Numero Dos

It is my summer vacation!! One of the best reasons to be a teacher is summer!! Even though I still go in and work a few times a week at the school and I am teaching summer school for the next two weeks, I have loved being able to sleep in everyday and hang out with Billy/friends/family in the middle of the day!! I also love being able to eat breakfast and lunch at home.... I know that sounds strange but during the school year I am never able to sit down and really enjoy my meals without students around or grading at the same time. I should probably start lesson planning because next year I am teaching health, drivers ed, civics, PE, world civ/geography and student government. I will also be coaching cross country and in charge of Breakfast Club (a girls self-esteem workshop). That's what you have to do these days in order to have a teaching job... stupid economy.

About a month ago a friend told me she could no longer to the Utah Valley Marathon after she had already paid and wanted to know if I wanted to do it. I don't know what I was thinking but I immediately got online and transferred her bib number to me. I trained over the last month (indoors on a treadmill, not because it is cold but I am scared to death of running by myself after that girl got raped and nearly killed on the provo trail). I think I worked on carb loading more than I did on training:) Making brownies at ten at night and explaining to Billy that I am carb loading the week before the race is a little much I think. I was planning on riding the bus to the starting line but Billy insisted he drive me there at 4:15 AM. It was raining and 43 degrees. Why do people pay money to do this to themselves? At the starting line I was standing next to two men from Kenya. The prize money was a lot so this race attracted a lot of elite athletes. The first half was emotionally exhausting. I was soaked, freezing, tired and felt lonely in the dark canyon (the first 18 miles) but once I reached the bottom of the canyon and saw my Mom, Laura and Billy it was fun again and I was able to push myself. The race finished at the Provo mall. I finished in 3 hours and 8 minutes. I took first in my age group. This race was so well organized and they had so many more aid stations stocked with gels, food, gatorade. I can't say I enjoyed the first half but the second half really was fun.

The fan crew.... Billy is taking the picture

1 of 3 blood blisters from running in the rain (the other ones were worse).

Finish line

The race went right in front of our house... I was tempted to just run inside and go to bed.