Torrential Rain + Hail + 26.2 Miles = 3:52 Logan Marathon

Sharley and I went to Logan and ran the Top of Utah Marathon this weekend.  It started out with both of our running watches malfunctioning.  Then when we got to the top of the canyon it started to rain.  It stopped when we started the race so we thought we would be okay.  But then at mile 8 it began to torrentially down pour and then turned into hail.  My shoes were a huge puddle that would swoosh.  I think my coat that I was wearing had 5 pounds of water in it.  At one point I needed to tie my shoes but could barely do it cause my fingers were so frozen.  Despite the weather conditions I had the best run of my life.  I never walked and kept a 8:45 pace.  I finally broke 4 hours with time to spare.  I got 3:52:23.  So I am very happy.  Sharley did awesome too it was her first Marathon and came in at 4:27.  We had great spectators along the way.  Mom, Jason, Stella and Ruby all braved the weather and cheered us on at 14, 19 and the end.  Thank you guys for coming to cheer and give us water along the way!!!  Here are some pictures of the end.  We don't have any from the race cause it was raining to hard. 

First Day of School

I officially survived my first day of school. It seemed like the longest day. I have been working from home for the past couple of years so having to get up early go running and then get dressed to go somewhere was rough. But to help me get ready I got the necessities:

Here is me going to orientation:

The first day of school started with a 3 hour Intro to Education class. Luckily we did lots of introductions then we went over our assignment that she had already sent. Yep I had a paper due on my first day. That is not considered awesome. We then had a break I sat out in the common areas of Westminster and watched all the new freshman interacting with all the new boys. They all had their "Flirt on." Being young in college is way more fun than being 29 in college. My afternoon class I am actually excited for it had good discussions.  I did meet a lot of people who I think will become really good friends or at least tolerable since I will be spending a lot of time with them.

Overall I am excited about school it will be a major adjustment but I am up for the challenge.

Napa

Last week I got to go to Napa with some of my family and here are some of the pictures from the week:

Quitting, New Job and Grad School

I have been so nervous about quitting my job and when was the right time to do it. I have really enjoyed my job and they have been really good to me. Plus I am going on vacation next week and during my vacation would technically be giving my two weeks. Which made me wonder when the time was going to be right to let them know that I was out of there.

So on Tuesday when I was on my weekly check-in with my manager she asked me if I was going to resign since I was using all of my vacation days. The phone went completely silent as my brain is moving so fast deciding what to say. So I tell her I wasn't planning on telling her but told her so soon but I was going to grad school and that I needed my last day to be August 23. I let her know I could help with the transition and all that jazz.

She then proceeds to say they are going to be in so much trouble. I am like they will be fine. Then she is like I am quitting too. So rather than going over my usual projects on my check in call she calls it a day since really it doesn't matter for either of us. Neither of us like corporate america and are going back to work with kids. Now all I need to do is write a formal email that asks for my resignation.

I also got a job offer this week which could not have come at a better time. My old boss at BGC before I left to DC offered me a job at the Special Olympics as a Volunteer Coordinator. She is super flexible with my hours and will let me work Saturdays. Timing could not be more perfect.

I will start school at Westminster to get my Masters in Education on August 24 and am so excited. Everything is starting to fall into place.

Wahoo!!!

Marathons this Fall

If anyone is looking for something to do this fall I am running two marathons and love sideliners to cheer me on. The first is Top of Utah with my sister-in-law Sharley.

Then I am going to run the St. George Marathon with Brittany and her mom.

I haven't run either of these marathons so I am excited for some new terrain.

29 Years Old!!

So I am officially in my last year of my 20s. I have actually been in it for a couple of months. But I am finally ready to embrace it. This year is a big year of changes and new adventures:

• Moved back to Utah.
• Moved in with parents at yes 29 years old - My first week home I met a guy who thought this was the death of me and couldn't believe it. Let's just say I don't eat at the Garage anymore.
• Will start Grad School for Elementary Education - Yes, I understand I wont be able to shop anymore.
• Started attending a new ward where the average age is 20 - I have become the spinster that I always thought needed to get a life. I am not considering being a Cougar at this time.
• Started biking with Jason up Emigration - I am officially not the best at everything he kicks my butt every time I ride with him.
• Realized I need to get out of my comfort zone to meet new people - Tried this week by running with a girl in my ward. I am slow but not that slow.
• Been set up on a lot of dates - Whether it was for 54 minutes of a painful dinner with someone who came to my shoulders or a run talking about ex-wives there is not a lot of options out there.
• Going to run St. George Marathon - Hopefully will be one of my better times.
• Started wearing my hair curly - Who would have known I had curl.

Thats all I got for now.

Carbs and Sugar

For those of who know me well you know that my diet consists of sugar cereal, bread and candy. I have never been a healthy eater. I would much rather run for 2 hours and eat candy then just eat healthy. Carbs and sugar really are so good. Waking up to a bowl of Lucky Charms is pretty much living. A couple of weeks ago I bought a groupon for a healthy living center. I figured I couldnt keep up my skittle days forever. I needed someone to sit me down and tell me I needed to get my act together. I figured I could give it a chance. My first week of not eating sugar or anything white I seriously thought I was dying. I began researching on the internet sugar withdrawal and they all said I would get headaches, depression and flu-like symptoms. My sister Elizabeth was so good to listen to me complain about me dying. She became my counselor for my on-set depression. I give it to people who are just healthy eaters. I think my blood just loves preservatives. I can now say it has been a month since I started doing this. Yes, I have cheated some. How could I pass up my mom's birthday cake. Well really I did pass the cake and just ate the frosting. I have noticed a huge difference in how I feel. I am a huge runner and I feel like a load has been lifted. I am not going to be psycho about not eating sugar or white but I am going to try to pass on eating 3 cookies and just keep it to 2. Who would have thought even the candy girl can "make a lifestyle choice"