Ragnarian

Remember last summer and my first Ragnar adventure?

Well, of course, like every other runner, I was hooked.
However, this year presented much more of a challenge.  
Ragnar Hill.
1700 feet up to 9000 feet elevation in just 4 miles.
Kill me.

Let's just say that in preparation, I'm pretty sure my quads doubled in size.

 Proud day of training run up Squaw Peak. Check out those quads. 

FYI--all my jeans are too tight in the thighs and too big in the waist. Oh the joys.

Then our Ragnarian adventures began:

 

Van 2 in Eden, UT

 Beautiful Wasatch Mountains

Ready? Set! Go!

 

Run #1, Done!

Snow Baisin Resort

Sleep anywhere you can find a place on the floor.

Run #2 was in the middle of the night. Pitch Blackness. You can imagine it, I'm sure.

Run #3: I was hyperventalating all morning long. Finally it was my turn to conquer this beast of a mountain. I got started and pushed it way hard up the first mile--much harder than I should have. I was dying after only going one mile. This sweet girl named Ashley, caught up to me and said, "Man! I've been trying to catch you this whole first mile! I feel like we're at about the same pace. We need to stick together to make it up this hill."

And stick together we did. We pushed each other, encouraged each other, and built it each other up. We ended up finishing it faster than both of us had even planned on. As we topped the hill and the finish line was in sight, Ashley was exhausted. I had a burst of energy in anticipation of finishing. She said, "You can just sprint ahead and finish!" I said, "Absolutely not!  

We're finishing this together!" And finish together we did.

I have no idea what this wonderful girl has been through in her life, I have no idea what religion she is, I have no idea if I will ever see her again. 

But that day, on that mountain, we conquered something incredible together. 

And I will never forget it.

Conquered and Survived!

It's funny thing, Ragnar--the actual time that you are running is never really that ideal. Actually, sometimes it's completely miserable. But the times in between and especially crossing the finish line, knowing that you just did something amazingly crazy and hard, is beyond description.
The elation and sense of accomplishment continues to hook you year after year.
Are some of us really crazy? Yes. Absolutely. But you won't know how crazy until you try it too!

Letters

Dear Sunshine:
I am so glad that we have been able to spend more quality time together lately. My skin has desperately needed that bit of color that you so willingly provide. However, I wish very much that you would rise earlier in the mornings (I know, it's hard for all of us to do), but I really love it when it's light outside when I run. 6:00am would be ideal. Thank you.

Dear Clean Eating:
We don't have a perfect relationship but when I'm good, you make me feel so great! And boy, there are so many options for delicious meals:

1. Celery with homemade natural peanut butter! So delicious and incredibly easy! (And we all know how much I love Peanut Butter. After having REAL peanut butter, I can never go back to the store bought kind. Seriously.) Celery is also wonderful with homemade hummus.
2. Yummy Lunch Salads: Lettuce, red peppers, chicken, carrots, celery and oil & vinegar dressing.
3. Cucumber Salad! My favorite! Cucumbers sliced, red pepper, chicken, 1 spoonful of plain yogurt and seasonings! (I used black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.)
4. Stuffed Red Peppers: red pepper stuffed with cooked and seasoned barley, topped with mozzarella cheese and broiled in oven until cheese melted. Tomatoes added on top. Could also put in cooked chicken or beef with barley.

Some of my other favorites have been: hard boiled eggs, Peanut Butter Quinoa Bites (sweet enough for me without agave or chocolate!), green smoothies, Plain Whey Protein Isolate (add to oatmeal, green smoothies, fruit smoothies, etc.), carrot chips, Cinnamon Quinoa Bars, and Banana Egg Pancakes.
And can't wait to try: Raspberry Eggs and Lemon Crepes!

Dear Weekend:
I want you to come faster. Conference, home, family, sunshine, sleeping in, and home cooked meals.

Dear Rue 21:
Although you drained a good chunk out of my bank account last week, I sure am loving all my new summery outfits. Most favorite--white pants, plaid shirt, tan flats.

Dear Race Training:
Unfortunately my sanity is not allowing me to run the Utah Valley Marathon (thank goodness I can defer my registration to 2014), but Ragnar here we come! I am ecstatic!

Dear Thyroid:
From the signs, I'm assuming that its you that's been giving me all the troubles lately--dry skin, breaking nails, falling out eyelashes, fatigue, and worst of all, forgetfulness--not acceptable in my job. Something will have to be done soon.

Dear Lake Powell:
I am desperately missing you these days. I can't wait to try out my new water ski on your beautiful blue waters this summer. Please don't miss me too much.

Dear Y Awards:
You are coming up so quickly! Amazingly, I am not feeling stressed yet. We have definitely done a good job of prioritizing our tasks. Can't wait for you to get here April 10th! Miss Gillian and I will be grateful when we pull you off successfully as the event of the century!

Dear New York:
Our plans to see each other are going to have to wait another year and a half. Some changes have come about. However...

Dear San Francisco:
I am now hoping to see you sometime soon instead!

Sincerely,

 

For the Love of a Simple Life

It's crazy how the first step of a daunting task sometimes gives you great clarity.

As I began my first run in training for the Utah Valley Marathon, this morning,
my mind was very far from the pounding of my feet.

In one of my favorite movies, You've Got Mail, Kathleen Kelly writes:

Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave?

I have a friend who is always traveling some place or another, seeing this and that, and always having crazy adventures.

I feel as if my life is somewhere in between. My life isn't small but nor is it one string of adventures after another.
My life is simple. Wonderful and simple with bouts of adventurism.


I don't have a million blog followers, but I have many incredibly wonderful friends.
I haven't been on a mission to convert hundreds of people, but I try to magnify my calling and make a difference in my sphere of influence.
I am no sports hero, but I love to run and love the challenge that it presents.
I haven't traveled the whole world, but what I've seen has taught me a great deal about how blessed I am.
I don't have millions of dollars, but I am self sufficient and hard working.
I have very little claim to fame, but I have wonderful supporters and rocks in my life.
My life is by no means perfect, but it's perfect for me. Simple and wonderful.

Simplicity is perfect for me.
Whenever I complicate life and get frustrated, I miss out on the finer things of life--time with family, beautiful sunrises, reading a book, making a new friend, having a good hair day, singing along to a great song, beautiful sunny days, laughter with good friends or achieving a small goal.
And aren't those the things that make life beautiful?

Whatever kind of life you live, be sure that it is the life that you've always dreamed of.
There may be circumstances that you can't change, challenges that are difficult to overcome, but there are many things that you do have control over.
Enjoy the finer things of life. Simply the things that you can.
Have some crazy adventures. Be brave. But because you have the power, make it the very best.

Christmas via My Phone

I finally did it. I got a smart phone. And I love it. Obviously.
Christmas was full of great entertainment, parties, friends, and adventures.
(Sorry for some Instragram repeats...)

1. Snickerdoodle hot chocolate. Nuff said. --with April Cazier
2. Temple Square --with Saryn Haynie
3. Mexican Train --with the fam
4. Ugly Sweater Friend party, yep. The party that I wore a University of Utah sweater too...
5. Tis the Season for Fuzzy Socks --with the fam
6. Frigid Manti
7. Loving my new flats from Christmas!
8. Family love
9. To Run or Not to Run in the snow. Yes, we did run. --with Kelli
10. Beautiful Christmas Day --with Kelli
11. New Waterskis for Christmas!!! Can't wait to use them! --with Kelli
12. Beautiful Manti is in the middle of no-where.
13. Christmas dinner table setting, courtesy of pinterest
14. Gorgeous Manti Temple. Miss this place already.

Happy Christmas!

Sports are My Life

Between BYU Soccer-ing for Halloween,

(and my gorgeous Sis as Pretty Woman)

BYU Football Games,

Dixie State Football Games,

Zion Canyon Race Running,

(2nd place in my Age Group! With my sweet Aunt Joan and Uncle Byron)

And Frigid Soccer Games,

My life is full of sporting events. 

Good thing it's what I love! 

A Second for Everything

Wow. What an adventurous week it's been.

(**Warning: many words coming. But it's all good. Of course. Why else would I be posting?)

The Sis and I took a fabulous afternoon trip to SLC for a special service project (post coming), and did a little shopping while we were at it.

Beautiful City Creek Center

Don't mind our clashing matching shirts. We have to have bright colors for the last bit of warm summer weather.

Among many other adventures, work decisions, and sporting events, the weekend quickly came.

In every kind of competition, there is always someone who comes in second place. In general, taking second place is much harder than taking first place (obviously) or third place. Third place is just happy they got in at all, but second place constantly questions themselves and beats themselves up--always wondering if they could have pushed it a little harder, try a little more, or did a little better.  
Could they have taken first instead? Yes, a first place winner should have good sportsmanship but,  
a second place winner is where true character is shown. A second place winner needs to have the  
class and confidence to accept their award, accept it with pride, and then have the drive and determination to change the outcome next time.

Yesterday, I ran the UVU Pride of the Valley 10K race. I have always loved 10K races, but this one was extremely fun. As the run began my legs felt like lead and I worried that this was going to be a long 6.2 miles.

After about 3/4 of a mile into it, the adrenaline kicked in and I pounded the pavement all the way to the end to take 2nd place in the overall Female Division! In this situation, although a certain amount of "classiness" was required to take second place, I was more surprised and crazily stoked that I had actually done that good!

What a glorious feeling that is!

It's crazy that even this week, I sort of felt like I needed to change things up in my routine. I was getting in a running slump. And then this crazy weekend comes and my motivation is built up once again!

I think that is similar to what happens in life in general. We start to get in a slump, but if we push through, Heavenly Father gives us those glorious experiences that spark our motivation and determination to make our lives the best they can possibly be!

Push through. A glorious moment is coming. Guaranteed.

I Know

I know that I have some truly incredible examples in my life.

I know that today, this scripture was meant for me:

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. D&C 123:17

I know that Fall is an incredibly beautiful time of year. I wouldn't switch Fall in Utah for anything!

I know that Sister Missionaries are extraordinary people. Thank you Sister Kendra. You made my whole day.

I know that I have one fabulous family and I'm so grateful that we will be together forever!

I know that God has a plan for me.

I know that we have magnificent freedoms that so many have sacrificed a great deal for. 

I know that there should be no place for simply "averageness" in my life.

I know that when amazing opportunities come your way, you have to seize them, cause you might never get that opportunity again.

I know that I was placed here at this time for a reason.

I know that running makes any day better. :)

I know that if I have faith everything will work out exactly how it's supposed to, in exactly the right timing.

I know that some days are tough but even more, I know that the tough days make the glorious days that much more glorious!

I know that a life well lived leaves no room for regrets.

A Bouquet of Newly Sharpened Pencils

Although Summer is one of the greatest times of the whole year,
I also love when it starts to change into fall.
Seriously.
Fall is one of my favoritest times of the whole year.
Everything changes.
And change is so exciting.

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." by You've Got Mail

Yes. But Utah in the fall is also incredibly beautiful.

I can't wait for
warm sweaters, 
colorful crunchy fall leaves, 
breezy afternoons,
cool quiet peaceful evenings,
and chilly morning runs.
Sigh.......

For the Love of Summer

Summer Lovin #1: Ragnar Running

Team Lock & Load

Summer Loving #2: BYU Soccer Camp Coaching
(Thanks to Coach Jen, I looked just like part of the team. 
Which lead to the love of cute little girls, soccer ball signing, and feeling like a star!)

 

Team "Too Legit to Quit"

Summer Lovin #3: Boating

At Yuba Lake

Summer Lovin #4: Sunsets

Although fires across the state are continuously destroying many things, they sure make for beautiful sunsets.

I absolutely cannot believe how crazy-busy-fun Summer is in Provo. There is so much going on all the time and I love it!! However, my sleeping habits are not loving it. Some days I feel so tired I can't even make rational decisions. About anything. 

Oh the tragedy, right? 

Thus, yesterday I resolved:  

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead. 

Bring it on, Summer!

A Run, Skip, and A Scoot

A Run:

With only 9 days left until the Wasatch Back Ragnar, am I fully prepared with the coolest, and hopefully fastest, new running shoes.

A Skip:

I'm skipping for joy in anticipation for when this new mode of transportation is complete.
Thank you Daddy for finding a smokin deal and for being such a great fixer-upper!
Even though you can't tell by the picture, there is wreck damage underneath that's being fixed.

FYI: Almost checking off #53: Own A Mazda.
(See right side bar. But with that, I might never check #55...)


A Scoot:

Let me just tell you a little story.

So remember back in 1999 when pokemon cards were the rage, Harry Potter's adventures had just begun, gas was only $1.22 per gallon, myspace became popular, we knew every word to any Backstreet Boy song, and life didn't get any better than when the Razor Scooter came out??

Well, back then, razor scooters cost like $200. And with as much begging that I did, I'm impressed that my  parents didn't cave and get me one. Instead, they taught me to be a responsible saver and save my money to buy one myself. But guess what? 75 cents a month just didn't add up fast enough before I wanted to start saving for a car instead.

However, now that I am an absolutely responsible, saving adult,
my childish dreams have not been deterred.

With the price significantly lowered, and my saving money significantly increased, this little beauty came today.

And I'm going to ride it every day to work until it's too cold.
 Yes, it will definitely enhance my youngest-employee-in-the-whole-BYU-Athletic-Department image.

Gotta keep up appearances right?

With all these new modes of transportation,
the world is just impatiently waiting to be explored!