Side By Side!

Another Milestone Reached!

Yesterday I ran and completed the Bryce Canyon 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles).  This was really such a fun weekend!  We left Friday, the 12th, in the early afternoon.  We (myself, Amber Sheffield, Amber & Brian Blair, Jocelyn & Casey Sackett) arrived around 4:30ish and checked into our hotel room.  We stayed at Ruby's Inn, a very cute and beautiful place in Bryce Canyon city.  We were only a 5 minute walk from the starting line of the race.  After we were all checked in, we headed down to Cannonville, which is where the finish line was.  We checked in for the race and got our BIB numbers and packets.  For a while, after that, we hung out in the park and just talked and goofed around!  Pretty soon Hal Hiatt showed up, along with Amber's son Gavin, and his friend.  We ate their spaghetti dinner and just relaxed.  We have a fun group!  I loved hanging out with them!  It came time to head back to our hotel to get ready to go to bed.  As soon as we got to the hotel room, it started to sink in that we were racing in the morning.  WE got our things set out and then goofed around a whole bunch before it really was time to go to bed.  Brian Blair gave me a beautiful blessing before going to bed as well!  My sleep that night didn't go very well.  I was anxious, nervous, trying to not accidentally snuggle with Amber, and just rest.  Then, this dang cat was standing by our window, being so obnoxious!  So, pretty soon my 4:30am alarm went off and it was time to wake up!  We were up and getting ready, the excitement and tension was building!  Brian Blair was HILARIOUS and just wound up.  I think he helped me to stay relaxed and calm!  We all met up in the lobby of the hotel. This included Cathy, who originally trained Amber Blair.  She was running with me because our pace was very similar. Cheryl Poulter even drove to Bryce Canyon to support me and she was amazing and came to the lobby too.  She walked with me to the start line too.  So, we all got lined up and just waited and waited.  Pretty soon, off we went.  The first mile was tough.  It was a long, gradual hill and I had a really hard time breathing.  So, we walked about a quarter or so of it.  Then, as soon as we got to the top, Cathy and I started to run and run we did!  I even hit a pace of 6:16/mile on that run down!  The coolest thing happened on the run down.  For the race, they have one lane of the highway open to escort cars up and down the highway.  Around mile 3 or 4, a group of cars was passing us and all of a sudden I saw my brother, Matt, poke his head out of the window and yelled my name!!!!  I knew he would be at the finish line but, didn't expect to see him on the highway!  That totally excited me and I even cried a little.  Then, 2 cars later, I see my friend Cheryl Poulter!!!!  I also knew she'd be at the end but, didn't expect to see her along the way either.  That totally fueled me for a while.  I really felt great the first 7 or 8 miles of the race.  Then, things started to change.  I started really struggling on my breathing and got super sick to my stomach.  I started to feel like I was shutting down and had to walk way more than I wanted to.  Cathy stuck with me though and didn't give up on me.  She kept encouraging me and pushing me that I was ok!  So we kept going, running and walking off and on.  Then, we still had about 1.5 miles left to go and didn't have much time to do it in, before the race was closed off.  I started to get panicky and got really discouraged.  I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish in time.  I had originally planned to finish in 2:30 but, that goal was long gone.  We were close to a mile away and I spotted Amber Blair!  I was so relieved because I knew if ANYONE could help us to finish, that she could!  Cathy was hurting also and was not doing too well.  Then, right behind Amber I notice a guy that looked familiar and sure enough, it was my brother Matt!!!!  He had heard the ambulance had gone to pick up a girl and was concerned it was me, since I didn't cross the line when I said I would.  So, he found me!  So, Amber stuck with Cathy and Matt stuck with me.  I tell you, as soon as I saw Matt, I broke down and started sobbing.  I was grateful to see him!!!!!  So, off we went to finish the race.  About 1/2 a mile away, we came across another good friend, Dustin Tollefson.  So, with Matt on one side of me and Dustin on the other side, we made the run to the finish.  I had them pushing and encouraging me.  I even held arm on arm with them for a few seconds and then I ran as fast as I could possibly go to finish the face!!!!!!

It was so great to cross the finish line, and I know that I DID IT!!!  It also meant THE WORLD to me to have so many people cheering me on in the end!  I'm surrounded by the most supportive and encouraging people!  I couldn't have done it without any of them being there to either train me, encourage me, or support me!  Everyone that has been part of this journey has helped me in some way!  I was on cloud 9 and was SO HAPPY TO HAVE A MEDAL!  I will cherish this medal forever!

About 20 minutes after I finished, my body started to shut down. I hurt everywhere and I was EXTREMELY sick to my stomach!  I just wanted to be in my bed and curled up in a ball.  I just cried and cried.  I really had to sit down and try and  just breathe.  The Amber's, Brian, and Jocelyn and her hubby headed back to the hotel while Cheryl stayed with me.  Once I was able to kind of compose myself, I went to Cheryl's car and just broke out into a full on bawl!  I was SO EMOTIONAL!  I was happy I finished, happy about the race but, at the same time, I was disappointed in my finish time and also SO VERY sick!!!!!  I wanted to be enjoying my finish but, instead felt HORRIBLE!!!!  Cheryl was so great at just listening and helping me to calm down.

After getting back to the hotel, we all showered, cleaned up, and headed out to get lunch.  I could barely eat much of anything, because I was so sick.  I was glad to get home and try and just relax and breathe!

I plan and am making a goal of doing the Bryce Canyon 1/2 Marathon again next year!  It was a great, beautiful race, and I know I can improve and do better!  I know what to expect now and will get a better handle on my fueling AND on my mind!  I can do hard things!

Update

I put this collage together, to show the change. The first picture, on the top left, is from the end of November 2012.  The bottom, far right 2 pictures are from May 23, 2013.  I can't see a big difference but, the girls in my workout group said that they can.  So, I'll listen to them!

So, my current weight loss total is 44 lbs.  I weigh 265.9 and when I began this journey, I weighed 309.9.  I have lost a totally of 19 3/4 inches all over since the beginning as well.  My clothes are no longer and tight and I even took 2 bags of clothes to the D.I., because it's part of my commitment and change to stay healthy.  I think that if I leave them in my closet, that they will just be staring at me, giving me the opportunity to fit back into them.  I DO NOT want to do that!

We are beginning training for the St. George marathon.  I'm scared TO DEATH of what's to come and how I'll get through it!  I'm so scared of not being able to make it through the finish line before they cut me out and I"m out of the race.  I was officially put into the race, after some drama.  Originally I was told I was not chosen to be in it this year.  I had a meltdown, to put it nicely.  Washington County residents are automatically supposed to get in.  So, I wasn't expecting a denial letter.  I cried and cried and cried some more.  However, after divine intervention, or whatever you want to call it, I was reinstated back into the race.  I"m SO GRATEFUL!  As a good friend, Dustin, put it: "Maybe this was Heavenly Father's way of letting you make sure this was something you really wanted."  I want this SOOOO bad!  I realized how much I've put into this.  My whole heart and soul!  I'm far from being ready but, I'm closer than I was almost 6 months ago (It will be 6 months on May 29, 2013)!

I'm running the Midnight 5k race tomorrow.  It will be a lot of fun!  It's at 11pm at night and we wear glow sticks and just have a good ole' time!  I'm running it with my sister-in-law, Shannon.

The above picture is from when I ran the Breathe Easy 5k/10k.  I won an entry into this, which I was VERY EXCITED about!!!!  I had signed up for the 10k race.  However, about 2 miles into it my legs cramped up SOOOOO MUCH.  The committee of the race suggested I finish in the 5k race, rather than the 10k, because I was so far behind.  It was VERY DISAPPOINTING to me and made me cry.  I was not happy with myself.  However, on the very bright side, I placed 1st in my age division (30-39) and 6th place overall!  So, it was fun as heck to win a medal!  I even PR'd my time at 31:?? minutes!

We have begun marathon training now.  We're especially working towards running the Bryce Canyon 1/2 Marathon.  I'm excited for this race and have heard many positive and exciting things about it!  Don't get me wrong, I am nervous and scared but, in good ways for sure!!!!

My Dream

"Why do friends attack your dream? Because 

when you chase your dream it reminds them 

they are not chasing theirs. Forgive them & 

move on."

______________________________________

A friend shared the above quote with me. I really struggle with those I am either close to or associated with not showing support to my desire to run a marathon. Sure, they say good job and way to go but, then they question why I do it the way I do, or why push so hard. My least favorite comment so far is, "You know could just speed walk the whole thing and still finish in time?" One of the people that said that knew I really was concerned and was saying it to comfort me. The other one, I really question why they would say it. The point is, I'm doing the marathon, I'm excited about it, and am excited about the challenge this gives me!!!!!

Words of Wisdom from Nancy!

Girl! Are you from Kenya? No! So your time 

means nothing. The fact that you have a time 

posted by your name means YOU DID IT!!!  

Don't diminish your awesomeness! I won't 

hear it! (I just yelled at you but it was done 

with a very loving tone!)

Change IS Happening!!!!

Since my last post, things are changing!!!!  Mike has been going to the gym for a couple weeks now and Mike and I have changed our diet in a good way!  Our daily diet goes somewhat like this: 

1. Preworkout shake
2. Post-workout shake
3. Breakfast consisting either of oatmeal or egg/egg whites with lots of veggies in it.
4. Lunch: Either egg or egg whites with veggies.  Or a low-carb wrap with chicken, veggies, and mustard.  Or a salad with chicken on it.
5. Snack of some sort, or a shake.
6. Dinner: No carbs or very, very low carbs. Veggies and protein and lots of it!
7. Of course I drink A TON of water all day long!

I put spinach in everything I eat, including my shakes!  I love it and it's a great way to get my greens in!!!!  Since then, my body is finally shedding pounds again.  I had gotten down to 274 but, went up to 276 and sometimes 278.  I was stuck there for the longest time!!!  Now, I can say I weigh 268, and have lost 41 lbs. so far!!!!!

I signed up for the St. George Marathon 4 days ago.  It was a very scary thing for me to do.  I had to do lots of breathing and thinking about the race before I committed to it.  But, I signed up and it's official!!!!

I won an entry in a race for tomorrow!  It's called the Breathe Easy 1k/5k/10k race.  It's taking place where the old St. George airport was.  I signed up for the 10k part.  It makes me nervous for a couple reasons.  First, this is my first race where I'm going there alone and not starting with anyone.  Really nervous about that! Second, some of the rail is on an unpaved, rocky trail.  I just hope and pray I don't fall on my face and/or get hurt!  I'm excited though!!!!  Any race experience can only help me!

It's exciting to see progress and it's exciting to know that what I"m doing is working.  The hard work is paying off and it feels great!!!!!!!!

These pants used to be tight on me, especially in the bum area.  Now I'm saggy, baggy, elephant pants!!!!!  

Word of the Day, Week, and Month: DISCOURAGEMENT!!!!!

I haven't written in here for a while, too long!  I really wanted to use this blog as a way to keep my thoughts, accomplishments, set-backs, etc. on hand to read on and remind myself of my journey.  I really need to be better about this!  Since my last entry, I ran another race.  This one was the Spectrum 10k, which began in Snow Canyon and ended in downtown Ivins.  It was a beautiful run, full of gorgeous scenery!  I did ok.  The day started out rough.  I woke up with a headache so, I decided it'd be a great idea to take a pain pill.  Bad idea.  I was already sick to my stomach from being nervous and having a headache.  It only got worse.  We loaded the bus to ride up to the starting line.  On the way up I threw up everything in my tummy!!!!  I will say that I did feel better after!  I started out the race actually feeling good!  I ran for 12 minutes straight, which for me is an accomplishment!  After that, it was stop and go the rest of the race.  It felt very up and downhill to me.  I also had problems with my feet going to sleep quite a bit.  I discovered and attribute that to traveling the day before.  Whenever I travel long distances, my feet swell pretty big and take 4 or 5 days to go down.  So, from now on, no big traveling before a big race!  I was one of the slower ones, which wasn't a surprise.  However, I did pick a few people out that I wanted to beat at the end, and some others that I didn't want to pass me up.  Well, I accomplished those goals so, I felt good about that!  Along the way, I feel the Lord gave me some tender mercies!  Around mile 4 I came around a corner to find Cheryl and Nancy standing there and cheering me on.  Tears instantly came to my eyes!!!!!  It meant SO MUCH to see them standing there and meant the world to me that they came out to see me run!  Their faces and encouragement were what I needed at THAT MOMENT!!!!  It gave me a boost!  Then, some runners that had already finished, came back around.  At first I though, 'Oh my gosh, how rude!  If you finish then stay there and don't come back to discourage those of us still running!"  Then, my heart changed and realized there were wanting to help!  2 of them stuck with me for 1/2 a mile, telling me the best part of the road to run, encouraging me, and pumping me up!  That helped a lot!!!!  Then, the last little stretch, when I didn't feel I had anything left, I saw my friend Amber Sheffield!  She ran a block with me, until I rounded the corner to head to the finish line.  Once I headed that way I was really struggling to breathe and keep going.  At that point I saw my dear friend and trainer, Amber Blair, coming towards me to help me out!  That was followed by Jocelyn and then "Sally"!  Amber literally held my hand and pulled across that finish line, with the help of my other buddies pushing me!  I tell you what, I work out with the best group of ladies EVER!!!!  I love the feeling of family in the running world!  Nobody is there to put you down or make you feel defeated!  Everyone wants you to succeed and accomplish your goal!!!!

 My best and favorite fans EVER!!!!

My AMAZING and AWESOME running crew!!!!

Our next race isn't until July 13th, at the Bryce Canyon 1/2 marathon.  We won't start heavy training for that and the marathon until the end of May.  So, until then we'll focus on endurance, speed, and doing our 6 mile long runs on Saturday's.  I've been really discouraged the past few weeks.  I'm stuck at the same weight, same inches, and can't seem to improve my speed, endurance, or time.  My calves are in so much pain the majority of the time!  I really thought I would lose more weight by now!  Granted, I'm so grateful for the 35 lbs. that I have been able to lose but, I'm wanting more.  I can't help but think that I'd run better if I had less weight on me.