Random Sherisms and Random Tunes

I waited to post about all of the exciting things that happened to me this week until my random post. And now I'm thinking it's too little, too late. The moment has passed. The adrenaline is expired. I've come down from my high.

And now I don't feel like it.

I woke up this morning with a sick feeling in my stomach. (No, not morning sickness). It's just that gnawing feeling. I don't know. Feels like anxiety...or that sense that you've forgotten something really, really important. But what?

Maybe its the rain today. Maybe it's the fact that our 3 year old house just sprung a leak from the roof into our family room. Maybe it's all of the stuff I've been involved with lately. Maybe it's stress. Maybe it's the guilt I'm feeling because I've been spending so much time away from my family, and my wonderful husband has been picking up the slack without complaint. He has a lot of stuff going on at work, he has every reason to be stressed, but he is getting off early, coming home, and doing my job after doing his, and all with a great attitude, just so I can go out and live my pipe dream. I seriously love that man! What did I do to deserve him?

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I suppose I'll give you a synopsis of my week anyway, and maybe some of the excitement will return.

Friday:

Friday night (a week ago), Veronica and I went to the studio to start recording with Greg Simpson.

A little history--Greg was my seminary teacher in high school, many moons ago. At that time, he was just starting his music career (I think he had one record out). I had a major music crush on him. Not a real crush, because he was my seminary teacher, he was married, and I was a good girl. But, he was living the dream I'd always wanted. And Veronica's husband is Greg's cousin--thanks to her he agreed to record our song for cheap!

Well, if you remember it rained a lot last Friday night in Weber county. We arrived to Greg's studio, and the power was out. So, we loaded the piano out of my car (thanks to my SIL for letting me borrow her electric piano--I need one of those), and into his basement. While he tried to figure out what to do about no power, V and I went to the Ogden marathon expo.

Bless her heart, Veronica had signed up for the half marathon, and gave me her #, because I missed the boat, signing up. So at the expo, I signed her up for the 5k under my name. At the time, it seemed hilariously funny that we were switching places.

After the expo, we headed back to Greg's. Thankfully the power was back on, and he had everything set up and ready to go. I recorded the piano part in one take. I guess it comes that easy when you eat, sleep, breath and live one song for 2 months. V recorded a scratch track with the intention of coming back later the next week to record it for reals, with the violin part.

Greg played us a couple of his new songs, and it was fun just shooting the breeze with him.

Afterwards, we stopped at Pizza Factory for some carb loading.

Didn't get home till 11 pm.

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Saturday:

Woke up at 4:30 am. Surprisingly refreshed considering I didn't go to bed until midnight. There's always a certain excitement that comes on race day. I got dressed, got my things together, and drove with my SIL, Shannon, up to meet my running group to ride together to the start line.

This would be my third time running the Ogden marathon. Only this year is the first time I was running the half instead of the full. Part of me felt a little sadness that I wasn't running the whole thing. But I was surrounded by good friends, and the energy in the crowd got me pumped. Most of my friends in my running group have run the full marathon, so it became the joke, every time we'd pass a certain land mark, we'd say "If we were running the full, we'd be at mile 20." It felt good, knowing I only had to do 13 instead of 26 miles.

I went in thinking I'd be slow. I felt a little defeated after running the Thanksgiving Point half three weeks ago, and getting my slowing half marathon time ever. So, I went into this race, hoping to beat my 2:15 time, but not expecting much more.

A group of my friends before the race.

Now, I know why I call myself a social runner. A few of my friends were running close to me for while, and I just couldn't allow myself, no matter how much I wanted to, to slow down, and let them get away from me. My dear friend, KO, stuck with me, and pushed me the whole way.

In the end, he beat me by a full minute, but I'm grateful to have someone pulling me along, because I finished with my 2nd best half marathon time ever! 1:59. Talk about a rush! And I loved every minute of the race. Every year that I run the Ogden marathon, I am swept away by the beauty of the canyon, the awesome downhill course, and the energy of the crowd.

I hope to be doing this race every year for as long as I'm still breathing.


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For Mother's Day, C gave me a gift certificate for a massage, and tickets to Hale Center Theater for Saturday night. He even made the massage appointment for me!

Right after the race, C and I went to the spa for a couples massage, then had an awesome date night and saw The Three Musketeers at HCT.

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Sunday night, I participated in an amazing production of Bryce Neubert and Michael McLean's "The Garden." If you're not familiar with it, it's an oratorio about the Atonement. I was asked to be the accompanist. We had two rehearsals. These singers are absolutely amazing! And the music was so beautiful and inspiring (and fun to play).

The director asked me to play a medley of hymns on the piano in the middle of the performance. So, I spent all Sunday afternoon writing an arrangement about Christ. I used Jesus, Once of Humble Birth; I Stand All Amazed; I Know That My Redeemer Lives; and He is Risen. I was really nervous that it would sound thrown together (cuz it kinda was). But, as I was playing, I could here sniffles in the audience. That sound is music to my ears, when I know something I've written and/or performed has touched someone emotionally. That is the greatest payoff for my music.

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Tuesday, I brought my brother, Mason back into the studio to record a violin part for my song. He is amazing. Seriously amazing. Veronica couldn't come to record the vocal part on account of her poor daughter's unfortunate accident. So, on a whim, we decided to have me record the vocals, just for fun.

How exhilarating! I was shy, and timid at first. I'm not comfortable with my solo singing voice. I know I have singing strengths. I have a wide range, I can sight read anything, and I can pick out parts like it's nobody's business. But, I've never been really confident as a soloist. It was a huge self esteem booster to be able to sing my own song, and have a professional musician tell me he thought it was good. I was on a total high the whole way home after that.

Don't worry, V, I'm not firing you. But, I just might keep a version of me singing it to give to my Mom.

V and I will be wrapping things up in the studio this week. I'm really excited for you to hear it!

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Sorry for the novel. And sorry it's not that interesting. At this point, I'm just trying to get it down. Oh well.

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That's it for me this week.

I'll see y'all at the CBC!

Look for a coupon from me for a discounted download of my album in your swag bag!

Running, Stilettos, and Filet Mignon

First off, no, I didn't run in stilettos. But it'd be pretty cool if I could!

No, no, but I did run the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon this past Saturday. After overcoming a brutal bout with strep throat earlier in the week, this was no small feat, let me tell you.

In fact, I was so darn miserable, my whole life had to be put on hold. But, I'll be darned if I was going to skip out on my training runs, so I dragged my sick butt out of bed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and ran anyway, sore throat, rain and all. Thank goodness my running partner and SIL was patient with me when I needed to walk and cry every 30 seconds.

I was stubborn. I thought I could kill the bug all by myself, until I was rebuked by a dozen people on my facebook wall, where I learned that not getting treated for strep could give me kidney disease and make me die. So, I decided, begrudgingly, to skip my Wednesday workout for a doctor's appointment instead. All Hail to my doctor! Him, and my wonderful friend and neighbor who peddles drugs essential oils and brought my over some Melaluca and Lemon oil for me to gargle. Oh. Wow! That stuff is awesome. I'm a believer!

And by Thursday afternoon, I was feeling so fantastic, I was ready to run around the moon!
I came down from that high before Saturday, but I was still feeling pretty good by race time.

Nothing like waking up at 4:30 in the morning, and joining 1500 other crazies to run around the block 1700 times!


Actually, I was truly impressed with TP's (not Toiler Paper--ironically--you'll know why in a minute) race planning skills. The course was awesome. If anyone knows me as a runner, you know that I love hills. Especially those of the rolling sort. I love the ups and downs. Long, flat and boring, I could do without. But this course had a lot of rolling hills, plenty of aid stations complete with water, Powerade, GU, and yummy oranges right when you needed them. And the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. My only complaint was that there just weren't enough bathrooms. (hence the TP jokes--ha. ha.)

Speaking of bathrooms, I will NEVER, EVER stop at mile 11 for a pit stop ever again. No matter how bad I need to go. Next time I'll just wet myself. Here's why. I am an immensely competitive person, by nature. I can't help it. And I'm perfectly ok with other, faster people I've never met beating me. But, this was Jessica's first race. I was, for lack of a better term, her trainer. And she beat me. By almost a full minute, she beat me. All because I couldn't control my darn bladder. Actually, I have to give her more credit than that. She has some seriously amazing natural ability. She has this uncanny knack for speeding up at the end of the race, like you're supposed to, instead of using my method, which is to run as fast as you can at the beginning, and make up for the fact that you'll be pooped and want to walk two miles from the finish line. Maybe she's got something there. I think I'll use her strategy next time!

Here we are at the finish.

Wait, you're not supposed to know how we really felt. Where's the posed pictures?

Yes, that's much better. See how happy we are to be done?

Way to go Jess! I'm so stinkin' proud of you!!

After the race, I raced over to my sister's house in Lehi to shower and primp, throw on some skinny jeans and some seriously impractical shoes, and headed out to UVU for the something or other Women's EXPO! I have fun hanging with my girls, networking, talking to uber-famous bloggers who looked like Marie Osmond and who bought my CD!! Have you seen the DIY Dish site? These girls are amazing! And even more awesome in person. It was great meeting them. And if you see this (ha, yeah right) thanks for humoring little old me and buying my CD! Not to mention, I got to hang out with some of my favorite women from MMB, CBC, and Sassy Scoops. (Totally name dropping here, but I feel so cool I can't help myself)

After hanging out, walking around in these suckers for 4 hours, my feet, ankles, shins, calves and quads were KILLING ME!

Well, I never professed to be a shoe model.

After the Expo, I enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner and a cherry Coke with my girls at Outback. !Que Delicioso!

Perfect ending to a long, but great day!

Random Sherisms and Random Tunes

I'm having a moral dilemma today. I can't decide if I should get up off my bum, go outside and finish up my weeding, so I can be ready for C to help me spread bark tomorrow, or if I should stay on my lazy bum and catch up on all of the TV shows I'm behind on watching.

What d'ya think?
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I haven't been completely useless today. I opened up my bathroom cupboard under the sink this morning and 8 things fell out because it's so jam-packed and disorganized. And I guess I'd had enough, so I just started pulling stuff out and throwing things away, right then and there.
And I found the little Tupperware box I was keeping my race bibs and medals in under there. Why I put them in my bathroom cupboard, well don't ask, I can't even remember. So, I decided to create a shrine dedicated to my glory days (or really my one glory year--2008) of running. I hauled all of my bibs and medals and pushpins down to the weight room down stairs. I figured, it's a place we "use to exercise" so it's a good place to build my shrine. I hung up all of my racing paraphernalia. It makes me feel proud to have it all displayed in one place.


Is that lame? It kinda feels like I'm bragging a little bit. But, on the other hand, with four marathons, two Ragnars, a dozen-ish half marathons, and countless other races under my belt, I feel like I've earned my right to brag. So there.

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I'm running the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon next week. I'm kind of excited. It's right in the midst of the tulip festival.

There is nothing like running a race with beautiful scenery all around you. I'm totally psyched! (I never use that word. I was trying find a word other than excited. It was either that or stoked.)
I didn't think I would be ready for a half marathon already after coming back from being sick. I'm so glad my friend talked me into it.
And I'm so glad to have my amazing SIL to train with me. I absolutely adore her. This will be her first half marathon, and I wouldn't be surprised if she beats me. She is amazing!

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Speaking of how amazing my SIL is, she is starting her own preschool next year. She was an elementary school teacher til she had her 2nd baby, and she is one smart lady!


Question of the Day:

If you have a preschool age child and live in the Davis County area, you should check out her preschool!
Click the pic or go here to visit her website.

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TJ lost his other front tooth this week. There is nothing cuter than a little boy with two missing front teeth. And hearing him talk! Oh my goodness!
I made him say "Thupercalifragileithticethxpealidocthus" the other day over and over, until C told me to stop teasing the toothless boy.

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We had our family pictures taken a few weeks ago. Now I remember why we haven't done it in five years (yes, I was pregnant with Peter the last time we got family pictures taken). It's a royal pain trying to find outfits that go together and look good, and that everyone will agree to wear.
So, I got them back yesterday. Well, at least the disc.
Now, I have the giant task of decided which ones I want printed to hang on the wall, and give to the Grandma's.
Here are some of my favorites. They haven't been edited yet (except the one of me and C--isn't that one gorgeous?)

What do you think?


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Tunes!
Maybe if I put up ten good "work in the yard" tunes, it will motivate me to get outside!

1) Addicted - Dan Seals

2) Crashed - Daughtry

3) Part of My Heart - Jim Brickman

4) Love Me Tomorrow - Chicago

5) I Will...But - SheDaisy

6) Because the Night - 10,000 Maniacs

7) Angels - David Archuleta

8) On the Road to Mandalay - Frank Sinatra

9) Another Long One - Shawn Colvin

10) Otro Como Tu - Eros Ramazotti

Bonus) Hotel California - Eagles

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Happy Weekend!

It's Not About Being a Skinny Minny!

Alright. Most of you know me well enough now, to know that I have a thing with exercise. I like it. And I do it A LOT. And despite my uncontrollable sugar addiction, I do try to eat fairly healthy. And yes, for most of my life (until recent medical events occurred) I've had a pretty fast metabolism. I've never really had to struggle with my weight. At least not too much.

You also should know by now that I have this special little alter-ego I like to call my crazy lady that lives in my brain. Someone more professional might like to call it clinical depression. Whatever.

And most of my friends and family understand my drive to exercise. I'd say most people have some sort of understanding of why someone should or shouldn't exercise. Most people.

But there are some people out there who JUST DON'T GET IT!

I don't get what is so hard to understand about it.

I get heckled. Seriously, I do! I have friends and family members who heckle me for exercising and trying to eat healthy.

I have been told, "But you're already skinny, why do you think you need to exercise?"

I've also been accused about having body dysmorphia because I exercise and eat healthy.

WHAT THE CRAP!?

Let me just start by saying this: I don't exercise because I'm trying to lose weight. I'm not trying to lose 12 pant sizes, and I'm not trying to look like a 15 year old super model.

Yeah, sure, I care about what I look like. Who doesn't? But, think about it. The types of exercises that I do are not ones for getting skinny. I lift weights and I run marathons. Both of which builds muscle and mass. Yeah, I like being muscly. But, again, that's not why I do it. It's a nice bi-product, but that's not why.

I'll tell you why I exercise like there's no tomorrow.

It makes me happy.

There is a joy I find in running that I cannot find in anything else. It is different from the joy I have in my family, and in the Gospel. It is different from the joy I find in music, and in eating chocolate. There is NOTHING comparable to the joy I get from running.

And I know exactly what that is. It's called an adrenaline rush. It is endorphins. It is an actual chemical reaction in the body that happens when a person's blood gets pumping and their heart is pounding.

It's that same chemical reaction some people get from cliff diving (that's not my thing, I'm afraid of heights). I actually got this same reaction after going through labor and delivery with each of my babies. It's that moment, that sense of accomplishment, after you've achieved something really hard and painful that makes you go, "Wow! That was awesome! Let's do that again!"

I get that same reaction after I've finished a marathon, or even just a good long run on a Saturday morning.

Because I deal with a chemical imbalance that causes my depression, the endorphin rush that I get from running actually helps me balance out my hormones.

I've taken anti-depressants. I've gone to therapy. I've even done holistic, natural supplements. People, I've done it all.

And nothing, and I mean NOTHING has had the same positive effect on my emotional well-being that running has.

I could say similar things about eating healthy. I am a bona fide sugar addict.

Yes, I firmly believe that sugar is a drug. If you think that caffeine, or nicotine, for that matter, is worse, well, I might not be a nutritionist, or a scientist, but I'd have to disagree. Sugar is a drug. And it IS addictive. And it makes me feel oh, so good when I get a fix. Until I crash. What starts out as elation becomes aggravation. And then, I have withdrawals. It's a vicious cycle. I'm trying to rehabilitate myself, but it's hard. Exercise helps me to curb my cravings a little bit.

And for me, when I find something that I'm this passionate about, I want to share it with the world. So, when I find out someone is trying to train for their first 5k, or just joined a gym, or has started walking everyday, I'm so excited for them. So, if you find yourself being judgemental of other skinny people who exercise, well then, put down the cookie dough, get up off the couch, and go for a walk.
You'll feel better, I promise!