Happy January 20th

nine years ago today, my mom died. she died too young after a long drawn-out illness. but i won't bore you with those details. i will tell you that my mom taught me a lot about what is really important in life: to enjoy the company of those around you, to show forgiveness, and to love the outdoors.

every January 20th for the past nine years i have made a special day of this date. i do something in the "spirit of mom". Mom taught me to get outdoors and get after it; to enjoy life to the fullest. her energy is with me: every turn, every step, every face-shot. this year i've made it kind of a "week of mom". Sunday, i took the dogs for a great 3 hour hike in the hills near Park City, Monday i worked out with an incredible group of strong women at the gym, Tuesday the agenda was powder skiing with friends and a movie in the evening with one of my best friends ever (my mom was also a big movie buff) and finally today i went out and skied powder with a friend in the mountains, and afterward took the dogs for a hike with another friend and her 3 yr old son.

the day today was beautiful. this week has been amazing. i couldn't have asked for a better anniversary of mom day. i've learned that even though i miss my mom everyday, she is with me in the life that i enjoy--everyday.

Artie's Anniversary_24/7

there's a trail near park city called the 24/7 trail. i suppose because you could ride it all day long every day of the week. it's a good one. today, it was even good in the winter. low snow totals this winter have meant better trail running than most years. the trail was firm and packed. the dogs and i hit this trail today to celebrate Artemis's one year anniversary as a part of Camp Berkel in SLC. she's been a great dog, and a great companion to both me and Franklin. the photos are from our jaunt. it was about 30 degrees and overcast, hence wearing of the beanie "Park City style" with the back rolled up. there is a photo of the magpie that taunted us for a couple of miles, and a scenic shot from the top of the Preserve Trail, looking out over I-80. as i hit the summit, the Smokey and the Bandit theme song was playing on my headphones, "you got to dodge and you got to duck in. you gotta keep that diesel truckin'. just put that hammer down and give it HELL..." fitting. yes, we went eastbound to hit this trail, and it was a good times for all.

Happy New Year

2009 was pretty good to me. i graduated from Nurse Practitioner school, got a couple of great new jobs in my new profession, and finally feel as though i've finished remodeling the inside of my house.

the year was great to me for a couple of other reasons, too. January 8, 2009 i met my new dog, Artemis. this dog amazes me in her strength and stubbornness. i got her from the County Shelter, and can't believe that her owners, even after being notified (twice) that she was there, chose to abandon her. she is named after the Greek goddess of forests and hills; the huntress. and this Artemis glides across the hillside in such an effortless fashion, you would swear her feet don't touch the ground. she has become a great companion and an annoying but loveable "little sister" to my boy, Franklin.

thankfully i graduated from school and now have more time to spend in the hills. having two healthy dogs around is just the right amount of guilt i need to get me out of the house and into said hills. indeed, 2009 has given me a renewed sense of energy for trail running. i've developed some great relationships with fellow ultra-runners over the past year, and have been inspired to run more and really, truly enjoy the time that i am out. i'm not concerned so much about times or minute-miles anymore, but more about just "being out there" and enjoying the scenery with friends and dogs. i was able to "run" the double cross of the Grand Canyon, from the North Rim to the South Rim and back, grinding through the discomfort, and did it after not really running much over the past 5 years.

my new-found zeal has found me signing up for the Pocatello 50 in 2010 and entering the Wasatch Front 100 lottery. i'm keeping my fingers crossed that i get in and that the "third time is the charm" for finishing this great race through Heaven and Hell in the Wasatch mountains, my backyard.

may 2010 bring much joy and happiness to everyone, and i hope that you chase your dreams as i did in 2009. i hope to keep on chasing in 2010.