Moab 5 Mile race 2013

This gal headed north for the weekend to spend some time with a companion from her mission . . . .

 This old Fart stayed home . . . . .

 and these two ladies headed south to Moab.  We were registered to run the Moab 5 mile race.  This is the 3rd time that I have run this race and my goal was to finish the race in under an hour.  As a runner (wannabe) I am not interested in getting a trophy but finishing strong and doing better than the last race.

We had an adventure traveling but finally made it 5 1/2 hours later.

We stayed at the Aarchway Inn (it may have been a bit pricey but it was worth every penny) very nice accommodations.

We went to Jay's Pasta for dinner to get our carb load going and I had these yummy stuffed shells while . . . 



Jenni had Alfredo tortellini.

We had a relaxing night in preparation for our race the next morning.

 We got up early and took the shuttle up the canyon to the start of the 5 mile run.  The temperature on my car when we left the hotel said it was 62 degrees; it was overcast and muggy.  When we got up the canyon it was cold and breezy and definitely not 62.

 Once up the canyon we had about an hour and a half wait while everyone was shuttled up, gear bags hauled back down and then we sauntered on down to the start line.

 Just a selection of the 824 people waiting to run the 5 mile race - there were people of all ages (notice the two old guys right in the center - what an inspiration - and we may have seen the oldest one wrapped in a blanket walk away to where his friend could not see him and down a 5 hour energy shot - so funny to watch).  I am such a people watcher and I was in heaven with all the entertainment.

 (Sorry I couldn't turn the picture)

One of my favorite parts of the race is coming down the canyon and hearing the beat of the drums echoing off the walls of the canyon and then to finally reach them gives you such an energy boost.

Coming up on mile 3 and doing good.

Just past mile four and still going strong . . . .

 We finished the race strong in under an hour - my Personal Record - Yeah!

(I finished before Jenni - thanks for boosting my morale!)

I finished 531 out of 824 and 26th out of 126 in my class of Females 50-54.

I am strong, healthy and in better shape than I have ever been. 

After completing this 5 mile race I know that I can run a 5K and finish strong.

 Showing off our medals!

 A little stretching and people watching before heading back to our room to shower.

Shirt, medal and the bib - what it's all about.

 A quick shower and we were headed back home.  The trip home was not as adventurous and we made it in 5 hours.  I might have missed our photographer taking our pictures as we come across the finish line.  What an amazing trip.  Looking forward to the next run.

Finally - I reached my goal!!

It all began a long time ago - like a little over four years ago . . . .

when I looked like this and I was tired of it.

I have been heavy most of my life and I have tried just about every diet there is but when I hit a plateau I would bounce back up and usually higher than I was before.  I finally decided it was time to take care of me and my health so I embarked on a journey and joined Weight Watchers.  I have had my ups, downs, plateaus and even discouragement but I have persevered and on October 22, 2012 I reached my goal weight. 



 I maintained for six weeks (well actually even lost a little more) and officially became a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers.  I will continue to attend WW meetings to keep me on track and will become a WW leaders again in just a short time (that will be a whole other post).

I have lost over 100 pounds and this is a much healthier and happier person than four years ago.

I have learned that it is not about the number on the scales or the size of clothes you wear but about being healthy, happy and taking care of yourself.

It is a lot of work but so worth ever minute of it.

Graduation Day!

This cutie will graduate today with her Bachelor's Degree in French - don't know what she's going to do with it but she has it.  She has worked hard and this is a great accomplishment for her.  We are so proud of you Jen!

Happy Graduation!

(Just a side note - she is very talented but NOT at knitting)

Changes are a coming

 After 16 1/2 years there are changes coming to the Lake home.

We went from a simple hole to see what was behind the soffit and to see the condition of the brick to . . . . .

. . . . demolition of the soffit . . . . 

 . . . . and now we have a chunk of chimney exposed and I like what I see.

The appraisal was done on Saturday so we are getting closer to having the money in hand now if we just had a contractor.

We are headed into a big project - I am so excited!!!

Friends???

 What kind of friend would fill their best friends yard with snakes . . . .

 and even hang them on the house?

 Would a friend really do this?

really????

YES . . . there were over 50 snakes in my yard.

Now this supposed friend knows that I am deathly afraid of snakes.

And if a friend did something like this to you would you keep them as a friend?

 And then this supposed friend stole all those snakes back from my house only to return them a month later in the form of a SNAKE wreath.

You might question why a person would stay friends with someone who would do something so mean . . . . .

I dearly LOVE this FRIEND!!

Yes, she might constantly scare me with snakes - like almost everytime she sees me she brings me a snake.  However, this FRIEND did show up one night at my house.  I had had a long day at work and was facing doing tomatoes that night and shortly after I got home from work this FRIEND showed up to help me do my tomatoes.

I love this friend.  She is always there for me.  I am so glad that she moved back to Utah and that she lives close.  (I will never like the snakes)  I know that no matter what happens she is always there.  She is a good listener.  She is not afraid to help out with anything.

Thanks Linda for all your help!

I'm Back!

After a brief hiatus I am back to blogging.  I will try to do some catch up and be a little better about blogging.

and She's gone!

It's been a couple of weeks of whirlwind activity so I will try to do a short recap.

Kortnee came home from her mission on August 8th; I took a couple of days off work and we got her sort of settled.  She had a week mostly to herself during the day to unpack and sort through things.  She reported her mission in the Single's Ward last Sunday and we had a dinner at our home afterwards.  Last week we made a quick trip to Cedar City to finalize the arrangements for her housing, school loan and she was able to find a job.  Before Kort left on her mission she said that when she came back she wanted to work at the Family Support Center - that is the first place she took her resume and she was hired on the spot.  I am so glad that she has so much faith.  She is such an inspiration to me.  Today we went to Hyrum for Michelle Allgood's mission farewell and then Kortnee headed to Cedar City where she will start school tomorrow and a whole new adventure.