The Moab Half Marathon 2017

On March 18, 2017 I fulfilled a dream that has been brewing in me for almost 2+ years, 

I ran the Moab Malf Marathon. Yes, that's 13.1 miles.

I don't even really know where to begin to describe the experience, but sometimes the best way to find the words is to keep looking.

It was miraculous, transformative, healing, exhilarating, and difficult.

I let all the emotions and sensations of the moment wash over me as I ran beside the River of liquid Copper, and they ran the full spectrum. Cold to hot; joy to pain, camaraderie to solitude; weak to strong; excitement to exhaustion; disbelief to amazement. It was a race of Ying and Yang. I let it all wash over me, and run off behind me as I carried on to the rhythm of my own feet, my own breath, my own heart.
And all that was left was my salty sweat and overwhelming gratitude.

The one thing that never caught up to me was the doubt. The doubt that i wouldn't finish.
That sweep bus never had anything on me.

What a beautiful Course, a magical course! I made sure I ran with my head and eyes up. The Red Rock cliffs, the rolling Colorado River, and golden morning light were inspiring. I thought it was going to be all down hill, but it definitely wasn't. It had some long inclines and a killer hill from hell just after mile 9. But I faced that monster and others with a little from my girls SIA and Ke$ha.

By Mile 11, something changed and all I could think about was my cute family waiting for me at the finish. River was so excited to run the last bit of the race and cross the finish line together. He loved the idea of us running the race together and winning. I had left him the bag tag part of my bib so he could wear it. Knowing he was there carried me through that last and most difficult mile. I searched the sidelines for them as I came down the last stretch and my heart jumped as I saw him squeeze between the barriers and we ran and crossed the finish line together hand-in-hand. We both got metals and River that was really cool, so cool he took it with him to show and tell the next week.

I couldnt' have done any of this with out Skyler. He was so supportive and cleared any obstacles that stood in my way, giving up multiple saturdays so that I could spend hours running in the basement watching Project Runway. He's incredible and I am so grateful for him and to him!!

I can do great things. I can do hard things. I can be a wonderful and engaged mom and still follow dreams and have adventures that are not only mine, but mine to share with my little family.

Here are my stats:

Overall I was 1384th

Of all the women I was 775th

In my age division I was 110th

My offical clock time was 2h44m00s

My chip time wa 2h41m20s

my average mile time was 12m18s

I am female.

I am 33.

And I did it!

I am triumphant.

That night as I was laying in bed in our hotel room,

I began looking up options for a next race.

After 13.1 miles, I didn't feel quite done yet. 

Santa Fe : Part 2 - Grand Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, CO - Day 2

The next morning we came back for more, and we discovered a completely different world from the day before. The sun appeared, burning off the morning cloud cover and heating up the sand. It became too hot to walk around without shoes on. River was so tired from the day before he just laid down and made a "sand angel". The water was calling to him, so we waded into the cool mountain run off and found relief. 

Water must be River's element because it restored his energy and he was off running and splashing again. Him and Skyler chased each other and Robin squealed joyfully as she bounced around in the pack. I loved soaking my feet in the cool water. Eventually I pulled Baby Girl out of the pack so she could get in on the action too. At first she wasn't too sure, but then I think the Hawaii memories came back and she loved the water again. Smiling and splashing her feet, getting us both wet. 

River is a true explorer. He never backs down to the new challenges out travels present. Sometimes he gets nervous, but as long as his daddy is near, he charges forward with out fear. Sometimes this gets him into a little trouble, but luckily he bounces right back and keeps going, and we all laugh along the way.

The magic of the Sand Dunes danced in our heads and the phantom current lulled our bodies as we drove the lonely, isolated, beautiful road to Santa Fe, and the kids slept the most of the way. Ok River did, and Robin was entranced with Barney, Baby Bop and Friends. 

"Fancy" Family

All images in this post are courtesy of Elizabeth Ann Photography

We took Robin to have her photographed in her Blessing Dress and because River loves to dress "fancy" we all got gussied up with her. 

I heart this family of mine.

Thanks Elizabeth for capturing such wonderful images that I love!

Numbered

I feel them slipping away.

The days we have as just us, Mommy & River, 

are numbered and the number is getting smaller.

I treasure our cuddles together on the couch in the morning in our jammies. You cuddle around my growing belly and I smell your sweet little boy smell and stroke your strawberry blond hair. I love holding your hand, when you'll let me, and the way you call my name followed by "wooh-hoo" when you want me to come with you. I secretly love that every night is "mama's turn" to put you to bed and how you fall asleep on my shoulder while I sing to you and rock.

I love your giggle, your naughty laugh, how you torment Charlie because you just love him so much. I love how affectionate you are, giving kisses when you are about to overflow with being happy because we are doing something you love. You love people deeply and get so excited to see your friends and family. You are sweet, mischievous, naughty, adroable, kind, funny, emotional, wonderful and much much more. I love you so that my heart might burst. You'll always be my baby.

So my little goose, let's treasure the "you and me" days

and then welcome our new baby sister into the pack 

with open arms and loving hearts the day she arrives. 

But until then, it's time to play hard. 

Someone needs a haircut . . . .

We got a little bored waiting for daddy to come home :)

Son of a Photographer

At 2, knows his way around a camera.

Definitely my son.

Busy at the Kitchen Table, Together

I have a good little buddy and we do everything together,

 even work at the kitchen table on our church callings. 

Thanks Bud.