Am I a Runner?

Hey there! Now as much as I want everyone to read my blog so that I can feel like i'm inspiring other people, I honestly only know 2 people that really read this blog. (thank you christa & annie!) But here's hoping the number of my followers bump up. My life isn't that interesting, but it's going to be! I'm going to be consistent people! As some of you know I started running. My journey as a runner started where else but at BYU Idaho?! I'd been married for about 8 months and had already gained 10 lbs. Before being married and being a teenager I've never had to watch my weight. I ate whatever and where ever I wanted. Oh the joys of being young again. So a friend in the ward told me she ran around the BYUI outdoor track. I figure that was easy enough! Little did I know I was going to get my butt kicked by a mother of 2! But she pushed me to my limits and I ran a mile in I think 12 minutes. Not horrible. Since then my friendship with running has been off and on but always there. I'll admit here and now that running is not my most favorite thing to do. Sometimes I don't even like it. Gasp. However if there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm super competitive. Mostly with myself and my husband. He wins everything and I can't stand it. Running is something that I can win at. I am competitive with myself to get a better or faster time. Go longer, go harder. You Can Do It! In the past I've done 5ks and 10ks but nothing more. I pledge this year to do a 1/2 marathon. Because I want to. I love the goal, it allows me to always be working for something and to have it in plain sight. Here are some great running tips from a blog I read everyday (The Hungry Runner Girl - Janae Jacobs - she's awesome!) 10 Things I wish I knew as a NEW runner! 1. Every race is not going to be a PR. 2. Take in fuel during your long runs and races. 3. Do more than just run. Cross train! 4. Let your body recover. rest. 5. Save your racing for the race…. don’t kill yourself off in your workouts. 6. EASY RUNS are so important. Recover. 7. Stop running on roads, try trails. They are softer on your body. 8. Take a day off when something really hurts. 9. Run with other people. It's fun! 10. Running takes time! It takes weeks and months to get good. I love the tips she offers and I am thrilled that I am getting back into running. I didn't run for 2 weeks, just recovering and then went out of town for a week. Isn't it AMAZING how quickly you can get OUT of shape then IN shape!? I went to the chiropractor and I have tendonitis in my left knee. I have to ice it for 20 minutes after I get back from running and I really need to involve cross training, weights, etc... I have a pass to 24 hour fitness that I use as well. I am thrilled for spring to come to involve more running outside. However I will admit I feel I run better on a treadmill. Just seeing those numbers right in front of me really motivate me to keep going. If i'm outside, the ground beneath me isn't running with me so I feel inclined to stop more often. I'm working on that. So anyways, I feel great, and I want to look great. I want to be in the best shape of my life and most importantly, I want to be proud of myself.

Utah Trip - Feb 2013

I HAD SO MUCH FUN IN UTAH AND I AM SO GLAD I GOT TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME WITH MY FAMILY. I DONT THINK IVE SPENT THAT MUCH TIME WITH THEM SINCE BEFORE I GOT MARRIED. I DID GET A LITTLE WORRIED I'D WANT TO GO HOME, BUT THE FACT THAT AARON WASN'T THERE AND ON A WORK TRIP MADE IT EASIER TO STAY. THE DAY AFTER I GOT THERE WE HAD A FUNERAL FOR MY GRANDFATHER, THAT WAS SUCH A SPECIAL FAMILY MOMENT THAT I AM SO GLAD I WAS ABLE TO GO TO. I GOT TO SEE ALL MY AUNTS AND UNCLES AND SEE LOTS OF COUSINS. FAMILY IS SO IMPORTANT. I FELT SUCH A DEEP CONNECTION TO THEM. I ALSO ENJOYED PAISLEYS 7TH BIRTHDAY, MACKENZIE PLAYING SOCCER, PLANET PLAY, EXPLORING DRAPER, GOING TO THE JORDAN RIVER TEMPLE, AND SO MUCH MORE! I HAD A BLAST! THE ONLY THING THAT I DIDN'T LIKE WAS IT WAS SO COLD! OKAY, NOT BAD, BUT I WAS ANXIOUS TO GET HOME TO MY 70 DEGREE WEATHER! I LOVE MY FAMILY SO MUCH AND THE WORST PART OF LEAVING WAS HONESTLY WATCHING MY BABY SISTER CRY AS THEY DROPPED ME OFF AT THE AIRPORT AND THEN CONTINUED TO CALL ME CRYING ASKING ME WHY DID I HAVE TO LEAVE! OHHH I'M SUCH A HEARTBREAKER I HATE IT. DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER. MEMORIES HAVE BEEN MADE AND LOVE HAS GROWN!

Grandpa's Obituary

8/10/1924 ~ 1/30/2013 Vern Brown, 88, passed away on January 30, 2013 from natural causes incident to age. Vern was born August 10, 1924 in Grantsville, Utah to Joseph Leishman and Mary Toone Brown. Vern was the sixth of nine children. He is survived by one sister, Gayle Buckwalter. Vern graduated from Grantsville High in 1942. He joined the Navy in 1943 and met his wife to be, Alda Marie Phister, in Oakland California at a U.S.O. dance. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 24th 1945. Vern served a mission to the New England states during the first years of their marriage. Vern and Alda were blessed with ten children: Larry (Elizabeth Low), Jeffrey (Gloria Revill), Randall (Cheryl Williams), Roger (Carol Ann Hinds), Darlene (Richard Lamplugh), Darrell (Holly Anderson), Loren (Danell Paskett), Kevin (Kim Early), April (Bret Wallace), Sheryl (Alan Walker). Alda passed away on October 17, 1987 from cancer. Just prior to her passing, Vern and Alda served a mission to Birmingham, Alabama. He married LaRue Hale Soelberg on October 14th, 1989. Vern loved LaRue's eight children: Jean Didericksen (Paul), Carol Jefferies (David), Scott Soelberg (Shelly), Jay Soelberg (Julee), Laurie Green (David), Kaye Stice (Jim), Lisa Droubay (Mark), Mark Soelberg (Allison). Together, they loved each other's family in amazing ways. Their combined posterity is now over 200 and growing. Vern and LaRue served missions to New York City and Sidney Australia. He worked in sales most of his life, primarily at Granite Furniture, he loved to meet and greet people. Vern was called to be bishop of the Liberty 2nd Ward in 1958 at the age of 34. Vern had a special love for missionary work as evident in the four missions he served during his lifetime. Vern's parting message to his family is: " I love you and I'm so proud of you - you are my greatest blessing." Services will be held at the Orem Park 4th Ward located at 725 West Center Street Orem, Utah on Monday February 4th. The funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. and there will be a viewing at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment at the Larkin Sunset Lawn at 2350 E. 1300 S. Salt Lake City, Utah. Services entrusted with Didericksen Memorial 435-277-0050.