Pumpking Picking

There is a joy to be had when kids are around!

I loved spending the afternoon at the pumpkin patch with my sister, Becca, and her two boys.

The beginning maze thrilled the boys!  It was tough to get them to stop running long enough for a picture.

It was nearly impossible to get them out of the maze.  We had to lure them out with a ride in the wheel barrow.  It worked for a little while.  :)

But riding in the wheel barrow wasn't enough, they had the most fun running through the pumpkins.

And I loved spending the day with them!

I Run Because I Can

I run because I can.

This is my new motto for running.  For a long time, I hated to run.  In fact, I vividly recall an afternoon in high school gym class.  While I was rockin' it on the stationary bike, Coach Hymas came by to ask me to join the track team.  I just laughed saying "I'm not fast." He didn't mind, he suggested that all I needed to be was flexible so I could do hurdles. Yep, apparently he hadn't seen me trying to touch my toes earlier in the year.  Not so flexible...
Needless to say, I didn't join.

My lack of excitement for running continued through college.  It wasn't until spring of 2007 that my sisters convinced me to join them for the Deseret News 10k on the 24th of July.  Maybe I said yes because for the first time I wanted to follow in my sisters footsteps.  I ran it again in 2008, but took a running hiatus in 2009.  And then it was 2010.  Wow!  This has been a year of running! I ran the Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay, Deseret News 10k, Dirty Dash 10k, and most recently the Wasatch Woman 10k this past weekend at Thanksgiving Point.  And I'm already signed up for a couple races in 2011!
Earlier this year, I saw the phrase "I run because I can" and decided that is why I do it.  When I started running, I hated it.  My body ached and I was tired from getting up early to run before work.  It seemed impossible to find any joy in it.  I even invested in an iPod shuffle to help motivate, but decided I liked running without music better (plus, its much safer for street running).  And then while training for the Ragnar, something happened.  For once, I was running enough that my body didn't ache.  It was summer and the sun was rising at 6am or earlier so getting up early enough to run before work didn't seem so early anymore.  I made friends with other runners who were encouraging me without even knowing it!  Running was fun!

Now the seasons are changing and its getting cold.  I'm finding it hard to get up and run before work again.  But, I have a motivation.  I've finally reached the point that that running feels good and I don't want to lose this goodness!  So I get up, put on my running clothes, throw on my reflector vest and tighten my head lamp, avoiding my pony tail.  It's cold, but it is very peaceful running in the dark.  Fewer cars to avoid, crisp air to breathe, but the best part is that I don't psych myself out with the view of the distance ahead.  I find I can run longer in the dark.  I just go. I run.

In the end, I run because I can.

The Dirty Dash

Dirty Dash

Wipeout meets Boot Camp - Soldier Hollow style
(if you are unfamiliar with Wipeout, click here to watch what I mean)

This was one of the most difficult things I've done!  10k (6.2 miles) of hills, trails, mud, obstacles, water, laughter and fun!

Team member, Carole, got some great pics of us as we ran; and of course we got some other good ones from Flo Foto! By the way, you'll notice in the pics that we took our SWEET time finishing.  No point rushing through such great fun, right?

Squeaky Clean Start - 80s style :)

Andrew, Oscar, Rachel, Carole, Kristina

The Hogbails

tons of hills

Razorback Alley

The Pig Pen

We totally sank in the mud. And yes, we hurdled these walls.  Remember the boot camp analogy?

 

 

Hog Wallow

Secret Obstacle - smelled like duck poo.  I had to plug my nose while I ran so I didn't lose my breakfast!

Uphill to the Slop n' Slide

(Note: I did slide, but I only made it about half way down so I had to stand up to run again)

Pig Sty

And the FILTHY FINISH!

Flying Sumo

Last Friday, I took my best frind, Liz Draper, to dinner for her birthday.  We both love sushi, so I thought we'd try a new place in Park City, the Flying Sumo.

Delicious!

I hate that I forget to take pictures.  The food was so good and we had so much fun, that I just got distracted.  I had my camera in my purse, but alas...

So, instead you get google photos! :)

We had the Vegas Roll (Liz's favorite), Surf n Turf, and the best Sunset Roll I've ever had!

It was really quite comparable to Happy Sumo (which was previously my favorite), but the rolls were larger and the ambiance was better.  I'd actually say this is my new favorite sushi restaurant.  I just wish it was closer to home. Then again, it makes it a little more enjoyable to go to Park City for it.

So far this week...

So far this week, I've missed a day here

because...

I've gone through a box of this

sucked on plenty of these

faught away a lot of these guys

(thanks mucinex!)

stashed my purse with this (and used it a ton)

and made sure I got ample of this

I'm back at work 2 days now and on the mend.  Hope to be completely better soon!

Parmesan Pea Risotto

Who knew risotto was so good?

I had it for the first time a few weeks ago and was determined to make it myself.
I found a great Weight Watchers recipe and put it to the test.

Risotto is a very slow cooking food, but totally worth it in the end!  

Creamy and delicious!

Institute

For the first time EVER I found myself envious of those going back to school this fall.  I miss the days of change every four months, the social scenes, the learning, and all the possibilities that come with being in school.  Four years ago I never dreamed I'd ever feel this way, but here I am.

That's why I decided to take two institute classes at the U Institute of Religion this semester. And I love them!

I'm taking a D&C class.  The class size is small, most likely because of the time since the teacher is amazing!  I took a D&C class while at BYU, but it is definitely different when you are being graded vs being able to just enjoy the wealth of knowledge.  The other class is titled Gospel and Christian History and its packed full - standing room only if you're late.  I love these classes because they are typically taught by people who have spent time in the Middle East studying the history in the area.  This class is no different.  Brother Peterson has been there, he can depict real images to us, and my favorite part was how he was able to break down much of the biblical jargon, back to its Hebrew roots, that can be so difficult to understand.

Its going to make for a busy semester juggling these two classes with the rest of my busy life, but I couldn't be happier to be learning again!