CAUTION: Treadmill in Motion!!

I guess karma wanted to teach me a lesson this fine Thanksgiving Day.  A few days ago a co-worker told me about a gal who flew off the treadmill while doing the gait analysis.  I laughed hysterically and wondered how on earth that could even happen.  Well, although my experience was a little different I now see how one could fly off a treadmill.

After Holly and I finished up our leg workout we headed down to the "shoe shop" for a little Thanksgiving Day 10 mile run.  I was running along when I decided I wanted to dump out my electrolyte drink and get water so I pushed what I thought was the STOP button and hopped off.  Apparently, I pushed the FAN button not the STOP button.  I filled my water and attempted to get back on the treadmill.  Now let me just say that it was dark, I just have the T.V.'s on and no lights and the movie was turned up really loud.  So I couldn't see a whole lot and I heard nothing.  Anyways, I stepped onto the treadmill while drinking my water and suddenly I was eating the treadmill, I guess I wanted a pre-feast snack.  I couldn't figure out what on earth was happening.  I kept trying to get up and wondered why I couldn't, I soon realized that there was no way I was getting out of the situation so I gave up and let the treadmill take me where it may.  I rolled across the Shoe Shop floor and my water went flying.  I was laughing uncontrollably and looked up at Holly, she was looking at me like "what the heck are you doing?"  She thought the treadmill was off too and couldn't figure out what was happening.  I decided we had better take some reenactment pictures so that I could share this exciting morning with you.  Enjoy!

BAM!!  I literally ate the treadmill, luckily I didn't get treadmill burn on my face :) I got it lots of other places though!

Somehow I ended up sideways, threw my water and started rolling..

and rolling! These aren't the most flattering photos ever but oh well!

I think our reenactment photos are quite accurate and hilarious!  Even though I didn't see myself, when I finally composed myself and started running again I kept picturing the whole thing.  I could not stop laughing and let me tell you it is hard to run and laugh at the same time.

I got a little beat up

The pictures don't really do it justice...it hurt!  Well, it actually didn't hurt right away but after a few minutes my leg, hand, elbow and shoulder started burning.  That darn machine took my skin clean off!

It definitely made for an entertaining morning and don't worry Mr. Bell I have written up and signed a waiver ;)

So what did I learn from all of this?  Well, first of all I need to learn not to laugh when others fly off treadmills or anything else for that matter.  Secondly, I now know to make sure that the treadmill actually stops when I tell it to.  My kids now believe me when I tell them that treadmills are dangerous and not to be played on.

We ran 10 miles and from the very beginning I was just not feeling it.  I am so grateful that as much as I wanted to quit I didn't.  I pushed through and I didn't even let that treadmill bucking me off get to me.  Now I can go enjoy Mama Jex's feast without feeling guilty.

Here are a couple small things that I have been grateful for today.  As I was getting ready I had the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on and Avril Lavigne came on and sang the song that made me think of my dad during the Utah Valley Marathon.  Today is definitely a day that I wish I could see my dad.

As I sat down to write this post my favoritest show of all time, Three's Company, came on.  Oh, that Jack Tripper cracks me up and he has always reminded me of my step-dad Mike.  I'm not really sure why but he has.

Lastly, I'm so grateful that Mama and Papa Jex are willing to make a huge Thanksgiving Feast for just the 6 of us.  I guess my sis and her kids aren't coming until dessert.  So thank you Mama and Papa Jex for going through all of that work just for us.

Have you ever flown off a treadmill?

I have now :)

What are your Thanksgiving Day plans?

Did you get a workout in this fine day?

I hope that my little treadmill mishap has brought a smile to your face :)

Food is Fuel!

Let me just start by saying that Halloween has done a number on me. 

Here we are with the Garcia's after trick or treating.  This is the day that started my downward spiral ;)

For some crazy reason I have had ZERO self-control this week.  I am usually pretty good at choosing healthy foods that will fuel my body to perform the way that I want it to.  This week I caved into temptation with candy that normally wouldn't tempt me AT ALL!!  The problem is that I go to work all day and barely eat anything and by the time I get home I am a ravenous beast.  The candy has been in my face, as my kids can't put anything away, and it's quick and easy.  I have been replacing my meals with candy, cookies, donuts and pretty much any garbage I could stuff into my pie hole.  I would eat crap and then feel guilty about it so I wouldn't really eat dinner, I would make a smoothie, this post has the recipe, and call it good.  I went to the gym every morning and weighed myself and when I wouldn't gain weight I continued to feed myself garbage.

I honestly felt like crap the whole week, my workouts suffered and I felt bad about myself.  Although my weight didn't go up I felt like a fat cow.  Last night as I was conditioning the older gymnasts one of the girls asked me if I "diet."  I told her that I never diet but that I try to make healthy choices, I then explained that I had not made such good choices this past week.  She said, "who has??"  I realize that it's completely normal to cave into temptation sometimes but we MUST have moderation in all things.  That is what I haven't done this week.  I usually don't deprive myself if I am really craving something but I try to keep it under control.

We must use food as fuel.  I have noticed that when I make healthy choices and eat right that I have a lot more energy throughout the day.  I am amazed that I have the energy that I do when I usually only get 6 and a half hours of sleep.  This week however, I had very little energy.  My workouts were not good, I almost feel asleep in spin class on Wednesday for heaven's sake :)  I took a nap which I rarely do and have been a bit of a slug all week.  Throughout the week it didn't really hit me as to why I felt so fatigued.  This morning as I was struggling through my 14 mile run I realized that what I had been putting into my body was causing me to feel this way.  I guess the old saying is true: "You are what you eat."  When I eat good, healthy foods I feel good but when I eat CRAP I feel like crap!!

It's important to fuel our bodies with whole grains, protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats.  I try to stay away from sugar and anything white as much as possible.  There are some great treats out there that are sugar free, but be careful because there are also some out there that will do a number on your gut ;)  But that is a story for another time...or not!!  Some of my favorite sugar free treats are Jello, Jello pudding, Sugar Free Stephen's Hot Chocolate and I have a chocolate, banana, peanut butter smoothie that is quite delicious.  I buy the Adam's all natural peanut butter so there is no added sugar and it is FABULOUS!!!  If you are like me and you like to have something sweet after dinner try fruit, it seems to work for me most days.  I found THIS that I really liked, I didn't watch the video but scrolled down to the text.

Here is a picture of a good mix.  Pizza with whole wheat crust, veggies, turkey sausage and turkey pepperoni, Cantaloupe, Salad and Chocolate donuts.  I think treats are fine in moderation and after you've had a good meal so that you are filling up on the good stuff, leaving little room for the treats.  This was a my go to pre-race supper for my summer races.

Sorry if I have bored you to death but this has been on my mind all day!

Do you notice a huge difference in how you feel depending on what you eat?

Do you struggle with making good choices and then beat yourself up about it?