Finish Line Photo Contest is about to go down over here.
I was hoping you guys would send in one of your finish line photos with a few sentences about what that race/the finish line meant to you! I will narrow them down to ? (I don’t know a number yet… I know, I should be more organized) and then have you guys vote on your favorite one. The winner will get an awesome package of running stuff/treats that I will buy and send out.
I think it will be a real good time and we will all get goosebumps by seeing/reading about each other’s successes.
PLEASE send pictures and explanations to——> [email protected]
Brooke was about 5 months old and we went to St. George, Utah to run the absolute hardest 1/2 marathon course I have ever done in my life (the course map/elevation wasn’t online so I had no idea what I was getting myself into). I wanted to quit at mile 1.2. Like, really… I was crazy close to just calling it quits and having my mom pick me up, we were practically running up a mountain. This is where I started using the mantra, ‘I can do hard things’ and that really helped me to keep going even though I desperately wanted to stop. I made it to the end and even set a new pr at that time.
That finish line helped me to see my strength and potential.
———————————————-
I really stayed classy yesterday by hanging out in a t-shirt all day (from Jaybird).
Too cool for school. Brooke had her first slurpee of her entire life (at least that I can remember, I do know that I had about a bajillion of them while I was pregnant with her) yesterday (I just filled it up a little bit:)
We hung out on the grass while she dipped her straw into it and ate one drop at a time. We were there for a while.
And then we got busy at the park.
For dinner we had leftover quiche and my dad also had some steak waiting for us. I think I had plenty of protein.
I had great plans to get myself out of the house to do something last night but this sounded much better. I started reading Elizabeth Smart’s book, ‘My Story.’ Wow, I can’t even imagine going through what she went through and yet she stayed SOOOO strong through it all. She is one amazing woman and I am so inspired by her to have hope no matter what the circumstance.
I fully remember when she was taken from her home at the age of 14 and missing for 9 months (30 minutes north of where I live). So much good and so much evil in this world… I will probably be reaching for a much lighter reader after this one.
And one more picture from yesterday. Basically I just want to run at Antelope Island daily now. The movie will be done in a few weeks and I can’t wait to share it with you!
——————————————–
Let’s pretend you have your entire night free tonight… no plans, no obligations and you can do whatever you want… what would your ideal evening be tonight?
81 comments
Emma @ Culturecopia
I use your “I can do hard things” mantra all the time & I love it :) tonight is a date night… no other obligations other than spending some quality time together… and probably outdoors – the weather is finally heating up and the sun is finally shining here in Toronto!
Mary@RunWalkLift
Go for a walk by the river while someone else cleans my house:)
Kari @ Running Ricig
Brooke dresses better than I do every day of the week. I’m so jealous :).
I think my ideal night is pretty much hanging out at home reading a good book or binge watching Netflix…but that could just be because I’m pregnant and exhausted all day everyday. I don’t remember a time before now.
Karien @ Running the Race
That little helmet on Brooke…! Toooooo cute.
Great running pic of you – can’t wait to see the movie!
Kristina @ Blog About Running
Wow Antelope Island looks amazing! What a gorgeous view for a run!
One of my ideal evenings happened last night :) My other half and I went to the gym (he lifted, I ran) and then we came home and flipped between The Mindy Project and the Heat game all night. It would have been more ideal if the Heat won, but Mindy was good enough to make up for it!
PS: Are you all caught up on the episodes? Can you believe Danny?
JinxyJen
I love the photo contest idea! :-)
I try and motivate my daughter to run a little faster by telling her somethings chasing her. But she’s 13 and just rolls her eyes at me. Maybe ill try the run like you stole it phrase.. Lol
Tonight…I would stay in comfy clothes and have someone bring me food….Maybe mexican or pizza cuz those r the best. Maybe a mexican pizza. Then I would take a bubble bath and then watch bad lifetime movies all night. Geeez im boring.
Have a great day!!
Laura @ Live, Run, Sparkle
Brooke is the cutest ever with her little slurpee.
Tonight I’m going to a concert with friends, but if I wasn’t I’d be totally happy with hanging out at home in my sweatpants watching a movie and eating takeout sushi. Bliss!
Julie @ Coastal Runner Girl
That island looks gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the video!
My ideal evening would include catching up on Scandal + white wine + pizza + my couch :)
Flower
The whole night to myself? Well, I sort of like to be alone and when I am I read, I work out, I solve World Peace…kidding. I’d probably watch a movie and eat some Ben and Jerrys Chocolate Therapy!
Courtney @The TriGirl Chronicles
Love the finish line photo idea!
Caroline
“I can do hard things”- I like it, but hopefully I won’t have to pull it out during my half marathon this coming weekend :) I would love to read the Elizabeth Smart book- I love stories of resiliency and survival.
the running schlub
Sorry no finish line photos at this point in my career but that contest is awesome, cant wait to vote. If your rockin the slurpee you are definately too cool for school. Antelope Island looks amazing, I would want to run there every day too with those amazing views.
Entire Night Free – My ideal night would be fiance and the kids all sitting down for a family movie, a fun board game, and a lot of snacks and junk food the entire night.
http://runningschlub.blogspot.com/
Lynsey
Brooke is awfully stylish! Kids clothes are so much fun. The top knot is my three year olds go-to hair style. She has the craziest head of hair.
If I had a night off I would probably go for a run and get to bed early. Perhaps eat dinner sitting down *gasp*.
Leah @ Running with the Hayneses
I pretty much do have the whole evening free every night. :) My husband and I don’t have kids, and we don’t go out much. An ideal night though would involve someone else cooking for me while I do something fun (it would be running if I wasn’t injured!), and then enjoying a relaxing evening on the couch.
Emmeline@RunForThePizza
Did she love her slurpee? I remember my first one and I begged my parents for more of them all the time! Blue raspberry was my favorite :)
I think if I could magically teleport all of my best friends to the same town then tonight I’d love to have a night like we used to, grill steak and drink beer in the backyard with my husband and our 5 closest friends and play cornhole. Summer nights :)
Ellie
I have my ideal evening tonight! I’m gonna hit the gym for a tempo run and cycle class, grab a latte on the way to my dorm, and hang out with my friends for a “kindergarten craft night” where we’ll make macaroni art, color, eat candy, and otherwise de-stress!
Nicole @Pink Elephant on Parade
Murder She Wrote, a blt, and pickle chips.
Linda @running4two
Hmm, watch a favorite movie (maybe Centrrstage or Where the heart is) and eat pizza and ice cream. :-)
Karin W.
I have said your mantra, “I can do hard things!” in my head on SO many occasions, especially training for my last marathon, and finishing my first sprint tri (and countless fatigued laps in the pool, my weakest sport!) It is so true, sometimes we all just need a kick in the butt mentally, and a reminder!! Thank you!
Kiales
Oh my gosh I looooove that book. She’s so incredibly inspirational – her attitude towards everything is truly inspiring! Her strength…. it’s a good reminder that, no matter what I am made to go through, we CAN do hard things :)
Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete
Can our finish photos be *borrowed*? :O :D
“House, M.D.” is now on Netflix. ‘Nuff said. Given that I have 400s to do tonight, this scenario is taunting me. ;)
Megan @ The Skinny-Life
If I had a whole night free, I would spend it walking on the strand by the beach in CA. It’s the place where my weight loss began and I’ve always dreamed of being retired and walking the beach after dinner every night. So peaceful.
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff
Wine and cheese on the porch with music and candle light and my dog at my feet. Yep. That would be perfect every single evening. :)
Allison
Just finished that book several months ago. No joke–pretty heavy reading. Man, what she endured. I just can’t imagine. ~~My ideal night is snuggled up next to Alex while we read together or while sitting on my grandma chair with my favorite blanket. I love reading!
Marissa @ Run Riss Run
A nice drive out of town to my fav restaurant with my fav person :)
DontBlameTheKids
My ideal evening would be a dinner out with friends. I haven’t gone to a restaurant without the kids in tow in…oh, I don’t know…two years? I think I have forgotten what it’s like to actually talk to someone at dinner instead of saying “Don’t play with your food,” “sit down,” “don’t touch the knife!”
meredith @ Cookie ChRUNicles
I remember when the Elizabeth Smart situation was taking place – so scary, so crazy. I have seen her and her dad appear in the last few years on television to discuss the situation a bit in relation to similar awful stories like hers….If I had tonight free, I would totally be at a great restaurant that finishes off a meal with a giant chocolate dessert in the form of cake or cookies or brownies a la mode style.
Ali
My ideal evening would be to take a bath, read a book and go to sleep super early!
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun
Get some froyo and watch a good movie! That is usually my ideal day. To relax and enjoy the evening!
Traci
I honestly think I’d like to simply watch a movie without millions of “I have to do this, this, this, and this, and this…” thoughts running through my mind!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
Oh my, Brookers is just too cute in all of her stylish outfits! I love how you dress her.
My ideal night would be sushi take-out, wine while watching HGTV, and finished with a bubble bath. A brownie would be in there somewhere too. Things have changed since becoming a mom. ;)
Roman
A nice workout and run followed by a nice steak dinner at Bohanans with my wife and kids.
Cori @ shes going the distance
wine & pizza with a good movie OR beer & smore’s with a campfire with friends. Basically good food/drinks and people you love. great i’m getting all weepy haha
Jacque
‘I can do hard things’ SUCH a good mantra, i’m going to have to use that :) I would spend the evening going for a walk or jog with my husband and our 4 month old daughter :) I’m currently talking him into buying a BOB Ironman stroller for her 1/2 birthday ;)
Jackie
Brooke looks so grown up!
Tantra
Before marriage, kids, and a serious job.. my favorite thing to do would be to go buy all the new fashion and wedding mags, put on bravo or E!, grab a glass of vino and just look through all the magazines! I wouldn’t even read the articles just the new fashion of that month or that season made me giddy!
karla @ finding my fit
My goodness does Brooke have some awesome fashion sense. and those eyelashes–swoon.
Most nights I do whatever I want-the perk of a single lady with no kids.
I go to the gym, make dinner, take a bath, read/study/plant butt in front of TV.
i’m currently working on the Book Thief but I think that book you mentioned is a strong contender for the next read :)
MILF Runner
That book was a hard but fast read for me. I found myself both amazed and appreciative that she shared her story. What an incredible person.
dana
Takeout+Netflix/Movie watching!
Brooke looks so cool, slurping her slurpee:)
Can’t wait to see the video!
Amy @ fitnessmeetsfrosting
I think I would get a mani/pedi, followed by a nice SLOW dinner (no rushing) at a restaurant. I haven’t had a mani/pedi since last summer, and my nails are lookin’ kind of…well, we’ll leave it at, they don’t look good ;)
whitney herrera
I love free nights of doing “nothing.” My daughter is 10 now, so my Honey and I have plenty of free time and date nights. But for a perfect night in: plenty of Bravo shows and some takeout Thai!!
Leslie @ My Life Begins at 30?
If I had a night off and the house all to myself, I would go for a run and then walk the puppy. Then I would make some pizza and watch bad tv and play on Pinterest. Just a nice relaxing evening!!
Instead, I will be going for a quick run and some errands before heading out to play volleyball and having some drinks with the team after. I’m not complaining-it will be a fun night! :)
Meaghan
Probably a run outdoors during the sunset, and a long, lingering dinner with family and friends!
In reality, it will be a run outdoors at some point, leftovers, and catching up on the Mindy Project…not too terrible!
http://nyviewsnikeshoes.com
Beky
If I could do anything I wanted tonight I’d be with my sister, watching Gilmore Girls or the OC while having pizza and wine. Simple things and being with family in unbeatable. I’m pretty far from home currently.
I love finish line photos. Its always such a good moment.
Alyssa @ See This Girl Run
That half really is hard! Straight up the mountain for the first couple of miles and then rolling hills for the other miles was killer! This is fun though. I’ll have to send you a picture. And I can’t wait to see your movie!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy}
I read the Elizabeth Smart book and it is so amazing. She is so strong and it unbelievable how positive she is. One of my favorite quotes comes from the book, it will be at the end so I won’t spoil it for you! I would spend the night on the couch with a good book and some tea and a bag of popcorn!
Elizabeth
I just ran that same half last month and thought I was going to die! It was rough, but not as rough as my hubby and most of the leaders had who took a million wrong turns because somehow they forgot to mark the course on the trail. He ended up running over 16 miles and wAs injured so the 16 felt like 50. Luckily the rd felt bad and gave him a big jar of winter crest. Good times.
Nikki
I love the shirt!
Becky @ Goodness Grapevine
What a little peanut! Brooke is adorable. My daughter is 10 1/2 months right now, and I can’t even imagine her walking and sipping on a slurpee. Way. too. cute.
Marjorie
I will only have a finish line photo in June… I can’t believe that I have finally made it to my first race. 38 is not too old to start ;)
I am finally the athlete that I have always aspired to be and it feels great!
Dana @ One Lung Runner Girl
I have a half-marathon coming up in Nashville, TN and I’ve been warned it’s extremely hilly the majority of the race so I’m quite nervous about it. It’s probably nothing like climbing up a mountain, but still.
If I had an entire night free with no other obligations, I would spend it reading. I haven’t had much time to do that lately and I am way overdue.
Jessica
Brooke is too cute! Can you please tell me where you got the above pictured scooter?!?!?!? You may have posted it before and I apologize but can’t find it! Thank youuu!! :)
Annette@FitnessPerks
I love that mantra of “I can do hard things” I use it all the time too!
I can’t even imagine the horror Elizabeth S had to go through…what a strong woman to fight on after that.
If I had an entire night free I’d watch an episode or two of a tv show I like and then read and chat with my husband while baby girl sleeps away! :)
Kaella
I can’t wait to see the movie! It look so beautiful in Utah right now! We just got more snow this morning!
Oh well, summer is right around the corner…right, right?! ;)
Brianna @ I run He Tris
That movie looks so cool! I love my Jaybirds too. If I could do anything at all I would go get a manicure and pedicure and then have a delicious dinner waiting for me at home. Then all the dirty dishes would magically appear of course! I can’t wait to see all the finish line pictures!
Crystal
My perfect night would be hanging w/ friends and family around a camp fire :) I’m so ready for summer!!!!!! Can’t wait to see your movie!!!
Missy
I love cinnamon bears but have never seen chocolate covered ones before – I wonder if its a regional treat. I have a layover at SLC on Friday – I’m going on the hunt for chocolate covered gummy bears!
Ashley @ Brocblog
I have a running club run/ cocktail party tonight and it kinda already is my ideal evening.
Nicole@TheGirlWhoRanEverywhere
I LOVE this post and this idea…I can’t wait to see everyone’s pics and read their stories!!!! :) :) :) :)
I need chocolate cinnamon bears in my life, STAT!!!!
My ideal “me” night…running, followed by stretching and maybe some weights and then a massage???
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs
Janae – that’s such a gorgeous picture of you running!
I DO have tonight off and I’m getting a massage. I can’t wait. I will also stuff my face full of FOOD!
Lindsey
Free evening!! Oh what would I do?? Nice hot bath then dinner, wine and movie with the love of my life (husband)…then to bed early to be up for my run:)
Kristin
I read Elizabeth’s story too, wow she is an amazing person and was SO strong!
Kelby
I love the idea of a finish line photo contest! Unfortunately, I am afraid to even see what I look like by the finish line. It’s rare that I’ll click the link emailed to me with my race photos. Perhaps this will be my motivation. Haha. Can’t wait to see the winners!
NewEnglandOutlook.com
Leah @ goodnightcheese
My ideal night would involve ice cream, board games, and wine. I’m pretty crazy.
Samantha @ The Faithful Runner
My ideal night would involve my husband making me dinner and him and I cuddling and watching movies…. super corny, but exactly what I want.
Debbie @ Deb Runs
Looking forward to hearing more about you running at Antelope Island. It looks gorgeous! When we moved away from Utah, the Salt Palace was flooded from the snow melts. I remember seeing a news guy in his canoe rowing around in the palace on the news!
Susan S
No obligations? No plans? Whatever I want? I would have a nice weight session at the gym so I wouldn’t feel guilty when I would have a pizza with lots of black olives, a glass of wine and a box of peanut butter patties girl scout cookies. Then I would sit down with one of the countless books in the TBR stacks in my home and read it from start to finish with no interruptions – phones and electronics turned off. Basically silence and a good book. Can you tell I’m a little overwhelmed with life right now?!?!?!?
Doni
Brooke slurping on that slurpee…she’s practically a teenager. Jeez.
My day/night off would have to include a massage, a movie (with lots of popcorn) and a really good book.
MartinaNYC
…I would go out and run!!! The weather is so nice here in NYC right now and I’d give anyhing to just run for a few miles and enjoy this spring weather… Then I would come back home and stuff my face with pizza and ice cream while watching a silly movie!
Jen@milesandblessings
Actually an ideal evening for me right now would be going for a nice walk and then vegging out in front of my computer organizing my pictures! Although that sounds like work, I would love to get it done and going through pictures would be fun. I literally have like 6 SD cards tha tare full and I need to put on Shutterfly and make books with. I just keep filling them up and buying a new one :/
Kay
Haha I love that t-shirt, too funny!
Sarah
I think my ideal night would be grilling and eatign some food outside with a glass of white wine followed by movie night in my PJs. My actual night tonight will involve hitting our local climbing gym which isn’t a bad alternative.
Running Rosa
Brooke is so adorable! I wish I could set her up with my 22 month old cutie. :)
If I had an entire night to myself, I would definitely go to the movies and watch something that was just released. And eat popcorn and licorice. And sneak in some other snacks. I never go to the movies anymore and it was something I enjoyed doing a lot when I was single. And then go to frozen yogurt after.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs
Antelope Island just looks SO beautiful!
Teresa@The Chronicles of a {Not So} Supermom
An ideal night would be in my pj’s, with pizza, tiramisu, and my Netflix! Of course, it would have to be a night when I didn’t have to set my alarm for the next morning either. Not asking for much, am I?:)
Becky @ Ok, so here's the plan
A free night? I would sneak in an after work run and then curl up with a book or movie.
Leigha @ Minougirl
I loved that book! Well, it made me sad, but it was a really good book. I am so entering this contest! Should it be a finish line photo or can it be during a race? I have lots of both :)
Stephanie
Hey ! I’ve been a fan of your blog for a while now…but this is my first time commenting ! What an amazing blog you have. (And person you are!). Good job on being positive about hard circumstances. I actually just finished reading the Elizabeth smart book — how ! It was amazing. I helped me realize my life is actually awesome and how I can react well in hard trials ! I wish we lived closer — I think we could be friends! I’m from Utah but living in Florida right now . Keep up the awesome posts !
Nancy
I didn’t read Elizabeth Smart’s book yet – but I’m interested in reading it. I get chills thinking what she went through. I’m so surprised, and happy she did make it back to her home, alive.
Kelly
My ideal evening is usually sitting on the dock of my parents’ lakehouse watching the sunset with friends and family
Preshas
Love Brooke! She is adorable and always so stylish. I also love your finish line photo contest. I’ll get mine sent in.
Tonight is one of those nights for me. Husband is gone turkey hunting… My night is going to include a nice run (3 -5 miles), then a deep tissue massage (can’t wait), then wine, popcorn and a movie on my couch! I hope I fall asleep there.
Have a great evening:)