Crawling to the end, and proud of it

It's Kristin.

Today's run was TOUGH for me.  I felt gaspy and sluggish pretty much the entire run- almost 3 hours of running.  I frequently found myself with my tongue hanging out, canine-like.  Hayley is a saint and lengthened her run to be with whiny me.  Why was the run so hard?  I thinking I was tired, ate me GU and drank my water in a weird sequence, ate a weird dinner last night, cross-trained and "toned" heavily on Wednesday which I'm not used to...you get the idea.  I was supposed to run 2 more miles, but quickly and easily justified cutting it short.  Now I'm doing what I love to do best after a rough run- icing and lounging in bed.  (And listening to the rain too!)  I have a lot to do but I'm going to do as much as I can off my feet.  Matt's downstairs doing P-90X.  And looking VERY cute in his SLC half marathon technical T, might I add?

On a lighter note, I have some big news!!  D and I signed up for A FULL MARATHON this year!  This is a huge deal and I am very excited to report that it is the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon.  There with be rock bands all along the course, about 15,000 runners, and they even shut down the Vegas strip for us to run through!  The race is December 5th if you wanna join us or cheer us on. 

We were rejected from another race we tried to enter- the San Francisco Women's marathon.  Bummer!  D is considering doing St. George again, and- get this- the Dublin Ireland Marathon!!  If I could afford that trip I would so be there with her.  Anyone wanna donate to my cause?  :)

Well, all I have to say about my current state is that I do feel proud of myself for what I have accomplished with my running in the past year.  I started training for my first marathon a year ago- running very slowly and never having run more that 3 miles.  Now I've run a marathon!  And today, I persisted in running for hours despite feeling totally tired, and in all reality having the power to call Matt to come pick me up and drive me home at any point if I wanted to.  But I di'n'.  Hayley and I kept saying, "Ok, we got this, we can DO this," during the last 3 miles or so.  


And now a little shout out to my sister Karin, and my friends Amber (aka "Ambleh") and Hayley today, who both ran further than they ever have in their life, IN the rain, AT a decent pace.  I'm very proud, ladies!  And do my little Rosie who just signed up for her first marathon too!  Can't wait to cheer you on in St. George!

XOXO

~K

Testing the (frozen) waters...

(By: Kristin)

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. I know I did. I got a few new running items from Matt's family, so that'll be fun to put to use on the trail. Nothing helps get you on the winter trial like new gear to test out.

Speaking of getting out there, I am wondering how many of you would be interested in a winter run with us on some Saturday? If you are, leave a comment and say what Saturday works for you, what time you would prefer, and how many miles you are capable of running. Don't be shy! We'll take it all into consideration, but I was thinking some time in January or February would be fun! Maybe some time around 7 am? I have a lot of friends who have been telling me they want to get out there and run in the cold, but they have no one to go with, and haven't figured out what to wear. Wouldn't it be a blast to get a bunch of chicks out there on the Jordan River Parkway and gab while we knock out a few miles? We'll help advise you novices about what to bring/wear before the big day.

On another note, I am so bummed! The Ogden Half Marathon (which all 3 of us have procrastinated signing up for) is now full! What a bummer. Maybe we'll think about the SLC half in April? I never thought I'd be capable of running a spring half or marathon because I didn't think I could bear winter training. Ladies, I'm here to say, it's possible! And honestly not as painful as I had once believed. If I can do winter running, anyone can. Seriously- I'm ALWAYS freezing cold. But our runs have been downright comfy and cozy, I tell you!

Anyway, don't forget to mention your interest in our SheRunsLikeAGirl group run if you're thinking about it!

Check out the amazing winner of the NY Marathon! (Warning: must endure a bit of David Letterman.)



XOXO
-KM

The Winter Running Blahs

By: Kristin

It's snowing like mad outside and I am not happy about it. Part of that is due to the fact that my Snow Shoveler has a sore post-dislocation shoulder. I'm also not looking forward to running in it tomorrow.

I know Danna and Suzy have braved much worse, but I am a wimp. I find it so so hard to motivate my lazy bum out of bed at Vicky:thirty in the cold. Even more-so in the snow. I long for lovely summer morning runs where I don't even need a jacket.

I just got peppy text messages from both Danna and Suzy stating that we'll run at 6. I replied, "see u then" and they replied "OK!" Really? The exclamation point?

So how do I get out of bed?
1. Sheer peer pressure. (Say that little tongue twister10x fast!)
2. Fear of weight gain/desire for weight loss. Yes, even greater desire for weight loss/non-gain than for comfort, warmth, and sleep.
3. Fabulous conversation with ma girls.
4. Addiction to the "runner's high."
5. Seriously, once you do it a couple times you realize it really is not that bad. It's quite comfortable even (after the warm-up phase) and truly refreshing.
6. To avoid losing the stamina we've gained. Who wants to start huffing and puffing at 3 miles all over again?

Ok, so I'm going to do this. I think after a while you stop questioning and just go through the motions. Anyone have any motivation helps??

Guess I'll go shovel snow now.
XOXO

This is IT! Don't get scared now.

Can anyone name that movie?

This run's theme was "tangerine." Notice Suzy's new T. O. U. shirt! Also note my cozy p.j. pants. Don't start a run without em! (Yes, amazing Suzy is still running with us. She is an inspiration. And She is totally not sore or crippled either!)

This is Kristin.

This Saturday is the ST. GEORGE MARATHON! The thing we have been obsessed with and working toward all these weeks. Your good karma and prayers are appreciated this week- we need it.

Or do we? We have no idea whether or not we'll finish in intense pain, or the sweet feeling we had when we ran 23 miles. This time we will be running a lot faster, cutting out a lot of walking and messing around at drinking fountains and photo-op spots. Danna's shins could cause her trouble. My calf could "charlie-horse" again. Her sports bra could continue to cut off her circulation until her arm actually falls off. My knee cap could finally shatter. OR! We could leap blissfully across the finish line- mascara still fresh (oh yes, I will be wearing mascara!), and legs still functioning well. Will we weep at the finish line? I have imagined that many times and it is very possible. I imagine running up to Matt, sobbing, but also gloriously raising my fist in the air. "I DID IT!" I'll say. Or maybe I'll say, "Why did you let me DO this?!?!" Or "Need...ice...bed...carry me...hate running..."

I am feeling 85% excitement, and 15% nervousness and fear. I think part of my nervousness is just making sure all things fall into place. What time are we leaving for St. George? What do I pack for lunch? Will I be able to fall asleep the night before? Are my clothes warm enough for the starting line? What should I put in my pouch? What am I forgetting?!?!? Aaah! I gotta stop writing about this, cuz I can feel my heartbeat racing.

Last Saturday we went and cheered Suzy (and her husband Rick) on in Logan. What an exhilarating experience!!! We sat on a blanket at about the 25.5 mile marker- after our own 12 mile run, and we cheered for the runners like no one has ever cheered before! These were our peeps! We gave each and every runner that passed us an individually-tailored cheer.

Example 1: Girl runs by looking tired and focused.
D&K: You go girl!! It's all about you! This is your day!! You're almost there! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other! You rock!
Girl: (begins to cry)
Yes. We made a lot of girls cry. But in a good, touching, you needed that kind of a way. And we really feel like we helped a lot of people in a really tough part of the race where there were no other cheerers much of the time.
Then of course we would begin to cry ourselves.

Example 2: Man runs by, limping a little, chest splashed with Gatorade stains.
D&K: Hey! You look great! You're made of steel! You've almost run A MARATHON!
Guy: (Tries to hide a smile and blush, and starts running a little straighter.)
It was interesting how many people started running again right before they got to us. They didn't want these loud cheering girls to cheer for them while they were walking. We were seriously so loud. Amazingly, my sister Mikelle fell asleep for an hour or 2! I didn't think it would be possible with our constant screaming. We also applauded each runner. Our hands and throats hurt for a long time. (Mikelle, a vocal performance major, refused to scream. It made me proud as an SLP. Way to avoid phono-traumatic abuse and resultant vocal fold edema, hemorrhage, or nodules! But I couldn't resist this time!)

Well, we saw some fascinating things while we sat on that blanket. It seriously gave me the biggest high sitting there cheering for them. I'm still high on it! It was like the funnest service project ever! I'm so going to the SLC Marathon every year from now on, and sitting in a remote spot where there are no other cheerers. Cheerers make an amazing difference for runners.

Okay, this may seem a bit cheesy or weird, but I have decided to dedicate each mile to someone in my life who has had a big influence on me or whose friendship has really meant a lot to me in my life. The names are not in any particular order. I mostly assigned people numbers that would help me remember them, such as their birthday number or an inside joke (ask me about yours if you're wondering).

1 Daddio
2 Mili Silva
3 Annie Winn
4 Vicky Yocom
5 Rhonda Better
6 The West Family (CT)
7 Kristina Barss
8 Ambleh Prince
9 Mommykins
10 Heather Taylor
11 Liz Madrid
12 Denise Frandsen
13 Mkl Memmott
14 Emily Stokes
15 Krissy Wyler
16 Karin Dance
17 Sarah Shaw
18 Danny Memmott
19 Holly Badurek
20 Emmaline Sorenson
21 Sarah Haslam
22 Francisco Herrera
23 Danna and Suzy
24 Mery Carcamo Suarez
25 Matt
26 Jesus
.2 Janelle Swinton

When I run a given mile, that person will be my motivation, and I'll think of them and the influence they've had on me. Suzy also gave D & I little strips of paper with motivational quotes on them for us to stick in our belts and read when the going gets tough. Look for a new post soon, wherein Suzy recounts to you her own marathon experience last week. (***teaser***)

They look way too good after 26 miles! PS: Good job guys!!!

Who took this? You're in big trouble.

The Decision

It's my first posting! We are running a bit behind in keeping this baby up-to-date- sorry! Danna wrote that last lovely opener as I sat by her side lazily, and it has taken me this long to add to it.

Well, I never thought I would run a marathon. I think somewhere in the back of my mind it was always on my bucket list, but so is having a billion dollars, you know? I even told my sister recently that I would never run a marathon and had no desire because of my bad knees and the general strain it puts on other areas of your body too. And of course the long, grueling, early morning training, and the horror stories you hear ("It was the hardest and most painful experience of my life. Never again!!").

Danna approached me about it one day and told me all about her amazing previous marathon experience- a must-hear story- and I got so excited and jealous I just had to commit! Well, after I got over all my initial fears and doubts, that is. She has made it all possible for me- she is simply amazing! And a fabulous running partner for Saturdays, I might add.

I also have to give props to my other true inspiration- Mikelle (my little sis). Mikelle recently went on a cruise with her friend to the Caribbean. She told me before she went that she would like to lose as much weight as possible before the cruise so she was maximally swimsuit-ready. She asked me to be her personal trainer the 2 weeks prior to the cruise, and she followed my VERY STRICT instructions to a T! I had her go for a 2-3 mile run each day, and a non-running workout as well in the same day. Then she was to eat no fat, sugar or processed food, no cheese, peanut butter, or condiments (except mustard), and no non-fish meat! She did not stray from the plan ONCE! And she kept asking for more. That's just the way Mikelle is. If she puts her mind to something, she does it perfectly. She was losing all these inches (and she's trim already, don't get me wrong), and I was feeling so proud of her! Plus it's super fun to have someone follow your every suggestion, of course. :)

I was so inspired by the things Mikelle was able to put her mind to, and she was getting me all psyched up about fitness and goals and stuff. She was totally in my mind when I made the decision. Thanks Mkl!

What most appeals to me about the prospect of completing a Marathon are the sense of accomplishment I know I will feel, and the disciplined journey along the way. I look forward to the tight abs too! :)