Lost Weight, Gained Love

ABOUT DANG TIME!

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:12:23 -0400

I JUST SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST HALF MARATHON SINCE MAY LAST YEAR!!! IT’S ABOUT TIME FOLKS!!!! AND IN HONOR I THINK EVERYONE… I’M LOOKING AT YOU EVERYONE, NEEDS TO COME JOIN RUNNING IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL PARKS IN THE WORLD. IT’S IN JULY WITH START TIME TEMPS IN THE 40’S. NOW WHO DOESN’T WANT SOME OF THAT! COME PLAY!!! BRYCE CANYON HALF MARATHON, PR HERE I COME!

This 3.5 miles was brought to you by Janet Jackson and all her...

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:57:02 -0400

This 3.5 miles was brought to you by Janet Jackson and all her nasty boys.

beachyrunner: Everyone flexes when they finish a marathon...

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:19:54 -0400

beachyrunner:

Everyone flexes when they finish a marathon though, right?

This woman right here=hero!

Utah sleeps a little easier with The Brenns on her way to New...

Sat, 04 May 2013 00:11:41 -0400

Utah sleeps a little easier with The Brenns on her way to New York. Have fun!

We were supposed to paint something super girly, I rebelled and...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:45:34 -0400

We were supposed to paint something super girly, I rebelled and thought I’d paint something angsty and full of hatred…. Anyway I guess angst and hate equals Christmas, Merry Christmas y’all

SHHHHHHHHH. I Have a Confession....

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:55:13 -0400

So once when I was 13 and at scout camp something happened in the tent that changed me forever. It was late and I was just laying in my tent and…. wait this isn’t my scouting blog, my bad… This is my running blog. OK, let’s focus on running confessions! SO my running is not up to par where I would like it. 3 miles is a struggle for me. A darn right struggle.I also have gained maybe ten pounds, and that could be slowing me down. I want to lose this weight and start upping my mileage. This is going to happen. Tonight, I got 3 miles in, It was a bit of a struggle, but I got it done.

Also sometimes when I get in an elevator that has a mirror in it, I will pull up my shorts and flex my thigh; sometimes the door opens unexpectedly and you are caught in the act. That may have happened today. As for the boy scout story, guess you’ll have to find my boy scout blog.

Kinda of like a Marathon

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:55:19 -0400

Ok, so 25 miles isn’t exactly a marathon, but if we add climbing over rocks and down rocks, walking in sand, and carrying 60 pounds on your back, does it count then? Ok, granted there was a night sleep in the middle of those 25 miles, but still, no day at the beach… Mainly because we were in the desert, which in my book beats a day at the beach.

There is something immensely satisfying about pushing your body past its comfort zone. The rewards in this case will be life long lasting. Had I sat home all weekend and watched television, or gone to a movie and dinner, it is easy to say that it could of been forgotten sooner than later. However this weekend is one that I will NEVER forget, I suppose a lot of that came from some of the pain felt, but more so from the sense of accomplishment.

As much as I want to believe that I need all the finer things in life, technology, kitchen gadgets, entertainment, things like this remind me of how simple life truly is, and how much joy there truly is in the most simple of things. For example, just spending time with your dog with no other distractions is simply priceless.

Time spent with friends, and enjoying conversation in a world lost in technology, text messaging, and social media is wonderful. You forget at times how little actual interaction we have using our voices and body language.

But most of all it is just connecting with the root of our existence, and why we exist, nature, mother earth. To think how hard it must of been for our species to get to the point where we are now. To imagine life 1000 years ago in these canyons making an existence with only what could be gathered around you. It makes you beyond grateful for the time we live in. Yet there is a complete peace in these circumstances you wish you could always keep with you.

Push yourself every chance you get. It’s the moments you cherish, and will always remember. When you think about quitting or not taking a chance, think back on life and remember what matters most, and I can guarantee it was when you worked hard for something, or took a chance and withstood the storm. Much like this tree in the desert, been there for who knows how many centuries, withstanding, floods, droughts, extreme heat and cold. We are the same, If we choose we can withstand just as harsh circumstances and grow to stand alone and strong for many to admire and stand in amazement.

I kinda love this girl!!! Always getting me out of trouble, I...

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:32:34 -0400

I kinda love this girl!!! Always getting me out of trouble, I return the favor by always putting her in dangers way! LOVE YOU BRENNA!

runningwithguts:

“Welcome to Breaking Into Cars 101” - John the Marine

Some idiot Mormon locked his keys in his car when he got to school tonight. Luckily he has an incredibly lovely and kind friend with AAA who was also looking for a reason to bail on dinner plans.

“I hate windows without an upper frame like this. If you do it wrong, it doesn’t shatter. It EXPLODES.”

Please be careful, John!!!

Run 4 Boston

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:01:19 -0400

As long as freedom and good exists, evil will do everything it can to stop it. History however proves that GOOD always will prevail. I join my runner brother and sisters and put in my miles in solidarity. Also I found a list of charities on the B.A.A. website that runners were running for. I can’t do much, but I want those runners to know that there efforts matter and there charities will be supported. I made my donation.

A Moment Like This

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:13:56 -0400

While I was on hiatus, I was still running. I was running up hills, down hills, running races, running on trails, running on pavement, running on dirt, running my life, running mad, running some tests, running to the bathroom, and running ragged. In all of this running I had a moment I never want to forget, something that was very special to me. I ran a relay race back in March with my family.

There were six of us running the Red Rock Relay. It is 70 miles of nothing but either going up a hill or down a hill, but never flat it seemed. Two of my brothers, my sister in law, my nephew and our adopted family member Brenna took on this very picturesque and scenic course.

Of course running 70 miles stuck in a car all day with your family is memorable in itself. There were countless funny moments, great one liners, and an immense amount of bonding. For example my sister in law was so happy to have another girl in the car to back her up in her girlish ways, only to find out that Brenna actually is more crude than any of the boys. All of this made for amazing memories, but something happened that was something I can never forget, and something that reminded me what the spirit of competition, love and family is all about.

While my second oldest brother Joey was running his first leg of his race he rolled and sprained his ankle about half way through his run. He amazingly powered through and finished his leg, despite being in immense pain. All of us told him that there was no way that he could run his next leg and his wife kept telling him she would run it for him. We got him ice, ben gay, ibuprofen and ankle brace. He was very determined that he would run his second leg of 7 miles, which included a brutal uphill section. It also was the last leg of the entire race. My brother is not one to EVER complain and one that feels that he can overcome any obstacle. He laced up and took off on his run, after about a 1.5 miles, he flagged us down because he was in such immense pain. I saw a tear falling down his cheek, I have never seen this brother cry because of pain before. I knew it had to be serious. His wife immediately jumped out of the car and continued running up the hill for him, because no way was this family going to give up and not finish. What commenced was each family member ( including Brenna ) running 1.25 miles of his leg. All of us were exhausted from our runs, but were determined to finish. I was so impressed by the human spirit in that moment. No one was beat down or felt defeated, we finished as a team. No one was trying to win, but simply determined to finish. No one was upset my brother couldn’t carry on, instead we figuratively picked him up and ran him across the finish line. As my family ran across the finish line I saw my dad tear up that we all came together and ran a race together, bond, and take on a little extra pain for one of our own. No medal, no prize, no nothing could compare to what it felt like on the inside to see my family come together and support one another for that one day. It was the common love for one another and running that bonded us that much more forever.

Oh and because this is my blog, obviously I am going to put a gratuitous sexy running photo of myself up. Because, obviously. Should we also make mention of those gams?

I just can’t hit it and quit it! I’m having a hard...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:21:33 -0400

I just can’t hit it and quit it! I’m having a hard time with the idea of letting winter go. Maybe I need to find me a nice little Eskimo and crawl in their igloo with them. Anyhow, all day skiing, any idea what kind of calories that burns? My legs feel as if they ran a half marathon. Speaking of running, I should go do that tonight, don’t you think?

Meet my number 1 fan! That’s him in the background! This...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:44:32 -0400

Meet my number 1 fan! That’s him in the background! This is where I head after running 3 miles in 60 degree weather! So hot! I don’t want summer! Oh by the way, that running thing, yeah apparently I kept up with that.

CHEERS Y'ALL

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:36:00 -0400

Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away?

                                Sometimes you want to go
                          Where everybody knows your name,
                            and they’re always glad you came.
                            You wanna be where you can see,
                                our troubles are all the same
                         You wanna be where everybody knows
                             Your name. (lostweightgainedlove)

I LOVE YOU GUYS SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!! I’ve been busy, life felt out of control and I needed to give up something, and I for sure gave up the wrong thing! Tumblr was not the way to go. It’s the one place where you are safe, where everyone loves you and accepts your flaws and short comings. It’s the one place you can let your freak flag fly and no one even thinks anything is out of the ordinary. So to my wonderful friends, followers, and it’s time to bring the freak flag back out! Raise your glass and CHEERS!

A pinch of this A pinch of that!

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:51:27 -0500

Nothing wrong with a break from blogging… However you take a break and you have a realization how much you deeply care for all these people that live inside your computer. You want to know what they are up to, you care so much for them. This blog thing, this tumblr world. Such a strange thing, but something that I’d never ever give up!

So what have I been up to. Well just living life. Staying busy as ever. Work, Work, School, Work, and of course play and keeping up my fitness!

Of course I’ve been doing the skiing, because if I could just do one thing everyday for the rest of my life I think this would be it!

Out doing some snowshoeing, It’s a killer workout! The dog loves it and sometimes you try to get rid of snobby New Yorkers who think they can invade Utah. Yet they just keep going and whining and going.

And I have started to lift things on top of my running. I really don’t know what I am doing. But little by little I am learning about picking up setting things down. It’s kind of fun, minus the times when you ask a guy if he is using the 15 pound dumbbells and he laughs and scoffs and says no. SO of course you have to be like… Oh yeah me either. I’m looking for those 40 pounders! Oh and Race Epic shirts reminding you just what an amazing journey that this all is! THANKS LADIES!!!!

Third time is NOT the charm for Zumba. Remember the first time I...

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:03:28 -0500

Third time is NOT the charm for Zumba. Remember the first time I went…. Or how about the second? I think I had sworn off ever going again, but of course peer pressure got the best of me and there I was gyrating and pelvic thrusting all over!

If you never have found this hidden treasure I suggest you go ahead and do it. I mean be prepared to throw away your Y chromosome along with your new tampon applicator if you are a male. Just in case you thought that chromosome had a chance of staying, you should do Power Hot Yoga right after. It’s good as gone at that point!

I thought since I lived in conservative Utah that I was safe from Burpee humping. Oh what is that you ask. Well it’s a clever little dance move they try to disguise as fun at Zumba. You go ahead and do a burpee, but instead of a push up on the ground you just go ahead and hump the heck out of it. It’s fine right? Oh you want me to spend 4 minutes of pop lock and dropping it? You expect me to walk after. That’s cute of you. Needless to say I think I am retiring from the Zumba. It’s just not for me. I am traumatized from our instructor coming up in my space and pelvic thrusting at me. She expected me to pelvic thrust. I’m a gentleman so naturally I just stared at her trying to hump me.

We went straight from an hour and 15 minutes of Zumba to Power Hot Yoga. I’ll just go ahead and call it NOGA! That was the hardest thing I have ever done. This morning I felt as if I was left in the dryer all night. She told us if a move was hard to just revert to child’s pose. Needless to say I am now an expert at the child’s pose. I laughed and whispered to my friend through the whole thing. I would give vocal commentary when she would tell us to do an easy move. I would just say NOPE. I was that annoying prepubescent teenager hearing for the first time that I would wake up with wet pants and I hadn’t urinated. I died laughing at that one. HOWEVER, at the end the teacher came up to me and said that I had really good poses and was surprised at how flexible I was for my first time. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! She also said I made her laugh with I would make my one word commentary.

I told my best friend that she can pick two more classes tonight for us to do… as long as it isn’t YOGA! I just can’t. So much sweat! So much pain, so little relaxation!

As if I

HELL HAS FROZEN OVER!!!

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:30:43 -0500

Let’s just put this out there…. I am going to do yoga tonight…. They call it Power Yoga. I havent’ tried yoga since I was a large guy on the go! It was traumatic. I have had PTSD since then. My best friend invited me. If she wasn’t moving away in less than a week I would say no! We are also doing Zumba before. Prepare for an entire report late. I am sure it will be hilarious…. Mexican Cheerleading followed by tall unflexible weakling trying to get his shakras aligned…. It’s gonna be good.

I'm Gonna Take That Mountain

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:40:50 -0500

I decided to give my new Christmas snowshoes a try today after work. I through the dog in the car and headed for dem hills!

So I know that a good chunk of people in the USA and Canada are covered in snow right now. May I suggest for some big time extra burn that you throw some snowshoes on and trudge for miles. I’m just putting it out there that it could be a bit harder than I anticipated and I am sure I burned some extra calories. I’m sure of it based on the fact my legs were shaking when I rested. Can I get a WOOT WOOT!

Anyhow, 4 miles of snowshoeing was completed! I’ll be back for more. Next time I shall drag that Brenna up the hill, I am sure she will not be able to say no when you have views awaiting you such as yay. SO lace up, or strap on, or do whatever you gotta do, feel that burn and love every minute of it folks, unless of course you are stuck in the south…. if that is the case… GET OUT OF THE SOUTH!

Let's Take this Inside Shall We?

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:59:06 -0500

What to do when it’s in the negative degrees outside and you just can’t bring yourself to hop up on that thing we call the dreadmill? Well you find an indoor track naturally! Now yes, you are running around in a circle for gosh who knows how many times, but I promise you it is better than running on a conveyer belt! Plus you are running with other people and you get a little competitive. Those competitive walkers, yep you better believe I be passing them!

Ok, so maybe it’s supposed to be about just outdoing yourself, but I am a man and I feel as though most men are competitive and we want to feel accomplished. I am however not man enough to feel bad about passing an 8 year old. Gotta start somewhere folks! Awe running. Can’t live with it, and can’t live without it! Wait actually you can live without it, I just don’t wanna! 30 minutes, 3 miles, and copious smiles. Lace up folks, we got miles to go this year!

That Was One Epic Race

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:35:09 -0500

It’s a New Year and you better believe that means there is only one appropriate way to start it. That of course is RACE EPIC!!!! This makes it year dos for me. Last year I ran it alone. It also was the first time in my life that I had ran 5 miles without stopping. Wow, what a difference year can make in running. Crazy to look back on it and see how far I have come when it comes to running!

This year was a different challenge. I was not alone, nor was I going to do a traditional run. This year was about running the trails, and running on snowy trails. I didn’t realize how difficult it was to run on snowy trails, such uneven terrain! However running with my dog and clumsy ole Brenna and beautiful scenery made for the absolute perfect day. Highs in the teens and sun ablaze and so much white! Running couldn’t get more perfect.

This year wasn’t about beating any records, or going further than before, but instead it was about another important aspect of life. Being with those you love and doing something new and just enjoying the day. All of the above happened, and that my friends made this one epic race!

May your dreams be merry and bright, and may all your...

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 13:08:22 -0500

May your dreams be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white…..

Merry Christmas to everyone, remember the true meaning this time of year.