The Last "Inspiration"

Okay, its a little intimidating writing something after my last post! I got a lot of "you inspire me" comments which I really appreciate but really I am just a regular gal doin' my best. A coke and some m&ms were on yesterdays menu which were very good. I LOVE a little carbonation and it really has been ALONG time. SO hopefully today you will be inspired to go and enjoy a nice not-so-healthy snack. We all need those every now and again. And then enough of this inspirational posts . . . . . . . . . its exhausting :)

Half Marathon - PHEW!

Well, I didn't die! I am at a loss for words ( Michael Phelps and I have so much in common;) in describing this whole experience but since I have blogged alot about it I will just try to keep my thoughts on the race day. Throughout the run I had every possible emotion. Excitement (before the race began), fear (when we hit mile 9 and we thought we were at mile 10), anger (at my bladder), frustration ( during mile 12...it went on FOREVER) , pride ( running with my hubby, bro 'n' law, and my training partner Jami), happiness (dumping the cups of water on my head and then throwing them, I felt like a real runner!), exhaustion(hitting mile 13 and wondering just how long .1 really is) you name it I probably felt it. It was so awesome being there at the start line with all the runners. They were so diverse! Tall, short, fat, skinny, young, old, male, and female. We were all there with similar goals in mind- To finish the run at our own personal best. It was great chatting with different runners as they past us or as we passed them. There is a comrade there that I never even knew existed! It was great. I am so proud of Mike, Homer, Jami, and myself for starting with this goal in site and finishing it together. Thanks guys for putting up with me.........Next up training for a Tri-Athalon and a few Diet Cokes! caffeine free of course ;)

Before and After Shot

Before the race began

Right after I sat down.... Yes, I feel as sick as I look! We made it under our goal time in 2 hrs and 15 min. Just over a 10 minute mile!! YEAH

Things to Remember on Race Day

1. IMMODIUM
2. sports bra :)
3. deodorant
4. Gatorade
5. controversial topics to discuss
6. to wait until the finish line to collapse :)
7. gum
8. tissue
9. my "FINISHER" shirt awaiting me! - We all know the reason why I signed up for this!
10. Ibuprofen

Hi- ho, Hi-ho its off to run I go..............

What Now?

I am not sure who misses McKenna more Brynlee or me. About every 20-30 minutes she asks if it time to go and get McKenna. Yesterday we went to the library and passed Kenna's school and Brynlee asked why we couldn't just pick her up so she could choose a book. This morning she asked if she could ride her bike to go pick up her big sis. I don't think she knows what "school starting" really means for her. She has been walking around a little bored until just now I found her on her bed playing with her barbies. (yes, that is a naked Ken. Who needs clothes on when you are only 3!) I think she will enjoy becoming the boss of her own playtime! (And probably the boss of Raigynns as well!)

1st Day of 1st Grade

What was your favorite part of the day? "Having Lunch in the cafeteria"

What was the most scary part? "When I was getting ready to go"

Did you meet new friends? "yes" How many? "just 1"

What do you like about your teacher? "We get to read lots and lots of books first the easy books then the hard and harder books"

Did you miss Mommy as much as she missed you? "kind of" "I mean, alot"

What are you going to learn this year? "Our poem, you have to practice it everyday"

Well I have to admit I was a little emotional :) I was sad to see my little girl walk through the doors of the "big elementary" She was more then anxious for me to stop hugging and kissing her. The emotional day soon ended when I went to the store with only 1 because Brynlee was playing with a friend. I think I could get used to all day school......... eventually :)

As Sisters In Zion

Yes, I think I am claiming that out in here in E.M. we quite possibly could have ourselves a Zion. Well at least an all most Zion..... o.k. maybe still a bit of a stretch but you get the idea ; ). Heavenly Father knew that as women we would need each other. Both those that are stay at home mommies and those who go to work. We need each others encouragement, stories, trials, triumphs and points of view. This thought as been a reoccurring one for me lately. With last weeks enrichment and todays primary activity we have had some great opportunities to be together talking and laughing. I have been in alot of great wards before but never have I been able to meet and make such wonderful friends so quickly. It is a great feeling to know that I have a handful of willing and able women that if I needed would either help me, cry with me, laugh with (or at) me, tell me to get over it, or to simply know to just simply STAY away. . I am so grateful that I know that as Sisters in our Zion (meaning those of us brave enough to live clear out here in E.M." that we will be blessed if we truly can be on an errand of angels just right here in our own backyards (grass or no grass). Thanks ladies I cant wait to "truly succeed" with you!

Thinking Out Loud

Sorry, this one is about running AGAIN. You probably couldn't guess what has been on my mind lately :)


If you would have told me a year ago that I would be training for a half-marathon by my own free will I would have seriously laughed at you and possibly even slapped you in the face. (Because you were being crazy not because I like to slap ;) That said I am so pleased that I have come this far. I know I am not "there" yet but I am starting to taste it. The feeling that it leaves is "YEAH! I did it but now what?" If you know me very well you know that I am a wee bit competitive. I have loved the challenge that this race has given me. Although stressful it has kept me going and I can feel it pumping through my veins. Just writing this makes me all excited :) It is a bit addicting . It's not the running necessarily that gets me all fired up............yep, pretty sure thats not it but more the idea of doing something I NEVER thought I could or would do. So I guess the reasons for writing this post are #1 to put my thoughts on paper and #2 the realization that I can (and so can you) do ANYTHING, and I do mean ANYTHING we want to.

Holy CRAP!

Okay, normally we don't say cr** at my house but this post definitely calls for it being used. 17 days till D-day. I am already getting the butterflies . We ran a 10 miler a few Saturdays ago and I wanted to DIE! I cant even imagine having to run 3 MORE MILES. Of course this time we will be smart about it and drink some water on the way :) Seriously I don't know what we were thinkin' signing ourselves up for this. During these last few months of training we have gone through alot of ups and downs. I pulled my Achilles tendon and Jami needed her Gal bladder removed during the first part of the summer. No big deal right? We have plenty of time to still prepare. So after I let my tendon heal and Jami got squared away with her gal issues we thought we were on our way. Then just a week ago Jami developed a bone spur and even more recently I have had some kidney stone issues. We keep laughing ( so we don't cry) ;) saying this whole running thing "isn't meant to be" We never claimed to be runners we just wanted a challenge and that is exactly what we have faced! I will be so HAPPY when this is over so I can YELL at the top of my lungs "WE DID IT"......... that is if I am still breathing