Winter Challenge..done!

Winter Challenge!? Sure why not. I was nominated by my dear friend Cathy to do the 2014 Winter Challenge. 

What is the Winter Challenge? You have to get into a body of water..lake, river, creek, ocean..

Like, put your whole body in. Head and all. So, I'm challenged to do something, I am going to do it. Plus, it was fun! And it's fun to see everyone's videos, and nominate people to do it as well! Ha ha ha!

 

Beyond that, my days are the same. Take boys to and from swim lessons and preschool. 

Future triathletes? Maybe! They enjoy swimming lessons so much, and it's very important to learn to swim. Thanks Nana (my mom) for a great gift! 

Your welcome for a great gift idea Nana ;) 

Runs now are in preparation for the SLC Half Marathon, and luckily the weather these days are perfect. 

Soon enough summer will be here and the snow on the mountains will be gone..good riddance. 

Thyroid Schmyroid

I have Graves Disease. It totally and utterly sucks. What that means is that I have an over active thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism is most common among women and can begin because of many different variables, but really it is unknown why anyone gets it. It effects about 8 in every 100 women. Crap..I am totally one of those 8.

Hyperthyroidism can happen how?

*you have had a baby within the last 12 months. 

*suffer from an auto immune disorder already. 

*high stress levels. 

*honestly, who knows why or how..it still sucks. There is no proven reason as to why or how it occurs, but all the above factors or genetics can all play a role.

For me, I was first diagnosed in April of 2011. I had gotten really sick. High fever, rapid heart rate..it was a nightmare. Went to the doctor and discovered that my heart rate at rest was 160! So they took blood work and had me wear a heart monitor for 30 days. 

What they discovered was I had Graves Disease, or also known as Hyperthyroidism. It elevates my heart rate, my body overheats easily, greater appetite, weight loss, irritability. I was officially diagnosed in June of 2011 after my thyroid ultrasound and iodine test. 

It has been a crappy road. I've had goiters develop..they are since gone, PTL! But , having already suffer from an auto immune disorder, and having had a baby, which changes your hormones drastically, all could have played a part. I think I was just doomed, lol. 

While I was pregnant with Avaree everything was good, normal thyroid levels and a healthy pregnancy and baby. But 6 weeks post delivery that changed, they were high but not bad. It has just been a medication battle to fin the right dose to help put it back into the normal range. 

But, it could be so much worse. I could be a lot sicker. I have days I'm incredibly tired and grouchy..Shawn calls them my "thyroid days" ..but if those are the biggest of my problems, they're not so bad. My last blood work results were not in my favor, and my medication dose was upped. I go back in 4 weeks and between now and then my workouts may change. Because my heart rate at rest is so high, I have to really watch it while I work out. So, we'll see how it goes. About a month out from the SLC Half Marathon..can't wait!!

Everyday 

The End Has Come

Yes, the end has come. It's March 1st, and that means that our time is up to complete the 565 mile Run Ranger Run event. Did we do it? Did we as a team log 565 miles in 28 days?? 

YES WE DID! 569 miles in 28 days to be exact. As well as 325.00 raised as a team for GallantFew! At the end of the entire event, a total of 45,000 miles were walked, biked or ran. They even raised 117,000 dollars towards GallantFew!! 

117,000!!!!! It's amazing what can be done in a short amount of time if a bunch of people get together. I am looking forward to this Novemeber. That is when you can register your team and begin raising funds. I really want to get a head start as early as I can for Run Ranger Run 2015! 

So as a team we accomplished this great fete, an I couldn't be prouder of these two ladies or more thankful. It's because if their hardwork and determination that this accomplishment even became a reality. 

I met Cicily last January. We were taking the same phlebotomy course. I am pretty shy in public and it takes me a bit to kind of warm up and get to know people. So I think that's why a lot of my friends are talkative and filled with personality. I knew that Cicily and I would be friends from the beginning. We both have two boys and a girl, all about the same age. Being in Utah it can be difficult to make new friends since we are not LDS and the majority of people here are. We are not part of the "clique" that makes up of most of the families here. But, with Cicily being LDS and I am not; that didn't matter to her. We became friends regardless and I just love her. 

 Her family just moved to Arizona and we stay in touch through Facebook. When I posted about the RRR event, she instantly volunteered and registered. I thank her for her desire to be a part I this and her sweet personality. 

Next up..my sweet, kind and amazing aunt. Without her, I'm not sure this would have been imaginable. She inspires me everyday to keep moving and to dream big. She was there the day I was born and has been there ever since. I'm pretty sure that God didn't give me any sisters for a reason. I was blessed with some amazing aunts who are better than any sister and Heidi is one of them. 

Last week I went on a small run then followed it with a 25 mile bike ride. I kept thinking "how in the hell does she do this for 80 more miles and do a swim, and a marathon and still be alive after??!!??" She inspires me all the time and is always there to answer any question or listen to any problem. Love her ❤️

I want to say THANK YOU to these two wonderful ladies for your friendship and desire to be apart of this Run Ranger Run event. It meant so much to me!!

Now as March begins, what next??! 

Training for my first triathlon will commence. I am eager to see how this goes. Also I've decided to cut one thing each month..so for this month it will be dairy. Which I should be doing anyways, but hey it's a start. 

Bring on spring and new adventures. I'm beyond ready. 

The sweetest boys I know! 

Sweet girl! 

Thank your military for all that they do. If you would like to donate towards GallantFew go to their website and do so!!! Thank you for your prayers while we went on this journey.