Ragnar & A Half Marathon

Way back in January I started running.
I was running for a reason.

The Wasatch back/Ragnar race.
I put in many hours and ran a lot of miles in preparation for this race. I even ran the Pomerelle Mtn. road. It was a killer and I was so extremely sore from it. But I knew it would only make me stronger (once I could feel my legs again that is.....)

The weekend of the race finally arrived (way back in June).
Leg 1 down.
Leg 2 down.....sort of. This was a hard leg. I was so tired and exhausted. During this leg I thought I had a side stitch. I just ran through and kept on truckin'.
Later that night when it was our vans turn to get a shower and some sleep my stomach was very tender....right in the place where my stitch was at.
After a full belly I went to hit the sack and catch some zzzz's. Only it didn't go so well. My side progressively became more and more painful. I couldn't sleep it became so bad.
I finally got up and went outside to the aid station.

Verdict: Either appendicitis or colonitis.
Leg 3 was my hardest leg. 8 miles with 1.5 straight uphill climb. They advised me not to run any more.
But I trained too hard that I didn't NOT run my planned 3 legs. I did however switch with Troy's niece and took her easy 4 mile downhill instead.
It was very painful, I won't lie. But it wasn't un-bearable. I finished that leg and I just wanted to die. Every little bump in the van killed and it really hurt when I was walking around.

The following Monday I made an appointment with the Doctor.
The official verdict: Kidney stone! He told me that a 5mm kidney stone is pretty big. Mine was 7mm.
Just great.

Even though I didn't have an enjoyable finish, I am still very glad I did the race. It is a great feeling of accomplishment and all the long hard runs I did in preparation finally paid off.

Read some of my other teammates experiences here, here, here, and here.

Three weeks after the Ragnar, I was stupid and signed up for a half marathon. I was looking into running one right before Ragnar but hadn't made any commitment. But after Ragnar I started looking at some half marathon training schedules, which were VERY similar to all the training I did for Ragnar, I signed up.

I started and finished my first half marathon. I wouldn't say it was a great experience, but it was an experience. Half way through the race I was just mentally battling with myself to keep on moving and get to the finish line. Let's just say....girls, we have the visit every month and mine visited right smack in the middle of the race. Enough said. (Sorry if that embarrassed any one!) My time wasn't great, or at least in my mind what I wanted to run it in compared to actual running time. But I did it. And I really don't think I will want to run another one.

My body hits a wall pretty hard at 8 miles. I think I will stick to 10K's. :)
So there it is. My two big races. I have ran 4 times since my half marathon (on the 10th). Some days I feel lazy that I didn't run, but then there are days that I just want to rest. I just want to play with my kids, or clean the house, or do a little sewing. Just anything BUT run. And I think that is okay.

And for the record. I have yet to pass my kidney stone.

Dear Erin,

Even though the evidence of our very eventful morning is quickly disappearing....


The sound of us laughing hysterically will always be remembered (and the look on Troy's face as he came to rescue us....)

I added a picture of the correct way to enter our driveway (see below/click to enlarge) just in case.... :)



P.S. Thanks for joining me in the bone chilling/sweat to death 5K this morning.
Good times. Tons of laughable memories that even though the tire marks you left behind in the field will be long gone soon, I won't ever let you live it down.....ever :) LOL (see I am still laughing!)

And we definitely need to go shopping without the kids again.....

Thanks!

{Hugs}
Alisha

P.P.S. In addition to already burning my spatula to a frying pan this morning, I have now set off the fire alarm twice while baking my nephew's birthday cake.....and the cake is not even close to being done, yet alone burnt.....Not my day in the kitchen!

Another 5K

I ran in {this} 5K run this morning.

It was cold.
The wind was HORRIBLE the first mile.
I left my long sleeve shirt on to stay warm....bad idea. I can't run with material on my arms. It bugged me the {WHOLE} time.

I need to train outside ALOT more if I am going to keep up my running races. *Step away from just the treadmill! :)
I love the feeling I have when I am done running....accomplishment.

I shaved :22 off of last weeks time.
I had a blast!

My sister-in-law joined me in this wonderful event to help support the Call family (Thanks for running with me Christy!).

I graduated with their daughter {LOVE HER!}. Took {ONE} very mandatory speech class from *THE* Mr. Call (I can't act and I hate speaking in public....but his class was always a blast!). The Mrs. of the family is wonderful with a {huge} loving heart. You would never regret becoming a friend to any of the Call family members. Friend for life.

I wouldn't have missed supporting them, even if I had to crawl the entire way!
Now it's time to take the day off tomorrow and REST! :)

I think I want to run here or maybe here next. I can't decide which one. Any of you want to come run with me?

First 5K in 9 years!

Yesterday I ran my first 5K since the fall of my senior year!
Almost 9 years ago!

Wow!
I was only a few minutes off of what I was running back then.
Kind of shocked me! :)


There is a little old lady in our ward that is ALWAYS taking pictures. She is so nice, she always gives you a copy!
This one of the kids and I is RIGHT AFTER I came in from running.

I have another race this coming Saturday!