St. George Marathon!

I couldn't believe the week before that it was finally here! All those months of anticipation, training, excitement, and soreness had finally paid off and it was time to start carbo loading. I had a terrible week at school the week before and I hardly got ANY sleep. My laptop got broken by a student who threw a basktball (missed the shot) and slammed on my laptop screen. So I was suffering from that whole escapade, and on top of that I kept having nightmares about the marathon race. I once dreamed that I was running with a group of friends through a big city and every 2 miles they would stop and take a break for like a half an hour. I kept thinking "come on guys, we're never going to finish the marathon under 6 hours if we keep stopping! They're going to kick us off the road." It was quite hilarious since I wouldn't even be running with ANY of my friends anyways in the real race. I had so much school work to get done since we had been given a bunch of new deadlines and I finally finished them all Thursday night. I ate a lot of food the week before and drank tons of water. Two nights before we had a big chicken fettucine alfredo dinner, and the night before I ate a chicken and vegetable salad.


Spencer and I left at about 4:20 p.m and had such a fun, bonding drive down to St. George. We listened and rocked out the whole way down to his new music collection that he inherited. Before we knew it we had arrived at the Expo center where I picked up my packet and t-shirt. The posters all ran out which I was bummed about because that was part of the $80 I had spent to join the race. (Where would I even put the poster, anyway?). After the expo center we went to his grandparents house and ate a light meal (the salad), visited for a while, took a shower, and went to bed at around 11:30p.m--I was hoping to get to bed by 9! Ooops...so anyway, when 3:55a.m rolled around, I rolled out of my bed and got ready. Spence made me a bagel with butter and cinammon and I had an apple and drank tons of water. I didn't get very much sleep that night but I had so much adrenaline that I felt fine enough. I was one of the last people on the bus up the canyon because the line was SO long and I had to pee before I got on. hehe. I sat by a really nice guy from Cedar City who told me he had only ran up to 13 miles to prepare for the race, so I was feeling a lot more confident (even though he beat me by like 10 minutes--I saw him at the end of the race--I hate boys that are naturally fast). So anyway, it took about 26.2 miles to get to the top of the canyon (go figure). By the time we made it I only had 15 minutes before the race started to get ready. I quickly took off my sweats, went to the port a potty one more time, and it was time to start! There were thousands of people! I couldn't move hardly an inch without running into someone.

When the race started I felt pretty good. I felt strong and I carried my traditional water bottle with me for safety. The first three miles went by in a flash and I started out with a great pace. The canyon was absolutely gorgeous. The starting temperature was perfect, although I could tell it would get much hotter as the day went on. Several people (mostly males) decided they couldn't wait for the port a potty and used the bushes on the side of the road. It was amazing to see how many people had also decided to run a marathon. Throughout the entire race course I couldn't believe how many signs I saw encouraging people along the way. There were also demotivational signs like "I'm glad I'm not you!" I got annoyed with how many people put signs on the road for this guy named TAUD. Who spells their name that way anyway? I mean don't get me wrong it was nice of people to cheer on their friends, but none of the signs were for me or anyone else around me, so I sometimes would insert my name into the signs i.e. "Go Jennifer!" a.k.a. "Go Julie!" So I guess in that sense it could help. I could go on and on about the race and how wonderful I felt the whole time, but it just got harder as time and temperature went on and up. However, each mile I completed was an incredible accomplishment. I drank tons of water, ate lots of food at the aid stations, and just kept my mind focused. At mile 13 I thought "ok, only 13 more to go!" The last 6.2 miles was probably the hardest, but the Bengay and blister bandages I used at a couple stations really helped ease the pain in my legs and feet. Spencer and his grandparents cheered me on at mile 16 and 21, and my dad cheered me on at mile 25. It was very fun to see them while on the course. I guess you could say that they were my "motivational poster."

The last 3 miles of the race were extremely exciting and hard and I couldn't wait to finish. At mile 25.2 I was surely on my way to the finish line. I sprinted the last half mile and totally beat this lady at the last second. It was awesome and my adrenaline was going crazy. Because I sprinted I felt really sick when I finished but there was this wonderful mist that sprayed you after you finish and that is when they give you the finisher medal. I saw Spencer right after and he got some pictures of me all misted up. After the race I got some ice cream (which totally made me sick), drank some more water, ate a piece of bread, and met up with my family who bought me a sno cone (cherry's favorite!) because it was SO hot! We took some family pics, met up with my dad and went out to Chuck A Rama where we all ate salads (due to the severe hot weather) haha. My final time was 5:08...not bad, not great, but I'm just glad I finished! I felt like I had done a great job. I finished strong and finally accomplished my goal--which is all I ever really wanted to do.

Here I am on mile 16 where Spencer and his grandparents met me.

Here I am at the finish line! Yeah, I smoked her!

My dad came down to visit 300 miles to see me race. It was really fun to see him and his new wife, Kristine.

Matching Blue Babes.

 Spencer, Ruth Ann, Julie, Carl Harper

Oh yeah!



My 25th Birthday

Spencer told me I could do anything I wanted for my 25th birthday which was on August 21st. I spent a couple days thinking about what would make me the happiest on that day. I thought about it and decided to of course spend my special day with him, to not have any kind of party, and for activities I wanted to go for a hike, eat at Tucanos, go to Seven Peaks Water Park, and to watch a movie "The Last Song" that I have wanted to see for a really long time. I had such a wonderful day with Spencer. He truly made me feel like a princess. Turning 25 made me feel like I was getting much older. Where have the last 5 years gone? Time sure does fly when you are busy!

A few days before though for a family home evening Spencer and I went to Robert's Craft Store and got some spray paint to make these AWESOME red shirts. We also got some letter decals and got our shirts from GEN-X clothing for $5 each. I decided to make my shirt a "running" shirt since I was going to be running my marathon soon. My shirt says "Run 26.2 Like A Girl." It was really fun to make the shirts but mine took a LONG time. Spencer's shirt was from a decal he made in his graphic artist class.

So for the hike I wanted to go up Rock Canyon and hike to the top of Squaw Peak. I had hiked this a few years back with some friends and remember it being beautiful. And it really was. Again. But I didn't remember it being QUITE SO STEEP! The whole hike was uphill! Luckily I was in pretty good shape but after doing this I realized how out of shape I am! We had a great time talking, laughing, throwing stickers on each other. Spencer threw like 100 stickers on me with the branch of stickers. So I decided to get him back. It took us a good 5 minutes to get all the stickers off. Ha.

Here the handsome guy is...he is such a good sport! The view from the top is really breathtaking.

This was taken on the way back down the mountain.
By the time we got to the car we were excited to go eat at
Tucanos!

Spencer and Julie
August 21, 2010

Birthday dinner at Tucanos. I ate a lot of food. Which wasn't the best since we were headed to Seven Peaks afterward. Spencer had never been to this restaurant so it was fun to show him.

Has anyone ever been to Seven Peaks? I can't believe after 7 years of living in Provo I had not been! It is seriously SO MUCH FUN going on the slides especially in the hot sun. The BOOMERANG and the steep slides about freaked me out with excitement. I LOVE THE THRILL of rides.

Later that night we went home and watched that movie The Last Song which was actually really good and Spencer liked it too. This birthday was probably one of the funnest I have had in a REALLY long time. I'm so glad I was able to spend it with Spencer and do all the things I love to do!

A light long hike with some friends

My friend Alicia Yost came to Utah to visit this summer. I was super excited to see her because she's been gone for a year teaching school in Mexico. Yes, Mexico. She is amazing. I met her when I taught at Joel P. Jensen in West Jordan. She was the science teacher there and also happened to be in my stake, AND we played church ball together. She's awesome!

 So she invited me to go on a hike with some friends Dave and Valerie. I met them last year and they are totally hard core/ ourdoorsie type. Val is a teacher just like me and Dave works for REI. The hike was 9 miles round trip. Super long but I did great because well, I'm actually in shape! Feels good to feel good!

This hike was absolutely amazing. It is called Lake Mary in Little Cottonwood Canyon. I was only able to capture a couple photos because my camera's battery died, but look at this reflection!!

It's amazing!

Alicia, Dave, and Valerie. Can you find them?

Thanks again Yost!

Spence and I went on a drive up the Alpine Loop and we saw this moose. There were many of them! Many much moosen!

Monte Cristo! Part 2

Some more fun pictures from Monte. We haven't been able to get up there in a couple weeks but hopefully we'll make it up a few more times before it gets too cold. These pictures are mostly from our bike rides around the mountain AND from the great construction work we were able to do on the cabin. I have learned so much about muding, sheet rocking, sanding, painting, etc. It is a lot of fun but seriously a lot of work. Spencer's dad is really knowledgeable and very patient with me. He is a great father in law :)

This should be a picture on a biking magazine don't you think?

My bro-in-law, Richard. This kid is my favorite. He started junior high last week!

The beginning of construction. We had to completely re-do the ceiling and we found some pretty old mice that left behind their exoskeleton. Can mice even DO that?

Spencer and his dad do most of the hard work. They are buff. And very similar. Sometimes it's scary how alike they are! Good thing I like both of them :0

A typical picture of mother and brother. Into their books...but she makes some really great food and takes great pictures :0

I love Richard's face in this picture. He is the little one holding the sander. Check out my shirt. It's my U-Kneada-Pizza Shirt from my high school job! Wow so old!

Putting up the sheet rock. We get very creative. Brooms are great to hold weight. Hey Michael is helping!

Here we are taking a break from the construction. There are so many trails surrounding the cabin that we love to go on. Christie and Ben made it up as well. This picture is so symmetrical!

And I wanted to be in it too so we could send a family picture to our brother Brandon who's on a mission in Texas!

Spencer and Ben = brother-in-laws. Ben is a really funny guy and I like him because he and Christie are obsessed with Brian Regan!

On top of Eccles

Love this guy! He teaches me how to be a better dirt biker. I have much to learn.

Short and sweet! Comments are welcomed!

California Trip--a little late!

In late July I had the great opportunity to go and visit my wonderful family in California! Spencer did not escort me this trip because he had scout camp in Wyoming for a week. So I took the opportunity to take a quick trip and boy was it worth it! I was able to spend some really great quality time with my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, and my adorable nieces and nephew. Everyday was special because I was with my family! It had been quite a few months since I'd been home to beautiful SONORA!

And of course, here are some pics!

Bryan, the oldest, riding his bike. This kid is incredibly talented, funny, smart, and I love him to death! We had fun eating snow cones and taking a walk together (just the two of us). I was there the day Bryan was born and I was the first one to hold him! I can't believe he's already 9!

While Bryan was riding his bike the girls and I were playing on the play ground. Well, they were playing, I was taking pics and turning them on the merry go round.

This is Lainey (the youngest--and sooo cute!)

Lillian Eva, 6 years old. The nicest little girl you'll ever meet! And the silliest.
She'll laugh hysterically if you get her going :)

The girl who's half responsible. Laura is an amazing mother. She is also training to run a marathon someday. She is an awesome runner and a very healthy eater. She and I went on a couple beautiful runs together during the week. Let me just say I love running at the ditch!

I snuck a picture.

Lainey, Kate, Julie, Lilly

Bryan "the man" Brown

It has become a tradition for me to take the girls out to ice cream when I come home. Lily makes sure I don't forget it :) This time we went to the dollar store, tried to find a charger for my phone since I left it at home!, ate some delicious ice cream at Baskin Robbins and then to the county library where we
checked out a couple of books.

Love this little girl. I don't want her to grow up!

Kate is getting soo big!

Bryan got stuck unstacking the wood. What a trooper.

Only boy in the family so he has to do a lot of the manly work.

One of my favorite things about these girls is they have such an imagination. They put on a couple of very cute puppet shows for me. So creative!

Hooray! My dad loves me so much that he came into town all the way from Nevada! We went swimming at his hotel for like 3 hours! So much fun since it was a really hot day. I love swimming with my dad because he always has made it really fun for me.

As you can "see" it was a very BRIGHT day!

Lily rockin' the motorcycle my dad just bought a couple months ago. Another reason why my dad is so awesome! He is getting married in 2 weeks!

Here is my dad and Dustin (my brother). Dustin just painted their house, repaved the front parking lot, and put new sod down this summer. As a result he has a broken foot, again! Poor guy. They went out for an evening bike ride. My dad and I went and watched the movie Inception the night before and he took me for a ride. I love riding motorcylces!

They found the bubbles! I don't know what it is about bubbles but every kid goes crazy for bubbles! Isn't this picture absolutely incredible? Gosh, they are so cute!

Me and my dad the night before he left. He'll be moving to Virginia soon to be with his new wife. I'm so happy he's getting married!

The kids LOVE the motorcycle. Bryan went on a short ride with my dad around the parking area.

On Friday we celebrated Laura and Smokey's birthdays! Smokey is my step dad. We had lots of great food thanks to my mom, and really great cake thanks to Laura!

My mom and Smokey. They've been married for over a year now. So cool! I had the best time with my mom this trip. We spent almost everyday together doing something from shopping, to eating out, to walking down town and we even went and saw the movie Eclipse! It was her first time seeing it. I love spending time with my mom. She and I are best friends and I trust her with so much!

My grandparents picked me up from the airport and drove me back to the airport (they only live 15 minutes away from Oakland). I went to breakfast with my Grandpa Brown and spent some time with my g-ma.

Before I knew it my trip was over :( I was anxious to get home to Spencer though. This was our first week spent apart since we got married. It was really weird the first night but I soon got used to it. When he picked me up from the airport I ended up being like 1.5 hours late! My plane could not land because of inclement weather so we had to fly to Twin Falls, Idaho to get some more fuel! I was so mad because all I wanted to do was get home to my amazing husband. Ugh. Plus, I get claustrophobic in small planes so I was anxious to get home and out of the plane. Luckily on our way back we landed just fine and I finally was reunited with my love. It is the best feeling when you see your spouse for the first time in a long time. We went out to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate and had a wonderful time! Spencer had a wonderful time with his teachers' quorum in Wyoming. He took some awesome pictures with the underwater camera I bought him for his trip, along with some love notes and other treats :) Spencer and I will be going to California again in just two weeks for my dad's wedding! I can't wait!