I Don't Want To Go

Last night I had to pretty much force Mindy to go to her ballet class. She cried and cried the whole way there and kept saying she didn't want to go. I finally got the reason out of her, and it was because her teacher corrected her last time. She is so sensitive! Anyway, she finally went in and she was happy she went. I was tempted to just take her home because she was so sad, but I want to teach her that sometimes there are things we don't want to do, but we have to do them if we want to get better at that thing. I told her the reason she goes to ballet class is so her teacher can help her get better. If she was perfect at ballet, she wouldn't need to go. But who's perfect at anything?

This morning when my alarm went off at 5:30, I had a really hard time getting up. I fed George and got him back to bed by about 6, then I seriously debated going back to bed. I just kept thinking about how nice it would have been to go back to sleep for another hour, but I knew I wouldn't be happy about that choice later. I also thought about how I made Mindy go to ballet when she didn't want to go, so how could I justify not going swimming just because I didn't wan to go? I want to get better at swimming, don't I? Yes, I do. So, I went. I had a really nice swim for about 40 minutes, and didn't wish I'd stayed home once.

Here's what I did:

200 kick

300 pull

5 x 100 @ 2:00 (I did most of these at about 1:54 - 1:58 but each one was slower instead of faster like it should have been. I don't know how to do that.)

300 pull

200 cool down

Total: 1500 yds

After I got home and dropped the kids off at the school, I went and got my hair done and got pampered for like 2 hours. That was nice, even if my hair didn't turn out how I envisioned it.

In the afternoon, it was so nice outside that Elle and I had to go for a bike ride. We put George in the bike trailer in his car seat, and he seemed to enjoy it too. It was so warm outside, we had to take off our jackets.

Then, when we got home, I thought, "Man, I'm pretty tired for just going on a little ride with Elle." I got nice big drink of water, then suddenly, I started feeling really cold, and kind of sick. I thought it was maybe from the water for a little while, but it just kept getting worse, and I was shivering like crazy. What the heck!? I got George down for a nap and got into my nice warm bed. Then I started feeling like there was a heating pad on my back. I took a Tylanol and my temperature was almost 101. Yep, I guess I'm sick. It was just weird how suddenly it hit me. I was feeling fine during our ride!

I feel ok now, just hot. George is acting really fussy too, I hope he's not sick! I finally got him to bed, and I should go to bed too. I will probably move my run from tomorrow to Saturday. We'll see, hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

Hair Cuts

We girls all got haircuts in the last few weeks. I cut Elle's first:

before

after (It was just a trim, but I think it looks cuter)

Then I cut Mindy's and she wanted a little more off:

before

after

After I've had all my babies, my hair starts falling out, and this time was no exception. I was getting sick of pulling handfuls of hair out every time I washed it and having it clog the shower drain. (I know, eww!) Plus it just took forever to wash and rinse out and blow dry! That is if I even blow dried it, most of the time it ended up in a ponytail or a bun. I decided to just chop it off:

before

after

Yikes, it is so short! There was also a miscommunication about the color. I wanted it really really blond like this:

I don't know what happened because I showed him this picture. I'm kind of mad that I paid so much for a color that you can hardly even see. But what can I do? I can't say that I love it, but the great thing about hair is that it will grow back! I'm going to donate the hair that I cut off so it will benefit someone else, and I feel really good about that whether I like my hair or not. I'm going to grow it out a little so it's about the same length as my header picture. It's fun to have something so different, though, and it's WAY easier for swimming and washing!

Bloggers Block

Hi everyone. I haven't been on here for a while, and I don't really know why. It's not like things haven't been happening around here or I haven't been working out. I really have. I promise!

I just can't think of anything to write, and I just haven't had a lot of time to write what little I think of. So, I'll just do a quick update.

George's leg is healing very well. We kept it bandaged for a week, and took the bandage off yesterday. Now the burn has turned into kind of a scab like the doctor said would happen. He pretty much forgot about it the day after it happened. He just went right back to being his sweet little happy self, and it didn't seem to bother him at all, even when I'd give him a bath. (You'd think warm water on a burn wouldn't feel too good!)

I just love that little guy. The other day, he actually laughed when he saw me. How can you not love someone who's so happy to see you that they laugh?!

Mindy's arm is all better, we took the splint off after 2 weeks like the doctor said we could do if it wasn't still hurting.

Now let's just hope for NO MORE doctor visits for a while!

I've been doing pretty well with my training. I didn't do anything the day after I burnt George's leg. I just still felt so guilty, I couldn't even get on the trainer, even if he was asleep. Maybe I just wanted to be right there in case he needed me. I don't know, but I did have a little break-down that day and I've been on edge a lot lately. I don't really know why. George is doing great so I don't know if it's still from that or something else. I just feel like I'm messing things up a lot and the littlest things seam to make me feel crazy.

Anyway, another exciting thing is that I counted the change from our change jar and it was enough to register for a race!! Wahoo! I registered for the Olympic distance at Echo on July 9. This one is taking place of BAM since it was canceled. I'm still sad about that, but I really like Echo too so it will be fun! It will be my first tri post baby #4, and it's 13 weeks away!

I'm also about ready to start my 20 week training plan for the Utah Half Ironman! I'm so excited to get started, but I have a few more weeks to work up to official training. Though, official training for the half marathon is starting on Monday! YAY!

If this post feels a little jumbled and crazy, that's because that's how I feel right now! Time to do some laundry and get to bed so I can make it to swimming in the morning!

Sandals in the Snow

This morning I was one of those crazy people who wear flip flops when it's snowing.

I've been wearing my flip flops lately because my other shoes seem to be hurting my heel. By the time I thought about putting on boots, it was too late because I had to get the kids to school on time. And I had to take my baby to the doctor because he had a bad burn on his leg.

It all started yesterday...

George woke up at exactly 6, which was when I was going to go running. He's such a good sleeper, though, I can not complain! I got him back to bed and was out the door by 6:30. I immediately thought, "dang, I should just run outside," because it was so nice out. But it was also still dark, and for some reason I was nervous about running outside after my last bad run, so I went to the gym and ran on the indoor track.

I ran for 30 minutes then hurried home, but everything was nice and calm there. George was asleep and the kids were all ready for school. Pete dropped them off so I could take a shower before taking Elle to preschool and George to his 2 month check-up.

The check-up went beautifully! He's very healthy and doing great! He's now 23.5 inches long and 14 pounds! He's also got really good head control for a 2-month old. I'm so proud! :)

The worst part of the check-up was when he had to get his shots. One of them was tetanus, and we all know how much those hurt! I nursed him after he got his shots, he calmed down and fell asleep on the way home. He then slept for about 3 hours.

When he woke up, he was not a happy camper. He was just screaming. I fed him, but that only calmed him down for a few minutes and he kept crying while he was trying to drink. It was so sad. When he was done, he was still screaming so I brought him down to Pete and ran to the store to get some baby Tylenol. That seemed to help a little, but he was still really sad. I finally got him to sleep, but he wouldn't let me put him down so I sat there holding him for a couple hours. After the kids got home at around 3, he woke up screaming again, but it wasn't time for more medicine yet.

Our doctor had told me that putting something warm on his leg could help it feel better so I heated up one of the kids' little rice bag heating pads for 40 seconds in the microwave. It felt warm, but not too hot so I didn't think anything of putting it on his leg. He was still so sad, though so I wrapped him up with the heating pad still on his leg and held him.

That was a mistake.

He didn't calm down at all, so after a few minutes I decided the hot pad wasn't working and I thought it also might be a little too warm. I pulled it out, but just kept him wrapped up and just held him while he finally went to sleep, crying off and on, for about 2 hours.

He woke up, and I went to change him. Pete was literally walking out the door to go running, when I looked at George's leg and was shocked to see a huge blister just above his knee! Right away I thought it had something to do with his shots. I hurried and called Pete over. He said it looked like a burn, and it just took me a second to remember the hot pad.

I was able to hold it together long enough to call and leave a message for our doctor, but after that I just started crying. When the doctor called back, Pete talked to her and she said it did sound like a burn and that something like that wouldn't happen from the shots. She said we could drain it if it looked really tight, to leave it open to the air and to bring him in in the morning. I'm so glad I caught Pete before he left because I was having a hard time staying calm.

I can't even explain how bad I felt. I couldn't believe I had done this to my baby! Now it seems so obvious and so stupid to wrap that heating pad up with him, right on his bare skin. The doctor said she wouldn't have guessed it would burn him either, though, and that they like that kind of heating pads because they're so safe.

After we drained the blister, George calmed down a little bit, then I was able to feed him and he fell asleep. Again, I just held him, I didn't dare put him down. Pete's brother came over and they gave him a blessing while he was sleeping. When he woke up he seemed to feel so much better! He even gave his uncle a little smile, and was acting more like his usual happy self. I was able to lay him down on his changing table for him to look around, smile and kick his good leg while we had dinner.

I was worried he wouldn't sleep well, but I laid him down at about 8 when the other kids went to bed and he just went right to sleep. What a little darling! He did wake up again at 9, which was good because it was time to give him more Tylenol, but then he went back to sleep. He woke up at 3 and 6:30 to eat and get changed then he slept until just before 8 when it was time to take the kids to school and him to the doctor.

The doctor cut off the dead skin and bandaged his leg up. She said we'll be able to stop bandaging it after about a week, and that there was healthy skin underneath so it should heal without leaving a scar. What a relief. I still have a hard time looking at him without crying, but he's going to be ok. It doesn't even seem to be really bothering him anymore, and the pain from the shots seems to be gone too. I'm so glad he's back to his normal smiley self. He's such a sweet baby, and shouldn't have to have any pain!

I can't help but think that if I hadn't put that heat pad on his leg, he'd be better by now. It's really hard not to be mad at myself. Hindsight is 20/20, though.

70 MInutes

70 minutes is a long time.

Friday's run was supposed to be for 70 minutes, and I did it! Well, let's just say I was out there for 70 minutes. I didn't quite run it all.

It was a little chilly, but not too bad. I ran up towards the avenues, and look at what I saw as I ran by Temple Square!

I really tried to enjoy my run, and there are definitely parts that I enjoyed, but I can't believe how hard it was for me! When I got closer and closer to my turn around point, 35 minutes, I was looking at my watch every 10 seconds or so, and I kept wanting to stop and walk.

The last few miles were really hard. I gave in and walked a lot more than I feel happy about, and I was grateful when I had to stop at the long stoplights. I had a side ache in both sides, and my knee was hurting a little. Nothing terribly bad, but enough to make me want to walk.

When I got close to my house, I was walking and thinking about how terrible I did on this run, and I really almost started crying. I imagined myself walking into the house and crying to Pete about it. But when I walked into the house, George was the one crying so my plans changed. It's hard to cry about your run when you're baby's crying and you've got a job to do. Having something to do when I got home actually made me feel better. I did take a nap later in the day, though, and that was nice. My legs were pretty tired for the rest of the day.

I'm almost embarrassed to post my numbers, but here they are:

1. 12:09
2. 12:55
3. 12:27
4. 11:48
5. 13:12
6. 7:27 (That's for less than half a mile. Slooooow)

Total time: 1:10

Total distance: 5.48 miles

Average pace: 12.46/mile

It's hard not to get depressed when I can't even run 5.5 miles in 70 minutes. I used to be able to do a little more than 7 miles in that amount of time. In fact, 7-9 mile runs used to be my favorite, especially when I'd run up the avenues and get to run back down on my way home.

I can't think like that though. I need to just think about where I'm at now and not where I used to be because that's just depressing.

On a happier note, my sister did her 70 minutes today and she did great. She said nothing really hurt and that she was wishing it would have been longer! I'm so happy that her running is going so well!

Tonight I watched the video one of my biggest tri/running heros, Sonja, made of her latest adventure. It consisted of running 26 miles along a deserted part of the west coast by herself in torrential rain. Yeah, she's amazing! (I wish I could say I knew her in real life, but I just follow her blog.)

The thing I loved the most about her video is what a good attitude she had the entire time! She was just happy to be out there. It also made me really excited to get my running fitness back so I can really enjoy my runs again, and be able to do stuff like that (maybe not quite like that, but whatever I want.) again.

Read about and watch Sonja's adventure here.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

This morning we had green eggs and ham and a green lime/banana smoothie, and I wore a green shirt. That was about the extent of my St. Patrick's Day festivities. Though, we did go out to eat at a Thai restaurant tonight, does that count?

Let's see, what have I been up to?

Monday I didn't do a workout other than cleaning the house because I thought George had his 2 month check-up that morning so I didn't get anyone to watch him. But, no, his check-up is next week. Oh well.

Tuesday I did my first trainer ride of the season now that trainer season is coming to a close. Oh well. It was good to get back on the bike, but I forgot how hard it is! My neck and shoulders were pretty sore the next day! I also did the get focused leg workout on my Nike Training Club app. I'm hoping it will help strengthen my calves and ankles because that's what gets the most sore when I run. And my heel is hurting sometimes too. I really hope it's not PF.

After my workout I talked to Pete and told him about how Mindy hurt her arm on Sunday and it was still hurting, and we decided it would be best to take her to the doctor just in case it was broken. Sure enough, she's got another buckle fracture! It's only been 6 months since she broke both her arms. Luckily this time it was only ONE arm, and it's actually so minor that she just has to wear a splint for 3 weeks and be really careful - if that's at all possible for a rambunctious 8-year-old.

Wednesday I had my friend watch George while Elle was at school and did my 35 minute run. You'd think I'd be used to 35 minutes by now, but I'm not. It was really hard. The last 10 minutes or so I had to keep reminding myself not to just stop. But, I did it. What I'm really worried about is my run scheduled for tomorrow because it's supposed to be for 70 minutes! Ouch. I don't know how I'm going to handle that.

Today:

Pete came last night! Yay! I was so happy when he told me he was coming home two days early. I was missing him like crazy - to the point of listening to country music and crying in the car.

Anyway, this morning I was able to leave George with him while he took his morning nap which ended up going from 10 till 12:30! I took Elle to my friend's house still so she could play with her daughter, and I went to the pool. I did the same workout as before:

warmup (200 kick, 200 free, 200 pull, 200 free)

3x(100 kick, 100 pull, 100 free)

cool down (100 back/breast)

I did my 100s as fast as I could again, and didn't have any better results. I think they were 1:52, 1:52 and 1:57 which is a bit faster than last time. I kind of have a hard time remembering to keep going all out when I'm trying to do a fast 100. I need to keep reminding myself to go fast. I hope I'll get better at that as I do it more.

Tune in next time to see if I survive the 70 minute run!

Words of Wisdom

Today was the first time I took George to more than just the first hour of church. He slept all through sacrament meeting, then got fussy when I tried to go to sunday school so I took him home too feed and change him and just let him hang out at his favorite place (aka his changing table). I love living across the street from the church! Then I went back for Relief Society which I've hardly ever been to in this ward since I've been in Young Women or Primary pretty much the whole time we've lived here.

I really enjoyed the lesson, especially because it was about something I've been extra passionate about lately, The Word of Wisdom.

I heard a joke the other day that went something like, "Why do Mormons give up sweets for Lent? That's all we've got!" No, that wasn't it. Maybe it was something like, "I'm a Mormon so I celebrate Lent all year long." Hm, I'm terrible at this. I'm totally killing the joke...

Anyway, people think it's such a hard thing for us Mormons to not drink coffee or tea or alcohol or smoke, but really it's not. At least it's not for me. People think these rules are chains that hold us down, but really they are what help keep us free. I can't imagine why anyone would think it's a good thing to be addicted to something or that it's fun to lose control of yourself because of something you've taken. Maybe that's because I've never tried it. I've never wanted to try it, though. I'm so glad I was raised in an environment where that wasn't even an issue. Our bodies are temples and we should not defile them. It's also amazing that this was given to Joseph Smith back at at time when they didn't know how dangerous tobacco or alcohol could be, and before half the drugs we have these days even existed.

That's not all the Word of Wisdom is about, though. It also tells us what things we should eat and basically that we should take care of our bodies. That we should eat healthy foods and exercise so that we will "run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint." What a wonderful promise.

Read the Word of Wisdom here.

First real long run?

Yesterday was our 10 year anniversary which means I've been married for 1/3 of my life now. It's been the best 10 years of my life, and it keeps getting better! (I love that I was born in 1980 and that I got married when I was 20 so it's really easy to figure these things out.)

This is the most recent picture I could find of me and Pete, and it was taken in September.

So, what did we do for our big anniversary? Well, I went swimming, and we had some delicious red velvet cake. Then Pete got on a plane and went to Austin for SXSW. Great anniversary right? It's not like we were going to do much anyway with a 2-month-old who I can barely leave for an hour. We're already planning next year, though. It involves snowboarding, and it's going to be so fun!

Here's the story of how we met in case you missed it 2 years ago.

Anyway, Pete's going to be gone for 8 days. EIGHT DAYS! How am I going to manage without him for that long? I don't think we've even been apart for that long since we got engaged.

One of the biggest problems, other than missing him, is figuring out how to do my workouts. I could take the kids to the childcare at the gym, but that's the last place to take a little baby when you're trying to avoid getting him sick in the middle of RSV season. So, I called a friend and asked her if she could watch Elle and George for an hour while I ran today. She is so wonderful and of course said she would. I didn't mind at all that I had to wait until the afternoon for her to be able to do it, as long as I could do it sometime today.

Elle and I put George in the bike trailer (in his car seat) and went for a nice bike ride in the morning since it was such a nice day! She's been dying to ride her bike all winter. He seemed to really like it too, which is exciting for all the bike rides we have planned for the summer!

By the time the afternoon came around, you could almost say it was hot. And I did get hot on my run. I was wearing pants and had to roll them up half-way through!

I was supposed to run for an hour, but it was really hard for some reason. My feet and legs were hurting and my knee was feeling kind of funny, even having a little twinge that made me stop and walk for a minute, so I decided to cut it a little short. I ended up doing about 50 minutes instead.

That used to be such a normal length run for me, but now I can't believe how sore my legs are! Ug! I'm feeling a little discouraged about getting up to 13.1 miles, but I know I can do it! Not all my runs will be this hard, and hopefully my legs and feet will get used to it again soon.

Plus my sister is doing great! She called me this evening to tell me she did her 60 minutes, and that she was feeling really good afterwards. The other day she even suggested we do the Top of Utah marathon! It's so backwards that she's suggesting it and I'm the one saying, "I don't know..." It's supposed to be a really fun one, though. We'll see.

A Good Night's Sleep

Guess who only woke up one time last night! That's right, I have the most amazing 7-week-old!

He takes after his big brother who has always been a great sleeper. He was really chubby too when he was a baby.

Here's a picture of Ethan at 7 weeks with Mindy (almost 2):

Here's George at 7 weeks with Mindy (now 8):

And George with Elle (4):

What cute boys I have! I think Georgie wins the chubby boy contest, though.

Anyway, since, George usually wakes up at around 5:30, I didn't set an alarm to get up and run. I thought I'd just be up anyway. Well, I wasn't. I put George to bed at around 9 last night, which was actually late for him, then he just woke up at 3 to eat/get changed then went back to sleep until morning! I got to sleep until 7, and by then it's time to get the kids up, get breakfast ready, pack lunches and make sure everyone gets to school on time.

I dropped the kids off at school, left Elle and George (who was already back to sleep) with Pete, and went to the gym. I really should have just ran outside, it was such a nice day, I don't know what I was thinking.

By the time I got there and got started, I only had half an hour before I had to get back and get Elle to preschool so that's how long I ran. I was really only supposed to run for 35 minutes, so I didn't cut too much off.

I also ran on Monday. I did about 3 miles outside. I'm not exactly sure of time or distance since the Garmin died after about a block, but I did go to a known 1.5 mile turn-around. It was a nice run, and I was so glad I got out pretty early because soon after I got back it started raining. It rained all day, then it turned to big fluffy snow flakes. Of course today it was like 50 degrees. Love our weather!

Poor Jeep has lost its place in the garage to the newer, sexier GTI.

Both today and Monday, I followed my run with a workout from my Nike Training Club app, and boy do they make you do hard stuff! The kids were doing it with me on Monday, and that was fun. I'm haven't gotten as sore this week as I did last week though, so that's a good sign.

I Want It All

I hate to admit it, but I skipped my run on Friday because I was too into reading The Hunger Games. Pretty pathetic hu? My other excuse is that I had to get all ready in the morning to go watch Ethan sing at his school, and I never feel like working out once I've gotten ready for the day. Sad hu?

Anyway, I finished that dang book Friday night so I was all ready go to Saturday morning. It was a nice day, 39 degrees so I got to run outside and I just barely needed a jacket. I was actually hot half-way through.

I needed to run 4 miles, but I couldn't find the Garmin so I just ran to a spot I knew was 2 miles away. It's where I usually take my long runs so that was fitting since this was my long run for the week. I haven't ran up there since that last horrible long run where I had such a hard time and didn't know why. Well, now we know why (I was pregnant!) so I don't feel so bad about it.

I didn't even wear my watch because I didn't want to worry about time or anything, I just wanted to run. But I did look at the clock on the stove right before I walked out the door and it said 8:35.

I had to run up a pretty steep hill just before my turn around, and I did walk for a minute. It was hard. I really like running up to those hills, but the biggest problem with it is that I sometimes have to stop at the longest light in the world. Actually 2 of them. And sometimes there's a train I have to stop for too.

There was no train today, but I did have to stop for the light both ways.

The last mile is always hard for me, and I think it's a mental thing because once I get across the train tracks I feel like I'm almost home, but I really still have one more mile. I tried to ignore that today, and the last song that came on before I got home was I Want It All by Queen and it really helped me push through.

Here are the lyrics:

Adventure seeker on an empty street,
Just an alley creeper, light on his feet
A young fighter screaming, with no time for doubt
With the pain and anger can't see a way out,
It ain't much I'm asking, I heard him say,
Gotta find me a future move out of my way,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,

Listen all you people, come gather round
I gotta get me a game plan, gotta shake you to the ground
Just give me what I know is mine,
People do you hear me, just give me the sign,
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,

I'm a man with a one track mind,
So much to do in one life time (people do you hear me)
Not a man for compromise and where's and why's and living lies
So I'm living it all, yes I'm living it all,
And I'm giving it all, and I'm giving it all,
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth,
Here's to the future, hear the cry of youth,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,
etc.

This song makes me think about how if you "want it all" then you've got to get out there and work for it. If you want to run a marathon, (or a half marathon) or finish an Ironman or whatever it is you want to do, you've got to put the time and effort in to make it possible.

I got home, took a few minutes to stretch outside, then went in. Pete asked me how long it took me, and I looked at the clock right as it turned to 9:14! I was like, "WHAT?!" That made me feel good for the rest of the day that I ran 4 miles in less than 39 minutes, and that's counting walking for a minute, stopping for that light twice, and stretching!

Later that day, I was just watching youtube videos with Pete and he put this one on: Patrick Stump - "Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)"

I didn't embed this video because it gets cut off, but you've got to go watch it. I didn't know what was up with the dog until Elle pointed out that he's missing a leg.

It's funny how sometimes when you're thinking about something, everything seems to relate to that thing. I thought this video went along perfectly with what I was already thinking about during my run. To me, the message of this video is that you need to find something you like to do and get really good at it. It doesn't matter what it is, it could be twirling pencils or doing backflips on a pogo-stick (amazing!), or you could be like the dog with one leg (My kids' favorite) who has the odds against him to be able to run and still do it because you love it so much! I just love how excited that dog is to start running. I'm going to have to add this song to my running playlist.

What songs do you have that help motivate you and get you through that last mile on your long runs?

First Swim Back!

This morning I had planned on going to spin class again, but after Tuesday's class, I changed my mind. Plus I was still feeling really sore, now more so in my arms from finishing up the Conditioning Corps workout yesterday that I started on Monday. They have you do some hard stuff! And that was even on the beginner level!

So I decided to go swimming today! I was really excited about that, but I didn't really know what to do so I asked my twitter friends (love those guys!) if anyone had a workout for me, and @JamesonBull suggested 3x(100 kick, 100 pull, 100 free).

I hate to say it, but that didn't sound like enough at first, but then I had to remind myself that I haven't been swimming at all for 7 weeks and before that it was pretty relaxed for 9 months so I decided it would be perfect.

I did my normal 800 warm-up (200 kick, 200 swim, 200 pull, 200 swim) then I did the workout Jameson gave me.

It really was perfect. I went as hard as I could on the sets of 100 free so I could time myself and see where I'm at, and the kick and pull were kind of like recovery sets. My times were 1:58, 1:55, and 2:02. Ug, that's kind of depressing, but I just could not get my tired arms to go any faster.

Let's see, the last time I did timed 100 yard intervals before I found out I was pregnant was May 4th. My times were:

10 x 100s
1:35
1:42
1:42
1:42
1:47
Rest
1:45
1:50
1:53
Rest
1:47
1:53

And that was after working my butt off for several months. Man, I really have a lot of work to do. But it's ok, I need to go read that second paragraph again about how I haven't really been swimming for a long time. Also, I need to not compare myself to anyone else. I know I'm not fast, and I don't do triathlons to win (though it would be nice...). Basically I'm racing against myself, so there are my benchmark numbers, now let's get started!

:) Have a great day everyone. I'm going to go read The Hunger Games for probably the rest of the day.

Gifts

The other day I was doing the dishes and kind of grumbling to myself while I did it, thinking things like, "Wo is me, why do I always have to do everything around here?"

I suddenly realized I was doing this, and decided I needed to stop because I know I am in charge of my own attitude. Then I suddenly had a scripture come to mind. (I know, isn't it awesome when that happens?) I've looked it up so I can quote it properly:

Moroni 7:8

For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.

That sounds a little harsher than what came to my mind, but the point is that if you give a gift grudgingly, you might as well not have given it at all. I realized that cooking good, healthy meals and taking care of the house is kind of like my gift to my family. I love my family, and really I am happy to do these things for them. It's just hard to remember that sometimes when you're tired or think about how never-ending the dishes or the laundry is.

Along those same lines, I have also been given the gift of such a wonderful husband and family, and the ability to stay home and take care of them. My body is another gift, and the ability I have to do the things I enjoy like swim, bike and run. My children are all gifts and I'm so blessed to be a mother.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:33

For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.

I thought these were just some great things to think about and a new way to look at doing house work. I should take pride in being a homemaker because that's what I'm doing, making a home, and I need to remember and be grateful for the gifts I've been given.

I had another gift today: a 45 degree morning and a husband at home to sit with the baby so I could go outside and run in it.

I ran for 4o minutes and felt great! The funny thing was that when I first started, I was practically limping because my legs still hurt pretty badly, but after about a block they felt fine! That is until I was done. Then it was back to saying, "ouch, ouch, ouch" as soon as I started walking. It's weird how that works, isn't it? You'd think it would be the other way around and hurt more while I was running, but it didn't! I need to remember that next time I'm sore and have a run scheduled.

What are some gifts you give to your loved ones? What are some of the gifts you've been given?

Spin Class Let Down

I was so excited to get up this morning and go to spin class for the first time in forever! I used to love spin class. I was pretty much addicted to it when I lived in St. George and first started triathlon training. I'd never been to the class at my new gym, but I expected it to be awesome like most spin classes I've been to. The name of the class is actually "Cycle and Core" so I thought we'd be on the bikes for 45 minutes or so, then do some core work at the end. Sounds perfect for this new mama, let's go!

I got there at just a little before 6:00 to make sure I got in, even though the guy at the front desk told me it didn't fill up. I put my cycling shoes on, picked a bike and started spinning, expecting the teacher to come in at any time. She got there almost 15 minutes late. Then she only had us spin for about 10 minutes before having us get off the bike and start gathering mats, balls and cables to do some exercises on the floor. I didn't dare do that in my bike shoes so I just took them off and did them in my socks. I was kind of frustrated. I had been so excited to come spin my legs out because they were so sore from doing squats and other things yesterday, and what does she have us do? Squats! I ran and got my gym shoes and only did about half the amount of squats.

We got back on the bike for a few minutes, but I didn't bother changing my shoes again. We got back off and did some more floor work, several of the things I had done yesterday. Back on the bike for a few more minutes at the end, then it was over.

We were probably only on the bikes for 20-30 minutes out of the hour, and most of the stuff we did on the floor wasn't even core work. I was disappointed at the end to not feel all shaky and tired like I'm used to feeling at the end of spin class. From now on I'll just ride my trainer or go sit in the back and ignore the teacher because at least it was nice to go be around other people. Oh, and it wasn't even close to filling up. There were only 4 other people there. Now I know why.

Not that I didn't get a pretty good workout, it just wasn't what I was looking forward to. I don't know how much is from today and how much is from yesterday, but my legs are so sore now! Sitting down/standing up and going up/down the stairs is pretty painful, especially when carrying a 13 pound baby. Ouch.

I hope my legs feel better for tomorrow because I've got more running on the agenda!

George - 6 Weeks & Me - 40 Minute Run

Sunday George turned 6 weeks old!

We had to dig out all the 3-6 month clothes and put away all the newborn and 0-3 months because he was going around without his onesies snapped, and we just can't have that! We found some pretty cute stuff, though. Check out this outfit!

Look, he's so old he's falling asleep in his church clothes.

Monday morning I got up at 5:30 and went to the gym to get my run done before everyone got up. When I got up to the track and took my ipod shuffle out, I realized that I forgot to turn it off. Again. Of course it was dead, but I had my phone so I thought I'd just use it instead, but where would I put it? I tried sticking it in my bra, but when I started running it kept making this weird sound and changing songs every second. Arg, that was annoying! So, I just had to run without music. I know all the really fast people run without music, but guess what, I'm not really fast. I really really like to have my music when I run. It helps me a lot. The only time I don't want music while I run is if I go running with someone, or during a race.

Anyway, pretty soon after I started, I noticed there was a girl running right behind me. I scooted over so she could pass me, but she didn't. It was weird, I'm not used to other runners not passing me! Every lap when I'd get to the windows I'd see myself with my pony tail swishing around, then I'd see her brown ponytail right behind me. It was kind of comforting to have her there, especially because I didn't have my ipod. It gave me something to think about. I also thought about my form a lot and tried not to get lazy with it.

She ran behind me for about 15 minutes, then finally passed me and went fast for about half a lap before stopping.

I ran for 40 minutes, then started on my Nike Training Club workout (Conditioning Corps in the beginner "Get Toned" section.). It's an iphone app that I learned about from Twenty-Six and Then Some, that is like having your own personal trainer. She had such a great review of it that I had to try it! I was only able to get half-way through my workout, when Pete called to see when I'd be home, and I could hear the screaming baby in the background. I just put my workout on pause, put my stuff away and headed home. Even though I didn't get through the whole workout, it sure worked me and I thought the app was awesome and really easy to use!

A few hours later, I had my 6 week post-pardum check-up, and it went really well! She asked me if I'd been exorcizing yet. I told her, "yes, I went running this morning actually."

She said, "Good."

Whew. Glad I didn't get in trouble for that!

I was so happy the rest of the day because I had such a great workout in the morning, though I was sore and tired by the end of it. And I now have my doctor's OK to do whatever I want! I'm so excited to get back into training hard!

Next up, Spin Class! It's been a while.