The Rachel Gunderson Experience

Meet the Newest Gunderson CENTURION!!!

2008-06-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

That's right, I became a centurion yesterday. I rode my bike 104 miles!!! Yes, be impressed. It was probably the hardest thing that I have ever done in life, but it was totally worth it.
I did the ride with my friend Diane and made a new friend along the way, Shannon. These two ladies made it possible for me to be able to finish. They provided the encouragement that I needed to be able to stick out to the end.I was so happy when I crossed the finish line. They had Martinellis in champagne glasses as we came across. It was great experience and I am so glad that I did. My next riding adventure is a week long riding trip with the Gunderson Family in Northern California, followed by another 100 miles at the MS 150.

Rachel the Runner!!

2008-03-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

I know that I have not updated since November about my running so I'll do it Reader's Digest style. I did my Christmas Run in both Ogden and then again Victor. With the cold weather though I stopped running until about three weeks ago, when I started up again on the treadmill in the house. While buying new shoes I heard about the Run for Red, a charity race for the Red Cross. I figured that since it was a 5k race and it was in two weeks I should sign up to do it. So today I became an official runner and ran in my first ever organized race.

I was kind of nervous before I ran not ever having done a race before and also I had never even ran with anyone else before. I have always just done solo runs. Kellen was gone out of town on a field trip so my mom and niece came to support me.
My run time was 34:20.5 (11:03 min/mi). I came in 31st for my group and 92nd overall. The highest number I saw was 270. That was the fastest I had ever run that distance so I was extremely excited.
I felt great after I ran. There were people there handing out flyers for other races that are coming up; I am ready to keep running. I am really getting into this running thing. Don't tell Andre, he'll get jealous.

I can go the Distance!!!

2007-11-18T15:47:00.000-08:00

Three weeks done, only three weeks left. And I am feeling great. I have only missed one day. It was a day that I had worked and was exhausted. To ensure that it does not happen again I have changed my run/ride days. I now run Mon, Wed, Fri and ride on Tues, Thurs, and Sat. I am really excited about running. I plan on setting another goal to accomplish sometime in the spring. I am getting better at running and noticing that my riding is also improving. Somedays I still have to convince myself to go but I always feel fabulous afterwards. Kellen has even noticed a difference. I am really excited that I made this goal. I have already gone on Google Earth to decide where my three mile run will be. You will be able to find out in three short weeks. Stayed tuned!

My first week as a runner

2007-11-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Alright, so I have just completed my first week as a runner and I am happy to report that I am proud of myself. The training plan I found had me run 1.5 miles three days; it felt awesome. My first attempt was on Tuesday and it was evident that I had not run in a very long time. I had to walk for some of it. I tried again and Thursday and to my total excitment I was able to run the whole thing. I know 1.5 miles is not a lot but it is a big deal for me. So then to challenge myself on Saturday I did my run mostly uphill. Look at the map, I run around the temple. And if you were a regular temple attender you would know that it is on a hill. I did the run and felt great afterwards. I am really pumped about this goal. I have met a girl in one of my classes that is going to help me get into swimming and I am going to get a couple girls in my ward into biking. Heart healthy lifestyle is awesome. So there is my update. This next week I am doing 1.75. I have already mapped out my path and am excited to try it out.

Oh the Life of a PCA

2007-10-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

For those of you who do not know I am currently working at an assisted living facility here in Provo now. I am a Personal Care Assistant, which is just a glorified CNA. I help people get showered and ready for the day, I help them to remember to eat their meals and to maintain good personal hygiene. I know it doesn't sound all that great, but it really is. I find it very rewarding and I love working with the our residents. The best part of my job is when I witness a resident acting a little whacky. So as part of this blog I am going to share the funny stories that I have happen to me. For this post I will just recap a few of my favorites so far. I witnessed an 80 year-old woman feeling up and trying to get frisky with a male PCA who was trying to give her her meds. He told me that she is always that friendly. That definitely brought a smile to my face. Next, I've seen elderly women argue over who sits where and what chips everyone gets to use during bingo. I did not do this next one. During a game of bingo one day, a PCA walked past the activities room and called out BINGO. Everyone got mad they hadn't won and cleared their boards. It being Halloween many of the residents put candy on little tables outside their doors for staff and other residents. So the other day I saw this cute sweet little old lady walking from door not taking just one but all of the candy from each bowl. When I looked in her garbage later it was filled with a ton of candy wrappers. The little thief. That is all I have so far. I will post new things that happen I feel are worthy of the blog.

My declaration to the world

2007-10-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today was the Sugars farewell so we were all up at the homestead. After I had totally pigged out on good food I was talking to Eugie, my sister-in-law, and I just happened to tell her that I wanted to lose weight and get in shape. So what does she do? Goes all missionary on me and starts to push me in all sorts of commitments. Whoa whoa whoa it was more of a happy thought, you know a good intention. Well seeing as she is "professional athletic life trainer" I started to realize that I should listen to her. That and she gave me clothing that I could use to exercise outside in the winter. I knew then that she was committed to making me commit. So I did. I have committed to run a 5K on Christmas morning. It is this thing that she is doing. People that she knows across the country are setting goals to run where ever they may be on Christmas morning. I am going to be apart of that. So to make my commitment firm I am publishing it to the interweb world. Now I am responsible to whoever may come across my blog. So watch for updates and don't forget to give me encouragement. I am going to need it.