Utah Valley Marathon: Count Me In!

This newspaper ad has been hanging in my house for some time now as a constant reminder of my goal to run a marathon this summer in celebration of turning 30. Since I couldn't get into the Rock N Roll marathon, I have decided to do the Utah Valley Marathon. It is on June 13. Their slogan is "26.2 miles of the pain you love." I totally get that and can't wait. This marathon is pretty new, this being the second year. The course comes within a mile of my house making it super easy for the kiddos and hubby to cheer me on. Such a Bonus! I ran 18 miles last weekend and it was awesome. My 20 mile run is going to be this weekend. Wooohoooo. I'm actually really looking forward to it. So if any of you want to head on down to Provo/Orem on June 13th to cheer me on, I wouldn't object!

10 things that greeted me on my run today...

1. a brief burst of rain followed by soul-healing sunshine.
2. lush, green leaves and the intoxicating smell of cherry blossoms. It seems spring came to the northern midwest while I was sleeping.
3. a curious wild bunny rabbit. I sort of wanted to take him home.
4. a very old man wearing tight, leather pants texting on a blackberry. I think he thinks he is supa slick.
5. the ruins of Mill City
6. A homeless looking man I'm pretty sure was selling drugs.
7. True Companion by Marc Cohn. Don't make fun of me. I love him.

8. a very large man in a very small car who whistled at me
9. the rushing water on the Great Mississippi River
10. A life-saving cool breeze that provided spotted relief from the already humid air.

Sometimes I just have to take my runs one day at a time... one minute, one mile, one song on my ipod, one stop light, one block at a time. I give myself little finish lines when I'm having a rough run-- if I can just make it ______, then I can make it the whole way. Today was one of those days. Ever have those days?

Getting excited...

Remember the awesome, amazing, hysterical time I had doing this? Well, I'm doing it all over again next month. And I. Can't. Wait.

I didn't think I would be able to run Wasatch Back this year, but my aunt's team needed two more runners, so the hubs and I decided to join team Super G. We're running for Juvenile Diabetes, in honor of one of the team member's famiy members, Gracie. I can't wait to run this amazing relay race with my husband and my dear aunt! What could be better?

And I just found out they changed the legs of the race a wee bit, making one of my legs which was classified as HARD now EASY. That just makes it a little bit better :)

I miss my running girls

I can't help it. I try and try and try to really love running by myself the way I love running with them, but it's just not the same. And where I am, I've discovered all of these amazingly beautiful trails around lakes, and along rivers, and through the most beautiful classic neighborhoods I've ever seen, and I just can't enjoy it! Arg! Dear ladies, if you are bored and want to come visit, I would really love to see you... and go running with you. That's all.