I love soccer! It’s a blast to play and it’s one of the few sports I actually enjoy watching. But despite my interest in this activity, I had never been to a Real Salt Lake game until this season. Jason’s brother, Jeremy, and his wife, Kara, invited us to attend a few games with them this summer. Since I’ve wanted to check out our local MLS team for some time, Jason and I gladly accepted.
Here I am with my brother-in-law. Members of Jason's family are obviously prone to fits of idiocy whenever they spot a camera.
Although we’ve only gone to a handful of games, we’ve already become Real freaks, as is apparent by our abundance of team paraphernalia: jerseys, scarves, jackets…oh yes, and a monstrous flag.
It’s been great enjoying a few perfect summer evenings with 20,000 drum playing, catcalling, flag waving, screaming soccer fanatics. Bring on the raging fans and go Real!
I know there are many that view birthdays as a nuisance, unavoidable reminders that we are constantly growing older and inching toward senility at a steady rate. While I acknowledge that I too am aging every day, I don’t see the point in mourning the inevitable. That’s why I choose to see birthdays as a celebration of life rather than just another step toward the grave.
The amazing cake my friend Robyn madeBig Max getting a few wallyball pointersMy sister-in-law Simone chilling
Since Jason shares my take on birthdays and my enthusiasm for revelry, that sweet boy planned a splendid birthday party in my honor. The festivities were held at My Noah’s, a business that rents rooms for such activities. Jason rented two rooms: a wallyball court and a combo ping pong/billiards room. These rooms were connected, making meandering easy. It was a great party! I enjoyed hanging with all my buddies and challenging them to wallyball and ping pong. (I’m far too horrible at pool to represent even a meager challenge in that department.) The wallyball competition was fierce, my swollen wrist and hand can attest to that, but I had a marvelous time. Thanks to all of you who attended and thanks to my awesome husband for scheming up the event!
The Reeds catching some pongGreg the paddle kingCindy and Wee Tom and Aimee
It was a great way to commemorate another year of life! After all, I may be one more year older but it was a year full of grand adventures, good friends, and joyous memories; so what do I have to complain about?
Me and JasSome of the boys...no that's not a chubby girl on the end, that's my brother with some sort of fancy baby pouch.Me and Robyn with the fantastic cake she made
Saturday marked ten months out from my ankle surgery and I celebrated by running in my first race since the procedure. Although this race was just a local 5K, I am still excited to say that my ankle performed beautifully. I had no ankle pain during the event and very little swelling afterwards.
Jeremy, Jason's brother, ran this race with us. It was his first race ever. Way to go Jer!
I tried playing outdoor soccer a few weeks ago for the first time since the slice-n-dice and my ankle did not fare as well. Running on the field’s uneven ground caused considerable pain and I was swollen and stiff for days. I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised since this activity was what caused my injury in the first place but I was hoping that jumping back into soccer would be a nearly pain free experience at this point. After my disappointing soccer restart I was thrilled that I did not have similar frustrations from running the 5K.
Although my ankle behaved like a pro during the race, my good foot had some objections. It still needs some help adjusting to its new lifestyle. It doesn’t tolerate the orthotics I am now required to wear very well. It fell asleep during the event, something it does periodically when I go running. This made me feel like I was dragging a lead block, instead of a minuscule foot, for the last two miles of the race. I’m going to have to figure out a way to make righty a little happier with his orthotic buddy. But even with that slight foot malfunction, I was extremely pleased with my body’s cooperation in general. I’m so glad that my ankle has decided that running is an acceptable activity.
Our ragtag group at the finish line
My ankle’s running tolerance has spurred a new plan of madness. I am in the process of trying to organize a team to run the Red Rock Relay in September. This 181 mile, 24 hour, relay race runs through some of the prettiest country in Utah. It starts in Cedar Breaks, goes through Zions National Park, and ends up in St. George just outside of Snow Canyon. Gorgeous! While I realize this relay falls into the “crazy Rachel plan” category, I am quite enamored at the prospect of it. I hope I can get a team sorted out. By the way, if any of you friends feel up to a little insanity let me know; I’d love to have you on my crew. Let the lunacy begin!
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