Alice is a Runner!

This was an awesome run.  I have been having a hard time getting through my second mile lately.  I don't know if I have mentally shut down or if I actually am not to the point that I could run two miles.  Today, it was raining and I LOVE to run in the rain.  I guess I am weird that way, but I love it!  So, instead of riding my boring exercise bike like I had planned, I got the running shoes on and a windbreaker and headed out.  I decided that I wouldn't concentrate so much on distance.  I wanted to just run to my work and back.  I think that did the trick because I really didn't know how long it was to my work.  I actually thought it was only a mile but when I drove back to see, it was 1.5.  Therefore, I actually ran three miles.  Okay, so mid way I had to stretch because my legs were killing me(I lifted weights yesterday via P90X).  I also did a few stops along the way back but I was proud that I never walked more than a half a block.  GO me.  I can't believe that my next 5k is actually a little over a week away.  I am not quite prepared for it, but I will give it a go anyway.   

Alice loves spring.  Just thought you all should know.  The two or three readers of this running blog.  I ran a 5k route again today and it was awesome.  Lately, I have been down on myself because I can only run about a mile and then I just want to be done.  I have been talking a lot about this problem with a lot of my friends and one friend in particular helped me get back on the positive side.  She basically said that about four months ago, I had never even ran a mile just to run it.  So, even just doing that is an accomplishment.  She also mentioned how I hated to run a minute and a half when I started and now I am running 13 minutes without wanting(too much) to stop and then I am turning around and running some more.  I guess sometimes we get caught up with where we want to be and forget to look back and be proud of where we have come from.  

A few days ago, I was ready to not run anymore and quite but now I am back in the place that I am a runner and it is enjoyable.  I like that.  I even was smiling while listening to Taylor Swift's "Our Song."  It just made me happy for some reason.  I also loved being in the warmer weather and to see all of the blossoms on the trees and the flowers that have also bloomed.  I am a sucker for spring.  That second mile was still hard but I did three.  So what if I had to walk here and there?  This is a journey, not just a race(although those races are pretty fun and I think I may be coming addicted to them!).  

I also like the advice that I got from another friend earlier this week when I asked her "So, how do you do it?  How do you get past that "wall"?"  Her simple answer of: "You just keep going"  seemed a little crazy at first but while I am out there putting foot to pavement, I have come to realize that sometimes simple is the most profound! :) 

Have I mentioned that I love the spring?  Well, running today in the sun, warmth and beauty of spring blossoms again made my soul happy.  

So, do you think when I run my 5k this Saturday, I can stop midway and take a ten minute break? (with the clock also stopping?)  That seemed to do the trick for me getting past "the wall" today.  I ran to my work and then had to pick something up to finish my grades and chatted with a co-worker for about ten minutes.  It was then very easy to run back to my house.  I only stopped once(twice if you count the stop light).  That was quite a feat.  Usually, I am stopping three or four times before that last half.  Weird that stopping for a few minutes made the running easier.  Hmmm.  

I was distracted about thoughts of one of my students who totally blew his chances of graduating this past week.  I guess having a lot on your mind can also help the running be easier.  That voice saying just keep going helped a bit too.

My knee hurts and I think this is because I am running more than I have  been.  Maybe I will run a bit less for my second run this week.  I hope that doesn't effect the 5k on Saturday.

 This is a random post.  I am sometimes random.  It was hard getting running today.  I think this is because of the amazing amount of horrible for me food I ate last night.  But, man oh man, was that ice cream with cookies and syrup so very yummy and totally worth it! I am learning about sometimes just having to indulge in order to stick with my program!

Today was an amazing run.  I ran the whole three miles. I took it really slow and I totally did it. I made the impossible(even if just in my head) become possible.  I went a different route. I have found that this is a key to me being sucessful. I get bored easily, I guess. Maybe it is because when I know a route, I know how much longer I have to go. My body/mind must like not knowing. I guess I have always loved surprises!

I ran along the river trail near the lake and it was so nice. I consider myself a farm girl even thouh I grew up in the city. I was lucky enough to have a grandfather who was a farmer though and I loved hanging on his farm when I was younger. Maybe it is the Wisconsin in me but I LOVE cows. So, seeing lots of cows in the fields along the trail made me happy. Good thing it was cold and cloudy so there were no people to find me weird for talking to the cows as I ran past them. I also enjoyed the muskrat and geese that also crossed my path.  The animals helped distract me!

I think I have to just get real pensive in order to have good runs. Today the thoughts of a certain frustrating past relationship kept me distracted. Silly boys!!! I was listening to Kelly Clarkson which brought on those memories and which also made the running easier. I sang along(again glad there was no one around) to the birds.

The song "Impossible," by Kelly Clarkson was playing as I was finishing and it made me emotional. These words really hit me: "It's impossible to you, not impossible to me, not impossible for me...breaking down the walls to the impossible" I totally admit that I totally wept as I finished my run. I was just so dang proud of myself for actually running the whole 5k worth. I do not care if I run a very slow 5k...I am running it!!!!! The impossible just became possible!!!  Going slow helped so I am going to concentrate on controlling speed so I can run further! This journey is so exciting!  So excited for the race on Saturday!

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!

Summer has already put me into a time warp.  I almost logged this run on Wednesday.  It is Thursday, silly Alice!  I also asked my dad if it was going to rain on Friday, just after he told me it was going to rain tomorrow.  Silly Alice!

The run today was spectacular.  I ran a different route than normal(which is funny seeing I have only ran here once, so far!) and actually convinced myself to run the whole darn 2.2. Okay, I walked for a whole block, but that was it.  I NEVER stopped!  That is good for me.  I liked the fact that it was a little cooler and less humid today.  We had a storm system go through yesterday, which made it a bit cooler. I also think the ten hours of sleep I got last night helped a whole lot.  I am catching up from last week only sleeping on average about five hours!  Crazy!

I really am loving being here.  I am one lucky duck who gets to have the best of two worlds each year.  I get my beautiful mountains for nine months and then my pretty green evergreens for three months!  (I also don't miss how hot it gets in Utah in the summer! And I miss the real cold Wisconsin winters!)

I procrastinated getting on the road for about two hours.  It all started because my iPod was dead.  I can't run without my music.  Actually, I can't do a lot of things without my music! Anyway, I was proud of myself that I just kept running, even though I wanted to stop after about six minutes out.  I wouldn't let myself look at my iPod to see how far I had gone until I got to a certain house(that creeps me out).  That was my goal and I did it.  I love how running is a constant reminder to me that I can do anything, if I put my mind to it.  I love that!

I ran for 1.73 miles without stopping.  That is spectacular.  I think next time I am going to not let myself look at the milage and just keep running.  Unfortunately, I now have two routes that I know exactly what the milage is and I will want to stop anyway.  I think I do better when I trick myself into not knowing how long or far I have ran.  

I am also slow and okay with it.  I need to keep reminding myself that this is a journey just like my weight loss has been.  I am not going to be running marathons for a while and that is okay.  Slow and steady wins the race.  I do need to get a little better with form and training. Any suggestions on good books or websites?  

I like the weather today.  I just beat the rain so it was cloudy durning the run.  I know that I am a complete weirdo because I love rainy days.  I think it is the Wisconsin in my blood or something.  I like being here! 

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE....

 I ran the WHOLE 2.2 miles today.  I did it at about a 12:03 pace.  I have decided that I am like the black bear I saw in my parent's backyard today and I am built to go slow(for now).  It was a beautiful day to be running.  I saw a robin snag a flying bug midair, a red squirrel, and a monarch butterfly.  It is nice to be around nature.  I ran to Hodag park and sat along the lake after having my cool down and stretching.  It was relaxing to watch the people out on their boats and the kids swimming.  It must truly be sumer! The mile and a half walk home was nice, too.  

How does one's legs become lead over night?

It was a HEAVY run today.  I just wasn't feeling it most of the way.  My legs felt more like telephone poles than legs.  I guess it didn't help that I had a pretty strong head wind for the first half of the run.  You would think that the tail wind on the way back would have helped...but it did not.  I told my dad when I got home that it was pretty much a pansy run.  I would stop about every two tenths of a mile and wish I was back in my bed. 

Maybe I was just sleep jogging.  I don't think I was quite awake.  I made myself get up and run so I could still have time to get ready to head down to Madison, WI with my mom this afternoon.  We catch our flight to London tomorrow morning there.  I am excited.

I did see the beauty around me but it didn't take away my longing to be done.  :)  Hopefully, I will get a few runs in while I am in the UK.

Dundee, Scotland

I was thinking that if I didn't use my shoes and clothes that I packed to run in for my trip to the UK, it would be silly to have wasted the space in my suitcase!

 The run was HARD, but it felt good to be moving.  I feel like goo.  That is probably because I am eating fabulously delicious and bad for me food.  Today it was a full Scottish breakfast and then a fish and chips lunch.  Both very good.  Both goo filled.

It was fun to be able to run here.  The rolling green hills in the distance made me smile.  I keep having to pinch myself to make sure I am really here.  Scotland is beautiful.  The temperature is perfect for running as well.  Not for sun bathing or shorts but running is ok. 

There is a beautiful park near my friend's flat and I enjoyed the trails a lot.  I randomly and haphazardly ran around in order to stay close to the flat and not get lost.  The backdrop made this repetitive running worthwhile. 

I am going to be sore tomorrow.  I feel like a grandma.  I guess this is proof that regular running is key and that the fuel we take in matters. 

So glad I got to run here.  It was a cool and enlightening experience.

Madison, WI: Running+Humidity+Jet Lag=Bad Idea!

Well, I made it back from the UK.  It was a very long day yesterday.  24 hours of being awake does not make me happy.  I survived though.  I really wanted to get out today and run so I did it, even though I probably could have given myself a day to recoup.

 I forgot about humidity.  I hate it.  I hate feeling like I can never get dry.  Running is a sweaty mess with humidity.  I guess there is one good thing about Utah, the lack of humidity. 

Anyway, good little run around my sister's neighborhood.  I struggled a bit because of jet lag and not running much the last two weeks.  Luckily, I was still able to run a good first mile and I even ran it pretty fast.  That second mile kills me.  I need to do something about that!

 Well, it is nice to be home and running again.  Seems to make order in the world, doesn't it?

Back in Rhinelander, WI

I ran a very fast first mile.  I can't even remember how fast.  I kinda cheated though and paused my time when I had to walk a few times.  Going faster makes me have to stop.  I guess that is okay.  It made me smile to see the sun out but that there were a few storm clouds moving through.  I even thought to myself: "I think I picked a good time to run.  It is cooler than later in the day and it is not raining."  Unfortunately, the rain caught up to me on the way back from Boom Lake. I thought it could have saved me time if I would have just brought soap and shampoo with me...then I wouldn't have had to showered when I got back!

I decided that I was not going to whine about it, though, because I actually am a fan of the rain.  It was also peaceful to be out and about earlier in the morning when there were less people around.  It is calming. I guess my dad is right and there is something about being up earlier in the morning! 

I kinda feel like a pansy lately though.  I seem to do a lot of walking in the middle of my runs.  That is silly.  The mental aspect is hard for me sometimes.  I think I can run the amount I want to run if I run extremely slow but I want to run faster which makes me have to stop every once in a while.  That is a little frustrating to me.  Oh well.

I think a goal this week is to run the full run!

Cheers! 

Where has June gone?  I can't believe it is already the last day of the month.  At least it was full of good times!

 Today's run was excellent.  I ran the WHOLE time.  I felt like I was going slow but maybe that is the key to me running further!  

 I failed to mention yesterday that I ran my fastest mile at 11:02.  That is pretty big.

It was a nice cool morning again.  It has been pretty chilly here lately.  I am not going to lie, I like it.  

The last part of my run was a little hard, but I just kept my mind full of my inspirations.  Like the man who has MS and still finished the 5k anyway, friends who run in horrible conditions to finish the race and friends who fall on their faces and get up and finish their run anyway. Those kinds of stories keep me going and I was glad I had those inspirations today.

 Cheers! 

Hot, and Sunny.  I was very glad for the wind on my cool down walk back home.  I ran to the Rhinelander Court House.  It is a very beautiful building.  It has a copper dome that has oxidized over the years, which has made it this amazing green color.  It was fun to run to it.  For some reason though, after I reach my goal it is hard to run back.  Good thing most races are circular and you don't run to a destination and then run back.  I guess I will just have to be a little better at planning my route!

 I am going to run a 5k next Saturday.  I am a little excited about it.  I now understand why people run in races so often...it really gives focus to training.  

Well, have a Happy 4th.  Mine is going to rock!!! 

Can somebody turn off the humidity around here?

When I woke up today, it was raining.  It made me sad because it rained pretty much all day yesterday and I skipped my run.  I decided I would still get up and get ready to run.  I am glad I did because the rain stopped and I got the whole run in without rain!

 It was a good run beside the fact that I felt drenched the whole time.  Stupid humidity.  I think the high amount of water in the air also makes it hard for me to breathe. 

Let's hope that the 5k on Saturday will be much less humid!

Does it smell like pansy in here or is it just me?

Hard run again.  I need to eat my Wheaties or something.  Or maybe, I should actually get up at a reasonable hour and run before the humidity sets in.  Mmmeh. 

Cheers!

This was a fun run.  I actually decided before going out that I wasn't going to pay attention to how far I was running but that I was going to have fun.  And have fun I had.  I actually found myself enjoying my music and I even did some dance moves at my favorite park.  Good thing that, in this town of 8,000 people, nobody was out and about at 10 a.m.  I don't think I would have even cared if anybody saw me; they don't know me anyhow!(one advantage of a small town and being a summer visitor!)

I think I may have over did it but it as worth it.  It was nice to run after a week of not running because of my shin hurting.  Now the other leg is sore.  Why is that?  Bizarre. 

I really didn't want to run when I woke up this morning, but I decided I should do it anyway.  I have decided to do a little speed training.  I have a workout that I found in a book but it seems a little too intense for me right now...but I got some good ideas from it, so I am going to modify it.  I still don't run more than 8 miles a week so it would be silly to add the amount of running the program said to do...but I am starting to think that I might want to run more than three times a week. 

The shin is better and it really feels so good to run again.  I guess those little injury breaks have a purpose: to make you remember how much you like to run!

Well, off to grocery shopping with my dad.  Talk about bonding at its greatest! Cheers.

Good morning run!  I actually was up before 9 today.  That is a weird thing. Going to help a friend paint.  Should be fun. 

I actually liked the run today.  It was nice and cool and quiet.  The humidity still kills me but I will take it over the hot, hot Utah weather anyday!  I really should get up earlier but hey...I am a teacher and I get the summer to sleep in, right. 

Speed Training=Not my favorite.

This new training program is fresh and fun.  I like that it is something new.  I am trying to convince myself that I like to run fast(I don't do anything fast!)!  During one of the fast 100 meters, I actually had to verbally tell myself that: "I like running, I like running, I like running."  Again, it is good that not many people live in this town.  I am sure I would be the person that everybody talks about.  You know the one...the town crazy. 

It was a nice little workout.  It was misting a little bit the whole time.  It is a little humid but I always remind myself that I would rather have muggy than hot, hot!

I am proof that Geriatrics shouldn't be runners...(Madison, WI)

This run was only supposed to be about two miles long, but because I forgot where I was, it turned into almost four miles.  I am not complaining...I probably needed the run but it was a little frustrating not knowing where I was for half of it. 

Maybe I should always have a plan.  That would help!  But I also like to be spontaneous.  It seems to help me not get bored.  Maybe I will have to save spontaneous for when I am in a city I know!  

 So people with memory loss should not run...they will get lost. Those who do not know the city they plan to run should also not run...unless they have a very carefully plotted plan on where they will run, and carry a cell phone, and/or are willing to ask for directions(I was not doing any of those things) 

This was a good morning run.  It was much cooler today and that was a nice change.  I have been moody today and the run was good to help for the 40 minutes I was out there.  Too bad it didn't stick! :p

I always think of interesting or fun things to write on here WHILE I am running, but I forget them before I get a chance to actually write them down.  Sad.  I guess I have sometimers. 

Good run.  Still walking in parts...but have accepted it as okay as long as I am getting out.  For now, that will just have to be enough!

Woodpeckers, Grasshoppers, and Mohawks.

Great run.  Very hot and damp. Humidity is still getting the best of me.  I think running in the morning is the way to go.  Today I didn't hit the road until noon.

I saw a redheaded woodpecker on the first leg of the run.  It made me smile as it tried to hide from me on the other side of a tree.  Then I saw hoardes of grasshoppers.  I had to quit thinking that I would step on them because it was making me lose focus...they were just fine on their own at avoiding my pounding feet. 

The mohawk is my favorite part.  I made myself run a little further because I was being a complete wuss during mile two.  Anyway, a guy with a mohawk was very far ahead of me.  I decided that I wanted to get to the corner before he was completely across the street.  I was running faster than I have ran in a LONG time.  I did it.  I got to the corner just as he got to the other side of the crosswalk.  I am pretty sure I scared the heck out of him as I loudly stopped from that sprint.  The look on his face with that lovely mohawk as a frame was priceless; a true picture I will never forget!  Again, Alice proves the impossible is possible. 

Crabapples, Bumper Stickers, and a wet hat.

A real good run.  I need to get back to speed work.  I think I might wait until I get back to Provo in a few weeks.  I think that is a good excuse seeing I hate speed work. 

I gathered some seeds during the run for my nephew's biology assignment.  I never knew there were so many varieties of crabapples.

I saw a "Smile: God Loves You" bumper sticker just before I nearly got run over by a minivan that was backing out of a driveway.  The man who was driving was nice though seeing he didn't hit me.  I gladly slammed the back door shut for him seeing it opened because he had to stop so fast. 

The wet hat was from me dipping it into the cool river water of the Wisconsin River.  It was a nice treat to help me with the last half of my run. 

I have decided to now find three things of interest as I run.  It helps keep my mind off of the "Oh man, it is so stinking hot!"

Good run.  It was cool in the morning again. I can't remember much of it because I did not post right after running.  I do remember a nice man driving a Doritos truck that didn't run me over.  I was grateful.  I wish it had been a Baked Lay's truck because I would have then highjacked it.  :)

A Black Cat, A Vinyl Record, A Stuffed Cat(toy),  and a Pack of Cigarettes.

This run was sweaty.  Man, is it humid today.  It is supposed to rain and rain this week(I am okay with it but not on softball night(Tuesday) and Saturday(I have tickets for the Green Bay Packers first pre-season game!).  I really don't like the mugginess.  Of course, when I get back to Utah in a week and a half I will have to deal with HOT.  I don't know which is worse!

 So...I concentrated on weird stuff again.  Most of the things were trash on the side of the road.  The black cat was just funny.  I wish that Janet Jackson's "Black Cat" would have been playing at that momenet on my iPod...that would have been perfect.  The record was odd enough because you can't play them in a car, so why was one on the side of the road? I laughed when I say a toy stuffed cat hanging in a tree...odd.  The pack of cigarettes made me think of how happy I am that I quit when I was 12!  I bet I wouldn't be running much if that were the case!

 True Confession:  I probably only ran 2/3 of the 3.9...I am still a sometimes walking runner.

Went biking today.  It was so pretty at Buck Lake.  The off road to the park was very very nice! I think total the trip was about 11 miles.  I did stop and take a mile hike through the forrest.  Pretty day!

A Ten Gallon Hat, A Ring Around the Courthouse, and Carl.

Went running very early in the morning because I was heading to Green Bay pretty early to meet with relatives for lunch.  It was perfect running weather and much less humid than it has been lately.  Very nice. 

It is pretty rare to see cowboy hats in Rhinelander but I saw one during my first mile.  At mile two, I got to see the sun rise above the courthouse and during the final leg I saw Carl.  Carl is the kind of runner who doesn't acknowledge you existance.  I really want to shout "HELLO CARL" to him each time I see him out running, but I am pretty sure that is not his name and I do not want to give him a heart attack seeing I don't really know him.  He makes me smile when I see him though...so Thanks Carl!

One last run in Wisconsin.  Ran to the Rhinelander Courthouse.  I love that place.

Mountains, Glorious Mountains!!!

I woke up earlyish and ran in Sandy.  I was visiting friends in Salt Lake and avoiding my life in Provo.

I was worried that I would have a hard time running because I had been away from altitude for so long.  That was not the case, in fact, it was easier to run because there was absolutely no humidity in the air.  It was glorious. It was also surprisingly cool!  Loved it! 

 Don't tell anybody, but it is nice to be back in Utah! 

Nice little run to my work and back.  Not too hot.  Weird that I got up early on a Saturday.  Must be because I had to work yesterday.  This working business is for the birds. 

My second mile was faster than my first.  I think that is going to be my new challenge for myself to get a little faster.  Of course, I shouldn't run a slower first mile in order to be faster on the second...but that did cross my mind today. 

Quick first half.  Didn't quite meet the goal I set to get back in faster time than going out, but oh well.  Nice cool run....thank you Utah for having a very cool day!  It was pretty.  Good to be back but a little nervous about school tomorrow!

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

I can see why people get up early in the morning to run.  It was much too hot to run this afternoon, but I did anyway.  I was glad that I chose to run on the river trail where there were plenty of trees to give me shade along the way.  

It was a good run.  Nearly ran the whole 3 miles.  Felt good.  

Silly Alice!

This run was awesome.  I ran fast(well fast for me!).  It felt good and I think I got my fastest mile ever.  Even after running that first mile, I wanted to keep running faster...so I did. ) It was a beautiful day out near Utah Lake and I found myself smiling most of the run.  It just felt good!  The scenery was awesome.  I enjoyed talking to the cows.  They thought I was crazy.  There was also a nice looking young man running as well.  I may or may not have ran back out to the lake so I could see him again.  I am just saying.  

 Unfortunately, my fast running made my knee a little sore.  I have decided that I will have to take a break before I run a 5k on Monday.  It kind of makes me bummed not to go because I love running.  Oh well.  Gotta save it for Monday.  SIGH! 

This is a personal record for me.  My goal was to run under 36 minutes and it happened.  I am thrilled by it.  So thrilled, in fact, that I celebrated with a cheeseburger and fries with friends post race.  Hopefully, that does not kill me on the scale tomorrow.  I decided though that I will be celebrating these kinds of personal successes in the future.  

 Highlights of the race included some awesome socks worn both by me and my brother from another mother, Josh, the horses in the fields going crazy, and being ran in by a good friend.  Great race and Payson is one pretty city!

Six Months to Shop for my Birthday Gift!

It's my half birthday!  Exciting.

 Nice run along the Provo River Trail today.  Loving the cooler weather.  Fall is awesome.

I am loving that I am running faster!  Go me! 

First run on my "dreadmill."  I am very happy to have a treadmill.  It was cheap and even thought I hate running on treadmills, I am glad to have one with the winter season coming.  I didn't have time to go running during the day so I thought I would try it out.  I am going to have to find some amazing TV shows to watch while running on it because I was bored within 5 minutes.  

It was nice to be able to keep track of speed the whole run.  I made myself do a little bit of speed work during my second mile.  It felt good.  Let's hope I get faster!

I talked with somebody who is running a 10k next week.  I actually mentioned that I would train for a 10k in the next year.  The words have left my mouth...that means it will happen, right? 

 ****First week I have ever ran ten miles.  Exciting!********* 

Pansy Run

 It was a run.  Walked a lot.  Nice to be out in the world but I was not in the zone.  More lke I was hating my life as I ran.  I just wanted to be done.  I guess there will be runs like this!

Good run on the river trail.  Wish I could remember how awesome it was!

I loved this run.  It felt good to be out in cooler weather and be near Utah Lake.  The breeze was nice too.  I do not like snakes.  Just thought you should know.  I saw one near the end of the trail.  I had to remind myself that it was a small snake and would not try to bite me and that I should keep breathing.  Looking at the mountains these days is amazing because the colors are a changing.  I love fall.  I was motivated by a guy in a red shirt.  I imagined him being a heart attack in his red shirt and I kept running away from that heart attack!

 I keep having to remind myself of how far I have come.  I remember wanting to throw up every time I ran a mile and a half back in february.  Now I feel like throwing up after 3.5.  That is improvement!  I gave myself a good chant at the end of the trail.  I am glad people are not out there often because I was screaming: "Alice is a runner. She can run faster!" It may make people wonder about my mental state.  I was disappointed that there were no cows along the road out there to talk to.  Okay...maybe you should worry about my mental state! :)

 I am wondering if running for time instead of distance would get my mind out of wanting to check how far I have gone every five minutes.  

 This is a random post.  I also did some lesson planning while on the run.  I am constantly asking myself how I get my students motivated.  I am worried about a few of my Sophomores already.  

 Well, off to sleep.  Next time I run I will remind myself how good I felt after this run...and maybe, just maybe, I will be excited at the beginning of the run! 

Three LONG miles on the DREADMILL. Note to self: "Go running early and don't get distracted so it is too dark to run alone!"

Awesome run in Sandy.  I really just love running up there.  I think it has to do with the awesome view of two temples and mountains and the fact that half of the run is actually downhill!  It is way nice...of course then half of it has to be uphill.  I guess hill work is good, right?  

 I was not feeling good before the run.  Too many fries in celebration of my gallbladder coming out this next week.  I did feel better after, but I did also have some major stomach stitches during the run on the opposite side of the gallbladder pain.  Eventually, it was uncomfortable enough to have to stop.  I wanted a four mile run but just couldn't get it! 

Nice jog around the neighborhood of my school.  Shorter because I am going to run two days in a row because I will have to take a few weeks off due to gallbladder removal on Wednesday.

Felt good to run today.  Wasn't thinking I had time and then made time for it.  I couldn't help but smile and enjoy the fun fall colors.  I like when I run and actually love that I am running. I guess that happens when you know you won't be running for a while.  

Will I ever be healed?

Ran a bit today(run-walk combo).  Paying for it now.  A little bit of pain in the area where the gallbladder used to be.  Better not try for a few weeks again.  SIGH :( 

Treadmill at friend's house after a day of eating and eating and eating!

Dreadmill at home.  Winter is hard.

Running outside is my friend.

 I love when, in December, I can go running in the sun and it even feels warm.  It was so awesome to get out.  I am glad that I can still run, after having such a big break, without being winded or too slow. 

 I took a personal day off from work(my "sister" had a baby yesterday and I took care of her kids--three boys five and under--It was so tiring and I totally believe I deserve a day off!) and when I saw what the temperature outside was, I knew I should take advantage of it.  It felt so good to run.  I got tired during the second half and had to remind myself to get out of my head and I am so glad I went.  Of course, tomorrow I may be sorry if my silly side still hurts, but sometimes you have to run through things, right?

Great run.  I sure have been loving getting back into running.  Ran from work out towards the lake, but decided to avoid the river trail seeing that there have been so many creepy stories about creepy people who are up to creepiness.  Of course I thought about a friend who was hit by a car in the past few months as I was running down a busy street and that creeped me out a wee bit too.  I wear my green knee socks just so people will notice me.  

I tried to get out of my head on this run.  I am such an inward runner.  It isn't that I focus on the actual act of running, I am just lost in thought I guess.  I saw a cat that I saw earlier in the week on the same route I took today.  Last time it was laying on its back in a pot.  It made me laugh.  Today, it was sitting in the window.  I think I need to name said cat.  I also saw the lamp from "A Christmas Story."  It made me chuckle inside and I kept thinking: "You'll shoot your eye out."  I am glad it isn't cold enough to have to worry about licking medal and having my tongue stick.  Oh wait, I don't do that! :)

 I am so glad I am out and running again.  It really feels good(well even if my legs have been a little sore lately! Totally. Worth. It!)

 I actually ran pretty fast today.  I kept my first mile under eleven minutes, which is really fast for me.  It was much harder to keep that pace for the rest of the run, but I tried my best.  Felt good! 

Alice and the "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad" Run! 

So...running angry is better than not running at all, right?

 I do not know what got into me this afternoon but I was angry.  My iPod would not work after about .9 miles and so I had no music and didn't know my pace or time, which irritated me because I was running to that point my fastest mile yet.  And I am not sure exactly how far I ran.  It was somewhere between 3 and 4 miles.

 I guess the universe was trying to tell me something.  When I figure out what it was trying to tell me, I will let you know.  It was weird to listen to my feet hit the ground and to listen to my thoughts the whole run.  I think I try to escape me sometimes by listening to music.  

 I noticed a lot of smells on the run today.  The first was nice, it was fresh laundry smell.  The second wasn't, it being exhaust fumes.  Then a guy walking toward me decided to light up right before I passed him.  Love the cigarette fumes while running.  I also smelt weed on one of the blocks.  Somebody was hotboxing it in one of the cars.  I found it weird.  Some people are crazy.

 I won't mention the other litter I saw along the way but the first time I saw it I was appalled, then when I saw it again later in the run I could only laugh.  

 Well, off to drown my sorrows in pizza. 

The Dreadmill Strikes Again!!!

Silly snow.  I really was tempted to run outside but I have become a totally wimp when it comes to cold these days.  I hate the treadmill but on days like today, I am very glad I was able to buy it for only one hundred dollars!   

Good run before eating burgers at Red Robin.  Gotta burn those calories one way or another!

Slurpies, Anyone?

It was a little snowy on the run today.  My friend had told me I should just go seeing the sidewalks were still clearish.  I was glad I went because I really don't like running inside.  It made me happy to see a snowman.  It wasn't even half bad to have the snowflakes hitting me on my eyeballs.  I prefer rain but this was okay.  Probably last run before heading back to the Frozen Tundra for Christmas.   

Quick bike before I had to catch my flight home. Ran across Minneapolis airport to catch flight home.  Very glad I made it will ten minutes to spare!

Miles on treadmills are weird.  I ran to get 400 calories burned.  It was about 40 minutes worth of running and I actually ran the whole thing.  Maybe it is easier to run on the treadmill sometimes. I was spoiled and this is a very nice treadmill at the place where my mom works out.  The lady who runs the place is nice enough to let me pay per workout instead of having a membership.  I am so lucky. My treadmill at home is a whole lot louder than this one.  I guess you get what you pay for!  I am still glad I have my treadmill but like the one here in Rhinelander, Wisconsin a whole lot better! :) I am pretty sure the eggnog shake I had from McDonald's totally trumped this run, but it was yummy! :)

Thankful for the Dreadmill, even if it is not my favorite!!!

I cannot figure out distances on treadmills.  My treadmill at home tries to keep track using a little light up track, but I never know how accurate it is.  The treadmill I have been using here in Wisconsin tells me one thing and my iPhone tells me another.  I don't know if either is right, so I have just been gaging things by calories burned(thinking about that now, how the heck does the treadmill know?) and time(I guess this is the most accurate thing I can do on the treadmill!).  I ran for 50 minutes. I was bored for about 49 minutes of it.  With ten minutes left, I tried to motivate myself by picturing the finishes I have had so far in 5k races.  It was nice to remember these fun times from the past year.  Too bad those memories only covered about thirty seconds of the ten minutes that were left.  I really need to come up with some strategies to deal with the boredom that encompasses treadmill running. 

45 Minutes: Treadmill.  One last workout in Wisconsin.

 This was an okay run, for a treadmill run, that is.  I do remember not wanting to go anymore after about thirty minutes but it was okay because right around that time is when it got quiet in the gym and the person who runs the gym talked with me about life.  I really like getting to know new people and Tony was really cool.  She is so nice and let me pay by the day while I was home for Christmas.  I look forward to working out there more this coming summer.  

Exercise bike and treadmill mix. About an hour.

Exercise bike one hour.