Timp Trail Half

When people find out I'm doing a race they often ask, "Why?"

Why would I want to want to pay $65 dollars to wake up early, strap on my gators, and run up and down over 4300 vert. ft, across 13.1 miles of mud?

Well, the mud part I wasn't hoping for, but the rest was a lot of fun.

You don't believe me?

I'll give you some legitimate reasons.

1. I love and cherish being a mom and wife more than anything else, but a woman needs a break! It's so nice to get out and just have it be quiet--hence I don't even like to listen to music when I run.  Too much noise and commotion already in my life.   There is something that is so soothing to just hearing nature, and the rhythm of my breath and feet.  Plus all those endorphins from running makes me come home a happier mom.

2. It gives me a chance to think.  Having 4 little ones and a house to keep up gives me little time to think my own thoughts.  I think about things I am grateful for,  I work through issues in my life in my head, I do a lot of self evaluation, I think about my kids and my relationship with them, what I am doing well and what I could do better, I debate current issues in my head, I think about church stuff...you name it, I get a chance to really think about it.

3. I'm a believer that nature is truly soul feeling.  Cheesy, I know.  But getting off the pavement and into the mountains just feels wholesome and good.  Not to mention beautiful!  Today the sky was so blue, Timp was so white with all the fresh snow, and the grass was so green.  It was amazing.  One of the most  beautiful spring days ever.

4.  There's something exciting about race day.  First signing up and paying for a race commits you to train.  It makes you get out and move long, fast, and far even though you're not in the mood.  And the actual race and all the other racers brings so much energy to your run.  I am always amazed at how much faster I can run on race day.  That extra adrenaline gets you moving!  And lets face it, the people watching is almost the best part.  All the fit bodies, the different outfits and gear, and I have definitely learned to never judge a performance by someones body.  It's amazing what people can do.  Plus it's always fun to meet and talk to new people who love to do what you do.  Lots of inspiring people out there.

5. And last, running races is like going through little artificial trial.  You start and it hurts and its painful,  you wonder if this "Is really what I signed up for?", but you keep moving along and pushing as hard as you can.   Then when it gets to point where I think I've reached my limit, I always have to call on a higher power to help pull me through, and somehow you triumphantly cross the finish line and it feels awesome, knowing that you're done and you were strong enough to do it, leaving you more prepared for the next challenge.

Are you convinced that trail running is a good time?  Who's doing it next year?

Me and my brother Matt at the finish.  P.s.  He ran the full and won the entire race overall!  And set a new course record!  I want to know why I didn't get that share of the gene pool???

Ben biked the last little bit with me and kissed me at the finish.  I need a picture of my parents and sister who were also cheering and the end!

All and all it was a great race.  My first trail race and I am hooked!  I finished in 2:37 with taking a wrong turn and having to stop and take my shoes and gators off so I could get my compression sleeves off because my feet went numb because they weren't getting any blood!  I thought I would come in around 3 hrs. so I was happy with my time.  I placed 15 out of the overall and 9th in my age group.

Good times people...maybe tomorrow when I can't move I'll be telling a different story.

History

I am sure that when my kids get older and learn about the events of 9-11 and Osama Bin Laden being captured and killed, they'll ask me what I remember about it.  I think President Bush's statement reflects my own sentiments.

Former President Bush released the following statement shortly after President Obama spoke tonight:

Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001.

I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude.

This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.

I hope and pray that our nation never sees another tragedy like this, and my heart goes out to those that lost loved ones on that day...

8 Years!

Crazy Right???? No longer young, fresh newlyweds.  Well, Ben decided to keep it fresh and surprised me with a trip to Sausalito and SF.  We lived in SF for a few months right after we got married that felt like an extended honeymoon.  So we tried to relive it!  The week consisted of:

1. Lighthouse pancakes

2. Meat Pies

3. Union Square Shopping

4. Mtn Biking

5. Meeting up with friends and family

6. Trying to sleep in

and

7. Ice Cream--lots of it.

We actually stayed in Sausalito was a perfect, romantic spot, close to all our activities.  The view of the city out our window was amazing!

  We had such a fun time riding.  I think my favorite Mtn Bike ride ever!!  Tamarancho is awesome.  Fabulous single track through redwood forests and lush green hills.  Prettiest ride ever.  I loved it despite beating myself up. Yes I'm covered in scabs and bruises, but it was so worth it.  We also rode some old trails in the Marin Headlands--such a pretty spot.

Such a great way to celebrate.  Thanks for a great trip babe, and thanks for 8 great years and for everything I love most.  I'm a lucky girl to have such a great family:)

Lollipop, Lollipop

Faith had her Spring concert and she loved it of course!  She was beautiful and did great.  It's always fun to watch little girls dance.

This year the did their dance to the Lollipop song. 

Pretending she was holding her lollipop

After the show with her best friend Emma.  Cutest lollipops I've ever seen!

Beauty queens

Daddy with his girl!

My favorite part...The morning of she said to Ben, "Dad, it's a secret, but I know you are going to get me roses."  I'm glad this girl can rely on her daddy to deliver.  And that he did!

Faith Rides a 2-wheeler!

Faith learned how to ride a 2-wheeler!  I honestly thought that this day may never come.  At least not for years.  Doing brave, scary things is not Faith's forte.  Nor does she respond well to pressure or coaxing.  That is a lot of what drove me as a kid, so I have really not parented her well in this department and I have made some big mistakes.  Slowly I am learning that not all of us are geared the same way.  

So this summer I've decided that she's going to get no pressure from me.  I'll give her a lot of support, but no pressure.  And it payed of big with the bike in just 3 short days of riding.  A few days ago we spotted a pink Strider-like bike and asked her if she wanted it.  She said yes, and promised that we she would ride it. The next two days we rode bikes to Riverwoods for lunch.  I gently gave her a few pointers and overloaded her with praise.  Inside was so frustrated at first because she was doing it all wrong, and I so wanted to start the "It  would be so much easier if..." and the "You have to try it this way..." or "You have to be brave and just do it!" (aren't I awful? but it's true I've done that a lot)  It was a rough start.  Wyatt was riding circles and laps around her. But lo and behold she got better and better. And she was having fun, and wasn't scared.

Then tonight she said she wanted to try her peddle bike without the training wheels!  What???  And she picked up on it pretty good in a matter of minutes.  You can see the beginnings in the video.  So lessoned learned--hopefully.  This 5 year-old needs to swim!  Maybe, no, for sure I should use the same tactic.  She'll figure it out when she's ready.

Great job Princess Pie!  Your mom is so proud of you!

What's Better than this?

Tubbying and putting this girl in bed is as good as life gets!  I love this girl more than life.  Having a baby in this house is such a blessing.  Her tiny spirit brings such love and happiness to our home.  Everyone always wants Hannah.  I think she's the perfect ending to our little family;)

Like Father, Like Son

Wy going thru the latest UTV magazine, picking out the coolest wheels.  Every time I say I'm leaving he asks if we can go the the special store and get him a new RZR with cool wheels?  This Hoopes blood is costly!