The RunBug

Well I ran my first Half Marathon yesterday (13.5 miles) it was invigorating. I started training in January, I took a longer than normal training period so I could progress nice and slow. I think I have an ankle condition called posterior tibia tendonitis or something. Basically from exercising too much. But the doc said just take the training slower. It has been cool seeing my ankles develop their stamina for longer periods of runs. Weather may have a bit to do with how they feel too. I began my run a bit fast and it was on concrete which is what pushed them into pain in the beginning, but after we got onto the towpath which is just dirt they began to feel better. 

The morning was a bit cloudy but dry at least, and the run ended up so beautiful. All the fall colors are starting to come out here, I just love this time of year. I was a bit surprised at how people did not pace themselves, I noticed them slow down a lot near the end because their bodies were giving out. Keeping yourself at a slow steady pace was the biggest advice I had read or herd so I was surprised. 

I have really enjoyed going through this process of learning bout myself and body. I have always hated running with a passion which is why I decided to face that issue head on. I was determined to love running and now I think I at least like it. The actual activity itself is still rough but I love how I feel afterwards. My favorite is surprising myself with how long my run was.  There is something ritualistic about running a new rout and then driving around in my car watching the trip clock how many miles I ran. So in all I guess I am just surprised to find that at nearly thirty I have a new found love. Not to say I will become a serious runner, but I have definitely caught the run bug.

Homeward bound

Me and the girls went back to Pocatello last week, wow what a trip! We stayed with John and Elisha, they've been there for about a year, although now they are moving to Colorado. Janae and Tammy came to see us while were there and we all had so much fun. Monopoly was by far the funnest. We also developed a "Lee's coolest 80's movies" list. We also went down memory lane listening to Mannheim Steam roller and Yaz (Erasure). I am sure glad I took this opportunity to go down to visit them and do a bunch of other cool things like: 

Go to the D.I.

Go to the Cottage

Eat at Bamboo Gardens with Terry and Gail

See the long missed western sunrise with my girls

run through the sage brush

get spring water from scout mountain

pick pussy willows from the canal

hike up to the I

play in the rocks at Ross park

swing at ross park

visit my daddy's grave

Go to Tagen's reception

We also visited Mike and his family in Bicknell Utah, near Capitol Reef National Park (Kinda like Zion's). 

Rich and I went to Manti for Tagen's wedding which was so beautiful, Im so proud of her!

After settling in we took Rich out for a double date for his birthday, we ate amazing food at Cafe Diablo, mmm!

On Sunday we had a great time skipping church and driving around the mountains looking at amazing Rock formations. My favorite sites were the 1,000 year old petroglyphs on the base of some of the cliff walls. Natives etched pictures in the stone.

Running fetish update

So I am excited to say I have worked my body up to a solid 6 mile run and stretch to a 9 mile regularly. I am now running for a different half marathon in October and feel good about being ready. Rory got new tenni-shoes for school and wants to run with me everyday. She is on fire about getting tough. She wants big muscles and weight lifts too. I think they are just about ready for their own little race too. Her and City are in soccer which has also helped get them excited about being fit. I wish there were more hours in the day, now with school it is tricky getting time to exercise with them. 

The girls just developed and illustrated their own reward program and call it Star Kids. They decided on their chores and made cards for each. Then they painted the boards and nailed hooks to put them on for each day of the week. At the end of each day if they get all their chores done then I give them a fake dollar which they go shopping with at the end of the week (in my store.) Rory is saving up for the Hanna Montana dress-up outfit, and felicity can't seem to get her head wrapped around saving yet but getting there. I have to say this first week into the program has been a blast with them, they are really becoming responsible young ladies. Here are a few of their illustraions:

Summer's crazy cousin moments

Nuf said.

run fatboy run

So after seeing Run Fatboy Run the movie, I totally felt like I related. Although not as extreme. Collette got me into running late this winter and I have to say I really have developed a love for it. Its a strang contageous hobby. There's something about pushing yourself farther than you ever imagined that is almost like a high. If I can stay away from injurys my goal is to run the Akron half marathon (13.5 miles I think, YiKES!!) this september. I'm excited to say that I have worked up to about a 3-5 mile stamina, still a long way to go. I guess if I have to walk a bit that won't be so bad.

So The whirling wind of the Kirtland Play has finally sucked our family in this summer. Rich, Rory, and City, Janae, Aaron, Brianna, and as always Sunny and little Jeremy too. Its been fun hanging out and seeing it in motion, the directors Nate and Sunny sure do an amazing Job. Suppose to be different this year, more songs and new scene etc. Can't wait.

Accomplishments

Finally a minute to sit and reflect. I am ready to jump into the next phase of my life, Graduated finally and surrounded by amazing people. I couldn't have asked for a better life. My kids are angels, my hubby is supportive and, well, HOT. My mommy came out to visit me for two weeks. And my siblings want to come to Kirtland for our Family reuinion. Seriously I don't think life gets any better than this. I love you all. :o)

Tis the season for New Years resolutions

Why is it that our country decides to routinely emphasize shopping, eating out, partying etc. etc. etc. at the end of year?  It's cold so no one wants to exercise, everyone is too busy to cook dinner so they eat out instead. The family is in town which makes everything even more out of control. Is this all for fun? hmmmm. I can think of funner things like beach volleyball, swimming, painting a piece of art, sunbathing, clipping my toenails, clipping my husbands toenails, cleaning out my bellybutton, watching Rich rip out his nose hairs. Yes much funner things. Things that actually come to mind when there is time to think. And even more aligned with what people really want to be doing for their Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. Then comes the weight gain and feeling depressed and ugly. So now it's January! time for New Years resolutions. Lose the weight that I just gained (from the past 4 Christmas's), organize from the last four Christmases, clean the last four Christmases. Why do I do thins to myself? Or why does our culture do this to us?  Is it money? Buying food, gifts, gas, giftcards.  What about self control. Discipline, conscience. Thats it!!!! next year its going to be a trip.....

But in the mean time I think I'm going to train for a 10k marathon. 6.5 miles (for those of you like me, just learning) Collette is going to get me on a training schedule, I am so excited. Hopefully it will be a successful experience. Maybe I can lose all the crap I just ate.

:o)

Sweet

Awesome!!!

Wind blown

Christmas break

So we had  wonderful Christmas break. My mommy came out for a three and a half week visit. Janae and I feel so spoiled. We are already having Ina withdrals. Kirtland ward had a hard time letting her go too. She is definitely loved here. Our vacation consisted of lots of candy making (handled by Rich and my mom) mini album making, ornament painting by the girls, Build-a-bear outing, tea party inductions for the bears, nativity re-enactments put on by all 9 McClellan grandkids followed by Star Wars cookie decorating. Hosting 5 parties including Rory's monstrous birthday party and mom's first date. And trip to Pittsburgh to visit the Zoo, Aquarium and Science center. Whew! a little less than a break, but fun nonetheless. :o)

Zoo visit

Build-a-bear Tea Party at Janae's

Reggae remorse

Well its done.  The dreads are gone!!! It was nice to relieve my head from the weight, but yes I miss them very much.  :o( My husband and girls had a family revolt but I soon won the battle. My girls even sat and cut each one off. Rich spent about two and half hour combing. After the painful morning I took a trip to the beautician, Wa-lah.