Half Marathon

On Saturday August 30,

I woke up at 5:30,

Strapped on my new running shoes,

and headed to Emigration Canyon.

The sun was slowly rising over the mountains,

There was a strong chill in the air

My stomach was filled with butterflies as I approached the 

Starting Line at the bottom of the Canyon.

Thirteen miles, 

I stretched out my chilled legs and patiently waited for the

 race to start.

Here are some pictures of the days event.

We started at the bottom of the canyon,  

the first two miles were all up hill.

The race was incredible, and the view was breathtaking!

I finished third in my age group 

and my overall time was 1 hour 51 min.

I was very proud of my accomplishment

Next race: Marathon

Over The Rainbow

I am currently sitting on a round lunch table,

a table that has spots filled with crumbs,

lap top open,

papers spread out everywhere.

School started a week ago, and I feel like I haven't been able to catch my breath,

trying to balance 17 credits and 35 hour work weeks.

Those last few moments at night between climbing into bed

and falling into an exhausting sleep,

is the time Adam and I spend together.

Catching up with each other, right before our talking becomes incoherent mumbling.

Being busy is when I function best.

Having a plan or task for every hour of the day keeps me organized.

I manage my time better and get more accomplished.

I have cooked more in this last week, than I have in a long time.

I live by my planer and check list.

The days begin to blur into each other, but hey, I am getting things done.

I feel productive because I am busy, always going somewhere

or studying something.

It is only now, in this moment,

in a room filled with hundreds of people,

where there is a constant buzz of noise due to talking and laughing,

have I felt more, than I have in two weeks.

There is a piano 10 feet away from where I am sitting.

A guy just sat down and began playing,

and suddenly everything seemed to disappear.

The song "Over the Rainbow" began to echo through the walls,

and I was overcome.

Overcome with gratefulness

grateful for his musical talent, for this building,

for music, for the opportunity to go to school,

grateful for family, for a body that functions well, for people,

the list continues.

He has been playing for ten minutes now,

one beautiful song after another,

I have put all my school work aside and just sat for a moment,

doing nothing.

In one of his talks Elder Ballard talked about

"enjoying the fleeting moments, the quiet moments,"

and although he was talking about motherhood,

his words resonated with me today.

Only in those quiet moments, where we pause

can we see and feel the tender mercies of the Lord.

Sorry for the long absence, I am back now, and will be more consistent.

At least that is the goal!

A long post coming this weekend with pictures of a race I ran in two weeks ago.