Road Trip

Last two days I've been up in Rock Springs at work.  The first day there we had a flight but the fixed wing couldn't get into the Salt Lake airport (weather) for a few hours. 

I was in my get-up and of course I'm going to take a picture!!  Waiting for the pilot to say, "go time".  Luckily things cleared up and we were able to complete our transport.

Today started out with a text message from Wyodot (Wyoming state web site) that "alerted" me to the fact I-80 was closed about 20 miles west of Rock Springs.  I signed up to get alerts about I-80 from the Utah border to Rock Springs to keep me posted when I'm driving up there a lot.  Needless to say my relief nurse was late.  

THEN, it took me four hours to drive to Salt Lake City.  FOUR hours!!  I can usually do it in a little over 2 - 2.5.  Luckily I had snacks, hot coffee, water bottles and my iPad and iPhone.  I sent some work emails after we finally were just STOPPED.  Apparently there was ANOTHER accident.

This is what I was missing:

Family cookie day!!!

We all bring our own cookies and frost them together.  We also dip pretzels in chocolate AND this year we used a pinterest idea to decorate sugar cones as Xmas trees!  Thank you to my dear sweet Sami who took care of our families stuff.  Of course the baby pic is thrown in there because she's adorable.

Speaking of adorable!!

Three of my parents granddaughters.

Xadi, Sami and Abby.

My brother Dave's daughter, my daughter and my brother Marks daughter.  That is some genetic genius there my friends!

Here is Xadi's little sister Lisette.  I had to get my baby smooches and smells in for the month!  She wasn't in a very good mood.

She packs a killer pouty lip!

SO adorable!  

Don't worry, I put down the iPad and did as I was told by her majesty.  Walk and pat, walk and pat....

Today was a rough day.  I listened to Rich Roll's book, "Finding Ultra" and I'm working on a book review about it.  I also listened to Joe Rogan's podcast with Rich Roll on it. Then I listened (I had lots of time) to a book called, "Why we are fat".  It's the second time I've listened to it and I took notes all the way home when I could.  I am fascinated by the history of food and how it is viewed as nutrition, etc.  It's so full of facts and studies that I am going to put together a couple of posts on it that just skims the surface but I think it's mucho importato.  (Espaniol?  Nada?)  Hahahaha

All of this awesome information about running and nutrition and I just want to run!  Instead I ate 4 sugar cookies with frosting.  Bah HUMBUG.  I must be in the anger stage of my injury?  I know I would feel better mentally, physically and emotionally if I could just pound out a long slow run!  Guess this is where the rubber hits the road (OK, I really don't know what that means).  Tomorrow I have a Barr class and hopefully that will cheer me up.  My nerve study was moved up to the 20th and I have some Christmas shopping to do!

What is your favorite thing to do when you are feeling down?

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................

Working reward

The last three days have been interesting!  I'm really glad I got in my 14 mile long run on Sunday because the half marathon is about 10 days away and I haven't ran since.  I should do a tempo run tomorrow but I'm feeling "off" and hoping I can get out for at least a short run before I drive to Colorado Springs.  But more about that later.

Monday I went to work at the Rock.  I was feeling pretty tired when I got there so we did our usual plane check, equipment check, med check etc and then I laid down to read.  I was SOUND asleep in about 5 minutes.  Luckily I laid down when I did because about 90 minutes later the phone rang for a call.  I was excited because that is what I like to do.  When I called for report the patient seemed pretty sick and I was even more excited.  I don't wish for people to be sick, but that is what I'm trained on and work hard to keep my skills up for.  Transporting a sick ICU patients is one of my favorite.  

Unfortunately this patient was REALLY sick.  My first glance terrified me and I was sure he was too unstable to transport.  After some discussion with Medical Control and the receiving doctor it looked like we were on our way.  I had a great medic that is super smart and meticulous (and hot! - well that's unprofessional!  haha).  We spent a good hour at the hospital getting the patients meds on our pumps, assessing, taping and moving.  Let's just say this patient was over 300 lbs.  Very difficult to care for someone that large.  Very difficult to move patients that large.  I know that obesity is a complicated subject and if it was as easy as "calories in" and "calories out" then most people would be thin.  It's so much more complicated then that.  When I meet a critically ill patient that is obese, I don't know them.  I usually can't have a conversation with them because they have a breathing tube and I don't know the circumstances of their lives.  I do know that no matter what the reason is for their condition, it's almost impossible to care for them how I would like to and for their bodies to fight a good battle because of the extra stress on everything!  Sometimes, all the problems that my patients have (and this is not specific to any patient) that include obesity it's apparent that they aren't taking care of themselves.  That is frustrating.  Your body can only give as good as it's given.  

Luckily for us, we were able to transport the patient slowly and safely to a hospital equipped to to take care of the issues without any severe instability.  It took about 9 hours because of the care we had to take with moving and making sure the patient was safe and so were we.  The bad news is:  It totally kicked my ass.  The adrenaline that gets pumping and the physical work along with flying is a recipe for exhausted!  I LOVE my job!  But now I can't seem to get enough napping in.  I did make one mistake after the flight and I didn't have my EmergenC that I usually have after every flight with 2 bottles of water.  I could tell the next day I was dehydrated.     

At the airport we saw this Air Crane.  How cool is it???  It is for fighting fires. I watched some You Tube videos about them and they are impressive.

On the flight to SLC we saw a fire that was burning just south of Bear Lake.  It's pretty amazing to see it from the air.

Tuesday my son had to take our dog to the vet.

I hate it when something goes wrong when I'm out of town.  Matt left the same day I did and we were both a little worried about our dog, Ted.  He had been moping around, not eating well, puking and a little diarrhea.  The kids left at home watched him closely and then on Tuesday my son, Daniel, called me and said he was worried and wanted to take him to the vet.  We have the best Veterinarian ever - I called and he was able to take him right in.  After stool and blood tests they confirmed some sort of intestinal virus that Ted probably picked up from a long walk and drinking some water or something.  I guess there is a pretty big outbreak of it and the Vet had seen about 6 dogs in a week with it.  Ted was given some meds and sent home. Today when I got home I noticed he was a little more lazy then usual.  I love it when he lays like this, with his paws crossed.  He's a great dog!

My favorite part of the day!

Opening these!!

I work - I get a reward.  OR - my husband works, gets a bonus and I get new shoes!

YEAH, new shoes!!!

AGAIN?  I probably need an intervention but when Road Runner had a 25% off sale on shoes for VIP's AND they had the new Asics in PINK in men's - it was kismet.  The planets aligned and it had to happen.  I have the perfect outfit for them too.  Hahaha.  I will run in them!  They are stable enough and maybe I'll find they are the combination that will help my foot heal.  Who knows??  

Before I knew that I would feel sorta crappy today I signed up for an Athletic Conditioning class with the famous "ass kicking" Christian.  I napped most of the afternoon so I decided to go.  If you've never done Reformer Pilates then here is a pic of how they are:

Usually I just take a Pilates class but the studio 9th & 9th has other classes on the reformers too.  About 45 minutes into the class I thought I was going to vomit.  It was HARD!  Then we ended on 100 push ups   Doesn't he know I can only do about 10 push ups that are OK.  I tried though and by the time I finished and got in the car I could hardly hold up my arms.  Talking on the phone was painful. I just hope I can wash my hair tomorrow!

About Colorado Springs.  

My great friend Chris has a daughter Lyndsi.  (there will be a quiz later..haha) I have known Lyndsi since she was 7.  I met her the same weekend I met Chris up camping.  Chris and I have been good friends since.  When he lived in town we spent many weekends camping with other single parents and kids and had the best time ever.  He is truly a great man with a huge heart!

Lyndsi is now married and is having her second child.  She really doesn't have contact with her biological mom, so I have wormed my way in as pseudo mom.  I was there for the birth of her first boy and I'm hoping to be there for the second.  She has been pretty miserable and having labor pains, but I'll be there by Friday night.  I love this girl and think the world of her.  I'll be in Colorado at least a week, then I drive to Moab for my race.  I'll get some runs in before the race.  I hope.  One thing is for sure - there is going to be a lot of baby holding and sniffing.  My blog may temporarily transform itself into a baby blog.

Long post....lots of rambling!  Welcome to my head!

Do you ever just have a few days when you are exhausted???

Is there anyone in your circle of friends that you consider family?

How do you think the health care system should handle the ever increasing obese population?  

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

Check out SUAR website!  She is giving away Yurbuds and they look pretty sweet!

I’ll take my milk in a saucer please…..

Sometimes I can be catty.  Although I never mean it to be malicious or hurtful, the word catty seems to be perfect.  I’m usually catty in my head or to a trusted friend.  Why does it feel good to hang out with a great friend and freely speak your mind about those around you? (sorry if you thought I was perfect, it's an easy mistake)

Today’s catty thought was in my head.  There was a lady in my TRX class that was talking to the instructor and complaining about the price of classes.  First of all, the rent was raised at our studio and secondly, the prices are not only fair but probably the cheapest in town.   In my head I said to the lady: “You are wearing a full Lululemon outfit so you obviously can afford something nice to wear, next time don’t buy the outfit and you can buy at least 5 classes……and your hair color and cut is crappy”

In my outside voice I said, “The classes are still a very good deal”

True. Personal. control.


This was too funny not to add!   Shake! Shake!  Shake!

Speaking of speaking our minds, I tend to speak mine (which is not to be confused with being catty).  In the last year I have had two experiences where speaking my mind led to a person/friend to just stop.  It’s hard to describe what they stop doing.  Stop interacting with me in a friendlier manner, is the best way to describe it.    Weird.  Because these people (2 of them) seemed to embrace and enjoy my more outspoken personality but then I said something they didn’t like and BOOM.  Or did I?  I have no idea exactly what happened. Shutdown.  There was no conversation. 

“HEY, we are having a confrontation here!” was a line I heard today on one of my audio books.  Perfect.  I feel like I am left standing alone, being robbed of the other half of the conversation.  I am perfectly happy to listen to someone tell me how they think it is or how I am wrong.  I can admit I am wrong.  I tend to talk before I can think and I've mastered the art of apology.

 

I don’t want to really talk about either of the people or the situations (I do and I have but not in this venue) because I know there is always 2 – 3 sides to a story.  I do know that I have been asked, “what happened?” and I am left with, “I have no idea!”  I guess if I've learned one thing from my perfectly loving parents is that it’s just not worth making a deal out of it and forgiveness is best. 

I will just skip along………….

On the bright side!  My TRX class was uber awesome and I had my butt handed to me by my instructor.  I did every exercise he wanted us to do and if you've ever taken a kick ass TRX class then you can appreciate what a success that is. 

I think my delt’s are even stronger!!

Plus I got to smell and smooch this little head tonight:

My niece:  Lisette.  Daughter of my brother Dave.  She is scrumptious.

Blog on……….