Sunday, August 21, 2011

Half Marathons






So I have a friend that talked me into doing a half marathon this year. I cant believe I of all people actually signed up for this. I was actually pretty excited. It was the first time EVER that I have done anything like this. Sure I have ran 5K's and I did a couple of Triathlons but a Half Marathon, never and I swore I would never do one. I trained and trained for this, I bought the latest shoes, clothes, and of course GU packs. I tried them all, ones with caffeine, ones with honey, the shot blocks, the GU packs, the ones that look like waffles you name it I tried it. I had my schedule of how far to run everyday and what days to take off. I would map out my runs the night before so that I would get the exact mileage in. I am not a fast runner and I new that. I was not in this to win, just to finish and accomplish something. I read all the blogs on what to eat the morning of a run. Everything said "bagel with peanut butter, banana and a coffee. Well I don't drink coffee, and I am deathly allergic to bananas so I figured that the bagel with peanut butter would be enough. Our race started at 5:40 am which meant I had to be up at 3:00 to be ready to leave my house by 4:00 and be to the parking lot to get on a bus and up the canyon so that we could start at 5:40. I got up and took a shower, I know a shower before a run, but it helped to wake me up. I got my clothes on everything ready had my breakfast and out the door I went. We got to the starting line and I took my first GU pack, now I like the one with 2X the caffeine. You take them 15-30 minutes before you start your race and every 45 minutes after. I was ready, well the race didn't start until 6:00. So by the time I hit mile 3 I was ready for another GU pack. So I took one. By mile 5 I figured I better take another on so I don't get tired. I was feeling great, Crystal and I were 3 minutes a head of our normal time coming out of the canyon. Just then at mile 7 I hit a brick wall. My heart was racing funny, I had the chills and I felt like every bit of energy I had was at the start line and I still had 6 miles to go. I pushed the best I could, I had to walk. Then I would try and run and not make it to far then I would have to walk again. By mile 9 our friend Amanda had been running up the trail to find us and there I was in tears feeling like this was the end. No energy, no will to go on but I new I couldn't give up. Amanda ran with Crystal and I the rest of the way. Honestly I felt like crawling the rest of the way. I felt horrible, there was nothing left in me. Amanda and Crystal were great, they kept pushing me. I finally got to the main road and Amanda said I am going to run up and let everyone know that you are coming. I had asked the family to meet me at the corner so they could watch. All of a sudden I see Addie running towards me, yelling at me to encourage me to keep going. Then I notice this lady waving her arms running towards us. I thought for sure she was running towards the group behind me. Nope, it was my sister Erica she had flown in from Texas just to watch and cheer me on. What an awesome surprise. I was in tears, and now I knew I had to finish, there was no getting out of this at all. I made it, but it wasn't easy. I pushed as hard as I could and I crossed the finish line at 2:21 right about the time I had wanted to finish. I wasn't feeling real well, I was exhausted physically and mentally. Crystal and Amanda took one look at me and said "you don't look well, lets find a medic to take you blood pressure. Long story short I ended up in an Ambulance for 45 minutes getting an IV because I was so extremely dehydrated. Not the most exciting way to finish a race. But I did it....

Then crazy me signed up the next day to do another race just 2 weeks later. This was a moonlight race. Obviously you run at night, the idea is to start when you think you will cross the finish line at midnight. There are no timing devices, no watches etc. Again Crystal and I set out for yet another accomplishment. We started at 9:30 pm this time I was prepared. I had a good dinner, I had my water belt, GU packs, I was set. I have had a injury from the first run so I knew I wanted to take this one easy. I had never run this course before so I had no idea where I was going. You run in the dark and I had no light with me. But honestly it was a ton of fun. I still had to walk a bit, not as much as my first race but for some reason I was a little slower that night. I crossed the finish line at 12:01. 1 minute shy of the goal. unfortunately I didn't win, at least not a prize. I won with myself. I finished yet another half marathon, and this one I felt GREAT at the end. No ambulance, no feeling sick, just sure excitement that I did it. But I am now done for a while. I am good with 2 in 2 weeks. I encourage everyone of you to do a half marathon. And yes I am considering doing a full marathon next year, CONSIDERING IT!!!

Friday, August 19, 2011

The bet is on.






Now some of you know that I love bribery, It is the only way I can get some of my kids to do anything. Brianna hates the water, which is weird because she is on swim team and everything. Mike told her at the beginning of the year that he would not pull out the tube unless she wakeboarded, kneeboarded and water skied at least 3 times each. Brianna wouldnt have anything to do with it. She was dead set on the fact that she would sit in the boat all summer. I told her "look just do it so your dad will leave you alone. Nope she wouldnt even hear of it. Finially I said "Fine I will give you $100.00 if you do it" she said to me "Mom you dont have $100.00. So I started walking out of the room when it dawned on me that she wanted a cell phone really bad. I turned around and said to her "heres the deal, you do everything 3 times and I will buy you a cell phone, but you have to do it before your birthday" Boy that got her attention the bet was on. We signed a contract together so I knew there was no way out of this one. Honestly I really didnt think she would do it. Well she did, fathers day weekend in St. George. She got the phone and i lost the bet to never bet my kids again. But it was so worth it, she actually loves getting in the water. Trick worked....may

Fathers Day




Mike and his friend Joe took the kids to St. George for the weekend and it just happened to be Fathers day weekend. Myself and Becky stayed behind to work and play. Mike and Joe took the kids to the lake and everyone had a blast. Becky and I went to the parade of homes and drooled over the beautiful homes and decorations.

Sunday, April 17, 2011







Spring Break

The girls were out of school this last week for Spring Break so we decided to take a mini vacation. We were all in need of some R&R so off to St. George we went. We went with some good friends of ours the Haughey's and their 4 kids. The first day we went to Hoover Dam. Oh my goodness, that place is huge!!! I had no idea the size of the place. We took the power plant tour and then to the visitors center, (not worth the $50.00) but the kids enjoyed it. Megatron was on vacation so we were not able to see him. (kids were upset) we told Rachael before we left that we were going to the place that held the Cube from Transformers, she actually believed the Cube was there...so cute. Then we spend 2 days at the pool, the weather was wonderful, low 80's with a slight breeze. The last day at the pool everyone got a little to much sun. Note to self....Don't ever buy Wal-Mart brand sunscreen, it doesn't work.

What a fun weekend. We are all rejuvenated to go about the next several weeks and months before we head back down to go water skiing.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

My Girls!!!





There is this darling family in our ward that we really like to sit by in sacrament. They have the 3 most beautiful girls and of course my girls are all over them, its great they all entertain each other during sacrament meeting. The girls mom, Kendall is wanting to brush up on her photography skills and asked if she could borrow the girls for a bit. Of course, she took them Saturday and the pictures are amazing. These are just a few of what she has sent me. I think I am going to be in trouble when they get older (OK maybe I am already in trouble) Thank you Kendall they are amazing.