Nerves

I have to take a step back from the books and write. Tomorrow I have my Pilates certification test. I'm sure you're thinking, "what could possibly be difficult about teaching Pilates?" It's not  super difficult, but the test is quite intense. I can see why less than 10% of the people who take the course actually go through with the certification. It's a full postural analysis in less than 10 minutes, a statement on how you will modify different exercises based on your postural findings, taking a student through the exercises while the teachers hoover, all while being videotaped. Yep, videotaped. My test video will be sent to headquarters and they will decide whether or not they agree with my teacher's grading. So my teacher might pass me and they might fail me. :) I know all the material, but my nerves are completely shot. I seriously don't think I was this nervous on my wedding day! Sad, huh? Well, back to the books. I sure hope this goes well.

Keep On Workin'

Today is an awesome day! I was just offered a teaching job at a local women-only gym. During the summer I will be substitute teaching Pilates, cardio, kickboxing and core/stability classes and will have the opportunity to take over my own classes come fall. I am excited to have this opportunity to expand my teaching; it also doesn't hurt that the pay is awesome. :) So, Monday I start my first class. Wish me luck!

Memorial Day Half Marathon Results

I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to go on a 13.1 mile run. I'm still groggy from my post-run nap so I'll try to make this post as coherent as possible. I finished the run in 2 hours 31 minutes. Not great time, but the good news is, besides some mild joint pain, I'm not sore. I think half marathons might be my new favorite distance!

Bloom

Troy and I have been doing handfuls of projects to really make this home our own. Last fall we planted 200 iris, tulip and daffodil bulbs in our front yard. Yes, I said 200. We weren't sure if all, or any, of them would make it through the harsh winter, but last week the daffodils and tulips started to bloom. Monday there were about four opened tulip buds and Tuesday there were a couple more. By today, Saturday, there are almost forty yellow, red, purple and orange flowers scattered around our yard. Success! I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will continue to bloom each year.

Birthday

That's right, boys and girls, I am now 24! Yesterday was the big day and I had an absolutely wonderful time. 

I woke up to find these flowers on the table and balloons scattered around the living room. Troy had a 7:00 am meeting, but managed to get up a little earlier to get the house in birthday  mode. If you know Troy, you know getting up super early is no small feat. :)

After teaching a class in the afternoon, I cleaned up and requested dinner at one of my favorite Indian restaurants. Yum! But I had to open my presents before we went.

Troy's cards are by far my favorite thing about birthdays or the holidays. This one is a spotted cat holding an old hearing device to his ear while playing a card game. There is also a bottle with a skull and crossbones on it. Can you guess the gift? I couldn't guess it, but he got me concert tickets to Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick! Eighties rock bands? Troy knows me WAY too well!

And the night wouldn't be complete without my favorite cookies-n-cream ice cream cake. Here is Troy singing a lovely rendition of "Happy Birthday". 

It was a fantastic day and thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. This is the third year Troy and I have spent my birthday together (where does the time go?!) and each year he somehow manages to make it better than the previous one.

Bird

It always amazes me how quickly animals pick up new habits. Since I've known him, Troy has always put bread on our bird feeder for the raccoons. Many nights you can hear the thud of the feeder against the porch rail as the animals try to get their food out. Even after a fresh snowfall, you can see their little tracks across our deck and up the railing to the bird feeder. They know we always put something out for them.

But now other animals are realizing if they hang out at the Madsen home, they'll get fed. A little over a month ago, I heard a small tap, tap, tap coming from our back deck. It was a little blue bird standing at the sliding door. I had to give it some bread, just to see if it would eat it. The tiny bird flew back a few feet, but kept watching me as I gently placed a piece of bread by the door. As soon as I had secured myself back inside, it flew forward to partake. 

Sunday morning, as I was leaving for church, my little friend was standing by the door again. I put out some bread, but this time it didn't fly away from me as I opened the door; maybe it's beginning to trust me.

I wasn't sure if I'd ever see the little bird again, but I was about to leave the house this morning when I heard it: tap, tap, tap.

It was back for more food. Troy and I had to laugh at the little blue bird begging from behind the glass. It sees us and continues to tap until I open the door. It sure has me wrapped around it's little wing. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms.

Race For The Cure 5K Results

What a great morning! The local Madsen crew got together to participate in the Race For The Cure 5K. Troy, Ted and I ran, some walked and even Troy's 93-year-old grandma finished the one mile route! Beautiful weather, great company and an awesome cause. What more could you ask for?

Shriner's 5K Results

The results from my third 5K in April finally came in! I finished the 3.1 miles in 28 minutes. My goal was to finish under 30 minutes. I must be slow if I'm proud of a 28 minute finish. :) At least I can see I'm making improvement.

May Challenge: Half Marathon

A new month has begun! Now that the beautiful Utah weather is here to stay, there seems to be a race going on everywhere I look. I decided to pick one half marathon, which I'll be running on Memorial Day. Even though I technically haven't run a half marathon before, I think 13.1 miles is a perfect longer distance run that doesn't require recovery time. I have concluded races over 16 miles are doable, but indisputably painful. I'll keep you posted!

On the topic of running, I did run my third April 5K, but the website still hasn't posted any results. Like the diabetes run, there wasn't a clock at the finish so yet again I don't know where I stand as far as time. Bummer. Maybe they will eventually post the results, but after eight days, it seems unlikely. 

Well, I'm off for a run!