I had it coming I guess

When you avoid the dr. because you think you can mentally out smart what do you get?

A nasty, nasty, case of STREP THROAT... the day before a big race.

Yep, that's what I've had all along. So much for sinus infection. Never had one. Which means I should have been to the dr. days ago. Stupid me.

But the dr. there was EXTREMELY nice and being an athlete herself she hooked me up with a shot of antibiotics and oral medicine as well. I will be having ANOTHER shot here in a couple hours to insure those anitbiotics are CRAZILY ATTACKING my throat.

Though no difference so far. I feel just as lousy. In fact, this is the first time since the dr. I've sat up and done something. The Grider kids, thankfully, are helping entertain Sadee and Ava but I regret to admit they ate Cheetoes and candy for lunch. Oh well.

I am praying with everything I got that tomorrow morning I will feel 10X better and be SOMEWHAT ready to run 13 miles. Competitively? Well that's another story. That expectation kicked the bucket early this morning. I'll be happy to finish.

Running's Free Right???

Wrong.

I get the question quite often, "Is it expensive to run?" I struggle to answer it because everyone's journey as a runner is so personal. However, THIS WEEK, a RACE WEEK, sabotaged by sinus infections and sore muscles, has made me think, YES, running can be very expensive. Especially if you have a dream you refuse to give up on.

Sinus infection the WEEK of a race costs ya...I've spent 60 dollars on this,

a neti with silver solution for immunity PLUS ALJ, a respitory aid. I'm really trying to NOT use doctors lately so this was the alternative. I did however breakdown and use IBprofen and tylenol for the fever which WOULD NOT go away.

In my walking class on Monday I taught speed walking. BIG MISTAKE. My shins and calves were unbelievably sore. So sore I worried I'd be too sore on Saturday and spent $60 on a massage last night at Apple to strip those muscles.


Add into that running shoes at around $90 a pop every 400 miles or so.

Custom orthodics for my ridiculously high arches + physical therapy for the damage that occured prior to them.



Gear and clothes

My best friend... the Garmin 301. $185 on ebay (a steal really)

Running resources and books(which includes my fav, Running Within)

Music.. who can run without AC/DC??


Fuel..my favorites are the Roctane Orange Vanilla and Blackcherry shot bloks
Race Fees... anywhere from $10 to $75 dollars for St. George this year.

NOW you get the idea of how much goes into a sport most people think is free. haha
Obviously I think it is all SO worth it. Every one of those things makes MY journey as a runner that much more worthwhile.

I only have two miles to run today for training. Now if I can overcome this darn sinus infection, and keep stretching my ITband which has been aggravated from hill training, I think I might be able to run this weekend's race, The Teton Dam 1/2 Marathon pretty well. I've certainly done the training. BUT... I have to admit it is VERY intimidating course being so hilly. Well see how it goes I guess.

And regardless I always say by this point...

Kari- All the work is over. Now rest, relax and enjoy the ride.

Let's hope after this week it is a good one.

CRAZY KIDS

Yep, he's in his forties and I in my twenties but I'm telling you,we are just crazy kids who have more fun teaching PE than ANYONE IN THE WORLD!

I know I say this often... but....

I LOVE MY JOB!!

Curly girls with STRAIGHT hair?

I promised Sadee I would get your opinion. So here they are... Sadee and Ava with straight hair.

I think I will always be partial to the curls but the straight WAS kind of fun for a change.


What do you think?

Sadee


Ava


Both

What a way to start

So as most of you know, I have a race EVERY weekend in the month June. My family thinks I am obsessed but I say that is just the word lazy (sorry guys, I still love ya) people use for DEDICATION. hahaha Come on, you know it's true.

Anyways, today was just a local 5K but nonetheless, I took first overall, even beat the men, which I say ROCKS!! It wasn't a super competitive race but still felt great to be the first one across the line.

What a way to start the month eh?

Here's some quick pics of me reaching the finishline




Next weekend is the Teton Dam 1/2 Marathon. I'm hoping it will goes as well as this one did.

Ava makes me laugh

Ava is quite the little girl. She is not nearly as UP IN YOUR FACE as her darling sister so most people overlook her. And she isn't one to compete for attention so only when you really get-to-know her you see what a character she really is...

She can pretty much make any face you ask her to on a moment's notice.

Here is her grumpy face....


And here is her super happy face....

I NEVER follow the norm

And I mean that. When everyone wants sun, I'm enjoying the rain. When everyone is crying in a movie I am wondering what is so emotional. When everyone is happy the week is over, I am sad it's the weekend.

This is true.

So now it is summer and everyone is super happy and.... I'm still adjusting. I am used to, as are my girls, to being VERY busy. I function well on busy mornings and busy nights. In fact I will go as far as to say I am sad not to be in the gym teaching those cute 8th graders. My mom says I have become somewhat out-of-control. She recommends I slow WAY down and smell the flowers, watch Sadee play t-ball and teach Ava to ride a bike.

Which of course I still will but I'm being honest... I liked our schedule last week.

So think ill of me... I even do. But please, everyone out there with kids, let's get-together LOTS and Becky, count on me calling Danica for a hour here and there to run errands with JUST ME!

Told you I never follow the normal.