My first race report with this great group of people.

My event today was a bit different than usual. Generally when I go to an event I don't really have much expectation other than to finish standing up. I usually have an idea of what my time and pace will be but if I don't meet that, it's no big deal. Today I truly had a goal in mind and I wanted that goal or better. I had a very specific need to be met at today's event.

No need to keep you in suspense, I am extremely happy to say I finished slightly better than my goal. This is probably the first time I ran an event with what I would say was a smart run. I went into it with a plan and stuck to it. I managed to pull in the reins and let the pack take off. I stuck to my pace. All in all I did it and I feel great.

For the most part I would say the course wasn't too difficult. It did have its spots though. The hills were not bad. The difficult part came from about mile 13 to 17. That is where most of the hills were. The one downside was the roads were not closed to traffic and we had to run along the right side. I would rather run on the left so I can see the traffic coming. Overall I liked the course.

In reviewing my pace I was pretty steady for the most part. My pace for the the first four miles ranged from 9:25 to 9:27. It was into mile 5 and through 6 that the wind came into play which slowed my pace a just a bit to 9:39 & 9:44. Taking out the miles that I walked through the water stops I paced 9:23, 9:31, 9:32, and 9:34 for miles 8, 9, 13, and 15. There were a couple of good hills going from mile 16 to 17 which I posted 9:54 for that mile. My time for the 18.6 (30K) was 3:05. According to my Garmin it was 18.78. Close enough. Average pace for the entire event would be a 9:55 and my goal was 10:00.

A couple of other things were different about this event than most of my prior events that I ran. I knew another runner was doing this event also. That certainly helped motivate me. The other thing which I think is the only time was that no one passed me over the last 3 or four miles. I actually caught up and passed other people. I must say I had a little bit of a competitive feeling towards the end. Those factors also made today a special day in my running history.

I also thank all of you that have given me support by making positive comments. As I run it's like you are out there with me. Along with the spectators that are out on the course you don't really know how much you influence me as I run. My appreciation is beyond words.

I wish you a great day,

Hello my friends...I have to say that I've missed you all. I finally was able to take some time to catch up on post. I have to say that I'm struggling a bit with being able to get online , read post, and then actually post a message myself. While I can usually find the time to read the post I'm kind of like Redfox where I struggle with actually typing much of a post. Since I've taken the new job (finishing up 3rd full month now) I've been much busier than usual but not necessarily stressed, well these past two weeks have actually been busy and stressful. I took a spin class with Shannon on Monday and then literally worked 14 hour days Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday which didn't allow for any runs. Not necessarily a good thing when I'm trying to finish up week 5 of my HM training. Yesterday I was saved by a dentist appointment. I've never been so excited to go to the dentist but it did allow me to leave the office at noon and once the appointment was over I got a haircut and my eyebrows waxed. I then went and did a little shopping before heading to a 4:30pm spin class and once the spin class was over I had a 5:30 appt for a pedicure. All in all a very nice afternoon and some much needed "pampering" Today I went with a couple of friends and played 18 holes of golf. Once it's cooled down some outside I have a 5 mile run on the schedule. Hope it goes well since I haven't ran since last Sunday.

I have to work tomorrow as Wednesday morning I fly to Mississippi for a long weekend. I will see BF and the family for the first time in a while. Since BF is still in training (althought will finally be home Jund 20th) I have not seen him since our trip to New Orleans last November. When I saw him I had lost 16lbs and now I'm at 66. I know it's crazy but I'm a little nervous. While he obviously hasn't seen me I have told him how much I've lost and part of my messed up mind keeps thinking that in his mind he is going to be thinking "she's lost 66lbs and she still looks like that!!" I know I know I know....it's crazy but for some reason that's what I keep thinking. I must admit that I'm really having some "issues" lately with this entire weight loss thing. I find myself WAY more self concious now that I ever was at my heaviest. It shouldn't work that way. I should be feeling even better about my self image but it doesn't seem to be happening. Has anyone else struggled with that?

Tim great RR. It's very exciting when you beat your goal.

Happy glad you were able to get out for that 8 mile run this morning, but be sure and take care of yourself. I would actually welcome some nice rainy weather so that I would have to snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie The only thing is that I need to do laundry and I guess rain is not really an excuse to not do that!!

Bo I really hope you are not too tired to enjoy yourself at the wedding and reception. I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster that you must be on these days. While I agree with the not being able to get used to the fancy nails what did you think about the pedicure? Take care of youself and I look forward to the day that both yours and my world slows down and allows us to be more regular here with our great group of online friends

Plugging good luck on your race tomorrow as well as your class. It sounds like a tough one. Good thing a degree in Hotel/Restaurant Mgt doesn't require too many science based classes

Leanyjoan your 1:30am bike ride sounds fun. On the 20th I'm scheduled to run a midnight 5K, well it's called a midnight 5K but it actually starts at 11pm. I believe Shannon is doing that one as well. Did you find out about your MRI? Tornado weather seems to be extremely bad this year, hope your weather didn't get too nasty.

Shannon I took a spin class in Cedar yesterday. This girl was nowhere near as crazy as Road Rage Annie Did you know that's actually how they list her on the schedule? Hatch is about 30 minutes from Bryce. Oh and I have the "employee guest room" reserved for you the night before the HM. You'll be sleeping right down the hall from me

Nhmommy how is the new job going?

Shoutouts to those that I might have missed. You all have a great rest of your weekend and I'll try and check back in soon!

Well I was wrong and I had a 6 mile run on the training schedule rather than a 5. I just got home from it and I must say that after walking 18 holes of golf and running 6 miles I'm POOPED!!!!

Redfox I so love all your menus. I wish I could have eaten dinner at your house tonight. I LOVE jambalaya. I think I would pretty much enjoye dinner at your house every night this upcoming week I forgot to mention it in my earlier post but I've been thinking about you a lot on your job search and I wish you the best of luck.

Evening Guys,

First off - way to go Tim!! You are one fast guy! I am so glad you had such a positive run. It is so nice when it all comes together and you feel as though you did the best you could and YOU are pleased with it. I love to think about how many people I know that are my age and would never embark on such a journey. Kudos to you!!

Red - yum-yum is all I have to say. I will be printing that one out to make this week. I really need to get myself back on track. Stress eating has been getting the best of me this week. Hard not to when stressed out though. I have a good feeling about your job quest! I think you will find something that you are going to be so happy with that you will look back and think that this phase was worth it to get to your new place. I will keep sending positive vibes out your way!!

Life - you all amaze me that work such long hours and have time to fit in so much. I can see why it would be hard for you to post with your job and the long schedule. Its always a treat when you get on and catch us up though.

Bo - Girl I am thinking of you today!! I know you are going to rock that grey dress! Make sure to post pics when you can. It is hard when they fly off and I am not sure I am liking it at all. You know its what has to happen but man its hard on us Mom's. We can cry in our beer in VB - LOL.

Michelle - hope you had a great week at your new job. You started this week right? How is it going? I am hoping by some luck that you will be at the race tomorrow!! LOL

Shannon - I am jealous that you and Life are going to be running a half together!! I am really looking forward to meeting Bo in VB

Gotta run my boy is sick and calling me. HOpe its not a long night!!

Hi everyone! I have been such a slacker, and I am sorry to say that I dont' have much time to catch up on the posts from this week. Things are finally settling down thank goodness! I started the new job on the 19th of May - 2 weeks ago. It was really strange, but I wasn't nervous at all. The fit feels really great. I haven't ever felt this comfortable in a job this quick. I am hesitantly optimistic..... The girls (I think I posted this before) have had a rough few weeks. Tessa was on all kinds of antibiotics and had a reaction to one of them. That was fun. Then Amelia ended up getting some kind of flu thing. She has spent the better part of a week being VERY moody and really emotional. Yesterday and this morning she seems much better, so maybe we are turning a corner! My DH left yesterday for his yearly solo-vacation. He takes a litle trip to Florida to sit on the beach and read for a week. This is his personal answer to my Utah trip. I am glad he is gone, as he usually comes back fresh and renewed with kid-friendly energy. Needless to say that with all the change in the life my running has been pretty sporatic for the past couple of weeks. The last time I ran was Wednesday at the club training session. That was trip! They said it was a light workout, and milage wise it was, but WOAH! It was the longest set of 90 second splits I have ever done. Light work out my BUTT! I am scared to do the workout this Wednesday. I got a babysitter so I could go, there is no turning back now! Most of my workouts this week (unfortunately) will have to be at the gym so I have the babysitting. I guess it beats not working out at all - right???!??!?!

Anyway, I promise to try harder this week. I miss you guys!!!!

~Michelle

Hello all...it sure is quiet around here today. I just came in from working and now have to pack my suitcase for Mississippi. I head out to Zion this evening where I will work Monday and Tuesday then head to Vegas Tuesday night for an early morning flight on Wednesday. I'm a little sore today in my neck and shoulder area from totting a bag full of golf clubs around for almost 4 hours yesterday. Like redfoxfan today was strength and strech for me today. I headed to the gym early this morning and got a good workout in. I really do miss strength training on a regular basis. I'm ready for fall to be here again and just skip summer, I just find myself way too busy to do all the things I enjoy

Nhmommy glad to hear the new job is going well and that the kinds are on the mend. DH solo vacation sounds wonderful to me.

Shout out to the rest of you. I hope you all have a great week. And know that even if you don't hear from me for several days that I'm thinking of you all.

Tim - so glad your race went so well & you met the goals you set for yourself. It's such a great accomplishment to run any race but to meet or exceed the expectations you set for yourself is the icing on the cake. WTG on a great race!

lifentheparks - Know that you are not alone in struggling more with being conscious of your weight now that you weigh less. I wish I knew the psychology that makes us behave in such a way, or at least a solution to help us feel good about ourselves no matter what. I definitely have a hard time with this now that I am thinner than I use to be.

redfoxfan - care to share the recipes for the skillet beef & beer stew and also the chinese pineapple chicken? both of those sound delicious

Bo - thinking of you! hope the wedding went well & now that the guests have left, you should have a moment to breathe & relax. hope your dog is doing better too!

Happy - I went & read that book "Let Me Hold You a Little Longer", I found the entire thing here http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-1-4143-0055-9.pdf It was a very good book... so true.

well it's nearly midnight & I need to get to bed. no run in the morning because DH has to leave early, so I'll get up & do a workout video instead. I really got down on myself this past week. I have gained weight and I know it's due to my lack of consistent exercise and not following WW. Why is it that we know what is good for us but we insist on doing the wrong thing? My weight is up and my body all out-of-whack from eating horribly. I have now been POP for 2 days, I even ate a banana & sweet potato for dessert since I didn't have enough fruits/veggies today. Now that is PROGRESS! LOL I stocked up on good foods and forbid ice cream to come into the house for at least a month! My goal is to be back in the 130s by my birthday in 46 days... that's 6 lbs to lose in 6 weeks. Won't be easy but it is doable. Melanie