Big Cottonwood Marathon 2014- 2nd Marathon

After spending the summer running 4-5 days every week, and running a total of 525 miles from May-September... I went out and ran the Big Cottonwood Marathon.

Wyatt came with me to pick up my race packet and was easily caught up in the race excitement. He even wanted a picture of him holding a race sign. I have the best cheer squad ever.

 I got on the bus at 5:15am to go to the Brighton ski resort to wait for the race start in 34 degree weather. A lot of me was numb by the time the race started, which was around 7:35 due to some delays with buses. I was pretty anxious to get the race started so that it would be closer to being finished.

 After giving myself a little pep talk about the fact that I had trained and was ready for this, and that I did in fact sign up and pay to do this, the race got started. The canyon portion of the run was 15 amazing and beautiful miles. I love running in the mountains and this course did not disappoint. After leaving the canyon, I still felt pretty good for about another 4 miles, even though things started to get hot and there was quite a bit of gradual uphill running. As it got warmer and I was running in full sun I started to struggle a bit until I hit mile 21, at which point I felt pretty awful for the rest of the race. Everything from my toes to my head hurt with every step in the last couple of miles. I have never been in more pain while running and I have also never been more grateful to see the faces of my wonderful family as they were cheering near the finish line. These boys and their Dad, make everything seem worth it. And they make it so much easier to forget about all of the pain from before.

 While I had hoped to have a stronger finish, my final time was 4 hours and 14 minutes. I dropped 15 minutes from my first marathon time, and I felt really good for most of the race. I also can out of this injury free, and while I was sore during the day, I wasn't sick and was able to have a good weekend, post race. All of these things felt like big accomplishments for me. I am glad to have this race behind me and to feel strong in having finished it.

Just one little guy and his Mom

Now that all of the older boys are in school in the mornings, It is just this cute little guy and his Mom.

The first day that they left he cried, and when we had to go to the store, all he wanted to do was go home and "Watch Cars."

 The second day when everyone left for school, he shut the front door behind Wyatt and said, 

"Bye, Bye, Sucker."

It was probably one of the funniest things I have ever heard. He can up the stairs smiling and ready to have some fun at home with Mom. He is now my big helper with shopping and going to help at the school and just playing outside together. 

 He also loves a good selfie as much as any teenager.

 And he even gets to go on some fun adventures with Anne. Like taking her to the zoo last week to see all of the animals and ride the train and carousel. I think he is pretty happy with having another year before he heads to any preschool.

Ward Campout- Spruces Campground

Labor Day weekend, we took advantage of the fact that our ward had reserved a group campsite up the canyon and we headed out for an overnight. Complete with smokes and skits and some great wandering around on trails. The weather turned out to be pretty perfect for camping, and we always love to be outside.

 We didn't go any serious hiking, but we did wander up a trail near the campsite and enjoy the stream and the view.

 Great bunch of guys.

Wyatt starts Preschool

This year Wyatt is headed into a great preschool program for 4 mornings a week. He is very excited, and loves that he gets to carpool with his friend, Gabe. He went on a date with his Mom and picked out a new neon green outfit for his first day. Nothing beats neon green in his world.

 He seems to be growing like crazy. It was almost more than he could bear to wait a whole week to wear his new shoes and outfit. It had him rolling on the floor begging like his life depended on it one day. Serious devotion to neon.

The first week of school, Wyatt also got to bring his little animal, Wolfie, and make a nice box bed for him to sit in during class. He loved getting to take an animal

 Sitting at his first center... a little nervous, but he has been having a great time. His only disappointment was when he said, "Now, I get to go to preschool and learn Chinese." We then had to tell him that he is still 2 years away from being able to learn Chinese in school.