everywhere project

Forest Gumping 10 miles

I've ran many times in the past to escape my troubles and clear my mind. It always works, after a good run the problems don't go away but things seem more clear and the endorphin always feels good (happy nature drug). Today I had a different reason for running, I ran to celebrate my 2 week smoke free anniversary. In honor of the two weeks, I wanted to run 8 miles but was surprised to end up with 10 miles. This is a very big deal for me. I have never done a run past 6 miles before. This was my first 10 miles :) ... I am so happy.

Time: 2 hours and 5 mins
Distance: 10 miles
Temp: cool
Current legs status: In Pain
What I saw on my run:
Severed animal paw
the hottest girl landscaper
2 milfs
12 fighter jets
a few horses
and did I mention I fell in love with a cute landscaper girl

Tips:
1. I usually get chest cramps when I do long runs. What I did so I didn't have to walk and wait for it to go away was slow down my pace, breath deep by doing so it slowly went away... it worked twice.

2. When I get tired and my face is all scrunched up in a frown... I smile and the smiling takes the pain away.

3. Make your goals 10 steps away not 100... I was using rock, street cracks, road stains, anything as goal markers, all ten steps away. It might get tedious but I only do it when I need a focus boost. When I get bored stop doing it. I hit about 100 of these little goals at the end they all add up to 10 miles. Do you see what I was trying to do. Baby steps.

4. Ice bath = It initially sucks but once you get used to the cold, it feels great. My legs are still a little sore but I guess it would have been worst if it wasn't for the ice bath.
Cold

5:15 in Utah, Sitting at a starbucks, blogging, listening to good music on my mac... life is good. Did I mention I ran 10 miles this morning. I hope everyone saw how good today was.

I'm hiking and I love it. This is my first time in Utah during the summer time. Wow its as fun as the winter season. I did my first hike last Monday, July 16. My destination is Lake Blanche, a 7 mile, out and back hike. It was an amazing experience. Check out the Beautiful pictures...

Expect more, in the next two weeks. Reminder, always stretch before a good hike or else you'll end up with a cramp and be forced to enjoy each step of the way down the mountain.

Once in a while, its nice to get a pat on the back and a "everything is going to be O.K." from someone. It's ten times better when you get it from respected friends. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed yesterday and leave to my friends to fix it (thanks Jessie & Ryan). After that dumpy Tuesday, I decided to go for a new goal today. That goal is to run a half marathon. Well I tried my best today but to my disappointment, my body is not ready for the 13 miles of Utah, hot pavement love. I was only able to do 11 miles in 2.5 hours, it is no 13 miles but I'll take the 11 with a sparkling smile. It was a fun run but it got pretty hard during the last mile. Hopefully I'll get one more chance to reach this goal before I leave Utah but if I don't, it would be perfectly fine. I already reached my first goal, to run 8 miles.

:) Life is good, don't forget it :)

...Utah. I am on my last leg of my 6 month trip. This last leg has been an overwhelming experience. Each day brings a surprise and I am not exaggerating. At the end of my Trip, I'll write a summary of the whole trip. But before then lets me tell you about Torrey.

Life Meets Death

This picture was taken in Dixie National Forest, a few miles away from Torrey. It doesn't do it justice but what you see in the background are canyons and petrified deserts. I tried to bring it with me but thats impossible. I just have to move. he he

Last week I fell in love with a town, something I don't remember ever happening to me. The town is called Torrey its located south east of Salt Lake City, Utah, about 4 hours away from my sisters. It is a very small town in the middle of nowhere. Its a place where the desert meets the forests, death meets life. The views are amazing. I have never seen anything like it. It was love at first sight. The town had three restaurants, all local, a general store a bunch of cabins for rent and houses that are acres apart. It was perfect. For now its a place I want to live at one point of my life but who knows?

We stayed in Torrey for two nights and the first day I decide to give Torrey a run. It was the most beautiful run I ever did. The problem is you want to stop and suck it in. Lets just say I didn't really get far. After a mile in a half I found myself at one of many dirt entrances to a Dixie National Park and I stopped. I never stop in a middle of a run before with out a cramp, but this time I did. At the entrance a back-hoe was parked, a giant of a machine. I climbed this machine and sat on the roof. I sat there for an hour. I turned my Ipod off and I had nothing but the cool breeze blowing in my ear. Occasionally a 4x4 vehicle would pass by and the people would smile and wave at me.
It was an hour to remember.

The worst part of the trip is not being able to share it with someone special. I'm traveling with a friend, Judd. I appreciate his company but it is not the same experience. for a while the mornings was a tough start, sometimes depressing until I realized that I had a small army to share the experience with and to share the love.

I am lucky to be here and able to do a time off like this and I appreciate it but its very easy to forget that I'm not alone. Life is good.