March 4th

OK, I've read so many times about how each of you have had problems with blogger. Well, I just typed up this great long blog and where is it? NO WHERE! I really don't want to take the time to type it all up again so it might be the condenced version. Sorry!

I've been meaning to post this story for a while now (as you can see it is no longer March 4th) but I've been SO busy with so many different things that something has had to wait, and the blog got kicked off the list. The only reason I'm actually typing this right now is because Gary has an exam to write and is still a school so I'm chilling for a few extra minutes before I go home from work.

Anyhow, Gary's sister proposed a new "Fears Family Tradition" recently and I thought I'd share with you this tradition and then tell you a little bit about our experience. Gary's sister, Liz, sent an email pointing out that March 4th is the ONLY day of the year that is also a command. It was suggested that even though our family is spread way out, the little mini clusters of Fears Family should get together to celebrate and begin our "March FORTH" celebration.

Our March Forth evening began with a family dinner and then a lesson given by Gary about the importance of Goal setting. After the lesson we ate dessert and each took some time to write down a big goal that we would work hard to accomplish during the next year. After we had our goals all written down we called everybody and all shared our goals with the family.

The idea is that on March 4th 2008 we will do the same thing again, however, this time we will review the goals and vote on the person that best accomplished their goal. The reward? Ahh, yes...there is a prize. Each person will put one dollar in a GOLDEN BOOT (March Forth, get it?) and the winner will get the money AND the lovely boot! In addition to that, at the end of the celebration each person will stand on a white sheet and trace their foot on the "March Forth" tablecloth. We will then embroder the sheet and watch our feet grow (well, some of us anyhow) each year.

I thought that some of you might like that fun little tradition! My goal? Well, yes...that is one of the main points I am writing this blog! Let me share with you a little story before I share with you my goal.

Last winter I signed up for a "Winter Running Series" with a few of my friends. It consisted of a race each month, a 5K, 10K, 10 Mile, and a Half Marathon. I did it because #1) I LOVE my friends and we enjoy running together. #2) I usually don't run very much in the winters so I thought this would be a good way to sort of push myself through the winter months. #3) I have wanted to run a half marathon for years now but always end up getting sick during the crutial part of my training and lose mileage and end up not being able to run, so I thought I'd try for the half again.

Well, I did it! I ran a half marathon. It was awesome and consisted of a LOT of training. However, after the race, I was so BEAT I decided to take a week of running off. Well, the week turned into months and here we are today. There was a point where I could honestly say that I NEVER wanted to put my running shoes on again. I am running again, not more than 4 miles a day. I'm basically starting over and it sure is tough! There is nothing better than running out yoru front door and not even knowing where you'll end up twelve miles later and I want that again! SO, my goal this year is to run TWO half marathons! Why not a FULL? Becuase I'm just not in the "want" for that yet. Why TWO? Because I'm hoping that I'll be able to keep myself motivated to continue running even after I run the first!

Anybody up for the challenge? Let's do it together! I'm so ready for anyone that wants to run with me!!! I'm planning on running a half marathon down the Provo Canyon (BEAUTIFUL COURSE) in August and then another one in January down in Phoenix, AZ.

The weather has been SO absolutely perfect here in Utah lately! I'm really excited for spring! So excited that the other day I made this so cute sign to hang in my house! Don't look at the uneven drill holes though, that's not the cute part.

And yes, March Maddness is underway! I entered NINE bracket pools this year! It's way too exciting and all I can do to NOT sit there and watch the internet ALL day long at work! Today I promised myself I wouldn't look at it until after I blogged...so that's the REAL reason I'm blogging today...just kidding!