Another running post! YAY!

The weekend and the run… Last Thursday we headed to Utah so I could run my second half marathon with my sister, the American Fork Half Marathon. We made a few stops on the drive down. I told Cody we could look at Cabela’s if I could get a second pair of running capri’s so I don’t have to do as much laundry. I love that there are outlets in Lehi because its on our way to Orem! Ellie loved the fish but Kate... not at all.

Thursday night we hung out at my grandparents house with my aunt and her kids who were visiting from Arizona and we watched my sister’s little guys for a bit. Crew is a few months older than Ellie is and McKay is a few months older than Kate, its going to be fun growing up with cousins close in age.

Friday morning I went to pick up our packets and was extremely impressed with the organization. While I was in the shower Ellie wandered upstairs to find me but instead of heading to the bathroom directly next to the stairs she went into my grandparents room and into their bathroom. Good thing they were both already up and Ellie gave grandma some company while she did her morning routine. She was so excited to see great grandma because they had been at the temple the night before.

We headed to the Lindon pool that afternoon, something we will be doing anytime we visit family from now on! It had a big slide, fun kiddy area, lazy river, a regular size pool with laps mapped out, another little pool, hot tubs. The works! And it wasn't very spendy, score! 

The half marathon we were running was amazing, they donate all the proceeds to pay for people battling cancer. This year they raised over $250,000!!! It's definitely a race I would do again because I love knowing that the money is going to good use.

We loaded the bus by 4:30 am and had a start time of 6 am. They had a fun MC at the race start and he kept us entertained. It was a pretty emotional pre race atmosphere. A lot of people running the race were running for people who were either battling cancer or who had lost the fight. So many shirts had names or pictures of people that they were running for. Right before the start he had everyone raise their hand if they had any immediate family who was affected by cancer and almost everyone raised their hands. He also asked if there was any cancer survivors and it was incredible how many people raised their hands! That just got you pumped to be running for such a great cause! They also had signs along the course to remind you of what this run was for, some were funny like WTF is the finish?! but others were more serious like "I'm running for you mom, your my hero." There is nothing worse than feeling like you are about to cry while trying to run and breath all at the same time.

The first about 8 miles were running down and out of the canyon, it was a stunning race! We started out feeling pretty dang good but not too fast, we didn't want to burn out like last time. We had planned to aim for a time under 2 hours and 10 minutes. There are pacers through out the run that hold signs so you can gauge where you will finish. We blazed past the 2:30 pacer and came up quickly on the 2:20 on as well. 

Right after we passed the 2:05 pacer, I was hoping to get the sign in the picture but it didn't quite make it.

We were feeling good, laughing and still in good spirits. We could see the 2:10 pacer ahead and in no time we had passed them as well. At mile 5 there was a water station and the pacer was getting a drink when we paced them! I was pretty dang excited! I knew if we just held this pace that we would stay in front of the pacer and make it under 2 hours and 5 minutes. 

We were cruising right along and still feeling good. I hadn't even listened to any music yet, I decided to wait until I was starting to feel worn out. Not too long after the water station we could see the 2 hour pacer!

At the time I could see the 2 hour pacer when I was taking the picture. We got out of the canyon and I was hoping to pass her at the water station that was at mile 7.3 but we went from the two lane road to a bike path and there was a lot of people. We were still passing people and eventually was able to get around the pacer. If we just stayed in front of her we would make it. But around mile 8 Jen started getting tired and told me to just go ahead because she needed to walk.

I stayed with her and tried encouraging her but the pacer just kept creeping up on us. The pacer was a fun lady and kept shouting things like "If you want under 2 hours stay in front of me" and encouragement, telling everyone they are doing awesome. 

I felt really bad for leaving Jen by herself but I really wanted that sub 2! I was so close! The last two miles were tough, there was a good little hill at mile 11 that messed with me. I was surprised to see so many people walking with less than a mile left. I was one of those people that passed a lot of people on the last stretch, I saw the clock say 2:02 but I knew I had a chip on and was a little worried. 

I ended up with the official time of 1 hour 58 minutes!!!! I was elated! And I was feeling great! The last one I didn't fuel right and I crashed, I literally was hunched over with incredible stomach pain and fatigue but this time I felt much better. And then we ate amazing Kneaders french toast after we finished! 

Overall it was a great race and I am still so excited about my time. So excited in fact that I am going to do a full marathon this fall!!! I still can't believe that I am now training for a full marathon, I never though I ever would! 

Last Sunday we decided to take a drive and go exploring. After naps of course. Doesn't Cody look thrilled that his was cut short?! 

Cody was scouting out places to ride his 4 wheeler and I was looking for places to hike or have a picnic. 

And Elle just thought it was fun to be out of the car seat and take a million pictures on my phone. 

We found a new spot to adventure to in Big Cottonwood canyon, Idaho not utah. We took the wrong path that led between the hills not up them so next time we know where to go. But it was still perfect and Kate "sang" in my ear the entire way. 

Ok so It wasn't 100% perfect because I almost died. Not really but it felt like it. As we were walking along, minding my own business of course, this snake has the nerve to run right in front of my feet! If it weren't for my serious reflexes and being able to jump so high and sideways I would have stepped right on the dang thing. I gave it a nice yelp, not a scream, and I think it messed with my heart a bit because it was beating pretty dang hard. Moral of the story is I have awesome reflexes and if you ever want to test yours out go hiking in southern idaho. And Cody thinks in even more of a whimp. 

I'm awesome with the backpack selfies. It's a work in progress... 

Cody's grandma passed away a few weeks ago. We were fortunate to have been able to see her a few times over the past few months. On Memorial Day we went with Cody's mom to put flowers on the graves of family members. We told Ellie that we were going to see great grandma and that she was going to come with us. She got upset when we left Gwen's house without great grandma until we explained that we had to go pick her up.

As we were unbuckling the kids I told Cody to bring his phone in so that we could take pictures with her and the girls but we completely forgot. She had just moved into the room on Saturday but it looked very cozy. We talked about how exciting it was that her room's window over looked the school's playground. 

Ellie made herself right at home. She was so curious about the hand painted ceramic cat and would not leave a glass apple alone. We had visited her two weeks before while she was in The rehab facility and Ellie kept using her walker as a podium to say prayers at. She celebrated her 90th birthday on Easter but had fallen ill a few days before and was in the hospital. We were able to go see her on her birthday. We had a nice little chat but she mentioned how sad she was that she didn't get to see her grandkids and great grand kids very often. 

She ended up passing away on Memorial Day evening, not long after we got to visit with her. As we were leaving Ellie have her the biggest hug and just snuggled right up to her. At her funeral they sang "have I done any good in the world today?" 

I didn't get to know her as well as I would have liked but what I do know is that she loved her family very much and loved to serve them. That is the kind of woman I want to be and am so lucky to have such amazing women in my life who are such great examples of what a true daughter of God and disciple of Christ are.