Whoa!!!! Week 8

Time disappears when you have a lot to do during the week.

Beas and I (Spitz) did our running this week together. We got up early, before the sun actually, (which isn't hard to do these days) to do our four mile runs. There were 2 of them. Whoa was it cold, but totally not as bad as the wind was on Saturday when we got up at 7 to run 9 whole miles. I discovered that it was exactly nine miles to a friends house and sine none of us really like to run away from the house and then have to run back, I thought it would be a perfect idea to run the this friends house and then have her drive us back. It took me 1 hour and 25 mins. to get to my friends house and it took Beas 2 hours. The sad part was it only took 15 minutes to get back home taking the interstate, so both Beas and I decided we were definitely taking the interstate next time. :) Poor Harward was sick pretty much all week, but she did muster up the strength to get a couple miles in. Great job ladies, Have a great Thanksgiving!

Week 7... To our Dearest Winter

Dear Winter,

I think this was the first week we finally had to face our first true battle against you. You pulled out your little devils, darkness and cold, and sad to say you won this week. Let us please observe a moment of silence for this sad news minute.

Monday was the first day back to reality, day after daylight savings, oh barf. Nothing like that blessed depressing event to remind us that you, our Winter ‘friend’, have truly arrived. And your little demon the cold, oh how we’d like to kick him in the knee caps-- if there were knee caps to kick.

However, don’t start thinking you’re all that. All is not lost for us, we did plan ahead. The beautiful thing about using our 12-week training program is that we gave ourselves 16 weeks to accomplish it. That leaves a wee little wiggle room for the unintentional slacker weeks, oh the tender mercies. Keep throwing your mean, mean, mean tactics at us; we have adjusted our battle plan. Turns out we’ve survived car accidents, college, dumb dumb movies, missions, heartbreaks, food poisoning, daily road construction, and Beas singing to Keith early on Saturday mornings—so needless to say, we can overcome any little demons you throw at us. We’ll accept your white flag of surrender anytime.

Sincerely,

Us

P.S. hope there are no hard feelings, just because we think you suck doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there who love you.

Week 6...

Harward is the only dedicated one this week to get her blog assignment done so she says...

Econ 110

Part of my college time and tuition went toward earning a minor in Business Management. One of the joys that came with it was Econ 110, the only D I received in between Kindergarten and receiving my B.S. And truth be told, I was quite proud of that D. I was excited this week when I realized my tuition and education weren’t in vain. Some of those principles learned have stuck, despite the grade, and I have seen them while training for the half marathon. The spotlight of the week, life is full of inverse relationships, as one thing increases another will decrease.

I have always admired those with nicely shaped calf muscles—not in a creeper, stalkerish way, but more of a hey! good for you kinda way. As the running continues my calf muscles are becoming bigger, stronger, and more defined. But I noticed this week as the calf muscles are increasing, the chest area is decreasing.

Of the many traits passed on to me in the gene pool, being well endowed was not one I ended up with. In a family of 6 kids, somehow I fell 2nd to last—squashed between the 2 boys, after the 13 year old, but just ahead of the 20 year old (thanks Stretch!). This training is not moving me up on that ladder in the near future; in fact may take up last place before long. Please note this is just an observation, not a complaint. I (and mi familia and amigos) have actually always found it a little comical.

It was always the application aspect I struggle with in Econ, thank goodness I have running to help me finally solidify those principles. I am proof that Ds get degrees and apparently thanks to heredity and running, it looks like that’s the only D I’ll ever achieve.

Week 5 and separated!

SPITZ SAYS...

Separation has been the theme for this week. First I was separated from my running buddies, and at the end of the week I was separated from the niece that didn't come.

I had a great time in Minnesota, even though my new niece, Brynnlee Marie Spanier waited to be born til I left. She was born November 1st at 12:30pm. She was 7lbs, 7 ounces, and 19.5 inches long. Anyway, while I was in Minnesota I was able to help my parents move to my grandmas and my sister and brother-in-law move into my parents house. I did make the time to get my 3-mile run in and my 7-mile run in. I took some pictures of my yard to show you the beautiful place I got to run in.

BEAS SAYS...

Week 5, hmmmm… Well, this would definitely be one of the hardest weeks so far. The 7 mile run totally kicked my trash. But I did make it through. I woke up the day after and could not move. I really miss those 2 mile runs. No longer will we see those. I am building muscles! My calves are looking awesome. Still short and chubby but now has some muscle curve!! Whoot! Whoot! On to week 6.

HARWARD SAYS...

Dear Universe,

Major milestone for us this week. Not only have we been running for a month (wahoo) we also ran just over half of a half marathon this week (double wahoo). If the math’s a little rough on that one, 7 miles was the long run. Strangly, my body reacted better to the 7 mile run than the 5 milers… weirdy I know.

Lesson learned this week:

1- Running in 54 degree weather is a lot easier than 38 degree.

2- Some run days are just crap. Usually I can tell within 2 mins what type of run going to be.

3- Running totally justifies my addiction to bread. Carbing up is by far my favorite part of training.

Kudos to Spitz for running on vaca in Minnesota, the 3 feet of snow didn’t slow her time down at all (I really don’t know if it snowed, but tis quite possible). And to Beas for running 7 miles on a treadmill, it takes a lot of determination to run towards a TV for an hour but never reaching it.

1 month down, dos mas to go mi amigos! (Ok really its dos and ½). Until next week….

The Sistas of Winter Will Not Suck

Week 4 and so "it" begins

Let the REAL training begin... :(

(If you can't tell we are COLD and WET)

Week 3... Super Fun!

Spitz working on learning how to skydive.

Beas working on those arm muscles.

Beas Says...

Well, this week was just fabulous. I ran my butt off! The more miles I run the easier it is to run 2 miles. I wish I could run 2 miles every time but I can’t I would never improve. My time is improving I ran 11 minute miles this week. Which may not seem that great to you but to my short chubby legs it is pretty darn good! I am hoping week 4 is as good as week 3!

Harward Says...

Cross Training Ideas

As motivation specialist I decided it was my responsibility to share some of the cross training ideas that we have come to enjoy.

Yoga. A great help for toning and strengthening. It’s a work out yet relaxing at the same time. Our personal favorite is Rodney Yee on DVD only because he doesn’t say Rs, so really it’s Wodney Yee. Namaste my friends.

Sleeping. It helps with the deep breathing. If it was an Olympic sport, I think we’d have a good chance of making the team. Give me a couch, blanket, and 5 minutes of down time, I’ll be out for at least 2 hours.

Golfing. Want to work on your arms and back? Pick up a golf club. To make it a little more strenuous take along some wee lil’ ones to chase and you’ve got at least 20 miles of running/walking within 18 holes.

Bike Ride. Works the legs and heart. For best results get a bike your size, Harward size and fun size don’t always mix.

Hiking. A great way to practice pacing yourself and to know your physical limits. I for instance learned that if there are chains and heights involved on the hike I’ll be part of the welcome back committee rather than the excursion committee. Beas you are one of my heroes.

Being roommates and BFFs we are all similar in many ways, and probably have to many instances where it feels like we share a brain. However, we have found there are different cross training activities we tend to gravitate towards.

Karaoke. A Spitz specialty that works the lungs, both in singing and laughter.

Vacationing. A Beasly specialty that involves careful planning and placement. I’ve never met anyone who could put so much crap in such a small space (I threw that word in there just for you Beas, Love ya!)

Skydiving. After this weekend, my new found favorite that works your lungs (screaming), back (arching during the freefall), arms (guiding your chute back down), and legs (landing without breaking them). AMAZING and a must for all.

Spitz Says...

This third week flew by so fast!!! I was without roommates for half the week, which was so nice, but getting up the desire to actually go running a 5 miler by myself was hard, but totally worth it in the end. I ran it in 45 minutes, which I thought was pretty good for week three. Considering I haven't ran for over 2 years. I finally got my ipod charged too and put a wonderful mix of up beat music together, so I can keep up the motivation I need as I run these long distances.

I am proud of my running buddies too, because even though my roommates were having a wonderful time down in St. George, they still found time to run and cross-train. On to week Four!!!

P.S. it is a great thing this was Harward's idea, cause she is the one with all the great pictures. See you next week.

Week 2

Harward says...

Good Idea, Bad Idea

Remember Wakko, Yakko, Dot, and Pinky! Pinky! Pinkly and the Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain from Animaniacs? As I was running this week I had a flash back to the ‘Good Idea, Bad Idea’ segment.

Good idea: going to the bathroom. Bad Idea: Realizing you need to go 2 minutes into your half hour run. The quandary you fall into is the faster you run the faster you’re done, but the increased jostling does not help the situation.

Good idea: Downloading calming music for the iPod. Bad Idea: Mo Tab popping on at mile 2 ½ of the 4 mile run. There is a time and place for everything and in this situation I think Linkin Park was probably a better option.

Good idea: Working up nice healthy sweat. Bad idea: Realizing you now smell like your dad. Love ya dad, but the memories of your smelly jogging clothes will forever haunt me. Your offspring thanks you for passing on those sweat glands.

Bad Idea: Falling down on mile 2. Good Idea: At least save your face. Thanks for the laugh Beas. The cars thank you for the entertainment and it’s for sure a replay on the big screen in heaven.

What you probably can't see here is, Spitz was listening to one earphone from each of her roommates because her Ipod was dead. Thanks friends!!!

Beasly says...

Ok, so this is super exciting to be training for a half marathon. I am not a runner, never have been. I thought this would be a great experience. It is going to be a lot of hard work and effort but I can do it. This is what I tell myself every time we run. “Bryana, you can do this, you can do this.” My running companions are a bit taller than me so I am often far behind them and have to give myself the motivation. I am excited to get in shape and have fun with friends. This winter will not suck!

So, week 2 Blah….. It was dusk, rush hour traffic. More than halfway through our three mile hike last Thursday. I was jogging and enjoying the nice evening air, when all of a sudden I was on the ground. I have no clue how I got there but there I was. I thought to myself, “That is embarrassing, and I am glad I did not land on my face.” I hope I made someone’s day! I can only imagine what it would be to see that happening. Funny! Other than that eventful night the running has been good. I am improving my time each time we run. I would like to say that it is getting easier but I would be lying and I try not to do that.

On to week 3!

Spitz says...

Well another week down and our times keep improving. Every time I run with these girls I am more and more impressed by their drive and spirit. They never cease to amaze me. We decided after this week that we wanted to change up our route because 2200 west is getting a little predictable. When we get to the final hill, we all dread it, but push through as best we can. I know this is going to be a challenge for all of us, but I for one try to never back down from a challenge. Bring on the Miles!!!

P.S. Sorry Beas about your knee.