Happy Anniversary Mom and Pops

Today is my parents 29th Anniversary. I feel so lucky to have had them as examples growing up. I always looked forward to marriage because of them. I am lucky to be their daughter.

Wasatch Back 2009

Last weekend I spent 28 hours participating in the Ragnar Relay, Wasatch Back. I ran this race last year. This race is like no other that I have ever heard of. It is intense, hard, and totally awesome.

Ragnar is a company that hosts relay races around the country that are usually around 180 miles long. Hundreds of teams sign up for each race, and each team consists of either 6 people (each runner running between 26 and 40 miles), or 12 people (each runner running between 13 and 20 miles). Each runner runs 3 legs of the race. The teams are separated into 2 cars, one car has runners running while the other car is driving to the next exchange and trying to catch a few minutes of zzz's at the same time. Every single mile of the race is done by foot until it is complete. It usually takes between 24 and 30 hours to finish. Every team names themselves and decorates their cars all crazy. People are extremely creative and it's so fun to see what people come up with. This relay series is amazing. They are super fun but at the same time challenge you in every way possible.

Here is my team. We basically had a full day non-slumber party.

The 'Striping Warriors' had booby tassel cones on the front of their car. Pretty rad if you ask me.

The winner of this year's best team theme/name goes to:
'The Never Nudes'
They are my heroes.

My first leg was my best leg. I was well rested and fed. I had the energy to do what I needed to do, which disappears in the wee hours of the morning. I climbed over 3000 feet in my first 3 miles. I felt strong and was making good time. My second leg was my most challenging. It was at 5 am, which is a great time to run...that is if you have had good food and sleep. I didn't have either of those things and I felt like I was crawling the whole way, even though I ran the whole thing. My third leg was the one I was most worried about. Last year on my last leg I got lost. I added 2 miles to my already 5.some odd mile leg. It was extremely hot, I had no access to water and I was miserable. I decided that even if this was going to to be as hard as the previous year, I was going to push through it and be happy to be there. This year I knew my way and was sure not to get lost. Luckily for me, it was cloudy and even rained part of the time. I couldn't have been happier since it is on an open trail and I had no team support to get me through it if needed. I was the last runner on my team so I brought my team across the finish line which was a great feeling.

Liz and Kylee at an exchange.

This is what most of our run looked like. It was breathtaking.

Shelly handing off to me at exchange 11.

We went to get pizza for dinner, which made us all sick to our stomachs. No bueno.

Brushing teeth on the side of the road.

So long Wasatch Back. Hopefully I'll see you again soon.

Saturday Morning Joy

One of my very favorite things to do during the Summer and Fall months in Utah is float through the Farmer's Market in Pioneer Park, on a lovely Saturday morning. I love seeing all the unique people, supporting local farmers, finding fantastic deals on fresh food, the sound, the smell and the feel of it all. I love stocking up on some of my favorites, and getting ingredients for a spectacular meal. I think it's awesome cutting out the middle man and giving every penny to the hard workers. I also love that you rarely spend more than a couple dollars on anything there and that you can only get the amount of food that you need. Today's finds included some freshly baked bread, some home made cheese (for a grilled pizza I'll be making tonight), basil, parsley, honey, peppricot jam (for crackers and cream cheese...to die for!), a bundle of garlic, tomatoes, snap peas, and flowers for our garden.

I already can't wait for next time.

Summer Kick Off

This weekend was the perfect kick off to Summer. We started it out with a patio dinner at Aristo's in Sugar House. They have the best pita you will ever eat in your life. It was delicious and the company was good as always. We went with Matt and Brooke. After din din we headed to Dolcetti Gelato which was also very tasty. It's a little tiny gelato shop a husband and wife started after a trip to Italy. I want to start something like that one day.

At Aristo's

yum...

Saturday morning I did a trail race in Draper with my dear friend Cassi. I am not used to trail running and it took a minute to get used to but I ended up really enjoying it. I placed 3rd overall and 2nd in my age group. That sounds a lot better than it actually was. I would guess that there were only about 100 people racing that morning. I wanted to leave to go meet up with Josh right after the race but the organizers told me to wait for the award ceremony because they had 'really great prizes.' Sometimes there are cash or gift card prizes for races so I stuck around thinking maybe I'd win a little fun money. Instead I was rewarded with a pair of running socks. I thought it was kind of funny, but was happy because I LOVE good socks. After our morning work outs, Joshua and I headed to the best breakfast place in town, Ruth's Diner. If you visit SLC, you must go to Ruth's! It is in the middle of Immigration Canyon and I just adore everything about it.

So here I am with my grand prize after my race.

Josh at Ruth's. I promise he was happy, he just doesn't look it.

Saturday night we went with our friends up Millcreek Canyon for a camp fire and great conversation.

Tori and Josh had a marsh mallow roasting competition. Josh won. We also enjoyed grilled peaches with cream cheese and balsamic vinegar glaze.

It was a fantastic weekend and a great start for Summer.

Spreading the Word

This is Carol, Chloe, and Safiya. Carol is a true inspiration. Last year she was rushed into an emergency c-section to deliver Safiya. Due to many horrendous complications during her delivery, she lost both legs, her right arm and is now blind. Even though her life has changed in many terrible ways, Carol's spirits are high and she is glad to be alive. There will be a 3 day silent auction starting June 14 in her honor. All the items up for bid have been donated and all proceeds will go toward paying off Carol's medical bills. Please click here to read more of her story, and to find out more information about the auction being held.

Buried Treasure

About a month ago we had our attic insulated. Before we had it filled with lovely shredded paper and such Josh did a walk through just to see what the attic consisted of. I don't like attics, I feel like they are a creepy place you would find a dead body or something. I know, morbid and totally weird. I think I've watched too many episodes of Scare Tactics. Anyway, little did we know that we had buried treasure in our newly purchased, retro house. Josh came out with this little gem of a box. What could possibly be inside you might wonder?

That's right, a totally wicked set of retro silverware.

We are in love and have since gone on a hunt for suitable BBQ tableware. You all should come over for a delicious outdoor meal on us one night. We'd love to have you and would even let you use our lucky find.