1/2 Marathon Recap with Playlist

Hey everyone, this is Amy and it's been a while since I did a race recap for you.  As always, this will be a musical recap and a little glimpse into the stupid stuff I think about during my runs.  This one is a long post and if you actually watch all the videos it should take you about 2 hours.

This recap is for the Snow Canyon 1/2 marathon here in St George.  Now this race is said to be the fastest race in Utah because it is a down hill race... THEY LIE!  This is St George and all though there is a big elevation change there are plenty of hills in this race.

If you are unsure of why I run, here are reasons 1-4.

 
These 4 keep me on my toes and I want to stay healthy to keep up with them and so I can live a nice long life of over mothering them and causing them embarrasment whenever possible.

LET"S GET THIS RACE STARTED


At the runners neared the start line they played the National Athem.  I looked up once and noticed I wasn't the only person praying.



Start line.  I always have race day nerves.  It makes me bounce up and down at the start line, or maybe I was doing that because it was like 30 degrees outside.  SUCK!  I hate the cold.  It was so cold I had to wear socks.  I HATE SOCKS!  Socks make my feet cramp up which I am afraid will cramp my style.  (JK)

FIRST SONG

Normally I love 2 AM Club, but truth is I will probable remove them from my run mix.  Just not feeling it lately.  Sorry boys, we had a good run while it lasted.  Get it?  A good run!  I make myself laugh (and that is what counts.)




Ahhh Ne-Yo  you are my new love.  (Warning this video isn't really PG, I just get them from youtube.)




The next song was awesome because as we (the runners) came over a small hill the sun had finally cleared the mountains and was shining bright on the grassy fields and farms below.  Golden long grass the color of honey.  It's moments like this, when the sun is warm on my face and I am looking at this beautiful place I feel so blessed.  



What?!  Some Whitney on the playlist?  Sweet!!




Alright this one is like my new favorite and I hate myself for it. It's Chris Brown, and there is a name for a guy like him (it's not a nice word).




Where is my Superman? I miss you!

You know I wouldn't run without my favorite dirty girl.




Dear Running, I love what you do, but you know you're toxic. (Video was on TV but let's be honest, it should be rated R)


Ahhh this one should be my anthem.




"I'm not a trick you play, I'm wired a different way, I'm not a mistake, I'm not a fake, it's set in my DNA."


Anyone want to throw me a lifesaver? Anyone?




That's right I am a belieber, don't make fun! And I miss you.

Ok I know this isn't some people's favorite song but I like running to it. It has a good beat. It's the objectifying women that is disgusting, but isn't my girl Katy looking cute in it.  303!!




Alright, as I turned into the canyon, MY SONG, no really, MY SONG CAME ON! (It's a Britney song so the video is in poor taste, you've been warned.)




"Because all All the boys and All the girls are begging to seek ME" LOL

Which brings me to this thought during the run. I thought about my friend Gillian  and her blog that we re-posted here on fatletes.  If you haven't read it, here it is.
http://fatletes.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-miss-you.html

I might have a level one girl crush on her because her blog makes me laugh and sometimes cry. Thanks Gill. Please don't be creeped out by my crush. LOL

As the 1:55 group and myself rounded a corner and looked down into the canyon this song came on. I thought it was fitting for where we were at.




"I just need a wide open space and a place to make mistakes."


Ok the next song I didn't really love running to but Lenny is my biggest celeb crush.




Love, love, love this next song! Especially when a girl sings it. "I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love." Love it!




I think I will make a Sunday run playlist and this will be on it.


This song just makes me laugh.




I have never shook it for a fish, and I don't know a fish that would want me to shake it for them. LOL

"ET" reminds me of a certain person, a very analytical, self absorbed person. I am sure if I asked him what he thought about this song reminding me of him, he would give me a 2 hour answer, that I am sure would have nothing to do with me.




Ahhh almost down the hill and the DJ's got us falling in love again.




Also this is me and my GBF's song. Love you!!

Payton and I's favorite song to sing together in the car!!




Why does Payton love this song? Funny kid.


Oh it was about time I got to hear some Fergie!




This reminded me of my friend Dan who has told me a few times to "put on my big girl pants and deal with it."


I am so deleting them from my run playlist! Ugh!




It was around this time that I thought about Marilyn Monroe?!  I don't know why!  But I thought about this quote of her's I have seen pinned on Pinterest many times.

It does seem like a wise girl would keep herself from getting her heart broken but I think it would also make for a lonely girl.  Then I remembered Marilyn committed suicide.  I suspect she was lonely and heart broken and that made me sad. 

Thinking of her also reminded me of the beginnings of this blog.  It all started over a picture of her.  Every fat chick wants to make her their poster girl for being heavy, when the truth is the girl had a 23 inch waist. 23 inches!! I had a 23 inch waist back in Feb but I weighed 99lbs.   The average supermodel these days has a 24 inch waist.  Marilyn just had the good fortune of keeping her boobs and booty making her curvy but not overweight.




 I wish I was a high roller LOL


As always, there is always that moment on a long run when I think of my Dad. I think he would have liked this song. And btw he would have hated the previous song and the next song.




Dear Dad, don't worry, I have Haggard, Hank, and Cash. I'm still a bit country. Aunt Net and I miss you.


Finally, I was on what felt like my home turf, Snow Canyon Pkwy. As I rounded the corner it was only fitting to hear the song Payton and I listen to before every football game.




Also saw a sign like this while rounding the corner and it made me laugh.

Next song please...




I do have my own, just at the current time I pay half of it to a person who refuses to work, and I don't mean to people on welfare through my taxes. This isn't a political statement. Just a statement about my life.


It was about time that Avril Lavigne came up on the shuffle. I like her but sometimes I think she is one angry chick, maybe it's all the black makeup. Noxzema will get that off you know? Just sayin.




When you are gone... I miss you.


Hmmm this song should have came up first...




Keep running! And running! And running!




 I am just a girl but kind of an awesome one :)

And that made me think about a text I received the night before the race.  Thanks Tim for being a friend.

Almost there! Passed mile marker 12. And just like in the San Diego race this song began.




 It might not seem like it all the time but I am getting a little bit stronger and my heart is starting to go quiet. I am hoping peace will follow.


Last song and I thought about Walt Disney. "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney




I took out the ear buds for the final 1/4 mile of the race.  I love to hear the crowd cheering on the runners and the music blasting from the finish line.

I won't say this was my best race, fun all the same. As many of you may know I am a bit of a stripper on the course. I was down to my sports bra by mile 11 and I can happily say I recovered all of my shirts I ditched along the way. Also saw a person I would refer to as a 'former friend" picking her nose after the race. I mean really going after it, knuckle deep with lots of people around. It grossed me out but when I told the kids they had a great laugh.

Some things you may have noticed missing from this blog...Beyonce.  Not one song on the run was a Beyonce song.  Maybe next time.  And him...what mile did I think about him?  I thought about him every mile, and before the race, and after the race. Until he is running the race with me, I will continue to think about him and I miss you.


I am still a Beachbody Coach check out my info at www.beachbodycoach.com/amycobine  

I Miss You

Hi everyone this is Amy.  I am reposting this from my friend Gillian's blog (a loyal fatlete reader).  It was so accurate and true I thought I had to bring it to all my single fatletes.  It brought tears to my eyes and made me think about my "someday" and what "could" have been, or even what "should" be.  

Link to Gill's Blog "Hard G"
http://hardgee-gillianbee.blogspot.com/2012/09/saudade.html?spref=fb.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Remember to add me to facebook (Amy Crabtree Cobine), so that I can add you to my coach's page and check out my Beachbody site.  www.beachbodycoach.com/amycobine

Saudade

“The grass is always greener on the other side,” said my sister, trying to convince me that being single had its merits. Or maybe she didn’t use that particular cliché, exactly. Creative license. But the meaning was the same. The grass is greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water it. And so on. She wasn’t wrong. Her intentions were good. I remained unconvinced.

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate my solitude. It’s just fantastic that I can spend all weekend in my pajamas if I wish. I can eat cereal for dinner. I can spend all my disposable income on nail polish and ridiculous t-shirts. I can watch all the cheesy chick flicks I want, and cry into my cornflakes, and no one will mock me. I can go out, or not. I can let the dog sleep in my bed. I never have to shave my legs. I can leave boxes of tampons laying around the house with wild abandon. My house, my rules.

And then there’s the rest of the time.

I miss you. I wake up in the morning and my first conscious thought is missing you. You are missing from everything. You are the negative space constantly beside me. The void where you should be sucks the light from everything. I miss you. I see couples caught in the gravitational pull of each other and I miss you. I watch them communicate without words, the little touches, the significant eye contact, and I miss you. I don’t look for them, but they appear in front of me. I hear them laughing at the jokes that are only funny to them, and I wonder what our jokes would be, and I miss you. I see boys and girls on blankets in the grass, oblivious to everything but each other. I ache and I miss you. I walk Gracie alone, and miss you. I want to tell someone about my day and I miss you. I want to sit in silence with another human being, just breathing the same air and I miss you.

The lack of you is my constant companion. I feel you not there. You are a ghost. I hear a song, just a few lyrics, and you are there but not and I miss you. At night, in dreams, you are more there than anywhere, but I never see you. I know it’s you, I know your presence. But I never see your face. I miss your face. How can I miss what I don’t know? You can’t possibly exist, this you I imagine. But there is a you-sized hole in my life. Have we met, I wonder? Would I know you if I saw you? You are so real in my head. And that’s all I have, really. The idea of you.

There’s a Portuguese word for this feeling. Saudade. There isn’t a single equivalent word in the English language. It takes paragraphs of words to describe this single word: saudade. It describes a deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for an absent something or someone. It’s longing and yearning. It’s incompleteness. It is me, missing you. Saudade. I love the word. I would ink it into my skin if I weren’t afraid of the pain. 

It bothers me, though, the thought that I am somehow not a whole person without you. I don’t want to be dependent on anyone. I don’t want my happiness to be wrapped up entirely in another person. I don’t want to be rescued. A little help now and then wouldn’t hurt, however. And that’s what I miss. A partner, a compliment, a helper, a friend. You.

Possibly—likely—I have idealized you. I hold up the you silhouette to everybody I meet, and it never matches. How could it? Will anyone ever fit? No relationship is perfect, my sister tells me again. No man is perfect. You are not perfect. You will fight and be angry at some point. She’s trying to talk me off this ledge of longing and yearning and incompleteness. I know. But. I still miss you, this impossible, unobtainable you who is out there somewhere.

Will you find me?

I miss you.

Busy Mom

I am a single mother of three young kids. I try to be fit and do some sort of workout each day. My day consist of gym, groceries, PTA, dance, and gymnastics. I am also a full time college student in the Nursing Program. I live in my sweaty gym clothes. Go every where looking like a hot mess after my workout. My point is..... If you want something bad enough it doesn't matter how you look! It isn't a fashion show. Stop worrying what everyone else thinks and start worrying about what you think.... About your health.

To all my Busy Mom Friends!! Get out there and ROCK THOSE GYM CLOTHES WITH RUNNING ERRANDS!!
Keep up the great work, push yourself, don't give up, and remember 6 months ago when you were fatter?? Yeah, don go back there!

Liar Liar Pants on Fire!!

Keep going! Kick butt and never give up!!

Which one are you???

Get Going....

Today I sit tired, broken, and battered. I'm not sure if it's because I miss my ex and the life I had or if I am upset because I want instant gratification at the gym and wish I was already a size 0.
Ran my little a** off at the gym. I would prefer to run outside but gym has childcare. I am down another 10 pounds since I last wrote on here. Makes me feel accomplished. Except emotionally I am not. That's probably for another blog I should write about getting over a failed relationship.

Half of the battle with losing weight and becoming healthy is it's a process. A process that does NOT happen over night. (although I wish it was instant).
I became fat over the course of 7 years, it will take more than a year to get where I want. I have these ideas in my head that I can be a body builder, that I can look smokin hot naked!! But then I notice a battle in my head. Sometimes the voices say "I can" sometimes the voices are my inner demons. What I notice now is that no matter what self talk you listen to, you are only going to achieve what you actually get your ass out there and DO!!
So, for all my friends who are struggling. Get out there, put down the food, soda, or whatever your addiction is and PUSH YOURSELF!
Push yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. Go! Do Something about your misery!
I am battling through a seperation. My ex and I sometimes hate each other, sometimes love and miss each other (those days are few and between). My misery is my romantic state of life. But that is what helped me to be a fatty in the first place. A romantic relationship may not be your reason for gaining. It's just an example. My point is that I should have worked hard on that too. I should have faced my fears and achieved.
My advice today.... Locate what makes you feel that you can't achieve the health and well-being that you want. Find what makes you upset and lose focus. THEN TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND FACE IT HEAD ON!!! Go on do it. Because the biggest failure is not trying. The biggest failure is letting yourself down. You can let others down but you live with yourself every minute of everyday!!
Get out there and do what every scares you. If you don't you'll only wonder.
Face everyday with new positive insight. You only live once, lol! YOlO!
If for nothing else achieve greatness physically so that inner voice that tells you "you can't" can't shut the hell up!!

Let me introduce myself......

I would like to thank Amy for an opportunity to find a voice. This is now my journey to regain the life I lost years ago.

My name is Sarah Brannon (Sarah Lewis). I am a successful over achiever/control freak, I have three kids (Ages: 9,4,2) and currently going through a divorce, AND..... A FORMER FATTY!

I could go on and drag my marriage through the mud and place blame on everyone else but myself, I won't. When I dug down deep I realized that the reason why I was over weight had nothing to do with my marriage, the stress of being a military wife with three kids and a full time job,. It had everything to do with my lack of self confidence. I realized I wasn't happy in my marriage or with myself. I will never forget the moment I took back control.

These are the moments I would like to continue to share with you. Like Amy, I share similar interests. I love to run! Help others achieve goals I know are possible through hard work and dedication.

At my heaviest.... I weighed 292, and a size 24. It was the day I gave birth to my third child, my son Dallas.

Today, I weigh 166 and a size 10. I am not where I want to end up, But I am well on my way to the success I deserve.

Please follow me as I take you through my journey and share with you tips and inspiration!!

Tough Mudder Recap

Ok well this race was just to much fun and just too hard not to post about.  I ran, hiked, crawled, and swam in the So Cal Tough Mudder race in Running Springs Ca (a ski resort).  I am also blogging this so that I can stop telling the story over and over again.  The next post will be from the new Fatlete blogger, Sarah.

Tough Mudder So. Cal  July 7, 2012 (Pics from Tough Mudder facebook, none are of me but are from actual race day)

 I had to look at half naked guys all day... it was a tough day.

Starting line.. so to get to the Tough Mudder starting line you have to climb a Berlin Wall (12ft wall), and I did what any girl would do,  I asked the very large handsome man next to me to give me a boost.  This would be the first time I got felt up before a race, but would not be the last time I was felt up during this one.

The Death March

This was a mile up a ski slope and for the most part was not a problem for me, I run hills like this everyday in St George.  However!  Yeah there is a however, coming down the steep hill, in what must of have been some kind of pumy dirt (it was so dusty), I started as asthma attack of which I did not fully recover from until the next day.  Favorite part of going up the hill was when the guy next to me announced that he should have put on deodorant because he was starting to smell like "a lesbian brothel."  LOL  I cannot make this stuff up, that is what he said.

Arctic Enema (sounds pleasant right?)

This obstacle was the one that scared me the most the weeks before the race.  I had read so much about it and I just really hate being cold and I have a fear of drowning.  I had read that this would be the  second obstacle in the race but didn't realize what is was until I had already climb up on top of the pools.  As I looked down I knew I was going to just have to jump in and not think about it.

I stayed close to the sides which is good because I lost all the oxygen in my body as I hit the water.  The water came almost to my shoulders.  I needed to swim under the board (plank) at the half way point in the pool.  As I went under the water I was scared.  Really scared!  Would I come back up?! The water was so cold I thought my chest was going to cave in.  I got to the other side quickly but the girl in front of me was having problems getting out of the water.  I found myself yelling at her to "please hurry" as I pushed her butt out of the water.  I was in so much pain, I needed to get out!!  As I came out of the water, all I could say was "holy cow, holy frick" over and over again.  Getting out of that ice bath had to be one of the best feelings in the world.  I would dare to say better than sex ( but what do I know, it's been a while)

 Ice bath!!!

This time two guys next to me had this conversation... "I have rocks in my shoes."  "Oh yeah, I have rocks in my balls." I would have laughed if I could catch my breath.

Cliff Hanger

As I hiked another ski slope, I found myself climbing next to several handsome guys in tutu's.  They were Team Tutu.  Fun bunch of guys.  The one in a red tutu hiking next to me looked over at me and said "I'm single."  Hot dang!  I was being flirted with on the race course, but I am a nerd, and I really didn't know what to say.  I should have said "I'm single too, meet you after the race."  But no, instead I said "well you are rocking that skirt."  I would enjoy most of the race behind or running next to Team Tutu.  Their team effort was inspirational as they declared "no tutu would be left behind."

We climb ski slope and and ski slope and by climb I mean many people had started to use their hands to help from falling backwards.  My glutes were on fire, and out loud said "climbing this hill better make my butt look good."  The guy behind me assured me "it already does."  Well thank you dear sir.

One sign on the hill read "watch for falling rocks, they hurt"

Berlin Walls (first set)

I knew the Berlin Walls would be easy as I had already done one to get to the start line, I just needed to pick a guy to help me over again.  This time I got the tallest, most handsome, guy I could find.  Holy cow, I think I felt him up as he lifted me over the wall.  He could have lifted me up over the wall with one arm.

Berlin Wall (second set)

I neared the second set of walls, and the guy who had ran down the hill next to me offered to get me over the walls.  He looked kind of like a guy I had dated (the Therapist), so he was cute and pretty freakin fit, and I was very agreeable to his helping hand.  He got me over all the walls and told me good job.  Maybe I should have waited for him and got his number, but who has time for that?  Bring on the next obstacle.

Walking the Plank

Have I mentioned I am scared of heights.  Well I am.  Especially jumping 15 ft into a mountain lake.  I climbed up the plank (easy enough) but when I got to the top and looked down, I lost it.  I was so scared.  I had no idea I was going to be this scared.  My legs were shaking!  Another girl on the plank was terrified too and holding on to the side.  Guys were jumping into the water, some doing flips into the water, all around us and a drill Sargent came over and started yelling out to me to jump.  He practically pushed me a few times.  The other scared girl, said we could go together, and we held hands and started to to count to three but she chickened out and let go of my hand and said she "couldn't do it."  So, oh I had to do it.  I couldn't go back down the plank, I would have been too embarrassed.   I looked into the water at one of the rescue people, made sure he had eye contact with me and jumped.  I must not have hit the water gracefully because when I popped back up my head was throbbing.  As I caught my first breath, I dropped the "f" bomb.  I know its not lady like and just disgusting that I did it,  but my head hurt.  I hit the water so hard, I could have broke my nose, or flatten my face and you all would have had to nickname me "Pug."  The life guard guy asked if I needed any help to shore, I said no, because the worse part, the jump, was over.  Next time I am bringing water wings.

Electric Eel 

This was a fun obstacle that required me to go into the mud under live wires.  I already told everyone that the electric shock therapy obstacle at the end of every Tough Mudder race made me nervous but I didn't realize that there was a chance of getting shocked at two separated obstacles.  I decided to just dive right in behind a guy that seemed fearless.  I was almost out of the mud when, AWWWWW!!!  I got shocked right in the shoulder blade.  I let out a scream I am sure people down in San Diego could hear.  Everyone around the obstacle got quit for a second, and then a guy behind me started to laugh.  "Stop laughing, it freakin hurt."  Just as I got to the very end the guy who had came out before me he said my butt was close to wire and asked if he wanted him to pull me out.  I really didn't need a bolt of electricity in my butt so I said "yes".

Half Pipe

This giant half pipe in covered in water, thanks to a snow blower no less, and is about 12 feet tall.  The idea here is to run as fast as you can and hope another Mudder grabs your hand and pulls you up.  My first run I grabbed the hand of another Mudder, but it was just him and he had a hold of just my fingers.  Our fingers slipped apart and I fell forward hitting my chin on the half pipe hard and rolled down the rest.  I landed at the bottom of the half pipe with a thud.  I laid on the ground just for a second.  I didn't feel any stinging from my chin so I figured I wasn't bleeding.  I pounded the ground with my fist, jumped back up and went back to the lines to try it again.  The next run, I made sure two guys could see I was ready to run.  I ran as fast as I could and jumped, they caught me.  Each had a hand and I looked up at them and begged them "please don't let go, just don't let go."  Hmmm this sounds like the start of a needy complicated relationship. LOL

They held on, and another guy grabbed my arm and they all pulled me up.  Unfortunately my shirt got caught on the lip of the half pipe and it felt like someone tried to tear off my left boob.  Ouch!!  I didn't stay on the wall to help anyone, because I weigh 110lbs, have short arms, and no upper body strength so I really wouldn't offer much assistance.

I will also mention by this point in the race a girl running behind me (a military gal from a San Diego base) told me I was bleeding as she pointe to my shoes.  The shoes I had chosen to wear for the race, trail runners meant for trails and water, and had for several other times, and rubbed the back of my ankles.  I was bleeding quite a bit and didn't even feel it.  I told her thanks and kept running with her for awhile.  Women in the military rock!

There were tons of other obstacles and I had a great time in the mud and challenging myself both physically and mentally.  It was a great way to spend my 35th Birthday and I will be back Tough Mudder and next time with a team.  I am thinking Team Super Tutu.  I call the Superwoman outfit!

Feel free to facebook me or check out my Beachbody site www.beachbodycoach.com/amycobine
Facebook me at Amy Crabtree Cobine (I have a coach page)

This girl was as graceful at this obstacle as I was.  Ha!

 My fav pic from Greased Lightening

Ok cute that couples did this together, but kissing and holding hands on the course, is not for me! 

High fives are more my style.

Electric Shock to finish!

My Last Mission

(Please read with best Captain Kirk impression) 

Captain's log...star date 06182012, this... will be... my last mission...

ok my last blog post.

 (Ok you can stop the Captain Kirk impression now)

It's time for my secret identity to become my only identity.  LOL I totally stole that line from the Incredibles.  I make myself laugh, all the time. 

I think we have just confirmed that I am a nerd, as I have used a Star Trek reference.  LOL

I hinted recently that I would someday stop writing Fatletes and after much thought and prayer I have decided that today's post will be my last.

Originally, I started blogging on my Beachbody website last year.  My Beachbody blog got such a great response (people actually reading it and saying that they felt inspired by it) that I thought I should start a larger blog.  But it was just a thought... until...one night I wanted to vent about something I had read online.  The Fatletes blog was born.

The blog has done some good things for me and for others.  I have inspired others and many of you have written me and said that the words I have written have helped you lose weight, exercise, or deal with a relationship.  And the blog has assisted me with many self revelations, of which I am grateful that I have had an opportunity to explore in this format. 

However, the blog has caused drama in my life of which I do not wish to have and I feel like writing the blog is causing a disconnect between me and others.   Drama has brought negativity into my life, and once something becomes negative and toxic, I have to let it go.

In there recent past I have found myself defending the blog, my thoughts, and who I am.  But the blog is not who I am, it's just a blog, and I could never fully explain myself in the blog.  The blog has helped me communicate when I could not find the words but it is time to move beyond the blog, and find my voice.  I have spent many years not telling others how I feel and falling silent.  I no longer can do that.

If you had asked me 6 months ago, if I was good at communicating, I would have said yes.  I am very good at sales and closing deals.  I am very good discussing and arguing state release statutes and title law.  And if you ever have a chance to be with me in court or a board room, make no doubt I will get my point across.  But in matters of the heart or expressing my feelings I completely suck at communication.  Again, I am working on that and it seems the blog was just a launch pad for me to start the process of learning how to express myself more freely and without fear to others.

I have gotten away from the blogs roots, my roots, and that was to help and inspire people with their weight loss and to become fit.  I feel the blog at this point is not inspirational, just entertainment for most readers, and serves my need for attention and gives me a place to rant and rave.  I am going to have to learn to get and receive attention from one person, I am going to have to learn not to be a whore! (Will you all miss me calling myself a whore?  Come on... you know it's funny!)  And I will have to learn to share my highs and lows with one person, instead of airing them to the public.

I will take the energy I have given to this blog and try and refocus it on my relationships with those people who I care about the most.  Instead of opening myself up for criticism from random people, I will just try to be more open and real with the people who are already in my life, as their opinions and feelings are what count the most to me. 

I will still have a creative outlet, I still paint and I will continue a writing project that I started some time ago... a private project not for public review at this time.  I will continue my work with Beachbody and I am preparing for Coach's Summit this weekend.  I am excited to have an onscreen interview for the Chalene Johnson workouts as well as a photo shoot.

I will stop by once and awhile, maybe write a race recap or give an update... but don't hold your breath for either.  To my loyal readers, I love you all.  So many of you have inspired me, and I will keep your comments and messages as sweet reminders of this time. 

To satisfy my nerdy side and to complete the theme of today's blog, I leave you with my favorite Captain Kirk quotes. 

There's only one kind of woman...or man, for that matter. You either believe in yourself or you don't. -- Kirk in 'Mudd's Women'
 
Without freedom of choice there is no creativity. The body dies. -- Kirk in 'The Return Of The Archons'
 
Worlds are conquered, galaxies destroyed...but a woman is always a woman. -- Kirk in 'Conscience of the King'

 No more blah, blah, blah! -- Kirk in 'Miri'

LOL:) 

I'm Not Her

This is me and I'm not that other girl.

So I am still dealing with the shiz storm I created with this weeks post.  As always, I have no intention of apologizing for any of it.  I really should be grateful as I found out who really wanted to stand beside me and who just wanted to tell what to do.  And yep, I was unfriended on FB by someone who proclaimed to be friends forever (oh sad face).

About Monday's post, the post is not saying I don't want a relationship, because I do, it's just that I may spook easily and if I get scared, there is a chance I will bolt, and just because I run from one relationship does not mean I will run into another.  I just am not like that.  Give me a break!

Anyways, I wanted to clarify a few things about myself for some of you...

Quit treating me like your ex!!!!  

I am not the psycho girl who broke down your door.  I am not the girl who packed up and left you.  I am not the girl you wasted a ton of time chatting with you online and failed to connect.  I am not the girl who failed to appreciate you and refused to communicate with you.  I am not the girl who is immature.  I am not the bratty Momma's girl.  I am not a spoiled Daddy's girl.  I am not the girl who needs you, and I won't use you!!

So many people are ready for me to argue with them and waiting for me to do something crazy, well I am sorry but that just not me.  Really, this blog is me at my worst.  I am a pretty laid back girl.  I hate to argue.  I hate drama.  I rarely get mad, but am prone to moments of girlie behavior.  I don't hold grudges and I don't hate anyone, ever!  Because both cause wrinkles..YUCK.   I try never to be mean (my college boyfriend is on the ground laughing someplace because he thought I was always mean), but really I don't even think I have mean thoughts... or do I... nope, no I don't.  As long as you don't let me railroad you (of which I might try to do because I am a girl after all)  I will be the sweetest girl you know (again the college boyfriend falls to the floor in laughter).  

I have been accused of being lonely and desperate this week.  Ummm, I am alone, but not lonely and I am not desperate for sure.  If I was I would already be with someone, probable some A-hole, some in-active (LDS) member or worse yet a non-member that would want to tell me what to do, because telling the successful pretty girl what to do, is a fun hobby for some guys.  

My standards remain, and I am sorry so few of you meet them, and just because I want attention does not mean that I want attention from everyone.  I like to get attention on the blog but at home, I am ok just hanging out with my kids, and actually hate getting too many text messages or even worse, phone calls.  So unless I said "call me...maybe" don't bother, just talk to me on FB.   

Finally, I was also asked this week if I would ever give this blog up for my future husband.  Assuming the blog would bother anyone I became serious with (truth is, the blog bugs most guys I date). Simple answer, yes, a course I would.  Chances are.. someday... I will have another blogger, a former fatty,  take this thing over so that you can read about their weightless and their drama.  My shiz may get old at some point. LOL 

Have a great weekend everyone!  And thanks for letting me clear up a few matters from this week.  

Fat Kids! (kid workout)

 

 My daughter and I, starting an evening hike.

The following has been weighing on my mind (pun intended) since my children got home from their Dad's house this last week, and that is the matter of childhood obesity.  My kids came home, explaining that they had played with a little girl that was quite fat.  Not chubby, they said "FAT."  In the words of my oldest  "she isn't a cylinder, but close."  LOL my kid makes me laugh.  Cylinder?  Really? LOL 

The matter was also brought to my attention as my kids explained they had not had the best diet for the last two weeks, saying they had drank soda regularly and ate candy often. They all came home craving fatty, sugary, highly processed foods.  It is so sad, I never thought my children would be placed in a situation where good nutrition and healthy living wouldn't be a priority.

As I discussed this with a friend the question of became "Why isn't diet and nutrition considered when evaluating some one's parenting skills?"  Neglecting a child's diet, is still neglect! In fact it is down right abusive.

What about providing your child with healthy play?  Sitting a child in from of a TV, is not healthy.  And you can no longer just assume that if your kids are outside that they are getting enough exercise, especially if they are being packed full of empty calories.  Just like adults, if your child consumes more calories than they use, they will gain weight. 

Our children's health is at risk and we are facing an obesity epidemic in this nation.  Our nation's children are now dealing with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, sleep problems, and  liver disease, serious health conditions because of obesity.

Socially, obese children are teased and are discriminated against.  The world is tough enough without being handicapped by fat.  Overweight children are more likely to to suffer from low self esteem and depression, all of which can lead to even more problems.  Parents need to put themselves in their child's shoes... would you want to be taunted or called a cylinder? (Yes, I spoke to my son and told him not to be mean to the little girl, he should try and be nice to her as I am sure she is neglected.) 

I think obese girls have it even worse.  Boys get told they are big boned (not true) or that their size will help them with sports like football (kind of true).  But little girls can be very mean and the meanest to the "fat' girl.  The "fat girl" in the class is often an outcast, with few friends.  Weight can change a child's whole social experience.

Now, please do not get me wrong, we all should teach our kids to be kind and tolerant of those who are different and bullying no matter the reason is always wrong.  I know children that are too thin also get teased (Rosie I am thinking of you on that one).  But children, (like adults) will try and self regulate something they perceive as "not good."  And being fat is "not good," its literally dangerous! And children being immature and sometimes mean spirted can tease a child in hopes to change that person within their society.  

I changed my life (through exercise and diet) for my little girl.  I had one of the "Ahh ha" moments and told myself I wouldn't be the fat Mom that would embarrass my daughter.  I told myself, I wanted to be the example and I didn't want her (Uma) to grow up to be fat herself.  I think we all know it is best to lead by example.

Honestly, one of my kids struggles with his weight. While in in my house, he eats a mostly organic vegetarian diet.  And he gets plenty of exercise!  He swims everyday, rides his bike, and hikes the trails with me and his siblings.  I encourage exercise as a family.  I want the fun activities we do to become a part of his life that he will cherish and form habits that will make him a successful (but not well rounded LOL) adult.  

Moms, is your hobby baking and cooking?  Well quit letting your kids eat the batter and lick the spoon and go buy a "f"ing treadmill.  Go for a walk, go for a swim, go to the gym!!  Quit enabling your fat kids and your own large butt.

I know my words seem harsh but so many of us are just blind to what we are doing to our kids.  Would you be nice if I told you someone beat their child?   Well this is equals out  to be the same thing to me.

 Two of my kids during a family trail run.  Can you feel the love? 

Today's workouts is for kids and is a re-post from a licensed children's crossfit gym with some small alterations for at home exercise. Kids should do one workout, 6 days a week.

Bigs (11-16 year olds):
5 Pull Ups
10 Push Ups
15 Squats
Run for 8 minutes

Smalls (7-10 year olds):
3 Pull Ups
5 Push Ups
10 Squats
Run for 8 minutes

ALL
8 rounds of 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds rest:
- Box Jumps
- Sit Ups
- Push Ups
- Squats
- Jumping jacks

ALL
5 rounds
10 Box Jumps
10 Pull Ups
10 Second Handstand/Headstand

One Less Friend

 

Give me a chance and you'll see that "someday" I will fly.

The following was written by fellow Beachbody Coach and friend, Lauralee Fisher, and was posted on her Facebook wall this week.  We all have issues, and one of them shouldn't be lack luster friends.  As for me, many of you have expressed some disappointment in my post on Monday.  I am not sorry for posting what I did.   While I am mentioning it, I am also not sorry for my workout / running schedule.  So many of you want to criticize me, but I am very aware of who I am, and I make decisions based on that information, not on your opinion.  I just need you to say "good job" or "I am proud of you", I don't need you to tell me I need "to rest" or that "I over do it" and I sure in the heck don't need anyone telling me a should be engaged by now  (HOLY FRICK!!)  Alright, back to work everyone, the day is young, if I work this right I should be able to piss someone off before 5pm. LOL JK

Posted on Fb on Monday

I am going to be cleaning up my friends list once again on here. The direction I am going in life no longer includes certain people and their personalities. I am not interested in fake friends, people with every issue in the world and people who only talk to me so they can twist stuff around. Take this post as you want to because I know some people do anyways.

Just because I don't post every thought on my mind and post about what stresses me out, etc. doesn't mean I am not working through my own battles too. A true friend would contact me outside of Facebook and not try to discuss something on my wall. It's an ongoing process but through the process, I have become a stronger person with my eye on the prize - the life I always dreamed of.

I don't appreciate it when I share my thoughts with someone and it is then used against me or that person makes judgement on me. This has happened and because of this, I am re evaluating who I share my feelings with because the same people who want to criticize me for choice I have made or things I do, are doing things that in my mind are idiotic stupid. The difference is that I am a friend and realize that sometimes just having someone to vent to is all that is needed.

I don't have to explain myself to anyone. Everyone is fighting their own battle and if it makes someone feel better to try to tear me down to build themselves up - then have at it. These people would have broke me before and made me feel like I was less than I am. That was before.. this is now and I see people for their true colors. Don't lie to me when all I ask for is honesty. Don't pretend to like me if you don't. Don't judge me unless you want me to judge you.

I am tired of negative people always having something to say and I am also tired of people thinking that "just because I didn't post about it on Facebook" something didn't happen. I am not going to post about certain things in my life all over my wall. I realize some people do and I am not judging them for this... but I don't and that is my preference.

I use this to stay in touch with friends and family and to share my passion for fitness. Looking back I feel really awesome for coming as far as I have with my fitness journey thanks to my wonderful friends in fitness and my true friends I know in person. Some people never once encouraged me or said congrats for anything I have done. I am not looking for a big party but at the same time... I get when someone is being rude intentionally. I feel stronger knowing I did it all by myself despite all the negative remarks I received and still do receive regarding my passion for working out and health. A big thank you to all the wonderful people who have supported me!

I have been called selfish for not caring what others think but the truth is that I have learned to love myself and respect myself instead of basing my value on what others "think" about me. There is a difference :)

To contact Lauralee please check out her website  www.beachbodycoach.com/SCORPIOANGEL

"I Run" Marathon Training Schedule

 Not me!  I go blonde in the summer:)

I think this one is going to be a long post, sorry in advance.  I'll need to give you all some details before I get down to the point of today's ramblings.  I will start by saying "I am a runner."  I mean that both literally and figuratively.  Today's blog is going to have a lot to do with me dating and my relationships so if you don't want to read all that crapola (not a curse word if I put "ola" at the end of it), skip to the bottom where I have posted a beginners guide and schedule to running your first marathon. I post this relationship stuff for my single readers and for my readers who are in a relationship and like to laugh at us sad single people.

Things to remember when reading today's post.  I am a former fatty, yeah I have issues from that.  I am divorced, yep I have issues from that.  The only things I don't have issues from, but sometimes cause other people to have issues, is the fact that I am active LDS and I have 4 great kids.  Yes, I have 4, for those who didn't know.

Time for you to hear the story of my first (and to date only) marathon I have ran.  I ran the St George Marathon last October.  I did not train... at all for the marathon.  I had only been running a few miles a day for a few months. My friends all were excited about the up coming marathon and we all discussed the event the Friday before the race at dinner.  So Saturday, I went on Craigslist and bought a bib off another injured runner.  That's right, I decided one week before the marathon to run the race.  With very little knowledge of how a marathon worked, I ran the race.  I mean what's 26.2 miles right?

The day of the race, I have to say I felt awesome the first 7 miles.  I felt great after the Veyo Hill, which is mile 8 (a difficult hill to run).  And as I neared the half way point in the race I got very excited as I estimated I would finish the race in under 4 1/2 hours, maybe even close to the 4 hour mark.   Then at mile marker 12, I heard and felt a pop right below my right knee.  A sharp pain went up my leg and into my hip.  I tried to shake it off and continued to run.  At mile 16 a took a bathroom break and at that point I knew, I was hurt!  The pain in my knee was getting worse with each step.  Did I finish the race... you know it!  But my time was like 5 1/2 hours. The last mile and took me 40 minutes.

 I went to the doctor's office on Monday and it was discovered that I had an alvusion fracture in my tibia below my right knee.  For those who don't know, an alvusion fracture is when the tendon pulls a fragment of bone away from the main mass.   Yeah, show me a frog and I scream like a little girl but ask me to run a race with a broken bone, no problem.   I am sure if I had trained and been more prepared for the race, I wouldn't of got hurt, I wouldn't have needed physical therapy, I would have made my goal time. 

Alright back to the point of today's post.  So I run.  Not just for exercise, but I run from relationships.  Instead of getting hurt or worse yet, my heart broken, I normally take the easy way out.    I did this in college and I do it now.  I am surprised I ever got married, really! 

I keep telling you all I want someone to chase me, but the truth is, I am afraid that I will run as soon as someone actually wants to get serious.  I am using the blog as a FYI... I am getting ready to run.  I am fighting the urge because I know someone special is right there for me but the process I am facing is difficult.  I hate that I have this feeling to run away from good things. 

Do you know how excited I get when I get a text that says "saw a car just like yours and I found myself wishing really hard it was you in it.."  or when I get a text with a picture of some one's temple recommend card (sweetest pic ever btw!).   These are awesome text to get, they make me feel wanted.  I love hearing that someone wants me to come visit them in SLC or CA.  But as I have that good feeling,  I also feel terrible because I know I can't be that girl right now, for anyone.  I am not ready and I need to take things slow.  I am not prepared for this race yet, and if I just jump into it, I am going to get hurt, I am going to need therapy, and I am not going to reach my goal.  (Ha ha, I knew I could tie it all in with my marathon story).

To the right person, give me time, don't try and rush things, and don't let me rush things.  Make sure I don't listen to fairy tales or the movie Hairspray!  (The fat girl never gets the boy, come on!)  And most important remind me to run towards something special and not away.  I will remind you of the same.

My next marathon, the St George marathon, I will be ready for it!  And I will continue to prepare my heart for "someday."

To be a little melodramatic today I have listened to Sara Evans all day in the office.  Did I mention I am a girl? LOL

I am trying not to run but to fly.

Notes about the training schedule:

Mondays: Most Mondays are rest days. Rest is critical to your recovery and injury prevention efforts, so don't ignore rest days. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays: After your warm up, run at a moderate pace (slightly faster than your long run pace) for the designated mileage. Cool down and stretch after your run.

Wednesdays and Fridays: Do a cross-training (CT) activity (biking, swimming, elliptical trainer, etc.) at easy-to-moderate effort for 30 to 45 minutes. If you're feeling very sluggish or sore on Friday, take a rest day. It's important that you're feeling strong for your Saturday long run.

Saturdays: This is the day for your long slow distance run. Run the designated mileage at an easy, conversational pace. Use your breathing as your guide. You should be able to breathe easily and talk in complete sentences comfortably during your run.

Sundays: This is an active recovery day. Your short run should be at a very easy (EZ), comfortable pace, which helps loosen up your muscles.

Note: You can switch days to accommodate your schedule. Just make sure you don't do two really intense or long workouts two days in a row.

 Beginners' Marathon Training Schedule

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Rest	3 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	4 mi	3 mi EZ
2	Rest	3 miles	Rest	3 mi	CT or Rest	5 mi	3 mi EZ
3	Rest	3 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	6 mi	3 mi EZ
4	Rest	3 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT or Rest	4 mi	3 mi EZ
5	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	6 mi	3 mi EZ
6	Rest	4 mil	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	8 mi	3 mi EZ
7	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	10 mi	3 mi EZ
8	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	8 mi	3 mi EZ
9	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	12 mi	Rest
10	4 mi EZ	4 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT or Rest	10 mi	3 mi EZ
11	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	14 mi	3 mi EZ
12	Rest	5 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	10 mi	3 mi EZ
13	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	16 mi	3 mi EZ
14	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	12 mi	3 mi EZ
15	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	18 mi	Rest
16	3 mi EZ	5 mi	Rest	6 mi	CT or Rest	12 mi	3 mi EZ
17	Rest	4 mi	CT	6 mi	CT or Rest	20 mi	3 mi EZ
18	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	12 mi	3 mi EZ
19	Rest	3 mi	20 minutes	3 mi	CT or Rest	8 mi	3 mi EZ
20	Rest	2 mi	20 minutes	Rest Day	20 minutes	Race Day!	Rest Day!

"Bell" Workout

Alright Fatletes, vocab time!  DTR!! Define the relationship.  I am told this is a common acronym in Mormon dating.  How the heck did I not know this?!

I think the bell is working for me

I thought we would DTR our relationship (the relationship between you (my reader) and myself.  So I am a blogger which is defined as " a person who thinks what they say actually matters to the masses, and suffers from ideas of grandeur."  You are a "person who finds inspiration in my weight-loss, superiority in your spelling and grammar skills (when compared to mine), and humor in my pitiful love life."  Yeah, you read other blogs, but I tell myself, "my blog is the one you love the most, and that some day we plan on having a serious committed relationship in which you stalk me via Facebook and Twitter."  

In time, our relationship will become disastrous (give it about 3 to 9 months), ending in acrimony, emotional chaos, and possibly legal proceedings.  Which is the only proper way to end a relationship such as ours.

Until we reach the end of our relationship, I am completely smitten with all of you (but I too see other bloggers on the side).  Each time you read the blog I feel butterflies in my stomach and it keeps me obsessively checking the blog stats.  

Kettle Bell Workout and my bell related video.  Yeah, because I can hear the bells LOL (How to perform each exercise is listed below the video)

1.  Kettlebell Pullthroughs, 15 reps, 30 seconds rest

2. Beyond the Range Push-ups, 20 reps, 30 seconds rest

3.  Kettlebell Clean & Press, 12 reps each arm, 30 seconds rest

4. Lunge and Reach, 15 reps, 30 seconds rest

5. Russian Kettlebell Twists, 15 reps

6. DONE

You can repeat the workout if you still have some energy or some extra time

Kettlebell Pullthroughs (lower body)

How to Perform: Position your feet in a slightly wider than shoulder width stance.  Grab the two kettlebells and get them moving in a pendulum motion.  As the kettlebells move back between the legs, you have to bend the knees and absorb the momentum before reversing the movement with a powerful hip extension.

Benefits: Strengthen posterior chain and build explosiveness in the legs.

Beyond the Range Push-ups (upper body)

How to Perform: Perform a normal push-up while holding on top of the kettlebells.  Really squeeze the handles to make sure the kb’s stay in place.  Squeeze the glutes and remain rigid in a straight line position while you lower (eccentric) and drive (concentric) throughout the movement.

Benefits: Strengthening the shoulders, chest and triceps in a full range of motion (ROM)

Kettlebell Clean & Press (full body)

How to Perform: Perform a one arm kettlebell swing to get the kettlebell into a racked position. Once in place, drive the kb overhead and lock it out.  Return the weight to the racked position and back down into the swing.  Repeat.

Benefits: Strengthening the entire body including the legs, core, shoulders and back.

Lunge and Reach (bodyweight exercise)

How to Perform: Lunge forward while keeping an upright torso.  The reach should be done toward the side where the lead leg is forward.  Drive back to a standing position and repeat.

Benefits: Activating the quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes while stabilizing the core and knee.  The reach of the movement stretches the same side IT band, lats and shoulders.

Russian Kettlebell Twists (core exercise)

How to Perform: Sit upright with your knees bent and legs together.  Grab the kettlebell and rotate it back and forth touching the ground on your left and right sides.

Benefits: Strengthening the core, shoulders, biceps and upper back.