I got second!

Seems this blog is destined to be about running. Dallin's school, Westridge Elementary, did a 1k walk and 5k run to raise money for new gym equipment. It was called 'Knights on the Run' in honor of their mascot. I signed up for the 5k and thought it would be cool to push Dallin and Hannah in our Burley trailer/stroller.

So, we're waiting for 1k'ers to finish so they can start the 5k and Hannah decides she doesn't want to go with Dad, but stay with Mom and play at the playground. So now it's Dallin and I. I'm used to races starting with a near sprint, but this one was slow and since I had a stroller I had to start at the back it took a little while to move through the pack. Once everyone spread out I started passing folks and moving up. The course was fairly hilly and Dallin and I got about an eight minute pace. We finished in 24:24. I didn't think I would win anything as I knew a lot of folks finished before me (including two 9-year-olds) and we were just about to leave when they were putting up the results and I noticed that it had a 2nd by my name for the 26-35 category! So, we stayed, skipped Dallin's Tae-Kwon-Do and I got my second place medal. Years of running finally amounts to something. Here are the results.

No Marathon This Time

It's been a while sense I've put anything on my blog and obviously a lot has happened. Jacob earned his yellow belt and Dallin started taking classes in Tae Kwon Do. Hannah is enjoying preschool and loves princesses and wearing pretty dresses. Girls are so much different than boys.

For those of you who didn't know, I was training for the DC Marathon. Unfortunately I got injured two weeks before and didn't get to run. I still volunteered at a water station, which is very cold when it's 40 degrees and water is being splashed on you. I also discovered the different styles of grabbing a cup of water. It sounds so simple. The best method seemed to be standing it in the middle of your palm and let them grab it. The faster runners understood this and would grab it quickly, guzzle and chuck the cup. The slower runners were more interesting. Some would completely stop, take a cup, down it and grab another and sometimes another. One guy had a water belt and every single bottle was full and yet he stopped and downed two cups. I was at mile 3 and 17 (same place) and it was odd that so many people got water after 3 miles of a marathon. After 17 miles you could tell who was hurting and who felt good. It was interesting.

Now, I'm planning on attempting another marathon this fall in Richmond Va. All are welcome to join. They have a kid's 1 mile fun run the Friday before. Consider it a challenge. You don't have to come out here, but if you enjoy running it's the ultimate. I really enjoyed all the long runs. Running is my time away from the everyday. No phones, no kids, no work. You can think through things or not think at all. It's just a chance to get away.

It Snowed in New York Today

Originally uploaded by marikeeler

This is my first attempt at blogging. I'm sitting in a New Media class at the Cornell Club in New York and this is an assignment. Outside the window, it's snowing. Since I'm used to gettin up early I went for a run in Central Park. The snow was about 5 inches and there still were many people out in the park running or letting their dogs play. This is my first trip to New York and I'm enjoying it. Although, I wish my family could be here with me. Last night, I was able to go to the
ManhattanTemple. From the outside, it's nothing spectacular. But inside it's beautiful