RAGNAR

RAGNAR WASATCH-BACK 2015

This last weekend I was able to participate in the Ragnar Relay Race with some friends from Burley. I've done a Ragnar in the past, and an Epic relay as well. They are both the same in that they are a long distance (180+ miles) relay race. 

Every time I look FORWARD to the race and then when all is said and done...

I'm spent!

Ha!

It's no surprise, really. 

When you spend 36 hours on limited sleep and maximum physical exertion, then it really affects you physically. However, the memories made are cherished. :)

We enjoyed our meals out of the back of the van, slept on sidewalks, soaked in creeks between runs, cheered each other into the night, pushed past our physical limits and did the BEST we could!

Our Team name was: Sweat, Regret & Oxygen Debt

I ran a total of 19 miles, starting with a HARD 8.4 mile run. My 6 mile night run was my favorite and best run. Then I finished with 4 miles in the wind. My average pace was close to 10-minute miles and my best mile was just under a 9 minute pace. 

Phew! 

It makes me tired just writing about it. 

This is definitely not a race for the faint of heart. 

One needs stamina and dedication to commit to a race like this. 

However, you don't have to be the skinniest or the fastest runner to participate. And that's what I love about this kind of race. It brings all walks of life, big and small, old and young. 

Fitness is not prejudice.

I joke with my husband that I am retiring from the sport of running. 

I've done my share, I say.

Find me in 10 months. 

Watch!

I'll probably still be running. :P

Motherhood.

Motherhood, to me, means raising and caring for a family.

Two years after we were married, we have our first child. A son.
Just what I wanted. ;)

I never had an older brother so I wanted our children to have the privilege.
And now, 4 kids later, we have all boys. :P

I don't know what it is, but raising boys has become somewhat difficult. It's not so much that they are all boys, as it is that they all having very DIFFERENT personalities. And my personality is also on a different position in that spectrum.

I make mistakes every day as a mother.

I am impatient.

I don't spend as much quality time with each of the kids.

I yell. (ugh!)

I compare my parenting skills to other moms.

Ultimately, I am not perfect. I set my expectations too high, I realize.

I was listening to some personal development yesterday and in that podcast there was mentioned the story of a mom who took her son to see Ghandi and she plead with him to tell her son to stop eating sweets... that it was bad for him and is bad for his teeth, etc. She said her son was not listening to her. Ghandi responded by telling the mom to come back to him in 2 weeks. Confused, she waited two weeks and returned. After pleading with Ghandi again about her same concern, Ghandi then knelt down and told the boy, "Stop eating sweets." The mother questioned Ghandi and why he hadn't said that to him 2 weeks ago. He then responded, "Two weeks ago I was eating sweets. I couldn't tell him to stop when I, myself, was eating them."

"Be the change you want to see in someone."

I'm not saying everyone will change based on this quote, BUT I believe it is true in principle. If I don't want the boys yelling and arguing, then I need to stop yelling and arguing with them.

If I was the boys to be patient and not throw fits, then I need to be patient myself and model what that behavior looks like.

We are walking examples to our children of behaviors and habits that they will pick up (good or bad) and reflect.

I want to change.
And I want our boys to change, so I WILL change.

Time is going by so fast and I want our boys to grow up in a happy and loving environment where they can thrive!! <3 :)

Water

I've had a few conversations of late about things I do to "stay healthy". 

I'm not not 100% perfect at eating clean or staying away from junk food or even with my exercise. 

BUT I work hard each day to do my best.#onedayatatime 👍

I've compiled a list of the TOP 10 things I do to work toward PROGRESS in living a healthy, more fulfilling life...

These are in no particular order. 😉
------
Today I'm highlighting WATER! 💦💦
I drink water for breakfast.
I drink it at lunch.
I drink it at dinner.

I know I could drink more milk or juice with my eggs, but I don't really reach for those things. 😁
When we have our yummy Sunday dinner with grilled peppers and chicken, you won't find me reaching for a carbonated beverage.

Do I drink juice and soda on occasion?
Yes.

But drinking water has literally become a habit.
Like any other habit...it takes time and consistency.
Call me crazy, but I 💙 a PLAIN glass of water. No lemon required. 😜

Based on my research and experience, I try to drink 1/2 my body weight in ounces each day.
Just as a rule of thumb. 👍
😝