Mount Timpanogos Hike-Saturday June 30th

Bright and early 5:15 am 

♪All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go♫

We got up to the trail head and got started on our journey around 6:20 am. I was so happy to be able to get a parking spot at the trail head.  This hike is so popular and in past years we've had to park a lot further down the road and walk about a mile just to get started on the trail.

Doran, Jody, me

Jody bought a twisty little pink thing (tripod) that bends and twists to attach to stuff for taking photos.  Every time she pulled it out it reminded me of pink peanut butter cups.  Strange I know, but up close it really looked like them.

 Mile 1

We thought it would be fun to stop at each mile along the way and take a photo.  So be ready for some major photos of this hike.

 Mile 2
and loving the perfect cool morning weather for hiking.

Mile 3 
and getting warmer.  A little too sunny for my liking.

A kind gentlemen took pity on us and took our photo for us since we were struggling so much getting a decent photo at mile 3.

 Mile 4  
and still climbing!! Wait, this whole hike is a climb!

But we got to enjoy seeing all kinds of beautiful flowers along the trail.

This was the scariest part of the whole hike and these snow chunks are usually why I will wait until later in the year to hike when they are hopefully gone.  But with my crazy running schedule this Summer we just had to go this weekend so it would work for Jody and Doran as well.  Watching that man on the left in the red shirt and his little 3 year old boy cross the snow nearly made my heart stop working.  It's a pretty steep drop down this patch and I honestly don't know how that brave daddy did it.  He was literally holding the little boy by the arm and dangling him while trying not to slip off the front himself.  This snow wasn't very slushy like the snow closer to the top that had sun shining directly on it.  So, a couple of parts were pretty slick and I had a little trouble with my own footing.  Yeah, my adrenaline was pumping for a little while later.

 I never tire of seeing this peak or the glacier that people slide down on the left.  Definitely is something I won't ever be doing. 

 Jody and Doran coming back down a side trail after inspecting some bushes.

 Snack break while my friends are out inspecting those bushes.

Mile 5
and a perfect view of the glacier to the left.

Mile 6 and getting closer to the top.

I loved how these flowers were growing right up out of the rock

Getting closer to the top and crossing some slushy snow.  Good thing the sun was shining and keeping it soft.  Much easier crossing up here.  I was ready for a snowball fight and Jody was ready to lay down and make snow angels. Doran was just ready to keep going and get plastered by a snowball.  Too bad I couldn't throw that far. That big U shape in the distance is our destination.  If you look really close you can see many people already sitting up there.

We made it to the top in just a little under 4 hours.  Not too shabby!

I never tire of being up here and seeing this view.  Too bad it was so smoky from all the fires going on in Utah right now.

This little guy seemed to want to come over and visit until I tried to get close to him.

OK, see ya later little fella.

After relaxing and eating our lunch it was time to get back down the mountain.  My scheduled run for the day was to be 8 miles so I was planning to run down as much as I could.  Jody and Doran wanted to join me as well which I was pretty happy about.  They both are pretty speedy and it was me trying to play catch up to them most of the time.  After a few miles they were done running so I would run ahead and then when there were a few flat parts I would run back up the trail until I saw them and then turn around and keep going.  Since it was only slightly under 6 and 1/2 miles one way I was going to have to make up mileage.  Then Jody had the most brilliant idea.  She suggested that once we get back to the car that Doran and I could keep running and she would drive the car down the canyon.  SMART!  So that's what we did.

 This is a view of the mountain we just came down off of.

Running down the mountain in 85 degree weather and trying to catch Doran.

 Doran is too fast for me to keep up with.  But, I have a hard time keeping up with anyone so that's nothing new.

Doran makes it seem so effortless!

 Jody was the perfect support vehicle.  She wouldn't go too far ahead, she handed me water out the window, she asked me if I wanted candy, and she would take photos.  What more could a runner want?

 Soooooo incredibly hot and just about ready to climb into the car. Yeah, I feel as bad as this picture looks!

Out of the 16 miles traveled today I'm not sure how many miles I ran but for sure I got my 8 miles in and possibly a little more.

 On our way home we stopped and bought bagged ice so we could soak our sore, tired muscles in the bathtub.  After we got cleaned up we headed to Costa Vida for dinner!  Sweet pork salad hit the spot!! I had a blast today and love to hike Timpanogos.  I'm so glad my Brigham City friends could join me.  I would love to hike this mountain again before Summer is over and could easily be persuaded to go if anyone is raring to go!

Provo Freedom Run 10K and July 4th Celebrations

The morning started off with a 5:30 am alarm to be ready to get down to Provo by about 6:30 am.  Cooper drove me down to Kiwanis park and dropped me off on the corner while he and Brittany went and parked the truck and got her to the start of her 5K race, which was in a different spot.  They planned to wait for me to finish my 10K and then we would head over to the parade route where we had a spot staked out.  As I wandered to the bathrooms I saw a few familiar faces and stopped and chatted with the Wheelhouse family, Friel Family, a couple of blogging friends, and Monnica.  I didn't bring a camera because Mark was going to snap some photos as I ran by our parade spot.  I was grateful Monnica's hubby snapped a couple of us here before heading up to the starting line. (my friend Annaleesa said I look like I'm trying to sneak through the bushes somewhere)

We got to the starting line and waited only a couple minutes and then off we went.  The first mile was uphill which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and then we turned and had a nice sweet downhill for awhile.  I was looking forward to get to the portion of the race where we run 2 miles of the parade route.  My friend Laurie told me to take out my earbuds so I could hear the crowd cheering.  Ok.....so this is where it gets really disappointing.  The first two miles were a little bit of a struggle but I was doing alright. I felt sluggish and my legs were just tired.  So I was really excited about getting to the spot where there would be some crowd distractions and cheering. I was also looking forward to seeing my hubby at our staked out spot.  I took my headphones out and ran along with a couple thousand other people yet I honestly think spectators were still trying to wake up from their overnight campout on the sidewalks of Provo, Utah.   When I came to the spot our blankets and chairs were set up on, NO HUBBY.  Come to find out, he couldn't find parking and got so frustrated he went back home.  So, no running photos and no cheering spectators, and no hubby made me a tad disappointed.  After about a mile I decided, heck with this I need some motivation, so I put my music back in my ears and enjoyed that instead.  The rest of the race was just a constant push to get to the finish.  Then when I got there, no Cooper and Brittany.  I had my cell phone so I called Cooper and we found each other as I got myself some oranges, grapes, and bread.  I also got a fancy blue water bottle but once again failed to get a finisher's medal.  (Just like St. George half marathon)  Oh well, since they just collect dust in a drawer anyway.

Cooper took this picture of us with his cell phone after the race.  Brittany did well in her 5K and I finished my 10K in 1:09:15.  It's an OK time for me, but not my best.  Today was just one of those days that everything was just off.  I guess it happens to every runner at some point.  We headed over to the parade and enjoyed being with Kali, Wade, Miles, Cooper, Brittany, my sister Kareena and eventually my momma showed up.  The parade this year seemed like a flop.  Maybe I was just a bit disappointed with my run this morning but Kali even felt like the parade just wasn't that big of a deal either.  We wondered why we put so much effort into this and then we realize it's because of traditions.  Watching little Miles enjoy different parts of the parade was actually the funnest part for me.  I have no photos at the parade because Mark had my camera at home.  So after the parade on home we went.  We took naps and then I prepared for a BBQ with the family.

It was so nice to have my niece Kari and my sister Kareena here.

My dad and mom

My sister Marie and her hubby Bill.

Wade, Miles, Kali

Mark, me, Miles, Cooper, Brittany, Jordan, baby Peregrine Quincy

 Little Mr. Miles enjoyed sparklers this year, until he stepped on one barefoot.  Yes, Kali felt horrible.

 After some tears and soaking his foot in cold water they got him patched up and ready to head off to the real fireworks.

 Miles enjoyed about half of the fireworks show this year.  Which was a lot better than last year when he hid under a blanket the whole time.  He did a lot better than I thought he would but didn't like the loud pops and hid under the blanket this year for only a short time.  I loved that he liked to snuggle so much. I'll take that anytime!

Kali and Wade are having a..................

On June 29th, I got to go to Kali's ultrasound appointment with her to find out the gender of the baby. She wanted the Dr. to tell me but not her so that her and Wade could find out at the same time. It was so exciting for me to watch the screen and see that precious little baby moving and being so healthy. The Dr. would show all the different parts of the baby and say how everything is looking so good. When it came time to find out the gender Kali looked away and the Dr. typed it on the screen. I wanted to squeal with delight!! But I had to try to keep a straight face so as to not give it away to Kali.

We then went to Home Depot to buy a box and then came back to my house.  Kali painted and chalked on the box while I went to Macey's to buy a dozen balloons.  I had them put inside a large black garbage bag so Kali wouldn't be able to see the color.  When Wade got home from work we headed up to Dry Canyon.  I got my good friend Laurie to come along too because Kali needed two different camera's to be going at the same time.  Laurie also helped me get the balloons from the bag into the bottom of the box.  We taped the top shut and then got the camera's ready. At the last minute I also decided to set my camera on a rock and record it.

And then the magic moment happened.  The count down of 1....2....3.... and they opened the box!!

I love their happy faces!!

And then we watched as the balloons drifted up and over towards Dry Canyon as if to let Porter know too.  When in reality he probably knew before any of us.

I'm just so thrilled they are having a girl.  I can't wait to hold and cuddle a little baby girl, and to kiss her soft little head.  You can bet I'll be buying some pink things too!  What an absolutely perfect day!  I'm so happy I got to be part of the secret in the beginning and the celebration at the end.

Mondays with Mr. Miles in Video

Mr. Miles sure knows how to make us laugh. I usually take him to go see his great Grandma and Grandpa on Wednesday nights when Kali works and Wade has scouts. We were getting ready to leave and Miles spotted a sprinkler. He loves the water, but only in small amounts. We ended up staying about 45 minutes longer just so he could play in the water. Such a funny little guy!

"A grandchild is a gift from above ... one to cherish and to love."

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"A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty."

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"Grandparents and grandchildren are God's gift to each other."

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"You Put the Grand in Grandma."

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"Whenever I see you I have an uncontrollable urge to fling open my arms, excitedly shout your name and scoop you up."

Marathon Training Plan-Week 4 of 16

Week #4

Monday June 25th-Ran 3.5 trail miles and walked 1 mile

out and back to Dry Canyon with a side trek to check on Porter's rock.  After Saturday's half marathon PR I was a little more sore than usual and was a bit worried about running today.  I decided to just get up and do it anyway and see what I felt like.  Of course, I was happy to be out there on the trails and although my calves and quads were a little on fire the beauty and love of the hills trumped the soreness.  

Tuesday June 26th-Rest day-walked 5 miles 
with Laurie in the cool morning sunshine
 

Wednesday June 27th-Ran 5.5 miles
started from home and ran a loop with a hill that had an incline grade of 36%.  I felt like the little engine that couldn't.  Lots of alternating walking and running going on in this section.  Luckily it lasted less than 1/2 mile.  About a mile down the road I came upon a church with hundreds of people walking around in pioneer clothing.  They were getting ready to head off on a trek.  I've never gotten to experience that but I'm sure I could pull up my bootstraps and don my pioneer skirts and pull a wagon right along with the rest of them. It's probably quite a fun and unique experience. 

Thursday June 28th-Ran 6.5 trail miles
with Lisa and Lilly.  I got up at 4:40 am this morning and met these 2 girls at 5:00 am.  (Waking up in the 4 o'clock hour-seriously?? I may have added a nap or two later in my day) These girls belong to the "Single-Track Girls" Facebook group I was added to a couple weeks ago. The exciting thing to me is both of these gals seriously live within 1 mile of me and I may be seeing more of them in the weeks ahead.  We ran all over some trails in Provo Canyon and I was astounded once again at the beauty of the hills.  Right as we started our run two deer crossed our paths.  That was a nice little bonus of the morning.   

Friday June 29th-Rest day-walked 4 miles
with Laurie on Porter's hill-up 2 miles then turn around and come back down 2 miles.  Great calves and quads workout. 

Saturday June 30th-Hiked Mount Timpanogos 16 miles total
It's a guess but about 7.5 were hiking miles and 8.5 were running miles

Sunday July 1st-Day of Rest!
 

Total Running Miles: 24

Total Walking Miles: 17.5