Reflections

This past week has led to many reflections on life, priorities, and everything in between. Two of Carson's friends were involved in a work accident, one died on the pole. To say the least, it makes me feel a little sick to my stomach. But, I can always find comfort in knowing that when it is our time to go, we will go. My heart goes out to these two families, and to all who have lost loved ones in some form or another. The only thing we can hope for is that we try to do our very best until that time comes, and when it comes we will not fear it.

Race Day Looming

Tomorrow I once again join the ranks of what most people consider "crazy runners" and hope to achieve another PR in a half marathon. You know, its a strange thing, race day. Runners are the only people I know that get up before the sun, try to find a parking spot, and jump on a bus with dozens of others to hitch a ride to a starting point 13 miles away from thier cars, and willingly run back! I dont know many people that would walk a mile to thier cars, and here we are racing each other thirteen.
Yes, it sounds crazy, but at the same time, we keep coming back. I know I do, and I know that this being my last race of the season (at least until I find another one to register for) that I will probably push myself to the puking stage, and I hope to at least finish before said puking. Last year when I ran my first half marathon, I was averaging a 9:45 mile. This year, my top speed has been 8:11, and if I can maintain an 8:30 I'll be a happy girl.
One of the best things about running tomorrow morning? I get to carb load tonight!!

Alright already, I'll update!

Ok, so I know that I'm not the most diligent to this whole blog thing, but give it time. I just need to get into a routine with this and I will get a lot better. So, to give somewhat of an update on whats going on in my crazy life...
Carson has been moved to Granby, CO. Not going to lie, it pretty much rips my heart out, throws it in a blender, whips into mush, and then is handed back to me in a cup with a straw, not to be negative at all or anything. :) Its really hard, and whats harder for me is to admit to myself that I hurt this much because I care this much. Ah, the good old days when I did not give a care in the world....I don't think I'll ever go back. As much as I know it hurts, its ten times better once he is home, and that makes everything worth it.
Classes resume in just over a week, and I honestly cant believe the summer is over already. It really feels like I just ended, but at the same time that feels like a whole different life to me. Graduate school is going to be a completely different animal, and I'm not sure what kind of tool I'm going to have to use to tame this one.
With Carson being gone for weeks on end, I have been worried that I will get bored. But, leave it to me to completely overbook myself in order to avoid this. I ride horses for Helen Grahm in Idaho at least two nights a week till at least ten or eleven at night. This has been a blessing in more ways than one. First, I get to have something to do at night. Second, I'm learning a whole new discipline in riding, which is fun to cross over to what I already know. Third, its not really work when I'm asked to leg-up (means get into shape) champion horses. Seriously, its like riding a rocking chair. If I'm not riding her horses, I'm riding my own. LaMont (Carsons dad) has been kind enough to board my horse for me over here, so I'm there every night I'm not in Idaho. He even loaded up both our horses and took me over to Leathems Hollow for a ride one night. I have been really lucky to have all these things fall into place for me these past few months. And of course, cant forget the crazy obsession with running. I have another half marathon in a week, and I'm hoping for a 1:50:00 time this go-round.
I sit here at my desk, thinking about all the crazy things I have done this week, and I know this is the only chance in my life I'm going to have the time, energy, and passion to do it all. At some point, things are going to change and I will have to start giving up one thing at a time. But, until that happens, all I know how to do is go till I drop, go again, and again, and eventually be forced to stop. But until then, I will do only what I know best....turn your toes out, keep your hat down, and pray like hell you dont get bucked off.

A short intro

I have finally decided to break down and start one of these famous blogs, considering all the crazy things in my life and the distance that is now between me, family, and friends. I just have to laugh at some of the things that have happened in the past few weeks, and the things that are still yet to come. It seems now that I have at least one adventure or big event happening at least weekly, and if I know myself well enough, I am just going to keep it up till I crash.
This being the 4th of July weekend, I decided to join the ranks of dedicated (and also called crazy) runners and ran a quick 15k race in Hyrum. I managed to come in at 1:16:27, averaging a 8:11 mile which is a lot faster than the last half marathon I ran a few weeks ago. Carson's sister Annie and her husband and family all ran, and it was actually kinda nice to have someone cheering at the finish line. Yvonne and Lamont were there with Annies' girls, and I did briefly hear them as I pushed for the finish line. Like a horse headed for the barn, all I could see was the finish, so I did not see them but at least I heard them.
Carson is home for the weekend, so our big plans include rodeos, trail riding, and a roping tonight. Its not my favorite thing that he is gone so much, but its weekends like this that make it all worth it. He is still out in Grand Junction CO, and will be for a couple more months until he is moved yet again.