LAS VEGAS MARATHON

About 15 years ago my dad and I started something...and yesterday, I finished it. I ran my first full marathon in Las Vegas, NV on Sunday, December 5th 2010 in approximately 4 hours and 28 minutes. I was told this one might be a difficult one for a beginner but it seemed only appropriate since it's the one my dad and I were training for so many years ago. And it was hard, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.
The marathon itself lived up to every expectation I might have ever had about a marathon. It was exciting, exhilarating, inspirational, fun...and it was also the exact opposite of all those things. It was exhausting, long, strenuous, brutal, down right miserable at times and also painful...mentally, physically and emotionally painful. I finished it feeling satisfied and fulfilled. I am so very grateful that I took the time to train and prepare for the entire 18 weeks, and I was not left wanting at the end. I have never been so happy to be done with something and so happy that I did it at the same time.
There was no better feeling than to run down to the finish line and see my mom, dad, husband Austin, Amanda, Gina and her friend Nicole there cheering me on. It made it all worth it when my dad gave me an embrace that no one could ever put a price on. Words cannot describe what I felt and how I still feel.
There were 30,000 runners. It was an incredible sight. I remember when the 1/2 marathoners split off from us and were almost done...it was sooooo tempting just to hop over to their side and just be finished, ha ha ha. I'm so glad I stuck with it, even if half the marathon was up hill!! The first half of the marathon was on the strip where I ran alongside the likes of hundreds of Elvis's, santa clauses, one Axel Rose and many others dressed up in fun outfits. There was live music and high school cheerleaders playing alongside the entire marathon. I am eternally grateful to all the volunteers and spectators who handed out energy gu, drinks, water and encouragement the entire way. I have no idea what might have been registering on my face those last 3 miles, but everyone made a point of looking right at me and telling me to keep going.
I was emotional at the end and I'm emotional now just writing about it. Like I said before, words can't begin to describe the array of emotions that I felt the entire way through and at the end. I really feel like I accomplished something for me and my dad. I'm so glad he was there and got to see it. It's incredible what we can accomplish if we set our minds to it, make a plan and take the time to prepare.
Thanks again to my family who could be there and the love and support from those who had to stay home. LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Me and Austin in front of Caesar's Palace

My dad and Alyssa, poor thing was sick the whole time.

All of us at Serendipity's. The frozen hot chocolate was amazing!!!

My family is incredible. They all wore "Team Lady Lux" shirts at the race. Aren't they clever!

My dad and Austin sporting their shirts

They even made one for me

My dad and I...I look a mess because I just ran 26.2 miles and had been crying too. :)

Almost to the finish line!

BIRTHDAY WEEK!!

You heard me right, I said birthday week! I figured out when I was a kid how to manipulate the system and make sure I got the most out of my birthday. I used my birthday as an excuse all week long to get out of chores, get extra attention, treats, presents and money...30 years later and not much has changed.
Austin was out of town for my birthday week so I thought it might be somewhat uneventful this year...I was wrong, thank goodness. It started Monday when the cutest family down the street invited me over to have family night with them. Austin was gone so I figured it would be a good way to spend my evening. When I walked in to the house, Melanie (the mom) led me into their kitchen where they had decorated for me and the whole family sang happy birthday. I felt like a princess when they handed me a crown and a head band that read "It's your birthday". We had a great message, played games and ate the yummiest birthday cake. Thank you Lundbergs for giving me a great kick-off to my birthday week!! Love you guys! Then on Tuesday I went boating with my friends Tony and Sara...what better way to spend a day of my birthday week? It was awesome! On Wednesday (my actual birthday) I got spoiled by my co-workers and my two sisters showed up at work with my nieces and nephew, some flowers and gift cards. I got a little emotional at that. The kids were so dang cute and I love my sisters so much...that night we all had dinner at Gina's house. On Thursday, my besties Michelle and Cassie took me out to eat at Cafe Rio and gave me a gift card to Forever 21, holla!!! Then on Friday, Austin came home...no better way to end my birthday week. We went to Tucano's and pigged out because there is no other way to eat at Tucano's. All in all, it was very memorable. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes, thoughts, treats, gifts and loves!

4th of July at Starvation

We headed to Starvation Reservoir for the long 4th of July weekend with all our besties!! It was windy but sunny the first day, so once again we surfed a lot!! We are becoming pro's on the surfboard and we all tried to land 360's. I am confident we will all be doing 360's on the surfboard by the end of summer...Austin got it on the last day there!!! Woo hoo! I hate him, he's good at everything, haha! Love him ;) We were on the water as much as possible the first day and surfed well after dark...definitely top 5 surfing trips for sure! We had such great company and loved spending time with our friends.

I always have to get a picture right away while we all look fresh, haha.

Austin looking good as ever

Not the best wave of the day but surfing well nonetheless.

Everyone hanging on the boat while Austin surfs

Ummmm, we got stuck in the mud and the boys had to push us out. One of those moments you're glad you're a girl and can sit and watch. :)

The second day the weather changed drastically but we are DIE HARDS and determined to make the most of anything, we had a great time even though it was less than perfect.

Of course it cleared up later in the day and we all went out again. The shirt says it all!

Mmmmmmwuah!

The kids showing off their dancing skills

The big girls showing off their dancing skills!! LOL!

Me, Cassie and Michelle

Haha, Cassie felt like the statue of liberty in that dress so we took a pic. She looks so cute!

Sage all bundled up

ECLIPSE baby!!! We did it again!

We rented a theater again for the 3rd Twilight movie "Eclipse". But, not just any regular private showing, we had the opportunity to host a pre-screen of the movie. It was awesome!!!! We were one of a handful of private screenings that were able to see the movie a whole day early. We were the envy of everyone and of course filled the theater with all our friends. We gave out tons of prizes and really had a great time, as always. The movie was by far the best one yet in the series and the whole experience rocked! My policy lately is...if you're going to do something, do it right and experience all that life has to offer. My sister Gina, my mom and I all worked so hard and I feel like we really pulled off an amazing event. Gina and her friends made eclipse sugar cookies for everyone in the whole theater and Gina and my mom put together a fabulous after party.

The marquee in front of our theater read: Welcome guests of Rachel Lux. It was AWESOME! ha!

We had tons of food and desserts at the after-party thanks to Gina, my mom, me and tons of friends. We were able to use our neighbors fabulous back yard and everything couldn't have been more perfect.

I mean, really, we're practically famous now, we just are the best event planners ever!!!

Friends hanging out and socializing

Me, Sarah, Andrea, Brei

Some of my besties from high school came and I had so much fun hanging with them. No matter how long it goes, when we get together it's like we were never apart. Love them.


Gina and a bunch of her pals hanging out at the after party. She has such a fun group of friends.

Yuba!

*1/2 Marathon Results Update*

My official 1/2 marathon time was 1 hour 59 minutes and 26 seconds. I finished 243rd out of 1000+ people. I was 98th out of 592 girls. Yay me!!

My First Half Marathon

When I was a teenager, my dad and I shared a love for running. It was so fun that we had that in common. We started training to run in a marathon at one point, but it wasn't meant to be. I was badly injured in a hiking accident that had me on crutches for several weeks and my dad had what would become the first of many "scary"skin cancer spots removed from the side of his face. We both recovered, but for whatever reason were unable to ever motivate ourselves to resume training for a different marathon...now one of the biggest regrets of my life. Fast forward to present day and my dad is now battling two types of cancer and chronic back pain which prevent him from doing his most favorite things. My whole life my dad has sacrificed for our family...sacrificed beyond what I can even comprehend. He went to great lengths to make sure that we always had enough...more than enough, and that we could always stay together as a family. He truly is my hero. I've been so caught up in my own woes lately that I have forgotten to just live my life and be happy. Life is so short, SO SHORT!
About a month and a half ago, I decided to stop worrying so much about what I don't have and start making the most out of what I do have...my health! I don't know what it is, but I have decided I need to do things I've always wanted to. Two friends of mine at work were signed up for the Utah Valley Half Marathon and I thought it would be a great way to start getting in shape for a full marathon. In the last month and a half I have accomplished things I never thought I could and pushed my limits further than I thought I ever would. Today, I ran my first half marathon faster than I had planned. I couldn't help but think of my dad and wish he were there with me. THIS ONE'S FOR YOU DAD!!! Maybe I can convince him to be there at the finish for my first marathon. :)Me, Jessica and Kristen at Brick Oven the night before the race "carb loading" Don't know if that was the greatest idea, but it sure was yummy!


Our morning started at 3:00 am. I woke up and contemplated staying in my warm bed, as I could hear the rain pounding on the roof. We met up at Provo Towne Center mall at 4:00 am where the buses took us up to the starting line, just above Vivian Park in Provo canyon. It was dark, cold and drizzly but our nerves and adrenaline kept us going until the race started at 5:45 am.
What a beautiful and amazing run! The canyon was extra green and lush due to all the rain we have had lately. It seemed like all the smells and scenery were exponentially increased, but maybe it was just my high from running my first 1/2 marathon. I couldn't help but smile most the way due in part to the fabulous music mix I put together, the wonderful people both running and volunteering, and the great pace I had set for myself. I shed my jacket at about mile 2 and the cool weather couldn't have been more perfect for running 13.1 miles. When I made it out of the canyon (about half way through the course) I even started to get a little emotional at all the people there cheering us on. Perfect strangers (who were there for their friends and family) made a point of cheering and clapping for the rest of us too. I was more overwhelmed then I thought I would be at just how fast the whole thing seemed to be going. At mile 12 I had where we would be finishing in sight and I almost felt sad...almost. What a thrill. I rounded the corner nearing the end and for just that one moment, everyone was cheering for me, all was right with the world and my life was perfect. Then I crossed the finish line. I did it! I was hoping to finish in 2 hours and 10 minutes, but crossed at almost exactly 2 hours flat. Jessica, who is 11 weeks pregnant, finished just behind me at 2 hours 9 minutes and Kristen, who has stress fractures caused by all the training, finished not too far off at 2 hours 41 minutes. Way to go girls!!!

Jessica at the finish line

Me and Jess sporting our medals.

My number and medal

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

So, here's typically how things work at the Lux household...

*two weeks before Memorial Day*

Me: "Austin, I took 4 days off for Memorial Day. Sara and Tony are going to Sand Hollow and I think it would be really fun to go too."

Austin: "We'll see. Let's sit down in a couple of days and plan it out."

Me: "Okay."

*1 week before Memorial Day*

Me: "Hey Austin, I really want to plan something for Memorial Day weekend. Remember I took 4 days off and I would love to get out of town. Let's call Tony and Sara and see what the plan is for Sand Hollow. I think that would be perfect."

Austin: "Okay, we'll see. I'll try to talk to Tony and see what the plan is."

*5 days before Memorial Day weekend*

Me: "So, are we going to do something for Memorial Day weekend? Or just stay around here. Because I might as well work if we're sticking around."

Austin: *no reply, working on computer.*

Me: *throwing my hands up in exasperration*

*2 days till Memorial Day Weekend*

Austin: "Hey Rachel, Tony and Sara are going to Sand Hollow this weekend, I think we should go."

Me: "What a great idea." *rolling my eyes*

Even though I seem to be invisible, (Austin calls it "selective hearing") Austin came through and planned out a really fun weekend. We ended up driving down with our friends Ross, Trish and baby Cole. We stopped at Zion's Natl. Park on the way down and hiked around until it got dark. Then, we stayed in St George and went to Sand Hollow with Tony Sara on Saturday. We had so much fun and soaked up plenty of sun. We headed down to Las Vegas for Sunday where we went to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay and hit the Criss Angel show that night. P.S. Don't bother with Criss Angel's show, it was disappointing to say the least. All in all it was a fabulous weekend!