Where are my....oh...at home...

I go to the gym at 5:30am. It's by my work. I miss traffic. It usually works out really well. Except for the days I forget to pack something in my gym bag. Like today. Like, my underwear. This has happened before. You would think that I would try extra hard to remember everything. I do try. It's just...I forget something about once a month. Today it was underwear (this is probably the 3rd or 4th time for underwear). Once I forgot shoes. I have also forgotten to bring work clothes. Yep...a whole outfit left behind. I remembered the shoes that time. Luckily, a Walmart is just minutes away from my office and it's open early.

Whohoo! My new car!

Since my little 1999 Subaru Outback (Snowball) had 172000 miles on it, I decided it was probably time for a new one. Plus, people kept telling me that lesbians drove Subaru Outbacks. No, I'm not a lesbian. So...I have been looking around for a little while, and finally fell in love with this one, a Saturn Vue! It is a 2008, I got to pick the color, and I LOVE it! I'm so excited...I've never bought a new car before! I love it love it love it...

Fun Little Gadgets

I'm not really a gadget person. I'm a running minimalist. I don't wear a watch, a heart rate monitor, or a GPS device. I see people running with the equivalent of a small computer on their wrist and it makes me wonder if it gets in their way or if it wears their arm out.

So, I found myself strangely excited by this new little gadget...the Nike+ Sportband. It is basically a bracelet and it communicates with a chip in your shoe to monitor time, pace, distance, and calories burned. Yep...I pre-ordered one a month ago, and I just got an email letting me know it is on its way!

Not only will it monitor your run, but then you can upload it to the Nike+ site, and see your runs and customize your training. I'm really excited to try this little bit of technology out!

Marathon Report

I did it!

I finished 26.2 miles in 4:12. I wanted to finish a little faster, but the wind really got to me. It was a beautiful sunny day despite the wind, and I had a good time. So good, that I convinced my brother to enter the St. George Marathon lottery with me!

It was fun to see my family at the finish line! They all entered different events and it was a really great experience to have them cheering me on!

My mom and dad got up early to do the 5K...their first race ever! Way to go!

Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement!

Friday - Top 10

Why do I run? It's a good question...because when I think about it, it's not really my favorite thing to do (it burns more calories than reading, though)...so here's my runner's top 10...

10. I love running past guys in a race when I'm wearing a running skirt.

9. I love the feeling of crossing the finish line at a race and knowing that I achieved my goal.

8. I wake up at 5:30 in the morning...what else am I going to do?

7. There's more guys than girls at triathlons and marathons...my odds are a lot better there than at a singles ward :).

6. The more I run, the better I feel.

5. The more I run, the more ice cream I can eat.

4. I like it when people say I'm crazy when I say "only 15 miles".

3. I do some good thinking out there.

2. I have an awesome collection of bib numbers going...

1. Because I CAN!

Yep...Heavenly Father gave me a body that is strong and healthy and I am very grateful for it. A couple of years ago I was running and my route took me past an assisted living center. A cute little old lady stood outside on the curb, waiting. As I ran past her, I said, "Good morning!" And she smiled at me and said, "I wish I could do that." That was a serious attitude check for me because I tend to focus on those little leg dimples, or that extra couple of pounds. Since then, I have tried hard to remember all the good things that my body can do and be thankful that I can do them.

So, if you need some motivation, maybe this is it...move it or lose it!

Thursday - Go Bananas!

My favorite post-run meal? A banana with peanut butter...the peanut butter supplies protein and the banana gets you some carbs...but there's an extra benefit to the banana. Eat a banana or two a day, and you may cut down muscle soreness. That's because a potassium deficiency may be to blame for muscle soreness and cramping. Though there's no official recommendation for how much potassium you should have per day, the American Dietetic Association suggests adults get about 2,000 mg a day. One banana has 450 mg of the muscle-protecting nutrient.

Another great idea for a post-workout meal? Try a peanut butter & banana smoothie..

Ingredients:
1/2 cup low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt
1 medium banana, quartered
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup non-fat milk or vanilla soy milk

Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth.Makes 2 serving

Wednesday - An Ounce of Prevention...

This is a great product to prevent chafing! We discovered it when a friend of mine got a sample tube in HIS mountain bike race goodie bag. He was skeptical because it is made by Monistat, but he's a believer now! So...it's good for girls...good for guys! It goes on like Vaseline, but without the greasy mess. It dries fast and really prevents chafing.

I also like BodyGlide. I started using this a few years ago during triathlons and then discovered that it is also good to prevent blisters on your feet. It is waterproof and lasts a long time.

With these products, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. A blister or a chafed area can really ruin a good race!

Tuesday - Running skirts

I love a good running skirt. They don't ride up...you look cute...it's a win-win situation. I have about 5 running skirts, but I have a new favorite...the GymGirl skirt by Skirt Sports. This company was founded by Nicole DeBoom...an Ironman Triathlon winner...so you know it is going to be good. It's a longer length, and it has built-in compression shorts that don't ride up. The fabric is light and soft (great for summer running) and the waistband doesn't bind...it sits perfectly just below my waist. It also has a couple of pockets on the sides to hold shot bloks, iPod, or keys. This is what I'm going to be wearing for my marathon...gotta look cute for those post-race photos!

http://www.skirtsports.com/about-skirtsports/

Monday - Salt Lake Running Company

In honor of my marathon on SATURDAY (yikes)...I am posting a tip/favorite thing every day this week. This is my favorite running store. Why? Because they sell running skirts. OK...and they have awesome customer service! Seriously...I bought a hydration belt (I know...dorky...but I get so thirsty!), it was only $30, and a couple days later, I get a thank you card in the mail from the girl, hoping that the belt was working out for me, and wishing me good luck on my marathon. I wouldn't be surprised at that if I'd bought a $5000 bike, but this was just a dorky little water belt. Seriously...every time I go in there, everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable whether you are buying $130 shoes or a pair of socks. If you are thinking about getting into running, go there and they will fit you for a pair of shoes. Trust me...do not go to the mall stores. You will pay the same at SLRC, or less, and get great service from people who run and love it, and want you to run and love it, too.

Who wants to date a Superhero?

Ever wondered what Superhero you would want to date? Hmmm...I always thought I'd date a guy like Spider-man...I have no idea who this guys is...he looks dorky. Well, if dorkiness is a trait of superheroes, I'm a superhero, too! Check out the link at the bottom and see who your superhero boyfriend would be!

Jodi! I'm a Blue, too!

You Are A Blue Girl

Relationships and feelings are the most important things to you. You are empathetic and accepting - and good at avoiding conflict. If someone close to you is in pain, it makes you hurt as well. You try to heal the ones you love with your kind and open heart.

What Color Girl Are You?