Do Something Hard

So as most of you know (whoever you are that actually read this), I recently completed my first half marathon. I felt like I learned some important lessons along the way so this is mostly for me to document those somewhere, but maybe you something will resonate with you. The journey to complete that goal was made up of emotions all along the spectrum from excitement and extreme fear, doubt, pain, and joy. Let me tell you a little bit about that journey.

I originally signed up for the race because a friend was going to run the full marathon and the thought crossed my mind, "It is six months away. You could train for just about anything in six months. A half marathon might not be impossible." I am pretty positive that at some point before that I had said I would never do a half marathon. (Note - never say never.) I talked to a couple friends who are more experienced runners and they validated my thoughts that indeed I could train for it in six months. I had to quickly sign up for the race before that confidence fled. For the days following my sign-up I alternated between excitement that I was going to do something new and hard and being terrified and questioning what I had gotten myself into. There was one additional piece that motivated me to sign up for this race. I have done difficult things in different areas of life. I worked hard to graduate from a top accounting program and get my CPA license. I have always had to work to balance school, a job, church, and extra-curricular activities. The one area where I didn't really feel like I had challenged myself was physically. In short - I signed up to run a half marathon to prove to myself I could. Once I had mentally committed to myself that I thought I could do it, I couldn't let myself down and had to follow it through.

After I had signed up I went and got some good shoes and started training. Since I had plenty of time I started with a 10-K training plan to get me back into running and then started the half marathon training plan. Starting with the lighter training plan helped me ease into it and gave me some confidence and comfort. People had always said exercising and particularly running is much more of a mental exercise than it is physical. After this experience I agree. Yes, running is physically taxing on your body, but learning that mental game is a whole different world. There are times when your body is tired, but you know you need to and actually can go farther. Getting to a point where you can tell yourself that and push yourself is a milestone. The other piece I found was learning to have a positive conversation with yourself. As the time and distances kept getting longer, there was a fear that I wouldn't be able to make it and do what I needed to do. Since most of my training was in the gym on a treadmill, I had to learn to tell myself I could do it. I was capable and even though my body wasn't sure I could, my mind was sure I could.

That battle between self-doubt and self-confidence often raged in my head. There were mornings were I didn't want to go to they gym and when I took a closer look at why (besides that it was 5 am), I realized that some of it was that I wasn't sure I would be able to run however far I need to or meet whatever time goal I had. The crazy thing was that I had done it before, but the doubt still crept in. Sometimes getting inside your own head is a little bit scary, but I have gained a better understanding of myself and where my motivation comes from. There were also some spiritual lessons learned along this path. Some of them have been alluded to above. The first is that our spirits truly do rule over our bodies. Yes we have to learn to listen to our bodies and not go too far, but also realize that our spirits truly are in charge. The other thing is to realize that when we have self-doubt and fear that is not coming from our loving Heavenly Father. He loves us and is there to aid us in our righteous endeavors.  There is no way I could have completed the training and race without the blessings and watch care of my Heavenly Father.

Race day finally arrived. Oddly enough I had been looking forward to the race all week and had been excited about it. A large part may have been due to the 6 months of anticipation since I signed up.
As I started the race I was actually enjoying it. I have never loved running, so this was a new feeling. (Note - I still don't love running, but at least now I don't hate it). The truly hard part came about mile 10. This was the limit of what I had previously run before. At this point, with three miles left, my legs started cramping and my feet were in quite a bit of pain. Luckily I had never had any injuries or serious pain in my training so these symptoms were a little disconcerting. Now being a couple days out, there wasn't anything seriously wrong, but it did make it so I had to walk the last 3 miles and in turn not meet my time goal. I was a little bit disappointed about that, but as I crossed the finish line I was just thrilled to have completed the race. Crossing that finish line was the accomplishment of a goal that had been 6 months in the making. It had been hard, thrown me out of my comfort zone, and pushed me farther than I ever thought.  With that accomplishment has come a sense of confidence and the feeling that I truly can accomplish what I set my mind to and do hard things.

And that is the biggest takeaway for me from my half marathon. I can do hard things. We can all do hard things whether we realize it or not. That is also my challenge to whoever may read this. Get a little bit out of your comfort zone and do something hard that you weren't sure you could do. This is obviously different for each person. It could be a variety of things: going back to school, talking to new people, changing jobs, running a race, or whatever pushes you. Yes, it will be hard, but the feeling of accomplishment and self-confidence is quite the reward. Go do something hard.

The Big Apple

As to keep with tradition, my posts usually follow vacations. This last two weeks has been a whirlwind of travel - New York, Las Vegas, and Park City. Las Vegas was for work but the others were for fun. This was my first time in New York and below are some of my favorite things we did. 

Central Park - I realized green space was one of my favorite parts of NYC. 

World Trade Tower Footprint - this area also was a nice peaceful reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Manhattan.

'

This was the view on the way out to the Statue of Liberty. I am a sucker for city skylines and views so NYC was a great place to be.

This is a place called the high line which is a park/walkway that was built on old railroad tracks. It is a great contrast between the city and the greenery. (Also those eyes reminded me of The Great Gatsby).

View from the top of the Rockefeller Center.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Absolutely overwhelming and fantastic.

The Brooklyn Bridge - this was a beautiful walk at sunset.

More city lights from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Manhattan Temple. It was closed, but we did go to church in the chapel that is attached to the temple. It was a welcome sight after the hustle and bustle of the city.

 

As expected the shows in New York were phenomenal! I was excited for Phantom, but this particularly exceeded my expectations for a couple reasons. First was that seeing it live was so cool - as the chandelier comes up and the organ blasts - it was surreal. The other very pleasant surprise was the gentleman who played the Phantom. His name is Norm Lewis and one of his many other roles was Javiert in the 25th Anniversary Concert for Les Miserables. This where I first heard him and really enjoy his voice, so it was cool to see him in person.

We also saw Newsies. Fantastic!

On top of the Empire State Building. This is with Holly who I traveled with.

I went to my first professional baseball game (and come to think of it maybe first professional sporting event ever). I am not necessarily a Yankees fan, but when in New York do as the New Yorkers do which is wear a Yankee's hat and head to the game.

1 World Trade Center. The monument to the fact that we will never forget.

Overall I really enjoyed New York. It was dirtier, far more crowded, and odorous than I could have imagined. I also loved the diversity of people and activities that makes up the city. It was cool to see things in person that I had only seen in movies or on TV. There were also some solemn moments as I reflected on 9-11 and other special sites in the city. It was a wonderful trip! Now on to the next!

San Diego Fun

Busy season is in full swing and luckily for me I get to go to San Diego for a couple weeks throughout March and April. This year I took a weekend before one of the weeks and played in San Diego. The highlights consisted of the San Diego temple, San Diego Zoo, and La Jolla beaches. The temple is absolutely stunning! I highly recommend the zoo! It is definitely a full-day endeavor, but they have so many animals. I kept running through Disney movies and children's songs as I saw the animals - see captions below. La Jolla is beautiful and relaxing! Great diversion from cold Utah and the accounting busy season. Enjoy some of my favorites below!

Capuchin Monkeys (think Night at the Museum) 

When I visited these monkeys there were some regular zoo visitors who the monkeys came over to the glass to visit and perform for. 

I had never seen this animal before - an Okapi. It is related to the Giraffe!

Happy hippo

"Hakuna Matata" - Pumba in real life

Check out those eyes.

I loved this gorilla's expression - laying down with his hand on his forehead. I feel like I can relate to this some days.

"Never smile at a crocodile" - (although this may technically be an alligator)

Mommy and daughter playing on the jungle gym.

The hotel I stayed at had a private beach on the bay. 

Sunday afternoon at La Jolla.

Back to busy season! 

And a Happy New Year

As is the fashion right now I have been looking back at 2013 an all that it entails. For me I keep memories in pictures so here are some from the year. I tried to put them in chronological order, but alas, have had trouble so here they are in no particular order.

BYU basketball with these lovely ladies.

First concert ever. Wonderful!

Sunset in my new home. I am a sucker for sunsets and looking out over the city lights. This was the view from my stake center over the Salt Lake Valley. Good thing Salt Lake has great sunsets like Provo.

Imagine Dragons with my brother. Awesome concert.

Time for a new reliable car. New on the left and old on the right.

Sunset in Long Beach for work.

Lunch for Somers before she got married. Love seeing old friends. 

Ran my first 10k. Don't mind my post race face.

Freshman roommates reunited. Always go to at least a couple football games with this fantastic lady who came back from Taiwan. The only pictures I have of us over all the years are at BYU sporting events. Kindred spirits indeed.

 Trip to Arches. This was my first time past Spanish Fork to Southern Utah. Had a great tour guide with Krista.

Me inside the building I basically lived in for 3+ years. Good years in the Tanner.

Graduated from BYU with my Masters in Accounting. I also passed the CPA exam in November, but didn't take  a picture so this will have to count.

Got to be roommates with some old friends and made some great new ones.

Spending my birthday with some of my favorite people!

Family cruise! 

Spent lots of time with the fam.

Sent this kid (aka brother Gillen) on a mission. We got to talk to him on Christmas which was far and away the best gift this Christmas. Seems like talking to missionaries is always the best!

Stayed the weekend in Long Beach after a work trip and headed out to Catalina Island.

The movie theater and dance hall at Catalina Island. According to the tour this was the first movie theater to be built for movies with sound and it has one of the largest continuous ballrooms in the country/world(?). It was a great little vacation in December.

When I first thought back on 2013 it seemed rather uneventful besides moving and graduating, but I realized that I spent time with people close to me and had lots of new growing experiences.  Here is to whatever 2014 may have in store!