Hitting the pavement

Well D-day is fast approaching. I feel that I have given my foot and ankle sufficient time to heal themselves (I am hoping) and tommorrow I start hitting the pavement again with my running shoes in toe. I added the picture of the pavement at the top to add some drama to my post. If anyone wants to change it back or change it completely feel free. I have to say that I think I am feeling more apprehensive about this run than any other time I have run. I really am not sure how tommorrow is going to go. I was making progress that I was really excited about and now after having to stop running or doing basically anything for almost two weeks, I am not sure what my body is going to be capable of doing. I am hoping that I can jump back into my run ten minutes walk five x2. It doesn't help that I still haven't received my book either. It has been almost three weeks and I am giving it till Monday. If I don't get it by then I will just have to go out and buy it at a book store. Anyway I am trying to stay positive and I will blog tommorrow after my run if I am alive.

SAMMI he is calling!

Okay Sam the plant is scaring me. It literally grew six inches today. It has now wrapped itself around the cord like six times and is almost to the top of my blinds. I am getting a little worried so if I don't blog anything in the next three days you might need to call someone to come and get our bodies untangled from the plant vine.

You Can Do It

I wish soooooo badly that I was running the marathon with you...but I am positive that my doctor won't ok it 4 weeks post partum. It has been exactly one year since I ran the Salt Lake Marathon....I still have my medal on my mirror. It is such a good reminder that at one moment in my life I felt like I could do anything. That is what a marathon gives you. it is worth every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears. I hope this picture gives you hope. I have this on my bathroom mirror too. When I got tired when I was training I just pictured Jeff and Caitlyn at the finish line....and that was enough to pull me through. As you are training....you will find that it parallels life so well. I love you all so much.

Well out with the old and in with the new. These are my new running shoes. After I went running last week and injured myself, I realized that I needed to get some REAL running shoes to protect myself and to be able to get through this marathon. SO I went out yesterday and these shoes spoke to me. When we got home they had some words with my old shoes and kicked them to the curb. bu-bye.
They are the funniest shoes! They insisted on giving each other a high five afterwards. I think they are going to give me the attitude I need to get the job done.
Aren't they pretty. Okay I actually returned these shoes because I found the same ones at Big 5 for thirty-five dollars less, they are just yellow. So imagine these shoes in yellow and that is what I will be running in. Not quite as pretty but oh well cheaper.

Sam look how your plant has grown! It's HUGE! Just like your love life.

Each time Sam and I get ready for our run for the day (in 100 degree weather by the way) We ALWAYS make sure we do our proper stretches. We don't want any accidents or injuries! Sam and I posted these pictures just in case you need some help with the stretching moves. Just mimmick the pictures! Try them out for yourself. They really help us loosen up!!

Pain No More

Okay so I think that all of us marathoners 30 and over need to enlist the help of our own personal pharmacist to aid us in this marathon endeavor. We need a really good one that can fill and refill prescriptions whenever we want. Good pain killers to help with knees, feet, backs, etc (you all know what I'm talking about). So if anyone knows of a good one that wants on board lets do it. If we can't find one I am formulating a plan to kidnap one and hold him or her hostage until the end of October. Anyone that would like to help me in this plan can share in the spoils of good pain killers. WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!(with medication)

this is my workout!

Calling All Francis'

Maddog Mamma , Katie Kakes and Joan "da bone" (cause our Francis bones are strong) where are you? How's the running or walking going? Check your email so you can start posting. If you have any Q's email me at hatchgirls1@aol.com. Love you guys! I'm so excited KAtie and Joan are in this too!

This is for Sammi

Hey here is your little plant that is growing like a weed.....get it?......like a weed?.....but it is a bean? hahahah Anyway I thought I would share the fortune with everyone because it is a good one that kinda made me laugh. You can see it in the picture but if you can't read it, it said LUCKY IN LOVE. Pretty applicable huh?

If I can do it anyone can!

I am not a runner by nature. I actually hated running for most of my life. But, after Caitlyn's joyous arrival followed by the arrival of cellulite on my 24 yr old thighs, I bought a new pair of running shoes and became a runner. No on spring nights like tonight the 55 degree twighight on empty streets calls to me and I long to be one with the road again. With no whinning baby and husband in my ear, just the pitter pater of my own feet and visions of a Heidi Klum body dancing in my head.
I am so sad that I can't run the marathon with you. (25 weeks pregnant and hating it!!) But, when I am ready in the spring to run Marathon #2 maybe you will be ready to do it again. Here are my tips for training. I will dig out my book an d start blogging my journal entries for the coresponding weeks of your training schdulle. Just so you know you're not the only one who thought they were going to DIE!

Missy's Marathon Training tips

1. Read the book "Running with Angels"
2. Buy the book "the non-runners marathon trainer" This is now your BIBLE
3. Don't drink water during runs....drink gatorade. (the Rain lime and berry flavors were my fav)Forget about the calories.....you won't get past the eight miler if you don't drink some form of sodium and glucose. Hide bottles of it along the way. And try not to get too pissed when someone steals your fuel from the bushes.
4. Once you start running 10 miles or more....eat half a granola bar (preferably with nuts) half way through your run.
5. Stretch....or you'll get injured before you get to running 10 miles
6. Don't underestimate the power of a good mantra .....this was mine...it's still on my mirror.
"I am a marathoner. I LOVE to run. I am strong. I am beautiful. With Gods help I can do anything. I am not a quitter. I will not stop. I will always finish." Happy chanting.
7. You will encounter blood, sweat and tears. Expect them, and run anyway.
8. Visualize the finish line. You will cross it.
9. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't....especially yourself.
10. Buy your shoes 1-2 sizes too big. Your feet swell when you run. You should feel barefoot in your running shoes. Don't tighten your laces except for the last two set of holes. It feels wierd but it works.
11. Go to a running store and have them watch you run to make sure you have the right shoes. Its humiliating but worth it.
12. The running goo is disgusting. No flavor except cola is bearable. Stick to the "sport jelly beans" by jelly belly. I only really used these on 18 milers and the marathon. Otherwise granola bars and fruit leathers were my staple refuel.
13. Copy your running schedulle and post them at least 3 places in your house. (one on the fridge to fight off the midnight munchies) Then you get to mark off your run 3 times instead of one. It feels so good!! (and your husband finally will see how far you are running and be amazed without you even telling him)

I am sure I will think of more....I love you guys.....I laughed my guts out at your pictures. Pretty sure I won't be posting pictures of my pregnant body any time soon.

My Befores

Here they are gang! The shoes that will change my life! I've named the left one "muffintop" and the right one "saddlebag". They have a lot of work to do!!!

Here I am in all my 155 lbs. glory! Personally after giving birth to my 4th child 9 1/2 weeks ago - I'm pretty impressed... that I had the guts to get into a bikini!!!!

So these are my before marathon pictures! Stay tuned for updates! I plan on taking my final pictures on October 6th! (And some of these "trouble areas" better be smaller and perkier!)

Get Ready!!!

Get Set!!!

JUMP?
Okay... so I'm not really running. But this is what I look like when run! Pretty glamorous! Do you like my hair?

p.s. if you want to see some awsome cellulite, click on this picture to blow it up! It's pretty amazing what true light reveals.

Hmmm... I just thought of how that's true in life too. See how this marathon is not only good for the body but the spirit too!

No, I am woman! Hear me roar!












This is me visualising what I might look like WHEN I finish the marathon.

sam and alli's hike from HECK

wishing for us to be at the top of the mountain already....

nope, still here...

this is where sam will be staying for her visit in arizona... perfect size for her.
this was all really no big deal.. it was soooo easy. i mean, c'mon! give us something to really hike!

even on top of camelback mountain, we still find time to practice our modeling shots

we are women, hear us ROAR!

oh, and by the way, excuse our skimpy outfits.... we tried the whole t-shirt thing... yeah right! 100 degrees later...

These are my running shoes, Swift and Speedy, and with their help I plan to accomplish our first "feet" and run the marathon in October. They are very busy shoes as you will see but I just thought I would introduce you all to them. What are your shoes doing to help you?

These are my shoes welcoming you to my home, they really are polite shoes.

These are my shoes taking a little rest on the couch when the kids are running them all around.

These are my shoes looking for something healthy to eat to prepare me for the marathon.

These are my shoes getting a little extra excersize on the trampoline.

These are my shoes getting our of my car after running lots of errands.

These are my shoes out for a little stroll getting ready for a run.

These are my shoes running up my stairs....and yes that is two at a time.

These are my shoes welcoming you to my home.