My Youtube theme song

So today I have a cold. I guess I'm going to have to put my seven mile run on hold. Hopefully I'll get it in by Monday. All the running I'm going to do today is to Bed Bath and Beyond to buy a humidifier. In the meantime, I got this idea from my brother's girlfriend. Look up your name's theme song. This is Heidi's theme song. And honestly, I get smiles and questions about this very TV show often when I meet people from Europe. They look at my name tag and say, "Heidi?! like that cute little girl on the TV show I used to watch when I was a kid?! How cute!!!" I've had grown men say that. Now, Instead of giving them blank stares, I'm going to wonder why we didn't have this show in the US when I was growing up. All I need now is someone who can translate it! (I think I heard "sunshine " in there somewhere:)

Back from "Black weekend"

Shopper off and running like purchase princesses (this was not me this year, I slept in!)

Today I went in to get my car an oil change. The gentleman at the desk asked me if I would be alright to wait for a half an hour and I consented of course. But a few minutes into my stay, I thought to myself, "Hmmm, a half-hour...I could probably squeeze that run in that I missed last week." I couldn't honestly counting running to and from stores during "black weekend" so I found myself down a run. Without telling anyone, I slipped out the back door and took off on a two-and-a-half-miler. I couldn't resist. The orange sunset was so rewarding; I almost didn't notice the extra effort it took me to climb the hills. This running like a princess goal is changing my life for the better, and I'm loving it.

A time for thanks

Today is the one day just devoted to thanks. It seems that after Hurricane Sandy, the fiscal cliff, and the trouble in the Gaza Strip, life in general seems pretty grim. But then I open my eyes and see that I have two strong legs, an apartment, a job, a loving family, and the prospect of a lovely turkey dinner this afternoon. So many people don't have so much. I'm healthy and I'm moving forward, and in the land of the free I have a bright future brimming with possibilities. I dream of a home, others dream of a meal, I dream of living to be 80, others dream of living through the night. I hope for a new pair of running shoes, while others still hope to own their first pair of shoes.
I was listening to the radio and as the Christmas tunes have begun to play, this one touched my heart for the first time this year. I think I felt the message so strongly because I've been so bogged down by worries from the past months that I've forgotten how much I have. I have freedom of religion, freedom of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of choice. I'm blessed and so are you. Now it's time to be grateful and start turning our hearts toward those who aren't so lucky. I love you all and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a prayer for joy and peace forever after.


*How can running help? Check out this story and see a list of Utah races and what you can do:
http://www.deseretnews.com/images/article/contentimage/655207/655207.jpg

*Warning: This video is pretty graphic. I had no idea.  If you want to just enjoy the song, you may need to close your eyes.

Saturday and Sunday

Saturday my Jeff Galloway workout asked for a 5 mile run. Did I do it? You better believe it!! It was a new life record for distance running for me (and Spencer)!

As for Sunday, on my rest day I caught the last half of the new Disney princess show, Sophia the First. It was darling. 

9-year-old running like a princess

This football star from South Jordan, Utah  is seriously running like a princess!
Here's the highlight reel:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/sam-gordon-girl-football-player-running_n_2088209.html

Veteran's day heart-tugging story

I wanted to honor the men and women who serve our country on this blog and this story about Steve Martain, a veteran running in Arizona, does exactly that. It's a sweet little community piece to remind us that small-town heroes are heroes all the same.  To our servicemen and women:  Thank you for the sacrifices you make and for the enduring courage which continuously lifts and inspires us.

http://www.yourwestvalley.com/peoria/article_395de41e-2d1e-11e2-8757-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=story

Tech vs Trot

I was amazed as I tried to get out the door today how technology and running seem to oppose each other. Its my day off so I started prepping to run at about 9:30, but I didn't get out the do until 10:20.   All it took was a little facebook here and a little blog check there and before I knew it, almost an hour had blown by and I still hadn't started my run. Granted, part of that was a welcome phone call from my dad, but everything else seemed to be pulling me in away from my run. Isn't that crazy? Technology is great, but it sure is magnetic. Eventually we'll all have our own personal extension cords. Ok, that may be a little too science-fiction. But in any case, I'm glad I got my run in (I ultimately just brought my phone along with me so I could text and call during my rest times. Sad but true).
Today I saw a woodpecker. They sure have dramatic wings. I think I startled it with my clomp, clomp, clomp of my pink and white Asics. He flitted to a further telephone pole when I passed him. I  love the "wildlife" part of running outside and hearing the rustling of something in the tall grass and the dripping water of melting snow. It's a beautiful day to be outside, exercised, and unplugged (well, at least, mostly unplugged anyway). 

Snow White

Today I made personal running history, I went for a run in falling snow! We've been spoiled here in Northern Utah, the past week has been in the 70s which is incredible for November but it looks like winter decided to make her presence known.

Here's how I motivated myself,  a few articles which could help inspire you to get running like Snow White:

http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/blogs/why-you-should-run-outdoors-this-winter-and-how-to-enjoy-it

http://www.livestrong.com/article/539775-running-in-cold-weather-lung-damage/

Back on track

I guess princesses slip and fall sometimes too. But they always get going again. Just look at Cinderella. Now I'm not commenting on the most recent election. I'm praying for our president to help us all rebuild the American economy. It's time for us all to get running.

Here's a  picture of the latest results from the latest "races." Isn't it interesting how much large cities sway a state's vote. hat's a lot of people in a small area! What do you think?

Also, What happened to the NYC Marathon Runners? Check it out here:
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/390130_298552463583488_695712854_n.jpg

Day 7

My first distance run, or lack thereof more like, was kind of disappointing. It almost didn't even happen. But my husband and I got out the door even though it was 10 p.m. to put in at least our half hour for the day. I feel so much better, I would have felt so defeated. But we got a mile in about 20 minutes tonight and it felt good. Oswald would be proud!

Race to the Rescue

Manhattan marathon runner is rallying other runners to line up at the starting line, then dash to the nearest disaster-zone and start picking up.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20644493,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+people%2Fheadlines+%28PEOPLE.com%3A+Top+Headlines%29

Blade Runner

If you think you can't ever run, read about Oscar Pistorius
"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop ..." Read more at:
http://www.saltlakemagazine.com/blog/my-turn/

Olympic story:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/04/sport/pistorius-london-2012/index.html

Day 3

I was tired. Today I woke up and this time it was my turn to motivate us out of bed. I wasn't as creative as Spencer. We didn't have Ozwald set up. I just got up and went straight for the washroom. I often used this tactic to get up on those cold Russian winter mornings during my missionary service. But even then, I was usually getting up at 6:30 a.m. Today we were up at 5:45 a.m.

 

This is when the charm of the running like a princess idea begins to turn into work. The initial rush is wearing off and both my husband and I can feel it. Last night we got to bed at 10:15 p.m. which is really good considering our track record. But the extra sleep didn't matter as much as I'd hoped when I heard that 5:45 a.m. alarm. I was tired. We were tired. It feels like this goal is tired and it only took three days. Now I'm in for it.

However, the weather was beautiful again. The moon was misty, caressed by delicate layers of clouds. The bright morning star pierced the darkness. It wasn't even cold enough to frost the grass or the air we breathed. I think God is blessing us with this record-breaking warmth right now. It couldn't have come at a better time for me to start this goal.

 

After my run I'm all full of energy again. The tiredness dissipated, and the rush of energy renewed my love of my running like a princess. My next run is a long one and amazingly enough, I got the day off from work so I can do it!