I am alive

I know I haven't blogged in forever. I have been busy running 6 marathons, crocheting hats like a mad lady, working my butt off at work, and playing rest of my time away. I saw the best sign today and wanted to share it.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.

I love it! Make the best of your day today and everyday.

Medal Hanger

I have a cool hanger I ordered for my race medals last year. Today I saw a picture of the hanger when I first got it last year and I was amazed how many medals I have added in 1 year.

Here is my hanger now. Here is the hanger last year.

Next week I have Rock N Roll Seattle Marathon. I am excited to run a RnR event but I have been slacking on running and biking more this past month. I know I will finish it might just be a little slow.

I found out my friend is pacing the 5:45 time at San Francisco Marathon. My goal is to stick with him as long as I can. I don't know if I am fit enough to break 6 hours right now but I sure will try.

Ogden Marathon 2011

Ogden Marathon was much better this year for me.

I headed up to Ogden Friday afternoon. I drove to Marsha's house in Riverton and our friend Cyndie picked us up. We then went to the airport to pick up Cyndie's friend Suzi that flew in from California for the race. We drove up to Ogden for the Race Expo. I purchased a few things and met up with my friends that were standing in line to get Kinesio tape to help with knee pain. I have been having bad lower back pain all week and Cyndie is so nice she let me take her spot in line and have them tape my back. I was amazed my back pain went away within a few hours and I didn't have any pain during the race. I will definitely stop at their booth again at race expo's.

I ran the first 10 miles with my friend Marsha and then told her to leave me because I couldn't keep the pace she was going. After she left me I ran for another 3-4 miles and decided I wanted to take it nice and easy. I have had a hard time preparing mentally for the marathon because Ogden 2010 was so bad mentally for me. So I walked almost the entire 2nd half of the race and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day.

I made the mistake of trying new socks this year. The socks worked for my 20 mile training run but didn't work for 26.2 miles. I started feeling the blisters at mile 22 and they hurt more and more as I went on. When I took my socks and shoes of the blisters are bigger than a quarter and I have one on each foot at the base of my toes.

After the race I went to Cafe Rio for lunch to refuel with my maniac friends then drove home and relaxed. Jason had been at his mom's fixing up his old computer for his mom and grandparents to use (his grandparents live with his mom) They had us over for dinner so I didn't have to worry about cooking or going to get something to eat it was so nice of them. My mother in law also helped me pop my blisters while I was there. I didn't get all the liquid out or the filled up again so I had to pop them again Sunday and this morning. The pressure is now gone and I feel like I can walk some what normal tonight.

Sorry for the long boring post here are some pictures to make it better

Here are a few maniacs Angie, Chris, Bob, Me (looks like I photo bombed this picture) Teresa,

and Karen.

Another Maniac picture. The man in the back on the left (Steve from NC) has run 30 marathons in 30 states in a year. I think it was also his 35th marathon.

Me and Marsha on the bus ride to the start I am so glad I meet her this year. It is great to find running friends.

Marathon week!

I can't believe Ogden Marathon is here. It has been a year since my last marathon which was Ogden. It was my slowest marathon and I cried at mile 16 which wasn't a good sign.

This year I am hoping for a better race. I have a running buddy to run the marathon with and I hope to stay with her till at least mile 20.

So my goal this week is to go to bed early and drink lots of water.

42 miles Goldilocks Bike Ride

This past Saturday I biked Goldilocks girl only bike ride with my sister Danielle and friends Stella, Marsha, and Cyndie. I was planning on training for the ride but the weather has been so bad in Utah that whenever I had time to go for a ride it was snowing or raining. So the farthest ride I got in was maybe 14 miles. I was registered for 42 miles and was going to go down to 20 miles with my friends but my sister Danielle talked me into sticking with 42. I noticed before the race my brake was rubbing so a Papa bear (men that supported the course) fixed my brake.

Race day weather was awesome the high was 80 and at the start it was about 60. The first 20 miles were nice and easy with a little wind. Around mile 20 till mile 26 we had a head wind and uphill on Redwood Road half way up the hill Danielle got a flat which was a nice excuse to take a rest while she fixed her flat. The event was supported really good that we had a number to call and we had 2 papabear's come and finish fixing the flat and biked another 1-2 miles up the hill.

At mile 26 we stopped at the top of the hill and use the port a potty and refilled our water and got some snacks and turned around and got to take advantage of the hill and wind. Around mile 32 we had elevation gain till the finish line. After crossing the finish line I couldn't unclip from my bike and fell over. My knee and leg look pretty nasty from the fall. A cute girl helped me up and gave me my finisher necklace and we enjoyed our free lunch.

A few of us registered for the ride next year before the price goes up by $20.

Here is a picture of Danielle, me, Marsha, and Cyndie before the race.

Here is Danielle fixing her flat tire before the papabear's came to our rescue. I am glad I haven't had to fix a flat yet.

Awesome Husband

We haven't had home Internet for probably over a year to save money/pay for my race addiction. We also don't have cable/netflix we do have antenna TV and yes you can still get basic channels for those that are wondering (i have been asked a few times). We seem to stay really busy and don't miss it much. When we do need Internet we go and in Jason's terms pillage our parents Internet because they are both just a mile away. Or if we need it for a simple google search we use my company cell phone.

Anyways one of the reasons he is so awesome is he researched and found a $20 USB bluetooth thing to have your computer get Internet via bluetooth through my company blackberry. It is faster than dial up but slower than DSL. But it is Internet so if you notice my knitting/crochet projects slows down it is because I am probably wasting time on the computer.

Bra & Etsy

Weird title I know. I have been working out at my works FREE gym before going to work. It is awesome they have FREE personal trainers and showers so people don't smell at work. I am always worried I am going to forget something like underwear or a shirt or shoes because it is a 25-30 minute drive home. Today I forgot a bra to wear to work so I am wearing my running bra. Not end of the world I told my co-worker that if I smell funny to let me know and I will go buy a bra.

I have been busy knitting here are a few pictures of stuff I have made I have 2 more baby sweaters but they need buttons put on them and a hat that didn't turn out so I think it will go to good will. I opened a Etsy account and have a few things listed to sell.

here is a link to my site http://www.etsy.com/shop/rizzyfrog?ref=pr_shop

Below are the stuff I have listed. Tonight I start taking a class on how to knit socks. I am excited.

Here is a newborn baby hat I made, It has a little leaf on top of it.

My friends baby showing off a hat I made.Here is a picture of the first pullover sweater I made. It probably will fit a 12-18 month old.