Sprint Ladder

Tonight I ran lots of sprints. Now in my world, sprints aren't that fast, but whatevs. Tonight during my half marathon training we did a 'sprint ladder.' If you've never done this, and you're training for any type of race, I highly recommend it. It will help increase your endurance and make you very out of breathe.

We have the wonderful Mary Cates to thank for this great work out. Give it a try!

Sprint 1 minute

rest 50 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 40 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 30 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 20 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 10 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 10 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 20 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 30 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 40 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

rest 50 seconds

Sprint 1 minute

You can cuss Mary while you're doing it (I always do) but you'll thank her later!

New Year, New You!

The new year is about at time for starting over and making things happen. I mean, that's what I've heard.

Well here's to 2014 - ready or not!!

I want to make some resolutions for 2014, ones that I will actually stick to. So here we go:

1. Make more time for Jesus. I bought a new Rosary last fall and I haven't used it. I want to use that more.

2. More working out. This is too cliche but it's something I need to do. CrossFit regularly, all year. Run, run, run. Do at least 1 half marathon. And do something else physical that is outside my comfort zone. 

3. Less phone time. I'm obsessed with my iPhone. It's a little insane. I'm going to work on putting it down and focus more on relationships and less social media. 

4. Manage money better. I want to pay off my debts and save money for a house, or something. 

5. Love better. Say thank you more, say please more and love more.

6. Stop reading junk. Stop reading junk books and read something that will expand my knowledge professionally and spiritually. 

7. Find something new that makes me genuinely happy. This just can't end bad. And it goes well with number five. 

What are your resolutions. Eat more cupcakes? 

You ran a marathon? Oh that's cute.

I didn't run a marathon, I wish.

My very special running coach and friend did something amazing last weekend. I've spent the last week thinking about this blog post and what exactly to say. Mary says she's a writer so I'm nervous that I might let her down!!

Well like I said Mary did something crazy last weekend. SHE RAN 100 MILES. AT ONE TIME!!!!! I told her via Twitter that I was trying to come up with something inspirational but all I could come up with is that she's crazy. And it's true. But I love her.

So this woman, ran 100 miles. And it wasn't like it was just her, 55 people had signed up for this. Apparently there are things called "ultra marathons." They sound painful to me. But they're popular and for a special kind of person.

As a testament to how amazing of a woman Mary is she had lots of friends out there on that 11.1 mile loop with her during her 26ish hour journey. I even ventured out to watch the crazy. I decided to take the 2 a.m. shift because what else did I have to do at 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning. I pulled in the parking lot around 1:30 a.m. and sat waiting for Mary and crew to arrive. I got to watch one man cross the finish line around hour 17. That's insane and I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around it.

When Mary came through she looked amaze-balls. She was around mile 77ish of her journey. It was cold and she was killing it. Walking up hills and jogging the rest of the course. I had planned to ride my bike with her for five or six miles; when I got there I realized I hadn't been on a bike in 99 years. Mary wasn't running her usually 100 mph so I decided just to suck it up and run with her. So I ventured off.... for an entire 11.1 mile loop. I have no idea how she did that loop plus eight more. It was a bit chilly and I want to complain about it but Mary did more and I haven't heard her complain at all so it's really hard to complain, especially in public.

It's hard to even put into words how proud of Mary I am. She's a trooper. And just awesome. And crazy. And insane. It was fun watching all the other runners out there too. They were looking kind of loopy around 6 a.m. when I left but they'd been walking/running for 22ish hours so I don't blame them. I wish I had that kind of whatever it takes. Maybe just a love for running.

At one point Mary said, "look at that man, he's swaying." Only to be responded with, "that's what people out at 3 a.m. are supposed to look like."

I mainly want everyone to know how amazing Mary is. And that if you want to run 100 miles let me know and I'll tell you how amazing you are too.

Let's do this!

Let's do this... aka get caught up since I apparently have been too busy to blog in 2 months.

November was a interesting month. I was counting down the days until my 24th birthday and freaking out that I may be having a quarter life crisis. So when Chris told me I could go pick out a kitten the weekend before my birthday my crisis stopped and I was freaking excited. We went to Young Williams Animal Shelter because they were having a cat sale and I adopted an adorable black kitten for $50! He was neutered, had all his shots and a perfect fit for me. HE EVEN LICKED MY FACE!!! I was super excited about taking my dog-cat home. I named him Nauts (like boating stuff) and he's my newest best friend. Except when he farts, which is a lot. He's sitting on my chest right now and just farted, it's disgusting. I didn't know cats actually farted, I thought they were clean and smelled good. Also, his liter box stinks and is kind of gross. But, he's totally worth it. He has my personality and loves hanging out with me, which is exactly what I wanted in a kitty.

I had a fun little birthday weekend; Chris and I went to the last UT game and went out with my parents and some of their friends.

I went to work on Tuesday and found out that my boss was no longer going to be my boss. That was a shock. I had become very close to her and was super upset that I wouldn't be able to work with her any more. Then on Wednesday I found out that I was no longer going to be employed.  Ummm, COMPLETE SHOCK! Due to restructuring I had been laid off. It was a shock and not something that I ever thought that I'd actually have to go through. So, since then I've filled for unemployment, worked a 2nd job at Pandora for the holidays (which was supposed to just be an extra job for extra Christmas cash) and tried to hold myself together.

I feel like I've held it all together pretty well. I obviously cried the day I got laid off but since then I think I've only cried maybe once. Until today. I lost it. I'm not sure why I'm even sharing this. Loosing your job sucks. I finally moved out on my own and thought that I could be an adult and hold it all together without my parents help. NEWS FLASH I CAN'T!! Well, I cried a lot this morning and couldn't figure out all this unemployment stuff. But I'm better now. I applied for 4 jobs today, maybe one will work out.

Mom says, "when one door opens another closes" I'm praying she's right. She usually is. So, if you're a praying person pray that I'll find a job and can pull my life together, again. BUT, there are a lot of people going through a lot worse than me. So I'm going to be grateful for the things I have and the opportunities that I can make for myself. Please keep positive thoughts for those people too!!

Christmas fun! I love this holiday; there is so much love and joy how can you not like it!!

But Christmas and the New Year have passed and I get to do something really fun this weekend, help my running coach run 100 miles! And by help I mean ride my bike beside her because she's too fast and chat with her. I've got some hot pink pants to wear and I'm wearing my puffy vest to channel my inner Mary. I'm super excited about taking the 2 a.m. shift. Think of us at 2 a.m. Mary will be running from 8 a.m. on Saturday until around 6 a.m. on Sunday. She's an animal and I love her for it!

I think I'm done updating you all. Since I guess I won't have a job for a few more weeks (hopefully not too long) I will make an effort to blog more.

Here's to a happy, healthy 2014 full of fun blog posts!