Half marathon, a new digital piano, and other quick updates

Just over a month ago, I ran my first half marathon! It started out great. It was decent weather, and it was nice running through the Thanksgiving Point gardens and seeing all the beautiful flowers at the tulip festival. However, the race was harder than I expected... there were lots of ups and downs over the second half of the course and I was struggling. But with Karen by my side and using the wonderful Galloway method, I made it through. So, so grateful for Karen joining me at the last minute so I didn't have to do it alone. I've come to realize that one of my greatest struggles with running is the mental aspect and I was getting really discouraged that race. We couldn't see anybody running around us and that really messed with my head. But Karen kept me going and we finished and got our medals! It's nice to be able to accomplish goals.  

I have another half in less than a month, and I somehow was crazy enough to sign up for the St. George Marathon this October. Eek! Somehow, I've kind of turned into a runner. I met up with my running coach (the program director for Galloway here) earlier this week and we went over my goals and she made up an initial plan for me, including running and core and strength training. She also gave me a journal to keep track of workouts and a "Mental Training for Runners" book by Jeff Galloway. Hopefully that will help with the mental battle.

I also was able to cross off another thing off my 101 list. I wanted to either fix my old digital piano or get a new one. When I saw this digital baby grand at DI, I knew I couldn't pass it up! Though I haven't played it too much, it makes me so happy each time I see it.

In other news, I was able to see Kristin Chenoweth perform at BYU a few weeks ago and it was amazing! She is an incredible performer. I always appreciate good singers, but it's always so much better when they're so fun between their songs. I laughed so much... and a few of her songs even made me cry.

And I know I had already crossed off checking out a book from each of the Boise libraries in the Boise library system on my 101 list... but they added a new library! So I went there yesterday and got a couple of books.

And today was the Idaho Falls Temple Rededication. I was able to go to two of the sessions at a stake center pretty close to where I live (not like I was really doing anything else today) and it was really nice to feel the Spirit. I was able to go to the open house with some friends a few weeks back and I look forward to going and doing a session there someday.