Richmond Half Marathon

Steve and I ran the Richmond half marathon on Saturday.  The races of the day turned into a mini Z family reunion.  John, Dorothy, and Sarah flew in from Utah, and the Earnests drove from North Carolina.  Christine ran the 8k.  Rachel, Ken, Steve, and I ran the half marathon.  Annee ran the full.

This was my third half marathon, and I wasn't really nervous or anything.  Steve started in the wave before mine so I kissed him goodbye before we even started.  I ran slowly and steadily the whole time, drinking a couple of sips of water or Powerade at each water station, and squeezing mint chocolate GU into my mouth every four miles or so. 

Somewhere after 12 miles, I saw Steve.  I smiled and exclaimed "I love you!" at the sight of him.  He told me that the kids were on the other side with Grandma Z.  I started running faster, and when I saw the finish line, I sprinted toward it with a smile.  It made me think that if I had enough energy to sprint near the end of 13.1 miles, I could have pushed myself harder during the race or that I could have run much farther at my slower pace.  I didn't see my kids until after I finished.  I was so happy to see everyone.

We stood around and talked for a while, and then we walked back to our hotel room to change into dry shirts.  Then we walked back down to the course to see if we could find Annee.  We totally missed her big finish!  She ran her marathon in under four hours!  We were all so proud of her.

I kept thinking about how drastically different this half marathon was from my first.  During the training for my first one, I cried nearly every time Steve and I went out for a run together.  I hated breathing so hard and moving my legs so quickly.  I had very little confidence that I could actually run the entire thirteen miles.  During the race, Steve ran by my side every step of the way, reminding me that I could do this.  He had run this distance before, and to him, it was not a big deal. But he understood how hard it was for me, and never made me feel small for it.  I finished and ran the whole distance, probably only because I trusted in and relied on my stronger, better half. 

I ran alone for my second and third half marathons, not wishing to slow Steve down, who is obviously much faster than me. But still, I felt completely indebted to Steve after each finish.  For going into work later in the morning so I wouldn't have to run in the dark.  For getting up super early on Saturdays so he could do his long run without sacrificing much family time.  For believing that I could run 13.1 miles in the first place.  I'm quite certain that I can do anything with Steve.  He has never stifled my growth or discouraged my dreams, but, like I've said before, has given me wings to fly.  He has not only offered me his wings, but helped me discover and develop my own, and I love them.   Thanks again, for my wings, love. 

Rainy Wednesday

There are really only two times when I love rain.  I love rain in the summer because it cools everything down for a day or two.  And, I love rain when I run.  

I felt dismal when I woke up this morning.  And then I looked out the window and saw that it was raining and felt downright depressed.  I didn't wake up early enough to run or read my scriptures before the kids got up, which was frustrating because I desperately needed that rejuvenation.  

It's hard for me to ask people for help.  I try to do it only when absolutely necessary, but I didn't think this was one of those times when I could or should ask someone for help.  But I worked up the courage to ask Saige to watch my three children (in addition to her own three), so I could run 4.5 miles and stay on my half marathon training schedule.  I loved that I didn't have to elaborate on how I was feeling and why for her to know that I just really needed to run.

I dropped the kids off at Saige's house, then tried to find the first General Conference session on my iTouch, but it turns out that I did not successfully add it to my device.  I was so mad.  I kept praying that I could find where it was, but it just wasn't there.  So I ran in silence, mist, rain, and autumn on the W&OD, which I had almost completely to myself.  I prayed and pondered.  I marveled at the beauty of the earth.  I didn't I have any profound thoughts or revelations, but a silent, rainy, autumnal run was enough to feed my soul.

Thank you, Saige, for being my friend and giving me time to fill my well.

It's warm!

This week's weather has been amazing. Sunshine everyday and already two really warm days. Tomorrow will be warm as well.

I was kind of sad that today had so many scheduled things like swimming and preschool or else we would have done more things outside.

While Mei Li was at preschool, I put Stephen and Mi Na in the stroller and went for a run. It's been a long time. It felt so good.

I hoped that Stephen would fall asleep in the stroller like the good old days in New York, but he didn't. Instead he asked me a question every five seconds. I really didn't know the answer to some. Like when he asks me what something means and then asks me what my answer means and why it means that.

The run was completely lovely. I think Mi Na thought so too. It was her first. She just looked around and chewed on her straps and made no sound at all. Mi Na is awesome.

Yesterday, we bought some vegetable seeds to start inside and we're hoping that we will eat something this year that we've grown ourselves.

While we were buying our seeds, Stephen threw a major tantrum about me not buying something he wanted. It was awful. Whatever. Moving on. We are definitely in the "throw-down threes" as Alisha calls them.

Steve and I did yoga tonight. I love yoga. It hurts so good. Steve's not a huge fan, which is too bad because his push-ups before and after upward dog look really good. Mine are junk. Steve likes the cardio workouts more.

This was kind of a jumbled, random post wasn't it? My.eye.is.twitching.must.go.to.bed.

Friday

We're going on day three of being at home sick. I'm sick of it. It's kinda fun at first, but I'm done with staying inside.

We did manage to have a little (very little) fun today, and I owe it all to my kids. Mei Li slid down the stairs in her fuzzy candy cane pajamas and taught Stephen to do it too.

After all of that, I had to get out of the house. I bundled them up in their fuzzy pajamas, fleece slippers, hats, gloves, jackets, and blankets, and put them in the stroller for a short jog. It felt so good to be outside in the misty cold.


I love the fall. I think it's my favorite season. That's a new thing. Growing up in southern California, I didn't have an appreciation for fall because I didn't notice it come and go. It kind of looked like summer and winter. While living in VA, I've learned to celebrate what each season has to offer. I love it here.

Tonight, Steve and I left the kids at home with Brighten, and we went out to dinner with his two younger sisters, Rachel and Christine. We love having them here. Christine is out here doing internship interviews, which means she may be out here soon too. We feel incredibly blessed.

Last but not least

At exchange 30 of the Ragnar Relay, our van was done. Steve brought the kids to meet me there, and boy did I miss my family.

Mei Li and Stephen ran up to me and gave me big hugs. It was the loveliest, warmest feeling. I love and need those children of mine. They love and need me, and that is what life is all about.

And my Steve! To be with him again was heavenly.

Darling,

"You have always given me wings to fly, and I have loved you for it."
~Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Thank you for my wings. I love you.

Love,
Me

Ragnar Relay Recap

Leg #1

My first leg of the race was gorgeous. It was a flat 9.2 miles on the C&O tow path. It was an overcast and cool Friday morning, perfect running weather. Some leaves were already yellow and fewer were red. The trees formed a canopy over the path for me to run through. I felt blessed to witness this beauty.

I felt strong during this leg of the race and sprinted when I saw my teammates waiting for me at the exchange. I passed the wristband off to Mena. My longest leg of the race was done.

Leg #2

My second leg of the race was 4.8 miles on Friday night. I had to dress up like a car for safety. I wore a reflective vest, a red blinking light on my back, and a head lamp.

Marco, Steph's husband, was the pace setter. He biked by my side, prepared to give me my pace, mileage, or water. So nice. This leg of the race brought my fastest pace. I think I just wanted to get it over with. I'm not a fan of night running.

Leg #3

I was most nervous about my third leg, a hilly 8.9 miles on Saturday morning. I slept 3 hours the night before and 2 hours the night before that, but as I began to run, I felt energized. I watched the sun rise over farm country. It was so beautiful that all I could do was offer up gratitude to Heavenly Father for letting me be a part of it all.

Thoughts of Adam motivated me uphill. His uphill has been harder than mine has ever been. MacKenzie brought all of us white ribbons to tie around our wrists to remember him. I love that strong little boy, and I ran in part, for him.

My teammates met me at 4 miles and 7 miles to cheer me on and bring me water. I love my teammates so very much.

I handed off to Mena one last time and then I cried. I always cry after long races. I was so happy that I accomplished my 22.9 mile goal.

Running has been so good for me. Maybe I'll tell you all the reasons why someday. The Ragnar Relay was a special race. I don't know if I could do it every year, but I hope to do it again someday.

It's over.

The Ragnar Relay is over now. We accomplished what we set out to do and I'm grateful.

Before I left with my team for Cumberland, MD, Steve gave me a blessing. It completely calmed my anxiety and reassured me that Heavenly Father would be with me and bless me. That He did.

Thank you to 12 dames-a-dashing for a wonderful time. Girls, did you notice that we finished even better than our goal of 3rd to last?

(Photo taken from Alisha's camera)


I will give more details later, but for now, please enjoy my favorite team names:

We got the runs (sponsored by a gastrointestinal medical practice)

R.O.U.S.s Runners of Unusual Speed (did everyone catch the movie reference here?)

Wii Not Fit

We wish we were Kenyan

Oh Shins 12

Goin' out for a run

Tomorrow, I'm heading to Maryland to run in the Ragnar Relay. I found out just yesterday that my total mileage increased by two miles. I've been really worried about it, but I need to stop. I need to stop fearing that I will fail and just be excited to succeed. I can do this. But could you maybe pray for me?

Saturday

Steve woke up first and went for a run. I slept.

I woke up and ran a couple miles before breakfast. Steve had prepared whole wheat buttermilk waffles for all of us. It's our favorite breakfast around here.

We made a family trip to Costco and spent a lot of money on delicious food that will hopefully last us a long long time.

Steve volunteered at Gifts of the Heart at the Stake Center, but was back in time for me to go on the team run along the C&O canal in DC.

The team run was a lot of fun and so beautiful. Running next to Alisha pushed me to run much faster than I usually do. We were supposed to run 5 miles, but somehow ended up running 6.5.

On the way home from DC, I enjoyed conversation with my teammates. One is the mother of seven and a new grandmother. I loved getting her perspective on raising children. She said that she didn't need to worry as much as she did. I needed to hear that. I'm a worrier, but I need to have more hope and faith in myself and my children.

In the evening, we took the kids out to eat. It was only mildly stressful, but mostly delicious and convenient. Our two kids are the boy and girl version of the same person. Both are so energetic, giggly, friendly to all, and inquisitive. They both must ask "why?" to EVERY statement.

Then it was bedtime.

Then it was us time. We listened to the BYU football game on the radio. What a disappointment. I get so emotional during these losing games. I'm nervous, sad, mad, and prayerful. Steve always has to remind me how little football matters. Why is it that the sports fanatic in our household is reminding me about how little sports matter? We had to stop listening in the middle of the third quarter.

I made freezer jam while the losing game went on without me. In middle school, I used to tell everyone that I wanted to be a hick in the country who made her own jam. I used to think that farmers and hicks were the same thing, but they are not. I meant farmer. Maybe some readers of this blog remember that about me. I'm not a farmer in the country, but I make jam and I like it. I have yet to try making cooked jam.

We stayed up late cleaning the house in preparation for the Sabbath. I love a clean house. I love my family. I love everything about life right now. Happy Sabbath.

Labor day weekend highlights

Saturday morning, I ran 12.5 miles at a record pace for me. My average mile time was 1:53 faster than my Charlottesville half marathon average mile time. I felt strong when I finished and it made me so happy.

Steve worked the rest of the day on Saturday, but was home to play in the evening and help put the kids to bed.

Will, a friend from high school, and his girlfriend, Joanna, came over Saturday night for a short visit. They are lovely people.

BYU beat OU. We were delighted. Do you know how much I love BYU? A whole heck of a lot.

Sunday was fast Sunday, and a lovely one at that. We are blessed to live in an amazing ward.

Steve took Labor Day off. We went to the temple together in the morning, and then played with the kids at home. It was a rainy Labor Day so we went to Red Robin for burgers, which was actually disappointing. In-N-Out, I will love you forever.

It was so nice to have Steve around on Monday. I'm looking forward to Tuesday, when all of his work will be finished for a time, and we can play games together after the kids go down, pillow talk until midnight, and spend time as a complete family.

It's official.

I will be running this race in September. I am very excited and feel very blessed to be running with some of the most amazing women I have ever known. Training has begun and it feels good.

After the race.

I haven't run since the race. Well, that's not true. Last Monday (two days after the race), I went out on a misty day and started to run. My knee started hurting so I stopped after half a block, ran back to my house, and grabbed my camera to take pictures of pink blossoms.

When should I run again? How far do I run? I feel so lost.

Tights.

I cannot believe that I have been running around Virginia for the last four months in tights! I never thought I would wear such a figure-revealing piece of clothing, but I think tights are great for running.

P.S. We'll be in Utah for the next week.

13.1

We couldn't have done it without:

Alisha, who watched the kids overnight (thank you!),

our last minute miracle hotel room in Charlottesville,

Vanilla Bean and Orange Burst Gu,

water stations every 3 miles,

and each other.