Need a swift kick in the butt

Life is stressful right now with preparing to move to San Diego (finding a job & finding a home...things that are just a little bit important).  I feel like I'm handling it pretty well, other than I'm having a hard time wanting to get myself up in the morning.  I sleep really hard during the night, which is a good sign....but if anyone tries to wake me up before 7am, I am a cranky pants.   I was doing a great job a few weeks ago getting up early and getting my workout on early in the morning.  I really need to step it up and just get it done.  I think the whole getting up at 3am on Saturday really threw me off my groove.  Combine a sleepless weekend with someone who hates mornings....and you get a sleeping zombie--with messy hair--for the entire next week.
Another thing I'm going to work on this week is taking vitamins.  I think maybe my iron levels are low and maybe extra vitamins will help me feel less tired all the time.   Anyone notice a difference when you take vitamins?  My doctor has been hounding me for some time to take my vitamins.  I was doing so good for a while, and then once I ran out I didn't pick a new pack up.  That's going on my grocery list.  Along with food in general.  I don't have healthy food in the house.  Heck, I don't even have unhealthy food in the house.  It's been a long week with no food.
But, ultimately, I just need a swift kick in the butt.  I need harder workouts.  Not necessarily longer workouts, just harder ones.  And I really need to get a grip on my eating, get my vitamins in, and get some sleep!!!  I'm going to start incorporating more Insanity, P90X, and strength training into my workout schedules--since I don't have any races planned.
By the way...want to see some sweet running tan lines??? 

Utah Valley Half Marathon

I was originally supposed to be running the Utah Valley Marathon....26.2 miles.  However, about a month ago we found out that we are moving to San Diego...and "my live got twistered upside-down"  (please tell me you know where that quote is from).  Let me just point out that I am a planner---big time.  This is a big move for me, since I've been living here for 8 years.  In late April I actually got up to 18 miles in my training (this was prior to knowing we were going to move).  It felt good, but around the same time I started feeling somewhat guilty.  I was feeling like I was putting off some of the important things.  Training for a marathon takes a lot of time.  And I felt like I was neglecting some of the important things I needed to do, so I opted for the Half Marathon.  Plus, I just felt like I needed to lose some extra pounds before I got too serious with marathon training.

So, anyways.....I was excited for this race because my sister was going to be running her very first half marathon!  I always get really excited when someone decides to do the challenge....I just know how great I felt about my body after I ran my first long, daunting half marathon.  It took a lot of will-power and mental toughness, but ultimately I felt so proud of my body--excess pounds and all--for making it through the race.  I felt gratitude for what my body can do rather than focusing on what I lacked.  (or...didn't lack--aka--extra curves)

We tried to get to bed by 10pm...which didn't happen.  More like 11pm...which was late, considering we needed to get up at 3am (yes, 3am) to get ready in time to catch the first waves of buses to the starting line.  We got to the starting line area and used the rest rooms.  Then we sat on the side of this mountain while we waited for everyone to get there.  I was glad to have my sister with me so we could chat and help pass the time.  

We didn't want to run "together" because I wanted her to feel that sense of accomplishment of finishing all by herself, with no help.  My family is very competitive and we didn't want to feel like we were racing each other.  We each had different goals and the thing I love about running is you compete with yourself.  

Me and my seeestor--- pre race.  Nervous  tinkles were out of the way.

I look kind of stupid...what am I doing with my hand?  And my form is horrible...

Big ol' booty is bookin it to the finish line.  My husband says he likes my backside, which is why he takes these awful pictures.

My sister in the black to the right of the cone....such a great accomplishment!  She did awesome!

What a trooper!  She broke through the mental barriers and did a great job!

We did it!!! 

Ogden Half Marathon 2012

Ah, one of my favorite races...the Ogden Half marathon.  I did this race in 2011 and loved it.  And I loved it again this year!  The race expo seemed much more organized this year, things weren't as crammed.  The weather was perfect and I felt SO good on race day.  I knew it was just my day...and I ended up with a new PR!  1:48!  I averaged an 8 minute/mile pace, which was incredible for me.  I'm not a speedy runner, so this was a huge accomplishment.  It was a hard!  I loved the views in the canyon, and the beautiful lake, the dam, the trees, the cliffs, the rocks, the park, and the finish line stretch is quite enjoyable.  You run towards the old part of town and you can hear the cowbells for a mile.  The finish line energy is so amazing.  Plus, at the end of the race Ogden was so organized. They had water, chocolate milk, juice, fruit and other things in several different areas in the finisher's corral.  That was nice so you didn't have to stand in a big crowd of people to get what you needed. My husband also thinks this race is the best race to be a spectator.  

I didn't wear my visor this race....it was weird.

I'm not a thin person, and I although I work out a lot and eat healthy....I still have some excess weight I would like to lose.  I sometimes get really frustrated seeing post-race pictures because I don't look the way I would like to.  But, I know that it's going to take hard work to get some of this extra weight off.  My genetics are fighting against me, but  I know that if I could lose some extra pounds, then it would dramatically help make my running more enjoyable, and I'd be able to go at a faster speed without having to drag an extra 20 pounds with me.  I'm just going to keep working at it and keep running as fast as I can!  The feeling of accomplishment crossing the finish line is a great feeling and I love pushing myself!