New programmyhammy.

SWEAT /swet/. 

moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, 

typically in profuse quantities as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, fever, or fear. 

I love it. 

Guess who hasn't been running in fo-eva? Yep, me. Instead, I've been doing an online weight lifting program. I still love running sososo much and it has my heart 100%, but for now I'm really enjoying this break from the pavement and newfound love for the gym. 

Jaimi Eason's LIVEFIT trainer.. it's kickin my trash but it hurts so good! Right now I'm in the middle of my third week out of 12, and I'm already seeing results. The first phase (month one), is all building muscle. She has great workouts set out for each day, and it's super easy to follow! Going to the gym has really become the highlight of my day... and not only because there are always a million really beautiful buff men there. I love seeing and feeling the progress, getting sweaty and gross, and letting go of all my stress, anxiety, and frustrations. I can't wait to start phase two in a couple weeks to start running again on a daily basis. I might even switch things up and swim or bike a bit!

One problem I have is that I LOVE FOOD. And not just any food, but Doritos, froyo, ice cream, and Dove milk chocolate with the cute little notes written inside (they get me every time). The last couple weeks I was doing real good until I went out a couple.. maybe three.. times this weekend. We're talking Olive Garden (although I did eat off the low-cal menu..), Buffalo Wild Wings, and J Dawgs. Secretly I loved it-- well, my tastebuds did-- but my body hated it. I've been doing really well at staying off gluten and it's crazy what it does to the body when I try to eat it again! My acne comes back really bad, I am exhausted all the time, and it makes me want other carby-sugary things like crazy. So what to do about it now? Turn around and be better! Yessir, I'm going to be good. Abs are made in the kitchen, and this program requires me to treat myself a little better. 

Normally I do eat pretty well. I eat a lot of eggs, chicken, turkey, veggies, and fruit. I suppose I shouldn't eat dairy.. but I love it, so heck with that rule. Also! A super exciting side note, I just bought some protein to try. I feel like I'm jumping on a bandwagon here. 

 It's pretty natural, and I like that.. plus it was decently not expensive. I like that too. 

One struggle I have is motivation. I have a new theme this year, and I like to call it progression. Each month I have a new habit I want to change or form, and I think this month was to be a better physically fit me. Yes, it's a work in progress that's going to take a lifetime. But I am creating the habit now.
AND there's also nothing like find a really good looking and fit old boyfriend at the gym to motivate a girl to work a lot harder, haha. <--- Yep, definitely experienced that last night. Feeling preeettttyyy sore today because of it, haha.

So, to prove this program is working for me, here is a progress pic. I would normally NEVER do this.. but it's for me to keep track of myself. And where I have never considered myself fat, I'm just trying to be the best physical me possible and tone up a bit. The me on the left is from earlier this winter (probably December) and the me on the right is now. I still have a way to go, but I'm really excited about it!

Halloween Half Marathon

Third half marathon.. DONE AND DONE.

This girl and I maintained about the same pace for most of the race, so we got to chattin' in between breaths. She was so sweet and it was great having a partner. We definitely pushed each other beyond what we thought we could do!

Lovin life.. you betta believe it!

HATING LIFE. This had to have been taken in the last mile or so, where life SUCKED.
I almost threw up at mile 11, and crashed mentally and physically after that. BOO. Oh well.

This race was so incredibly fun and beautiful! It started up Provo canyon and ended right near the Riverwoods. Majority of it was down hill.. which was nice too. I didn't have a PR or anything, but I blame it on the 4000 ft. gain going from Oregon to Utah. ;) They had a lot to offer, both good and bad, after the race. The atmosphere was pretty fun, the free massages were way nice, and the free food was a bonus (as always). They were pretty unorganized with the drop bags, but it'll be an easy fix for their future races. I will DEFINITELY be doing this race again next year.. and heck, maybe I'll even dress up for once! 

Times:

Aug. 2, 2013 Catherine Creek Half Marathon: 1:50:00

Oct. 12, 2013 Fall Festival Autumn 4000 Acres Run: 2:01:20

Oct. 26, 2013 Provo Halloween Half Marathon: 1:54:38

love running!

Hey ya'll! My friend is having a give away on her blog.. and I wanna wiiin! As I'm sure you do (or should) as well. Here's the link!

TRIATHLON!!!!!

So I'm tryin' a TRI. And I'm really really really excited about it. After the half marathon, and then not doing anything for a whole month, I realized that I needed something to work for or else I don't do anything!

This week I was supposed to follow this schedule...
Monday: swim 300 yds and run 3 miles
Tuesday: bike 8 miles
Wednesday: swim 300 yds and run 2 miles
Thursday: rest
Friday: run 3 miles
Saturday: bike 10 miles

So far I have not followed it AT ALL, and instead did:
Monday: ran 4 miles (hills)
Tuesday: stationary biked 8 miles (avg. 20 mph) and swam 1/2 mile (880 yards)
Wednesday: ran 1 mile on the treadmill and swam 1 mile (1760 yards)
Thursday: rest.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll get in a run and a swim, but we'll see.

So I know this is really really gross, and my toes are NOT pretty.. but for the first time ever I lost a toe nail! I'm kinda proud to say I lost it... but gone are my flip flop days for a little while. :(

Also, I started another blog. You can find it at countingtodaysblessings.blogspot.com. I got the idea to start this one from President Eyring's talk O Remember, Remember; it's just a way for me to be able to look at every day and recognize the little blessings and answers to prayers.
Peace and blessings ya'll!

Trip to Ice Lake with my boys!

As I said in the last post, I WENT HIKING!!!!
After getting us on the wrong trail at first, and then with a walk around the lake, I think it ended up being close to a 20 miler.
My pals T, A, and I went up to Ice Lake in the Eagle Caps. I backpacked up there with my dad a few weeks ago and loved it so much I had to go back in a day trip. Its just lovely.

This picture is so awkward. And if A had pushed my off that waterfall.. so help me.. he'da been dead meat.

Ice Lake!!!!!!!!!

When my dad and I came, we summited the Matterhorn, which is the white-ish mountain in the center (behind two other mountains). It's NOT covered in snow.. just a lot of skree.

Photo cred to TO.

If you know me, you know I can sleep anywhere, in any position, at any time. So I took a nap on those rocks right there in the bottom right corner. It was great.

Sososoooo clear and beautiful.

T Man, A Mon (haha.. get it?), and I

A jumped in.. what a CRAZY.

Sooo happy to be coming back down, just had to take a selfie. ;)

My poor little toes are DESTROYED after everything this summer. This hike ruined my fresh pedicure! Oh well.. definitely worth it.

I just LOVE the mountains. They bring me a peace that is only similar to peace found in the temple. 

Gosh. I just love life. Even with the super lame things that naturally happen. I'm realizing that God knows everything and has a reason for allowing things to happen. We may never understand His wisdom, we simply have to trust His will. But dang it! That's so hard for me. I just want things to go my way all the time (oldest child syndrome? haha), but it can't be. And I know that this trial that seems HUGE right now will seem tiny 10 years down the road, and that I'll be so thankful God changed my path for me. Patience. Perseverance. :)

goal setting and stuff.

I really should be sleeping right now.. but it's Friday night! And only 9:30.. so instead of a date, I'll blog! (Lame? Yes.) Hahaha. But I'm waking up at 4:30ish to go hiking tomorrow morning! BOOYAH! I LOVE early mornings. loveLoveLOVE them. Weird, I know.

First, I have a couple more pics from the half marathon!!

SO happy to be done that my shirt decided to throw it's own little party.. embarassing.
hope ya don't mind that little skin there ;) 

nice picture..

now how we really feel about having just ran 13.1 miles.

I've been a LIIIIIITTTTTLE lazy and haven't exactly exercised since I went backpacking... but on Monday I start training for a TRIATHALON! Tryin' a tri (haha.. get it?). I'm so excited to get back into the habit of exercising a lot; some days are even double headers! I've decided that I'm just a much nicer person if I can work out on a daily basis. 

Since I'm staying in Pend this fall, I have a few things I want to learn/master.

1. Waking up at 6 a.m. EVERYDAY to exercise.

2. Waking up at 6 a.m. EVERYDAY to read my scriptures.

3. Sewing

4. Building snow caves

5. Keeping my room clean

6. Hanging up clothes as soon as they're clean ( I HATE hanging up my clothes.. so lazy).

7. Budgeting

8. ROADTRIPPING!

9. Patience

10. Time management

I have a lot to work on and just enough time to create some different habits. Perrrrfect. 

Also, I'm feeling a little to sassy with life. So here's my song of the day. ;)

oh p.s. This last week I tried out to do the National Anthem at the Round-Up and I got selected to perform on Friday! (that's like 10,000 people. uhhhhh scary.) But I'm really excited because I LOVE our country and I LOVE singing about it. 

happehhappehhappeh.

life. oh life.
the blessings just keep coming.

I did my first half marathon! It gave me the BIGGEST. HIGH. EVER. I was so happy for DAYS. And I did it with the coolest people ever! Thanks so much Mike and Kiley for doing it with me; I couldn't have done it without you.

post-race.. kinda tired. BUT SO HAPPY.

Then I went back-packing with my dad! We went up the Wallowas/Eagle Caps to the summit of Matterhorn (9800 feet). It was SO BEAUTIFUL. And I LOVE hiking. But I also LOVE bathrooms. Like LOVELOVELOVE THEM. So I just start sticking to one nighters when it comes to backpacking 

Also, my family got pictures taken together! I love them (the pics and my family!). I don't think I can really put into words how much I love my family. Every. single. one. of. em. The all give me support and love unconditionally and I am SO blessed to call them MINE. These are my faves!

I am so blessed and so humbled to have such good friends and family. Sometimes life just sucks and things don't go exactly the way you'd like.. but everything happens for a reason! God has a reason for allowing things to happen.. We may never understand His wisdom, we simple have to trust his will. AAAAMEN. 

This is my new favorite song. Gosh, I'm such a sap. I just wanna hit the backroads SO BAD right now. Just one a them nights. But life really is good.