Wasatch Back Ragnar 2012

I apologize for it being so long since I posted about this, I just was still so emotionally raw from the experience I needed some time to gather my thoughts. Overall: I've never had so much fun running!!! It made all the months of training worth it, getting back into shape for the first time since High School. I honestly enjoyed myself so much, I've already signed up for Wasatch Back next year, and the Las Vegas Ragnar this year.

                 My first Ragnar Leg, 7.3 miles and as you can see it was a beast of an uphill run. Below was my afterward picture, and boy I look worn out!

 Which left me with this lovely present. Thank goodness it didn't hurt too bad on the other legs.

 Running my final leg of 7 miles straight downhill into Deer Valley.

My sweet wonderful husband brought my babies up to watch my cross the finish line at the end of my last leg completely my 20 something miles in 24 hr. period. And yes, I bawled when I crossed the line.

 So happy to be done!!! I can't believe I accomplished that mileage without DYING! And I can't wait for next Ragnar!!!

p.s. thanks so much to such a wonderful team and fun van! It wouldn't have been such a great experience without you guys to cheer me on!

Megan, Me, Kenzi, Breanne
missing Nick and Steve.

Summer lovin' pallette

It's obvious, this summer-if not year's-trend colors are the salmon-y orange and mint green. And it's become evident in just about anything. But I particularly L.O.V.E the mint green. It's just so refreshing!

And since Honolulu just become home to two new TJMaxx's, mom and I decided we should just case out the joint...inconspicuously of course. Well, we didn't succeed since we trekked out quite a couple bags to the parking lot later. Mom and me made quite the dent in our wallets, and it was worth it.

But you all would be proud of me. The only clothing item I bought was this fabulous mint green shirt for a steal which I wore to the mall today and browsed my dream store

Forgive the iPhone quality please

...along with a bunch of workout clothes. I don't know what it is that's so refreshing about buying sports bra's and runner's shorts, but I love it. And I've been putting them to good use here in HI. Three days left until I see if my training at sea level has been in vain. Until then aloha!

Joke a day

Keeps the doctor away. I got this joke from my husband who got it from his father who got it from...who knows. But I love it! Cue joke:

An atheist was walking through the woods.

'What majestic trees! What powerful rivers!What beautiful animals!' He said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him.

He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge towards him. 

He ran as fast as he could up the path.  He looked over his shoulder & saw that the bear was closing in on him.

He looked over his shoulder again, & the bear was even closer.
He tripped & fell on the ground.

He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw & raising his right paw to strike him. 

At that instant moment, the Atheist cried out:
'Oh my God!'

Time stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky.

'You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?'

The atheist looked directly into the light, and said: 'It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps you could make the BEAR a Christian?'

'Very well', said the voice.

The light went out.  The sounds of the forest resumed.  And the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed his head & spoke: 

'Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen.'

p.s any good jokes you have? Email them my way. 
p.p.s I ran 2.34 miles today at 8'54 a mile. Not bad eh? 

Raising the bar: Ragnar

I previously told you all about my goals to run a 5K in May and a 10K in July. Well I recently (last night) signed up for a beast of a race that is sure to be a blast! Although I'll have to juggle making an appearance at my friends wedding, and my own 2nd anniversary it will all be worth it. I'm looking forward to this two day twelve person relay race, of which I'm runner three.

If I'm going to make a goal, I might as well go for the gold right? Here's to training my heart out!

P.S. Workout wednesday training tip (WWTT): eat protein right after you work out, making sure that you don't eat anything right before your workout.  This will ensure that your body recovers quickly vs. overloading your blood-sugar levels and then crashing later if you eat carbohydrates post workout.

non malicious sprain

So tomorrow I get to take this bad boy off,

after wearing it ALL weekend, and today at school.

Trust me, it was an absolute joy to walk in around campus. Especially since my classes are on opposite sides of campus. And I didn't draw to much attention to myself thank goodness. (can you sense my sarcasim?)

Except at a family dinner/bday party Sunday night where everyone got a good laugh out of how I sprained two toes Friday night. 

And I know everyone wants to laugh today, so here goes. 

Friday night when I got home from work at ten thirty, Jer and I took Adi out to run around and burn off some energy. So we commenced in baiting her to come to one of us then the other would run, and she would turn and chase. It actually was a genius idea because she was WORN OUT afterwards. Except for that last run down of me where she literally, ran me down. 

Well specifically she jumped at me as I was trying to make a turn, knocking my feet out from underneath me; which I then landed rather badly on. 

After a day of contemplating and a great deal of whining (on my part) about the pain, Jer finally suggested insisted I head to the local Instacare Saturday night. An hour later I walked out with the foot brace on, a diagnosis of only sprained toes, and a badly bruised ego.

The woeful foot. It's the left one if you can't tell. See how its all swollen on the inside of my foot?

Ok, well it isn't super obvious via this picture. But it was. I promise. 

The doctor got quite a kick out of my trying to make the whole experience seem like it was all my fault and that my dog wasn't malicious. She just suggested I try to not have my dog chase me. Or teach her not to jump. Which we're working on. It's just not really sinking in quite yet.

So, did I learn my lesson? No, not really.

Just today I ran and had Adi chase me in my boot and all. I'm sure it was quite a sight.

Happy Monday

-M

goal review

Sorry guys I haven't had a ton that is blog worthy of late, and I'm still working hard on my photography blog...so that explains the lack of my submitting to photography contests. Tomorrow I shall entice you with the next part of 'our story'. But until then I have been taking note of the progress of the goals I set for myself on my twenty first birthday. Especially since a couple days ago was the three month mark since I set the goals. 

Like everyone in life, I've experienced some set backs since I set my goals. 

A couple that I'm kinda mad at myself for not doing are:

1. go and continue going to a chiropractor
2. start going on walks with my hubby each week
3. go back to not drinking carbonated drinks as much

all of these I have found excuses to do -like drinking carbonated drinks because they are a 'comfort food' - and to not do like Jer and I not going on regular walks because we never have enough time together anyways.

But I need some positive reinforcement so three good things that I've succeeded at so far are:

1. keep my garden pots alive -I have actually gotten a couple more because my first two were so successful.
2. get a puppy -best decision so far of our entire marriage besides marrying Jared. Adi brings so much joy and de-stressing to both of our lives all the messes and poop we clean up completely inconsequential.
3. stop eating out as much -since working 8-5 mon-fri I have started being extremely responsible by taking lunch from home. I have opened up about twenty dollars more a week that can go to other things instead of to Cafe Rio's pocket book.

I am however now going to amend #1 of my goals which was to go to yoga each week. Not only is this one of the goals I started failing at because I wasn't willing to spend fifty dollars each month, but I also don't have the time for it. After just relying on my twelve hour shifts at work to help me obtain all my exercise, I have now realized that gaining ten pounds and not being able to comfortably sit down without pulling up my pants over my roll around my midrift. Tmi? I'm sure other girls have the same issue so I'm not to worried that I'm the only one with some unwanted weight.

So, I have broken out the all popular 'Jillian Michael's 30 day shred'. 

And it kicks my butt, which is totally enough for me.

So until tomorrow, what fun activities are you doing for your fourth of July weekend? Since our first fourth of July being married was spent by me working a sixteen hour shift we haven't really made any fun traditions. And I'll take any fun ideas I can get. 

~M

BatDOG in the garden

Inspite of today's rain, little Adi wanted to go out and play. Of course the wetter she got the cuter she got. And who can resist taking pictures of the cutest thing ever? Not me. 

 

See she poses too.

Isn't she just perfect? I am one proud momma.

Can you tell I played with photoshop a bit? I'm pretty much addicted. And of course, not only was Adi more curly and cute in the rain, but the flowers were just breathtakingly vibrant. 

{Peonies in our backyard. I CANNOT wait for them to bloom!}

Quite picturesque isn't it? I want to have a bathtub in my backyard some day.

Happy Wednesday!

~M

Ides of March

So, for those of you know knew I was planning on the 5K this past saturday...well I didn't run it. But I have a perfectly good explanation. The ides of March got me.

Quite seriously, I went to bed with an irritated eye, and woke up with pink nastiness. This of course meant I would have to wear glasses...and well I'd love to see how long running with glasses would last. Any guesses? Probably about .5 seconds (cause mine are really loose).  Seeing as yesterday was the luck 'O the irish I was hoping it would go away...but it hasn't. Oh well! 

So the ides of March have caused a bit of crazed fashion changes that have quite seriously been on my mind of since...well the beginnings of March. I don't know if its because I have an itch because spring is around the corner, or if I just work so much at night that I can cyber shop but...

1. I'm actually considering buying some TOMS. I know, shocking right? Its that same kind of feeling I got in 4th grade when everyone got scooters and I only DESPERATELY wanted one only because everyone else had one. Anyone else remember that? I'm pretty sure I used it like maybe four or five times, one of those being on Christmas day in the snow. But I am quite seriously attracted to the glitter TOMS even though I said I would NEVER get them. I think I'm becoming slowly O.K. with them...

Am I crazy to like these? Aren't they all a girl would ever want? Shiny and comfortable? I dunno. Help me out here. I'm still on the fence.

2. a MAXI dress. Just the name makes me feel like it won't fit, but I tried one on and they seem ultra comfy! It seems of late (since being married) that I am not really interested in the super cute stuff that's uncomfy...like heels and skirts you have to keep tugging to stay down. Anybody with me on that one?

Of course, worn modestly.

3. New makeup makes me so happy! Is anyone else like that? Even though I only wear makeup maybe 1% of the time I still love going to try on new shades or new brands. Right now I am quite in love with NARS blush 'Super Orgasm'

which is quite seriously the best blush I have EVER had. It stays put, and gives your cheeks a nice warm pink shimmer. It's almost perfect for any skin tone. Seriously. Check it out.

4. 3/4 sleeve cardigans. Is anyone else just completely estatic that they can go outside with just a sweater on?! Truly, it makes me SOOO happy!

and who doesn't love this bright sophisticated sweater? I've been eyeing for a couple weeks.

5. Yoga clothes. So I feel I should explain this, but I'm making an amendment to my NYR which is that I want to start going to yoga classes at LEAST once a week. Confession: I am not a big runner. I ran in high school to stay in shape for tennis...and that was about it. As I don't need to run now to stay in shape- because I'm walking over ten miles a day between work and school- I would rather partake in a form of exercise that I enjoy. And I love yoga. Ever since my high school yoga class I have become a believer in it. So my birthday present to myself is to enroll in a yoga class and then GO.

and who wouldn't want to go to yoga class in this?

Point proven.

I'm looking forward to spring coming and all the changes it brings! I just can't wait!!!

It's a beautiful thing

I don't know how many of you look forward to March for March madness, for spring, for warmer weather...but I personally look forward to March for... GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!

Ours came today (: 

We ordered them back in January, and waited so patiently for them. I seriously have an addiction ever since I was a little brownie back in the day. Mmmm, Tagalongs are what I crave when spring comes around.

They may not be healthy, but they certainly bring a huge smile to my face. Now if only I was looking so happily forward to running that 5K on Saturday.

Anything make you extremely happy today, no matter what happened?

The start of training

For the first time since the New Year began I finally had some spare time in the afternoon to go running. How did it go you may ask? Well, seeing as I haven't really run since high school tennis...not so great.

But, that does not make me want to quit. It just shows me how absolutely out of shape I am!

(ready to go running in my new running gear from the Nike store in LV)

I started down our street to Sara Bareilles' Kaleidoscope Heart CD and got about half a mile before I could taste the metal taste and subsequently started being very short of breath. Lung full's of smog anyone? So I only jogged/walked back, but beginning new habits is the hardest I think so its a start. My goal is to go running 2-3 times a week, increasing my distance as I progress. I've been looking at some 5K's that could work and there are some near the end of February in Utah County that would work. 

And as a plus the new running shoes arrived (:

I'm looking forward to breaking these in. Here's to the happy miles ahead!

{New Years Resolutions}

Even though we weren't together NYE to make our new years resolutions together, we both have some big ones. This year I don't want to fail at mine like I normally do. And what better way to have people informed so they can motivate me other than the blog? SOoo I figured it would be a great idea to let you all know that....

MINE:

     1. I want to only work a little over 20 hours a week. The last two months of 2010 I was working about 45, almost 50 hours a week between my three jobs. And it was killing me.

     2. I (as always) want to do stellar on my grades this semester. That's going to mean lots of dedication and studying.

     and my big one this year....

     3. I want to train and run a 5K by my birthday (March 28th) and a 10K by the end of the year.

I have never run a race in my life, and I'm kinda afraid. I just bought some winter gear so I can run outside because I hate tracks so hopefully it will all work out. Any advice? Suggestions? Motivational tips?

JARED:

     1. Wants to get in shape.

     2. Start building a better savings.

     3. Do well in school

and of course....

     4. Go fishing more (He didn't say that, but I know its true.)

This year has been an amazing year for us (a lot to do with getting married), and we want this next year to be just as wonderful. No we have absolutely no family plans except to spend more time together, and to be better about weekly dates and more weekend getaways.

Happy 2011!!!

.Our sweet New Years' getAWAY.

I worked on NYE this year at one of my facilities so Jer and I took the advantage of a couple days off prior to New Year's and went down with my parents for a nice little getaway. We stayed at my parents condo in St. George, spent one whole day in the Forum's shops in Las Vegas shopping, and slept in until ten three days in a row. It was GLORIOUS.

We ate at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville which was delish!

Browsed in H&M for over an hour!!! (I have missed this store soooo much!)

Ooggled at some wonderful, very expensive stores...

and posed in front of large nude statues...gotta love Caesar's Palace!

All in all it was a wonderful advenure that I'm very grateful we got to take. It was a nice way to end our wonderful 2010 and ring in the new year, even though I couldn't really physically be with my sweetie. More to come soon on our New Years Resolutions. I've got some BIG ones this year!