March Madness

Unfortunately, my march madness as referred to my classes, not basketball. With midterms, papers, projects, presentations, reports, and homework, I have not been able to see a game of march madness. Honestly, the work load isn't impossible, but I think you are supposed to exaggerate on a blog, right? With all the madness, I haven't thought too much about the marathon. I try to run when I can, but when it is either work on homework or go running, my conscience tells me to get the homework done. Do I need to resort my priorities? I don't think so. And in the midst of this chaos, I still need to register for future classes, find housing for fall, make money for school/rent, do my calling, apply for business programs, and somehow have a social life. It's madness right now. March madness ;)

Soreness

I went to the gym last Thursday and worked out hardcore. Today is the first day I haven't felt sore since! I know, it's sad, and I need to go there more often. On Saturday Jared and I ran a 9 mile run. Although Jared thinks it was only 7. Either way, it was long and hard. My legs were feeling it and the Saturday runs will only get longer until the marathon June 14th.

My best friend from high school, Kaleb Seaton, is getting married on the day of the marathon. Although it is very sad I won't be able to be there for his wedding (in Iowa), I told him I would run a marathon in dedication. So happy for Kaleb and his fiance. When I told Kaleb this he asked me, "why would you torture yourself and run a marathon?" Thanks Kaleb. Interesting since he ran on the cross-country and track team with me all four years of high school.

Beautiful Weather!

Starting to look like beautiful spring weather! Great for running. Sunny and into the 50s for most of this week! I was in Wyoming yesterday so I missed my long 12 mile run. I'll have to make up for it by running very consistent this week. 

Also, I just filled out my March Madness (which is now basically April Madness) Bracket. I can't help but be bias. I have Iowa and BYU making it to the sweet sixteen and Iowa State to the championship game...Not impossible, but yeah. Go BYU and ISU! 

Stake Conference was also awesome today. Elder M. Russell Ballard came and taught us well. What a blessing it is to hear from apostles and seventies on a regular basis here at BYU. After the meeting I air-shook his hand!

REX LEE RUN

Jared, Annie, Shannon, and I ran the Rex Lee Run last Saturday! It was super fun. I volunteered at the packet pick-up booth but didn't get a volunteer t-shirt :( But that's okay because I have a race one.

And I think someone must have sued BYU because now all participants have to sign this waiver and show ID to pick up their stuff. Annie and Shannon did not know this and it caused us to almost miss the race. Luckily, the gun went off when Annie and I were just finishing putting her chip on her shoe and we only started about a minute and a half behind. And it is timed with the chip so it cuts that time off at the end.

Anyway, Jared and I were booking it to pass all the huge crowds that were walking and get up toward the front. We probably ran a little too fast that first mile because the second mile was a killer. I felt like dying. The problem was that there was this little ten-year-old kid ahead of me and I just couldn't let him beat me. So I stayed with him and finished the race in 21 minutes! If only I had known I was 10 seconds from getting a medal I would have ran a little faster :)

Go Rex Lee Run! Until next year...

Long Saturday Run

My training schedule sets Saturdays up to be the long runs. Last week was an 8-miler and this week a 6-miler. I'm sore from both. I was talking to my roommate about it and he told me that his friend ran marathon without training for it. He signed up for it, forgot about it, ran like 8 miles the week before, and then ran the marathon. He ended up running a decent time, but couldn't walk for a week. Interesting game plan... 

Jared and I have been running together, at least for these Saturday runs. Jared is in much better shape than me and I struggle to keep up. It's nice to have someone to push you though. My brother Jason is also preparing for this marathon and I asked him about his training this week. He said, "my training is not as good as it should be, but I have been doing some. A marathon is way harder than you think. Seriously, I wanted to cry at the last marathon. Not joking. It's hard. I need to take training more seriously."

Well now I am scared. I definitely need to take my training more seriously. March is a new beginning and a good opportunity for me to set it up in my training. I'll keep you updated...