewhere along the course, Joe would've climbed in the car and suggested that we go home. Starting at mile 13.

So yes, my friends, Joe survived. But if he'd actually trained (5 weeks really doesn't count), he could've enjoyed the race...not just survived it!

So here are some tips for any of you considering running a marathon...or a half-marathon...or any race, for that matter. (Since I'm so experienced with ONE marathon under my belt...next time I'll follow my own advice)!

1. GET NEW SHOES! (I'm pretty sure Joe wore the same shoes in this race that he wore in his last half-marathon and full marathon. Maybe his lack of training is the reason they've lasted so long...he's definitely due for a new pair, though). As a general rule, replace your shoes every 300-500 miles, or every six months.
2. TRAIN FOR AT LEAST FOUR MONTHS leading up to the race.
3. RUN CONSISTENTLY FOR AT LEAST A YEAR BEFORE STARTING YOUR TRAINING PROGRAM.
4. RESPECT THE DISTANCE! 26.2 miles is a LOOOOONG way to run. Training is important. Long runs are crucial for physical and mental preparation! Joe ran 15 miles 2-weeks before the marathon. Several long runs (up to 20-milers) are necessary.
5. FOOD IS FUEL! What you eat while training will either slow you down or speed you up! Just because soda's available at work at your disposal doesn't mean you have to drink it!
6. CROSS TRAIN! To his credit, Joe frequently rides his bike to work. This definitely helped build his stamina and overall ability to even survive 26.2. Weight-lifting, cycling, dancing, and even Pilates and Yoga will help prepare your body for the race. Runners who do a lot of core work are better able to keep proper form throughout the race. Cross-training is also important at the first sign of injury while training. If injured, ride a bike until your body heals!
7. TAPER! Since Joe only ran for 5-weeks leading up to this marathon, he really didn't feel like he had time to ease up during the last 2 weeks pre-race. Tapering helps the body heal and recover so you can arrive at the starting line healthy, rested, and ready to run!

Watching runners cross the finish line is AMAZING! Joe crossed it 17 minutes slower than his best time. Assuming I'd missed him (because it was taking longer than normal), I left to look for him and missed his finish! I was so disappointed! Regardless of his lack of training, my husband is amazing! I don't want to sound at all disappointed in his performance...I'm so proud of him for running marathons over and over! I just wish he'd train a little better so that I wouldn't have to stress out so much while he's running thinking that he possibly might not make it!

As always, after watching a marathon, I've caught marathon fever. I'm thinking of running this marathon in April. Who's with me? (There's also a half-marathon). It's 7-months away...we start training in 3! Seriously, people!