Training

It has been my goal and dream for the last two years to run a marathon, that's 26.2 miles.
Training so far hasn't been horrible, however I'm still new to the whole running world.
I have had sore calves, then that faded, then I ran barefoot and had sore calves again.
They got better, as I went up in miles my usual side ache got worse, one time doing 8 miles
I ate a little salt half way and that helped! But the worst is I think I pulled my hip flexer. It hurt
for a few weeks, I rested it, Iced it, put heat on it. Life caught up with Paul and I and now we are
back to square one and moving up, my hip flexer still gets very sore, but hopefully that will ease
in time.


I am extremely grateful to Paul during this whole process, before I met him i had run a big 3 miles!
The second week we were married I said let's start a running routine, run Tuesday, Thursday and do
a long run Saturday, he looked at me and said, 2 miles Tuesday, 3 miles Thursday and 6 on saturday.
I thought he was crazy, and I couldn't do it. That was my first problem, I'd like to say we did 6 that
Saturday, but I think we would have injured ourselves, But we did do 4 miles, which broke my record!

Running is a real mental thing for me, one week I ran 6 miles and was dragging my feet and getting
mad at Paul for yelling at me to go faster, I was even mad when he told me I was doing great, because
I knew I could do better, but I hurt! But then the next week Paul was on a bike due to an injury to his
ankle and I ran 7 miles with no pain and a smile on my face most of the run. I had been saying to
myself most of the run "I can and I will", or "I am Strong and Able". It totally helped.

For now I am training, not sure which marathon I am going to run, but I am enjoying this part of my
life so much right now, and love Paul for joining me in my goal.

Lucy

So a couple of weeks ago Paul's sister Shelley told us about a couple we know (Argie and Jean) who are having dog problems. They have a adorable young pitbull mix (their actually not sure what she is), they've had her since November and Argie is brought to tears because Lucy is tearing her beautiful yard apart.

So before Shelley finishes her story, Paul and I say "we'll play with her!" and here we are two weeks later and every tuesday, thursday and saturday we either take her on a hike, or take her running. It's awesome! When we've hiked she is pooped! and when we run our muscles feel all sore and definitely not balanced in the soreness (not good! we need to figure that one out.

It's the beauty of having the fun of a dog, but not all the taking care of stuff.

So three weekends ago Paul and I went on a overnighter to Moab. A place I enjoy a lot, but haven't had a lot of chances to go there. And Paul loves it, because his family spent a lot of time in arches while he was growing up, probably one of the reasons Paul loves southern Utah so much.

We went with our friend Marty, and the three of us were the adventure providers for our 5 other friends who came, Weston, Stephan, Anya, Nina and Natasha. These are some photos Weston got on our adventure.



We got to a campsite late and set up our things, Anya/Nina/Natasha rock! they brought all the fixin's for dinner. And Paul and I got to sleep in our new tent for the first time! woot.



In the morning we went up by Gemini bridges to a place called the Crack house, it's this sweet tunnel like cave with a huge crack running the whole ceiling from end to end, Paul took a crack (haha) at it and did really well, this will probably be a project of his every time we go to Moab till he gets it. (I'm sure he will he is a really good climber).



In the morning we also taught everyone who didn't know how to repel off a small 30 maybe 40 ft cliff. We had everyone who was new to it try it at least 3 times till they felt comfortable..... then we went to Gemini Bridges.



This beauty is a double arch forming out of a big ol' wall in the canyon. and a 140 foot drop to the landing below... we all repelled off it. even the new repellers. It was awesome! everyone was awesome. Then there was a pleasant (heh) scramble to get back on top.

That was all, Triassic tales coming soon....

No pictures, but yummy nontheless

So for a wedding present paul and i got a ninja.... that's right a bon-i-fied, black clothed, kickin ninja!
hahaha actually it's a blender/food processor, still kicks the living daylights out of the food we put in it.
Anyhow, lately I've been buying frozen fruit and making morning smoothie creations!
it's a great way to get a few servings of fruits and veggies that tastes great!

This is our latest combination:

A few strawberries
one banana
one kiwi
an avocado
couple handfuls of frozen blackberries
quarter to a half of a cucumber
a couple spoonfuls of raw black chia seeds
And water (however you like, thick or more drinkable)

I love it!
try it!
especially if you have a hard time with your veggie intake, you can put celery or spinach, broccoli try whatever!

Marriage!

I'm sure most of you know, but I got married! WOOT.
If you are happy about my blogging again please comment on this one and I'll keep them coming, you can also let me know what things you like to hear about. My emotions, our goals (paul and i), adventures, our diet (recipes too!) and so on.

Invictus

Emily Stroud showed me this poem a few months back. I've decided to adopt it as my theme for my schooling. It stirs such determined emotion in me. I hope these words can also help you in whatever trail you are facing.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Nuggets

This I should have posted a month and a half ago. In June I took a trip out to Sunnyvale, CA to visit my sister Meghan and her family Mark, Reese, & Zoe. I had the best time. I love my darling nieces they are adorable. I love Reese's scratchy little voice, how she is always drinking her juice/milk/water, and how I got to be her best friend for 4 days. I love Zoe's huge smile, how she grabs at your face and ears and hair. I just hope my kids can keep up with all this cute-ness.


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