HaPpy BIrThDAy to ME!

The best thing about turning 39? Is that I'm closer to 40! I don't know why, but I'm kinda looking forward to 40. It seems like such an accomplishment. Maybe it's because my 30s have been so hellish? We'll see, but my 39th birthday was very fun. Ed took the morning off from work, which was very nice, I had sushi for lunch at Happy Sumo, a steak dinner with the boys and cake and ice-cream with friends. It was Rylan's 13th birthday as well, so our family's got together to celebrate. Good times! I'm still celebrating. Earlier this week, Cheryl (my Ragnar buddy), Merrilynne and Christine took me to lunch. On Saturday, Nissa is taking me to lunch. Yay for birthdays!

My 39 year old self.

The Gang: Alex, Kenzie, Merrilynne, Rylan, Jaidyn, Emmy, Christine & Scott
Not in pic, but there: Kiki, Ryan, Paxton, Brennan, Ky and Ed

Yummy birthday cake for the girls!

Birthday girls

I Rock !!!!!

So, in the last year I have discovered that I have a "bucket list". It's nothing that I have ever admitted or written down, but things that I have in my head about things that I want to do, pursue or try before I die. Most recently, I've been able to accomplish one of those items thanks to my new visiting teacher, Jessica. I mentioned to her on a visit that I really have been wanting to try rock climbing and what do you know? She is a rock climber! Score! She said they were going that Saturday and invited me to go with them. I readily said yes, but then got nervous because I wasn't sure I would be able to do it. I wasn't sure I was strong enough since I had been on hiatus from strength training due to concentrating on my running. Jessica didn't think it would be an issue because I practice power yoga regularly.
The following Saturday, Jessica picked me up and another gal, Judy and we went up to American Fork Canyon. Jessica is an amazing instructor. She really took the time to teach me the "ropes" (haha, I couldn't resist). She didn't do for me, she actually taught me about knots, terms, and answered all my questions. She made it look so easy, made me feel at ease and offered amazing encouragement. She praised my strength and abilities, which made me feel amazing. She said the yoga was definitely paying off. Pointed out that I had done a more advanced move, "a mantle" (look it up). I felt on top of the world, okay, on top of a big rock. I enjoyed it thoroughly and it is something I would really like to do more of. However, I did mention to her, that I may be a fair weather climber, because it was so cold!

Jessica, making it look so easy.

Spiderwoman, that's me!

Me again!

On my way down!

Annual San Felipe, BCN, Mexico Trip

Three days after getting back from the Ragnar Race, we headed for our annual trip to San Felipe with my my parents and brother, Luis. As always, we had so much fun. We were very excited that Ed took time from his busy schedule to go with us. He was due for a much needed rest from the stresses at work. It was a little difficult for him to be incommunicato for 3 days, but I think it was good for him.

This is a jellyfish Ed fished out of the ocean. We put it in a bucket with rocks, after we had a good look at it for a bit, we released it back into the ocean.

The boys

Brennan's favorite activity: Hunting for crabs

Ryan's favorite activity: Exploring and taking pictures

Ed's favorite activity: Going out to the sandbar when the tide was low.

We also captured this crab in our bucket and observed it for a while. He was not very happy with us. Check out his defensive posture....and it's kinda creepy when they look at you with their beady eyes.

My favorite activity: Waiting every morning for the sun to come up. I'd sneak away from our campsite before everyone was up to take in the beauty. The pictures don't capture how magnificent these sunrises are.

The picture above is my favorite. The sun was starting to come up, you could still see the moon and a bright star/planet?

My brother Luis' favorite activity: Having fun with his nephews.

Ragnar Victory

I have not had a chance to post about my Ragnar Relay adventure, because I have been crazy busy since I got home. I am still feeling a lot of excitement and energy about it 10 days later. It is such a mix of the most challenging thing I have ever done combined with the funnest thing ever (I must have a hole in my head). It is a very interesting feeling.
My top 12 memories about Ragnar Las Vegas:

1. The 11 friends for life that I have made through this whole experience: Cheryl, Melanie, Christine, Laura, Kellie, Tifany, Rachel, Libby, Jaime, Wendy and Lisa. I think you are all amazing! You are REAL women.
   
2. Boom Boom Pow


3. Laura and pumping. That is dedication.


4. Kellie hyped up on energy supplements, and a fractured femur! Amazing!!


5. My 3rd run, being 4.4 miles instead of 4 and wondering if I was lost and it taking me me over an hour because I had to wait through at least 8 traffic lights that took 2-3 minutes each.


6. Having to pee in a really nice neighborhood in Henderson and getting bit by something on my bum while doing so.


7. Melanie running her 3rd leg, just after spending a whole night throwing up. Way to go!


8. Christine and Cheryl's completely uphill runs!


9. At our 1st rest stop, just laughing, talking, everyone letting their guard down and being themselves.


10. The meltdown on Friday night. Not my most shining moment, I apologize for my less than civil behavior and language.


11. The confirmation that you can conquer your physical and mental limitations when you set your mind to it.


12. Cheering on and providing support for our other half of the team. I'm bummed we couldn't all be in the same vehicle.

Me, Laura, Melanie, Kellie, Christine & Cheryl at the start.

Me and Christine at the Finish!

Cute sign that Kenzie, Christine's daughter made and was waiting when we got home.

Celebratory cake that Ed made.

September Recap

Birthdays
September is birthday month for both boys. Ryan turned 14 and Brennan turned 7. Time flies, it doesn't seem that long ago that they were both little babes. I enjoy these boys so much. They bring me so much joy. I'm not going to lie that it's joyful all the time. It's getting harder as they get older, it's mentally and emotionally exhausting, but very rewarding.

Running like Crazy or Crazy Runner?
My September has also been filled with "pounding the pavement", or in my case, mostly "pounding the treadmill" which has resulted in a pounding of my poor body. I really had not let too many people know because then it would become too real and I was in denial about the craziness I had got myself into... I have been training to run in the Ragnar Relay Las Vegas in early October. The training mileage and time has really kicked up in September and I have been exhausted and a big complainer about how much pain I am in. These past 2 weeks have been really hard, with some serious doubts about my ability to do this physically and emotionally. I don't know what I was thinking?!? I am scared, excited, nervous, anxious....I am a jumble of nerves. My team is all women, mostly novice runners that I just met (except one person). I met some of them for the first time a couple weeks ago and will meet the rest the week of the race. Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers, I'm gonna need them!

"Killer" Concert
In September we also got to go to The Killers concert with our friends Chad and Nissa. It was awesome. It was such a good show. I loved the energy of the crowd and that Brandon Flowers is a cutie. I think The Killers have made my Top 10 list of bands. Thanks Nissa for getting us the AWESOME seats, you ROCK!