Girls Camp 2012 - Your Happily Ever After

Dude.

Why is it that Girl's Camp is always such a highlight?  It's a lot of work, little sleep, lot's of junk food, full of dirt and dust, yet it's one of the things that I look forward to all year.

Last year's was on a ward level.  This year was on the Stake level.  The theme was Your Happily Ever after based on this.  Each day was focused on a different princess.  Perfect theme.  I loved the meaning behind it all.

I was able to go up Monday morning.  We unloaded, got settled in the cabins (making some minor bunk changes) and then some orientation from the LDS missionaries who host at the church owned property.

This was a nice, kick back stake camp with plenty of free time for the wards to do their own things.  Since I was asked to be in charge of the hike, it seemed a good idea to do a test run and make sure that I wouldn't lose the girls like last year.

Smart idea.  After a wrong turn, we finally routed a nice hike and felt good about being prepared for Wednesday afternoon.

(me and my girl 'Nae at the overlook)

The Stake was in charge of food, so well, at least they provided PB & J's.
We did need to bring out own dishes, and I totally forgot so again, 'Nae hooked me up

(I had to eat everything with a bowl and spoon)

(tried to get Charity to share her fork, but it wasn't working out)

It was fun to be able to build a fire, make some smore's and sing camp songs.  That seems to be the girls favorite!

(chubby bunny)

(Bird as a gangster in the skit)

Since, we were short a bunk for a leader in our cabin, I volunteered to sleep on the floor or the table.  I opted to push the two camp tables in the cabin together and made a nice bed.  I was too skeeved to attempt the floor.  After, settling in for the night (LONG after my normal bed time), I got the girls attention, told them that I loved them more than the sea, but if any of them woke me up, I was gonna crack skulls.  And then, I was out.

Tuesday was an early day with my girl 'Nae and a couple others who were up for a nice run before the day started.  We followed the dirt road out of the area and on to the highway.  Absolutely GORGEOUS!  The sun was rising, the air was full of the smell of forest and once we watched a deer run right past us.  A quick 2 miler for the girls (3 for me since I was circling around and around) and it was back to get going with the others for the day.

It was Challenge course day.  This camp has an area on the property that has several challenge courses.  Each one of them designed to challenge the girls physically, and relating those challenges to gospel principles.  I had my girl Tay who needed to be at the gate for a soccer practice so we went to the first course, got the orientation, went first and then I raced her down to the gate.

That first course was the zip line.  Okay, so I've done the zip line before several years ago and was terrified of the actual sliding down the zip.  I did okay climbing the pole and crossing the log up high, but the feeling of letting go and letting the zip line take me was almost crippling horror.

Of course, Tay and I needed to go first for time purposes.  We were set up with the gear, donned helmets and listened to the instructions.  Taylor went first and absolutely KILLED it!  She was awesome.  As I waited for my turn to go, I talked a bit with the sister missionary helping me get ready.  I told her I was scared of 3 things.  One, that I would pee my pants.  Two, that I would cry. And three, that I would swear.  After her jaw dropped when I mentioned swearing she reminded me that I couldn't do that or I would be a poor example.  Sweet, sweet sister.  Isn't she cute?

Finally my turn and away I go.  First, one has to climb a wood pole.  There are foot and hand holds, but at the very top, you have to let both your feet go to change their positions.  It requires both quad strength and upper body strength.  I wasn't sure I was going to pull it off, but luckily, no falling.  At the top, you have to pull yourself around to face the other way while your feet are on a tight rope and your hands are grasping a second rope above you.  That was fairly hard.  Once turned around, you need to get across the tight rope to a second tree landing.  You only had the rope above to hold onto for balance.  Very, very scary.  It was proven though, that if you leaned forward into the rope, it was much stabler.  Also, if you slid your feet along the rope rather than actually picking them up and stepping.  The thought of leaning forward was terrifying.  But, once you could do that and feel the support and balance it gave you, it made the crossing much easier.
Once you reached the ledge, it was time to hook to the zip and unhook the belayer.  This was the part I was worried about.  I remembered the last time I did it, how I didn't like the sensation and was scared to feel that again.  The sweet sister missionary at that station was the BEST!.  She made me look her in the eyes while she talked me through the steps.  Rather than jump forward, she had me turn around with my back to the line.  Sit down until I felt the harness holding me, and then just let go.  After choking back the puke sensation, I did it!  Off I went and while the initial feeling of "loss of control" was still there, it was muted somewhat with the knowledge that the harness was safe.

(I did not cry, pee my pants or swear.  I'm calling this a success)

After we hustled down the mountain and I dropped Taylor off, I hurried back to the zip line area and luckily was able to watch all of our girls go through it.  So interesting to see each girl react a different way.  Some flew right through it like it was second nature.  They were getting the thrill of it all.  I loved seeing the fun and happiness in their faces.  For others, it was more than a little bit scary.  Some were shaking and some were crying out of fear.  As many people stood around to cheer them on, I discovered that the less "noise" there was, the better they could concentrate.  If there was just one calm voice giving them instructions and encouragement, it helped them focus and ease along the rope.  Parallel to life, I probably need to extinguish some of the "noise" surrounding me and listen a little more carefully to the Voice that I need to.

Later that day, our girls did a funny skit, we had a nice devotional and another fire with camp songs.  Since Taylor's bunk was now open, I ditched the table for that and again after warning the girls of bodily harm if awoken, I crashed.

Wednesday was rough.  The early girls who liked to get up and work out, still got up and we made it a light easy one since we knew we also had the hike later that afternoon.  In addition, we found out that the lake (where we were going for another activity that morning) was a mile and a half walk.  One way.  There was some muttering of cancelling the hike but as far as I was concerned, I thought the girls should do it.

Brenda and I wanted some running in, so after getting the instructions on how to get to the lake, we took off.  It was a BEAUTIFUL trail run.  Oh my goodness!  I've decided I most def need to do more of that.  And, by the way, it was no mile and a half.  It was 1.75.

At the lake the girls were able to get in canoes, the leaders in paddle boats and with life jackets on, we were able to putter around on the water. So much fun!  It is so incredibly beautiful and peaceful!  The girls were duly warned about the leeches in the lake so there was no canoe tipping or water fights.  Instead, just peaceful rowing/paddling around.

(Brenda and me - "peace, love and temple marriage")

Interesting side note about the leeches.  Celeste who used to be one of my Young Women and now is called as a leader has on her bucket list "Have a leech"  Thankfully, the sister missionary who had shown them to the girls to warn them, was accommodating to Celeste

After the water, Brenda and I started back on a run while the rest of the group again walked the trail.  Going back was much harder!  It was hotter in the day, steeper uphill and my legs were getting tired so tree roots and rocks were not as easily navigated.  After turning my ankle three times and tripping onto my hands and knees, I decided to slow the pace down.  There was no way, I could afford to get hurt!

The girls made it back, some lunch and rest time and then a meeting at the pavilion to discuss the hike.  That 2.5 miles they had just done to the lake and back and taken it's toll on some of the girls and leaders.  So it was given as an option to do the hike.  I was then asked to speak to the group.
Wha?  I wasn't prepared for this.  Seriously praying as I walked to the microphone to know what to say that would encourage them to push themselves.

Since the whole theme was Princesses and "Your Happily Ever After", I decided to tie it Mulan.  Other nights they had discussed some of the hard things the princesses had to do in their lives before they got their happily ever afters.  Cinderella endured the abuse of her stepmother and stepsisters.  Tangled was led to about her true heritage and kept captive my mother Gothal.  You see the point they were making.  I pointed all this out to the girls and then reminded them of Mulan.  While other princesses might have had to endure emotional struggles to become who they were, Mulan had to endure physical trials.  She had to pretend to be a boy, fight with a sword and go through all the warrior training.  I told them that she must have been exhausted every single night when she went to bed and that her muscles probably ached constantly from all the physical exertion.  But at the moment when she passed the test and the feeling that she had, well no one could ever take that away from her.  Ever.  I challenged them to dig deep and unless there was a physical emergency that prohibited them, they should go on the hike.  Everyone was allowed about 45 minutes to return to their cabins and prepare.

When it was time, we met up again.  The girls and women going on the hike met down at an amphitheatre at the trail head.  Those that were not going, were to bring their scriptures, journals or other reading material to stay in the pavilion and work on.  I thought it was good to give the girls a choice, but understand that if they chose to stay back, it wasn't going to be a party or nap-fest.

We started the hike, and I have to say I was impressed and proud of every single girl and leader who did it.  We didn't start until about 2:30 so it was in the heat of the day.  They had already been walking/hiking earlier and honestly, the trail was a little tough.  I had a walkie talkie up at the front of the line, and then someone had one at the end so we were able to keep the group together somewhat.  The girls around me had great attitude, and we laughed and talked all the way.  We saw some deer, and amazing scenery!  There is nothing like being in the mountains.  Period.  Nothing really quite compares.

(we were warned about the caterpillars, and once I saw a beautiful, black bird just sitting high in a tree watching me)

Gratefully, the hike went off without too many stops and once we made it back to the camp area, I really wished I would have had something to give each girl to acknowledge that she had earned her Warrior Princess status!  Me and two other leaders quickly packed our gear and left camp.  There was a rule put into place by our stake leaders that not all the leaders could be there all of the time, so we were taking turns.

Luckily though, we were all invited back Thursday night for the final devotional and ward testimony meeting.  That last testimony meeting is always the highlight.  Girls that don't normally share their feelings feel safe at camp to do that.  This year didn't disappoint.  In fact, it was so special that I'm not even going to give more detail.  Just know that NO ONE will ever forget what they felt that night.  And that my love for each of those girls and other leaders is sealed forever.

(my girl Chels.  No words needed)

So chalk another girls camp down in the books as a success!  I really, really love my calling to work with them, and honestly, they are such amazing young women that it's a privilege and an honor just to rub shoulders with them.  I'm a lucky and blessed lady indeed!

Sports Medicine Specialty Running Lab and how it's services are gonna help this old lady be a better runner!

Okay, so coolest thing ever went down a month or so ago, and I just haven't had time to write it all up.  Let's just say....this is.the.coolest.thing.ever!!

Wasatch Running and Intermountain Sports Medicine Specialty Group have kind of partnered up together to serve the running community along the Wasatch front.  There are several Intermountain Sports Medicine Specialty clinics available in various locations, just click to find one near you.

At many of those locations is a Running Lab.  Not just a treadmill in an exam room, but an actual Running LAB.  I was lucky enough to have the whole lab experience myself.

First of all, it is a team effort.  I called the number, the friendly girl scheduled my time after coordinating with three other offices, gave me some simple instructions of what to wear, how much time to plan on and how to download and fill out a questionnaire to bring with me.

The day came, I donned my spandex, grabbed my waterbottle, laced up my shoes and headed for the lab in Riverton.  After I checked in at the front desk, they asked my t-shirt size and then handed me a prepared swag bag.  I know right?!?!  I haven't even run yet and I'm getting swag!

For the first 30 minutes or so, I met with Dr David Brinton, an orthopedic sports medicine physician.  We talked about my running history, past injuries, current training habits, races on the agenda etc.  We covered it all.  Towards the end of our talking time, he had me get on the treadmill and start a simple walking warm up for my muscles in prep for the next piece.

Next up was the Physical Therapist.  Pam is the head of the physical therapy department at that hospital so I felt like I was in great hands.  To add the icing to the cake, she actually knows what CRPS is! I mean, HELLO! - Rarely does anyone ever know what the hell I am talking about when I bring it up, but not only did she know the term, she knew what it means for me as a patient.  She did an overall body assessment.  Symmetry, strength, flexibility..... I sort of felt like a performing monkey, but hey, it was fantastic.  After putting me through her series of games, she showed me where I was strong, where I was weak, and the areas in my body that need to be functioning better and more efficiently to help me be a better runner.  As I got ready to work with the next person, she printed off a packet of exercises and stretches (with pictures) including instructions on how often to perform the repetitions.  LOVE HER!!

The next person on the team is the exercise physiologist Nate.  Dude is straight up STELLAR!  He got me on the treadmill, hooked up to a heart rate monitor, water bottle and sweat towel at the ready and started again with a warm up.  Over the course of the next 20- 30 minutes, I would run at an ever increasingly speed, while Nate occasionally pricked my ear lobe to draw blood checking my lactic acid.  I also would verbally tell him how I was feeling as he watched the heart rate monitor and the pace on the treadmill.  Keep in mind, while all this was going on, he was video taping me running.  At all angles.  The camera was on a tripod that he just moved from angle to angle.  In the background, Dr Brinton and Pam were watching as well as offering a comment or observation on occasion.

After we reached the max that he wanted, I was able to slow the treadmill, cool down and towel off.  We talked about some preliminary things that could be seen right off the bat, and then set an appointment for the following week.  This would give Nate time to "crunch" all the numbers and put together all the data.  He would then review everything with me.

I left so stoked!  I felt like the team that had worked with me were stars of the field!  They were expert in their consultations, teaching and answering all the questions that I had.  I was particularly excited to start the exercises that she gave me.

The following week, Nate and I met again at the clinic.  He pulled out his laptop and brought me up running on the treadmill (gross) and put my body into a graph chart.  He showed me at each frame of my gait cycle where each part of my body was and where it should be to allow maximum efficiency.  He showed me where I was losing some effort with my upper body, where I could adjust my foot strike position slightly, and how strengthening my core with my PT exercises would pull it all together.

(those projected numbers?  Based on my current training.  Think what I can do after I start implementing their customized tools)

I was ecstatic to know that I wasn't a full-on mess of a runner.  I have a nice gait, nice strike, and fairly symmetric body line.  BUT, there are some tweaks and some major strengthening I can do to make myself better and faster.

We talked a bit about nutrition.  I had just done the Ogden Marathon, so I whined about the "bonking" at mile 18.  He was nice enough to gently inform me that basically anything after 18 is nutrition.  Bonking was due to my lack of it.  So we discussed some ideas to help me in that area since I despise GU's, can barely stomach shot bloks or chomps and sports beans isn't enough. I think I am going to have to figure out a way to start packing a PB&J!

He has a list of drills for me to start and he stressed that for me, I no longer need to train based on heart rate so much anymore.  I can check it once in awhile, but now, he would rather I train based on pace.  That was the clincher for me.  I've been debating on whether or not to invest in a Garmin but his advice was the final seal of the deal.   Because Pam wants time for me to work on the exercises she gave me, I will meet with him again to go over the drills.  With the busy week last week, and the next week no easier, it might be another week before I get back to Nate.  But by then, I will be stronger (yes those exercises work since they make me sore) and I'll be ready to incorporate more into my training.

As I left the second time, I felt like I had been give a huge gift!  The time spent with me from three highly trained professionals is something I never thought I would get to do.  I always felt like I was floundering around, listening to advice from all different sources, googling, reading and trying to figure out something that I thought would work for me.  Now I have some concrete tools.  Some REAL instructions designed just for me!  All that I have learned from them in the short 2 hours I have spent, is incredible.  I am more than grateful for the opportunity to participate in their Running Lab experience.  I have what I need to be a better runner myself and to help others in the game as well.

Best part?  Since we are partnering with them through Wasatch Running, I can refer runners to their facility and actually have the experience to back it up.  I can let someone know exactly what they are in for, how it can help them and what they can expect for their experience.  It's interesting as I work with different runners with their shoes, conversations always include training and I have been able to identify rather quickly those customers/runners who would love this.  But most importantly, it can help any runner at any level be better.  From a beginner, to a life long marathoner, the Running Lab has something to offer by way of knowledge and improvement.

Side note?  The cost to do a Lab analysis at the Riverton or Avenues location is just $125.00.  A steal people!  A freakin steal!!!  Even better?  Come see me at Wasatch, get a referral card from me and you get 15% off of that!  Yes?  Pretty dang good eh?  Dang good deal.

I have to give one more huge shout out to Dr Brinton (Dave), Nate and Pam.  They are straight up OUTSTANDING!  Thanks guys for the knowledge, advice, time and most importantly the pleasure of meeting you, working with you and the ability to give a solid referral knowing that anyone I send there will get the same stellar treatment!

And lookie at Momma's new prizey!!

I hope I can figure out how to set it up.  Anyone wanna offer a tutor session?

Well lookie what the Swede's dragged in!

A lot packed in a few short days.

Mom and John made a quick jaunt from their mission in Sweden to hit up the youngest sisters wedding.  That means a lot of family, in a short period of time.

We all survived.

First, my brother, his wife (my BFSIL), me and Splenda Daddy took them out for dinner to celebrate a late Mother's day.

Let's get a picture of me with my Mom

ummm..that's too dark - try again

a little better, but still too dark - try again

MY EYES!!  MY EYES!!!  (said in my best Phoebe from Friends voice)

I could tell you a lot of funny things about dinner at the Roadhouse.  Because seriously, if you put me and BFSIL in the same room it gets dicey.    Add in the fact that my mom giggles alot, and well.....that doesn't help.  It encourages us.

I don't think Thomas our server will ever be the same.

I may have accidentally said "Cherry me" when asking for a diet cherry coke.

I may have been obnoxious when fishing out THREE different maraschino cherries from said diet coke.

I may have been my usual difficult order.  (I have to add and subtract a lot of things from my special menu thus inducing a lot of eye rolls)

The following conversation may or may not have happened:

Mom: "I remember when a was younger a friend told me that she wasn't allowed to play with me any more because I swore too much"

Me: "How old were you Mom, like 6?"

Mom: "NO!  I was older.  I think I was 9 or 10"

Yessssssss.......I knew I came by it rightly!  Made my entire night.

Saturday, we all jaunted up to Logan for the wedding festivities.

Warning - Picture overload.  Ignore if you want, just there for my fam.....

(for the record, my camera got dropped and it no longer provides spectacular pictures.  Some of these are a tich blurry)

Simple quick ceremony with a cool candle lighting thingie at the end

Johnny (Michelle's son) as the ring bearer.  So damn cute!

Trying to light the candles.  Note:  don't let the Mormon missionary couple who have probably never used lighters before in their entire lives, be in charge of lighting a candle.

Michelle was a beautiful bride

Me and BFSIL

Sister Mindi and hubby Charles, Chet,........

The wedding party.  Richard's friend, Richard, Michelle and Michelle's friend (I don't really know them obviously)

Me and Michelle.  Of all the siblings, she and I look the most alike.  The other two might have been adopted.  Or me and Michelle were.

Brother and BFSIL's family minus a couple of sons

Savannah, me and Chantelle

Great niece. In both ways of great.  I let her have my camera for a little bit.  I think she has a future in photography

Michelle and my new BIL Richard

More of great-niece's amazing skills

A few of my Logan family

Some more of them

Might have gotten a little goofy with the flower petals

 Lessons learned from the ceremony, brunch and ensuing reception.
1.  Multiple members of my family together in one room can lead to a lot of laughing, some mild inappropriateness, and a lot of diet brown bubbles.
2.  When I tell mi Sobrina not to actually pull the lever and pour the water in my mouth while we take silly pictures, I mean it.
3.  Mi Sobrina is an extreme germ-a-phobe and may have had a slight melt down when I spit the water that I asked her not to pour in my mouth, back at her.
4.  Mi Sobrina and I still love each other.  From a distance.
5.   Cameras left on the tables for guests to take pictures are a bad idea with my family.  I hope they get developed and actually turn out.  I would love to post them.  Gang signs, nostrils, hairy ears, warped faces in water jugs........*shakes head*

After leaving a wake of destruction we headed over to my OTHER sister's house in Smithfield for a little chillin and relaxing since some of the cranky babies needed naps.

And so did the little kids.

Since none of us had eaten all day and were STARVING (sarcasm), we felt it necessary to hit our favorite spot in all of Cache Valley......

The Firehouse!!

John, Mom, Bro and BFSIL (who looks like she has flames coming from her head - awesome)

Great niece and Logan fam

Me and Sis

More family and yet another scarred-for-life restaurant server there in the background.  I should come with a warning sign is all I'm saying.

The Newlyweds, who are now as we speak, in the Bahamas.

I'm not jealous at all.

Thanks for the fun week fam!  The laughs, the pictures, the food and the love!

We need another wedding soon since we have proven yet again, we can survive all in the same room at the same time, for more than a few hours and leave the place still standing and intact.

June 25th anyone??