* Shake It Off and Step Up *

Expectations, dreams, hopes, plans, goals...
...words that can change quickly into...

Disappointment, failure, setback, defeat, letdown...
Do you ever feel like life has decided to throw you a curve ball when you were expecting a homerun?

I do!

This week (month!) has been the perfect example. Oh no, I feel a vent coming on! The crowning jewel was today when my son who has maintained a 4.0 GPA for the past three (plus) years got his first A- in his college credit math class. Trust me, to maintain a 4.0 for that long is NO easy feat! He is one smart kid and has done this while playing three very time consuming sports all three years which means he sometimes leaves at 5:30 a.m. and gets home at 6:30 p.m. Even 11:00 p.m. on some game days. It has amazed me he was able to do it this long. Of course, I am his mother and I would think he is amazing no matter what. ☺

At the end of every trimester we hold our breath hoping we won't see that A-, but today unfortunately we did. The hardest part for me is the fact that I didn't even worry once this entire tri, because he had a 100% in that class this whole time. 100% in assignments AND tests! Little did I know (because he didn't mention it!) that the final he took today counted for 30% of his grade! He studied hard, but I guess just not hard enough. He missed the A grade by the skin of his teeth! He needed 150 on the test but got 137. A 2% deficit in his overall grade. That is hard to swallow. It would have been easier if he had missed it by 50! And the sad fact is, he deserved the A-. The teacher said he hates this part of the class because this happens to so many of his students and there is always an abundance of tears every time. Yeah, probably from the parents!

At our school it is a big deal because if you maintain a 4.0 for your four high school years, you are automatically a valedictorian. So we usually end up with 12 or 13 of those. I am not sure I agree with that system, but that IS how it works. I do agree it is nice they honor all those students who have worked so hard to achieve that instead of just one. I think the more positive accolades they can give these youth the better. Heaven knows, they need it! All of my boys have set that as a goal. My oldest fell short because of one measly A- as well, which was given to him by a teacher that was later fired because he wasn't really a teacher. But that's another post that I will kindly not write. My middle son was able to achieve it. And I thought this one nearly had it in the bag with only his senior year left. However, the whole valedictorian thing really wasn't the motivation for him. It was more for the Academic All-State in sports. It is much easier to get a football scholarship if you are named Academic All-State and so that was the main goal. There is still a small chance he can be named that, but probably not without a 4.0. He has been getting tons of requests from colleges all over the nation to apply to their football program because of his grades and his athletic accomplishments this year. Now he will have a 3.9 GPA and that isn't quite as impressive, all because of a few stupid math problems! I can't even explain how disappointed I am. I think I am much more so than he is!

I know, I know, this is NOT a matter of life and death. It is not the end of the world. That was last week remember? ☺ BUT, it is still hard to just accept and move on. It's hard to let go of it and just be at peace when it was SO stinkin' close! I felt the same way about my half marathon last week! So CLOSE to achieving my new PR goal, yet not quite there because of of my dang knee! So frustrating! If interested, you can read more about that here.

One of my sons that is in Hawaii this summer selling Home Security for his first time, is working his little tail off and not seeing a lot of success. He is disappointed and so I am. Especially since my other son that is over there, IS seeing a lot of success. Of course there is a bright side to that one...because after all he is in Hawaii! There have been many other things this past month that have been very discouraging and disappointing that I won't bore you with. But it's like a little child who so excitedly receives a very bright balloon, but let's it slip away unexpectedly and cries for it to come back but is told it's impossible to ever retrieve it, all the while watching it through tear filled eyes ever so slowly float up into the sky as it gets smaller and smaller, until it's no longer visible. Sometimes our dreams and expectations float away the same way. And no matter how let down or disappointed we are, it is impossible to get them back. It is out of our control.

I have learned from experience that when I stop and realize some things are simply out of my control, then I have a much easier time letting go and moving on. If I don't let go, but hold on dwelling on the injustice of it all, the more bitter I get.


When things happen that really hurt, yet are out of my control, I am learning that I need to take responsibility for my feelings. Even though sometimes things in our lives seem unfair or it may even be another person's fault, we are still responsible for our own feelings. In other words... events, problems, or other people do not "cause" our feelings. We choose them. We can choose to be happy and move on or we can choose to stay disappointed and be stuck forever, and become a helpless victim.

I can CHOOSE how I feel about things. Isn't that such an amazing gift? I really can decide how I will be affected by all the little and BIG disappointments in life. If I choose to to let them go and learn from them... to remind myself that "after all I AM in Hawaii", then it makes it so much easier to cope with those hard things. Even though I may not actually BE in Hawaii, I am after all ALIVE and able to experience all the things life has to offer, good OR bad! And that is a gift and blessing in itself! And as I choose those feelings, I am able to learn to just walk away from disappointment. And even though it is still very difficult to do, it is possible.

Thomas Carlyle, the famous 19th century Scottish historian, proved that.

After working on his multi-volume set of books on "The French Revolution" for SIX years, Carlyle completed the manuscript and took volume one to his friend John Stuart Mill, asking him to read it.

According to the story, five days later, Mill's maid accidentally threw the manuscript into the fire. In deep agony, Mill went to Carlyle's house to inform him that his work had been destroyed.

Carlyle did not flinch. With a smile, he said, "That's all right, Mill. These things happen. It is a part of life. I will start over. I can remember most of it, I am sure. Don't worry. It's all here in my mind. Go, my friend! Do not feel bad."

Carlyle stood by the window watching Mill leave. Carlyle then turned to his wife and said, "I did not want him to see how crushed I am by this misfortune." And with a heavy sigh, he added, "Well the manuscript is gone, so I had better start writing again."

And write again he did. Carlyle finally completed the work, which ranks as one of the great classics of all time. He had learned to walk away from his disappointment.

After all, what could Carlyle have done about his no longer existent burnt manuscript?

Nothing.

Nothing would have resurrected the manuscript. Nothing could make it reappear. All Carlyle could do was to get bitter or get started. And what can we do about anything once it is over? Usually nothing. We can try to correct it if it is possible, or we can walk away from it if it isn't. Those are our only two choices. And we all know what the better choice is.

One of my favorite parables is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he should shake it off and step up! This he did, shovel full after shovel full.

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!", he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped happily over that well wall into freedom! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him, all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. And so it is with us. If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to disappointment, setbacks, and the adversities that come along to bury us, we will find they usually have within them the potential to bless us in ways we never could have dreamed. We just need to remember to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves.

We can choose.


If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul. - Rabbi Harold Kushner



A six-time winner of the Hawaii Ironman Triathalon said, "It is not the distance that overwhelms people who race Hawaii's Ironman. It's the relentless wind that blows across the lava fields. You're on one of the highest ridges, you see miles of repetitive road, and you realize it's extremely hot and you're going straight into a 30-mile-an-hour crosswind. I've found that those who dwell on these conditions tend to fold. I always train for adversity I consider adversity an asset, something to turn to my advantage. One of life's most important lessons is learning to put your losses in perspective and to savor your triumphs by riding on euphoria's wave. Have high goals and expectations; regard defeat as stages on the road to success by remembering the little victories that have gotten you where you are."

I love this triathlete's attitude. Of course, once again, he is in Hawaii! ☺ As I write this, I realize it's much easier said than done. Especially on the mainland. hee-hee But if we are able to consider adversity an asset, a gift even, then we will be able to keep those disappointments (that will inevitably continue to come) in perspective, while we keep climbing up that pile of dirt shaking it off and stepping up.

We can choose to let go of our losses. We can bury them. We can walk away from them while we shake it off and step up. And most importantly, we can still feel empowered to shoot for the moon and set high goals because we know even if we fall short, we will still land among the stars. My son's 3.9 GPA may be a little short of the moon, but it is still quite an accomplishment that has landed him right there among the stars.

Consciously making the choice to walk away and let go of disappointment is not gonna be easy! But, it is our choice. And for that, I am grateful! After all, we are in Hawaii! ☺ At least in our head!

~~~Food 4 Thought Friday~~~

After a little (ahem!) hiatus... it's back!!!

Welcome to Beacon of Hope's:

Food 4 Thought Friday!

A little feast without the calories!!

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! I will post a new one each Thursday night for those that are on a different time zone. JOIN IN!!!

Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Breakfast What happened that affected you in the world this week?
Lunch What guilty pleasure did you indulge in this week?

Dinner What has been on your mind this week?
Midnight Snack What made you proud this week?

Recipe of the Week (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)
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MY ANSWERS
Breakfast What happened that affected you in the world this week? Wow, it was a big week for news. The horrible tornadoes in Joplin, MO. Oprah's farewell show, which by the way, was FABULOUS! I certainly didn't watch her often, but when I did, I loved the influence she had for good on people's lives. She used her power for good.
Lunch What guilty pleasure did you indulge in this week? I bought some Born shoes at Dillard's and they were NOT on sale! If you know me well, you know I hate to pay full price for anything. They were SO cute and I really had to have them. Purple, of course. I asked if they were going to go on sale soon like next week, and the salesman told me they probably wouldn't all summer. Well, I just saw an ad and they are on sale right now! I am taking back my receipt and demanding a refund for the difference! UGH!

Dinner What has been on your mind this week? The tornado victims, the end of the school year, my IT Bands, wondering if I will be able to run long distances ever again, Oprah's farewell speech that made her sound like a member of my church, my two boys that are working in Hawaii, how grateful I am for just being alive.
Midnight Snack What made you proud this week? Once again, the term is "well pleased" in our house. ☺The article and picture of my son Taylor's football award that was in our local paper this week, was one of those big paydays for me. Finishing my half marathon strong even though my IT bands wigged out at mile 2!

Recipe of the Week (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?) When things get tough, just get tougher than they are. All it takes is all you've got, and you've got it baby!
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If you like Food 4 Thought Friday, you might enjoy playing these too:

Friday Fill-Ins!




And...here we go!

1. This week I feel like I am progressing in many directions finally!

2. Before summer gets here, I hope winter takes a hike and spring returns.

3. It's all about the chocolate.

4. Apparently during may half marathon, my legs spent too much time in the sun.

5. I demand a nap next Sunday.

6. Follow your own path, it's filled with exactly what you need.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hopefully dinner and a movie with Dave, tomorrow my plans include well, not a long run that's for sure! I will kind of miss that!, catching up on some cleaning and my AMI blog, baking, and who knows what else and Sunday, I want to enjoy a day of rest ~ yeah right!

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Friday 5: Food Treatments
1.What’s your favorite pickled food? Bread and butter pickles.
2.What’s your favorite dehydrated food? Banana's and apples.
3.What’s your favorite covered-in-chocolate food? I can't think of one that isn't my fave! lol It wasn't chocolate covered potato chips that's for sure. Probably cinnamon bears! YUM!
4.What’s your favorite sauteed-in-garlic-and-butter food? Pasta
5.What’s your favorite order-at-the-drive-through food? Italian from Fazolis or Rumbi Grill's rice bowls! mmmm.......

Thanks for participating, and may you have a yummy weekend! To play go HERE.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ FRIDAY FIVER!

DO YOU PREFER… 1. To watch or participate? Depends on what it is. I do LOVE to participate, but there are times I love to watch too. I am very competitive and so I am usually found in the middle of it all.
2. Malls, catalog shopping, or the Internet? Hitting the mall and the strip mall.
3. A bath or shower? Looooooong HOT showers!
4. To talk to people by telephone, in person or by e-mail? Email or texting. I really prefer to not talk on the phone if possible unless it's my mom or boys or Dave.
5. Typing or writing? I would have to say typing because it's so much faster, but I do love to just write sometimes in my journal.

~ All it Takes is All You've Got ~

Warning: LONG POST! Only for me for historical purposes and future races. Do not torture yourself by reading it! Unless, of course, you like pain or to hear about other people's. lol
If you are a runner then you have to know a little bit about math. Math never was my favorite subject, but I did learn a few things. One being that when something is divided by two you get half of what you were dividing. And so I naturally assume that the same principle would apply to running. Mainly that running a half marathon requires only half the training and that you can technically can get prepared for it in half the time. It also stands to reason that it would only take half the mental strength as a full and hopefully be only half as painful.

Grade: F
I have run several half marathons and have always really enjoyed the distance. To me it really seems like half the pain, half the emotions, half the nerves, half the training, half the recovery, half the mental stability as a full. Maybe even less. I have actually really loved all of my half marathons.

Until now.

I signed up to run the OGDEN MARATHON nine months ago, just two weeks after I ran the Top of Utah full marathon when I was still in lala land and high on the adrenaline. At the time I had no idea my IT (iliotibial) bands were going to start screaming at me for several months preventing me from running it. I was just so excited to run Ogden! I kept hoping that I would be able to get in the training and they would heal and I could still do it, but in February when I had to start the training, I knew deep down that I should not do the full. My IT bands were feeling much better, but I was also feeling strongly that my body was not up to doing more than one marathon a year. I didn't want to have healed it only to injure it again. I just knew that it wasn't in the cards for May. Those calculations were 100% on.

Grade: A+
So, I decided I would do the half instead and put my focus on that. I ran the Ogden half a few years ago and absolutely loved the course and was looking forward to this run for a long time. I was well trained for it and ready to go. The Saturday before, my training schedule called for a 12 miler and so I followed the plan. At mile 8.5 into that run, my knees started to ache and then my left one seriously flared up. My IT band again. Instead of stopping, I was determined to get in those 12 miles and I ran through the pain. A big no-no. But I did the math and decided I could make it 4.5 more.

Grade: F-
In case you didn't catch that, it should say, "I decided I could make it 3.5 more." Just testing to see what grade you got in math. =) By mile 10 I was seriously limping as I ran. Now that is a pretty sight, let me tell you! At 11.5 I was no longer able to run as my knee started to give out on me. I used to be so good at listening to my body and obeying it, but lately I have been more determined to just suck it up and run through the pain. Not smart! All that does is increase the injury. I took it easy the rest of the week, just walking with zero running, rolling it out with my foam roller a lot, and taking Celebrex hoping it would heal by the starting gun. I even started on Glucosamine Chondroitin.


The marathon was scheduled for the 21st but I also had been invited to go to Park City with some high school friends for that weekend. I knew I wouldn't get much sleep in Park City, but didn't want to miss it either. I decided to go and just force myself to go to bed at a decent hour on Friday night. I had real good intentions. We left on Thursday morning and had so much fun that we all stayed up until 3:30 a.m.! Come Friday night I knew I had to get some sleep or I would never be able to function, let alone run a half marathon. I ended up getting to bed at midnight and back up at 4:00 a.m. I never sleep much on race day eve anyway, so I felt I would be okay. Besides once the adrenaline started kicking in, I knew I would be fine.


I drove to the starting line of the half because of the fact that I was in Park City and also because I was running the half with a full bib because they refuse to let you transfer from race to race. That is one of my pet peeves about marathon's, especially ones that you have to sign up for NINE months in advance! Who knows what is going to happen in that amount of time? When I arrived I saw that I was surrounded by others doing the same thing. I talked to some about getting on the bus and they said the organizers didn't check their bibs. One of them also said they thought our chips would activate and count us for the half. Another said we would be disqualified or be a DNF or DNS. I personally didn't care either way. I just wanted to run it!

I got in line for the porta potties but realized I would never be done before the gun and so I just got in line for the race. I wasn't as nervous as I usually am for some reason. Probably due to lack of sleep and my zombie-ish-ness. The gun went off and I remember thinking as I started to run that I wasn't feeling it today. My lungs were feeling heavy and my calves were cramping from step one. But, about a mile and a half into it, I started to feel good. Real good! That lasted for another half mile when my left IT band started to scream LOUDLY! I was NOT prepared for that, and I immediately knew from the severity of the pain that came on so strong and fast, that it wasn't going to go away. I was more than discouraged, but, I kept running and turned on my iPod and tried to zone out in the music. It didn't work. I had to stop and stretch and after that I felt a bit better for about 10 steps. So I stopped and stretched it again. And again. And again. And again. I could only go about a quarter of a mile each time before it became so bad I didn't know what else to do.

Mile TWO! Really?

That has never happened to me in the history of my running career. NEVER! Not even on a training run. I would expect it at mile eight or nine maybe, but not TWO! The stretching just was not helping. About mile four my knee almost gave out on me. I was so frustrated! Every time I stopped to stretch, I watched so many runners pass me by. I hated that! I knew my time was going down the drain and fast. I was really hoping for a new PR on this race and all those hopes were going down the mountain along with the very full and rapid river. About mile five, it sunk in that I was going to have to finish this race with this pain because it was not going away, or... quit. I knew I couldn't quit, and so once I decided to stick it out, the emotions started to surface. I have never become emotional in a race (with the exception of mile 21-24 of my marathon) until now.

I felt desperate and wasn't sure what to do. All I knew was I didn't want to run another 8 miles like that. Deep down I knew I shouldn't be running with that kind of pain because it was probably doing a lot of damage with each step I took. I was really wishing I had a knee band or brace. At the mile six aid station I asked them if it was also a first aid stop. It wasn't, but they had some Corban and so I had them wrap my knee. They used the entire roll and a lot of my time! As soon as I started to run, I knew it was not going to be a solution but more of a problem. I stopped and unwrapped it as fast as I could and re-wrapped it much different and tighter. I am sure it was a sight seeing me trying to bite half of it off with my teeth in order to shorten it. I started to run and could tell I got it a little too tight. It was seriously cutting off my circulation! I stopped again and re-wrapped it a little looser this time. The third time was the charm. Even though I knew it was still too tight, I didn't care because it gave me some relief! That pressure was really helping. Either that or it stopped the blood flow so it numbed it! I didn't care. I just was grateful I could run without limping as bad. It was still painful and I didn't push it, but was just so relieved it wasn't getting worse. It gave me hope I could do the next 7 miles.

Even though I was feeling very disappointed because I was still unable to run at my usual pace, the beauty of that course was spectacular! My surroundings had me in awe. I felt the greatest little moments of pure joy. There is no way unless you have experienced it, to describe the feeling of running in God's splendor with hundreds of other runners all trying to reach the same goal. I have felt a runner's high before, but this was beyond that. I felt so ALIVE! And I felt so grateful I could RUN! Albeit, like a cripple, but I could still run! The weather was absolutely perfect and I wanted to just burst. The freeing feeling of running was never stronger for me and even though I had to hold back, it felt so good to be running that race. Or maybe it was just the euphoria I was feeling that the pain wasn't as torturous as before. Whatever it was, I soaked it all in and just smiled and cherished each moment!
THIS IS WHY I RUN!

Those moments are rare, but when they come, all the early morning runs in the snow, rain , hail, and sleet are worth it. All the dogs chasing me with vampire teeth and all the moments of wanting to quit due to pure exhaustion are worth it. All the sore and aching muscles and all the torturous hill runs are worth it.
The good news is by mile 9 or so, I was feeling like I would be able to go those 4 miles without being lifted off the street in a stretcher. I had run the course before and unlike the Top of Utah Marathon (WHY I did that one for my first marathon I will NEVER know!) I was looking forward to the miles ahead because I knew how gorgeous the scenery was. No hills, to speak of, and lots of great cheering crowds. By mile 11.5, I decided to push it and add some speed. I knew whatever happened at that point, that I could handle it for a mile and a half. When I got about 50 yards from the finish line, I took off on a full boar sprint! I was shocked and amazed that after what a horrible run I had, that I finished strong.
I was happy I was done. But not just half as happy as when I finished the full. Mathematically speaking, I would say I was more than half as happy. I won't get into fractions, or I will lose you...no, actually I will lose me. I never did like fractions. But this I do get... a half a marathon may give you as much satisfaction as a full when you give it all you've got. That I do know. Running is like that. I have learned so much about myself from this simple sport than I could have any other way. I am stronger than I knew. I am weaker than I knew. I am tougher than I knew. I am more emotional than I knew. I am more competitive than I knew. I am more stubborn than I knew. I am more grateful than I knew. I am more determined than I knew. And I am better at math than I knew! Who knew? ☺
I crossed the finish line with a time of 2:11! I was SHOCKED! Truly shocked. I had my running app going on my phone, but for some reason my fully charged battery died about mile 6. I had ZERO idea what my time or pace was. I only knew I watched people pass me instead of me passing them from mile 2 to mile 11.5. I honestly thought I was going to be around 2:50 or even 3:00. I felt like I had run with tar filled legs. My PR for a half is 2:02. I was wanting to set a new PR and was hoping for a sub 2:00, (thanks Jen for putting that into my head!) So instead of being happy and ecstatic that I did so well considering the circumstances, I was completely BUMMED! Mainly because I knew that had my STUPID IT BAND cooperated (at least beyond mile TWO!) I could have set that PR! Sooooooooo frustrating! And I knew that if I had not ran that extra 3.5 miles on my training run, I probably would have fared much better.

Luckily Dave was there to set me straight and keep me focused on the fact that even with the problems, I still got a great time. I still am having a hard time grasping and knowing that it could have been my best race EVER. Once again... that's running. I have to also focus on the fact that it could have been much worse too. I could have been peeled off the street and carried off in a stretcher and not finished. And the bottom line is, I was still able to feel a love for this sport even though it doesn't always turn out perfectly. It RARELY turns out perfectly. In fact, does anyone know if it has ever turned out perfectly? You have to be a little crazy to be a runner. THAT I do know.

As far as my official time, my name showed up with the FULL results with a made up time. They have my time as 4:42 for the full. Interesting. I guess they somehow predicted from my 13.1 miles what my 26.2 would be. I guess I'd give them a A- for that. I'm just glad I wasn't a DNS or DNF.

Final Grade: A+ Citizenship grade: U (for Unsatisfactory IT Band behavior!)

Photos - (may need to click to enlarge)
Buses lining up dropping off runners
Bon fires to keep warm















The infamous PORTA POTTIES!
A runner's best friend or worst enemy!







Waiting for the start























Approximately 2400 runners!

















There is one huge half mile hill at the beginning and I loved the signs after we climbed the hill.









Helicopter shots.
Can you see me down there waving?









Soldiers at the aid stations










Runner's stretching... (at least I think that is what the guy on the far right is doing!)
I spent a lot of time doing this. Not something I am used to.










Check out that river and waterfall!
This is the most gorgeous scenery of any run I've experienced.








You can see why Runner's World ranked this marathon as one of the top 10 in the nation!





























Since the run was ran on the day of the RAPTURE, these signs were my favorite! My phone battery died and so I couldn't get pix of the real signs. I found these on line so I wouldn't forget.







The finish line. I'm not in this photo. No one that came to support me actually saw me cross it. =(








Happy to be done and still standing!






My "tourniquet" replaced by ice.








My boys and Dave came to support me. My mom did too, but I didn't find her until after and I had no camera.







I waited for Jen to finish the full. My running buds Heather and Jen.

I was honestly afraid after this experience that my knees were going to prevent me from running any more long distance races again. It's been a few days now and I am about to sign up for my next half marathon in July. Did I mention runners are crazy?

If not, I probably don't have to...

I'm A Runner

To watch, go to the bottom of the blog to my purple PLAYLIST and click on the symbol that looks like an 11. It will turn off the music. Trust me, it will be worth it. =)

A Funny

~~~Food 4 Thought Friday~~~

Sorry so late. Blogger was down FOREVER!!!
After a little (ahem!) hiatus... it's back!!!

Food 4 Thought Friday!

A little feast without the calories!!
Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! I will post a new one each Thursday night for those that are on a different time zone. JOIN IN!!!

Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Breakfast What have you sold?

Lunch What does your answering machine say?

Dinner Where were you when you heard Bin Laden was dead?

Midnight Snack Where are you on your way to today?

Recipe of the Week (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

MY ANSWERS
Breakfast What have you sold? I had my own line of homemade crafts that I sold at Boutiques while we were poor starving students in Medical School, I sold Mary Kay for a time, I sold many of my decorated cakes, I have sold my services such as dance instructor, cake decorating teacher, and I have tried to sell all mothers on American Mothers! Greatest organization for mothers in the world!
Lunch What does your answering machine say? It has my 14 year old son's voice message from when he was about 8 years old. I can NOT change it! It is so sweet and I will never change it as long as it doesn't get erased. Whenever I hear it, it warms my heart and takes me back to when he was that age. My Mom will sometimes call that number just to hear his voice. It's so sweet!

Dinner What do you always carry? My iPhone

Midnight Snack Where are you on your way to today? Had a luncheon with friends, but instead going to Ogden to go watch my Mom perform in her dance group. What a riot!
Recipe of the Week (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?) Even if you think it's true, don't always believe everything you hear. Go with your gut feeling, it's usually right.
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Friday Fill-Ins!



Sorry this is so late, but as most of you know, Blogger's been down for awhile. So...here we go!

1. I know I should not have eaten so many of those chocolate chip cookies I just made.

2. I want this house to stay clean for a change if at all possible.

3. This weather has been great for snow suits! (and it's May!)

4. If money can fix it, it's not a problem.

5. I'm really happy I have the ability to type, read, cook, take care of myself and family. I just saw a special on Stephanie Nielson, the blogger, who was in a plane crash and burned so severely she could no longer do those simple little things. I am so grateful I can. What an incredible and inspiring woman! Check out her blog HERE.


6. Que, Sera, Sera (whatever will be, will be) , or something to that effect.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to Maddox with my in-laws and Dave and the boys, tomorrow my plans include a 12 mile run (last one before the marathon next week!), then attending Kathy's Creative Craft event, baking cookies, studying my Sunday School lesson, and hopefully not be too sore from the long run, and Sunday, I want to teach my SS lesson, take a good nap for a change ( I ALWAYS say that - never happens!), catch up on my reading!

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Top of Mind What is the first thing that comes to mind when you read each of these words and why?
1. ice - Sonic 2. primary - Songs 3. dirty - Boys 4. green - Grass 5. fly - Fishing

Things NOT to Do While Running

Today I went on a run. Just like I do nearly every day. Only today was my dreaded HILL DAY. That translates into running UP and DOWN the most torturous hills in my area. I only do them once a week but I never look forward to it.

Until today.

I knew that today would be the LAST time I had to endure them for a while because the Ogden Marathon (half) I am registered for is in less than two weeks and I am supposed to be tapering! Plus it was RAINING! Always a bonus in my book. I LOVE running in rain.

I ran my hills. But instead of going home on my regular route, I decided to take a short cut.

#1 Thing NOT to do while running.

Do not take short cuts. At least if your short cut requires climbing up half the mountain (AFTER running hills) and then having to climb over a barbed wire fence in your best running pants. Not a good idea. Um...I will leave it at that.

After I crossed the fence and was into the wilderness area, I was grateful it was raining because I knew (or hoped) that meant NO rattlesnakes would be out and the mountain lions would also be in their cozy dens trying to stay out of the rain. So I felt totally safe!

#2 Thing NOT to do while running.

Never feel safe while all alone on a wild mountain. You just never know what things might jump out at you. Things like dogs that are NOT on a leash! But, we will come back to that.

In the photo below you can see the orange netting that is a barrier to keep people like me out of the area inside it.















Well, I decided to break Rule #1 and take another short cut. It was raining after all. So instead of running all the way around the detour, I decided to cut through where there was an opening in the netting. In order to do this I had to either leap across the ravine or go down it very carefully. I chose the latter.

#3 Thing NOT to do while running.

Do not cross wet ravines. Crossing a ravine on a dry day is one thing, but crossing it after it has rained for three days straight is another. The dirt was so soft and unstable that it forced me down without any traction. I flew down that 8 foot ravine and then had to immediately go up the other side. I almost fell back down into the deep rut, but luckily there was a piece of rebar sticking out I grabbed onto. It was all good. Or so I thought.







































My NEW shoes were totally covered in mud! Clear up to my socks. I was not sure how I was going to ever get them clean again. Luckily the construction workers have made a little creek to divert the waterfall water. I used that to wash them. My feet were SOGGY now!















BUT...

All was well. All was well. So off I went. I continued on and saw many beautiful sites of the city below.

















You can even the skeleton of the temple steeple in this one if you look close enough. (click to enlarge)

















I saw a LOT of puddles and wet roads.






















And check out this new look-out point the construction workers have made.
Now you can find your thrill on Aspen Drive Hill! Crazy!






















Just about then, I reached into my pocket to get my phone. NO PHONE. I had it on my RunKeeper app to measure my distance and time but had not noticed I hadn't received any updates on it for a while. The lady's voice that updates is so annoying that I am surprised I didn't notice.

#4 Thing NOT to do while running.

Don't ignore the fact that the annoying lady has gone bye-bye.

In my panic I began searching everywhere for it and started to back track. I had a feeling it was either in the little stream coming down the mountain where I washed off my shoes OR it was where I had jumped the ravine. I scoured every inch of where I previously stepped on my way back. Nothing in sight. UNTIL....

Suddenly I looked up and saw THIS coming rapidly (or more like rabidly!) at me!




















Remember rule #2? Never feel safe?

Okay I must confess THIS is NOT what I saw.

I had lost my phone so how could I have taken a picture?! For all you know THIS is what I saw! I guess you will never know! ☺
BUT it was something like this only MUCH MUCH meaner and more FEROCIOUS looking with very cloudy and penetrating eyes that were looking right at my throat! It looked like a mini German shepherd only with a Doberman's face.
I stopped dead in my tracks hoping I could buy some time while the owner called him off. The owner called him. But NOT off! He just called his name as if he were running after a ball. I began to panic as I saw him coming faster and getting more aggressive. The owner just quietly called his name again but it was too late. He was ALL over me! Which brings me to the:

#5 Thing NOT to while running.

Do NOT forget your Pepper Spray! I wished I'd had it with me. I would have ripped it out and sprayed it...

...AT THE OWNER!

He should have had that mutt on a leash even IF they were on the mountain. There are always runners and hikers up there. Lucky for me, the dog was not vicious once he attacked me. In fact, he liked me. And of course, I liked him too even if he was turning my solid color pants and jacket in a print. Dog-paw print. I can't help but like dogs. It's the owners I have issues with!

I was definitely covered with his muddy paw prints! And he just kept jumping on me! Again and again and again and the owner didn't take control of him. I could NOT believe it! He even went and got his paws in the creek and I just knew he was going to jump on me again but now with those wet little paws, but thankfully some kind of divine intervention occurred and he took off. Whew. Even though I LOVE dogs, I am sure if he had come at me with those very wet muddy paws, I would have picked up a rock and threw it by this point! Of course, once again, I would have aimed it at the owner!

Once they took off, I checked everywhere near the little creek for my phone, but to no avail. I kept running back to the ravine. I looked closely but I couldn't see anything. I kept checking and kept praying that I would find it when suddenly I saw a teeny tiny spot of purple showing through the dirt. Could it be? YES IT WAS! My phone! Nearly completely buried in the dirt, but right where I had jumped across.

It was in that hole you can see.















What a relief! It was covered in dirt and I was hoping it was not damaged but when I turned it on, the annoying lady confirmed it was just fine. I had never been so happy to hear that voice in my life!

I got back on the trail and began running when two SUV's appeared from no where and nearly sprayed me with muddy water. Thankfully they had enough consideration to go slow as they passed me. They gave me a funny look when they saw the paw prints all over me. They were probably thinking I was some super hero that had just had a little wrestling match with a mountain lion and won. I just waved majestically.




















I began to reach home and since I knew I was safe from rattlers today, I didn't want to take the trail, so I started to climb down the rocks. The VERY WET rocks.

#6 Thing NOT to do while running.
Don't abandon the trail when it's raining. Adventure is fun BUT it is always better to stay on the trail. Especially if it is raining. I took a little slip and nearly sprained my ankle. Honest, I did.




















These photos aren't staged at all.







































#7 Thing NOT to do while running.

Do not stage photos not matter how convincing you think they are. If you do, people won't believe the rest of your story either!

I got off the rocks and onto the very rock path that led to my home. I must say I was grateful to be alive and well. And here all this time I thought it was mountain lions and rattlesnakes I had to fear while running the mountain. Little did I know it would now become how I was going to get those blasted paw printed stains out of my clothes.















These photos do not even do justice to the fact that I was also covered in paw prints and mud in the back.










































I'm trying to show my muddy sleeve, NOT demonstrate how tough I am, even if I did just wrestle a mountain lion.

#8 Thing NOT to do while running the mountain.

Don't tell people that you were attacked by a dog. And especially don't write a blog post about it. Just let the paw prints do the talking. If word gets out you were attacked by a mountain lion and won the battle, you could become rich and famous!