Sixty-Five Degrees

It was sixty five degrees outside. That has nothing to do with my blog
post but I just wanted to mention this because it reminds me that SPRING is right around the corner.

I am trying to plan out the next year of my life.
Let me tell you it is quite a task. There are about a thousand different scenarios that can happen that are completely out of my control. I tried really hard to sit back and take a deep breath when none of my plans were working out on paper. Unsuccessful.
Like most average Mormon kids, my plans have always been pretty set in stone. But after the whole "get into byu" part, what comes next??
For most girls my age it involves a white gown and a nice boy.
Problem: I am not seeing this in my near future.
Bright side: the possibilities of what I can do are endless. Seriously.

So for now I am just going to live semester by semester.
I finally declared a major: Social Science Teaching.
Lets be honest...I love high school and I want to go back.

And...
I signed at this lovely complex tonight for the Fall.
http://mmbyu.com/Map.html

And...
as for my set plans for Spring thus far: working, running, gym, pool, and book list.
Any good book suggestions???
So far its Born to Run, Decision Points, and Diane's Story.

And...
I have an interview to be a Dorm Counselor for Sports Camps this Summer.
Best Summer EVER.




Long run report: 23.8 miles in 3 hours 22 minutes. Remember when I said I was looking for a flat run? Ummmm that definitely didn't happen. I most definitely forgot to look at the elevation gain chart on mapmyrun.com. But, I did find some amazing neighborhoods in Lindon. I am falling more and more in love with Utah.

Pray for me please.

THREE WEEKS TILL BOSTON.
Sorry. I know this is all that I talk about but the rest of my life is just stressing about finals and work- who really wants to talk about that?

I just had a hugeeeeee bowl of pasta with pesto and chugged tons of water because tomorrow morning is my longest run: rain or snow:) not to mention the massive amount of food I put down today.
Carbs. Check.

And now for my route. I tried to make it flat with some rolling hills. I have never been that far west on the mountain so I have NO idea how that is going to be.
I am sure gonna miss my Sundance run but with snow in the forecast tomorrow, I'm thinking the canyon may be a bad idea.
Here's the route:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/30294508/?open_ive_done=1

I will be back tomorrow with an update. After tomorrow, the next three weeks will be filled with tapering and healthy eating. Gahhhhhh I love running.

Call me irresponsible.

This blog is being posted on special request for Alix Darby. Enjoy babygirl:)

Alix asked me a couple weeks ago to write a post about being carefree in love. Hmmm I wonder why she asked yours truly?
Needless to say, it is not hard for me to fall in love ONCE I am committed. The latter takes awhile but falling in love is the easiest thing for me.
I was thinking about this on my run while being serenaded by Michael Buble (ps...BEST way to run...) and I listened to the lyrics of Call Me Irresponsible.

So, call me unpredictable
Tell me I'm impractical
Rainbows, I'm inclined to pursue

I love love. I love the way it changes people not only during the actualy "falling in love" stage but also after.

Take scenario number one: Two people fall in love and are the happiest they have ever been...then issues get in the way and they break up. It is unbelievable the change that occurs when someone is growing from a past relationship and the preparation it gives them for the next one. Although moving on sucks, acknowledging the growth and progress of yourself is essential to getting better and being grateful for the hurt.

Take scenario number two: Two people fall in love and are the happiest they have ever been...then they decide they are both ready for the stage in their life to "settle down". Marriage and long term relationships are hard, but the happiness that can come from a successful marriage is crazy!

Couple example:


My brother got married in December to the beautiful Keri Decker. They dated for a year, and although all couples have their problems, they were extremely happy.
Living with them in Provo after their marriage has shown me that marriage (especially newlyweds) have the life. They are even happier than before because the commitment is there and the deal is sealed. Now they are just two love birds setting up their lives together.

Couple Example #2:


The Hodgson's have been my idolized couple since I was a Miamaid, they dance at Stake Dances while chaperoning and enjoy EVERY minute they are together. They look at eachother googly-eyed during the sacrament, they hold hands EVERYWHERE, and they speak so highly of eachother knowing that they are lucky for finding one another.

As young people, we hear that we have a false sense of what love is or how a marriage should be. We have been brainwashed by Hollywood.
I would like to counter that argument: why can't we be optimistic? I have seen REAL LIFE happy couples and although I acknowledge the fact that they have their struggles and rollercoasters within their marriage, happily married couples with succesful marriages are the happiest people on the earth. So I say keep the optimism.

I would like to close with this:


Aren't they just the cutest couple EVER ;)

In moderation?

I can be really self-disciplined when it comes to different things.
I can stick to a workout schedule or a diet. I can commit to a project or
job. I like setting goals and working towards them.
That being said- I am definitely not a girl of moderation. I simply have not been
able to live my life that way with anything.
Hey, if I like it then I like it...and I'm gonna do alot of it.
Take running for example. Once I got into it, 5 miles a day wasn't enough. Hence marathons.
Unfortunately, this is the case with food.
Yesterday I singlehandedly ate half a box of crackers. Who does that?



And just last week I polished off this baby. I had given up desserts for the marathon and had my one rule breaking night. Don't worry- it was a "Gotta Have It".
Like I said, go big or go home.


So here is what I decided I have to do in order to get ready for the big day...(Boston that is...)
Back to no desserts.
And adding no peanut butter and no crackers.
Not that these are bad things, but a half jar and half box are. As much as I hate to admit it.
So here it goes. You best believe April 19th is going to be filled with a pint of Ben and Jerry's with my mom. Too bad they don't have Fenton's in Boston.

Don't judge

Quick, overdue report:
Sunday morning (hence the blog title...) I woke up and decided to do my long run before church since it starts so late. And I had eaten so much the night before
I was already loaded up. So I figured hey...lets just knock it out.
So I made a quick playlist comprised of EFY songs and some MoTab and hit
the streets.
It is amazing how gorgeous Provo is when there is no one out. I literally can
count how many cars I saw driving and when I did, they were in their Sunday best headed off to church.
And the clouds were hazed over the sun! And it was in the 50's. I could even take
off my gloves without my hands turning purple.
My time was a little shameful but I put TONS of hills in at the end to try and emulate what it is going to feel like at Heartbreak in Boston.
19.8 miles in 2:56.

P.S. Mark Zuckerburg is coming to good ol' BYU Friday morning. I'm just a little bit excited.

Jokes on me.

Insomnia really has its perks.
It's only 8:00am and I have finished my cleaning check, finished an 8 mile hill run, hit up the scrips, and came to a much needed realization.
Today is a new day, this summer a new summer with new people and new experiences.
Can't wait.
This feels good.

Now on a lighter note...How great is this video?



Today's workout: Hill run (check:) and hour on elliptcal.

Weekend!

Yayyyyyy!

Lots of fun this weekend...

-Divine Comedy
-making pizzas
-lake run
-work work and more work
-Elise's recital :)
-la jolla
-hiking
-whatever else comes along :)

Today's workout: Hour on the elliptical and 45 minute run.

Humor me please.

Okay okay so my beautiful cousin, Ms. Alexandra Darby, sent me an email a little while back telling me I should have my wedding reception in Yosemite.
I opened up the email and smiled because this is what I have been planning on for awhile.
Tonight I am all alone in my big old apartment and I opened up the message to explore the thought and look at logistics.
(Keep in mind I am currently riding solo and have no plans to change that anytime soon...)
Nonetheless, I have now spent a good forty minutes looking at these gorgeous pictures of Ahwahnee Lodge.
Picture this perfect day... sealed in the gorgeous Sacramento Temple, long drive with your new hubby to the most beautiful place in the world (Yosemite, duh), complete with an amazing reception in the Ahwahnee Lodge and an even better evening in one of their beautiful suites (TMI? Sorry)
And then a family hike to Half Dome in the morning...okay maybe not so much.



Today's workout: Hour on the elliptical, twenty on the stairmaster, and forty on the soccer field (that counts, right?)

Nutella at Midnight

Probably not the best snack late at night?
Nutella will be the death of me. Seriously, I can drink it up.

Today's workout: Hour on elliptical and 45 min treadmill speed workout.

Oh...and I am starting to work the lower sides of my back thanks to this beautiful bathing suit. Any advice?

maajiswimwear.com- you will fall in love.

1st Report!

I did it:)

I ran 21 miles in 2 hours and 48 minutes.
I wanted to run this first twenty miler without water or food
(I know, I know, probably a bad idea...) but I STILL haven't found
anything that helps my long runs. I am thinking of using Shot Bloks on
my next long run to see if my time/strength improves and also see at what
mile markers I want to take my water. It just reminds me that I am still
a young runner and have SO much to learn. Anyone with any tips?? I would most definitely appreciate them.

Boston is SO SO SOON!!!! If there weren't finals in between now and then I
think I would be a little more excited.
On my run, I thought about alot of different things I was grateful for.
Here goes...

-prayer, long runs produce the most though provoking conversations with
the Lord, maybe its all of that thinking time...
-Utah residents sitting on their porches reading scriptures
-beautiful, unique homes
-this AMAZING weather
-the mountains, as always
-supportive parents
-my brothers, all great examples in many different ways
-music, yesterday Michael Buble and Jay-Z specifically

Alright, alright. I know this reporting stuff may be a bit boring but
I am hoping it will keep me on track for Boston.

P.S. Workout today: Hour on elliptical and 30 minute treadmill with intervals

Big Two Oh

This is really weird but I am OBSESSED with this blog!

http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/

She blogs every day and lists out her workouts and plans for the day.
I think I may try to do this to make myself accountable. So here goes.
Tomorrow: BIG TWO OH.
I'm breaking the twenty mile mark. I think I may be a little behind in my training
but if I get a good time tomorrow I will feel pretty set:)
Boston is so so soon- I can not WAIT.
I will be back tomorrow with a full report.

Happy Birthday!

My cousin and I devised a plan a summer before my freshman year. He would come summer term and make some friends, and then I would come in the fall and we would all be friends. Picture perfect.



Well that is how I met these two lovely ladies: Miss Maren Salter and Elise Townsend. I love them so so much and wish they have such an awesome birthday.

Patience is a virtue

People today need things instantaneously. All of our communication is at our fingertips. Our food can be made for us in just a few seconds. If we have to wait for our internet to load for 30 seconds, we get antsy. Heaven forbid we would actually have to go to the library to do research!

I am admittedly a victim of this generation. And lately I have come to the realization that I mistakenly apply it to some things in my life that require patience.
Hence the reason I am writing this post.

Sometimes in my mind I do some tradeoffs with Heavenly Father.
"If I read longer in my scriptures, can you help me get an A on my test?"
"If I go to the temple today, will you send me an email I have been waiting for?"
"If I make cookies for my visiting teaching, can you help me have a good run today?"

This is the part where a bajillion scriptures can be thrown my way about signs from the Lord. I know what they say: faith precedes blessings and miracles. Blessings come in the Lord's due time.

There is a reason I have thought that these trade offs worked before! It is because there have been times when these so-called "coincidences" came immediately...and now I have come to realize that this is a tender mercy. The Lord knew I needed the boost so he gave me a little one.

In the last month or so there has been one thing I have been praying for and I still don't seem to have an answer. But let me tell you; this answer to my prayer is going to be a miracle when it finally comes not only because of the blessing it will be to have the Lord guiding me, but also for the growth and experiences I have gained through obedience.

Packages

I have been getting alot of packages from home lately.
It started out in January with a Valentine's Package complete with heart decorations, a heart shaped pan, and plenty of heart shaped baking goods.
Oh how I love Valentine's day:)

Soon after I received a white envelope with an article that my dad clipped out about a marathon runner and a twenty dollar bill:) just my thoughtful dad thinking I would enjoy an article and some weekend spending money.

Then I got a beautiful brown box with my new glasses and a ten dollar bill stuck in there.
(Have you caught the drift that my parents know I'm poor?)

And my most recent package: a TON of things to cook with, but not only that. They are cooking products from my favorite Food Network stars Giada and Paula (Yes, we are on a first name basis).



Note to self: stop complaining.
But in the meantime, I am so so so soooooooo grateful for my parents.
They are the best.