Craziness!!!

     So in my class we just finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  We're now watching the movie and doing a Ven Diagram to compare and contrast the movie and the book.  (We're watching the 1971 version.)  I'm sitting there watching Wonka as he takes the children through the factory and being totally freaked out because I do a lot of crazy things he does....I can't even describe how crazy I feel after see the similarities between Wonka and myself.  Watch it.  See if you can see it too...

The Book of Mormon

This last week I finished reading The Book of Mormon again.  Once a year I like to read it in about a week focusing on a certain aspect of it or on a question that I have.  This time I looked at the women of The Book of Mormon.  I really learned a lot from these women and how they lived their lives.  There is not a lot said about the women in The Book of Mormon, but as I've studied what was said and taught about them I really came to admire their faith and example to me as a woman.

One of my favorite stories was that of the queen of King Lamoni.  When Ammon first preaches to King Lamoni, King Lamoni is overcome with the spirit and falls as if he were dead.  The servants take the king to his wife and his family mourns over him for two days and nights.  Before they take his body to lay it in the sepulchre, the queen asks for Ammon to come to her.  Ammon comes and inquires what she would like him to do.  She replies telling him what the servants told her that he was a prophet of God and that he had the power to do "mighty works in his name"(Alma 19:4).  She asks him to go see her husband because she did not believe that he was dead.  Ammon knew he was not dead, but under the power of God and that "the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind" and he had been overcome by the Spirit.  He goes to see the king and tells the queen that the king was not dead but slept in God and would rise the next day.  Ammon asks her if she believes his words and she readily tells him that she does indeed believe. Ammon then says, "Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites" (19:10).  I really believe that for Ammon to say this was a great compliment.  He was the son of a very faithful king.  He personally knew Alma and was a great friend to Alma the Younger.  I'm sure he knew many faithful Nephites, but to this woman he says that her simple faith was greater that that seen "among all the people of the Nephites."  King Lamoni does wake the next day and the first thing he does is stretch out his hand to his wife and say, "Blessed be the name of God and blessed are thou" (19:12).  She listens to his testimony and then is herself overpowered by the Spirit.  When she awakens, she is filled with joy and bears her testimony to her people.  What an amazing example of faith!  She only had the witnesses of her servants and Ammon and she was able to have faith that her husband would awake. 

There are so many more stories of faithful sisters in The Book of Mormon and I can go on and on about them, but I'll let you learn about them on your own. :0) The Book of Mormon is another testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I am thankful that I am able to read it and feel the Spirit testify to me of its truth and of the purity of the principles contained in it.  I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that he was able to see God the Father and Jesus Christ in the grove of trees when he was only 14 years old.  I'm thankful that he had the faith and courage throughout his life to live the principles he was taught and to organize the true church of our Heavenly Father here on this earth so that I can have it in my life now.  I'm so thankful for my Savior!  I'm thankful that He took upon Him my sins and suffered for all the wrongs I do in my life.  I'm also thankful for His sacrifice so that I may have someone who truly knows of my sicknesses, my trials, my heartaches and pain, my hopes and dreams, and my love and joy.  I hope I can live my life working hard to be worthy of that gift!  I'm so thankful to my Heavenly Father for all he has blessed me with in my life.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Park City Half Marathon

So after Ragnar I should have kept training, but I fizzed out. What with my aching muscles and my training buddy having twisted her ankle during Ragnar...I pretty much had no motivation to keep running. So when August 21st came around I had done some running, but not anything longer than a 5K...We had to get up very early to drive up there because Kenz still had to pick up her race packet...We left at 4 a.m. and then I slept for about an hour in the car after we got there. I was exhausted after having spent the day at Lagoon the day before and not getting home until about 11 and then not being able to sleep.....

We went to the start line with the second wave and off we went...I meant to stay with Kenz, but she was having a hard time with her ankle. We ran the first couple miles and then Kenz needed to walk. I was just getting warmed up and into the rhythm of running, but I wanted to stay with her so we walked the next few miles....very slowly. Finally at about mile 7 I said good-bye to Kenz and ran the rest of the way. I couldn't believe how much my feet hurt! My shoes were made for running and not for walking and my feet were screaming at me! I kept running though. The last mile was pure torture and I finally had to start counting my footsteps. Run 40. Walk 20. Run 60. Walk 30....It helped me stay focused and to finish. My time was 3 hours 26 minutes and 31 seconds. I could have done better if I had just run instead of staying with Kenz as long as I did...but I wanted to be able to help her out...I swore never to do a half marathon again....but then again...I said that about Ragnar too, so who knows....?

I have pictures, but haven't been able to figure out how to e-mail them from my phone yet...but I'm working on it...

The Crazy Ragnar Adventure Part 2

After we get to the next major exchange we hand off the baton and jet to Morgan High School to take showers and naps. It is near impossible to get any sleep as we lay on blankets in the grass next to the Seminary. There are so many people and so much noise. Our van has to run through the night and having somewhere to sleep is not going to happen until about 4 a.m.



After getting pretty much no sleep we make our way to Echo Canyon where we grab the baton and start our night time runs. To keep us safe we are required to wear reflective vests, headlamps, and blinking LED lights. Running at night is one of my favorite things to do, so I'm totally stoked to be doing my longest run at night. Eleven o'clock rolls around and I'm grabbing the baton from Runner #7. Down hill in the dark seven miles! I was making good time. My team met me at about 2 miles to give me water....two miles later I'm wondering where they went to because I know I need more water, but I keep running hoping to find them.....Mile six rolls around and I'm starting to feel abandoned and worried about getting dehydrated....I get to the last mile marker and I hear cheering ahead of me! Finally my team!!! Oh....it's not my team, but people who are even better!!! My mom, Aunt Cindy and Beth!!! It was a great surprise! Beth ran with me for about a quarter mile, which was good because I had had enough and was ready to give up, but she kept me going. Finally I reach the exchange and pass the baton off to Runner #9. I made it!!! And I feel great!

I hop into the van and off we go...but wait....now I'm feeling a little nauseous....and my arms and tongue have gone numb...What is going on? We pull over so I can get out and walk around for little while. It helps and we get going again to the next exchange. As soon as we stop again, I'm feeling even worse and go puke up my guts on the side of the road. It was awful! I was so sick the rest of the night and I knew it wasn't good because I hadn't had enough to drink on that last run in the first place and I couldn't keep anything down...I was so dehydrated....We stopped at the next major exchange and slept on the cement in our sleeping bags. I was feeling a little better and had nothing left to get out of my stomach, so I slept okay.

The next morning we go take a quick shower and get ready for our last legs. I was feeling better, but still a little iffy. I didn't know if I could actually run my last 6.1 miles, but I was going to try.

We got to my exchange and I started out running the first two miles, but then started to feel sick again so I walked the rest of the way. At the last mile I was once again puking on the side of the road and wishing I could die because I hate puking...I would rather have any other sickness!!! I made it to the end though and that was great!

When we got to Kenz's last leg we got her going and then we had to leave her because she ran on a trail for most of the way...When we got to the next exchange we waited and waited and waited and then I started getting worried about her because she still hadn't come...it was way past the time she should have been there. Well we find out while we're waiting that they had to take another route on the run and it added 1.5 miles to their run.





When I finally found Kenz she was so tired and had twisted her ankle on the trail....but she made it!

We drop off the last runner and meet him and the rest of the team at the Canyons in Park City. I swore to never run Ragnar again because it was horrible! And thus ends the Crazy Ragnar Adventure...

At least until I got a call a few weeks later from my sister-in-law asking me if I would like to be on her dad's team next year....of course I said yes... :-D

The Crazy Ragnar Adventure Part 1

People are pouring in to the small park in Liberty, UT where, in the early morning hours, racers are preparing to begin the 7th leg of the Ragnar Wasatch Back. The air is think with anticipation. The first half of our team has been running since 5 a.m. and is now nearing the first major exchange where we will take over for the next six legs. We check all our safety gear and get our #7 racer ready to grab the baton and be off to the next exchange point.

Two hours after having arrived our #6 racer has made it to the exchange. #7 grabs the baton and off she goes on a short three mile stretch to the next exchange. My stomach begins to tighten as I realize I am the next runner up. I've never run in a relay before and I'm nervous and worried about pretty much everything. Have I had enough to drink? Have I trained enough to make it through this? Am I going to be so slow the team won't finish by the time we we want to finish? Running with a team is so much more stressful than running by yourself...

We meet #7 at about a mile into her run to give her some water and then we dart to the next exchange where I warm up and stretch...My heart is pounding and I can feel the adrenaline start pumping through my veins. I can see #7 come around the corner and I get ready to take the baton...

Then I have it!! I begin the 3.4 mile distance to the next exchange point.



As my legs start pumping, I let the steady rhythm of my feet lull me into my happy place where I'm running for fun. There is no team....I'm just me...running down the street. I can feel the stress melt out of my body and I enjoy the cool breeze as it blows around me, keeping me from over heating.



Two miles down the road my team has stopped to offer water. I drink up. It's getting hot out here!



Almost done with the first leg! The last mile is the worst. I keep thinking I'm almost there, but it feels like it is taking me forever to get there! I just don't know if I can make it, but I focus on the steady rhythm of the feet to keep myself going.

Finally I can see the exchange in the distance, I pick up my pace and hand the baton to runner #9.



I got a good time on that one! We hop in the car and race to the next exchange....

(Lunch is over. :0( I have to get back to work now, but look for more of "The Crazy Ragnar Adventure" later...)

TWO MORE DAYS!!!

Only two more days until Ragnar. I'm getting very excited and a little nervous all at the same time! Hopefully everything will go off without a hitch!

Yesterday was my birthday and it was freaking awesome! My class was great and I was trying really hard to be in a good mood all day, so it was a great day! By the time I got home I was so exhausted that I didn't do much of what I wanted to. I made myself a triffle in my new bowl and relaxed watching a couple of new movies. It was great! I wish every day was my birthday!

Ragnar T minus 5 days and counting...

So Ragnar is in five days and I'm as ready as I'll ever be...I'm actually feeling quite excited about it!!! I know that it's going to be hard and very exhausting, but I'm feeling really excited...I'm just going to take it easy this week with shorter, slower runs and doing other things like biking and walking and stuff like that. Tomorrow I'm going to go hiking.

It's going to be an exciting week!!! Tomorrow eye doctor and hiking. Tuesday is my birthday and we're going to party all day in my classroom. Wednesday going to Lagoon with my roomies and sis. Thursday getting packed and ready for Ragnar. Friday and Saturday running Ragnar!!! No wonder I'm so excited!!! Did you notice all my "!!!!!!!"? Excited!!!!!! Excited!!!!

FUN!!!! FUN!!! FUN!!!

Ragnar Training....um....I can't remember what day....

LOL!!! It's been crazy busy this week and I lost track of what day I'm on. I've been having a hard time getting running this week. Dreading every minute, hoping and wishing for a second chance to say "HECK, NO!" to running Ragnar. I had no idea if I could make it 7 miles!

However, Saturday morning I woke up about seven and couldn't get back to sleep, so I forced myself to get up and put on the running gear...telling myself the whole time that I hated running and what was I thinking saying yes to Ragnar!

I walked outside and it was the perfect temperature! It had just finished raining an hour or so before and it was a beautiful sight! Have I ever told you how much I love the house I'm living in now? The neighborhood has amazingly beautiful trees and you can hear all the birds singing...I just love the atmosphere! Anyways, it was an amazing morning and as I reached the end of the street and started my six mile trek, I once again was trying to convince myself that I could run 6 miles. "I can run six miles! I can run six miles. I can run....six miles. I can....run.....six....miles?

By the beginning of mile three I was once again questioning my sanity, but trying to focus on listening to the birds sing instead of the sound of my legs screaming at me to put them out of their misery...By mile 3.5 they stopped screaming and resigned themselves to going numb. It was quite the run, but 1 hour 20 minutes and 44 seconds later I had finished 6 whole miles. Walking back up the hill to the house was pure torture, but I made it and collapsed on the grass to stretch out my aching body, which--now that I had stopped running--was screaming at me to never again run that far!!! Too bad! We get to do it again next week!!! LOL!!! Hopefully I can get myself built up a little better in the 18 days and some odd hours I have until we start Ragnar....

I LOVE RUNNING!! (No really, I do...at least until I'm running....lol)

Ragnar Training: Day 2

Schedule: 2-3 miles Actually ran: 2 miles

Don't feel well today, but I ran anyway. Wasn't too bad. I ran better than I did yesterday. That's about all I have to say today...

Ragnar Training: Day 1

Schedule: 3-4 miles. Actually ran: 4 miles

Ugh! First four mile run in about four weeks! I made it though! I had to think about making it to different cracks in the road or potholes. It was much easier that way than trying to make it to the top of hill. Breaking it up into shorter distances was an idea that was shown to me by Britt. When we were running a month or so ago, she kept telling me to just make it to the next mailbox and then the next. Finally got a hold of a map to see my legs and they don't look too bad. Only 23 days left, so I've still got a lot of work to do!

So apparently I can't tell Kenzy no....

So I'm at my best friend's wedding breakfast this morning and I get this text from Kenzy..."Want to run ragnar with me for free. We lost a team member. It will be a blast." I would like to point out that although "It will be a blast.", she did not use any exclamation marks, only periods. So I'm thinking, "Heck no! That's in like four weeks and there is no way I would be ready to run that far!" But I text her, "...how far." She calls me a few minutes later and doesn't really answer the question, but gets me really confused talking about how far she is running and never really tells me how far the missing team member was supposed to run...but I tell her sure...as long as the other team members know that I'm not fast...she says, "Neither am I!" Except here is the thing. Last week we both ran in a 5K and she finished about a minute and a half before me, so obviously she runs faster!

So I'm running Ragnar on June 18th. I think my longest leg is 9 miles, which before my leg hurting I probably would have been on top of my training and ready to run that, but now I'm not doing so good. So I have a lot of work to do in the next three weeks, since I should rest the week before....Right well. we'll see how that goes! I'll keep you updated. I'm thinking of turning this blog in to "The Confessions of a Wannabe Runner." :0) I can come up with some funny stories I've experienced during training and racing!

Running Madness

Good news! I stopped running when my leg was hurting and it got better! It doesn't hurt anymore! The bad news is that it got me off my schedule and I ended up not running for three weeks. :0( This morning I went and ran the Kimberly Clark 5K in Ogden. It felt so good!!!! I momentarily forgot how good running feels and I'm looking forward to getting back on schedule this coming week!! We'll see how that goes... :0)

First Race of 2010!

Hi all! I just finished my first 5K of the year and set a new PR! I guess I must be doing something right...at least most of the time:0) Today's race was a charity event for a girl who is fighting a bone cancer. All the money earned from race registration and the silent auction go towards her medical bills. A shout out for all those who are dealing with or have dealt with cancer! It takes amazing strength to get through that hardship and you amazing examples to all the rest of us!

On a side note...My leg has been hurting a lot even after resting for a few days and icing it:0( I'm going to go see the doctor about it next week if it still hurts just to be sure it's not something serious like a stress fracture or anything like that...and it better not be! I'm so excited about running the 1/2 marathon that I think if I had a serious injury I'll probably cry!

Moving, running and more...

Yeah I got all my stuff moved yesterday! Thank you to all that helped! I would have had to sit down and cry if I had had to do it myself. I'm staying at Mom and Dad's for a few weeks and it's been fun to be around:0) I'm not sure the cat will survive, but hopefully he'll adjust and get better.

I was just looking at the countdown for my half marathon and shuddering as I'm slowly running out of time. I'm up to 5 miles this week and I really don't know how I'm going to get that far...., but I will! I will not give up!(mostly cuz I've already paid for it...) I really do love running, but there are moments when I wonder why I'm doing all of this--usually toward the end of mile three, which is an improvement from a few weeks ago when it was the end of mile two, so I figure the further I get the easier it will get to ride those out:0) Thanks to all the people who are running with me including Brittnee and Kenz (okay so they're the only ones). I probably wouldn't get through it without them pushing me to keep going and not stop.

I went to my new ward today and loved it! I got some major spiritual upliftment that I haven't gotten in a long time. There are some amazing people in that ward! I felt the Spirit so strongly and I was reminded of some things that I really needed to remember at this point in my life. The biggest thing being that I need to have hope in my life. Lately I haven't been letting myself get my hopes up about anything because the past year has been such an emotional roller coaster for me...but I really need to remember that my life will be better and feel better if I let myself hope for all the good things that I want to have and to do at some point in my life. The Lord knows me and loves me. I'm becoming the person He needs me to be as I struggle through this life and as much as I complain I really am grateful for all of the trials and especially all of the good things I have--like an amazing family and true friends who love me inspite of myself! Thank you to all of you!

Changes in the Wind....

Well, there are some major changes in the wind this month. I'm moving in with Britt and Hannah, but first I'm staying with my parents for a few weeks. I brought Jazzmin over tonight and Addi was here....it was bed time, oops...She loves the cat, so of course going to bed was not even a remote option for a while. I finally got her to sleep. She is so dang cute! She's two going on 20 and is a blast to have around...anyways...If you can keep a secret keep reading. If not please stop reading! I was just informed that my parents sold their house today! I think it's a good thing. This house is just a lot of work and my parents both work so hard already! They are now searching for a house that they can move into in the next 30 days or so...., so I moved in with them just in time to have to help them pack up and move... :0) It's great! I love packing so much that's all I've done this week! lol Good changes in the wind and that's the most important thing! Peace out...

So...It's been a year...

Well, what can I say? My life kind of got flipped inside out about a year ago and keeping up my blog was not on the list of things I have to do to get by. Here I am again mostly put back together and finally getting on to things that were not absolutely required to stay alive...I rediscovered running last May and I love it even more now! I can really tell when I skip it. I ran a few 5K's last summer and really enjoyed the challenge. My new challenge this year is running the Park City Half Marathon in August(I'm looking for a countdown to add to the blog). Kenzy and maybe Britt are going to run it with me and I'm really excited for the challenge! I've signed up for a few 5K's too and hope to be able to find a 10k and 10 miler to do before August.

Also, this past year I moved to teaching third grade! I love it! most days.... I have some pretty....what's a nice word for it?...rambunctious boys and some pretty...heartless girls who never get along, but overall it has been a great year. I have also almost finished my ESL endorsement and can't wait to get a lane change when I get all my credit! I didn't get a pay raise this year because of all the budget cuts, so I really plan on enjoy a few extra dollars each month.

And last, but certainly not least, I am moving in with my BFF's next week! I'm very excited and can't wait to have some fun!

I am making a commitment right now to update my blog at least once a week with something, so there is certainly more to come!!!!

Hello again!

So, it's been a while since I've updated my blog! I've had so much going on and changing in my life and it's hard to keep up with everything. In July I started my new job teaching first grade at Syracuse Elementary. It has been a blast! Everyday is new and exciting and frustrating all at the same time. My class is good for the most part. The problem with them is that they're all friends and if I move them because they're talking instead of listening they just talk to new people. I love it though! There is nothing better than helping these kids learn new things each day!

Also in December I moved out of my parents house to a cute little apartment in Layton. I live with my cousin Kenzy and my friend Kate. We're having a blast!

Graduation Pictures

Got a job!!! First grade teacher at Syracuse Elementary!

More thoughts on Life and finding Meaning

So I have a lot to say today. I guess it's all that thinking that I was doing last night when I couldn't sleep. I'm kind of laughing right now because every time I type finding meaning I accidentally write finding megan. That's what I'm working on right now. And I'm coming to realize that it is something that many people who I know are working on it too. One of my friends told me yesterday that he didn't think he'd ever find meaning and didn't know if he would even recognize it if it hit him in the face. It makes me wonder why we are all searching. And what we can do to help each other.
I just remembered something from school. Eric Erickson (ever heard of him?) a developmental theorist has a whole bunch of stages that we go through throughout our lifetime. The stage that people my age are in is intimacy versus isolation. Hmmm....What to think of the that? He nailed it on the head didn't he? A lot of my feelings of anxiety come from not wanting to be alone, but feeling very alone sometimes. What are some things that we can do to be better and to feel a sense of belonging? It's something to think about.
I remember one of my best friends from high school once told me that I need to be anxiously engaged in a good cause in order to feel the meaning that I needed out of life. She was right! I remember so many times when I was in China where I would feel tiny and insignificant and I would do kind things for others or do the little things like read my scriptures, pray, and all those other standard church answers. I sometimes wish I could go back to that time in China and feel the peace and security that I felt with the knowledge that Heavenly Father was there and looking out for me. I know He is doing the same now, but sometimes....I don't know how to explain it. Back here in the real world, I allow dumb, unimportant things to get in my way of fully feeling that peace. There's a lot to work on, but I know that I can do it. And if I can do it any of you who are reading this can do it.
Heavenly Father know us each by name and he loves us so much. I feel that love constantly. He wants to bless us, but we have to let him, give him the opportunity to. It's something to think about...
I think I'll just end this entry with one of my new favorite quotes by Elaine S. Dalton.

"The Savior will help you see and understand the vision he has for you. You are his beloved [children]. He knows you personally and has a plan for your life. He has promised that as you live worthily, his spirit will always be with you."

Some things I was thinking about last night....

Well, last night as I was lying awake trying not to freak out and I was thinking about some things. I started writing this in my head, but I'm pretty sure that it sounded better last night than it will right now.
Last night I felt like I was being hit by a fire hydrant turned on full blast. I've got post graduation anxiety (obviously if you read what I wrote last night!). The future is endless. I can do anything I want. I'm having the worst time with it because it took me so long to finish school that I kept feeling that I didn't want to plan anything after graduation because it was so far away. And now here I sit, the after graduation right in front of me and I start feeling anxious.
And the worst part? The worst part isn't even the post graduation anxiety. School and work are a lot less stressful than the rest of my life I decided. They're just an easy way to forget about all the other stuff. All the other stuff has people involved and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or let anyone know how I'm feeling.....How screwed up am I? I guess I'll finish these thoughts later; they're getting way to deep for Megan right now.