My Thanksgiving Half

I haven't reported on my half yet, which is a shame.

I am so glad I ran the thanksgiving half. It was beautiful weather, a beautiful course, and so much fun! I'll be honest it had its hard parts, but for the most part it was wonderful.

Unfortunately my mom dropped out that morning, but my wonderful husband ran it with me.

The first 6 or so miles of the race were tough. I wasn't feeling great, and it was difficult to keep running and not give up and walk. At about mid 5, Travis left me because my pace was hurting his knees. It actually helped for him to leave me, because I focused more on what felt good to me.

At about mile 9 I really hit my stride. I started running harder and faster, and it went by a lot quicker. about the last mile I was struggling to find the energy to continue, so I switched my playlist to christmas and it got my spirits up :)

I finished the race strong and less than 7 minutes before Travis. Eventhough Travis didn't train at all and was coming off an injury it still made me proud to be that close, I mean he's a foot taller than me so his stride is so much longer than mine.

The minute I found Travis again he said oh my gosh that was HORRIBLE. haha pretty sure he will never run one with me again, but I was happy to have the one experience once. He was a pretty good sport about the whole thing.

We immediately ran to the food table and gobbled down multiple rolls and hot chocolate. We walked around for a bit to keep away the soreness from immediately coming on.

I am so proud of myself for running my third half marathon and once again, not slowing down to a walk. Running is such a mind game for me. If I tell myself I refuse to walk I can make it 13.1 miles without walking. During training I could barely go 2 miles without walking, I just don't have the same drive during training.

My after Half workout plan

When I am training for a half, I almost exclusively run, mostly because I feel more confident that way and I don't have 2 hours a day to exercise.

During the "off season" I like to switch it up.

Here are my plans post half:

Monday- 25 minutes running/15 minutes weights
Tuesday- Evening Yoga
Wednesday- Evening Yoga
Thursday-25 minutes running/15 minutes weights
Friday- Afternoon yoga
Saturday- Run/yoga if I can get it in

Now lets be honest, this isn't going to happen every week, but I love working out everyday and I love having goals. Being healthy is super important to me. I'm a huge believer that we create habits when we are young that will either help or hurt us throughout the rest of our lives.

Exercising is one goal I will always focus on because it makes you feel good, gives you endorphins (to make you happy and happy people just don't kill their husbands-Legally Blonde), and wards off disease, I mean how could I say no to that?

December Goals

My November Progress:

1. Get all of my Christmas shopping done (hehe stoked)

We are almost done, just waiting on the last couple things! 

2. Buy Christmas decorations for the apartment 

Yes!!! I love everything we have up in our apartment, I'll be putting up a post soon! 

3. Plan a little trip with the Husband

Fail. Maybe next time.

4. Surpass last months visiting teaching progress

I was about on par with last month. I don't know why this is so hard for me.

5. Read 5 books this month

Only read 2. Oh well

My goals this month are a little less ambitious. My work has a full week off from christmas through new years, assuming I can get everything done in time. Its going to be crazy, but I want to get it all done so I can take that week off! 

December Goals:

1. Work hard enough to be able to take off the full Christmas week. 

2. Start new Christmas traditions with the husband.

3. Start practicing the guitar.

4. Send out wedding thank you's by the 28th- haha

What a business trip to Atlanta looks like

My business trip was so much fun!!! mostly because I finally got to be a real businesswomen. You dont really feel like a business women when you wear jeans and a t-shirt to work everyday, but that has its own perks.

This is what my business trip looked like:

Wednesday:
7am- wake up and pack
7:45- rush out the door
8- stuck in traffic
9- frantically trying to park my car with the airport under tons of construction
9:15- getting on the shuttle jittery that I am going to miss my flight
9:25- get to my gate, they were late to start boarding so everything is good
10- Purchase the internet to work on the plane.
12 internet has been going in and out for the next 2 hours... fun.
1:30/3:30 local- arrive in Atlanta, send some emails before waiting for my ride
4-9- hang out with my bestie Xan in Atlanta
9- meet my colleague, she gives me homework
10- takes me a half hour to open the docs (tired?) review data.
10:30- plan to go to bed... but its only 8:30 in Utah.
Stay up till 1:30- mistake!

Thursday
7:45- Wake up begrudgingly
8-4 meetings
4:30- head to the airport with 5 other ladies at the meeting
5-7:30 wait at the airport to board my flight, bored.
9- layover in Denver
11:40 make it to Salt Lake
Midnight- fill up my car because I forgot to beforehand
1- make it home, finally
1:30 sleep.

Its a good thing I got to come in late today or I would be dead tired. It was such a quick trip, but so fun. I loved seeing Xan and going to this cool rotating restraunt for dessert, and feeling like we were going to get mugged. I also really enjoyed the meetings, except at about 2 I was falling asleep. haha

Me, on a business trip! cool.

I am currently writing this post from 39,000 feet in the air. Cool huh? the internet has been going in and out, but the fact that I can even have internet on a plane is pretty incredible.

I am on my way to Atlanta, GA for my first ever business trip. AHhh. I feel like an adult. Although probably just discounted that with my screaming. I cant really talk about the project other than its been a dream of mine to work on something like this, so thats cool.

I also get a free trip, which is always a good idea. Flight, hotel, transportation, etc. One of my best friends also lives in Atlanta, so I get to see her! Which is the best part. She is picking me up from the airport tonight. I dont have anywhere to be, so I get to hang out with her. I think we are going to a ferris wheel, then to some dinner and dessert. Classic girls date hahaha.

I will be sad to be away from Travis for 2 days, but at least we can talk and text. 2 days is the longest we've been apart since we got married. We've done a night before but it was usually less than 24 hours when he was on a scout campout.

It still feels weird having a real job and being a real adult, but this kind of cements it for me. My company feels good enough about me to represent the company thousands of miles away. Plus I hit my 6 month mark in 2 weeks, and I am still loving my job. My team lead says 6 months is the mark where you can really say that!

So I guess I have finally made it ;)

Thanksgiving week

I took a little break from blogging the last week. I had a lot of work to get finished before my 2 days off and just didn't have the time to invest, it happens.

We had an amazing Thanksgiving week. I needed those days off after how stressful the last month has been around here at work.

The break started with a brisk half marathon. My mom was supposed to run it with me and Travis, but she bailed last minute. The half was refreshing and I loved all of the treats at the end (pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, dinner rolls, etc). It was so fun! and we had perfect weather. More about the half soon.

Next we headed up to Bountiful for Thanksgiving dinner. It was my first Holiday not spent with my side of the family, sacrifices. But it was fun to spend it with Travis' family. We had it at Travis' unlcles house which was sweet. It had like 5 floors and an indoor basketball court. A lot of PIG was played before dinner. Dinner was delightful and lots of football watching commenced in the theatre room afterwards.

The next day we spent with my family for pizza, football and games. I think we played 5 hours of Scum. haha a family favorite. It was so fun to be with everyone especially since I couldn't be with them on the actual holiday.

On Saturday I went to yoga, and my hamstrings hated me afterwards. Apparently half soreness and yoga don't go good together. We then set up our christmas tree that our gracious landlords let us borrow. I am so happy with how it all turned out! :)

Saturday night we went out to dinner for my little sisters 16th birthday at our favorite Chinese place of all time, Fongs. Then we headed to salt lake for the Celebration of Christ Christmas concert. Seriously the best way to kick off the holiday season. David Archuleta was as good as I remember him from that one time freshman year when all of my roommates and I travelled to colorado for his concert!

I loved being with my family. Christmas season is just magical!!

Miles this week: 18

Miles this year: 281

Merry Christmas

I was able to make our Christmas cards in October because Shutterfly gave me a deal and my sister had just taken these cute photos of us! I am excited to send them out to family and friends. I can't wait to share my christmas decor and our Thanksgiving recap. It was a wonderful break!

Thankful 13

Seeing as I am running a half marathon tomorrow I thought the title Thankful 13 was appropriate.

I could probably make a list a mile long, but I just wanted to outline the 13 things I am most thankful for right now. There is so much in my life to be grateful for!

1. My faith and Savior
I couldn't do anything without the Sacrifice the Savior made for me. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and my knowledge of his plan.

2. My incredibly loving and patient husband
This guy is awesome. I don't know what I would do without him, he makes me life so much more fun and interesting.

3. My amazing family that I get to live so close to
While I don't love living in Utah, I do love being close to my family. Being the oldest you don't always get to see your siblings grow up like I have been able to. My mom is also one of my best friends!

4. A healthy body (so I can do things like run and yoga)
I feel so blessed to be so healthy and able to do everything I love because of it.

5. Friends
My friends are amazing, and I have had a lot of opportunities to make new ones lately.

6. My incredibly fun and challenging job
In case you're new here, I LOVE MY JOB! its the best place to work and I love what I do!

7. Holidays
I love the holidays, especially christmas. The spirit of giving, treats, movies, family etc. Mmmmm Cant get enough!

8. Heaters
I honestly don't know what I would do without heaters. I am ALWAYS cold. I can't imagine living in a time before heaters.

9. Food
I LOVE food. I love cooking it, eating it, and sharing it. I am one of those people that is always thinking about the next meal.

10. Dessert
Chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa are my favorite.

11. Comfy Sweaters
I have been living in the 4 sweaters I own. I am obsessed with Jcrew factory sweaters lately. They are comfy, cozy, and fun!

12. Books
While I have been not such an avid reader the past month or two, reading is one of my favorite things in the world. I don't understand people who don't like to read. They are straight up crazy.

13. Kisses
I love kisses. Especially kissing my hot husband!