Persuasion (Annie here)

So this is conversation between the good running angel and the lazy devil's advocate that went on inside my head on Saturday morning. It was 6am, the alarm was sounding, and I was planning on running 7 miles.

It's time to get up! Time to run!
I don't want to.
Come on. You need to train.
I want to sleep.
But if you sleep, you might not be able to finish on Aug 7. How embarrassing!
But if I don't, I might get sick and then I won't be able to train at all.
Pleeeeease? You can eat cake tonight if you run.
You know I'll eat cake either way.
But if you run, you won't feel guilty going for that second piece.
. . . aaaaand I'm up.

Maybe that line of thought will help you beat your own morning blues:)

As for my run, the first 5 miles were REALLY hard. My legs were heavy and my lungs were tired. I was convincing myself that I would be an utter embarrassment on race day when I hit mile 5 and all of a sudden, I felt fine. I felt like I could run forever--not that I could run super fast or anything, but at least I started enjoying it! I was listening to a mix of Jack Johnson, Elton John, and Jason Mraz, which was a nice departure from the usual boom-boom-boom of my workout playlists. It made for a pleasant morning and I finished before the temp reached 90. Loved those last couple miles.

How about you? How do you convince yourself to get up and go when you really don't want to?

slower and slower she goes (noelle here)

I hate it. I just really hate the rapid weight gain of pregnancy. Four miles was really, really hard this morning. I made tacos for dinner last night and realized that is one of the things I just really shouldn't eat the rest of the pregnancy. I woke up feeling awful and wanting to throw up but not wanting to throw up. Appetizing, right? But I made my body get up at 5:30 anyway. The legs were resisting like lead stumps, but I knew that once I got over my initial inertia, it would be easier to be in motion. Law of physics.

I "brisk walked" the first half mile. Please warm up, body. Please warm up, I said to myself. It took me 8 minutes to walk the first half mile. 8 minutes! Ay me. I guess it wasn't a brisk walk. More of a slow handicapped waddle around the first loop. As I made my way around to where everyone begins the course and is hanging out stretching, there were the usual stares at my belly. It's just so attractive. Especially with my bright white maternity belt highlighting my condition. Classy.

But hey. The nausea had passed. So I started to jog and kept an eye out for my first "victim." When I run, I have to pass someone. Like, I have to. It's a psychological/pathological thing. But pretty much everyone these days is a whole lot faster than me, so it took me a while, but I finally found him. A probably 80-year-old man doing a slow shuffle to the right of the path. I made my move and jog-waddled past him. Success. Next up... a lady doing her jog thing. Passed her, too. I go around the loops doing this over and over. Who can I pass? Who can I pass? I know it's juvenile and ridiculous, but I can't help it. Stupid habits die hard. (But thanks, 80-year-old man, for continuing to validate my self esteem).

I also have this superstitious habit of skipping up to swat low-hanging tree branches or leaves as I run by. I would do this during my cross-country meets at the mile markers, because... well, who knows why. What a waste of energy, but it's like it's involuntary. It's getting harder and harder to, uh... skip up. But again. Stupid habits die hard. So if you see me on the course, heaving my ginormous self up to swat tree branches, well... now you know. I have issues.

So dearest friends. Anyone else with weird running habits? Or am I alone in my principles? I guess it wouldn't be the first time...

Needing a PuSh!

This is Lauren. Remember me? I am one of the ladies that first started this hoop-la. Well, I have a confession. I am a total slacker these days. I have not run in a week. What is my deal!? I think I am thinking I am busy with moving but really ... not so much.

So, today I am pledging my re-commitment to this race.

I, Lauren Marie Childers Thorley, do commit myself to the Provo River Half Marathon... again.

Now, I am off to run.

Holla.

PS Anyone else HATE running on treadmills? I will be happy to be back in the USA so I can run in clean air, more level ground, safer neighborhoods, and less elevation. Of course, it will be a lot hotter and humid in DC. Can you believe I ran 10 miles on a treadmill in my training for my last half?! I can't even believe it myself and I was there! I hope not to repeat that ever.

From Annie

Ok, here's a little something to nibble on. I've been diligently training, pleasantly surprised by how long I have followed through on something I decided to do. You ladies have given me some much needed peer pressure. I really hope I can last until August! Today I ran 4 miles in Austin, which is a super town and an even better place to run. I still haven't been able to run without stopping for a breather here and there, but at least I am checking it off my to-do list! The only possible way to run in the hotter-than-Hades land of Texas is to leave before 7am. Luckily E's sister and her family has moved in with us for the next few months, so I can leave before the kiddos wake up, even when E is out of town (which is pretty much always). I thought it would be too brutal, because I have NEV-ER been able to exercise that early in the morning. . . but I actually kind of like it. Don't get me wrong--I still contemplate murdering my alarm clock every morning, but I eventually drag myself out of bed and after my run I feel really good about myself, PLUS it doesn't take up my whole day.

Questions: What do I do to not feel totally exhausted by 3pm? Should I be following a special diet? And does anyone else get blisters on the ends of their longest toes after a long run? I got some new running socks today, so hopefully that helps. Oh, and serious chafing going on. I don't think I can run in shorts. The thunder-thighs vote no. Any help on that? Because like I said, it IS hot in the heart of Texas!

Love you all and go run!

Fine... here is my (amanda's) post.

What have I been doing you ask?

Mainly digging through my basement trying to get this house organized while taking liberal breaks to watch episodes of Glee.

Since Josh is out of town the only exercise I have been able to fit in happened today. I walked 1 mile, in flip flops, pushing Z in a stroller to pick up Josh's car from the shop.

There you have it folks. I know. Super inspiring.

speak up!

Angie here. Is anyone else worried about the lack of posts from so many of our chilangas? Could it be that the motivation has already been lost? Or are they kicking butt in silence? I need to hear from you ALL, ladies- you motivate me and make me want to be better.

Marianne

O.k. - that is my post right below. Marianne writing here. I'm embarrassed to keep revealing my technical difficulties. While I'm rambling, any progress on t-shirts? My sister says the Salt Lake Running Company will make customized, dry-fit t-shirts. Let me know if I should have her look into it.

MM :)