Running Dirty

 Last Saturday I finally got to run in the Dirty Dash! I don't know why running through the mud is so blasted appealing, but we were pretty stoked to participate. Kate, Steve, and I were all 100% committed to getting as dirty as we could, and if I do say so myself (and I do), we got good and filthy. We ran the 10k and finished in a more than respectable time, considering we demolished the obstacles and took several little breaks to push each other into the muddiest mud we could find.

The week of the race the Dirty Dash sent an email out to all of the participants with the pre-race details. This email informed me that the mud gods thought I was too clean, and that they were out to get me. I won't lie, I got a little nervous-excited when I read that. The mud gods? This was gonna be a good race. Honestly, the best thing about the Dirty Dash is that everyone is just out there to have a good time. There is pretty much no hope for a PR when your shoes are caked in 5lbs of mud, so there is nothing to do but just dive in and have a good time. I am sure that I have said it here before, but one of my very favorite things about running is the camaraderie of the runners. Everyone is so upbeat and supportive. I guess that is what you get when you get several hundred, or even thousand, people who are high on endorphins together.

My trusted roommate Jessica came as out photographer and support team. She shared with us the most coveted bit of advice a dirty dasher can receive - the warm showers are more than worth the $4. We all opted to avoid the icy mountain run-off showers and opted for the pressure wash and hot water instead. It was a dream come true.

After the race we hit up The Hub for a late breakfast. It is a great little place in Heber that seemed to be the most delicious place I had ever eaten.  I felt that way about the place that we ate at the end of our relay. I have a feeling that may just be true for any place I eat after a long run.  It was delicious though, we had a great time. Good food, good friends, good mud. Who could ask for more? I am already looking forward to next year!

It's Friday, Friday, Friday...

Hooray for Friday! Another week bites the dust! This week has been pretty blasted great. I discovered Pink Lemonade Ice at Baskin Robbins with Heather, hit up the Costco and stocked up our house with Emily, got fresh peaches from my spin teacher, took top lane in my swim class, and hit up institute! We are back in our old building and I couldn't be happier.  Things are so much more cozy over there. When you have 400 people attending, it gets a little impersonal when we are all crowded into a huge auditorium, so being split into smaller classes is a welcome change.

 With all this goodness, you would never think that my week could have been cooler, but it was. The highlight was going to see The Drowsy Chaperone at the Hale Center Theater with the MPA's Professors Unplugged. This year the MPA program is hosting events that highlight a particular professor and something that they love to do. This week was going to the theater with Dr. Thompson. Next week will be tennis with Dr. A. It is a cool way to enjoy something new while getting to know the professors outside of class.  Who knew that they were real people too?

Anyway, the show was fun. I laughed out loud. A lot. It was a riot, but not exactly a show I would rush to see again. Overall, I would give it a B. Super fun for one night. Solid dollar theater fare. The talent was great, it was the actual show that was just so-so. Although, the musical was based on both fondly remembering and jovially poking fun at the cotton candy musicals of days gone by, so I guess I couldn't have expected any real depth.  This being the case, they get an A for hitting their mark.

After the show we all caravaned over to the Thompson's home. They had made us dessert and we stood around and chatted about the show and got to know one another a little bit better. It was lovely. Sometimes it is just so nice to get a breath of fresh air and not have to focus on school for a minute. The Thompsons were absolutely delightful. It was also nice to be able to reconnect with my theater roots and not be thought of as crazy for want to talk musicals all night long. For that, I am very grateful.

Well, now that this update is done, I must be off to finish my week.  A little more organizing, a lot more homework, and one very epic ward campout are still yet to come.

Have a great weekend!

So Hot Housewarming Party!

Friday night we had an epic housewarming party. Let me tell you, our house is now more than sufficiently warmed! We had ice cream, impromptu kitchen dancing, and a rockin photo booth. We partied with old friends, made some new friends, and pretty much had the best night of our lives.

I LOVE my new place. It actually feels like home! That is a feeling that is nigh unto impossible to obtain as a student, so I am very grateful. In fact, I would probably say that it is the nicest place that I have lived as student. Pictures of our place will come soon, so that you can feel at home as well, but right now our home is reveling in it's post-party bliss and may or may not be exactly picture worthy. :)

Anyway, school is in full swing and I am already feeling overwhelmed. Luckily I really love my classes, so I am much happier pushing through the crazy than I was last year. I am still getting back into the swing of my schooling schedule, but I have a feeling that once I get on top of things I will have an incredible semester. Stay tuned, as I will let you know how that pans out.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Thanks.