Wasatch Back Ragnar 2011

I survived the Wasatch Back Ragnar! Although I did get injured, I had an AWESOME time! I completed my first run, a 6.9 mile downhill run on a dusty, rocky, dirt road. I also completed my second run, all uphill 8.1 miles at around 1am. My second run was the hardest run I have ever done. At about mile 5, my hip starting hurting me and by mile 7 I was almost in tears. I did complete it but, my body was not too happy with me. We got a few hours of sleep after my run and when I woke up, I could barely walk. My hip was messed up. I am still not sure what was wrong. I am thinking maybe a pulled muscle. I am walking better now and I feel like in a couple more days, I should be fine. My awesome friend, Sarah, completed my second run for me. It was only 3 miles, thank goodness, and I am so grateful that she was willing and able to do that for me! She was a life-saver!
Here are some pics of me and my team:
My van leaving home Friday morning

My team at the finish

My fun and crazy peeps!

Sick, busy and life goes on....

Holiday:
We planned on going to Southern Utah for Memorial weekend. We were going to camp in the truck and go see the Four Corners area. Justin got really sick and we stayed home instead.
Justin:
We sold our Bass boat (almost instantly after it was listed on KSL). Justin inherited a trolling motor from Grandpa Madsen after he passed away and it wouldn't fit on the back of that boat. So, he sold it and found another one. The new boat is bigger and more like a regular boat. It does, however, need quite a few things done to it before it is ready for the lake. Justin has been working on that and hopefully between him and his Dad, they can do the repairs it requires and we'll be casting our lines soon!
We are still trying to sell our old pickup truck. We have listed it several times and have not received any serious offers. It has been such a good truck, its hard to believe that someone doesn't want it. Oh well, we will keep trying.
Kenlee:
Kenlee is growing so fast. I think she has finally started really growing. Since Christmas she has grown 3 sizes! I didn't realize how lucky I was that she was able to wear the same size for so long. I have had to buy her all new clothes!
Me:
The Wasatch Back Ragnar is Friday! I cannot believe that it is here already. My training has been so horrible for this race. I am a little worried I might die...only kidding. I know its going to be tough though. Last week I was really sick. (I think I got what Justin had over Memorial weekend.) The doctor got me on anti-biotics and I am almost fully recovered now. This years Ragnar is going to be a lott different than the one I did in Vegas. We have a co-ed team, I have to run more miles, I am about 8 pounds heavier and the elevation is dramatically different. But, I am still excited and can't wait! Stay tuned for updates!

Surgery and Stuff

We have had a lot going on lately...
Justin had surgery for his deviated Septum on Friday. His doctor had to use splints to hold it in place. The dang splints are driving Justin crazy and he doesn't get them out until Thursday. He had a post-op appt with the ENT today and he said they squirted something up his nose so far it probably touched his brain, I guess everything else looked good and he is on his way to recovery. The first night he said he could already tell the difference. He is dealing with alot of congestion and soreness right now so its harder to breathe that the first night. Hopefully when he gets the splints out he'll feel like new....COME ON THURSDAY!!!
Justin took the week off work to recover. If he was in another profession, he would be back working again, since his job is so physical, he has to take the week off. Don't want to blow out nose stitches! OUCH!!
FYI: Everyone at St.Mark's Outpatient Surgery center was awesome, so extremely nice and his doctor, Dr. David Palmer (ENT specialist), was really good too.

Kenlee is off track right now and is spending time with her daddy.
Its super special Daddy-Daughter time! He even made her omelettes today....WHAT?? He hasn't even made me an omelette, EVER!!
I am so jealous of them right now. It's like they are on vacation without me!
Anyway, I know they are having fun together and getting in some quality time so I'll shut up about it (for a minute).

I have started getting back into my running rountine...slowly. I can't believe how out of shape I am right now. What was I thinking taking off the winter....Stupid, stupid!!

That's it for now. I will post another update on Justin after Thursday.

Ragnar what?????

I entered the Wasatch Back Ragnar relay race last year. It is on June 17-18th. Little did I know I would spend the winter sitting on my butt and not running. I have to kick it in gear and get training....like NOW! Here are my runs:
Leg 1

Leg 2

Leg 3


18.1 MILES TOTAL......YiKeS!!

Running from Depression

For a while now I haven't felt like myself. I haven't wanted to do anything or really cared about much. Sure, I got myself out of bed every day and went to work....but I really, really didn't want to! I don't think I have ever felt like this in my life. Deep down, I knew what it really was.....I needed to exercise, not just exercise.....RUN!
Yesterday was a nice day....not too cold and the sun was out. It was calling me and I couldn't deny it any longer......I ran! Let me tell you....I feel sooooo much better. It really is like a drug for me. Running with the sun shining on my face is just the antidepressant I needed.
I found an interesting article on the subject and thought I would share it.....

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From www.suite101.com:

The Neuroplasticity of the Brain Means that Exercise Reshapes BrainA definite relationship exists between exercise and depression. Exercise promotes new cell growth in the brain. If depression is a form of cell death, then exercise is the best strategy against this kind of neural paralysis. The neuroplasticity of the brain means that exercise reshapes the brain.

Prolonged and intense running releases endorphins or brain chemicals that produce a sense of elation. These endorphins are probably the reasons behind the proverbial runner's high.

While jogging, the body releases phenylalamine (PEA), a neurotransmitter that stimulates mental alertness; it also releases neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin (most commonly associated with antidepressants) that affect the mind in a positive way.

Not only does running release mood elevating neurochemicals, it also alters the rhythm of brain activity. The repetitive and rhythmic strides of jogging induces alpha brain waves, also known as the sensorimotor rhythm so often associated with meditation and the calm alertness of the "flow."

EEG sensors show that running reduces the thinking centers of the prefrontal cortex and increases the activity of the brain's motor centers. The emptying of the mind results in a sense of peace and calm.
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Ragnar Rocks!!

I survived the Las Vegas Ragnar! It was so much fun, I can't even describe it! All the girls on my team were awesome...every...single...one! We gathered in Provo (see picture below) and drove to Mequite where we stayed at one of the girl's parents house. We woke at 4am to head out and make the drive to the Valley of Fire, to the start line. It was so gorgeous there. We started the race at 7:15am. I was runner #2, I started around 8am. My first run was 8.8 miles, rated very hard. My team drove ahead and stopped a couple times to offer me water and lots of encouragement! I feel like I did pretty dang good! All the time I spent training really paid off. My second run began around 7pm and it was 4.3miles rated easy...It was NOT easy! My third and final run began sometime around 4am and I rocked it!!! 3.0 miles (5k) rated easy and I finished in just under 23 minutes...I have never ran that fast...I was floating by the end....talk about an adrenaline rush! L to R: Me, Jenn, Katie, Rebecca, Raychel, Kelli, Sara, Amy
Bottom: Sarah and Bobbi
(our other 2 runners met us in Vegas)

I'm on the team! YAY!!!
Our team name was "Training Broads"

Jenn giving me water during my first run.

keep on runnin'

And runnin'

Me, Rebecca, Sarah and Jenn at a water fountain in the Venitian (pic is out of order)

Van #1 waiting for the rest of our team at the finish line

The whole team at the finish line....195 miles in 31.07 hours

All the girls at the Venetian

We ran 195 miles through the desert in 31.07 hours. We finished 9th in the Women's Division! Not too bad for only getting 2 hours of sleep in 2 days, a pregnant woman, one trip to the ER and a knee injury.

Vegas here we come!

I leave Thursday morning for the Ragnar in Las Vegas! I am so nervous and excited! I think (I hope) I am ready. We will be running from 7am Friday until about 2:30pm Saturday. Our team, 12 fabulous women, are called "Training Broads". Bringing a few necessities....sleeping bag, baby wipes, energy Gu, toothbrush and running shoes.... and off I go!

I will post pictures when I return. Wish me luck!

Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat.

Ragnar Las Vegas- 8 week countdown

On October 22nd and 23rd I will be running in the Las Vegas Ragnar relay race! Its a relay race with 12 runners per team. We will be running all day and through the night for a total of 195 miles. I am so excited and terrified at the same time. So, for the next 8 weeks I will be running my butt off! My neighbor and BFF, Sarah, got me into this and I am so glad she did. She is quite a bit faster than I am and a great motivator for me. We have been running 8.5 miles up Yellow Fork Canyon for the last couple Saturday mornings. The first time, I thought I was going to die...it was 97 degrees and it took me all day to recover. This last Saturday though, it was fabulous! Wish me luck...here's to miles and miles of pavement and gallons of sweat!

No Self-Control!

I have no self-control! NONE! Well, right now anyways.
I have been having the hardest time getting back into dieting and exercising lately. I have been eating all the wrong things and not exercising like I should. I did, however, go for 2 short (2 mile) runs over the weekend and that felt great. Oh, how I've missed running...its like my favorite exercise in the world (as long as its not all uphill and too far). Now as I look outside, I see snow...I do not run in snow or cold weather. Blah!
Oh, and good news...I have oficially worn out the shoes I bought last year...time for new ones! They have been broken down and I could feel it in my ankles and knees as I was running this past weekend. What's amazing to me is, I heard that your running shoes were only good for 100 miles....could I have really ran 100 miles??? I know for real runners, 100 miles is a piece of cake, but for me...100 miles...WOW!!! So that feels like a milestone for me...one worn out pair of running sneakers that have probably gone at least 100 miles!! YAY!!
And....... I have gained weight again. Which brings me back to why I am blogging about this. I can't believe how fast it goes back on!! Its really not fair! I will be on a diet for the rest of my life...or at least on and off a diet for the rest of my life.
May 1st begins yet another attempt at taking control over my body. I can and will do this!

Keep runnin', runnin'

The title of this post is actually from a song that is stuck in my head right now, "Let's Get It Started" by the Black Eyed Peas.....Love it! Which brings me to my new exercise....running! I started over a week ago and I am loving it, especially now that I have a........

New Pink iPod Nano!

and.....Fabulous new running shoes!!!

I am really enjoying it....so much more than I thought I would. I haven't lost any more weight, but I think I am gaining muscle now. Just last night, I was looking at my legs and noticed muscles on them that I swear weren't there before. Seeing all my hard work pay off sure is motivation for me to keep exercising! You never know what you've got in you, until you push youself to, "Just Do It"!! LOL!