Perhaps..

Charlotte wouldn't FALL ASLEEP while eating lunch if she didn't wake up at 5:30 a.m.!

Even with the VERY early mornings, we still adore this girl and think she's hilarious.

Recipe

RECIPE FOR HUMBLE PIE

Ingredients:

1 marathon

80+ degree temperatures

Very small amounts of electrolytes

Directions:

First put a lot of time and energy into training. Then put it on a blog that you are running a marathon and want to get a PR. Wake up bright and early with your friends feeling ready and pumped for a good run. Begin running slow to conserve energy. Hit more hills then you were physically and mentally prepared for. Don’t forget to drink lots of water since it’s already warm and you’re sweating quite a bit. Only take GU at mile 9 and wait as long as you can to replenish your electrolytes, that way your body won't have all the energy it needs. Begin picking up your pace half way through the race and enjoy the beginning of downhill, even though you can begin to feel some twinges and cramping in your calves. Hit mile 18 with completely cramped calves, and dry mouth. Begin walking because your legs are done, DONE and will no longer allow you to run. Walk/run the last 8 miles and watch your goal that you were on track to reach slowly slip away from you. Finally after walking/slowly jogging for the last 8 miles cross the finish line 26:13 minutes after your goal time with a smile on your face reveling in the fact that you’re finally done. Your humble pie is done and you’re ready for a full helping for the next 24/48 hours.

So needless to say my marathon did not go as I planned or hoped. Truth be told I was pretty heart broken with the way things turned out. I had put so much time and energy into training for the last four months. I had envisioned and self talked my way through it all making sure I had a plan and would be ready for the big day. But things didn’t pan out for me. I’m just not a marathoner; it’s not my distance. I'm not one of those people who can just run marathons easily and enjoy them.

I learned a few things over the weekend and through out the whole marathon process.

I have the absolute best husband. He was a real champ through all the training and the actual marathon. I couldn’t have done it without all of his help with Charlotte and support and encouragement.

Second running with people makes all the difference. I ran with this darling girl for the first 17 miles. I finally told her to just take off and I was beginning to struggle. Then one of my dear, dear running partners drove all the way down to St. George just to run the last ten miles with me. She absolutely saved my life. She talked to me and helped me finish those last treacherous 8 miles. I know I wouldn't have finished it she hadn't been there with me. There’s nothing like the bond between running partners. Not even kidding.

Third I think, for me, in order to enjoy marathons I need to do them more often than every 7 years. I had totally forgotten the mind games and difficulty of a marathon even with good training. However this isn't the time in my life to be running marathons frequently. I'm glad I got the itch of the marathon out of my system and realized it's not the right season of my life for them.

And finally the most important thing I was reminded of, happened during the afternoon session of general conference. Yes running can and should be an important part of my life. It’s a good, healthy passion to have but there are much more important things in life. Being a wife and mother, and faithful church member needs to be my biggest priority, not making sure I fit in every kind of workout, hit every mile repeat at a certain pace, and run x amount of miles each day. Running is still going to be a big part of my life, I love it, it’s my passion but it’s not going TO BE MY LIFE. Make sense? I realized the last four months the marathon consumed me. It was all I thought about it. My life was planned around Saturday morning long runs. Much of the productivity and happiness of my day was based on how my run went in the morning. What? So wrong. I run because it’s fun and I love it and I lost that a bit with my training. I mean it when I said I was served humble pie this weekend. It was quite devastating to feel as poorly as I did, and not make my goal, but I know there is a deeper lesson to be learned from all of it and in the grand scheme of things this race does not define me as a runner or a person.

That’s all.

Thanks for indulging me.

And ps a HUGE thanks for all the texts, emails and comments. I was overwhelmed by all of your support, encouragement and faith in me. It meant more than you all know to have so many of you think and believe in me. I’m one lucky girl to have so many thoughtful, good people in my life.

Let's do this

Ipod for the last 6.2 miles...check

3 packages of Power Bar gummies...check

Running skirt...check

Burt's Bees chapstick...check

Black visor...check

Let's DO THIS.

2 years since my last attempt at a marathon. Ended up getting pregnant a month before the big race and decided not to run it.

5 years ago started training for Milwaukee marathon in Chicago. Injuries, anxiety attacks, and running solo led me to dropping out of the race 2 weeks out for the big day.

7 years since my last marathon completion and it nearly killed me. Had my worst marathon time.

8 years since the last time I ran the St. George marathon, threw up once I crossed the finish line. Had my second worst marathon time.

9 years since I ran my first marathon, the St. George marathon. Fun, perfect experience with my cousin Annie. PR for the marathon.

As you can see I really haven't had a good marathon experience since 2002, 9 years ago.

It's time to face my demons and tackle the challenge of 26.2 miles.

I've been afraid of marathons for years, even though I had completed them once upon a time. For a long time I never thought I would do a marathon again.

But after having Charlotte I needed to change things up and challenge myself. It's hard to feel challenged and stretched when all you've done is laundry all day.

Last year on October 4th, I signed up for the runner series guaranteed entrance in the St. George marathon and committed myself to another marathon.

I'm sooooo nervous, since I want to PR.

I'm so pumped since it's one of my dear friends first time running it and I know, I KNOW, she's going to kill it.

I've trained well, but it's a marathon, anything can happen that day and some things are out of your control, like the fact that it's supposed to be 91 degrees in St. George on Saturday and there's absolutely no shade on the course.

But...it feels good to be doing something hard and challenging.

It's like my girl, Kristin Armstrong said,

"I want to tame the beasts of doubt and discouragement."

"When life throws us some difficult miles, we want to know that we can suck it up and prevail."

"Regardless of what is revealed about us when we hit the wall, we have the opportunity for growth."

I'm ready to tame the beasts, I'm ready to suck it up and prevail, and I'm ready for some growth. (At least that is what I'm telling myself as I sit here and type with butterflies in my stomach. Ok I'm really sooooo nervous I could throw up.)

I'm ready. Let's do this. Wish me luck. Say a prayer for me. 26.2 here I come!

What have you done recently to challenge and stretch yourself?

Ever think of running a marathon?

Lookin good.

Charlotte insisted on having her hair done in a pony tail on top of her head this morning.

She pulls the "Pebble" look off so well if you ask me.

CHEESE!

Kicking myself

Let me preface by saying I'm kicking myself for taking more pictures on our trip. My pictures suck and don't do justice to our family trip.

End of July/beginning of August most of my entire extended family went to one of my favorite places in the world, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. I love this place. Unfortunately Mike wasn't able to come, so I was single mom for a week, and let's just I'm so glad my little sister Emily was there, I would have died without her. Shout out to my Emily for being Charlotte's second mom for a week. :) Seriously traveling with small children is so much work. I almost felt like I needed another vacation after this vacation.

Anyway I'm sure I've told you before but I love, LOVE, LOVE my extended family. It was so much fun to be with all my cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, sisters and my grandparents. We always have such a good time. One of the days on our trip was spent playing at a lake.

The water was surprisingly warm and Charlotte could have stayed in the water all day. One of my favorite things about being a mom is being a kid again. Charlotte and I had a grand old time picking up rocks and throwing them in the water. No joke. Seeing her laugh so much from such a simple activity was pure joy.
Pretty sisters.

I kinda hate this picture because I'm not in it, I'll be honest.

Love these pretty ladies.
Many of the days on our trip was spent hiking in the mountains. Charlotte was a real trooper hanging out in the backpack. Luckily there were plenty of cousins to keep her entertained.

PS how funny does Charlotte look in this picture?
Can you find the deer?
Please bypass the U.G.L.Y picture of me and check out the pretty scenery. So pretty.
Hello rams.
Emily and my pretty cousin Danielle.
Again these pictures just don't do justice of how gorgeous this place is.
Well hello Mr. Goat. This little guy kept creeping along the trail. Emily and I were slightly freaked out by how close he was, turned out to be harmless thank goodness.
Cousins. I love them.
Our little family of three. We missed Mike greatly but Emily sure was helpful. Good thing Charlotte loves her.
More fun included our family book club, an ugly t-shirt contest (hilarious!), a gorilla costume, running with my cousin, Night of the Grizzlies, burping contests, and relay races. Man, I wish I had more pictures of all these activities. It was quite a sight to me my sweet grandma with an orange stuck in between her knees, racing my cousins in a relay race. Family, if you have pictures, please send them my way!

Love my family.

Love Glacier National Park.

Have you been there? You must take a trip there. Please.

Almost 2 months ago...

Summer, ahhh it already seems so long ago. I'm still attempting to catch up on this blog, so bare with me.

Almost 2 months ago was the 24th of July, Utah Pioneer Day. Seriously one of my favorite days of the summer. Races, BBQ's, fireworks, swimming; doesn't get better than that for a summer holiday is you ask me. We were lucky this year to have the Lythgoes in town from CT, which made the day extra special.

First thing in the morning, my mom and I ran one of our favorite races, the Deseret News 10k. It was a nice, cool, overcast morning. I couldn't have asked for better running conditions.

After the race we had a nice breakfast with all the cousins complete with scones, fruit, and of course bubbles. I love seeing all the kids together. Charlotte was in heaven having so many kids to run around and play with.
Look at that cute face. Love little Rowan. He and Charlotte with only being a couple of months apart definitely have a love/hate relationship.
After naps we decided to show Charlotte some fireworks, since she was going to miss the big firework show later that night. (I know we are such mean parents, we put our baby to bed early and she misses out on all the fun.) She wasn't quite sure how she felt about them. She liked them at first but then decided she was scared of them and held onto me for dear life.

That night we held our annual Walker Firework Extravangza. Last year, we held it on the 4th of July, this year we wanted to wait for the Lythgoes to be in town so we held it on the 24th instead. Even though it rained for seriously most of the night, we still had a great time and the fireworks were amazing. Mike went all out this year and his show was spectacular. We all huddled under blankets, ate popcorn, drank homemade rootbeer (thanks Steph and Troy, it was a real hit!), and enjoyed the show. Ericksons, we missed you this year! Wasn't the same without you!

Umm, please check out the firework Mike is holding. That big dawg was kept for the big finale. And big it was!

Another great 24th of July, even with all the rain. Thanks familia for making it a good one!

Jumping on the bed

Remember how I told you Charlotte loves jumping on the bed?

Well, we were hanging out the other evening while Mike was away playing soccer, and Charlotte wanted to get in her crib. I put her in her crib and this is what happened.

Please watch the less than a minute video. She does this awesome face plant you have to see. And please don't mind my annoying voice and talking. :)

That girl is crazy.

Full of energy and a little dare devil.

I love her.