Up and at 'em

I've been in sort of a winter funk. Haven't worked out, haven't spent much time outside, really haven't felt on top of my game. I can't remember the last time winter got me down so much. But the good news is, I think I've put those winter blues behind me (whether Provo decides to warm up or not)! I got back on the work-out wagon and after a week of depressing, barley-over-one-mile-before-I-think-I'm-going-to-die running, I'm back up to three mile stretches and registered for the Utah Valley half marathon in June. It is a ways from 3 miles to 13, but at least I'm back on track :)

So now I need some assistance. My running tunes have gotten old and I need some new ideas. I like really upbeat music when I work out (Shakira, Abba...you know, stuff that makes you want to move). What do you put on the iPod when you want to step it up?

Confession

I am having a ridiculously lazy Saturday morning. Not just that though, it seems that most of my Saturday (and Sunday) mornings have become absurdly lazy recently. After spending all summer waking up long before dawn to get miles and miles of running in before the sun warmed up, I'm not sure if it's refreshing or disheartening that I've spent most of the winter sleeping in (in a way I haven't done since high school) and then don't seem to get out of my pajamas until I'd normally be thinking about an early lunch. If I'm honest I might admit it would feel less depressing if I were still running miles and miles every week. Sigh. Can anyone guess what my New Year's resolution might be (or had better be)?

What about you? Does anyone have good ideas for getting yourself up and moving even when you know it's freezing outside and the nasty air will probably kill you faster than laziness (and when you also happen to loathe treadmills)? And do you believe in alarm clocks on Saturdays (those of you without children)?

I did it!

On Saturday I ran the St. George Marathon. It was my first marathon, and I entered the race lottery mostly because I didn't think I'd get in this year. I wasn't really convinced a marathon was something I wanted to do. I love half marathons, but pushing your body 26.2 miles is a whole different level of crazy. I did get in (obviously) and I spent the first two months of training looking for an excuse not to run it. But after running the TOU half in August, I got my race motivation back. I spent the next month worrying that I wouldn't be able to run. (And naturally, because I'm a hypochondriac I found 900 things wrong with myself. I was sure I had a stress fracture when my calf hurt during one run and that I was getting swine flu when my allergies flared up one day.)

I expected a marathon to be hard, but it was even tougher than I expected. I'm kind of proud of that, because I know part of what made it so much more difficult than my past races or training runs was that I pushed myself. So much so that when it was over I didn't have anything left - I just planted myself on a random patch of lawn until I could walk again. But I made my goal of running the whole time - no walking - and I shattered my "reasonable" goal of a 4:15 time. I even broke my "ultimate" goal of 4 hours and finished in 3:53! It was physically painful some of the time and I had to play mental games to keep myself motivated, but I did it. There's such a sense of satisfaction that come from conquering truly tough stuff.

I've had a couple people ask me if I was disappointed in having missed qualifying for Boston by mere minutes (well, 13...that's kind of a lot to shave off, but anyway...). I'm totally not. First of all, 3:53 is way better than I ever expected to do and you bet I'm proud of myself. But second, if you qualified for the Boston Marathon, wouldn't you feel like you should run it? I'm glad I ran this one, but I'm definitely not planning to make a habit of it. Now if you're looking for a half-marathon buddy on the other hand...give me a few weeks and let me know :)

Pink ribbon and kissing

OK, so I haven't actually taught a Primary lesson yet, but I'm completely in love with my class. There's nothing like hearing little voices belt out the first verse of "How Firm a Foundation" (yes, they're like 5 years old) to win your heart. We're going to be just fine. Thanks everyone for the kiddo advice. As a side note, this week the kids taught me that parents have to sleep in the same room because their beds are stuck together. And apparently some parents KISS! Oh the scandal.

Finally, I bought pink ribbon for my hair today and am now officially ready for my first-ever marathon (gotta have that bow)!

Mailbox

Dear St. George Marathon,

BRING IT.

Sincerely,
Kate

For the weather gods, fortune, luck, etc. etc.,

Please don't jinx me for the above throwdown. I'm well aware the outcome of this race rests on a lot more than my ability to run like a crazy person/utter lack of common sense. I'm just sayin', barring any injuries, catastrophic weather, food poisoning, etc...I AM READY.

Hugs and kisses (and whatever else will prevent ridiculous wind or an ankle twist),
Determined Runner Chick

Dear friends I've made from the running club the past couple weeks,

You rock. Thanks for reminding me how fun running is and pushing me to run faster and farther. And for keeping up more than your share of conversation after mile 15 or so to keep my mind off my legs. Keep running, cheering, pushing, and may all you crazies who want to do this in Boston make your goal.

Thank you,
That One Girl You Ran With That One Time