On to the next

So I did run the 5k forever ago and I did pretty well. I think I ran it in about 35 minutes, but I'll never know for sure because as I was crossing the finish line I forgot to check the clock. That's right, in my moment of glory I was actually looking for Borys. As this picture shows, he was looking for me too (he took the photo). Aaaww. I may try to run a 10k in September but I haven't decided yet.

The next big goal: I'm going to write a novel over the course of three days.

Now I know you have many questions about how that's possible. I'm still working out those details myself. I'll let you know more as the date draws nearer. And again, if anyone wants to join me, please let me know! It would be great to see what everyone comes up with!

April Already?!

I can't believe it is April already. I've had ski blinders on since Christmas and that 70 degree weather we had startled me somewhat. It's time to say goodbye to waist-deep, dry backcountry powder and say hello to limestone, quartzite, granite, cobblestone and sandstone.

Many things were put on hold while I skied 2-3 times a week, and it's time to bring them back to the fore. Blogging, for example, was part of the list of goals I made in January, probably while riding a lift.

I've heard written goals and intentions are more powerful than unwritten ones, and goals shared with others are more easily kept, because of the added pressure. So here's one goal I made and fully intend to follow through with but will share in case any of you feel like joining me (please!) or notice my lack of resolve in the coming weeks and want to pester me.

This year I will run a 5k.

I know to some it may not seem like much. But for someone who never liked running and only started last November, I feel like this is an appropriately challenging goal. I never like running because I was never good at it, and I was never good at it because I never gave it a real chance. This year it gets a fair chance.

I was thinking about signing up for this 5k:
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
May 9, 2009
in Salt Lake City, UT

I know people who do it every year and it sounds super fun. Let me know if you are going to sign up to and want to join me! I'd love company. I'm not hard-core, obviously. I "ran" a 5k distance yesterday in 40 minutes. I'm sure I can improve that time by race day.

I'll own up to more of my goals as the spring progresses.

Other upcoming events:

• I will be participating as a guest blogger for the National Recreation and Parks Association Talking Policy blog this coming Monday and Tuesday (April 13-14). It will be a discussion of communicating the environmental conservation message to Generation Y. Check it out, share your ideas, it should be interesting.
• My brother Alex and his band KiraMesa will be performing on our local TV station KJZZ's morning show at 9 a.m.

That's all for now!

How I spent my holiday

I picked up Borys today at the airport. It's so nice to have him back home with me, and just in time for New Years Eve. He's been in Colorado celebrating Christmas with is family and went to the wedding of one of his good friends. That makes three weddings attended in 2008! And there's another one in March!

My Christmas was great, even without the boyfriend. Borys and I celebrated Christmas on the 23rd and then he flew out the next day. Someone in my family prepared a delicious ham dinner for Christmas Eve and I fell asleep at my parents' house listening to the wind howl. Breakfast, presents, visits to sisters, then turkey dinner and a puzzle with the aussie friends. I would have been trapped at their house for the night since a terrible blizzard hit, but they only live about eight blocks away from my house and I was able to slowly creep the car back.

Day after Christmas: Woke up early, made coffee, shoveled the snow drifts from the previous night off the sidewalk and half the driveway which took way longer than expected, then bolted back to aussies' house to meet them for a day of pow pow amazingness. Yes, The Canyons Resort was at its prime that day, with fresh runs leaving me knee-deep in heavenly softness surrounded by pines and quakies. It was an awesome day!

Day after that: General laziness and muscle soreness. I did manage to leave the house for a delicious Thai dinner with Jamie and a cheesy (I mean cheesy) chick flick, Mama Mia. Wow, I've never been to a Broadway musical before and now seriously doubt I ever will. Does everyone in musicals act so psychotic? Meryl Streep was depressed one minute and the next she's the Dancing Queen with all the village women dancing around her.

Thanksgiving

This is a small taste of Thanksgiving at the Borys/Michaelson house. Food was delicious. Company was superb. Bellies were filled.

Politics

Part of an IM conversation with Jamie:

J: do you want to watch the debate together?

Me: uh, not really. I was just planning to have it on while I did something or other around the house. I watched the last one and only found it mildly redeeming.

Me: of course, I have no idea what will happen in this one. Biden will eat Palins brains as they spill out of her ears?

Me: and she won't even notice

J: well, it might be hard to get her brains into a mouth full of foot, but otherwise, yeah, im betting thats going to turn out to be an admirable summary of the situation

J: although her brains may pour out of her butt instead of her ears

And now... pigs fly!

I went running today for the second time this week.

WHOA! Did I just write that? Yes I did. I know some out there have heard me profess (probably more than once) that I hate running. Hate it. Hate it. I haven't seriously tried running since the 10th grade when I joined the indoor track team to get a little more face time with a certain hottie whose name starts with Austin and ends with Rose. He liked me too. No… wait. It was a different Stephanie he liked. A blonder, shorter, cuter and larger-breasted Stephanie. Thus ended my enthusiasm for running.

But I finally reached a point where running again sounded attractive (read: a sudden need to effectively deal with weekly crippling anxiety attacks). Why not run? It’s the sort of self-punishment that also lends itself well to the obsessive compulsive I am slowly becoming, and with the added physical benefits.

So I ran with my sister who gave birth two months ago. She has always enjoyed running but with the 11-month hiatus, and my eight-year hiatus, I figured we’d be at the same level. Well, all I can say is that she took it easy on me. We ran a mile. In 12 minutes. It was great. For those of you considering taking up running, I have to say, having the right pair of shoes and an awesome partner can make it really fun. Before we were even finished I was planning the next run in my head.

I ran today and I have to say, one thing went wrong and I want you all to learn from my mistake. If this blog post has any point, this is it:

Don’t drink a milkshake before you run. Even if you just ordered the small one.

That’s all. Now it’s off to Yoga with Michelle. I’m becoming such a good cross-trainer!