I decided to take my running to a new level. I've decided to challenge myself to be a better and stronger runner... and if that means going on group trail runs, so be it! The past two days, my friend, Heather, and I ran the Salt Lake Running Light Up Liberty 5Ks to raise awareness for running safety. Thursday's run was in Salt Lake (right in my neighborhood), and Friday's run was at Sandy, in Heather's stomping grounds. Today, we made a pact to run this 10 mile trail run with our Run Aways group at Coyote Hollow at Corner Canyon. Our teammate, Robert, invited us as he was joining the run alongside another local running group.
I picked up Heather and we headed down to the Draper Temple, as we weren't exactly sure where to meet. It was soooooooooooooo cold! As Robert made the turn around the corner, we followed down to the trail head.
We met up with the Life Time running group. The sun was behind the clouds, so it was freezing! I wasn't exactly sure what to wear since I was so cold, but I do tend to heat up pretty quickly.
We took a little while to decide on which trail to take, but we finally got moving. We headed up, and everyone went along at their own pace. Heather and I hung out in the back. What I love about this group though, is that nobody gets left behind. There's always a checkpoint to make sure nobody gets lost or hurt along the way.
Another beautiful part about this trail was the view of the temple from the overlooks.
This trail run wasn't so bad. It was cold at the start, but the weather couldn't have been any more perfect as the day progressed. There were some tough parts, but the challenge will only make me a stronger runner. And who could pass up being in nature? I love it! And whew, what a leg workout!
I skipped my spinning class tonight to take part in Light Up Liberty, hosted by the Salt Lake Running Company. What was nice about this race, was it was right down the road from where we live. The races were to raise awareness for night running and safety for runners and the community. I met Heather and Maria there. And I ran into Shaylee, who's also a member of my running group. I had only talked to her on FaceBook, but was excited to run the same event with her!
Maria, Me, Shaylee, Heather @ Light Up Liberty 5K 11.06.14
It was also Maria's birthday today! Yay! Happy birthday Maria! It's also President Uchtdorff's birthday, and Ezra and my 4th year anniversary. I know... I'm a horrible wife... running a race on our anniversary! (But no worries... we went out for Sushi Burritos after!!!!)
Light Up Liberty had a 5 and 3 mile option. Maria, Heather, and I opted for the 3.1 mile option since Maria's hip was hurting a bit. We headed down 6th East to 1300 South and turned around and came back. We waited around for the raffle at 7:30pm and then celebrated Maria's birthday with cake! :) We finally caught up with Joshua, Jill, and Elsha.
Heather, Maria, Joshua, Elsha, Jill, Me
Get it? Get it? :P
Friday, 11.07.14 - Sandy Run
On Friday night, Heather and I did it all again. The race took place around the South Town Expo Centre and we ran on the Porter Rockwell Trail. This run was a little more hilly than yesterday's, but it wasn't bad at all.
After the race, we walked around the fun expo they had going on there. We scored some free gear and I stocked up on some Core Power! Yummmmmmm! Tomorrow, we run 10 miles at Coyote Hollow! Fun fun! :D
Friday 10.17.14
This past Friday and Saturday, I volunteered with Runtastic Events to help out with the SLC Haunted Half. I wanted to run this race, but I'm still on a bit of a lazy streak from running. To be honest, I've been exhausted since my half ironman, so I haven't really wanted to do anything besides lift.
Anyway... after work on Friday, I headed down to Memory Grove to help set up the race course for the half. Unfortunately, the race director and his some of his staff had to go back to Utah County to pick some stuff up. So I headed over to packet pickup to help out with everything over there. I helped put together the age group awards for both the half and the 5k. And then I went on a food run for everyone. My shift was supposed to be from 5-10pm, but I agreed to help set up the course, so I stayed way past my shift. After dinner, I helped update registration/race entries, and then we finally headed back to Memory Grove around 11pm.
There was so much left to do! We had to set up the finish line area, kids' area, and Spook Alley. I met a new running/hiking friend there too. Her name is Erin. She's from Ohio, and ended up here after a successful internship awhile back. We set up tents, barricades, and other miscellaneous things. I finally went home around 1am. I needed a few hours of sleep if I was going to come back to help at 8am on Saturday.
Saturday 10.18.14
I got up around 6:30am to go pick up my Bountiful Basket this morning. I dropped it off back at home before heading back up to Memory Grove. As I walked down to the park, I took a moment to take in the surroundings - the fall colors were rich and gorgeous; and the sun was just starting to kiss the mountain tops. So picturesque!
I was originally supposed to be at an aid station for the race, but when I found Megan (one of the race directors) at the finish line, I got assigned to do random jobs to help finish up and prepare for the race. I ran around here and there doing different tasks. There were members of the Fear Factory cast that came to help out at the race. Their costumes were pretty creepy! Some of them helped to hand out medals to the racers when they crossed the finish line, and others were stationed in Spook Alley.
Closer to race start, I ended up over near the kids' area helping to set up bag check. I spent a lot of time with another new friend I met, Denise. We took all the bags that were collected at the race start, and arranged them as best we could. There wasn't much time before the racers started coming in. Wow! This job was no joke!
It was kind of fun volunteering back at bag check. I didn't get to see my friends cross the finish line, but I did catch a few of them when they came to pick up their bags! (I saw my friends: Natalie, Sonja, Heather, Monte, and London).
As we were helping people find their bags, I noticed Joshua's drop bag! He was sweeping the course, so I knew he'd be one of the last ones to pick up his bag. So I decided to grab it and bring it over to him when there were only a few bags left. As I picked up his bag, Denise said he knew Joshua too! I asked her if she was on the Run Aways, but she wasn't. I was shocked! Joshua always adds new people to the Run Aways! So I got her number (also to text her the picture we took after organizing those bags), and I told her I'd add her to our group!
We met Joshua at the finish line area as we took the remaining bags to the race directors. His costume fit the part he paced! Sweeper! And he totally carried that broom with him the whole way! I love it!!!!!!
Joshua, the "sweeper."
I had so much fun today being, once again, on the other side of the race... behind the scenes. It really does feel great to give back to the community as a way of showing my gratitude for those who volunteered at the races I ran. It isn't an easy job... especially when you get yelled at for something you have no control over.
And you meet new, fun friends! I found out later, as I went to add Denise to our group, that she not only knew Joshua, but my brother-in-law too! Small world!
Now... do I run the Haunted Half next week? Or do I wait until the Thankful 13? Decisions....
My triathlon season has been complete (well, maybe... I might have one more sprint to do in November, but other than that, it's done) since my half iron on September 13th. I've kind of been itching to do more, but then I took a step back to reevaluate everything going on at the moment. I've decided to take a little bit of a break. I mentioned on my "Joyce's Journey to Ironman" Facebook group that I won't be running Vineman next year, like I had originally hoped to do. With so much on my plate, I needed to re-prioritize.
I've decided to go on a different "iron" journey and take up lifting again. I still want to do some fun runs and shorter distance triathlons here and there, but I want to work more on getting the excess fat that I've had trouble shedding.
I am following a lifting program, and have noticed in the past 4 weeks that I'm starting to tone up in places, which really excites me! My arms don't jiggle as much, I'm losing the back fat and bra bulge, and my love handles don't pudge out as much as they used to! I've changed my eating, and though I indulge in some junky foods every once in awhile, I've really started to cut out a lot of unnecessary sugars and carbs. I've been feeling a lot stronger and much better!
But it's been no easy process... and sometimes it's discouraging not seeing the results you want right away. I've had to exercise more patience with myself than ever! In another couple of weeks, I'll be taking an indoor cycling class, now that my friend Gemma is back at work! :D
Here's to a fun off-season! :)
(be on the look out for progress pics soon... not that I want to share them, but more of keeping myself accountable!)
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am afforded the privilege, twice a year, to hear from our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, his counselors, and numerous other leaders of our church. These two time during the year take place the first weekends of April and October, and are know better as General Conference. It is in these meetings that we are able to hear inspired messages as relayed by these men and women, called of God, to relay what God would have us know in this day and age.
It is comforting to know that revelation is not dead. It still exists.
I heard a talk from Elder Clay Christiansen in May of this year. He touched on the subject of the Dark Ages and brought up a point which I hadn't considered before. He mentioned that the Dark Ages came about because people stopped asking questions of God - because they thought they had all the answers.
Let's think about that for a minute... do we know all the answers?
If we did, why do we tend to find ourselves amidst chaos and uncertainty? Why do some people find the need for a career change after obtaining a degree? How do we know the person we want to marry is the right one? How do we know if the move you're deciding on is right for your family? Or whether to take the interstate versus the business route on an incredibly rainy day? etc etc etc... and the list of questions goes on.
I know that revelation still exists in this chaotic world because I've heard that "still small voice" that many people tend to talk about in our church. I've heard it many times before, more so in a prompting felt within my heart. I want to talk about one particular experience I had at the Salt Lake Temple back in February of 2012. We had just moved to Utah at the beginning of February, and I had been submitting job applications since December. I had applied to every job I could possibly qualify for; and even some that were part time and/or in retail. It didn't matter at the time. All I knew was that I needed a job, and quick. Ezra was lucky enough at the time to have a connection in the ward who helped him land a job. I was just baffled that with as much experience I had, I wasn't hearing back from any of the positions I applied to. With a lot of stress and worry, I made my way to the temple to offer up my worries, and hopefully receive answers to my prayers.
Most of the time, I don't get the clarity of a voice telling me exactly what to do or giving me instructions, but more of a burning within my heart (like I had mentioned earlier). But this time was different. As I sat in the celestial room, pouring out my heart to Heavenly Father, I heard him tell me "Don't worry, Joyce. Be patient, my child... I have everything lined up for you. All you have to do is give me some time." It was as clear as a conversation Ezra and I would have on any given day. But that revelation was meant just for me, and only me. It was a blessing to finally have a confirmation that I could have that kind of experience, and that I need not fear. It turned out to be true. A few weeks later, I had my interview at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. After weeks of waiting, I was hired on in May.
That experience I had in the celestial room that day affirmed that Heavenly Father does know me and knows everything I'm going through. He does hear me and listen. And He has a plan for me to succeed, if I but listen.
An important part of being able to hear His voice is to listen. And often, we let life and the background and static of the world drown out that still small voice in which He uses to communicate with us. It's so important that we not let life drown out that voice. We must always be in tune with the Spirit.
I still feel the promptings of the spirit when I face a question, and it makes me smile because I know my Heavenly Father is watching over me. I hope I can always be in tune with His Spirit and heed its promptings as I face the world head on.
Most of you know I work in the field of science - Molecular Biology and Cancer Research, as of the current moment.
I fell in love with science and research my sophomore year of college at Shenandoah University. I originally started my undergraduate career as a Pre-Pharmacy/ Chemistry major, but when I took my first Microbiology class I felt my calling. It hasn't always been easy to be in this career field, as most scientists don't get paid much, but you do it for the love of research. I worked in a histo-pathology laboratory upon graduating from college, and then transitioned to an infectious disease research lab in Maryland a couple years later. And now, I have once again transitioned into Cancer Research at the University of Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute. It's been an incredible journey filled with interesting studies and unknowns.
I've worked both in industry and in academia. Working in academia has been an eye opening experience for me. I was so excited when I first started, but then my morale was slowly degraded by people who felt the need to belittle me because I didn't have a PhD behind my name. I started to loathe my job and went into a downward spiraling depression to the point where I just didn't care. My work started to suffer. My boss noticed, but didn't know how to approach the subject with me. Nobody told me this is how it would be. (I obviously knew encountering adversity in the workplace was inevitable, but the way I felt was beyond unbelievable, in my opinion)
In my time here at the university, I've seen quite a few PhD students fall out of love for similar reasons... they get stumped and frustrated without much support to help them through those times. Or they get cut down so low by the scientists with over-inflated egos who want nothing more than to prove that they're right... about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!
I can't say that I hated it completely because there are some pretty amazing colleagues that I work with, most in other labs, who make it all worth it. They gave me hope. They helped me remember the reason why I fell in love with research in the first place.
I then heard this amazing TED talk by Professor Uri Alon, a physicist who also studied theater. By studying theater, he was able to find ways around those blockages and depressions he came across as a science student. He uses the idea of "Yes, And..." - a concept he learned in theater, as a way to allow the flow of ideas to continue in a scene. Then why not science?
If we are able to talk about the subjective and emotional sides of science, it would be for the benefit of all... we'd be able to be more creative in solving problems, as well as changing the culture of science and making it better; more collaborative.
But we can also take his lesson and apply it to our own individual lives - not just science.
I am so glad I found a field hockey league here in Salt Lake. It's been great brushing up on my skills that I haven't used in almost 10 years! We have a mix of all levels of players, and being co-ed, we have men and women playing. We also have players from all over the world. One of the guys, in particular, grew up playing field hockey in South Africa. He pretty much played field hockey from the time he was able to walk and hold a stick. On a recent get together, he mentioned that I was a "solid defender." It meant a lot to me to hear him say that, as he's a more skilled player than I am. He brought along a couple of other friends that play, too. They agreed.
As long as I can remember, being on defense was my forte. I played mid field in field hockey (from middle school through college) and in lacrosse (in college). I never really had the confidence to play up front on attack, but put me in the the back field and I was right at home. My goal was not to let you score that point. So that's where I stayed, and that's where I thrived.
So here my friend was praising me for being a solid defender. What did that mean to me? What does it feel like being a defender anyway? Well for starters, we rarely get praised for winning games, because let's face it... the offense does most of the fancy work and sinks the goals. Most of the time, that's who the spectators come to watch. Think about it... you don't really go to a NFL game to watch the defense, do you?
We get pushed around, shoved, and injured to do one thing - protect our goal, and defend our field. We get pretty territorial when it comes to that. In that moment, there is nothing more important than to protect the thing that is most valuable to us. We would do anything to keep the other team from scoring... even taking one for the team. Because our team depends on us.
So what, right?
Yes, we don't get the glory for scoring the points, but there is one thing that makes it all worth it:
As we're playing hockey, all of this ran through my mind (yup, one of my epiphany moments again). So I may not be the best at offense, but I'm a great defender. I may not get the glory, but I may create the opportunity to potentially win a championship ring - because I work hard, and I have my mind set on a goal.
I'm also a solid defender off the field. I defend my family and its honor, I defend my rights as a citizen and human, and I defend my faith and testimony. I may never be on the front lines serving as a missionary or in the armed services, but if asked (or if needed), I will be there to defend the fort; and I would be there to serve as a defender of Virtue and the Kingdom of God. There is nothing more important to me than to defend those valuable and priceless gifts we've been given. I may not get any glory for being a defender, but in the end it's defenders like myself who win "the championship."
I decided to take my running to a new level. I've decided to challenge myself to be a better and stronger runner... and if that means going on group trail runs, so be it! The past two days, my friend, Heather, and I ran the Salt Lake Running Light Up Liberty 5Ks to raise awareness for running safety. Thursday's run was in Salt Lake (right in my neighborhood), and Friday's run was at Sandy, in Heather's stomping grounds. Today, we made a pact to run this 10 mile trail run with our Run Aways group at Coyote Hollow at Corner Canyon. Our teammate, Robert, invited us as he was joining the run alongside another local running group.
.jpg)
