Good workout today! I went to Pilates to make up for missing on Wednesday. I had a good workout and added a new exercise for my quads. Not sure I will be able to walk tomorrow!

TM for about 20 min. My legs were a little shaky! I did the red ball after to workout my hamstrings. They are really tight right now for some reason.

Good day!

TM 40 min. 5 min walking warm up 30 min run 5 min walking cool down.

Pilates stomach series. A little red ball to stretch.

Pilates today. I actually made it to Pilates twice this week. I was a little short on time so I didn't get a great workout in ... but it was better than nothing.

45 min TM. It was a good run. I started off a little stiff but once I warmed up I felt good. It is about time!

Pilates stomach series and a little red ball to work my legs.

TM 35 min.

I ACTUALLY exercised today! Pilates and then TM for about 25 min. It is amazing how two weeks can set you back. But it felt great!

It is not that I am not posting anymore ... I just don't exercise anymore! For real! I don't!

I have been sick! My whole Thanksgiving break ... no school and nice weather ... and I was sick. What a bummer! I walked on the TM once or twice. Finally did a little workout (ran 20 min. walked 20 min.) on the TM on Monday.

TM -- 20 min walking. I have a headache today. I figured some walking was better than nothing, which is what I was planning on.

Really planning on some longer runs this week so this headache better not stick around and mess me up!

Pilates -- it was an ok workout. (my elbow is bugging me. sounds ridiculous I know. who knew your elbow could cause this much discomfort!)

TM for 30 min. and it was just ok too. I must be a little off today.

Went to Pilates this morning. Had a nice workout. Came home and jumped on the TM for a little cardio. Just did 25 min. Added a little speed knowing I was not going to be on for very long.

Outside run today!!! Oh my how nice it felt. It makes such a difference to run outside. I am not watching the clock the whole time. I did about a 40-45 min. run.

At home did the half barrel to stretch out my hip flexors and then did the red ball.

50 min TM. I cannot believe all these nice days are going by and I am not getting outside. By the time I get to working out it is dark out. I don't know how I am going to get through the winter on the TM. I am already tired/bored of it and it is only November.

TM -- 40 min. blah blah blah!

Pilates intermediate mat series.

I didn't post yesterday ... it was a pilates day.

Yesterday (Friday) 30 min running on the TM. I went back later and did 20 min. more. I then did red ball on my legs and a pilates stomach series.

Today -- 45 min run on TM.

Small barrel leg series for my hips ... I guess that is what you call it. It is a pilates thing. Jim, our pilates instructor, has loaned us a small or half barrel. What I am doing on it is great for stretching hip flexors.

TM 35 running. After running outside for the last couple weeks I don't love running on the treadmill.

I did red ball to work on my legs again.

Pilates -- one hour. My hamstrings are getting so tight from running. I did some red ball to work on my hamstrings and hip flexors.

Pilates yesterday. I had skipped an entire week because of a migraine and then I had a meeting that was at the same time. It felt good to get back and get some good stretching in. I am really working my hamstrings.

Today -- 3 mile run. Felt good. Getting a little faster each time. It has been a week of running with my heart rate monitor. I feel like I need to mix things up a little by adding some distance and maybe doing just some short speed intervals in the middle. To soon for that? Advise?

Yesterday I squeezed in a 5.5 mile bike ride. It was such a beautiful day I just couldn't let it pass by without doing something outside. I was very pressed for time so all I got was a quick ride on my bike. Oh how I love my bike.

Today -- 3.6 mile run. I am still using my heart rate monitor. It was a good run. I walk over to the track which is about 1/4 mile/5min for a warm up and then run my 3 miles and then walk home. I was a bit faster today. Legs a little tired. I need to do some good stretching at the end of these runs. I am feeling good about things and just hope speed will pick up as I get in better shape.

I wish the weather would stay like this! I like winter ... but not when I am trying to train and get back into shape!

Best run I have had in months! I finally used my heart monitor and it was great .. made all the difference. It was a very slow run but I felt great and ran the entire time. Just over 3 miles. I did a 5 min walking warm up and then a 3 mile run. It is kinda hard to run that slow but the difference in how I felt is night and day. I am going to to stick with this heart rate thing for a while and after a couple weeks will start to put some speed work in.

A whole 3.5 mile run today! (kinda pathetic but give me a break ... I am starting at zero here) I actually ran outside which was nice and also harder, but nice. I was slow (very slow) still doing some walking. I am just going to keep at it!

35 min TM. My legs are still sore from Pilates on Wednesday. The kind of sore that when you have to go down stairs you want to sit and scoot on your butt. So the treadmill was a little painful. After a good warm up I tried to run but only lasted about 5 min. before my legs felt dead so I just did the fast mom walk. I am hoping I feel better tomorrow and can get a little run in ... maybe even outside.

Pilates -- I did some new stuff today and my legs were jello! I realize how complacent I have gotten with my workout.

15 min TM. It was a rough 15 min! My legs were dead!

40 min TM. It was a good workout. I feel like I am getting stronger. Feel like I need to be pushing myself a little harder.

Pilates. I was going to hit the TM after but something came up. Ugh! I really need to not have a real life OR somehow make myself workout in the morning. Hhmmm.

Pilates -- one hour -- that was it today.

35 min TM -- how boring I have gotten. I am just trying to get it done right now. :)

30 min. on the treadmill.

Went for a 2.5 mile run/walk today at place called Twin Lakes. It was unbelievably beautiful! The sun finally came out after a couple days of rain. Twin Lakes is an area that has two man made lakes with a walking path that goes around both of them. It is such a great place to walk/run. The leaves are changing and it was simply beautiful. The air was crisp and I was so excited just to be out and moving.

I have spent the last three days sitting (traveling). I am so rarely this inactive. I am actually craving exercise! I NEED, WANT, HAVE to go for a run! As we were driving around Amish country (PA) I could not stop thinking about how fun it would be to ride my bike out here. Great long roads with very little traffic. Rolling hills, amazing scenery. It would be an amazing place to run too! Might have to work that into the schedule next time I am here.

Monday -- Pilates one hour.

Tuesday -- treadmill 36 min. (random time I know) Run/walking.

I am going out of town for fall break. We will see how much working out I do.

6.5 mile bike ride. I have to admit ... it was not a great ride. It was cold. Riding in the cold is not fun and it isn't like running that you warm up. If I am going to keep riding (until snow and ice stop me) I really need to get leg and arm warmers. I will also admit that I wussed out on a hill. It was like I ran out of gas. I have not wussed out on a hill since my first ride last spring. I had to stop and rest about half way and then I was able to finish. Lame! Oh well.

Little 7 mile bike ride this afternoon. Really should be running but I just want to get as many bike rides in while the weather is nice as I can.

Ended up doing 40 minutes on the treadmill. Babysitting the nieces and they are all asleep so I figured I might as well. It felt good. I have not run for a long time!

11 mile bike ride with Em this afternoon. Oh it felt SO good! We came up the diagonal on University Parkway. That is a nice hill ... a good thigh burner.

Time for new gear! I need long biking pants. I got a jacket for biking but the shorts are just not going to work now that it is getting colder. It getting cold so early is NOT helping!

Apparently I don't exercise anymore! I have missed Pilates both days this week and have not done anything else. I got on the treadmill for 15 min. last night and that is all I have done this week! PATHETIC!

but ...

Emily and I did go and "swim" Utah lake on Tuesday. I say "swim" because there was not a whole lot of swimming. Em is going to do Alcatraz with me and Josh next summer. She needs some open water/wetsuit/cold (and that it was!) experience. So we went out and just worked on getting comfortable swimming in that environment. It was really good for me as well. I have a lot of work to do to get ready for that race. Did I mention how cold it was! Emily looked at me at one point and said, "Do you think this is fun?" ha! Do I? Apparently I do, I keep doing it!

I really need to stop letting days slip by and just get a schedule going.

Pilates -- one hour. I had a good workout today.

Emily got to town today. We went for a speed walk this afternoon. I will be fun to do some workouts with her this week.

Just did a little run ... well tried to anyway. I had the stomach flu Tuesday (Monday night/Tuesday morning) I think it was a little early to try and run after having that kind of flu. It just seemed so nice outside and I have spent the last two days in bed so I really wanted to get out. At least it was something. I will try again tomorrow and am planning a good bike ride on Saturday. I have got to get this running thing down. 5 miles is all I am going for ... doesn't seem that hard ... right?

Pilates -- one hour. Did better than I thought I would after the hike. Was still pretty sore today but feeling better.

I am going to count hiking Timp as my workout for today! :) 14.3 miles round trip. 8hrs 52 mins. I really felt great. My heart did really well. My hips did not bother me. It wasn't until about the last couple miles that "things" started to hurt. That down just feels long. My legs are very tired ... very tired! But all and all I feel good!

Twice now I have decided that I am was going to get up and go running before school and twice I have bailed. I just can't do it! It is cold and and dark and SO early! Last night I put everything out ... all I would have to do is roll out of bed, throw on my running stuff and out the door I could go. I went to bed early with fierce determination to make this early morning thing happen. I failed! I am just not an early morning person!

2 1/2 mile hike with my dad. It is so pretty as the leaves are just starting to change. I should have come home and done more of a workout ... but I didn't.

Today is two months since my surgery! (it has been a long two months!)

Pilates -- one hour. I had a good workout today

Run -- I did a couple miles of speed work. It was a little chilly, fall is in the air. Probably should have done this before Pilates. Legs were tired.

Red ball.

I am feeling pretty good. Legs are tired ... but feel good. Slowly but surly!

16.4 mile bike ride with Laura Ann this morning. We rode up Provo canyon to Vivian Park (6miles from 800 N parking lot). When we came back down we decided to keep going and rode to 800 S. (Will's Pit Stop) and then back to the car at 800 N.. It felt great. Going up the canyon is really fun. A nice up so it gives your legs a good workout. Of course coming down is lots of fun. My legs are dead this afternoon.

I went out to the pool and did a few drills. I did some with Emily yesterday and it was a good reminder so I decided to do that again today. Plus I was just too dead to really swim.

Short run this morning. Working on getting my speed up a little. Oh how I love getting to get out and run in the morning.

Pilates -- one hour

My legs are jello this afternoon. I am beat. I don't feel like I am doing that much but my body is telling me a much different story!

11.25 mile bike ride (about 45 min.) from my parents house up the Provo canyon trail a bit. I have not been up there before on my bike. So fun. I didn't go very far because it was pretty cold and I was not dressed for it. I am surprised how much colder it was up the canyon just a bit than in the valley. I am going to have to ride up there again. My legs still really feel these bike rides.

4 1/2 mile hike with my dad. We did the first two + miles of the Timp trail from Aspen Grove. My legs were feeling my bike ride from yesterday. 1 hour 15 min up, 45 min coming down. We booked it coming down. Beautiful day, lots of fun! Only two weeks until we hike Timp!

10.14 mile bike ride in around 40 min. I did the 1600 N/WordPerfect hill loop. It is a nice ride with the gradual 1600 North hill. This is the first time I have done it since my surgery. My legs definitely felt it. I felt good and it felt good to push and burn a little! Yep, still love my bike! Please don't let winter come!

Swam ... about 1/2 hour

Pilates one hour

3 mile run! woot woot! A little walking. Felt pretty good. I didn't wear my watch to I have no idea on speed/time.

Red ball.

What a slacker I have been!

Friday I went up to the cabin .. I was the first one there so I went for a very short run/walk. I didn't have my watch on so I am not sure on time or distance.

Saturday -- went for a hike. Horse Flats loop trail. 2 miles. Just over an hour.

Pilates -- one hour

Short run and red ball.

I actually looked up a run/walk training plan on RunnersWorld.com. I really am starting over and I need to ease into it. My body and my heart are just not going to let me do it any other way. I have never been a run/walker. I have always thought of walking as a "wussing out" sort of thing. But I have talked to a bunch of people and this seems to be a pretty acceptable way to train. So I need to get over my mindset that walking is wussing out.

I started my plan this morning (it is an eight week plan so I will start for real next week). Run 2 min walk 1 for 30 min. It almost killed me to do it like this, I wanted to just keep running but knew I wouldn't be able to .... but I am really going to try and stick to the plan. I am trying to use this plan to increase my speed as well. Lets hope this helps me not so frustrated as well!

I just did a "run" (if you can call it that). Had to do some walking. I am trying the whole run/walk thing right now while I am easing back into things. The first part (about a mile) was slightly up hill and I seriously felt like my heart was going to explode. It sucked! I just want to be back to where I was before my surgery. Even that wasn't great ... but it was a whole lot better than where I am now. It is hard to know how hard to push myself right now.

Back to Pilates for the first time! It was a little tough I won't lie! My hips are so tight and I just felt weak. My legs feel like I just ran a race ... ugh, this is frustrating. I hope it comes back fast.

My dad and I went for a 3.3 mile hike last night up around Aspen Grove. Oh it is so beautiful. We did hit a little rain and hail (just added a little adventure). We parked at the bottom hiked up and then ran down. I felt really ... the best I have felt physically. Great fun!

About a 20 min. swim today (no idea how far). I am very much easing back into everything ... not only because I keep being told to, but because I kinda have to. I totally feel like I am starting at all over, from nothing. I am sure it doesn't help that it is the first week of school and I am wiped out as it is (but that is just another excuse)! It is a little frustrating, but I need to cut myself some slack .. right?

Just over 5 mile bike ride tonight. Aww I love my bike and have missed it. I really am taking it easy. I just don't have it in me right now to give it much more.

I'M BACK!!! I had my doctor appointment today and I got the all clear to exercise. I am having some palpitations because of how big the device is that they had to put in my heart ... so they want me to take things VERY slow. Ok, ok ....

I went for my first run tonight. It was VERY slow! and short. I only went 1.5 miles and I won't even say the pace. I actually felt pretty good, better than I thought I would. But, I am having some pressure in my chest so I know I need to take it slow and easy. I got to use my Garmin watch and it is very cool. Love it. Almost got hit by a car (that was a first). The bugs were out in full force. It felt great! I am so excited to be back.

4 weeks down! I made it. I have my doctor apt tomorrow and as long as I get the all clear I can resume normal activity. I can't wait ... I am going to take my watch and go for a run the second I get home. It will be a slow and easy run, I know that right now. I am very aware that I am starting at ground 0! I am just happy to get to be back to exercising! Let's try this new and improved (and very expensive) heart out already!

Three weeks down ... one to go! I think I just might make it. I feel like I really turned a corner earlier this week. I finally have some energy again, my leg doesn't hurt anymore. I am ready to get back to normal life and most of all exercising! I have been cheating a little by swimming. Today I swam laps and did some kick board for about 15 minutes is all. I took it very easy and it is in my parents pool so there is a lot of turning which means resting. It has felt good just to move a little.

Two weeks down .. two to go! It has been a VERY long two weeks. I went and watched some of the girls from the SBR Tri Girls team (which I am actually on, but haven't gotten to do anything with) swim an open water swim tonight. It was pretty much torture. I am starting to feel a little better which makes not working out even harder. I have been swimming around a little bit in my parents pool. Mostly just to stretch and remind my body how to move. I guess it is a good sign that I miss working out so much ... right?

One week down ... three to go! I would give about anything to be able to go for a bike ride, swim or EVEN a run right now! My body aches from being so dormant.

Well I am officially off cardio for 30 days! I had my surgery two days ago. So far I am not even tempted. Once I start feeling better I am sure it is going to be hard. But for now it is not even an issue!

10.2 mile bike (about 45 min.) this morning with my friend Laura Ann who just got a road bike .. wahoo! We did the 1600 N./WordPerfect hill loop. It is so much fun riding together! Unfortunately this will be my last ride for a few weeks. If you read my main blog you know that I am having a little heard procedure done tomorrow and can't do any cardio for 30 days. Boo! BUT hopefully I will come back from this being some kind of Olympic cardio champ ... WITHOUT headaches! ;)



Pilates this afternoon -- one hour. (that will be put on hold for a month as well)

Well .. just got back from a 9 day cruise. I DID work out every single day. I did not miss one day of going to the gym. I would run on the treadmill and I just have to say that running at sea level is a DREAM! I could not believe how easy it was and how fast I could run. I really should consider moving. ;)

Today ... 12 mile bike ride. (missed my bike!) Pilates for one hour.

18. something (can't remember exactly what) mile bike ride this morning with Em and Hun. We went out to Saratoga Springs. It was an adventure/exploration ride. We rode next to the lake for a while. Ended up on a golf course and then ended up riding ON the golf course. (I doubt they really like you to do that ... right?) It was there that a FOX pounced out of the bushes at us! Practically got attacked. We tried several different paths .. most of which dead ended and we had to do some picking up of our bikes and caring them to the road. Rode through a few sprinklers. It was a great ride and we got some good miles in!

Pilates -- one hour.

4th of July!

I am going to count relay races, hula dancing, and Fire Girls 550 South dance performance as my workout for the day. I was exhausted by the end of the day!

Wish we would have done the Freedom 5k run but we didn't get signed up before hand and just couldn't want to get up at 4:45 to get down there in time to register. Next year!

9.7 mile bike ride this morning. We did one pretty good hill. It wasn't long but got pretty steep at the top. (up by the Word Perfect buildings). It was a good ride.

Just a 2 miles run today. (should have been a swim day but the weather is bad ... so I decided to do a little run instead) My time was right around 20 min. First mile was 10.56 (but was stopped at a stop light and that messed up my time), second mile was 9.37! Best time yet! I am sure it helped that I was only going 2 miles.

Do you stop your time when you are stopped at a light?

I SERIOUSLY want that watch!

No run today. :( I decided to skip it today because I still have this migraine. It has been 8 days straight. I thought doing a run this morning was not going to help the matter and I am really sick of having a headache. I will do pilates this afternoon.

Half Birthday Ride!!!

12.45 mile bike ride this morning. Great ride (as the bike rides always are!) Getting much faster and better at hills. Came up the center street hill from university. It is not a bad hill (would not have said that a month ago). Oh how I love to ride my bike!

Still have this blasted headache. It was actually bothering me on my ride and that is unusual. It usually kicks in after my workout.

35 min. swim. I am not sure how far I went. The pool was super crowded so it was hard to be keeping accurate time anyway so I didn't pay to much attention to my distance. I lost track at about 1/2 mile. I am guessing I went at least a mile. With the pool so crowded I decided to work on my form. I need to do that more often. It was a good swim.


Pilates one hour. I didn't ride my bike there today. Too hot and I am still fighting this stupid headache.

5 mile run this morning on the Provo River trail. 54.22 time. That is my best time yet. I stopped half way to stretch my right hip flexer as it was starting to give me a little pain. I think that was smart ... I had a lot less pain with it in the end. It was a pretty good run.

*I REALLY want a Garmin GPS watch ... sooo bad!

I then went on a 15 min. easy bike ride with my sister.

Got a headache about 2 hours after my run.

MJ Memorial Ride

We dedicate our ride to Michael Jackson! Rock on!

11.75 mile bike ride this morning. We went out by the lake. It is a great place to ride and they have added a bike/walk path along the lake that is so nice. Conquered the 6th South hill!!! Ended up riding home in the rain. LOVED it! Great ride today. Have I mentioned how much I love my bike!

Swam 1 mile. Time was 38 min. (not great for me). Still have that dang migraine from yesterday. I obviously need to be spending more time in the pool!

Just over a 3 mile run this morning. My time was 33 min. I was not feeling great. I even stopped and walked for a bit. I don't usually do that. I had planned on doing 4 miles but ended up cutting it short.

Got a pretty good headache about an hour maybe two after my run. (first one .. well real one .. in about two weeks)

Rode my bike to pilates. 4 miles each way. It takes me about 17 min. each way.

Pilates one hour.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog!
This summer I decided to start training for a triathlon. I have enjoyed swimming for a several years and done the Escape From Alcatraz race a couple times with my brother Josh. In March, my sister-in-law, Jennie, asked me if I would train and run a 5K with her in April. After doing that race I decided to keep it up and thought I might as well add the biking to the mix and make it a Tri! I have fallen in LOVE with my road bike! Still enjoy swimming! Am very challenged by running! It has been such a fun summer of
Swimming, Biking, and Running!

While I have been pretty diligent about my working out, I have not been so good at keeping track of my distances, times, location, and experiences. I thought a blog might be the perfect way to start doing that. I don't suspect many people will look at this blog or have any interest in it. It really is mostly for my own records. But ... I would love any comments, suggestions or just plain old encouragement that you might have to offer!