What difference does it make?

Last Saturday I ran the dreaded 5 mile run up the grueling Sunnyside Road Hill.  I made a goal long before evening starting to train for the Marathon that I wanted to run up it in 45 Minutes or 9 Minute mile.  That doesn’t sound like much when I am training on the flats and can run 6-7 minute miles fairly easy.  It is a whole different game when you have to run up 2000′ vertical feet in 5 miles.  I thought I was going to explode my heart was beating so fast, my legs were gone (I think that is because I installed 80 yards of carpet, vinyl and a flight of stairs two days before with just a knee kicker).  It started off pretty smooth I thought it would be fine, but that hill starts steep and just gets steeper and steeper.

About 3 miles into I kept thinking any time now I will get in the groove and it will get better.  It just kept getting harder, I chose to wear my pump as well because it worked great in the marathon two weeks ago.  But I found out that the pump is only good for moderate work outs, when it is extreme the pump is the enemy.  It was a great relief and boost when Mason came and ran with me for a bit, I wish he would have ran more I needed the help.  I kept looking down at my GPS to make sure I was under the 9 minute mark, I was doing good until 3 1/2 miles into it.  I was giving my all but my legs were gone, my back was hurting me, my lungs felt like they were bleeding.  I slowed to a 9 1/2 minute mile, then to the sinful 10 minute mile.  I was out of gas, I was getting low on blood sugar so i had to tell myself the new goal is to not walk once.  I kept that goal and kept pushing myself until I pushed farther and harder than I ever remember.  This was much harder than the 26.2 miles a couple weeks ago.  I was so close to just stopping, and walking, I mean what difference does it make?  It wasn’t like I was getting paid or an award if I made my goal.

1 Mile to go now, I can see the finish line but this is the steepest part yet.  I kept thinking about what our team experienced in the marathon, when Diana lost her knee and just kept pushing through the pain.  I kept pushing her and pushing her to keep going, little did I know I would eat my words today.  1/2 mile more, I am getting light headed I can see floaters and stars in my vision, my hands are starting to shake uncontrollably.  I need Trevin and now with is IV of Glucose. 100 yards to go, I see Mason and Lex and start yelling honey, honey, get me some honey.  Jodi comes to my rescue and walks me back to the van to give me the nourishment I need from honey and juice and fruit.

So what difference does it make?  I ran harder than ever on this hill, I ended up just over 45 minutes by a matter of seconds.  What difference does it make?  It makes a big difference!  Knowing that no matter how hard it gets I can keep plowing.  My destiny calls and I go.  I do it to show my kids, I can because I try.

Comments:

Jodi said…

Man of La Diebetico strikes again in his determination to conquer the body. With you, your mind/determination will always win in the end! (Sometimes it’s good to listen to your body though- just for future reference!) 🙂
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:01:08 PM

John said…

Way to work through the pain. I am impressed. Great Job. Keep some honey in the pocket next time and the story may be even better. You are quite the brother.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 8:25:07 AM

Anne said…

Way to go! Sounds like you powered right through it! If it were me I would be running 12/13 minute miles and felt proud! Way to conquer some demons and rely on your WILLPOWER!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:11:14 PM

michelle said…

holy cow-that sounds like the monster hill. You know you are pretty much a bionic man or something. Thanks for showing that we can overcome hard things.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:22:10 PM

Stephanie said…

Monte said you were like the Bionic Man and he was right. Be careful though you only have so many moments like that before your body says no more. ‘Take it easy’
Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:28:47 PM

Magan said…

I think your ready for the Sawtooth, great analogy that is what I felt like on that mountain pass
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:36:01 PM

Carefree

Have you ever done something and thought "I really needed that," even when you had no idea that that is what you needed? Hope that makes sense? Well Saturday night that happened to me. Stephen and I decided to go on an evening bike ride and the weather couldn’t have been more lovely. As I pedaled up the hill to the temple I recognized a feeling inside of me that I haven’t felt since I was pretty much 19. I was CAREFREE. Now there’s a word you won’t see next to my name very often. It was a good feeling of freedom and peace. It really made me feel young again. I could get used to that. Wish we could bottle it up and pull it out when the details of life get in the way again. The next beautiful thing that happened that night is upon arriving home the carefree feeling lingered because guess what? The dishes were done, the floor was swept, the children were bathed and happy, and my salad was made for dinner the next day. Ahhh – just the thought of this night makes me smile!

Speaking of smiles – these beautful roses were begging me to come and cut them today. I know, I should leave them in their natural habitat, but I couldn’t resist their charm, fragrance, and beauty. The petals were layinng in perfect formation and I really can’t help myself from feeling admiration for them even still.

Sweet and Sassy

Lily is good mix of a little bit sassy with a whole lot of sweetness. Once in a while she will pull out the drama, but usually we find her being a peacemaker. She really likes to play with all of her siblings and is a good friend to them. Being in the middle benefits her to be close enough in age to both sisters and brothers. I appreciate her thoughtfulness and caring nature.  Whenever she writes notes, everyone in the family is a recipient….whenever she prays for someone in the family — the rest of the names are close to follow. She is very inclusive and careful to not have anyone feel left out.

Her sassy side gives her the spunk we love and the determination to accomplish things she thinks are difficult. We just love her.

Tractor Boy


Here he is at our friend’s house…the old heavy duty tractor is identical to the one I use to drive at my Grandpa Beattie’s house. Such Nostalgia!

We are raising another boy who is passionate about his tractors! He even talks tractors in his sleep. It is fun to see this inborn love come out without too much prompting.

Unforgettable

This picture will be worth a million words someday for me! I had the most fun watching Olivia get excited for herself and JT as she went up and down on the merry go round the first time this season. It was a priceless moment. Her smile captures her delight…I only wish I had an audio for everyone to hear her squeals of delight…I don’t need one though because it is a seared in my memory of happy thoughts.

It’s always fun for everyone….

when Grandpa and Grandma come. Whether your last name is Baldwin or Parker, if you have Grandpa or Grandma attached at the beginning you have status around here! Last week our family basked in the realms of "Hollywood" for a little star studded weekly activity.

First up, we welcomed the Baldwin Grandparents for a few days while Grandpa was here for eye surgery. Olivia and JT were a little concerned when they saw "pampa" with an eye patch looking like a pirate. We were glad that everything went smoothly with that and before we knew it, the patch was off and Grandpa was sporting some cool shades. The time went quickly and we bid farewell while we licked our spoonfulls of ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.

Next, we anticipated the return of the famous Portugal couple missionaries – Elder and Irma Parker. They arrived in Idaho Falls Saturday morning after a night delay in SLC. All kids (and their parents) were as giddy as you can imagine as they were spotted coming down the escalator. After the luggage wasn’t retreived we drove home and welcomed them back to America with a famous Parker Hot Dog roast. It was fun to watch the introductions of the new babies that have been born the last 18 months: JT, Cooper, and Simon. We hear that little Josie was in on the introductions in SLC before they flew into Idaho Falls. It was also fun to hear more about the friends we met on our visit to Portugal last fall as they reported their mission in church Sunday. More fun times are sure to come, I’m sure. There is always a party going on when you are a Parker.

You can’t put a price tag on a Grandparent’s love and devotion. It is joyful to be the parent and watch my kids idolize Grandpa and Grandma, as Grandpa and Grandma dote right back. The exchange between them all is a pleasure to behold. There is a special bond that comes with the title and every kid deserves Grandparents as amazing as both of ours!!!

Comments:

Anne said…

Yeah! So fun to see your pics at the airport! Thx for sharing! Hope you are all enjoying each other and can’t wait to see you all soon!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:04:09 PM

michelle said…

Thanks for sharing the fun pictures. Grandparents are pretty special people. I love the kids in their Portugal shirts. Zach tries to wear his every day-every once in a while I have to wash it.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:14:11 PM

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

It was really fun for us. We are so blessed with a wonderful family. Thanks for all you are doing with your family and for us too.
Saturday, July 04, 2009 6:09:55 AM

Father of my children

There isn’t much to say other than I think my children are THE luckiest kids on earth.

Okay I WILL say more…They have an amazing father who loves and adores them very much. He makes and takes time for them, teaches them with modern day parables, serves them in countless ways, works along with them as they realize the value of work, encourages them when they are feeling down, gives them an extra smile when they are sad, and is full of tenderness and compassion when they are in trouble. He supports each child in what is important to him or her. He also makes us laugh A LOT. He is pretty funny and he know how to have a good time. He also inspires us with his optimistic attitude and endless energy. He is STRONG, physically, mentally, and spiritually. He presides, protects, and provides in our home. He guides us as we aim for eternity and we want to follow him – none of us want to be without him. He is our rock.

About 15 years ago I decided to marry the man that would be the father of my children. He has built our dreams with his two hands, and given me more out of life than I could have ever hoped for. He has shown me a way to live simply and in this we’ve found what can bring true happiness. He quotes things like, "what we need is what we have". He listens to a song by Zac Brown called "Free" it says "we don’t need a lot of money all we need is LOVE." Although he provides well for us he knows that all we need in our family is a bunch of love and we are stinking billionaires when it comes to love from the Father at our house.

I am dedicating my new favorite song to him, " The Way That I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson. I am also going to add a link to the song I mentioned above…you can call it the Stephen Song. Because it is seriously HIS song. ENJOY….

Happy Father’s Day to all of the Father’s who make a difference in the lives of their children and families.


Lily tip toed in my room this morning and whispered in my ear “when are we going to make breakfast in bed for dad?” I didn’t know we were, but I hopped up and we poured him a bowl of his favorite “Life” cereal. She knew just how to show her dad she loves him!