Friday, April 8

Quote of the Day:  Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage.  The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.   William Ellery Channing

From Waking the Warrior Goddess:  Minimize your exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF’s)  These can be common household appliances like clock radios, microwave ovens but guess what produces more EMFs than any other appliance- hair dryer!  Not a problem for me for a while.

Exercise Log:  Sue O. texted me this morning “Do you want to walk?” The snow was coming down in big flakes.  I knew I needed to get outside so @ 7 A.M. ,  Sue O., Kathy E. and I went on our way which led us to Millcreek Canyon.  We walked 4.49 miles and then I came home and did another 3.33 (just a coincidence) on the stairmaster making my total 7.82 miles for the day.  I now carry a deficit of  .61 miles.  It was incredibly beautiful outside- soul food really.

When you live as close as I do to Millcreek Canyon, and you love to hike, run and bike, you can’t help but being drawn to this amazing place that gracefully changes every season.  Since I know today is the day for buzzing my head, I left strands of my hair in the canyon, knowing that I will be back in the fall, when the Quackies start to turn bright yellow, and when my hair starts to grow again, to reclaim it.  When I first started to run, I was way out of my league.   I was 32, Taylor was about 4 months old and I really wanted to follow in the footsteps- literally- of some of the runners in my neighborhood.  Now, I knew I couldn’t keep up with them but I could join them, they were always kind to let me tag along.  Once a week we would head to Millcreek Canyon.  This is a great place to run as a group because if you’re a faster runner, you can go ahead, keep your pace and then join the slower runners on the way down.  If you’ve ever hiked or run up the first mile of Millcreek,  you know about Mother Hill.  She is a teacher, mentor, tester, and more.  She is steep.  I remember the first time I ran without stopping to the top of the Mother.  What joy and accomplishment I felt! I did the same thing on a bike- my legs straining to get enough oxygen but eventually reaching the top and then being able to coast down for a few minutes before more uphill.  I have learned a lot from running the canyon, I never grow tired of the scenery.  I am always amazed at the beauty and because I love to take it all in, it never grows old for me.  I still haven’t memorized each turn in the road and there’s never a time I am there, that I don’t wonder why I hadn’t noticed that particular meadow or area before.

Millcreek Canyon is the best training for the St. George marathon.  If you start at the base of the canyon and go all the way to Big Water, where you must certainly shout very loudly BIG WATER, when you reach the top, you have run about 9.5 miles, then you turn around and your quads take a beating coming down preparing you for the downhill marathon.  Sometimes it feels like you are gliding down the mountain, taking small steps in a hastened pace.  I love how quickly you can get back down after you have worked so patiently and diligently to get to the top!   This is my go-to 20 miler before a marathon.

But the best part of Millcreek are the trails above Big Water.  Every year, our running group wakes way before dawn to travel up to Guardsman’s Pass to hike from Brighton to Big Water.  We get on top of the ridge over looking Brighton and Park City and watch the sun rise.  It is a strengthening time for all of us!  One morning, we stood there united, praying for our dear friend Karin, who lost her life on Mount Olympus a few years ago, each expressing how much we missed and loved her and how we knew she was ok.

This adventure is about a 13 mile run, hike, walk, all the above.  The views and vistas are tremendous- Brighton, Park City, The Canyons, Salt Lake Valley.     Sometimes we’ve heard the elk bugel, we’ve seen all kinds of birds and the wildflowers- breathtaking and hearty!  I will never forget the time we ran this trail in October.  As we neared the Millcreek side, we were overcome with this sight of yellow Quackies so very brilliant, some leaves still attached to their branches but most making a soft yellow bed on the trail below.  It is etched in my memory.  The weather was cool but the sun was shining and the sky was a deep blue.  What an amazing contrast of color that made.

I want to thank my dear friend, Laurie for reminding me that “Girls Just Want to Have Fun!”  with the most fabulous care package and bracelet that reminds me:  “Where ever you go, bring your own sunshine”.  Also, it’s impossible to grow tired of chocolate and mint!   Melinda Overton for the delicious bread, RS presidency w/ the most darling pillow and Barbara Rosse w/ comfort custard.

Mary had us over for dinner last night- roasted chicken w/ yams and potatoes- amazingly delicious.  Maggie said to Grandma Mix’s (Mary’s Grandma) nurse the other day:  “My Grandma Joanie is having Chemo Therapy” to which the lady replied:  “That word is bigger than you!”  Also, as I was reading a book to Maggie as she was going to bed, she said “I just wish Taylor would come home”.   I got to tell her how happy we will be when we get to pick up Taylor from the airport at the end of his mission.  Maggie will be 4!

Kathy, Joanie and Sue enjoying the snow                     Last day w/ hair of my own!