Up's, Down's and Plans

This week, like any normal week for me was full of it's ups and downs.
On a good note, the bruising on my neck and soreness from the biopsy are about completely gone.  In other words no more scarfs, YAY!
On a bad note, I came down with another cold on Tuesday.  But luckily I didn't have a huge busy work week, so it allowed for a lot of needed sleeping time.  (I may or may not have slept until 1pm twice this past week, terrible I know.... But I needed it!)

I did get out and go for a very short run last Monday, and even though I woke up sick Tuesday I attempted what was even a shorter run, okay more walking than running:)  I thought maybe it would push the cold out of me before it settled in, I thought wrong.  It was a worth a try though!

But between all the crazy lifting at the wedding the past Saturday, or just being sick for a month unable to get out much on my feet.  Apparently my Achilles tendinitis didn't like it much, and decided to flare up again. *arghhh*
I no longer take a day of tendon pain and wish it away.  Instead I took immediate action and put the lovely boot back on.  As of Sunday night the pain was almost gone, I think another 5-7 days of it will be needed before I start gradually working back into running again.  I am pretty confident I can nip this in the bud before it has time to get out of control again!

I would love to share with you hiking exploits and other fun things.  But with everything, you can see I haven't been able to get out much.  I am hoping this week, has a little bit more adventure to it, as I am more than ready for some!
But since we have been getting a lot of well needed rain and snow here lately and that doesn't look to be changing anytime soon.  It's not really been bothering me too much that I can't get out and play:)

RACE PLANNING NEWS

So a few weeks back I mentioned that I was going to try my hand at becoming a race director.  With that comes with a lot of education and research.
I learned that 3 of the top races in our state for the first time in almost ever, they did not sell out this year.  What does that mean?  Well it's not for a lack of runners as Utah has many.  But one thing Utah also has, is a lot of races.  I have discovered we have over 760+ races each year (that I know of.)
About 98% of races in Utah are all on Saturday's, which mean that is about 14-15 every single Saturday.
Yup, a lot for runners to choose from!
I still want to go through with this, but based on my recent findings, I am realizing I need to schedule them as perfectly as I can, to be able to attract as many runners as possible.
So now that I have bored you with all of those numbers:)

I will share, what I am working on for 2016 is a Half Marathon, with a 5k.  (If I can get the permits.) I may be trying my hand at a 5k this fall and possibly another next spring as testers to get myself ready to pull of a bigger event.  But I am not going to decide on those until until I find out about the permits for the Half.

Originally, I was just planning on organizing a normal, but great race.  Because that is what I like. I enjoy beautiful scenery, great course, challenging but still a chance to PR and great race support and a entry cost that doesn't break the bank.
I am not really much into all the new hype about races with costumes, themed runs, or crazy events that go along with the race.  Although I have discovered, its not as easy as one would think to keep the entry costs low, when cities/counties are constantly raising the rates they charge for events to be held!

But realizing I want this to be successful, and I want to attract all kinds of runners.  I find myself re-thinking a few things, and I am now in the process of considering a few other ideas.  Because I completely understand my thoughts on picking a race are likely not what the majority considers anymore, I may need more to attract more.
Anyhow, late June or early July I hope to have the permit process about finished and at that time I will share with all of you my plans. (Which I can't help but be excited about, even if they are a work in process!)

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Well that along with a few weddings is what I am working on right now.  I promise my life will get more interesting soon!  I have told all illnesses and injuries where to go, and how fast to get there so I am hoping they listen this time!  I think they will!!!!

If you haven't already, join us for the next Giveaway Hop that starts June 1st.  Sign-up going on right now.  You can CLICK HERE to add your blog to the list today!

Hope you all had a great week.  Share with me what you have going on.

Also, if you do have any great idea's to add to a race that you don't mind sharing, I'd love to hear.  I am all about unique and different right now!

Fitness, Running, Life & Plans

FITNESS
I am doing pretty good with my new lifestyle eating changes.  I've lost 12 pounds since I really started working hard on it in June, and 18 pounds total weight loss for the year so far.  I have a ways more I'd like to go and I think at 1-2 pounds a week, that is a fairly good average since its a lifestyle change and not a crash diet.

RUNNING
I had to hold off on starting back running this past week, my hip flexor tear was doing much better, but I just had that feeling and could even feel the injury itself that it wasn't ready.  Instead I began gradually walking again.  1-2 Miles each day last week.  Less and less pain on the uphill each day, telling me the therapy I have been doing the past 2 weeks is working!
I do however plan to gradually resume running this week, it will be gradual probably not more than a mile a day.  Plus a 1-2 mile walk.  I'll let any sign of pain be the indicator on how that will go!

Sometimes even mountains covered in ski trails are beautiful:)

WORK INJURIES
I switched to new running shoes, and one pair is actually my new every day shoe.  It made a drastic difference on both feet and their different injuries.
My guess of my newer right foot injury being Nerve Entrapment, treating it for it at least.  Has proven to be spot on with how it is healing.  In fact I haven't noticed any pain/problems with it in almost 2 weeks now.
The original injury is also healing so fabulously.  I transitioned out of the orthodics the doctors had put me in and the timing was right, I've seen nothing but drastic improvement over the last 3 weeks since I did this.

I mentioned my debate.  Well, this week the 23rd is finally that Dr. Appt with the Specialist again.  I've been waiting over a month for it, but I have no signs of pain or problems.  So I am very tempted to cancel it.
However, if I cancel it, what if the pain comes back....  Well I'm going to think long and hard on this, and I will decide by tomorrow.

LIFE
I've had a fun week, caught up with a good friend over lunch one day.  Spent a little time up in the local canyons.  The pictures shared in this post are from a few of my sights this past week.
Had a great Friday playing with a few of my nieces and nephews, I actually played hide and seek with them for several hours.  I was exhausted by the time the five of them left.

PLANS
Thanks to the economy and the Pinterest bride:(   Summer brides this year around here seemingly are into the DIY backyard weddings, and there is not enough money in those to make it worth my time.
So since business has slowed a little and likely won't pick up too much until September, I have a lot of fun upcoming things planned.
Generally I am an after the fact blogger, for security reasons. But I'll give you a little peak into some of my plans without giving specific dates.

*  I have lots of upcoming camping trips planned (finally).  Which means fresh air and cooler elevation temps.  Ahhh I can't wait!  I hate planning and rarely ever do, but as long as its a short time away, then I guess it's okay to plan a little:)

*  Stand-Up Paddle Boarding - I've been wanting to try this for a few years now, and told my sisters about it and come to find out one of them loves to do it and wants to go with me.  So we are going to rent boards for an upcoming camping trip and do lots of lake paddle boarding!  If I like it as much as I think I will, I might really consider buying one!  I've already called a place and asked how much they'd charge to rent them out for a week and was able to get a pretty good deal!

*  Boating - My sisters and I were talking and we think it would be a fun idea to all go in on buying one of those large rafts to share.  It will be a lot more fun on trips if we can take ourselves and the kids up rafting.

*  I mentioned camping above, but I've also got a lot of hiking and fishing trips planned.  Thank goodness my injuries are fading out because this gal loves to hike!  Frankly I could fish every morning and evening, and hike every afternoon if life allowed!

WINNER
Thank you to everyone who participated both as a blogger hosting a giveaway or an entrant to the Fitness Favorites Giveaway Blog Hop.  Visit the giveaway page HERE.  The winner has been announced, you can check and see if it is you:)

So tell me, what was your past week like.  
Do you have some upcoming plans your looking forward too?