Belated Race Report

I ran half-marathon #6 a while back.

Aaaand it was fun.

Like, REALLY FUN.

By far the most enjoyable race i've done. Pretty much because I had friends all over the place. Running it with me, running two steps ahead of me, running past me, running behind me, meeting me at the finish line, and cheering me on. It was seriously the best. Plus, it was the Halloween Half so even total strangers were awesome to be around because people were dressed up in all kinds of ridiculous outfits, making for some high quality entertainment throughout the race. Plus, the course was unbeatable. Perfect time of year, perfect setting. Mm. Yeah. Good times.

Last time I did this race (two years ago) I basically ran it by myself, and I didn't dress up. Can you say lame? It was so much better this time around. However, I was kind of secretly hoping to PR. I missed it by ONE MINUTE and ended up finishing at about 1 hour 53 minutes. But don't worry i'm not bitter. At least thats what I keep telling myself.

Y'all remember Josh. My ex's old roommate who quickly became my best friend who fell in love with my roommate Kristin who finally fell in love with him and now they're married and we are all one great big circle of best friends. You followed that, right? Its a pretty sweet little set up we've got going. Anyway, day before the race, Josh decided to run it with me. The whole thing this time (he's helped me finish a couple of other ones too, the gem). No training, no preparation, and still the boy would have kicked my trash if he hadn't been determined to be my pacer and help me PR. Again, not bitter. He and his dinosaur costume made this race a blast. The kid is nothing but positive and upbeat and fun to run with.

Right before the race started we found our old buddy Dallas and teamed up with him for about the first half. The weather was perfect. What a way to enjoy the perfect fall day!

Better believe I was determined to pass Mr. Tapout guy right at the finish. 

And then I crossed the finish line, and I had some of the best people in the whole entire world waiting for me. Mah gurls. You already know that Annie and Karls and Dez are my forever sisters from sports camp this summer. Not only do we still keep up on friday lunch dates and our never ending facebook chat, but they show up and show the love for me. Shoot man. They're the best.

Then there's my boys. These studly men came out on a Saturday morning because they are THE BEST. Seriously you guys, I am so blessed for all these great people in my life!

And of course, it was a total pleasure to see my girls Bailey and Nicole along the way :)

And finally, you're welcome for this.

Now, who wants to join me in training for full marathon #2 in the spring?! :) :) :)

Here It Comes...

Less than 6 months from now i'll be a college grad.

Experiencing feelings of terror and uncertainty about the future has led me to believe that I would not encounter any senioritis.

What a stupid belief that was.

I can feel it coming on, guys. The frustration with assignments that will have absolutely no worth to me in a very short time is starting to really build up. It's not necessarily that the work is hard... but i'm so close to being a nurse who comes and goes from the hospital, leaving my work at work, I can almost taste it. And it tastes real good.

Here's a pretty typical progression for me:

Ugh. Fine.

Oooh, distraction.

UGH I DON'T WANT TO.

I give up. Nap time.

Mmm, Diet Coke. It's the little things.

Brought to you today by Jannette, the senioritis stricken BYU nursing student who prioritizes taking pictures of herself doing nothing over being productive and finishing her clinical post-assessment.

Isn't It Mid-November?

A year ago today, it looked like this outside in Provo:

Today, Kara and I sprawled out on blankets on our front grass to study/nap... in short sleeves... and there is a slight possibility that I might have a bit of a sunburn. 65 degrees in mid-November?! I'm confused. Utah is confused. But anyway, it got me in the summery spirit a little bit (although, i've also started to listen to Christmas music, so how does that match up?). As I sat basking with my face pointing up towards the sun and hoping that I could absorb my studying through osmosis, I reminisced about one wonderful summer evening from this past year. It was when almost our whole family was visiting together in Seattle. I took my nephew Brayden and nieces Ella Jean, Rachel, and Kate on an ice cream date. We pet a brand new puppy. We did cartwheels in the park. We made friends with an adorable little random girl who wanted in on our fun. We took a walk along the water. It was practically magical. I went back and found pictures/videos from that evening and they made me happy, and thus I am here sharing them with you.

Don't you miss being 11 sometimes? :) 

Okay Provo, I laid in the grass, wore short sleeves, went for a nice run, and felt the summer lovin' vibes. I officially got the summer out of my system. 

I officially give permission for you to send the snow so I can sing about Rudolph without having a rosy red sunburned nose of my own.

Veterans Day:

Thank you to all who have and are currently serving our country. Thank you for your time, your sacrifice, your diligence and your bravery. We love, honor, and appreciate all you do.

The Coolest Thing I've Ever Been

Guys.

I'm a mormon.

And it's the coolest thing i've ever been.

I finally decided to do what we mormons been counseled to do, and I made a mormon.org profile.

I'm pretty excited about it too.

So you should check it out: HERE.

Also on mormon.org there are some seriously awesome videos featuring different mormons around the world. You know Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers? The dude is mormon. Ever heard of Alex Boye (he's worked with everyone from Smashing Pumpkins to Beyonce)? Also mormon. Jimmer Fredette and Jabari Parker: totes mormon. Some of these guys and soooo many others have taken the time to share with the world what they believe and why they believe it. And they are also showing you that we mormons are normal people. We may believe some things that confuse or are misunderstood some people, but I swear it is all really cool stuff that will do nothing but uplift you and make you feel really, really good about life. I promise.

Just check some of these videos out. They aren't churchy or preachy and they aren't going to try to convert you on the spot. They are just cool videos of cool people doing cool things.... all while living as a mormon. 

Brandon Flowers:

Alex Boye:

Super legit (and extremely attractive) famous rugby player:

I've got a REAL good life. And so much of that is due to my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I know who I am. I know where I came from. I know why I am here. I know where i'm going.

I'm a daughter, a sister, a student, a future nurse, a friend, a runner, and so much more. 

I'm Jannette, and i'm a mormon!