Another 13.1--The Homestead Half Marathon!

For Memorial Day weekend we went to Utah so I could run another race in Midway and so we could spend some time with my family! We drove down Thursday night and stayed at my mom and dads. Friday we went and saw Iron Man and then we headed to Midway where we stayed at the Homestead. That night we went to dinner and then swimming. We all loved it. It was great watching Colby play and Jolie splash!

We had a great time ALL WEEKEND. Unfortunately I forgot my camera! I was so disappointed! Luckily my sister Hilerie saved the day when she showed up on Saturday with hers. Midway is a beautiful place, and it was a really fun but tough race. We ran through farm land to the Soldier Hollow trail head. From there we ran on the trail--dirt, rocks and all-- along the side of the mountain above Deer Creek Reservoir. The hills were tough but the view was worth it.

While I was running, the family found some fun things to do, like observe this fat marmot.

Here's colby with my mom trying not to look or smile at the camera!

This is the top of the crater at the resort. It's really a neat thing. Inside the crater there is an underground pool that goes about 60 feet deep. You can swim and scuba dive there. I think Brett and I are definitely going back to try the scuba class.

Here's Brett with Jolie waiting by the finish line for me to show up!

Here's a picture from inside the crater looking up at the sky.

My mom, Colby, Brett and Jolie in front of the Crater pool.

Here's Jolie with Grandma Diane all bundled up. Jolie was so good for my mom this weekend! I couldn't believe it! She has been really naughty lately when other people try holding her besides Brett and I, but she played with my mom the whole time we were there. It was really fun to watch. I wish I would have gotten a video of them playing "monster baby"! My mom entertained her so well she didn't have time to even think about being sad.

Here I am running in, just about a quarter of a mile from the finish.

Here I am with my new friend, Brook. We met right after mile one and just stuck together through the whole race. We both just wanted to finish happy. That's exactly what we did. I really had fun talking with her and getting to know her during our run. I hope we see each other again next year.

Almost there...

Crossing the finish line! There was a big blow up thing around the finish line but they deflated it because it was going to blow away! The weather was chilly but perfect for running. The wind was in our faces the whole first half of the race, but I was so glad that it was at our backs pushing us in as we ran back to the finish.

Brook and I after the race!

Here's Brett, my biggest supporter. I'm glad he saw me cross the finish line this time! Also, I appreciate him for convincing me I could run this race. I was really doubting myself because of post race burn-out after the Salt Lake Half, and then I got a bad cold last week! Brett said just go run and have fun and don't worry about your time. That's what I did and I'm so glad. I just treated it like my Saturday long run and decided to just enjoy myself. Even though I had fun, I'm still sore haha! Thirteen miles is far! Brett and I drove the course afterward so I could show him where we went and he was impressed! I want him to run it with me next year.

Colby, Jolie and Grandma

Here I am with Jolie right after the race. She was ready to eat, and snuggle! We sat on the hill and listened to the race director give out prizes. I won a Homestead mug! YAY!

This is the front of the hotel

This is the outside of the crater. It was so cool.

Here I am doing a victory dance after a really long and hot shower and some super muscle stretching.

When we left the Homestead, we decided to try a new restaurant in Heber City. It was called The Spin Cafe. I read about it awhile ago in a magazine and the review was right on target. The food was excellent. We all got something different and shared YUM!

This was coming down and out of beautiful Provo Canyon. What a great trip :)

After we got back to Salt Lake, we decided to go see Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Sunday we went to church and then visited my friend Marty and had lunch at her mom's house. Marty--the chicken salad was delicious! After that Brett and I took a nice drive and went to see the Draper temple site and some trailheads in the area. Today we got up and got ready to come home. We stopped in Salt Lake and saw my friend Tina and her little baby, Bella. We ate at Cafe Rio and then headed home.

We are home and already back in our normal routine. Colby is watching a movie, Brett is surfing the classifieds on KSL.com and I am blogging haha! Jolie is just hanging out, she's just as content as can be right here next to me.