Spudman

I completed my very first olympic distance triathlon in July. The Spudman Triathlon in Burley Idaho. I was quite nervous about this race considering I had gone swimming approximately two times over the past 7 months since I had registered. Ridiculous, I know. However, I figured as along as I made it out of the water, I would be okay. I had been biking more this summer than I had in the two summers since I got my bike, combined. I wasn't worried about the ride or the run, but the swim....

 Yep, that's me, doing the backstroke. That was the longest mile of my life! But I made it out. And my dad told me that there were a couple people in my wave that quit during the swim. That made me feel a little better.

 And I'm ready for the bike. I was at the back of the pack, but I was still there. I thought I was doing well on the bike and keeping a good pace, but then someone would zoom past me and I had no idea how they were going that fast. My body was tired after swimming for a mile!

There was some guy that I ran passed at the finish line and I ended up blocking my dad's view for the finish line photo. But here I am after the race. I didn't even die. It is a good course and I would like to do it again, but I definitely need to do the swimming training. I also need to work on my technique for swimming, so I can actually keep my head above water. Ahh....the things I need to work on.

American Fork Half Marathon

The week after the Tour de Cure, I ran a half marathon. I had a free entry from work and did this race with my boss. This was her second half marathon for the year. This race has a 6am start time and it's in American Fork. This means I usually end up getting up at 3:30 am on a Saturday to be bused up a canyon and run 13.1 miles. Emily had family that lived in American Fork and she arranged for us to stay with them so that we didn't have to get up quite as early. I've done this race the past couple of years and it's a great course. And I like the fact that by 9am I'm done with everything.

 Emily and I after the race. We did it! Again, I really like this course and it's always a plus when you get a free race entry.

Sometimes when I run, my toes bleed and this is the result. I felt a squish, squish in my shoe as I was running and knew this is what my foot would look like by the time I was done. I think I grossed Emily out.

Tour de Cure

In June I had the opportunity to ride in the Tour de Cure bike race for the cure against diabetes. I did it with some friends. This was my first all biking race and by far the longest I had ever ridden. We had decided on the 60 mile route. I had been training with my "bike gang". Really, there were only a few of us, Anna, Jessica and Bryce. And Bryce and I were able to get out on some longer rides together, which helped me get ready for this race. It was a beautiful day.

Anna, Jessica, me and Bryce. There were a few other people in our group, but they weren't in this picture and I don't have the picture of the whole group at the finish line.

There were lots of stops along the way, where you could refill your water bottles, check your bike and use the restroom. We weren't fast by any means. We took our time. I had taken my way in the back, as the car lookout. The course isn't closed off to cars, so you are constantly watching for them. We got to the halfway mark and had made a pit stop and then decided that we were going to change up the order a little bit. Bryce was leading and I was right behind him. Keep in mind that we were drafting, so I was right behind Bryce and Jessica was right behind me.

We came to a point on the course where we needed to turn left and go up a little hill before we met up with the highway. I don't know if the turn just snuck up on us, but I also didn't slow down enough for said turn. I hit some loose gravel on the road and Ruby came right out from under me. I can still hear the sound of my body scraping across the road before I finally came to a stop. Luckily my fall didn't cause anyone else in the group to fall. My sweet roommate told me it looked like I was sliding into home. At least I looked good when I had my first crash.

I survived my first crash! Immediately after I fell, someone pulled off the road and ran over with a first aid kit. We got my arm rinsed off and wrapped up so that I could finish the race. He was part of the road crew and told me it was close as to whether or not I needed stitches. I wasn't going to stop. We just wrapped my arm and we were back on the road. I decided not to send the picture to my family until after I had finished the race. I knew I would get messages to get it checked out right then.

I was feeling really good and around mile 45 I was thinking, "I feel great. Maybe next year I can do the 80 miles." Well, then we got to about mile 52. We only had 8 miles left and I really didn't know if I was going to make it. It was about 2:30 in the afternoon, in June, it was really hot and my legs were tired. I just wanted to be done. But we finished! It was a fun race and I'm glad I was able to be a part of it.

Once we finished, I decided to send the picture out to my family. Especially to my brothers, who are way into biking. I told them I was officially in the cool crowd because I had survived my first crash. Of course after sending that picture, I was told I should get my arm checked out because I might need stitches. I went to the first aid station at the end of the race. Once they unwrapped my arm and the air hit it, I really started to feel it. They told me it was borderline as to whether or not I would need stitches, but if I cleaned it out really well (which would be the worst part) and then bandaged it, I should be good. I headed home with the knowledge that I would have to endure the pain of irrigating my wound when I got home. I was not excited about that prospect. I ended up going to the instacare when I made it home. They cleaned out my wound and bandaged it up. I did not end up needing stitches because the doctor told me it would just be stitching in the road rash. My arm is all healed up now and I have a nice battle scar to remind me of my first bike crash.

Playing Catch Up

Now that it's been over 8 months since my last post, I decided I should try and update this thing. So, be prepared for some pictures and brief summary of what I've been up to over the past 8 months. And by brief, I mean the longest post you've ever seen. Maybe I will break it into a couple.

I left off after the Salem Spring Tri which was in June. What!? I have to try to catch up on over a year of races, trips, family and randomness? Okay, here it goes...

In June we went to Bear Lake to celebrate grandma's 94th birthday! She is still going strong. I love it!

In July Jeff and Holli came out to visit. That was a blast! I love seeing those two. It's always a good time when they are around.

In August I went backpacking with my dad and his friend Scott. My dad was generous enough to, once again, let his daughter tag along on what could have easily been a guys trip. But I enjoy it and as long as he will let me keep coming, I will gladly accept.

 Here we are, entering the wilderness.

 I just thought this was funny. A caryn in the wilderness. I had to take a picture.

And this was on our way out. I survived! I don't even think we got any rain on this trip. My first backpacking experience without a rainstorm. What!?

In September, I had the opportunity to run another Ragnar! This time it was Napa Valley, California. And since we had run the So Cal in April, we got a special medal for running both California races in the same year. It was great! I love those races. We didn't have Jessica's parents excursion for this one and we ended up having to rent a vehicle. I was in charge of that feat. I had reserved a minivan for us, but a few hours before I was supposed to pick it up, I got a phone call from the rental place. They told me that the van I was supposed to pick up had been returned with the check engine light on. They said it was being worked on, but they had another vehicle that I could use. I can't remember the name of it, but they said it seated 7 and would be the same price. I figured I was good to go. I went to pick up said vehicle and they showed me what it was.....Yeah, it wasn't going to work. There was absolutely NO room for baggage. We were going to be in this car for roughly 30 hours straight, not including the drive time to and from Cali. I needed something different. Long story short....I talked them into giving me the 15 passenger van, for the same price! We rode around in luxury for this Ragnar. It was pretty great.

We stayed in a hotel Thursday night in San Francisco, The Rex. We crammed the 6 of us in one hotel room. This was the elevator. It was tiny! We couldn't even take our luggage in the elevator with us because it was so small! Jess was on a king size bed with Krista and David (they are married). I shared a pullout bed with Ryan and Brian was on the floor. It was an experience to say the least. And as we were driving down to California, we found out the our entire second van had bailed!! We contemplated just bagging the whole thing and turning around, but we really wanted that Gold Rush medal that came from running both California races. We decided to just do our legs of the race so that we weren't losing any running time and finishing. It was a more laid back Ragnar than others that we've done, but it was so fun! Brian was kind of the odd man out, he joined our group at the last minute, because we needed another runner and it was his first Ragnar, but I think he enjoyed it. It was definitely something to remember, that's for sure. Plus, we are a fun group to run with, we aren't super competitive and just like to have fun, so it was good.

 On the way there, we had to make a little stop due to people not feeling so hot. We were in the parking lot of a store and these hats were found. What else would we do, but take gangster pictures, of course.

 This is the group before we started. I stole the picture from facebook, so it's a little weird.

 And we're off! Team 361, ready to go! I'm a little disappointed, my friend Krista has most of the pictures of me running. Some of which are really great, but I can't get her to send them to me!! I've asked multiple times. Maybe one day.

This was us after the race, we went to Pier 39 and found a place to eat. Most everyone got some sort of fish, with the exception of me. It was a great time! Me, Ryan, David, Krista, Jessica and Brian. Go Power Ragnars!

We were on our way home and had stopped at Target to get a couple of things for the drive home. We noticed a couple of ladies that were pulling stuff out of their trunk. We thought they might have a flat tire. We drove over to help them while Krista and David were in the store. We got out of the car and before we even got to their car, the ladies handed us the car jack. So....we changed the tire! It was great to be able to help them out.

Later in September I had the awesome opportunity to run the Dirty Dash with both my sisters!! I have done it every year since it started 3 years ago. Leah, Courtney and I did it together the first year, then it was just me and Leah the next year and this year, Courtney was able to do it with us again!! It was SO much fun! I love that race. And they didn't disappoint. So. Much. Mud.

 Ahh...the before pictures. We got white shirts and made them our own for the race.

Dirty Girls Have More Fun! Our team name, once again. I love it.

In the mud pit right before the finish line. I don't know how Leah still had white showing on her shirt. Clearly Courtney and I didn't do our due diligence with the mud.

And we survived! Again, I love this race. Thanks Brad, for being our photographer and waiting for us while we ran.

In October I had the opportunity to run the Provo Halloween Half Marathon with my friend Brian. He and I met on the Napa Valley Ragnar race and we became friends and did a few races together. There was also a group from my ward that ran this race and we ended up seeing them at the race as well. I told Brian that he needed to leave me and try to beat his personal best because this was a race down the canyon and I knew he had a good chance of beating that time. That he did! By about 7 minutes!! I ended up running into my friend Adam around mile 5. It was his first half marathon so he and I stuck together for the remainder of the race. He had an awesome finishing time and I was glad I was able to share that experience with him.

This was the extent of my dressing up. Brian was a domino, but lost all of this dots on the run.

In November I did yet another race. What!? I did the Color Me Rad race in St. George. I did this with Brian again. We were able to get a few races in before the end of the year, which was nice. It's like the dirty dash, but with color instead of mud. It was a fun 5K, but it wasn't as much color as I thought. Still so much fun!

 After the race, pelted with color!

The week of Thanksgiving we had an awesome family vacation to Disneyland!! I love that place and it was even more fun to be there with the whole family (minus Steve and Cathy and their cute little family). It was awesome to see the excitement of the little kids with the rides, characters and the Happiest Place on Earth.

The car ride down....People were a little tired. It's a long drive...

These boys had so much fun!! They had matching shirts with their cousin, Ezra, and they were so excited about Buzz Lightyear! I think that was their favorite ride. If I remember correctly, they went on it a total of 9 times.

I got to hang out with these two and go on Ariel's ride while the adults went on a ride. Who even knew there was a Little Mermaid ride!? I sure didn't, but these two loved it and I thought it was great. Seriously though, the line was like 5 minutes, it was so awesome.

Here's the whole clan together. We made a quick stop on the way to the beach and were able to get a picture with everyone. Such a great trip! Thanks mom and dad for organizing such a wonderful event.

We went to the beach and there were dolphins jumping in the water. This is everyone dolphin watching.

The castle lit up for Christmas! Seriously, I love going to Disneyland around this time. It's so awesome! Absolutely beautiful.

 This was just an awesome picture.

And now we are into December! I got to hang out my awesome nieces and nephews and my amazing family. I love this time of year.

I had toyed with the idea of running the Beat The New Year 5K for New Year's Eve. I posted it on facebook to see if any of my friends wanted to join me. The idea of running at 11:30 at night in the freezing cold wasn't too enticing. I decided around 9:00pm that I wanted to do it. I talked my older sister into doing it with me. An hour later, we headed to Sugar House Park to register and run! It was a balmy 14 degrees. It was so much fun though. Thanks, Courtney, for indulging me and running the race and starting the new year off right.

We made dad come outside and take a picture of us when we got home, with our plaques, showing we made it!

And now we've made it to 2013! In February I made a quick little road trip to Vegas with about 7 other friends from the ward. And by quick, I mean, we left Friday night after work and rolled into Vegas around 1-2:00 am. We got up the next morning and did some shopping and sight seeing. We hit a Cirque de Solei show Saturday night and then drove home early Sunday morning. We had the Relief Society and Elder's Quorum Presidents in the car with us, along with a ward clerk. We needed to be back for church at 1:00. We got up around 4:00 am and started our trek home. It was a good trip, but again, really quick.

I don't even remember which hotel we were walking through, but it was a diamond horse. We had to take a picture. Rob, Brittany, me and Brian.

Just imitating the Chinese dolls. Rachel, me and Rob. And the random Asian girl trying not to be in our picture.

The whole group, cruisin the strip. Brittany, Brian, Jessica, Raymon, Meghan, Rob, Rachel and me.

While the rest of the group rode New York, New York, Jess and I hung out at the arcade. We each won a whistle for our awesome jump roping skills. Really, it was much harder than it looked. "Don't blow it, unless it's actually happening."
The drive home was interesting, because it was so early in the morning and we had gotten to bed late the night before, because of the show. We have a rule, at least one person needs to stay awake with the driver. It's been adopted from our Ragnar rules. Anyway....I drove most of the way home. Brittany was my copilot and she experienced redbull Melinda. She said that's her favorite Melinda. I don't really know how to take that....Oh well. All in all, it was a pretty fun filled weekend.

In March I had the opportunity to go to California for a quick trip with my friend Katy. I had tickets to Wicked and took her for her birthday gift. And I don't even have a picture of the two of us!  I'm pretty much the worst friend ever.

Katy had never been to California. Never been to the beach and never seen Wicked. It was a weekend of firsts for her and it was so much fun!

Wicked was amazing, as always. I love it!!

In April I had the awesome chance to go out and visit both my brothers in the midwest. Jeff and I had signed up for a half marathon in Kansas City and then I decided to just take a week off and make a trip out of it. Courtney and Robert were planning a trip out there as well, so we met up and we all got to spend some time with each other. So great! I love my family.

 Holli joined in on the fun. This was us, getting ready to Rock the Parkway!

Jeff rocked it, of course. They had to wait for me at the finish, because I was super slow. It was a great course though, I just wasn't prepared. But I have to hand it to Kansas City, they have some rocking fans!

Holli did the 5K! I felt bad, it was a little cold that morning and she had to wait until we finished 13.1 miles. Which really meant a long time, because I'm super slow.

 We saw the famous St. Louis Arch.

We went to the St. Louis Zoo. It was pretty great, but we got pounded with rain and had to seek shelter in the nearest building. Which just happened to be the insect building! Ugh!! Spiders, bugs, all kinds of creepy crawlers. I couldn't wait for the rain to stop.

Carter wasn't really having the whole camera thing, so Owen and I got some pictures together.

Once we met up with Brad, Mel and the kids, we went on a tour of the Caterpillar museum. The boys were in heaven! They loved all the big machines, trucks and trailers.

We got to go to Nauvoo for the day as well. The temple was closed, but we got to do some tours around the temple. I absolutely love that temple! It's beautiful inside. My favorite so far.

Love these guys!

Brad and Mel happened to be in town over Mother's Day as Brad was interviewing for a few jobs. We had a celebration for Mother's Day and my and my dad's birthdays. For my birthday, I wanted a picture with all the nieces and nephews. This is what we ended up with. I love these kids with all my heart.

 Chloe, Madeline and Isabelle are the only three smiling. Everyone else is either unhappy or in their own little world. We tried about five different times.

And then we decided to do a funny face picture. This is the perfect description of the family. I love it.