Running

Runners just do it. They run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first. -Author Unknown

Hobble Creek Half--We Did It!!!

The Hobble Creek Half Marathon was Saturday, August 22. And we did it! I ran this last year with a time of 2 hours and 10 minutes. I vowed I'd never run it again. My knees were in excruciating pain and I literally did not run again from that day until March or April of this year! Well, I decided to sign up again and this time I made my friend, Julie do it with me. (James ran it again as well, but he's too fast for me--not like having a running buddy!) Our goal was to run it in 2 hrs and 10 min again knowing that was just under a 10 minute mile pace. But we decided we would be ok with 2 hrs 20 min. Well we ended up doing it in under 2:10. Julie sprinted the last half mile. She was a superstar, and finished in 2:08. I just couldn't find it in me to give it any more oomph than I was already squeezing out, and finished in 2:09. I still beat my last year's time by a minute and I'm THRILLED! I know it's only a minute but it seems like eternity when you are running! :) I loved training and running with Julie. I know those last 4 miles I held her back (though she won't admit it), but I was having a tough time. I wore my knee support braces and my knees did not hurt once! I never had to stop for the bathroom either which I was worried about. I just got to the point where mentally I wanted to walk. But I didn't. I kept going. Julie and I pushed each other and we made it! I only ended up with a couple of blisters and my calf muscles were a little sore, but overall, feel great! It is such an amazing and empowering thing to accomplish. Unlike last year, this time was a little more motivating. Instead of never wanting to run again (which is how I felt last time), this year I'm excited to train and try out different half marathons. I don't think I will ever do a Marathon (I'm not THAT motivated), but maybe the Disneyland Half, or the Moab Half, or the Provo River Half, or the Mapleton Midnight Half. Anyway, don't know what I'll sign up for, but am excited to keep running! And that's probably a good thing since I have our Red Rock Relay next week in Southern Utah! Can't wait!

Julie and I
(And yes I look dead in all these pictures. Hmm. Wonder why.)

James and I after the race. James by the way makes me so mad! I've been training like crazy and barely finished. He has only been running on weekends, sometimes skipping a couple weeks at a time, and still finished in 1:51! How does he do that?
It really doesn't seem fair. And it's so dang irritating!

Me looking like I need about a week of sleep!

Julie looking like it was a piece of cake!

Am I a Horrible Mother?

Oh, I was SO excited for school to start back up. Finally, I can get some good sleep again. Summer is not great for me. I love my kids, love having them around, but I get so irritated when I don't get enough sleep (graveyards do that to you) and when they are all home all summer long, I DON'T get enough sleep. In fact, I was so excited for school to start up, that I woke up and walked my kids to school, forgot to take First Day of School Pictures, and proceeded to come home, climb back in my bed and sleep for a couple more hours. Dirty house and all. It was heavenly. Blissful, even. But now I feel a tad bit guilty --like a horrible mother.

Why Must We Sleep?

I'm just wondering...why must we sleep? I could literally stay up playing on the computer, reading, writing, blogging, etc. if it weren't for sleep. (Oh wait, I do that already). Mainly because I'm screwed up and on night shift. But then I pay for it the next day. I have to sleep in or I'm a bitch with a capital B. Just ask my family. And it seems like my whole day is wasted. I don't get much done. Now I know why they say "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." But it's just not fair for those of us who work night shifts. I can't just turn off my night brain at 9-10 pm because I SHOULD go to bed. People think just because you are NOT working tonight, that everything is normal and hunky dorey, but it's not! I can't sleep.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE sleep! Really love it. Just wish I didn't need it or want it so bad all the time. And I hate having to plan my life around my sleep--once again just the night shift thing talking. And I do not have insomnia. Once I'm tired, I can fall asleep immediately. I come home from a night shift, change my clothes, climb in bed and I'm out!

It's just the idea of sleep that is currently bugging me. Just so ya know!

Today's Scattered Thoughts

• Think it's funny that we are all sitting here as a family, but have 3 laptops out.
  
• Love reading, want to go read a book.
• Just love being cancelled/put on call at work. I can't say "No." It doesn't matter if I'm missing out on the money, just love to stay home.
• I want to start "couponing" but don't know where to start. My friend, Danette just started and it's amazing! Need some tips. (Maybe the money I saved would make up for the time I refuse to go to work if given the chance.)
  
• School starts soon? Whoa! Where did the summer go?
• Want to go to Disneyland. Is that too much to ask?
• Wish I was more comfortable with my body. You would think running 20+miles a week would make a difference. Ugh.
  
• Feeling guilty for not posting much lately.
• Love talking to my friend Julie. We just "get" each other. Can you have a BFF at 36?
• Can't wait for our Red Rock Relay race. I'm more excited for that than for the Hobble Creek Half. I guess 'cause it's my team--that I created--all women! Girl Power!
• Miss my scrapbooking buddies. Gotta get with them soon.
• Wish I could materialize all the great ideas I have swarming around in my head.
  
• I am realizing that life's been good. Gotta keep enjoying it--each day, one day at a time.