A Long Run and an Early Birthday Gift

This morning I had a long training run planned and headed out a 5 a.m. for my 20-miler. It went really well...and I was making good time with the first 18 miles. Then I decided to have a piece of salt water taffy...it sounded good but shortly after I ate it my stomach didn't feel so good. I was able to finish...but I don't recommend taffy as a long run treat!

While Cheryl and family were here Cheryl saw a picture she wanted to get me and Dad for our October birthdays. I love the picture...called "Old Man Wept". I got it framed yesterday (my framing friend saw it and knew what frame...already made...that would go with it perfectly. And it did! Here is a picture of the picture! I love it! Thanks Cheryl, Doug, and family for a wonderful early gift!

A Garden, A Race, and A Day At The Zoo

Remember the wall in the Children's Garden Austin was helping me build? Well, he came a second time to help me with another 100 blocks, and then recently Dan provided his truck and helped me get the last 36 blocks I needed and unload them...and voila...my wall is completed! The pictures above give you an idea of the completed project! Thanks to Austin for a job well done!!

This past Saturday evening (the 20th of August) we went to Springville High to watch Austin play his first game with his high school team from Westlake (can't remember their name?) against the Springville Red Devils. Former Red Devils Angie and Dad weren't sure how that was going to be to cheer for the other team but found out that it wasn't hard at all to cheer like crazy for Westlake and Austin. They beat Springville 27-8! Good job Austin and team! Austin is #64!

That morning Brent, Tyler, and myself ran the Hobble Creek 1/2 Marathon...13.1 miles! It was Tyler's first and he ran it under 2 hours! Brent finished a second or two ahead of me! In the photo you can see me taking in the rear near the finish line.

Three very tired and happy finishers! What fun it was to have them running in a race with me! Brent and Tyler couldn't wait to get in to their new "finisher" T's! Later that night after the football game Brent called me to let me know he had check the finishing times (we were at the 2:26 time frame) and said that I had come in 3rd place in my age group! Could have knocked me over with a feather.

While Cheryl and the family were here we had a fun Zoo day (albeit hot!). The day...Thursday, August 11th...Abi and I waiting for the train to start and smiling big for Cheryl's camera.

Abi and Maddy checking out the big, growling, and water-spitting dinosaur. Later his spray of water felt really good!

In July we took my mom down to Cedar City for the Shakespearean Festival. This is the outdoor Shakespeare stage awaiting the beginning of "Romeo and Juliet". I also really enjoyed "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and two non-Shakespeare productions: "The Music Man" and "Noises Off".

Also...don't you just love my new blog background! Cheryl tried to help me with it when she was here but for some reason my computer would not cooperate. So this morning (August 25th) she set it up for me from Kenosha! All Thanks to you, Cheryl!!