My first 1/2 Marathon

I am still stunned to think that I just finished a half marathon...

This is coming from the girl who back in middle school utterly dreaded Wednesdays because that was the run day in PE. Looking back, I think we only had to run 1 mile, maybe 1.5; yet that was so difficult for me. I ALWAYS got terrible side stitch that would force me to walk. Well...look where I am today and am very happy with myself.

I truly must give a shout out to my friend Anni. She has been my go to gal for training through this process. It is always easier when you have a "coach/trainer" helping you reach for your goals.

The day of the run was absolutely beautiful. Start temp was about 40 degrees. The course actually was adjusted about a 2 - 3 weeks ago since St. George had flooding and many of the trails that were part of the original course had damage or were swept away. I was a little bummed, because I mentally was getting set for the original course. However after finishing it, I am very happy that we ran the course we did. It was perfect.

I ended up running with Anni and one of her clients Allen. I never run with people because I always feel like I am so much slower than they are. However this time I just told myself to try it. It ended up being a blast! Anni paced us at 5 minutes running, then 2 minutes walking. I was a little worried that this would make us so slow however it really was a great plan. My body never got that exhaustion feeling and mentally it helped to know that you get to walk in one minuet, etc.

We talked about everything and anything and even had energy to jump and be silly in some of our poses.

My time ended up being 2:31. I was so happy with this. I estimated I would be between 2:20 and 2:40 depending on how I felt.

Overall I am very happy that I made the decision to sign up and stuck to my training plan. It truly is amazing what our bodies are capable of.

Hawaii 2010!

Trent and I finally made the commitment to take a vacation to Hawaii! Since I work for an airline and get travel perks, we are continually asked why we don't go more places - if anything at least Hawaii.

So we went on Monday Dec 13 through Friday Dec 17. We ended up choosing the island of Maui.

One of the best parts about our travels was that we got first class on our flight over. Once you have ever had first class, you crave it when you are forced to sit in coach. Besides, first class on a 5 1/2 hour flight really helps the time go by too.

We didn't load up our week with things to do all day. This was truly a vacation where we relax. For some reason we just don't ever get that chance. So the idea of leaving it all behind and finding a week of peace was the best gift to ourselves.

Some of our activities included going to the beach many times, driving to Hana (a road that has over 600 hair pin turns - and you only go about 15 miles an hour), seeing a lava cave/tunnel, driving the "forbidden" back side of the island, and eating lots of fresh fish.

The best part of it all...Trent is sold on going again! (For those who don't know, his idea of vacation is in the woods, nature, mountains - mine is a beach)

It was a great time!

Aloha

My 1st Triathalon: SHAC Turkey Tri

What a blast it is to "tri".

This past summer my friend Anni from work mentioned that she has wanted to do a tri. We knew there was one coming up in Nov so we made the commitment to do it!

After practicing swimming (which I found out that I actually enjoy), working on my transitions, the day was here.

The day was actually only about 40 degrees so I was worried that I would freeze to my bike since I would be soggy after just swimming. Luckily though, my body was warmed up enough from the swim that the cold wasn't even a factor.

I truly had a wonderful time. I felt amazing after I had finished - no pain, just pure bliss. I would like to do another one this Spring!

Little Red Ridding Hood - June 4th 2010

June 4th, my sister-in-law and I rode the Little Red Ridding Hood bike ride in Logan Utah.

It was an amazing time! Trent, Mark, and Rylee were also there as our "SAG".

The course is ideal for riding because it is flat with just little rolling hills. The scenery is also amazing. Beautiful green mountains and hill sides.

I took advantage of the terrain and completed the 100 mile - Century - ride. It was so invigorating to complete a century ride. There were definitely moments where my brain was trying to play games with me and ask "what are you doing this for?". However I am so excited that I was able to complete it!

Teresa rode the 35 mile course. In hind sight, she wishes she would have done the 50 mile ride.

The ride is organized so well! It was amazing at the amount of support that is provided. Almost every 10 miles there were great rest stops with the right kind of snacks/foods. Bonneville Cycling Club knows how to do it!

I hope that I will be able to ride this again next year. It was a great ride and amazing time.

Save A Sister 10k

Save A Sister 10k.

Here are some photos of the 10k I ran with some friends today.
It was me and my friend Amber, her unoffical sister-in-law and her friend Jessica.

It was my first 10k as well as Ambers. It was cool to accomplish this goal in 2009. We had a great time and it was for a great cause.

Tour de St. George

I like to ride my bicycle...Trent, Tammy, Mark and I rode in this years Tour de St. George, sponsored by Red Rock Bicycle.
I was a great day for a ride. Trent and I rode the 65 mile ride, while Mark and Tammy did the century ride.

The ride started off a little brisk, but we warmed up within the first 15 miles or so. At the start of this ride about 2 miles in, there were about 4 crashes that we saw. The Summit Althetic Club was having a triathalon the same morning and had put out cones on the road. Since we were ridding into the sun at the first part, many of the riders couldn't see or just plane ran into these cones. There were a few people who defintily had broken collar bones. Very sad for that to happen at such an early part of the ride.

After the riders started to clear out it wasn't as much of a bumper car ride.

Trent and I rode together the entire way. After our climb up Sand Hollow, we ended up pulling about 15-20 people. It was crazy how we just started going and one by one, people jumped behind. It really is amazing how when you ride with that many people and draft behind one another, how much energy you save while going fairly fast. (we were around 20-25 miles an hour)

After a rest stop, the chain broke up and we headed out up another hill again. This part was probably the most tiring, but once we got up and over, my 2nd wind finally kicked in and I was ready to go some more. Trent told me that he needs to find me a jersey that says something like: I love to go fast! Reason he said that is because I absolulty love to haul as fast as I can down the hills. When I started riding I was a little scared. Now, it's what makes any hill worthwile.

Overall, we road the 65 miles in about 4:30 (actual moving time).

Mark wasn't too far behind us and he did the century. Tammy came in as well with no problems.
It was a great time and was especially fun to do it with family. We can't waite for next Spring's ride.

Making the Cut - Day #30

Well the day finally arrived! I survived a total of 30 days on the Jillian Michaels Making The Cut program. All I can say is that I am so proud to know that I accomplished this and it was so worth it. (I acknowledge some days were hard and mentally tough but that's part of the journey)
I took my measurements and photo last night and it was really amazing to see the changes - especially on the measurements.

In total I lost:

• 1 inch around my bust (normally females would be upset about losing from that region, but I am ok with it)
• 1/2 inch around my waist
• 1 inch off my hips
• 1 inch off each thigh
• 1 inch off my left arm
• 0 inches off my right arm (I am thinking because it's my dominant arm)

I didn't loose the 10 - 20 lbs that is indicated in the book, however I know for sure that I have gained muscle mass as well as strength. Honestly, I think I'd prefer that over a specific number anyway. There is something to be said for being strong and lean, rather than just lean.

I would really recommend this program to anyone who is ready to get a little uncomfortable, ready to get a little crazy, ready to make something happen and ready to start realizing what potential your body has. It has been such a great mental transformation for me. I now realize that my body is willing and able to do the work, it just requires me turning of my brain and listening to my body.

So now that day 30 has come and gone and day 31 is here, I am planning on keeping my body strong through strength and cardio training. The biggest hurdle is going to be me keeping my brain in check when it starts to whisper: "you can eat that cookie, you worked out today" or "you can have that soda, you'll burn off the calories at the gym". No way Jose! I worked really hard for this and I'm not going to let anything undo what I've done.

Here's to many more 30 days!