What I Think Would be Great Right Now

This afternoon my friend and I ventured out for an 18 mile run.

The run actually went surprisingly well.

I must admit that I was a little worried about it, not because it was 18 miles, but because it was in the afternoon.

I'm an early morning runner.

Afternoon running throws off my running mojo.

But once we were about 5 miles in, I settled into a nice pace and things went pretty great.

They would have gone even better had I not developed a hot spot at mile 13, and a huge blister by mile 15.

But we finished.

You know what I've noticed about long runs?

I totally lose my appetite after the run.

And I get a yucky tummy.

I think a Dr. Pepper Ten would be really great right about now.

My Great Find

Last night we were killing time before watching the Hunger Games. We wandered into the Hallmark store to just see what they had displayed for Easter. I found myself browsing the clearance priced Christmas items. Mostly I was just seeing what hadn't sold last Christmas. And then I spied this...

I couldn't believe my good fortune, but also didn't really think Dave would go for buying me yet another Precious Moments Christmas decoration. But when we saw that it was marked down 75%, he said "Oh you are getting this." And then when we got to the register and discovered it was 75% off of the red sticker price, the deal just got even better. When the total was displayed it was $18.56!

That was the best deal I have ever found and it totally made my whole night.

Loved finding this even more than watching the Hunger Games.

A Running Journal Post

I meant to record this post on Saturday after my 16.3 mile run. But I had shopping & house cleaning to do. Then I meant to record it on Sunday. But I went to the emergency room instead. On Monday I totally forgot about posting about my run. Then it was Tuesday and Katelyn left the laptop at school. And my friend Jessica posted about her running so I felt like a total copycat. Today it is Wednesday and I decided I need to just go ahead and post about last week's run before this Saturday's run--so I can remember the lessons I learned.

First up, addressing and fixing a problem that occurred on my 15 mile run two weeks ago. Body Glide is a wonderful thing and for any run longer than 5 miles, I use it religously under by bra to prevent chafing "the girls". But two weeks ago, I noticed that other unmentionable areas had rubbed together and let's just say, the shower after the run was very ouchy! Anyway, I didn't want a repeat incident on last week's run so I was thinking about what I could use. I have used Body Glide on the inside of my thighs before, but that wasn't the area of concern. It was a little higher and not super accessible to Body Glide. Bag Balm! I remembered my jar of Bag Balm. A smidge of Bag Balm applied to the "sensitive areas" worked like a charm.

Next, a lesson in compare/contrast. I felt awesome on the 15-mile run two weeks ago. I was even singing out loud along the way & my running partner said I was in a goofy mood. And I was. Last week's run was not so awesome. So here are a few things that I think made the difference between the two runs:

• two puffs of my albuterol inhaler before my run 2 weeks ago; only one puff last week.
• took one salt packet at mile 9 on my 15 mile run; forgot my salt packet last week.
• did my speedwork and tempo runs 2 weeks ago; missed my tempo run last week.
• ran at a 9:10 pace 2 weeks ago; last week was an 8:50 pace for the first 10 miles. That was a little fast for my liking but that was what the gals I was running with were running.

What I learned: 1) I need to take both puffs of my albuterol inhaler & probably need to start on my allergy medication; 2) do the salt!; 3) don't miss the mid-week tempo run, even if my running buddy can't make it; 4) find new girls to run with--just kidding. I like running with this group. I just need to remember to keep my own pace.

Final lesson from last week: I definitely run better if I have someone to run with. I had to go 17 and the gals I was running with had 14 so the last few miles I was on my own. After they dropped off I felt like the run got so much harder. I don't run with music so I was left to just listen to my breathing & think about how my knee was starting to hurt & worrying that maybe it was my IT band acting up again & I really didn't want that to happen because it would totally derail my running. Maybe the last few miles would have gone better with music. Or maybe I just need to be mentally tougher.

Oh and the trip to the ER? No big deal it turns out. I had noticed some chest discomfort on Saturday afternoon. It got a little worse on Sunday afternoon, my left hand was tingly & I was feeling a little nauseous so I went to get it checked out. The EKG was fine so I left AMA without being seen by the doctor. I haven't had any problems since. Here's what I decided it was...I swallowed a lot of air while running & it got trapped causing the discomfort. Nausea is how I always react to pain and discomfort (I learned that lesson from dealing with kidney stones). The left hand tingling probably was most likely due to some carpel tunnel swelling from wearing my Garmin on my left wrist. Just wish I had thought of all that before I paid my ER co-pay.

Bible Study

Learning is one of my focus words for this year. So when my schedule finally had an opening on a Monday afternoon I was excited to join the T.R.E.E.S group at McDonald Elementary. T.R.E.E.S is a group of teachers who meet once a month for bible study. I have been wanting to attend since this group started last year. I'm glad I went and I felt that it was an hour well spent.

This month the focus was on "goodness" and we studied scriptures in the bible that outlined the goodness of God. It was interesting to be listening as other members of the group read from the NIV translation. Sometimes it was a significant difference from the KJV, but mostly the message was the same and the wording not too different.

I did appreciate the difference in the translations when we read 1 Timothy 2:9-10, particlularly verse 10. To me, The NIV reads better to describe what a righteous, modest woman should dress herself in. Sometimes I think in the LDS culture we focus too heavily on trying to define "modest" in regards to clothing (especially for young women) almost to the exclusion of thinking in terms of behavior. Having the NIV state "adorn yourself in goodness" helps place the focus on where it should be--good works that glorify Christ.

I'm pretty sure that if my schedule continues to have openings on the Monday's that T.R.E.E.S meet, I will continue to go. This was a nice way to study the Bible and get a little different perspective. My hope is that I will also be able to enrich the conversation and reinforce that Mormons are Christians, too. Believe it or not I still run into this notion that Mormons aren't Christians from time to time. That notion is so weird to me.

Finally I want to share this Benedictine prayer I saw on the Segullah website a couple of weeks ago. It spoke to me as another piece of my focus words this year....learning and leadership..

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedome, and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
-Sister Ruth Fox

A Great Date Night Show

We went to see CVHS's production of  Singin' in the Rain. It was pretty fantastic.  There were a few technical glitches with the body mikes, but those glitches paled in comparison to the quality of the acting, set design, singing and dancing. It was amazing to watch it literally rain on stage as the classic scene of Don Lockwood sing & dance in the rain was performed.

Brandon Carter as Cosmo, Ashton Toth as Don Lockwood, and Maitlin Stewart as Kathy Seldon were excellent as expected. However, the breakout performance that stole the show goes to Ashley Stewart as Lena Lamont. Ashley nailed the essence of Lena without parroting the original performance of Lena in the classic 1950's movie. Ashley's singing of "What's Wrong with Me" demonstrated an impressive amount of control as she sang in Lena's squeeky, slightly off-key voice.

If you live in the Spokane area, go see this show.

And of course I can't blog without posting a picture of the girl who we really went to go see.

Oh the attitude I get!

Well maybe one more picture

OK that's better

One final picture

I love that dimple !

A Slow Good-bye

It always makes me giggle a little when people express their surprise when they discover I eat junk food. I really don't know why they make the assumption that I am a non-junk food eater, but it seems to be a common misconception.

I guess they figure runner + nurse = healthy eater.

I think not being able to eat wheat probably perpetuates that misconception because while others are gorging themselves on  enjoying cookies, donuts, cake, etc. I just walk right on by. Not being able to eat wheat also means that I don't participate in the occassional fast food run. So yeah, I guess I can see why people would make the assumption that I only eat healthy food.

But truth be told, I do like junk food in the form of chocolate, chips and Dr. Pepper 10.

That is until I started training for this marathon. Now even my favs don't sound so awesome. I seriously analyze whether or not I need to eat the peanut M&M's or share in the bag of Cheetos. And I have traded in the Dr. Pepper 10 for even more water. Food now has really become a focused on fuel source & I don't want to gunk up the engine.

Darn this marathon training.

If We Won the Lottery

Last night we were watching the high-brow entertainment The Lottery Changed My Life. It started the conversation between all family members--Katelyn was present but she ws sleeping so I don't think that counts. Anyway, Carson asked what would be different or what would we do different if we won the lottery. Dave and I both said almost in unison "I don't think we would do much different than what we do now."

"What about inivesting?"  Well we invest now, but I suppose the types of investments might change a little.

"What about travel?" Well, we actually travel quite a bit now, but I suppose we might take a few more trips. Dave could go fishing and hunting more in more exotic locations than North Idaho & Eastern Washington. And I might actually get to visit Charlotte, South Carolina.

"What about your job, Mom?"  Oh, my job. Well actually that would probably change. I would quit. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy what I do, but yesterday's Relief Society lesson left me feeling a little guilty. Not that the lesson had anything to do with women working. It had absolutely nothing to do with that. The lesson was about "serving the one". The RS president was giving the lesson and she expressed her appreciation for her presidency (of which I am a part) and how much they had done last week. What she should have said was how much the 2nd counselor and secretary had done. All she got from me at our presidency meeting was "I'm sorry I can't this week."

That phrase, "I can't", was what I kept hearing as the other speakers presented their feelings on service and how to serve through visiting teaching. And why can't I? Well work does interfere with some of the available time that I have for serving.. And then when I'm not at work I'm trying to take care of home things. But that really isn't a good excuse or rationalization because my kids are mostly big and can take care of themselves. And then I thought about how tired I am when I get home from work. But really, aren't we all tired at the end of the day?

We all make choices in how we use the 24 hours we are given. I guess on Sunday I was just questioning if my choices have been the best. They certainly haven't been bad choices & my family has been blessed through my working (thank you CVEA for negotiating good benefits), but I can't help but wonder if there is more I can do to serve & strengthen those in my ward family and in the community if I wasn't working.

Just So You Know

Today is March 2nd.

I don't like March.

I think it it feels like the longest month EVER.

I know some really cool people who were born in March.

I'm sorry I don't like your birth month.

Maybe if we get lots of sun this March I will like it better.

I doubt it.

Just call me Eeyore.

That's all.