Timpanogos Half Marathon

Guess what...  I seriously had so much  f u n  running this half marathon! 

That's right.  I used the word F-U-N.  Remember when I first started blogging about running and every other word was a whine about how running just wasn't for me?  Well I think I've finally caught the running bug!  The same bug that has infected the rest of my family!  And I love it!  I love being addicted to something that is so good for me and keeps me so fit! 

This race started at 6AM.  Super early.  Buses started busing runners to the Start Line [at the reservoir at the top of American Fork Canyon] around 3AM!  Seriously, SO early.  So lucky for us, my very kind brother and sister-in-law let us crash at their house Friday night since they live so close to the race.  We were so grateful!

Gracie decided to take a nice nap on Jared's bed.  And no, surprisingly, we did not put her there.  She put herself there!

Lovely Becky [my sis-in-law] woke up at 4AM with us so she could drop us off at the buses.  As you can see, we were not too thrilled to be awake so early!  Especially cranky Jared!  ;)

Around 5:45AM.  Still so dark!!  And cold!

Unlike the Salt Lake Half Marathon, there weren't any runners with poop all over themselves.  Fortunately.  Or at least that I saw.  Whew!  I only have one fairly good story--  When we were driving up in the bus, it was pitch black outside [as you can see].  The full marathoners started running at 3AM [sick, right?]; they ran up the canyon and then turned around and ran back down the canyon.  Who doesn't like a little torture right?!  Anyway, we were almost to the half's starting line/full marathon's turn-around point when there was a marathoner running next to the little cliff next to the stream that goes down the canyon.  All of a sudden, the runner disappears!  Yes.  He fell down the little cliff and almost into the stream!  A few people on our bus jumped out and hurry and grabbed him before he fell any further!  Oh boy!

Anyways...  By the time the gun went off, we were all so excited to just start running!  It was definitely cold up there in the dark!  But once we started, it was awesome!  The first 7 or so miles were completely downhill and then after that just small rolling hills.  The whole course was absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to do it again next year!  And can I tell you...  My friend Lizzy who ran it with me is AMAZING!  I am so, so glad I had her to run with!  She is so much fun and she pushes me soo hard!  I love you Lizzy!

I love this picture!  Even though it looks like I'm walking...  Swear I'm not!

 

I seriously love my family.  How much do I say that?!  Freakin' a lot!  But seriously, this picture says it all!  I am so thankful I have such a healthy, fit, and seriously hilarious [and most times seriously inappropriate] family and that we can share these experiences together!  I look up to all of them sooooo much.  One day I'll be able to keep up with y'all!  :)

Seriously, this picture below shows how mine and Lizzy's running relationship functions to a T!!!  She is always so happy and laughing and just Lizzy [Miss "I LOVE hills!"], and I am always tired and whining and just dying!  Haha!  I love this girl so much!  Thank you for putting up with me!

Like I said, I absolutely loved this race.  It was so much fun!  I still stand by my word when I say these things are definitely the hardest things I've ever done mentally and physically [I know, I know, wait till I do a FULL marathon], but the reward I get when I cross the finish line and know I did it is worth every minute!  Oh, and might I add, although I know I could've done even better, I still took 12 minutes off my last race time  :)  I'm pretty proud of it!

Can't wait to run this again next year!  And here's to the Mt. Nebo Half in 5 more weeks!!!  Woot!

3rd Anniversary!

I can't believe we have officially been married for 3 years!  It just seems like last year that we had our absolutely amazing wedding day...  But at the same time, it seems like we have been together forever...  Although we have been together for 5 1/2 years [which really, isn't that long], it's hard for me to remember my life before Jared.  And I certainly can't imagine my life without him now!  Love you honey!

Since we didn't go on a trip for our anniversary this year [see my last post], we decided to have an ultra relaxing anniversary.  And look what started it off.....  Seriously, I don't think anyone has ever given me a more beautiful bouquet!  I wish these flowers never died!

We went to Market Street Grill for dinner, our long time favorite!  They changed a few things that disappointed both of us [got rid of my favorite ravioli and clam chowder is now a la carte, instead of being included in the meals], but we still had a great time!  We'll just have to find another great restaurant for our celebrations!  Dang you Market Street! 

Really? More pictures?

Oh, and remember how we didn't go anywhere for our anniversary, like we usually do??  We decided to take this decision into our own hands and make ourselves a little "change of scenery".....

That's right!  We ARE children!  And we most definitely built ourselves a blanket fort!  Be jealous!!!  It was THE most amazing fort EVER!  We built ourselves a nice blanket mat underneath and caught up on some much needed Breaking Bad [which is our absolute favorite show right now]!

"Whoa guys!  This is the best fort EVER!"  ~Max.

"Hey, it's even fun on top, too!!!" ...That's right.  He insisted on attempting to SCALE the fort!

Although we didn't spend tons of money and we didn't go halfway across the world, we still had such a fun anniversary!  I absolutely love, love, love this man and I cannot wait for hundreds and thousands of more anniversaries I get to spend with him!

[yes, we are going to live a VERY long time]

Happy anniversary to US!

Europe Planning...

Alright folks...  You know we are little travelers!!  Or at least we try to be!  We have made it a tradition to go on a trip every anniversary to celebrate...  And guess where we'll be on our anniversary this year?!!   

**drum roll please** 

.......home.  Seriously?  Yes, seriously.  We'll be here.  LAME!  But don't worry, we'll still make it count!  Plus, it's for a good reason.  Although we are going to Bear Lake with my family the beginning of August [and somewhat counting that as our anniversary trip... although it's with family... and not on our anniversary], we are going to save our money for a BIG trip next year.  Oh, and the next year.  :)  There will be some serious making up to do for skipping this year! 

Okay, but really.  We have some serious saving to do.  And I'm stoked!  Here's how it started...  Jared and I wanted to skip out on a trip this year so we could save up for a Europe trip together for our anniversary next year.  We were having a super hard time trying to narrow down where we wanted to go, since we want to go absolutely everywhere but only have probably about two weeks to do it [if only we could take a month+ off work!].  Seriously, we want to go to Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain...  And no, we couldn't narrow any of those down!  When I told my parents what our plans were, of course my dad said he really wanted to go to Germany [where he was born and raised until age 10, in Mainz to be exact], and then my sister said they would want to go too!  So then I started thinking...  Okay, what if we take a trip with my family next year, use our SkyMiles to pay for tickets to save money, and then the next year for our 5 year anniversary we can go back to Europe and spend two weeks in Italy [since there are SO many things we want to explore in that country]! 

So that's the plan!  :)  But I need your help.

Here is our itinerary so far--  We want to go the beginning of June next year.  We want to fly in and out of Paris, France and spend a few days there.  Go to Germany for the majority of the trip, and then make a pit-stop for a few days in Switzerland.  However, I'm having a hard time figuring out where exactly in Germany and Switzerland we want to go.  What cities to stay in and what places to explore.  So if any of you have any tips for us, any at all, you don't know how much I would appreciate it! 

Let the saving begin!!!