No news is good news?

Unfortunately, I wish I had more to report about the happenings of our lives. We've moved on from praying (begging) to God to let Hawaii happen, to just letting us know where/what we're supposed to do. Ok, that's kind of a lie because of course we're praying for it to happen. One thing is for sure, we're restless. I've been feeling for quite some time that my purpose is so much greater than what I'm doing now, which isn't much. But I guess until that is revealed to me (us), we're still here doing our thing. We do have some ideas we're keeping in the back of our minds. But more on that another day.

I ran a 5k!

Today I ran the Jet to Jetty 5k! I was kinda over paying $30 just to run 3.1 miles, since I do that anyway, BUT since it was a part of my half-marathon training plan AND along my normal route, I decided why not?! I'm glad I did - it was fun! And I needed an updated 5k race time. By the way I finished in 27:05 (an 8:43 minute/mile pace). I was pleasantly surprised!

Climbing a "fourteener"

This posting is somewhat overdue, but better late than never, I guess. Anyway, back in July, my husband and I traveled out to Summit County, Colorado to visit his parents. Their condo is on the market and we wanted to hang out at least one last time before they move away somewhere warm. Can't say I blame them... Colorado is gorgeous this time of year. But, I hate/loathe/despise/am repulsed by snow (and cold weather for that matter), so I could never live there during the winter, which is quickly approaching.

My father-in-law suggested climbing a "fourteener" while we were there. Before we set off he kept saying, "it's just mind over matter, one foot in front of the other." And I'm thinking, "well... we're only gaining about 3,000 feet elevation, and it's only about 3.5 miles each way, so how can this be so hard?" Well let me tell you why it's hard... it's impossible to BREATHE! Coming from a smog filled coast to an elevation of over 9,000 feet (where they live) is hard enough... then traveling up to over 11,000 feet to start a climb to over 14,000 feet is damn near impossible. Altitude sickness can occur at above 8,000 feet, so you can figure it out.

More than once while climbing (and by climbing, I mean walking up pretty steep hills at some points on a mostly defined path) I felt nauseous, dizzy, and like I just could not BREATHE deep enough. The last 1,000 or so feet were the worst. Not only was the path very rocky, the drop down off our side was a bit intimidating. My pace went something like this, step step stop and breathe, step step stop and breathe...

But reaching the top was SO worth it. God's beauty. His creation. Breathtaking. Actually, no words can describe it. It's like trying to describe the Grand Canyon. You just have to see it to really get it.

Still having fun...

On our way up!

We made it!! 

Group shot from the top! (It was COLD up there!)

View from the top of Gray's Peak - 14,270 feet! 3,040 feet elevation gained in 3.5 miles. 

Mountain critters...

Yeah, so what?

I wanna see this...!



Cher is so FIERCE!

13.1 miles

That's a half-marathon. And I'm running one in October (see previous blog). So this is basically my training schedule. I'm on Week 1 for the second time because I did a "pre official training" week. This is Hal Higdon's intermediate half-marathon training plan. I decided to go with intermediate instead of novice since I've already run a half-marathon and am pretty comfortable running 3 miles with no problem. The upcoming 5 mile run will be a challenge, but the weekly "long runs" are SUPPOSED to be a challenge. That's how you build your endurance... through the long runs!

My "Stretch & Strengthen" days I'll do an hour of Pop Physique (again, see previous blog), and on my "3 mile run + strength" day, I will also do (or my goal is to do) Pop and a run. Wednesdays are reserved for speed work, because I definitely want to improve my time from my last half. The only thing that I may change up is incorporating some cross-training (biking) in place of the running just for the sake of mixing things up! 

I also plan on running a 5k (3.1 miles) race on two Sunday's from now per the schedule - there is actually a race within walking distance from my apartment (it's actually on a Saturday) . I just need to figure out my work schedule. Yeah, so this is my life for the next 12 weeks! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROB!

My heart is full of love for this man. I really can't put into words how blessed I feel to have such an awesome, loving, caring husband. AND he cooks for me! Seriously, I know. I thank God that he was brought into my life (besides that I'd eat cereal every night for dinner if it weren't for him...)!

We've traveled the world together, lived in three different states together (and more places than that), driven across the country together, we've surfed together, and we've literally climbed mountains together! We have also experienced the joy of impending parenthood together (and also great loss)... he's opened my heart and my world. And I can't wait for the adventures left to come.

To me, there is nothing more attractive than a man who loves God and his family, and Rob does this with all of his soul. He's my best friend and my husband. I am blessed.

And as Jack Johnson says, "It's always better when we're together!"

Happy Birthday Rob!