Women of Steel

After coming back from St. Louis, it was only a week until the Women of Steel triathlon. The weather had been nice back in Utah and as the day grew nearer, the realization that the swim was not going to be canceled due to inclement weather was bearing down on me. I hadn't been swimming like I should have. Okay, it had been a good month since I'd been swimming. I told myself that a thing called life got in the way of my training. But let's face it, it was my own fault. But again, I was fearful of the swim. The bike and the run, I wasn't too worried about. But the swim...Oh the swim!

Here are the three competitors the morning of the race. I should rephrase that. Here are two competitors and that other girl on the right.


This was a new experience for me. The swim was in a pool. Granted I've never done a full triathlon before, because last year it was changed to a run-bike-run event due to cold weather. But this year, I had to endure the swim. Well, they have you line up based on your estimated swim time, faster swimmers going first. So, the race began, but I was just standing in line, waiting for the swimmers in front of me to get in the pool. It was a very different experience for me to have a race start and I don't start for another hour. But I got in the pool and it was actually warm! It wasn't freezing cold, which is what I was expecting. I was behind someone that was a little slower than I am, but I wasn't confident in passing her because there were women swimming on both sides of the lane and I didn't think I was fast enough to pass and not cause the swimmer coming toward me to have to stop or me run into her. So, there were parts of the swim that I was walking behind this other lady. Finally, on the last lap, I was able to pass her. Mel and Holli were both out of the water by then.

I got on the bike and headed out. Keep in mind I hadn't been on a bike since this time last year. That's right, I didn't train for the bike portion of this. I'm that awesome (please note the sarcasm). Well, when you haven't been on a bike in a year and you borrow your friend's bike for a race, you kind of forget how to change gears. Somehow, as I was approaching the hill, I put myself in the most difficult gear. It was ridiculous. I ended up getting off my bike and walking it up the hill because I couldn't pedal and I was going to fall off the bike. You would think that I would have figured it out by the second time around and been able to make my way up the hill. Oh no, I did the same thing on the second loop. Putting myself in the hardest gear. It was not my finest hour.

Then it was time for the run. I wasn't too worried about the run. I had been running. But I'd also just swam and biked. My legs were tired. It's a weird feeling getting off the bike and starting to run. You use different muscles and to go from one to the other so quickly is hard. I finished. I was last out of the three of us, of course, but I finished. Here I am coming to the finish line.


And here are the finishers. Chambers woot woot!

The Midwest

Last month I had that great opportunity to go out to visit my brother and his cute little family. He was also graduating from medical school, so it was a double bonus, I got to see him become a doctor. I went with my parents and we made a trip out of it. Flew into St. Louis, saw the arch, went to the St. Louis temple. Then drove to Illinois and visited Nauvoo and then onto Bloomington to meet up with my brother and his family for the graduation and festivities.

We got off the plane in St. Louis and you could immediately feel the humidity. You could feel it, but I didn't think it was too bad. I mean, it was only May. It could have been much worse had we gone 3 months later.

Our first stop was the famous arch. We parked the car and headed over to get on a little pod that would take you to the top of the arch. As we were walking over, we saw this priceless photo-op. A tour bus. But it gets better, check out the name of the tour bus. That's right, Lamers. Would you want to be on that tour bus? Didn't think so.


Here is the famous St. Louis Arch


And you can't really tell by this picture, but this is the little pod you get to ride up in. It can fit 5 people to a pod. We were lucky enough to only have the three of us on the way up and down. If there had been five, it would have been a tight squeeze and a little claustrophobic. Here are my parents in the pod.


Here I am at the top of the Arch. I don't know if you can see at the top of the arch in that picture, but there are tiny little windows, that is what is behind me, one of those windows to look out from.


After the arch, it was time to go to the St. Louis temple.



I was messing around with my dad's camera. I just like this picture.


After St. Louis, it was on to Nauvoo. We stayed in a little hotel right across the street from the Nauvoo temple. We were able to go to that temple two days in a row. And let me tell you, that temple is absolutely gorgeous inside! I loved it!


We went to the visitor's center. Saw a performance called Rendezvous. I would recommend it if you go to Nauvoo, very cute. Then we headed to Bloomington to meet up with B-rad, Mel, Chloe and Ezra. Here he is with his family after graduation. Such a cute family.


On our way out, before we headed to the airport, we were able to tour Carthage Jail, where Mel served her mission. It was a great opportunity to be there and learn more about what Joseph Smith went through and where he stayed. This is the actual size of the jail where he was held.


It was a great trip and I was glad I had to chance to go out and see B-rad and his family. Thanks mom and dad for letting me tag-along on your trip.

Salt Lake half marathon

In April I ran the Salt Lake half marathon. I was able to run this with my brother Jeff. And by run it with him, I mean we started out the race together and as soon as we crossed the starting line, he took off. He's faster than I am.

I had finally gotten my ipod loaded with music (that's right I got it for Christmas) and was looking forward to a race with some music. I wasn't thinking I was going to have a good finishing time. I just wanted to finish. I hadn't been running much since the Canyonlands half marathon in light of things called life. So, I knew this wasn't going to be a great race, but just wanted to finish and maybe not have as bad of a finishing time as the previous half marathon I did.

I was feeling pretty good throughout the race. I was keeping a steady pace for the most part, only walking every once in a while. Which was surprising to me since I hadn't done much running. I crossed the finish line and the time flashing on the clock was 2:10. For me, that was good. I was going to be happy with that. My best time before this was 2:14. I figured I'd take off a couple minutes because I was at the back of the pack when the race started. So, I thought my time was 2:08. Great time for me, I was happy with that. Especially since I hadn't done much running in the last month. Well the results were posted the next afternoon and my official time was 2:04! Personal best by 10 minutes!! I was so excited. Maybe I shouldn't train for races more often. But it was a good course and I had my ipod to keep me going. It was great! Here's me and my brother after we finished. Chambers woot woot! And I have to thank my siblings for these pictures of these last two races, as I stole them from their blogs. I was having trouble with the pictures I have. I'm such a slacker!

Canyonlands half marathon

I guess since it's been 2 months since I last posted, I should give an update on some of the races I've done. In March I ran the Canyonlands Half Marathon in Moab. I had never done this one before and was a little worried about it since it was in March and that's pretty early in the year to be running a race. At least for me, it is. I signed up with a few girls from my ward and some of their friends. It's a lottery registration, but you register as a team. That way, if your team gets in, you have people to run the race with. I figured I'd sign up, but we probably wouldn't get in on the lottery. Sure, no big deal. I registered in December thinking we wouldn't get in. Oh, we got in. So, I got to train (or try and train) in the winter months. That doesn't work so well with me.

The day of the race came and we headed to the buses. Apparently this race starts up the canyon. Something I wasn't aware of. So, we get bused to the starting line and have about an hour to wait before the race starts. Why we have an hour was beyond me, but whatever. They bused us up and then the 5 milers were bused to their starting point. Well, it was COLD that morning. The wind was blowing and we were up a canyon in our running gear, just waiting to be herded to the starting line. The drop bag buses had already left, so we were just in what we would be running in. Great start.

The race finally started and we were off. I had told my friend that I would stay with her the entire race because we were both not as prepared for this as we should have been. We just kept telling each other that this was training for the Salt Lake half in April. People told me this was a great course because you started up a canyon and it was downhill. It was not downhill! It was rolling hills through the canyon and then mile 10 hits and you have a nice incline to go up. There were, however, cool drums at mile 10, so that was pretty sweet. I had to leave my friend at the last mile, because I have to finish strong. It was not a good time though, 2:34. Oh well, I finished right?

Jeff and Holli and Leah and Brad were in Moab camping and they decided to be little gems and come support me. They were waiting for me as I came out of the canyon and then again at the finish line. They're so great! I have the best family.