Problem Solved??

The endorphins are back! After my long and full day yesterday, I didn't really have a chance to get as much exercise in as I wanted to so I was a little nervous about my run this morning. I took an advil before I headed out and did a good amount of stretching before my warm-up walk. I tried running more, with shorter distance with walking in between and you know what? I had a freaking epiphany! (or was it an epitome?...) I HAVE BEEN RUNNING WRONG! That is totally part of why I hurt so bad! Halfway through my run, I remembered someone telling me when I was on the track team in jr. high that when you run, specifically sprint, you should run on the balls of your feet, not roll your whole foot. So I decided to try it and you know what?! I was able to run farther and even more! Don't get me wrong, I still hurt and I'm getting new shoes, but I didn't hurt half as bad today as I did Monday. I'm hoping that's the majority of the reason and now I won't hurt so much when I run! In short, I felt great after my workout today... :)

You go Glenn Cocoa!!

Pretty much the best day ever. I have been in the market for a new car for over a year now and finally the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself.

Meet Glenn Cocoa! My new 2008 Chevy Aveo!



What fabulous trunk space!



It was love at first sight!

Frustrated and Discouraged

So I'm feeling really frustrated today and it's not even noon yet. I had a really hard time yesterday because it's now two weeks since my Grandpa Grundvig passed away. I miss him so much. I didn't do hardly anything I was intending on doing. I didn't study for my test or my final that I took this morning like I had wanted to. I still feel like I did pretty good, but it's just frustrating that I have no desire to do anything. I wanted to exercise a little too, just simple stuff with free weights and my exercise ball, but I didn't do that either. Instead I laid in bed for three hours. This morning I got up at six with fresh determination to keep up on my training. But alas, my shin splints were killer today, even with anti-inflammatory medicine. I know I could keep running and go twice as far as I can right now if my dang shins wouldn't hurt so bad. I'm positive it's because of my shoes. I've had them for over a year. According to active.com, it's time to get a new pair of shoes when yours have logged between three and five hundred miles. I think mine have done well beyond that between work, regular walking and the fact that I wear my nike's almost everyday because I love them so much. The issue is I want to get really good running shoes that are designed for my type of stride and step which means I need to go up north and spend good money at a sports store. Running is imprtant enough to me right now though that I am going to do it. I don't want to hurt, and I want to be healthy. And I want so badly to successfully cross that finish line on Oct. 9 with my friends and family having run the entire distance.



my good ole nikes...

Loving to Run

I realized today how much I am enjoying working on building my cardio endurance and working so hard to be healthier. I didn't have time to work out this morning and I was dragging all day long. I was more tired than usual, even though I had more sleep and I was so jittery. I had a chance to go running later and I really felt fantastic! I feel like I'm not getting winded as fast, although my shin splints are still bothering me a bit. BUT! the more I run, the less they hurt! Weird huh? Anyway, I ran more tonight than I ever have before in one workout. A total of 3 laps running with 4 walking in between some of those. Mostly I run half and quarter laps, but tonight I managed to run a full lap without stopping! I was so proud of myself! And this is only my second full week of training! I'm so excited and I can't wait to go run again in the morning. :)

An up in the middle of all the downs!

Today has been fantastic compared to my wreck of a day yesterday. I started the day off right by going running/walking for 90 minutes with two of my besties, Meg and Kelt. It felt great! I then studied for my class, helped my mom prep for her surgery and picked up my brothers from day camp. After my class, I picked the kidders back up from Grandma's and got to spend the rest of the day with the little hoolagins (LOVE them!) while my dad stayed out at the hospital with my mom. She had knee surgery today, and they ended up having to do a little more than originally anticipated so she was in recovery for a long time. She came home though, looking exhausted, but walking! I know the healing time is a pain, but she will feel so much better! I ended the day the way I started. Another run/walk with Meg! I think I'm beginning to experience what is known as "runner's high" even though I can't run all that far yet without my shins screaming in pain. I managed 1/2 a mile this evening though and I'm so dang proud of myself! I will run this 5k yet and I'm so looking forward to crossing that finish line triumphant!

I also want to thank everyone who has helped me through this tremendously difficult time in my life. I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and family! Love you all!

Dedicated to Holger Levon Grundvig

D&C 38:30 "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

On July 11, 2010 at 11:09 AM, the world lost one of its most beloved, gentle, kind, and loving individuals, but Heavenly Father welcomed home one of his greatest children. My 83 year old grandfather, Holger Levon Grundvig passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren last Sunday after a brief battle with mesothelioma.

My heart is broken and my soul aches. I've never struggled so hard in all my life. I can't imagine not having the gospel and the knowledge that I will be able to see him again. I love my grandpa so much and I miss him beyond belief, but I know that his mission in this life is complete and he is having a wonderful reunion on the other side.



I love you, Grandpa. Now, my guardian angel.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I'd like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Too Many Emotions

What a day... Full and long and full of strange feelings. My grandfather began chemotherapy today. I went over to visit him last night because I didn't know how sick he was going to be after beginning treatment today. I was so glad I went and saw him though, but it was possible the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my life. When I saw him nine days ago, he walked out to the fence to talk to me when I had been walking through the neighborhood with my mom. When I saw him yesterday, he could not even move from one chair to the other without having to stop and just inhale his oxygen. He couldn't even talk to me without struggling for air. It breaks my heart to see his struggling so much. My mom said he couldn't even walk to his appointment today. They had to go get a wheelchair for him. He has always been so strong, healthy and the rock in our family. The doctor told us that there is no cure for the type of cancer that he has. He is dying and basically his treatment is prolonging the inevitable and making it a little easier for him to breathe. It's so hard to think that he may not be at my next graduation. At my LPN or RN pinning. When I go through the temple for the first time. At my wedding... My grandma seems to be accepting what is happening and is doing much better, but there still can't be one without the other. I love my grandparents, the example they are to me and the love they have for me despite my weaknesses.

On a different note, tomorrow will be the end of my week one training for my couch to 5k program. Only nine more weeks to go! I'm feeling so much better with so much exercise and I have lost 3 inches on my waist. Why don't I feel better emotionally yet?

I finally snapped.

If you have been following my blog, you would have gotten the fact that I am trying really really hard to make a lifestyle change for the healthier. Well, something interesting happened yesterday. Something in me snapped. For months now, I have been trying to lose weight. Walking, working out at least 3+ times a week, yada yada yada, but I was still struggling. I've done nothing but maintain. Whoop-dee-do. I haven't even really pushed my walking endurance. So recently I've been trying to increase my level of activity to at lease 5+ workouts a week with some variety and the help and encouragement of some amazing friends. It seems to be helping a little bit. I suddenly had some motivation and decided it would be really awesome and very profound for me if I could do the local triathalon next summer. As I threw the idea out there, criticism and doubt that I would be able to do it came back at me from people I thought would support me. Even more responses of "Sure" and "Good luck with that" came when I suggested maybe I could be motivated enough to train and do a 5k in the fall. And that is when I snapped. Who are you to tell me what I will and will not be able to do?! I can do anything I set my mind to! I was so upset, I turned to the one person who has never stopped encouraging me. My hero. My older brother. He is going to be my partner in this. Even though I've never been a runner, nor enjoyed it, the thought of completing a 5k and later a triathalon has been fueling my motivation to do something to be healthier. And now, just to prove not only to myself, but all of those that call themselves my friends who don't think I can do it, you watch! I WILL run a 5k this fall, with Daron at my side! I am determined! Training began today and I feel awesome! It's going to be a long road, but if it will help me be happier, I will do it. A good friend said "Pain is just weakness leaving the body." I'm taking it to heart! Don't worry, updates will be frequent. :)