10K Happiness = Fun Rewards!

I like to offer rewards and incentives for myself, especially when it comes to fitness and exercise.  In the past, I've based these motivators on my weight, even though I've never been much of a "weight watcher" and know weight doesn't mean everything.  However,  I was obsessively weighing myself every day, and if I met my weight goal, I'd allow myself to buy the reward I'd decided on ahead of time.  A few months ago I almost earned new running shoes-- bought them anyway-- and then made myself pay the consequences of not meeting my goal.

I'm dumb.

And once I set a new weight goal and was fluctuating between a few pounds up and down, I realized that I needed to stop focusing so much on pounds and pick a different goal.  Even though I just bought shoes a month ago (Brooks Glycerin 9),  I've been wanting to get another new pair to alternate with, and then both pairs will last me for a good year or so.  I already knew I wanted to get Saucony Kinvaras, which I almost bought the first time around, but decided I needed more sturdy, cushioned shoes.  Hence the Brooks... which took a few weeks to break in but now I really like them.  

So my new focus was a time goal for the Pioneer Classic 10K in Provo (July 23rd).  

2 years ago I ran the 5K and I was pretty darn slow and not really in shape.  It was one of the first main races I did that got me into the running groove.  Crystal, Cassity's sister, told us about the race, and Jaide (Crystal's daughter) joined us as well.  Races are so much more fun with a group of friends!

Last year this same race was my first official 10K, which was exciting.  It took me 1 hour and 4 minutes, and I was just pleased that I finished and still enjoyed it.  

A few weeks ago I ran a 10K on the 4th of July and my time was 1:03:21.  

New goal to earn running shoes:  Beat that time!  

I usually run about a 10 minute mile, and anything faster than that is an accomplishment.  So a 6.2 mile run should naturally take me a little more than an hour if I keep a steady pace.  I was mentally prepared, but physically I was stiff and sore from doing the batting cages the other day.  My whole back was knotted up and sore, but I had to just suck it up and get this run over with.  

The beginning of the race was a gradual uphill the first mile, and suddenly you turn a corner and it's this intense, ridiculous hill where 90% of the runners walked for most of it. They call it "Goliath Hill."  I tried to run even for just 30 seconds at a time, but didn't want to strain myself when I still had 5 miles to go.  Needless to say, at the 2nd mile marker I was at 22:25... way behind my proposed time schedule.  By mile 3 I was at around 31 min., so I had shaved off almost a minute, and by mile 4 (after a lot of downhill near the Provo temple) I was at 40:56.  Almost back on track!  Once I passed the 5th mile marker, I was at 50 minutes and realized if I just maintained a 10 min. mile pace, I would be right on schedule and definitely beat 1:03:21!!  It was exciting, and although I was wanting to take it easy and slow down a little I kept pushing harder and stayed close to the runners I was pacing myself with. :)

As I neared the final turns to the finish line, I remembered the race last year, when my family was on the corner cheering wildly, and my dad ran with me down the road for part of the last stretch.  It was a priceless moment!  So I was kind of re-living that in my head and enjoying the memory, when all of a sudden I turned the last corner and Crystal was there yelling, "Push it Bree!!  Push it!!"  I glanced up at the huge red numbers of the time clock and it showed 59:04.  What?!  I could finish in less than an hour!  So I sprinted the rest of the way to the finish line and finished at 59:12.  I felt good, totally put together, and didn't want to barf or anything.  I was all smiles!  My mom was there waiting at the finish line, as well as Cassity, Crystal, and Jaide, who ran the 5K, and it was a happy reunion. And although I realize I'm not super fast compared to other runners out there, this was a huge accomplishment.  Almost 5 minutes faster than that same race last year... and 4 minutes faster than my best time.  

 This was the first time I ever wore a "tank-top" while running.  Definitely a fan.

(This is my absolute favorite.  There was a man standing there and he was laughing at us.)

And the best part is... I met my goal!!!  I earned my shoes. :)

So right after the race we all went to Runner's Corner (my #1 choice) and I told the sales guy I knew exactly which shoes I wanted-- I just needed to decide on the color.  So I had my girls with me as my support team.  It was between bright pink, bright orange, or a bright blue.  Drum roll please...

CRAZY BRIGHT ORANGE!

Saucony Kinvara

I really had a hard time deciding, but when the sales guy finally said, "Just do something crazy", I knew that orange was the answer.  I am totally an orange person, only these are super bright, like a hunting jacket. :)  But I think they'll be fun, and probably satisfy my heart more than the other colors would have.  Most importantly, they're comfortable and super light and I've heard so many good things about them.  

So now I officially have 2 great pairs of running shoes that I will alternate on my running days, and I'm excited for the adventures we'll have together! :)  

Dating 101... Learning as I Go

Okay.  So anyone who knows me, knows that talking to guys, dating, and being normal friends with guys isn't my forte.  They intimidate me.  They make me nervous.  I feel like my personality fades and I become this empty, lifeless human when I'm around them.  And I've never had a REAL boyfriend before... someone who I really cared about and who cared about me in return.  I've gone on plenty of dates and had my crushes.  I've "dated" people and kissed and held hands, but I've never experienced that mutual feeling of "Wow, this is nice relationship" kind of thing.  

I'm 31.

If I ever hope to get married some day, I at least need to practice having a boyfriend, right?  Like, practice sharing my time with someone and not being "Miss Independent" and trusting my feelings with a boy and looking forward to the moment when I get to see him again.  These are all the things I would like to encounter in my quest to finding my soul-mate husband. :)  And if that boy ends up being the lucky man of my dreams... good for me.  And if he isn't... good for me for at least having that experience to help me practice.

So I'm trying to "practice".  And by practice, I mean... just giving it a chance.

I was set up on a blind date (not so blind date details here).  We'll call him Soccer Boy.  It went pleasantly well and it was the first date (in my collection of many set-ups) that I actually hoped to go out with him again.

We went up into American Fork canyon and made a fire to cook our dinner.  He let me be in charge of the fire, and although I felt like I knew what I was doing... his skills definitely got the fire started for real.  Not just the fake-out kind where the flames are going and then they've all burned out 10 seconds later.  But I was glad he let me try at least.  

He brought fixings for tin-foil dinners with steak, potatoes, and carrots.  Delicious!  I was totally content.

It was a fun evening and we talked a lot.  We also made these delicious caramel apple desserts on the little grills where I live, and later watched a movie.  So our first date lasted 8 hours... a little long one might think, and it WAS long.  But I figured we were getting along well and it was a fun night.

Overall conclusion:  He was attractive, fun, energetic, and friendly.  Yes, I'd go out with him again.

He asked me out again a few days later to a mid-night showing of the new Harry Potter movie. dun dun dun. I had actually been hoping to finish reading the book first, and at that point I had 4 days to do it.  Read 759 pages in 4 days, while working full-time?!  Not likely.  By Thursday night I made it to page 605 and was exhausted, so I quit.  But at least I'd read enough to make me really look forward to seeing the movie.

I was sooo tired.  We both live in Orem.  He picked me up at 11:20pm and told me we were going to the Jordan Commons theater.  (what?!)  That made me so tired just thinking about the long drive, I wanted to barf.  But we made it just in time, only to find out that his friends were at the Jordan LANDING theater (in West Jordan, not Sandy).  Crazy!  Miraculously, after sprinting through parking lots and in and out of Harry Potter costumed crowds, we made it to the right theater just in time for the movie to start.  At least all that running and excitement woke me up a little.

I love movie treats!  I asked him a few days before the movie what kind of movie candy he liked.  His first answer was "Dots."  GROSS!  He also mentioned a few others that weren't so bad, and I gave him a hard time about the Dots.  But I told him I'd surprise him with some candy choices, and I happened to go to Shop-ko and take advantage of a great sale!  So I brought Reese's Pieces (my favorite), Milk Duds, Jr. Mints, Dots (gross), Starburst, and Mike & Ike's.  I know I know.  That is A LOT of candy.  But it was fun to have such a wide variety to snack on during the movie.  I usually love popcorn also but we were in a huge rush and I didn't want to be a burden. :)

So I loved the movie, only I was super tired.  The drive home was tough to stay awake in and I dozed off towards the end.  I got home at 3:30am and was probably kind of grouchy.

Overall conclusion:  I didn't feel as interested in him as I was the first time.  The conversation was okay but the night just seemed kind of "blah" and I was a little disappointed.  Bummer.

At this point in the game, I could easily just cut off my emotions, not care at all and think, "Ah, that second date wasn't all that great... I'm done."  And that's that. Nothing to it.  But this is that "practice" part I'm talking about.  I really need to invest time and effort into getting to know a boy, and giving it enough time to allow me to really know him as a person and appreciate (or not appreciate) who he is.  So as I've been getting to know him, I'm trying to liken the situation to any normal friend, not just a boy.  If you meet a person and hang out with them twice, you might not be able to know how close you will be come, or what you might secretly have in common, or what future experience will really bind your hearts together.  I love reflecting on past friendships and how I crossed paths with significant people in my life... and most of these friendships took good time developing.  So I need to allow myself to do that with a boy.  Preferably a boy I'd like to go on dates with and stuff, and it just so happens that Soccer Boy is the one in this situation.  But he probably has no idea I have to walk myself through it, step by step, so I don't freak out and peace out all in one day.  

We text random things to each other every now and then.  Both of us have said we don't want to just be text people... but during the day when everything is busy and hectic, a text is friendly and convenient, as opposed to a phone call. So that's been fun.

I decided I would take the initiative to ask him to go on a date this week, since I knew when he was working and which day would be most open for me.  Thursday.  I shared a few ideas with him and he ended up choosing Trafalga, which he had never been to.  The bonus of this date is I have the PASS OF ALL PASSES so I get in for free.  And I offered to pay for him-- since it was my date idea-- but of course he declined the offer and said he'd pay for himself.

I am really liking this pass!  Not only does it allow me to entertain my nephews, but it provided some great entertainment for us tonight.  Free game of mini-golf ($3 for Soccer Boy) and unlimited pitches in the batting cages-- I think I pulled a muscle in my ham-string and maybe my back. Haha, old lady!  But we had a really good time, and even though Trafalga is a cliche date place and everyone and their mom goes there... it was a fun setting and easy and comfortable for me to talk to him.  I needed that environment.  

He later suggested getting appetizers somewhere, and we decided on Texas Roadhouse.  Mmmm mmmm.  I could eat that bread for DAYS!  We each chose an appetizer, talked some more, had a fun waitress, and it was another comfortable environment to talk in.  

We have yet to make the s'mores we were going to make on date 1, but now it's like an on-going unscheduled date.  So I guess there will be a next time.  Still.

Overall conclusion after date #3:  I find him attractive.  He is a gentleman and opens my doors and lets me walk in first.  He's nice to talk to and, so far, seems like a good guy.  I'd like to go out again.

I've already thought of things we could do together, or other events that are coming up in the near future... but I'm trying my best to just CHILL and not take the initiative.  That was always my approach in the past-- I'm a go-getter-- but obviously that has never worked out in my favor.  So instead, I'm going to take a few steps back and see what he comes up with, or see how he goes about finding a way to spend more time together.  

This is dating 101, live, with Bree.  Stay tuned for more...

Classic Summer Day

I usually don't consider myself a summer person.  Mostly because summers aren't usually "relaxing" for me and my job is 10 times crazier and I'm a high stress case.  I also would much rather wear jeans and a sweatshirt and cuddle up on a crispy fall evening, than wear shorts and a T-shirt and burn in the sun.  However, this summer has been different.

I am happy!  And I'm loving the carefree weekends and sometimes weekday evenings I get to enjoy.  Today was one of those days that will go down in history as just a classic, summer day:

1.  Haircut  (I love a good summer haircut)

2. Seven Peaks date with my nephew Matty, who's 4.

3. More swimming at the Clubhouse pool where Brittney lives.  More family peeps.

4. Family BBQ in Provo Canyon, complete with hot dogs and s'mores.

5. Bike ride on the Provo river trail with my nephews, age 4 and 6.  

6. Movie in my nice cool apartment next to my dog, chewing a bone. :)

Seriously... that is such a chill, relaxing, happy day!  And I needed a good, solid happy Saturday, so thank you life!  Here are a few pics to celebrate happy summer-ness:

I was really hoping he'd smile.  Nope... really serious about his love for the wave pool!

I think this is my favorite thing at Seven Peaks!  It's a water slide meant for kids but I can go on it also.

There's never a long line, it goes fast, and you splash into so much water at the end! :)  Matty loved it.

This picture captures the essence of how much I loved being with Matty today.  So happy and cute!

A beautiful evening for a picnic at Canyon Glen Park.  Early Birthday celebration for Grandma!

I love this pic.  Nathan is our manly boy scout expert!

Hopefully I'll have a husband to add to this group of men one day. :)

Ari and Cam are sooo cute together.  Ari was wiping Cam's face. :)

Sure do love my sisters, with all of my heart!  I love Nathan too.  :)

Matching mamas.  It's weird how similar they look in this picture.

Hooray!  I was super excited to take the boys on a bike ride.  They did a great job.

Happy Early 85, Grandma! :)

And as for my lovely summer day... I'm exhausted!  But it was fun and my soul is happy and content.

Childhood Pics & Memories...

I grew up in San Jose, CA and my childhood best friend was Stephanie Edwards.  We lived down the street from each other, our sisters were also best friends, and our parents were best friends.  We have Birthdays 4 days apart and did pretty much everything together!  Sadly, she moved to Folsom, CA (2 hrs away) when we were only in 4th grade but we still visited every now and then and kept in touch.

When my family moved to Pennsylvania when I was 16, we drove to the Edwards' home on our way to the east coast and had one last good visit.  That was the last time our family has been all together with their family... back in 1996.  Stephanie gave me a stuffed pillow guy (Izzy, the blue mascot from the '96 Olympics) and I have slept with it nearly every night since.  That was 15 years ago and "Mr. Blue" still adorns my bed and stays with me under the covers every night.  I even took him on my mission and all my companions thought he was gross.  But he is a part of me!  And so is Stephanie.  Even now that we are in our 30's, both still single, and both busy with work and other aspects of our lives... I think our hearts are still intertwined as best friends and if we were to hang out tomorrow it would be like nothing ever changed.  

A few months ago, Stephanie started sending me random pics from our childhood days . Pics she was able to scan and save electronically.  Yay!  So I'm sharing snippets of my childhood with you now.  And just be warned... I was a huge dork and still am.

Yep.  There we are, in the flesh.  And I'm wearing an E.T. shirt... haha...

Gotta love those little tank tops.  And Heather's pigtail ribbons! Haha...

I look totally confused in this one.  I loved those sailing adventures in San Fransisco!

Feathered bangs, anyone?  And I loved Stephanie's crimped hair.  

Yes, we used to do the whole drama thing... I think this one was "Three Little Pigs."

Seriously.  What's with my squinty eyes?!  Was I even awake in this picture??

 I'm looking pretty bossy in my "Birthday Queen" hat.  Or was I the "King?"  Who knows.

Stonewashed denim jumper dress with random koala bear button-up shirt.  Good one, Bree.

 I was having a good "feather bang" day apparently.  Our best friend baptism day!

I remember this moment.  Post-baptism treats.  Matching huge-collar dresses.  Perfect.

Haircut!  That's me, the bony girl in the pink.  Stephanie cut her hair short so I wanted to also.

Only she looked really cute and I never should have cut my hair short when I was that age.

I don't even know what we're doing in this pic, what with all the visors and what not, maybe

playing poker or something.  But I love that Mindy is wearing the random crown as well.

Seriously!  I might as well be a little boy.  I went through a major phase where lots of people

thought I was a boy.  Even when I wore my usual florescent pink spandex and cute shirts,

they still felt the need to direct me to the boys' bathroom.  This pic explains it all.  Yikes!

P.S.  I realize I have short hair again, now that I'm 31.  But it looks much better this time around, right?  Like I'm allowed to use the girls' bathroom??  I'll keep telling myself that.

Oh good.  The short hair grew out.  Into a mullet!!  And wow, that dress is fabulous.

This is wear I entered my "Peppermint Patty" phase...

Yep!  I looked just like her. :)

Suddenly I became a teenager.  Stephanie and I went to EFY at Utah State and we were 

both obsessed with the 1996 USA Gymnastics team.  So we decorated our room with all the newspaper clippings I had saved, and random magazine articles and what not.

A Note About My Outfit:

Until the end of my senior year in high school (age 17 or 18) I only felt comfortable wearing sleeves that came down to my elbow because I was super self-conscious about my arms. (Freckles, moles, blah blah blah).  So I mostly wore X-Large T-shirts and big clothes... which is just gross to think about now!  I'm still as self-conscious as ever but at least I wear clothes that are a little more reasonable. 

 Okay, regardless of whether or not I have crap shoved up my nose, this pic is disgusting.

This is historical proof that I did, indeed, wear my dad's polo shirts... for reasons already mentioned.

I think this was probably our last family outing with the Edwards.  Disneyland!

Wow.  We all look simply AMAZING.  Sarcasm.... heavy sarcasm... :)

I just wanted to end on a positive note.  

SHORT HAIR.

SHORT SLEEVES.

NOT A BOY.

So there. :)