Getting Back to It.

I'm getting back into running consistantly in preparation for the Zion's Half Marathon. My work is sponsoring a group of us to go down and run it together. I'm pretty excited about it, but I feel like I'm starting all over again and running more than a mile is hard. I feel pretty darn pathetic. It's especially been hard to run on a treadmill but it's not worth running outside on the ice and in terrible air quality that will give you lung cancer so I have to endure the torture. 

I started really slow the other day but finished strong at 3 miles. Did you hear? 3 miles is the new long run. I'll try and attempt a "long run" of 5 miles this week sometime and report back. P.S. I had to hold on to the treadmill because I was experiencing some random vertigo, it's weird but it happens to me occasionally. I'll just wake up with it and it will last a few hours and mysteriously disappear.

A typical lazy dinner = tuna straight from the can. :/ my poor husband. Also, the yoga studio I practice at recently opened an organic raw cafe. After class on Friday I got the goji chia lemonade and it was a dream after a sweaty class. So yummy and refreshing. I'm excited to try the whole menu!

This weekend we caught up with Naomi and Anthony, our friends who moved to New Mexico a couple years ago. We've been missing them lots and want them to move back! We took several photos but these were only decent two. Our husbands don't know how to take a normal picture, haha.

Baby Wesley! I haven't yet introduced blog world to him. He is my little baby bear. Technically he is my sister Larissa's baby but I claim him as my own. There is nothing better than a yummy newborn in furry, footsie pajamas! I bought these PJs for him and you can't see but they have ears on the hood and a little tail on the bum. Too cute!

One thing I am trying to do in 2014 is practice more yoga. Since 2013 was spent running marathons and a number of other races I decided this year will be spent exploring yoga. I learn so much every time I practice and I truly believe yoga makes me want to be a better person in every aspect of life. If you follow me on Instagram @chelshope I'll be participating in monthly yoga challenges and posting photos. The challenge for January is #NewYouYoga. I don't post every day but I've been practicing every day and it's been wonderful! I'm also going to start teaching again at Real Foods Market Orem every Tuesday night at 7pm. If you're in the area and want to try it out, do it! You won't regret it :)

(Photo credit Paul Malan)

Happy Fitnessing!

Scenes from Recent Workouts, Food and Other Randoms.

 

 Outside running in the fall is the best!

Been hitting the gym early the past couple weeks and I'm loving it! It makes my whole day better.

This past Saturday may have been my last run in the canyon with pretty leaves. They're falling fast:(

 Our friends invited Eric and I over last week for an amazing lamb feast! It was so wonderful!

The party really got started when I busted out the raw milk

People make me great food. I think it's cause I just send it into the universe that I would like people to make me food, but mostly it's because I just ask them to make me food. Eric raked our neighbors leaves and she brought us chicken tamales, thanks Eric, and thanks Manuela! Larissa made us chicken chili and cornbread last week and fajitas this week! She rocks. Eric did make her & Jason chicken enchiladas last night. Yay for a husband that cooks!

Side note: Larissa and I decided that it's just as hard cooking for 4 as it is for 2 so we've been switching off cooking for each other... well I guess Larissa and Eric have been doing the switching. :)

Random picture of me at my friends house last weekend. I wanted to remember this comfy outfit I wore that night. Cozy warm tights with a t-shirt dress, leather jacket and boots. Once again Eric made dinner, parmesan chicken peas and brown rice with avocados and Cholula.. mm!

After a long day of work last week my coworker gave me the lemon tart from a gourmet bakery he had visited that day. Thanks Ryan! It made all my lemon tarty dreams come true.

I've been loving power pump lately. It's so nice to just have somebody tell you what to do rather than planning it out yourself when it comes to conditioning. Try it out! You can come with me:)

Happy Fitnessing!

Two Links.

Hey Friends,

Hope you had a great Halloween! We had a ton of fun eating sugar and dressing up (pics coming soon).

Today I wanted to share with you two links. Two of my favorite blogs that I want you to visit today. First go to thankyourbody.com and visit their Fitness Friday post where I was interviewed about the benefits of yoga. It was a lot of fun to be involved with that. I love yoga!

Also, visit one of my other favorite blogs runeatrepeat.com and sign up for the 2013 Pile on the Miles November contest. All you do is comment with what your goal is and check in with that blog on how you're doing and you'll be entered to win a bunch of cool prizes! It is a great way to motivate you to move during the month of November when all we really wanna do is eat turkey and sit around with family. I'm going to try to get my family to run a Thanksgiving 5k with me. Wish me luck!

Happy Fitnessing!

What are your workout plans this weekend? Yoga, 5 mile run and a power pumped class for me!

One of Those Days.

Yesterday was one of those days. You know, the kind where you convince yourself that the universe is against you and you're grumpy and depressed for no reason at all... oh, is it just me that has those days?

I was supposed to run 5 miles yesterday and work on pacing. Working out in the morning is so much better than at night and when I don't do it in the morning it sorta throws my whole day off. I didn't work out in the morning... There was a moment of weakness at 5:30am and a voice in my head that convinced me running after work would be just fine - liar. Instead, I stayed in bed and kinda, sorta slept.

It wasn't worth it.

 

^^Thumbs down to cold weather and treadmill running... Thumbs up to these hilarious Ryan G. "Hey Girls"^^

When I got home from work it was soooo windy and super cold outside. Plus, I was grumpy so the wind and cold were probably more intense to me than they actual were. I decided to do my run on the treadmill. I paced 3 miles. I felt great! But... I decided to go to Pilates instead of do 2 more miles.

Because sometimes that's just what you need.

Here's to a whole new day full of swimming, dancing and positivity...

Happy Fitnessing!

Feeling Stronger

Lately I've felt myself getting stronger and I can't even describe how amazing it feels. It is the reason why I continue to work out consistently. I don't consider myself to be a fast runner, heavy weight lifter or have an amazingly toned body. When I challenge myself and push my limits, I see myself breakdown. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'm still here and because so, I'm stronger!

Guys, this has nothing to do with being stronger but this is the best stretch after a run... feels A.MAZE.ING! Try it!

Okay now that I'm feeling stronger (and maybe just more confident in myself)... I've decided I'm ready to run the St. George Marathon - that is - IF I can get into it. I really want to. I heard if you enter as part of a "team" you have a better chance of getting pulled. Anybody reading this... tell me, where's the lottery loophole? Help a sister out here.

Happy Fitnessing!

Running is Hard, Even on the Beach.

So. Tired. That's how I felt after just 3 miles yesterday. Like, what?

I've been thinking... it seems like 75% of the time when I run it just feels hard, AND I wonder, "why do I torture myself like this?" Saturday while in California I made a trip to Huntington beach to run on the trail by the waves, and to prepare me for this. It was seriously gorgeous. After about a mile I was totally feeling it. I was in the zone. A mile later I was tired and wanted to jump into the water. I shook that feeling and continued along the trail. It wasn't until another couple miles down the trail did I find myself back in the zone. I was thinking about how grateful I am for my legs, my lungs and all I am capable of. I was so happy to be at the beach and in the wonderful California weather but still... I was even happier when I finished my run. You know why? 'Cause I'm pretty sure there's no better feeling than finishing a long run, except for maybe holding a handstand for longer than .5 of a second.

Race day on the beach

Happy Fitnessing!

Exhausted, but happy I did it!

Had a rough week but it was wonderful to see family this past weekend (read about it here). During the jumble and stress I was still able to fit a 12 miler in with my sissy Shenelle who got to run with me just 2 weeks ago. The weather was also gorgeous! I was running in a tank top! I really did not want to run the distance and it was so hard to get onto the pavement but it was so good for me. Super exhausted by the end, but so happy I did it.

Happy Fitnessing!

Poker Face.

The long run.

 I never feel like my weekend can start until after I'm done with that task. Yes, it's a task. Something I have to check off my list. The hardest part is just getting out the door. This week I was on track to do 10 miles. The weather told me I may have to spend that 10 miles in doors on the evil treadmill. BORING. However, a miracle happened and I was able to get 8 miles in before a windy blizzard hit and I was forced to run inside. I was feeling so great during the run that at some point it didn't even feel like a task! When I finished the mileage, I even had energy enough to do a little strength training.

 Now I'm sore, really sore but I have 6 more days to recover before I do 12 miles. Yay!

Other news this weekend: I won 2nd place and $90 to Amazon at my company's poker tournament. Eric was pretty impressed because I was actually playing with skill and not luck.

Me and the 1st place winner, Jace.

Happy Fitnessing!

Neck Brace.

Yes, that's me, and yes, that is a neck brace.

Yesterday during a dance rehearsal, (dancing in an alumni dance for my old studio next month) I was trying a new lift with one of the other dancers where I was lifting her from off a bench, and in order to make room for her legs, I twisted my head to the left too far. Ooops! Now I look like a freak with this awesome neck brace, but as long as I keep my neck supported it doesn't really hurt. I just hope this injury doesn't conflict with my running........... :/

Speaking of running, another thing I did this weekend was a wonderful 7 mile mind clearing run. I had so much I wanted to get done yesterday and running just seemed to annoy me but I knew I needed to keep progressing with my mileage so I made myself put on my gear and get out the door. By mile 2 I was totally in the zone, making great time and loving everything about life. *Sigh*... it was a great reminder of why I run!

Happy Fitnessing!

Pre-Training-Training.

Currently, I'm in pre-training mode for my marathon training. Mid February I will start stacking up the miles as I prep for the Utah Valley Marathon which will be my first marathon. I was supposed to run it last year but had to postpone my registration due to a very frustrating injury.

It feels great to be in my normal running routine again and it is nice right now that my mileage is pretty low so it doesn't take up all my time. It gives me more space in my schedule for other fun workouts.

The weather warmed up a bit yesterday so I was finally able to run outside. It was wonderful! Even with less than ideal air quality, I would still rather run outside than on a treadmill. Treadmill running is boring. Super boring. When I am on the treadmill, running seems so much harder. When I am on the road, running feels like an adventure!

After my 6 mile "long run" yesterday, I tried a new simple and delish shake. Here's the recipe:

1 scoop One World Whey strawberry protein
1 cup raw milk (or almond milk to cut calories)
1 banana
1 cup frozen strawberries.

This shake is a little under 450 calories which is still less than what you would burn in 6 miles. Most importantly, it is full of all the nutrition you would need after a long run. I will definitely be rewarding myself with this one after more tough runs.

Happy Fitnessing!

Weekend Update

This week I attempted to get back into my regular running routine as I am officially signed up to run a half marathon the 8th of September. I wouldn't say it was a failed attempt but it was a weak attempt. I only ran maybe a total of 10 miles this week. All I really wanted to do was practice yoga. Yesterday I ran a 5 mile "long run." By mile 3 my legs were tired and it felt more like mile 13, but even though I really wanted to, I was determined not to walk. So I stopped to take a sip of water and stretch instead... :) ...and then I was off again.

Running is such a mind game. Maybe I wasn't really as tired as I thought I was. That is why I thought is was so important for me to work past it mentally and not do the run/walk thing the whole 5 miles.

The other running mind game I've noticed is no matter how far I am planning on running that day, it always feels long. Whether it's 5 miles, 10 miles or 15 miles. It's going to seem long and it's going to be hard. At least it should be. Some days it is harder than other days but it's always an accomplishment. That is why running is addicting. 

Running season is starting to wind down. This time last year I let myself get lazy with running but I really don't want to do that this year. So, for all others addicted to running, or even those wanting to officially start running as your form of exercise here are some upcoming races in Utah you can sign yourself up for.

Mt. Nebo Half Marathon (Payson) - September 8th
The Color Run 5k (Salt Lake City) - September 15th
Moab Autumn 10k Run (Moab) - September 22nd *Great time of year to visit moab!
The Great Inflatable Race (Logan) -September 22nd *Obstacle course
Halloween Half (Provo) - October 27th *Pretty much a costume contest. FUN!

Go to utahrunning.com for more races.

Happy Fitnessing!

Run With Your Heart

Check out my new wallpaper!

If you head to lululemon.com now you can grab a free one for yourself! I love seeing it every time I turn on my phone. It truly inspires me. Plus, it is so darn cute!

Currently, I am hanging out at my sisters place in Palo Alto, CA for a few days. Still working out of course but also giving myself time to recover from last week's race. This week has been full of yoga. This morning I attended a power vinyasa class at the Equinox gym with my sis. The teacher was fabulous and the energy in the room was wonderful. I learned a lot in this class as a teacher and practicing yogi that I am going to take home. It is a great thing to step out of your own yoga community and explore others out there. I was fortunate to get to explore a very strong community today.

Tomorrow I start my training up again. Track repeats. I think I will be running the Nebo Half Marathon September 8th. I'm actually excited because several runners have told me it is a fabulous course.

The sis and I went running a couple days ago. Pretty sure we were running an 11 min/mile pace for only about 2 miles but we were breathing so hard and we were so tired. That was the first run I had done since the race and my sister has been vacationing for a month so physically and mentally we were both just trying to get back into it.

Well, I better be off now. I have more fabulous food to eat and sights to explore. :) I LOVE this place!

Happy Fitnessing!