Meningitis is no good!

Sometimes we all get over trained.  Yep, it happens to the best of us.  I wrote about it HERE and as of late I have been feeling the effects yet again.  I took my workouts down a notch and even ate the Reese’s Eggs that Holly claimed “Dr. Google” told her were the cure for “meningitis!”  Don’t get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed those eggs but they weren’t the magic cure.  I even tried a little sugar detox which is very unlike me.  I thought perhaps all that delicious Easter candy had done me in.  Detox didn’t work either.

After Friday’s long run of 12 miles when I felt like death I decided that an extra day of rest may be needed to kick this bad case “meningitis.”  It just so happened that we were taking a little family vaca to none other than Albuquerque, New Mexico for Kobe’s regional gymnastics meet.  I figured this would be the perfect time to take a day off.  Friday we arrived in Farmington, NM and checked into our hotel.  I looked out the window to see a running path along the river…how rude!  We went to the pool and I saw the hotel gym…rude! 

I considered waking up early and heading down to the gym for a few miles but my legs were not happy!   I also knew it would make Jake’s whole trip if I didn’t work out, for some crazy reason it bothers him that I work out…especially on vacation.  I skipped my workout more for him than for myself, I am so selfless ;)

Saturday was beautiful and oh so warm.  We got to Albuquerque and headed right for the pool.  As I was laying there minding my own business this woman walked up dressed in her running gear.  She was on the phone with her friend saying that she was ready for their run, seriously?  I nearly asked how far they were going and if I could join them.  Then I realized it was super hot and it would be quite miserable.  I fought with every ounce of my being not to chuck a Dr. Pepper at them as they headed off for their precious run ;)

As we headed to our room I checked out this gym hotel, it was big and beautiful with many treadmills and some weights.  It was quite the set up and I wanted to go play soooo badly!  I considered doing my Monday workout on Sunday while everyone was asleep.   Then Kobe asked if he could come with me in the morning for my work out.  My kids know that I work out no matter if I’m on vacation or not but for some reason Jake doesn’t get it.  Jake piped up and said “Mom isn’t going to work out, she’s going to be with us.”  CRAP!  I really didn’t want to make Jake mad even though my body was needing a workout.  Things don’t work right when I don’t work out.

I hope that my skipping a day has cured what ails me.  It took a lot to overcome so much temptation.  I have also decided that I am done being so selfless and if I want to work out on vacation by golly I’m going to.  My body shuts down when I don’t work out and it’s just no good I say.

Kobe did so great at his competition.  He was against the best 96 Level 5 gymnasts in our region. 

He got 12^th place on rings and his team took 3^rd place overall which was pretty amazing seems how they only had 4 gymnasts there.  I could see the hurt in the little fella’s eyes that he didn’t place on more events and it broke my heart. There was some tough competition there.  The most important thing was that he improved GREATLY from his past meets.   Unfortunately, he had a couple of little slips and falls.  His feet slipped on his front handspring and I nearly burst into tears, his little face was sooooo sad!  It really took everything I had not to run out there and give him a big hug.  The rest of his routine was great but you fall once and your score is toast.  He had worked really hard with Coach Wan Wan (Wanda) for the past 3 weeks and had made some real improvements.  Wan Wan coached Jake Dalton…”Jake Dalton, YUM!”  That’s what Kenna said, not me, so don’t judge!  Jake Dalton is an Olympic gymnast my friends, Wan Wan is pretty amazing.

 I know this post is never ending but I have to tell you about Jake’s mom’s car that she let us borrow for this trip.  It’s a brand spankin’ new KIA Optima Hybrid.  We got about 40 miles to the gallon on this little hog, hee hee hee that’s from Dumb and Dumber, it’s not really a hog!  There is a little picture that shows you how eco friendly you are driving, if you are driving green then flowers blossom.

This picture is quite small and craptastic but if you look veeeery closely between the speedometer and the other thing you can kind of see the blossom.

I may be the last person on earth to know this but did you know that when you stop a hybrid car it turns off, WHAT?  It’s pretty awesome if I do say so myself.  KIA has come a looooooong way! 

It’s a smooth ride and nice looking too.  Don’t worry I still love Susan, that’s my Acura TL’s name, but it would sure be nice if she got better gas mileage.

I guess I’ll be done now!

Half Marathon+5K+5K=A LOT!

The training schedule called for a half marathon yesterday, which would have been awesome, but instead I ran a whole heckuva lot of miles.  Because of kids gymnastics meets I had to switch this weeks 13.1 miles for next Saturday's 19 miles.  I could be crazy but maybe, just maybe, Hal Higdon was onto something when he scheduled week 9 as a cut back week.  You mean he didn't just pick some random number and say to run it?!?  Weird ;)

My last 2 long runs have been awesome, I felt great!  Today was not like that, nope not at all.

Holly and I met up with Pam, Josh and Joanna at 6:00 a.m. for the half marathon portion of our run.  It took me about a mile or so to warm up and then I felt great.  We were running in the dark for quite some time and I liked it.  It made the time fly by because I didn't really know where I was.  At about mile 10 I started to struggle a little.  Mile 11 Holly and I took our 2nd dose of Sportlegs and popped some Mike and Ike's, she also flipped me off but that's a story for another time ;)

We managed to finish the first 13.  Did I mention that Josh pushed a 3 year old in a stroller for those 13 miles...awesome!!  What was even more awesome was that the little girl didn't make a peep the whole run, she just sat back and enjoyed the run.  Holly and I drove up to a park in Mapleton where we started our virtual 5K Buddy Up Against Bullying.  I think stopping for a bit may not have been the best idea.  I had time to think about how tired I was and how far I still had to go.

We struggled through our "bully run" and got to the park just in time to start our 2nd 5K which was a remembrance run for Holly's uncle Dave.  I must say that I felt pretty stupid running a 5K with a Fuelbelt :D  There were camera men everywhere and I think a news team was doing a story on the run/walk.  I sure as heck hope we don't make the 10 o'clock news wearing our fancy little Fuelbelt's for a 5K. 

(So I typed this post last night but didn't publish it, this was just added)  News flash, I just noticed that I did in fact make the freaking 10:00 news wearing my nerd belt, heaven help me!!  I also realized that I run like a doofus old woman!  I always hoped that my television debut would be on a Bob Harper video or something, not slogging along wearing my Fuelbelt...in a 5K!  I will attempt to link the video, the story is amazing and worth watching...just ignore the idiot who is wearing a Fuelbelt for a 3.1 mile run!  VIDEO

 

I loved looking ahead of me and seeing a sea of white hats.  Dave always ran in a white hat so everyone was encouraged to wear one.  I got a little emotional at one point so I can only imagine what the people who actually knew him were feeling.

I needed something to get my mind off of the fact that I couldn't feel my legs, they were super jello-y and yes that is indeed a word!  I found Fun. on my iPod and listened to a couple of their songs.  Seems how I had finally stopped yakking Holly had time to think about why we were running that last 5K and she got quite emotional.  Crying and running just isn't a good mix.  We finished the race and looked down to see that we were at 19.38...who stops at 19.38?  I'll tell you who doesn't stop and that's me and Holly!  We HAD to even it out to 19.50 just for our own sanity, no we aren't OCD!

I'm glad this is a far away shot cause I seriously looked like DEATH!

I LOVE that they had a remembrance run for Dave.  Holly and I made a deal that if one of us dies an untimely death that the other will arrange a run in her honor.  We decided that we would have both a 5K and a half marathon distance.

Did I happen to mention that today was BEAUTIFUL!  Yep, perfect running weather for sure!

This run was definitely not an easy one but it was an awesome one.  I am so glad that we timed it just right so that we could finish it at the remembrance run.  Having all of the other runners really helped us finish off our run.  We were able to see Holly's amazing family, I don't know if you are aware of this but I am Holly's sista' from another mista'...and misses ;)  I love her family, they are all so kind and welcoming!

They gave out these "Made Better By Dave Henson" bracelets.  I didn't know Dave but just having the opportunity to attend his viewing and seeing the love his family had for him along with knowing that he died trying to save the one he loved, I truly do feel that I am "made better" now! 

I got home just in time to take a super fast shower and then it was off to Kobe's state gymnastics meet.  AirTime took state which was just awesome, GO AIRTIME!  They had an amazing season.  It wasn't Kobe's best meet but he somehow managed to get into the regionals meet which will be in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 3 weeks.

I picked this picture to show you Kobe's awesome little muscles!  I know the pic is taking up half my blog but I think it's worth it :)

What in the hey howdy hey is there to do in Albuquerque anyways?  I've never been there so if you know of anything wonderful to do there please let me know :)