MIA

Well, not really.

It's only been 20 days but for me that is a long time to be away from my beloved blog.  To say that those days were overwhelming would not be describing it to it's full potential.  Still adjusting to the single life, I've been happy but so busy.  I was trying to get ready for Ragnar and working my 2 jobs.  Plus, my AirMed job requires I have to do lots of off shift training, meetings, etc.  I spent a couple of weeks flying so much that I had no time to catch up around the house or my bills or anything.  When I went to Rock Springs I ended up charting and flying.  It really is a blast, but the timing was not very convenient.  But then again, is it ever. 

SO I survived.  I managed to get all my work done and catch up on some stuff on the house and last Tuesday I went to work in Ogden and felt awesome!  I can do this.  I can have my house, work and keep up on life.  Just not my blog, so much.  I feel very lucky to be able to work enough to support having a house and the health to work hard!

Enough about that.  It wasn't that anything worth blogging was going on!  It was a wonderful busy month!  Here is my 3 week catch up in pics/comments.

Three day detox.  I would have to give it one thumb up and one thumb down.  Too many carbs for my low carb body.  I didn't feel good enough at the end to do it again. 

Started trail running.

But first I watched some horses talk about my decision.  They were planning on saving me if I got lost.

My first trail run was on the Corner Canyon Trails.  My brother showed me a map and I printed it out and made a plan.



 I call it the run that almost DIDN'T happen.  I drove all the way there (about 20 minutes) and realized I forgot my NEW trail running shoes.  GAH!  Thankfully I've been running around town in some Saucony Guide 5's and I just laced them up tight and took off.  They did a great job and washed up just fine after.

It was a huge success and I loved every minute of it.  So much so that I went trail running the next Saturday also.

My favorite bottle holder and my map.  I actually used it a couple of times.  There was also lots of people on the trails that were helpful.  It was hottie heaven.  I need to hang out there more often!

WORK

Practicing with our NVG's.  It could be construed as Shenanigans.  But it was work people, WORK!

BIRTHDAYS!

June is a big birthday month.  Daniel was born on the 12th and my birthday is the 16th.  He is 18 now, and he's my youngest.  Guess I'm done?

Family BBQ and cake.  We like to keep it casual.

Jake and his beautiful girlfriend Emily

Taking pictures.  Because my kids are awesome.

And my daughter is so funny and beautiful.  I don't know if it was parenting skills, genetic or luck but all my kids are fantastic, kind, smart and funny.  They are super cute too!

My oldest, Austin.  I was playing hockey ball with Ted the dog.  That way he keeps moving and Ted has fun too.  He is getting ready to start his new job at Halliburton and has been mostly staying with us.  He's done a great job helping around the house, feeding the dogs, exercising Ted...eating. 

Hahaha

GRANDSONS!

Lyndsi and Brent came into town to visit family and I had a chance to hang with the boys for a few hours.  They are healthy, cute and smart!  I smooched lots of cheeks. 

MY Birthday

Terri, on the far left and I share a birthday month.  At work I use to bring a cake that we would share.  We asked some friends to come celebrate with us at Cafe Madrid and had a great time with lots of Sangria and friendship!

I went out to dinner with Tera and Jason the next night, but alas, no pictures.

BROTHER; aka animal!

I heard through my great blogging friend Susette, that there was going to be a Corner Canyon ultra.  I had planned to run there so I decided to run up Millcreek that day instead.  Then I thought, I wonder if my brother Joe is running it?  I texted him and yes, he was!  I planned my run so that I could drive down to the finish after and see him come in.

He came in FOURTH on his very first 50K ultra!

I knew the first three runners, they were all residents at the U. They were all 10 years younger then my brother, who is 41. 

BOOM.

IN YOUR FACE.

Maybe deep inside that talent genetically lies in me.  :::Shrug::::

WORK

Late call on one of my rotor shifts.  Up in the mountains.  We had to hike.  I was wearing my winter boots since my regular boots were in Rock Springs.  They worked out wonderfully.  I have been told that hiking is involved with my job and there it was!  It was a beautiful night and the ground crew were amazing!  It's definitely a call I won't forget!

That's it! All caught up.

Good times.

Now I will put together some posts so that you can see how the antics continue.

NOW.....here comes the Ragnar!

What do you do when you feel very overwhelmed??

I take any opportunity to nap.  I don't know why, but the lack of sleep makes me unable to cope with daily life when I get too overwhelmed.

Blog on....................

Yackity yack

Don't talk back!

Bad news bears - (I have no idea why I'm talking in TV talk)
The morning that Xander was born I was feeling a little queasy, but it didn't seem to last long.  Through out the day I felt great and ate good food, going to bed feeling like I was going to get a great nights sleep. 
Oh nay nay

At around 5am I woke up so freaking nauseated!  It didn't come with stomach cramps like usual, it was just nausea.  I fought it for a bit and then realized I was going to have to puke.  I don't know if your like me, but I hate throwing up.  I will be sick and miserable and lay on the bathroom floor before I give in.  Well, there was no holding back.  I'll spare the full on details but my body good and cleaned itself out...

I texted Lyndsi at the hospital and told her that Brent might have to come get Matthew since Chris had to work.  She was pretty sure she was getting discharged so they would be home later.  Luckily I was well enough to feed and watch Matthew safely and when he went down for a nap I was able to get a shower.  After that I decided that I really needed to go home.  I didn't know how but with a newborn on it's way home and Chris's son Hunter coming the next day I didn't want to give everyone the flu and have the whole crew puking and crapping all over the house.  

I packed up and when Lyndsi and Brent got home with Xander I broke the news.  We all felt horrible and Matthew even cried when I left.  It broke my heart and I wanted to stay - but I also wanted to be home where I could be sick in my own house.  

I didn't leave until 4pm so I drove about 3 hours to stay in Cheyenne.  I called around to a few hotels and everyone was full!  So I broke down and called the Little America, knowing that they are usually pretty expensive, but they had a room AND they were only about 5 bucks more then the mid-crappy line of motels.  

The room was GLORIOUS!

I even felt well enough to sip on some soup and have a couple of pieces of quesidilla that were carefully brought to me by room service.  Can't get that at Super 8!!

The next morning I had managed to keep down some juice, water and a little dinner so I ran a hot bubble bath, made some weak coffee and soaked while I read.  It was really a short bath but I felt much better.  Good enough to finish the drive home.

Now I am home, somewhat unpacked and in my own bed.  I still feel really off.  My retainers have got to go, they make me nauseated and gaggy.  

No running this week, at least not until my half marathon on Sunday.  I am still planning on doing it, for now.  I'm hoping another 24 hours and I'll be feeling better.  I'm not pushing it at all on Sunday and plan on a slow and steady pace.  

I also have an appointment with my podiatrist tomorrow to discuss the nerve pain and I made an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon for another opinion.  I can't get into the surgeon until November, so I thought I'd go to the podiatrist to see if he can give me a clue on it.  Doesn't make sense to schedule a second opinion before you have the first opinion, or does it??

Blog on............

Miracles and love

and glitter, unicorns and rainbows. 

Today started out way too early.  Got to the hospital by 6am to get baby Xander into this world.  I fell asleep.  Of course I couldn't sleep the night before.  I was hot, my mind was racing and just couldn't sleep.  

Waiting, waiting, waiting. 

Once she got the epidural, Xander made a run for it and she was feeling nauseated and a little like pushing.

She was right.  I only had time to grab my iphone.  She pushed once for the nurse and 2 -3 times for the doctor and then BOOM!  Out came Xander, covered in crisco and screaming like a banchie!

Dad Brent cut the cord.

Mom taking a good look of her greasy monkey!

At this point I don't think he is pleased.

He's a smart fella and after getting a little mama's milk and passing out he woke up all bright eyed and ready to take a good look at his family.

Grandpa Chris taking a good look.  He's such a tender hearted asshole. 

(if you know Chris that will make perfect sense)

A few hours later I grabbed grease monkey number one and took him home.  He wasn't too sure, since he hasn't been with me without mom and dad before.  He got over that real quick.  I'm adorable - how can he resist?  He had a delicious meal, followed by a bath that included bubbles and toys.  He moved water from one container to the next and between each one we clapped and cheered.  That is the exact moment I won his heart.  After that was jammies and playtime.  We also had a bedtime snack - I was worried that he didn't get enough to eat today.  I cut up an apple and banana and he loved it.  We ended the evening with a leap frog numbers video with lots of "yeahs!" and clapping.  Of course we spent about 30 minutes cuddling in the lazy boy.  

He started laughing at this picture and I took a few more.  Look how tired his little face is.  I carried him, his woobies and baby bear and put him in bed.  He didn't even cry!  Now it's my turn.  Another "Nana" day and going to the hospital to make sure brother Xander is ok.  I love Matthews little face and could cuddle with him for DAYS!!

FYI - this gal didn't even get light headed!  BOOM!

Blog on.............

Manitou Incline

1914.  Back when they had cool hats.

There was recently a story in Runner's World about the Manitou Incline.  I can't find the article but I remember it was fascinating.  The incline is located in the Pikes Peak mountains and since I had planned to be in Colorado Springs I figured I would at least go look at it.  

This was my plan for Saturday after I got to Lyndsi's house.  (She is getting induced Monday!  Yeah!!)  

Can I get a "hell yeah!" for the map feature on the iPhone!  

*Get Coffee - Starbucks - check!

*Stop by the Lululemon Showroom in downtown Colorado Springs....CHECK and YIKES!!!   (Why did they have to have that long sleeve on sale AND the black shorts I've been looking for!  I am SO grounded!!)

Check out the Manitou Incline & then go to the gym.  Hahahahaha

Instead of just checking out the Incline, I decided to give it a shot.  The people around me looked as if they were going to do it.  Luckily I had stopped at Lululemon and purchased a couple of long sleeve tech tops that I could layer.

I took this picture at my car before I took off.  I look mad.  I'm actually concentrating on trying to get the top in the picture to send Tera.  

I had to park on the narrow road and walk to the incline.  Legally they couldn't let us park in the parking lot of the Cog Train.  That's what the parking guy said.  He was a doll and so kind to give me instruction and encouragement so I believe him.

 Extreme = bad ass

Doesn't look so bad!  I figured I'd just get started and if I got tired I would come back down.  That is just like my personality - NOT.

I shed the top long sleeve and I never ended up using the iPod.  I was enjoying the entire experience.  (look at those straight teeth!!!  haha)

Where I have to go and where I have been.  

After about this far up is when I started counting stairs.  I would look up to check it out and make a goal.  Usually 75 steps, sometimes 100 and if they were really steep and treacherous then 50.  This is also about the time I figured out the auto pause on my Garmin was on most of the time because I wasn't hoofin it very fast.  I turned the Auto pause off about half way up.  This was sort of irritating because I don't have all the right numbers.  I love numbers!

Yep - you are trespassing if you go up the incline. 

 From what I understand there is a part of the incline right smack in the middle that is privately owned.  I'm sure their lawyers are horrified at the idea of allowing people on it and the company having to take responsibility so it's illegal to go all the way up.  It's common knowledge, that is ignored.

There are multiple areas that have rusted out pipes in the middle.  

Areas of the trail are pretty sketchy.  I didn't find it too difficult to get up, but I have long legs and I'm in pretty good shape.  Although when I do this again I'm bringing gloves.  Sometimes I needed my hands to steady myself or boost up a step.

At one point someone told me I was almost done.  Oh nay nay!

There is a little dip in the incline so it looks like you have about 30 feet to go and after a few steps this is what you see.  

I can't remember at what point I decided that I would finish, but it was long before this.  There was a light rain, it wasn't too cold and the challenge made it impossible to stop. Also, i'm a little scared of heights.  Walking down the stairs wouldn't have been very fun at all.  Going up it helped a lot to concentrate on my footing and counting stairs. I wouldn't look down until I knew my footing was steady.  

I received at least 5 compliments on my shoes.  One lady even commented on how they didn't even look broken in.  Oh yeah, about 100 miles of broken in!  Of course they weren't the right shoes for the job but they did an awesome job.  Remember - I was going to run at the gym - not the mountain.  

When I did steady myself and look back, this is what I saw.  

With the cool weather, slight rain and a rainbow behind me, how could I possibly just stop and go to a gym!  I was really hoping that the rainbow ended at my car and when I got back there would be a pot of gold.  Nope. 

STATS OFF GARMIN

Elevation Gain:2,017 ft

Elevation Loss:2,048 ft

Min Elevation:6,575 ft

Max Elevation:8,618 ft

DONE!  Made it to the top!  There was a nice girl that was waiting for her brother at the top that took my picture with the rainbow.  

I was a little wet from the rain, but I was comfortable and I have to say - it was as exciting as finishing a race!  I just wish there was someone at the top handing out medals!  Matt has been trying to get me to go hiking for years and the first time I really go for it, I'm out of town.  I've decided we are going to do more hiking AND trail running!

Here is the start of the trail going down.  

There are a lot of fascinating rock formations on the mountain.  After about a half of a mile of almost straight down hill I finally made it to a part of the trail that was actually runable, and so I decided to run.  My Garmin hit a mile at about that time so I thought I would run/jog/trailrun in my street running shoes for another mile and see how I did.  

LOVED it!

A few pictures I took on the way down.  It was breathtaking!

This was the trail I came down.  I did it in like 2.5 miles...:SHRUG:?  Am I such a fast trail runner that I fly??

THAT IS FUNNY!

Here is my Garmin map.

 The dots in the picture below show the empty spots where the auto pause stayed on.  GRRRR.  Now I have to do it again.  I might not have time this trip, but it will happen.

Here are my splits.  They are way off on the first mile, but the second mile the auto pause was off and I was running.  I think an average pace 15:54 and 16:30 min/miles for a down hill trail that I've never been on before was pretty good.  I had a couple of runners pass me that were flying!  Next time I need to bring my trail shoes.  

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:35:50.5	3.25	29:27
1	57:13.9	1.00	57:15
2	15:54.4	1.00	15:55
3	16:30.4	1.00	16:31
4	6:11.8	0.26	24:16

It's a long post and lots of pictures, but it was so much fun!  It really gave me a bug to start doing some trail running.  Next spring when my foot heals, I'm planning on running more trails.  It's just so beautiful and fun!  

Speaking of foot - yes it hurt like mad!  The PF pain goes away pretty fast when I start moving around, but the nerve pain is killing me!  All the research (Internet) that I've done basically states that it treated the same way PF is.  There is a lot of theories of wearing shoes with a higher heel, getting rid of inserts, blah blah blah.  I am going to see a doctor when I get back and maybe an MRI is the next step.  At this point I'm still going to run my races with lots of rest, ice and ibuprofen in between. 

Has anyone ran the incline?

Trail Running - love it or not?

Blog on................

Day on the road

Took me 12 hours to get to Colorado Springs.  It's a 9ish hour drive.  I may or may not have stopped at an Outlet store and a mall.

Today - in photos.

7am on the road.

Rock star in Evanston.  Stopped at Little America - saw one of my medics.  

Decided to post a picture of how many miles I've done in hundreds.  

One, Two, Three and Four hundred miles.

Things were getting serious by 500 miles and I didn't even take a picture at 600 miles.  Mostly because it was dark and frankly I wanted to punch someone because of traffic. 

Then I ran across this little bad boy:

That's right folks.  Car Fire.  

Car Fire number THREE in the last 2 months.  

Boom.

OK, I stopped twice.  First at the Outlet mall.

My purse is looking dirty and old so I bought a new one.  It's so nicely wrapped that all you get is a picture of the bag.  I had to send pictures of the ones I liked to my friend Tera and she helped me pick one out.  It's just too difficult of a decision to do alone.

I did go alone to the mall, and to Lululemon.

I trust myself only because I have been with Tera to the store in SLC a couple of times.  Plus we will get on the phone and look at the website together/apart.  It's a friendship that adjusts to our travel schedules!

FINALLY I made it!

This little kid is a delight!  He hasn't quite warmed up to me yet, but I did buy him an "angry birds" hat and it goes stunningly with his Toy Story jammies.  

The next week I'll be here, catching up with my great friend Chris and being mom to Lyndsi and Grandma to Matthew and soon to be Xander.  Hopefully I won't be too big of a pain in the ass for Brent.  (Lyndsi's hubby)

Oh, and in 9 days I'm running a half marathon.  

Classic.

Blog on................