Alice is a Runner!

Welcome to Wisconsin...oh wait...I live in Utah.  Anyway, the weather during the race today reminded me of home.  It rained, it hailed, it snowed.  It was completely insane.  

 I don't even know the time of my finish.  I actually forgot to turn in the bottom of my bib so I didn't get an official printout of my time.  Weird, huh?  I am completely new to this whole racing business and was just so darn happy to finish that I didn't even think about it! Maybe I I will be able to look it up online or something...who knows?  

 The funny thing about it is that I really don't care what my time was.  My real goal was to not walk a step the whole race.  That to me was a milestone.  It was fun to talk with a few of the people while racing.  It is weird how I am a very shy person with strangers typcially but during a race I totally turn into the Alice that most of my friends think I am.  If I know people, I am totally comfortable and turn into a complete goof ball.  For some reason, if I don't know people well, I am very quiet and shy.  It was fun to get out of that shell while racing.  Maybe strangers that I will never meet again are much less intimidating or something!

It also was very fun to just keep running and not stop.  I found it funny when people would run real fast past me and then have to stop because they got tired.  I totally was the Tortoise and I loved it.  It felt so good just to go and go.  I really can't explain how good that felt.  Time didn't even register in my mind...okay so maybe it did...I actually did notice that I shaved off about 5 minutes from the first 5k that I ran back in March.  I really wanted to beat 39 minutes but didn't do it and that is okay-there is always next time.  I ran a 5k today!  I ran the whole stinking thing and it was glorious.  Even with the pelting of the rain and hail, I had a blast! 

Another cool thing about the race was that the JROTC kids from my school were part of the race crew and I got to run past four of my students.  I sure do love those little whipper snappers!  It was nice to have them cheering for me along the way!

Two of my friends were at the finish line cheering me and that was awesome too.  It is so cool to me that people are so supportive of all the lifestyle changes I have been making in my life.  I am also amazed at how inspiring people are.  I am learning that I am totally an inspiration to some of my friends who are starting on the journey to better health.  I also am looking up to a few people on my journey.  It is so cool how we are cheerleaders to each other.  That makes me all warm and fuzzy inside which is awesome because I still am a little cold from that crazy weather.  I also love the comments people have been leaving me on here.  The running community is totally cool.  Thanks guys!

I am going to publicly admit something...these words came out of my mouth post-race: "I think I am going to start training for a 10k.  Alice truly is a runner!!!! 

12 Miles on Bike

(I still can't figure out how to chart miles)

My knee has been giving me issues since the 5k on Saturday. I decided instead of running, I would bike. It is totally weird to think that biking was a sacrifice seeing I used to be a bike girl. I would put a lot of miles on my bike each week. But now I am totally a running girl and when I can't run when I would normally be running, I get sad! What a transformation.

I actually enjoyed the ride from the mouth of the canyon to Vivian Park. It was a beautiful afternoon. I also enjoyed the scenery. I really think the guys on the trail need to wear more clothes so that I do not get so easily distracted though. Okay, maybe that was a little bit too personal!

The coolest thing about biking was that I rode right past my normal break points on the trail. I wasn't tired at all. This new body is so completely amazing. I am pretty much awesome(as it does say on the sidebar!) I still get a little startled when those people on those little bikes pass me. I actually am proud I ride the SUV of bikes(mountain) because I know I am working harder than those guys! :)

Hopefully, this knee will settle down before Wednesday...that would be the next run. Maybe I should take the week off. I am not sure! Any suggestions?

I just figured out how to post my miles. (Okay, so Sasha helped me figure it out!) That is awesome.  Well, it will be awesome when I am able to be running again.  It seriously is killing me to not be able to get out and run.  I hate it.  I never thought I would be this person.  Who is this crazy addicted running girl?  I was so depressed about my knee last night(mainly because it was rainy and I love to run in the rain) that I went to 26.2 Running Co. store and had them look at my gait.  I found out that I over pronate(on the left leg...the same side the knee issue is).  I also found out that the shoes I have been wearing are probably about a size too small.  I am wondering if the pronation problem was adding to the whole knee tightness.  I am sure it is many factors.  Weight is probably one as well as over doing it two weeks ago.  I increased my mileage that week by 40% instead of what you should do, 10%. Novice runners should have to take some kind of running course.  I think I am going to do a lot of reading about running this summer!  

 I think I am going to name my knee.  Brutus is my stupid knee's new name.  Brutus is ruining my life. 

I have had the itch to run this whole week.  Brutus(the knee) was feeling okay.  Not 100% but enough that I was longing to be outside in the sun enjoying a jog.  I decided I could do a mile and see what would happen to Brutus as I did.  During the whole run, the knee felt tight.  I have to admit that I totally enjoyed being out there running though.  It felt good.  That little bit was enough to give me that good feeling and this week I have needed the stress release.  

I iced right after and it seemed to help pretty quickly.  I played softball tonight and while running the bases I noticed a little pinching but I also noticed that I am getting pretty fast at running those bases.  So, I would say that doing a mile was okay.  I think it was totally worth it to be in the nice weather(which decided to change within about an hour and it was cold playing ball!).  Maybe I will be able to do another mile Saturday morning.  Who knows?  I will keep my fingers crossed.  And now I must go keep my eyes closed for a few hours.  Night! 

Spring is here!  I officially declare it!  

 It was a lovely run today.  The sun is shining and it was pretty quiet in town at 9 a.m.  I ran a little further because my knee felt a little better after the run the other day.  I do not know if it is because of the miracle shoes I just bought or that running less is the answer.  Weird.  I do have an appointment with a sports medicine guy on Thursday.  Maybe he will have more answers.

It was retail therapy to buy my new miracle shoes.  It had nothing to do with real necessity. I was just sad that I wasn't able to be running as much as I was before.  I just bought shoes back in March but I wanted to check out the test they do on the treadmill at the running store.  I was sold when I was put in the bigger and more comfortable shoes.  

I took a different route today by making a loop instead of going up and back on the same road.  It was a welcomed change.  New scenery including a whole bunch of firemen playing flag football. I am a sucker for firemen!!! Spring is really in the air.  

Well, must go get ready for a lunch date.  It has been a long time...I kept thinking dates were just those small fruits!  Wish me luck!

Warm is good.  I like it.  Running in warm is nice...but at the same time hard!  

 Did two miles today and the knee only whined a little bit after.  I should have iced it but I didn't.  It is being nice to me and I am glad.  Upping the miles isn't killing it so I am thinking it is okay.  

 It is fun to leave from work and come back to work and have kids cheering for me.  It was like I was running a 5k or something.  Awesome.  Well...sleep calls. 

Is it tired in here, or is it just me?

It is only midweek and I am totally thinking it should be Friday.  SIGH...but the stress I have had about the end of the year senior activities has now gone away after Lagoon today and the senior banquet last night.  It will be nice to just coast the rest of the way!  

 The run today was needed.  I ran down by the lake again and it was wonderful to hear all of the birds' banter and to see the sunset.  It was also nice to have it be sunny and warm.  I had a hard time getting out of me and enjoy the run but I did love seeing the green mountains with their white snow caps.  

 I am still tired but am glad I still got out and ran.   

This morning I had a hard time getting out and running because my stomach was majorly irritated with me.  I think it was probably the greasy hamburger I ate last night on a date.  (That was date two btw...exciting.  Not that this us a place to go on about dates!! ) Anyway, my body wasn't really thrilled to be up and really wasn't happy to go running.  It felt like I was running very slowly.  I picture myself looking like a slug.  I was surprised when I looked on the ipod and saw that I had averaged about 12:20/mile.  That was impressive because I felt like I was doing and 18 minute mile.  It was nice and cool and sunny.  That is my kind of weather to workout in.  

I actually enjoy relaxed saturdays so I guess the relaxed run was okay.  I still need to look up a good 10k training program.  I think that will be one of the summer goals.  I am a completely different person in the summer.  Good thing Summer Alice is a pretty cool cat!

 Cheers! 

Usually, I am so excited when it is time to run.  I love running days.  Today...I could not quit procrastinating actually getting my butt in gear. 

 The run itself was pretty darn good.  I did the same route I did last week by my work but I did it is reverse.  It was nice to get the uphill out of the way right off.  I ran more than a mile straight before having to stop and stretch.  I was happy with that.  The second mile is not my favorite again but I need to just keep running.  It was nice to have the sun shining even though I was kind of secretly looking forward to running in the rain seeing it was actually snowing this morning on the way to work.

 I cannot believe we are in the last week of school for me.  It is crazy to think that next week I will be running in the great state of Wisconsin.  Crazy and exciting. 

Lots of bittersweet moments have happened this week thanks to me leaving to go to Wisconsin superfast after being done with work.  Like today was yearbook signing.  It is always a little hard for me to say goodbye to my seniors and to think that I won't be interacting with my students for two and a half months.  Don't get me wrong, I love the needed break but I do miss the little buggers.

 I also had a bittersweet moment as I was running today.  I realized that today might be the last time I run in Utah for a few months.  When I had that thought, it was actually quite hazy outside and I couldn't see the mountains very well.  I will miss looking at their beauty as I run in Wisconsin.  I am sure I will find beauty in WI but I will miss this beauty.  

 Running was good. I had a fast first mile and then I got stuck slow on the second as usual.  I was practicing some better running techniques and that felt real weird.  It is hard to run the right way.  Crazy! 

 Well, I am way tired and still have some cleaning to do.  Who thought leaving the day after checking out from work was a good idea?  Silly Alice! 

Madison, Wisconsin

I have decided that it is going to be pretty cool to run in various places this summer. Summer has officially come to pass. My sister and her family are treating me to a fire in a few minutes.

It was a gorgeous evening to go running. During the first mile, I felt so good and was running rather fast. I thought to myself: "Why is this seeming so easy?" It then dawned on me that I am a lot lower in elevation here than when I am in Utah. Duh...I was getting more oxygen! I liked it.

Then mile two hit and I was reminded how moist Wisconsin is, man did I feel sticky! But I focused on the lush green and was in heaven!

Brutus(the knee) is a little whiney. Could be that the run had a few hills in it instead of the usual flats I am used to running. Now, my ankle is a bit sore, too. I will have to come up with some creative name for that bugger too. Maybe "Bugger," it is!

It is good to be home, even though leaving was harder last night than ever before! :)

Rhinelander, WI

Last summer, I ran-walked a little.  I had a favorite spot to go to and I decided to run there today.  It was a nice run.  I like the trees and gentle breeze of Wisconsin.  I do not like the humidity.  Does humidity make it hard to breathe? 

The place I love to go to in Rhinelander is called Hodag Park.  If you don't know what a Hodag is, you definitely should do some research. I even ran past a Hodag on my run as I passed the middle school here in town.  The park is along the Wisconsin River and it is gorgeous.  I love to go there and sit on the dock.  So peaceful and beautiful.  So I ran there.

I actually ran for 1.25 miles before really wanting to stop.  That was good.  I also added on the .2 because I am trying to add a little bit to my running.  I will never be able to run a 10K without adding! I am going to have to check out some cool things that I could run to this summer.  The place is gorgeous!