And here it is again...

Race season is back! Starting this Saturday! Holy Cow is it going to hurt. I am so so excited though. Our sport division should be huge this weekend, I am kinda freaking out about it, but excited to have it push me. I wouldn't be surprised if we had 15 women out there. That's always fun when you have a big group on the starting line, especially when you have a skinny wash awaiting to chase people through! This year should be great if all goes well. I got on my bike this morning, deciding I need to seriously start training after hearing that I did in fact get into the Leadville 100 MTBR in Colorado. I had waited to hear about it since forever ago, and on the night of the 28th at 8pm, I didn't hear anything. No emails, and finally I went to bed certain I didn't get in. So I called Jed and we convinced ourselves that it was for the best. The next day I spent convincing myself I was GLAD I didn't get in, coming up with all sorts of silly reasons. Then late in the day, I finally got an email. It looked at first like an apology sorry you didn't get in email. But then my heart skipped a beat as I realized that no, it was really a "we are sorry, your credit card had some problems and we will call to get your information soon and send you your acceptance letter into Leadville"!!!! Crazy!!!! So then I kinda started freaking out, and then I got SUPER excited. I wasn't able to talk to Jed about it until today, he is in France. He was sooo pumped for me. He says people at work are always asking him if I had heard if I got into Leadville yet. People know about this race, it is a big race. A famous race, something I have always wanted to do. So this is the year. I feel really proud of what I have accomplished this past year and a half. You know how you make goals, and some of them seem sooooo crazy??? And you think there is no way you would ever do it? Or how sometimes you think "Man, I really wish I could do that someday!" Well that is how this last year has come to be, I used to always think about how I wanted to race my mountain bike, but it seemed so crazy and far fetched. But last Feb, I did my first Intermountain Cup race. I had put clipless pedals on my bike for the FIRST time ever. The Intermountain Cup was something I felt like was one of those far off things that I could never do. I remember looking at the race schedule in bike shops and just thinking "SCARY!". Well it has been such a fun journey. Looking back at last years highlights, I can't believe the fun I have had. We had 12 Hours of Mesa Verde, which was when I had first joined the team and felt so welcomed by such awesome girls. I knew I was happy to be on Mad Dogs team after that race! The ICUPs were so much fun, I did 5 mile pass, Sundance, Cholla, Red Rock Rampage, all in the beginner category. Then at Soldier Hollow I moved up to Sport. That was such a fun race, we had a Mad Dog women's sweep in the Sport category. Then Draper, and then I had my Utah Valley Half Marathon, then SURGERY. Blah!!! So I was out of everything for 5 weeks. Then the Hobblecreek Half Marathon, so fun. Then it was back to Snowbasin, which about killed me. But inspired me. Then Canyons, and I am probably forgetting something. But It has seriously been a blast. Then I finished my running season with the Top of Utah Marathon, and then the Halloween Half, with a PR. Then I got to participate in one of the most fun races ever, which was 24 Hours of Moab. That was another race I NEVER thought I could do. And I did it! I get emotional thinking about this past year, it was just almost magical and I know that sounds dumb. But I have met such amazing people that inspire me, and keep me motivated and I just truly feel so grateful for them!!!! I hope you know who you are!!!! :) And a husband who supports me and helps me with these dreams of mine. He is just the best. We have really been able to do some cool dreams of ours. I remember when Jed climbed the Rostrum in Yosemite. It took so much preparation and training, I was so excited for him. I remember being so amazed watching from below and seeing what a beautiful sight it was to see him near the top, after the challenges he had faced with his previous attempt. We have been so lucky to have each other. So this has been a really long post, and I hope it doesn't sound braggy to say I am proud of last year!!! I feel so grateful to Heavenly Father for health and talents and the beautiful places we live in. I feel grateful to have found such a fun team and fun amazing friends to run and bike with. I'm grateful I have been able to share my love of biking and running with my kids. I really feel like my life has been guided, and I feel like all this is a testament of how much Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be happy!!! I think he would want us to accomplish our dreams, whatever they might be. So go out there and do it!!!