Top of Utah

Adam and I went to Logan this week for the Top of Utah marathon. It's been my goal to run a marathon for almost three years. Three years ago in November, I got hit by a car while on a crosswalk and tore my ACL and MCL. During the recovery process, I decided that I want to do something I had never done before--something that I hadn't been able to do before the accident. I had never run more than a 5k so I decided to train for a marathon. The goal took longer than I thought it would due to graduate school.

I knew a marathon would be difficult, but I did not realize how mentally difficult it would be. I thought it wouldn't be much harder than running two half marathons. The first 14 miles were down the Logan canyon and were not that hard. I started feeling sick and was wondering if I could even finish. Luckily, Adam met me at mile 17 to encourage me. Adam, Chase, and Brooke met me at several other times throughout the race. The spectators cheering for the runners really helped too. I don't think I could have done it on my own. The last 9 miles of the race were really difficult, but I finished. I did not get the time I was hoping for, but I made it :)

The marathon really related a lot to life. Some parts were so difficult that I was only able to keep going with the help and support of others. Along the course, I noticed other runners having a hard time as well. Focusing on them, made running the marathon more meaningful and easier for me. In the end it didn't matter if I took longer than other runners or that I had some problems along the trail, it only mattered that I made it to the end.

Home Again

We have been in Provo long enough that it has become home. It's so nice to be back in our apartment and back home. Belize never really felt like home, more like we were long term tourists. We knew we would only be there for four months and we lived out of suitcases the whole time. We went to visit Oregon on our way back to Utah after Belize to see my family. We were still living out of a suitcase so it felt like a vacation. When I first left home, I never thought that Oregon would cease to be considered home, but now Utah feels like our "real" home.

My brothers and sister were visiting my parents when we went so we were all together. Adam went to his first State Fair and of course tried various fried foods. We also hiked around North Fork River. It's changed so much since I used to go there in high school. The road has been paved up to the trail head so the trip was much easier than usual. The water was much colder than I remember. Belize might have ruined me.

We hiked to this remote swimming area. It was beautiful and very cold due to the shade.

It's been very busy since we got back to Utah. Adam taking his last class and I started working at the World Trade Center Utah. It's been tiring enough that I fell asleep on the train and didn't wake up even after we arrived in Provo. Luckily, someone work me up so I didn't end up back in Salt Lake City where I started.

Adam and I are adjusting to spending way more time apart than we are used to. Since we got married 6 months ago, we were both students and then both working the same job in Belize. Some couples don't spend that much time together until they serve a mission together. We have already spent that much time together so adjusting to real life has been hard. 

We have also enjoyed having a temple so close. We made it back in time for the Ogden Temple Open House. The temple was so beautiful. and peaceful.