Mile #9

So I ran my first ever half marathon on May 18, 2013 in the Ogden Half Marathon.

I probably shouldn't have considering the amount of muscle I have lost from surgery

and the pain I am still struggling with in my ankle. 

I didn't do any running what so ever 2 weeks prior.

Yes you read that right.

No. Running. 2 weeks out.

I figured this would be a test of the "Nelson" genes.. considering I have some pretty

awesome cousins who can out run anyone I know!

Race Day Breakdown:

3:30am: Wake up, dress, kiss my love goodbye, go pick up James.

I can't eat that early in the morning- it's like the food just sits in my mouth

and I can't chew..

4am: Meet up with the Clegg boys: Dave, Paul, Phil.

Yup my group was 4 boys to 1 girl.

And it's raining.

4:30-5:30ish head up Ogden Canyon and hang out at the park by the

starting line.  It's nice to be there with Ogden Half Vet Dave who

knew a few tricks- like what honey pots to use that made me

the first person to use it, very important info!

The rain stops..

6:30am: the rain starts again!

6:45am: the gun starts and then about 10 minutes later we start- there was

that many people it was better to wait.

Mile 1& 2

Pretty flat, wet. I stuck with James

Mile 3 & 4

The only "hill" which was covered with meme posters to motivate people.

They were hilarious!

Mile 5

I lost James at the first aid station due to him "skipping to the lou"

I caught up to Paul and then left him at the turn by the lake- it was downhill

and I know how to run hills without wasting energy.  And due to my injuries I needed

all the energy I could save.

Mile 6- 8

Nothing of note occurred (still raining).. I just enjoyed pounding the pavement and dodging

the puddles. Paul caught up to me just in time for me to hide behind

b/c a group of my students where working the aide station.

I don't mind seeing my students outside of work, I just don't like them seeing me..

in hot pink spandex..

Mile 9

F'n Mile 9..

for those first 8 miles I was on pace for completing the Half in under 1:45 (hours).

then the muscle atrophy kicked in with it's less than wonderful

15 minute mile.

I've never ran such a slow mile- even when I was freshly cleared to start running again.

My knee killed.

My ankle hurt even worse- but wasn't swollen- weird.

Mile 10-13

a 5k.. the hardest 5k I had ever ran.

James caught up to me towards the end of mile 12

Mile .1

Well, actually it was the last half mile when I started my kick.

I was in so much pain I was ready for it to be over. I felt bad leaving James

behind but I was done.

Coming down the homestretch I saw Derek waiting with his camera

and cheering for me.

I immediately starting crying.

Words cannot express the vast amounts of pain my right leg was in,

but there was my wonderful husband giving me the motivation I needed to finish.

Then I past the parking garages filled with the Clegg Cheering Squad!

Finish

I finished my first ever half- under trained, and still recovery from ankle surgery

2:28 (hours).

They tried to drag me into the med tent but I told them that unless they

are going to give me a high dose morphine shot there's nothing else they can do.

I grouped up with Dave, Paul, and James, took some pictures,

hugged Derek and headed home to a warm shower and dry clothes.

Conclusion: There is a "Nelson running gene". And I wouldn't have traded

that experience for anything!

I'm so grateful for the love & support I received that day :)

And the free scone from Dave later that day! 

(Although my track team I help coach was at day 2 of the state meet that day as well.)



Looking For Rainbows

I want to share with you a running experience

I had a few weeks ago..

 

So the weather has been it's usual self as far as weather in the Rocky Mt's

in Utah goes-bi polar Sunny/rainy.

 

To the South you could see massive black clouds forming,

and for some reason that was the direction I decided to go,

right towards the storm.

 

52 minutes into my run I came to a cross roads where I decided best

to turn aroundsince the storm was getting pretty nasty.

The second I turn to start the trek home a strong headwind hits me.

A wind I never knew nor felt was there.

This is when my thoughts turned HOME.

 

The Spirit inspired my mind to started comparing parts

of my run to events in my life...

That first 52 minutes of easy going running seemed to

sum up my life from when I was 18

until I was 25- enjoying the run but not really feeling the burn

(fitness lingo reference)

nor enjoying the beautiful trail that I was on.

 Plus the fact that I was running

right towards a massive storm.

 

That's when the advice & council from my Bishopric in

St. George came to mind..

"Wickedness Never Was Happiness.

But Never, Never, NEVER Give up.

The Lord Loves You."

So I turn around, to run home, away from the storm.

All the choices I was making up to that point had basically been boiling up

into a spiritual destructive storm.

 

That's when the headwind hits.

That was when Satan kicked up his efforts.

Satan was/is my headwind.

My pace slowed.  It was a hard wind. But luckily I had Ragnar

 (with her flashlight collar)

to pull me back up to pace.

My Parents let me move home.

 

I didn't think it was possible but the wind pushed against me even harder.

And it got dark. Fast.

I turn on my safety light and switch on Ragnar's light-

her light illuminating the

trail for me & she maintained helping me stay on pace.

Every temptation and hardship I encountered after moving home,

Christ was there to help me stay strong.

He sent the Holy Ghost to be with me so I wouldn't fall back.

 

I come to the trail crossing that I could either go home,

or go one more mile.

I went one more mile.

You can see my house from the trail and I could see that Derek came home.

That's when the wind died down, but the thunder & lighting started.

Everything changed when I met Derek. I was more determined than ever

to be worthy of a Temple Marriage- I knew Derek was the one from our first date.

 

The storm seemed to be suddenly upon me,

thunder & lighting dancing in the sky.

Small, sporadic raindrops started to fall with only a 1/4 mile to go.

Satan tried his best to falter us- trying us if you will.

 

As soon as I came in the door, I shared my experience with Derek

who of course hugged, kissed me, & told me

how much he loves me (isn't he just amazing?!)

 

Then I go outside to feed Ragnar and I see this:

(one from the Internet b/c it turns out I deleted the one I took off my phone-but this is close! Yes it was in fact a double rainbow.)

 

That Rainbow remined me of this:

April 2011 General Conference

 

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-miracle-of-the-atonement?lang=eng

 

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-atonement-covers-all-pain?lang=eng

 

That day I knew.. I knew :)

 

 

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

 I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,

And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.



Freddy

So this is Freddy..
USMC explosives/narc MWD
(and great at playing human "don't even think about hiding cuz I will find you")

All 95lbs of him..biggest from the kennels

 

Austin is offically gone.. out to the desert.
He called easter morning to report that they arrived safely..

Small things to be thankful for!

(Pics from Yumma Proving Grounds, AZ & Camp Lejeune, NC)

I miss my brother..

 

Keep him safe Freddy!



Eternal Perspective

Dearly Missed.. Dearly Loved.

Thankfully God loves us so much that He made it possible for

Families to be Together. Forever.

We'll miss you Nolan until we meet again.

 



"Life does not begin with birth, nor does it end with death. Prior to our birth, we dwelled as spirit children with our Father in Heaven. There we eagerly anticipated the possibility of coming to earth and obtaining a physical body. But we regarded the returning home as the best part of that long-awaited trip, just as we do now. Returning from earth to life in our heavenly home requires passage through—and not around—the doors of death. We were born to die, and we die to live."

Elder Russel M. Nelson (Doors of Death," Ensign, May 1992, 72.)



A Life Without Limits

Now that I'm off crutches, it's getting increasing harder not to get frustrated

that my physical activity is still very EXTREMELY limited.

Especially when you're a coach and you want to go on the easy run days

with the kids (such a great bonding experience!)

So what can I do? Read. Alot.

But mainly this book which Debbie was quoting from to the kids

right before a hard day

which of course I just had to read for myself.

Talk about motivation!

No I don't plan on taking up triathlons now or even want to compete in an Ironman.

But holy cow!

Chrissie Wellington shares her life story about becoming a world champion,

including her stuggles with body image and eating disorders.

She won Ironman Kona the very first time she competed in it!

She won in years 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2011.

She also holds the female world record.

8:18:13 (In Germany).

After the swim and bike ride, she completes a MARATHON

at basically 6:25 pace- mainting that pace ALL 26.2 miles!

In 2011 she was serisouly injuried in a bike accident a few weeks before the world championships. SHE STILL COMPETED AND WON!

This woman is amazing! I don't really follow pro atheltes..

actually I don't at all

but still, this woman is amazing and inspiring.

There was a little poem that was written in tribute to her

http://twitter.yfrog.com/hs6wpfej

but the best part of it was something that I shared wth the team this week

and could be used for any area of life:

"What if determination becomes bigger than your fears?"

So in short.. you should read this book :)

Snow..

Since everyone else posting about all the snow we have gotten

in the last few days..

here is mine!

Ragnar seems to be the only one who really is out there enjoying it!

Freddy (Amy & Dave's lab) came over to play.. they had so much fun!

Hopefully you can tell how deep it is in the backyard.. another

foot and only her head would be sticking

above it!

As it turns out.. Ragnar likes watching Harry Potter with me

while I am stuck in bed with my foot up..

PS.. yes. the BXC Club team did go out running in the snow when the storm

first started AND THEY LVOED IT!





2013.. Miles?

Well, we are now in the new year!

We finished off the old year spending time with both of our familes (luckily)!

Austin came home and of course was the best part.

I'm glad that I got to hang out with him.. alot!

Mostly just sitting on the couch watching LOTR & other various

movies but what else can you do when you have ankle surgery?

Yups.. Finally had the surgery and it was a success! Or so they tell me.

It was great those first few days that the nerve block hadn't worn off..

first time in almost 2 years of no ankle pain :)

Then the block wore off and ever since I'm been in pure

agony.. no sleep for me! Until the doctor gave me

stronger pain killers which gives me interesting side effects

so I can't take it til night time & I'm in for the night!

And trust me.. I am ok being bored at night if it means no pain!

Christmas.. our 3rd Christmas together.. but 1st spending

it actually together :)

Christmas Eve my family went and saw the Hobbit for our

movie tradition. I slept off and on but I'm sure I didn't miss much lol

We went down to AZ and spent it with Derek's Parents and Sister.

It was so much fun! I know Derek had more fun than me of course..

all I really wanted to do was just keep my ankle elevated and iced.

Janae had to make some ice packs for me, but they worked

and was the only thing that helped keep the pain at bay

when the drugs wore off.

PS the Pheniox Airport sucks and everyone is so rude!

I do wish we could have stayed down there another week,

but then again I don't.. I much rather go down when I can

do all the activities :)

Here are some pictires.. Derek has the better one's on his camera..









My parents/Austin watched Ragnar which I'm sure she loved..

Austin played tugg with her everyday :)

Ah.. New Years.. :)

Since Derek changed his work schedule in order to get ready for school,

we actually got to spend it together! Our 3rd New years :)

We went over to Tyler's house for Pizza & games..

fun is always had over there :)

Even The Brynners made her appearance and was her lil

goofy self.. wa-wa.. youhave to hear it yourself!

My Parents came over later and played games with us and it

was so much fun! We all laughed super hard!

The only thing that would have made it better was if Tyler brushed his steep

driveway so I wouldn't have to inch my way up it lol

New Years Day

Of course we went for chinese :)

Austin brought his lady friend Alex (same one from the Haunted Forrest).

Then afterwards we went and saw

Les Miserables!

It was wonderful! And it seemed so long but I think it's becuase I was in pain.

Derek had to work so he missed out on all the fun.

Now for our New Years' Goals!

We both talked about what we wanted to do this year goal-wise.

Basically it's fitness related because we figured we just need to keep on doing

what we did last year since it worked out pretty dang good :)

However, these are the non-fitness ones:

*Visit each opertaing Temple in Utah

(With Tyler & Kris and maybe JeNae & James if they can make it)

We were so close last year.. but this year we're going to do it!

*Hike more together

now that my ankle is fixed, I should be able to go on the higher, longer

hikes that Derek enjoys without my ankle stopping us.

*Try to be more minialistic in things.

And of course there's lots of fitness goals :)

Yups.. big things for us this year! Big to us anyways :)

Who knows.. we might even expect a baby towards

the end of the year/start of next..

or maybe a velociraptor lol