Why Barefoot??

WHY BAREFOOT????
Because being barefoot to me is being raw. Feeling every sharp rock, lush clover, spiky thistle, cushioned blade of grass, slimy covered stones, fragrant feathered flowers, cereal of sand, bead of water, element of litter, and the mash of mud.

Being Barefoot is the promise of prancing in the moonlight, leaping in the waves, running through a meadow, dancing on the porch, and doing all this while enduring a long journey to the end.

Monday, May 30, 2011

13.1 (2nd)

I am finding this post hard to get started on. So let's just start.

THE RACE

It was everything I hoped it would be, fun, challenging, fun, wet, fun, windy, and really fun. Some people wouldn't think that you could have fun running 13.1 miles. But those people don't have my life.
2.53 hours

alone, just you, the road, Heavenly Father, some wind, some rain, some music, a brother that comes and goes, a sister that goes too fast, some friends who help you along. Really there is nothing else I would rather be doing. Not only that but improving on your time by

22 minutes.

Now for the pictures.....

Jesse and I pre-race, it was the first time I had seen him that morning since he was gone by 5am to help set up for the race.


My sister Pam, my brother David, and me pre-race.


My brother-in-law Terry, my sister-in-law Kate, and me pre-race.


Don't see me at the starting line, that's right because I always line up at the back. The guy standing in front is my darling Father-in-law, and I could blog about him all day long because he is the one of the greatest, honest, and kindest men I know.



Yep, there you see me in the far right grey back, and orange sleeves. Yes the very last one. But I will have you know that I did not come in last.


My brother Dave and I, yeah we pretty much had that much fun the whole way.


Totally sprinted to the end, I am sure it looked like slow motion to everybody else but it felt really fast.


AHH, the plush towel, will ya look at that smile you can't pay money to get that smile.


Getting a hug and a smooch from my adorable hubby/race official. I promise to write more about it soon.
xoxox
Barb

Friday, May 27, 2011

It's Snowing

Really, I woke up to snow today, May 27, 2011.
In 24 hours the gun will go off.
Now might be a good time to remember why I am doing this. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

Training for and running a marathon (and 1/2 marathon) is not a single event; rather, it is an experience. It is a discovery of self that will forever change your perceptions, perspectives, priorities, and possibilities. You will meet yourself at what you thought were the boundaries of your potential and endurance and watch in awe as they evaporate to reveal only open expanse. To know that the only boundries in life are those which we create ourselves is a discovery which can not be taught - IT MUST BE EXPERIENCED. For once you have seen the view from the mountain top, living a life of voluntary blindess is no longer an option.
(The Non-runner's Marathon Trainer pg132-133)


Oh yeah that is why.
I am going to write it here and think it all day tomorrow. I am prepared for this event, and I will complete it. I will break through any boundaries put in my way to accomplish this goal.

I CAN, I WILL, I AM.


I CAN, I WILL, I AM.

xoxo
Barb
Please pray for no snow and no wind!






Thursday, May 19, 2011

Getting nervous and as promised the Resolution Run

Just in time for the first check. On December 31. 2010, I ran a 5k called The Resolution Run. While running this run I chanted 155, Legacy 1/2, Pocatello full. On the eve of fulfilling one of those goals I have finally finished this video. Hope you all enjoy.




xoxox
Barb
PS. Totally went to the Doctor this today to get antibiotics for a nasty sinus/ear thing. Really hope I can get rid of this before the race. I have to tell you I am a little nervous.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Running my own race

It was my birthday along with mother's day on Sunday. I love my family very much but knowing that they would not be able to fulfill my needs, or wants, I took off with some lovely women to Calgary for Time Out for Women. It was just what I needed. My favourite speaker of the weekend was Laurel Christensen (click on her name to take you to her blog). She is so great. She talked about deciding what you want, and then asking the Lord if it is the right thing to want, and then praying about it with your whole soul. Ok but she did it way better and cuter than anything I have ever seen. I also identified with her because she is running her first 1/2 marathon on June 11. She is darling and you have to check her out!

Speaking of running 1/2 marathons, AHHHHHH only 14 days until the Legacy 1/2 marathon. The nine miles I ran last this morning and it was windy and cold and hard I cried as Jesse drove me to the drop off point and I cried on the couch when I was finished. Last week was 8 miles and they were so great, that I was really excited about this race. Since Jesse and I have kind of helped with it since the beginning, I kind of feel like I am running my own race. I have wanted to run this race every since my wonderful Father in Law started it three years ago, and so now it is a dream come true. And the first of my New Year's resolutions to accomplish this year. Running a 1/2 marathon in May in Canada means you have got some heart because the training weather has not been nice.




Got to get the mileage in next year I am getting a treadmill!


Anyway the more I think about crossing the finish line with a lot of people I love and admire being there the more excited I am about the race. I picture myself really enjoying it, stoping at each water station to say hello to neighbours and friends and running on my own road, toward my mountains, and my home town. I feel excited, confident, and peaceful. I haven't quite put the whole metaphor together yet but there is something to be said about running your own race.
Feeling like this post is a little weak but it is all I have time for.
xoxo
Barb

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Kind of Great

Thanks to the Grace of God I am.
Breathing
Laughing
Smiling
Crying
Walking
Running
Cooking
Eating
Loving
Listening
Talking
Sharing
Teaching
Learning
Hopping
Living
Reading
Typing

I am feeling grateful this week. My life isn't perfect but it is very good. My eating isn't perfect but it is very good. My goal for the next week is too have one perfect food day. Meaning just eating good things all day! Today started off so great with a 4 mile run, a smoothie, and soup, followed by a brancrisp with 1/2 tsp of Nutella. Strawberries, some cheese, two crackers, gum, a sugar free candy, more soup, a bun and it is only one o'clock. But there is always tomorrow.

I feel as tho I am pursuing my weight loss goal on a tread mill right now, totally doing it put one foot in front of the other and making it happen, but really not going anywhere. But I do have complete faith that it will eventually come. I am also focused on the Legacy 1/2 Marathon that is at the end of this month. I am feeling good about it but not super confident. It is only my 2nd 1/2 Marathon I am kinda of interested to see how it will pan out.

I signed the kids and I up of the Cardston Kids Marathon. They seem excited about it. Last night we marked off 1/2 a mile for them so they run out to the marker and back so then they know they have done their mile for the day!

I am excited about Canada's new majority Conservative government. I have to say I was very disheartened over this last election, I really thought nothing was going to change. Therefore I didn't do as much election stuff as I have in the past. But as Jesse and I watched the results come in last night I was elated. I have great hopes at what the government can do now. I am also quite relieved at the number of seats that the BQ have, I strongly feel that this is great for my Wonderful nation.

I had a great Easter Break in Utah, visiting sisters's and parents. I will post pictures and talk about that later. Anyway doing kind of great.
xoxo
Barb