about this summer annnnd running

So. Waaaay back in March I started feeling pain in my left ankle after I ran. It wasn't anything super severe, just a little twinge of discomfort. For a couple weeks I just chalked it up to the normal aches and pains that go along with the sport, but when it wasn't getting better I asked my running coach at the time what he recommended and he suggested ice. I was diligent for a while, but when it wasn't helping I got lazy about it. For a while the pain remained just a minor annoyance that didn't seem to be getting any worse. Until it did. When I noticed the pain was getting progressively worse I decided to make an appointment with a physical therapist. They listened to my complaints, took a look at things, and then told me I probably just had shin splints. I left that appointment feeling so frustrated. I knew that the pain I was feeling was definitely not shin splints, but, because the first doctors visit was useless, I further ignored the pain and didn't go back for additional appointments. I was in the throes of training for a half-marathon and for the most part the pain was only there after I ran, not during. (amazing what adrenaline will do for you!)

One Friday morning though, I woke up and the pain in my ankle was so bad I was limping up and down stairs, and I could barely put any weight on it without wanting to cry. I knew I couldn't keep ignoring the problem when I was left limping from one run to the next. I called an orthopedic specialist and they were able to get me in that morning to see someone. I went in, got some X-rays taken, and then the doctor told me the news I had been avoiding--a stress fracture, and no more running for at least 6 weeks. I left the appointment in a boot and called Scott crying. I was only 4 weeks out from my half which meant the race was out of the picture unless I wanted to take a serious gamble and possibly put me out of commission even longer than the fracture would. I'd had high hopes for the race, I felt strong in my training for the most part, had worked hard not to miss a training run, and the race I was signed up for was known to be one of the best races in Minnesota--right along the north shore of Lake Superior. I had been lucky enough to get in through the lottery system and with us planning to move back to Utah at the end of the summer I didn't know when I would have another opportunity to race in the state I had grown to love so much in the past year. I seriously debated just running through the pain. I figured if I had run the last 2 months in pain, what would another 4 weeks do? I emailed my coach again this time for his opinion. I felt like such a baby. I had seriously just run 8 miles (fast, pace miles) the night before, and now I was in a boot?! My coach told me to listen to my doctor though (thank goodness for good advice) and reminded me that there are always going to be more races.

A week later the MRI confirmed what the doctor had suspected, a stress fracture. I was told to stay in the boot they had given me for 6 weeks, and then we would reassess where I was at in the healing process. As soon as I was able to walk around on my own we would start physical therapy and analyze my form to figure out what had caused the issue so I could prevent it in the future. I was happy to finally have a real answer to what was causing all the pain, and I was excited to get some professional help on my form, but I was still extremely disappointed I was going to miss my race.

Being injured turned out to be much more difficult than I thought. It wasn't just that I couldn't run, I couldn't do anything that bore weight on my ankle. That meant no elliptical, not spinning, plyometrics were out. Essentially I was banished to the pool, and as a former collegiate level swimmer, swimming in a 5 ft deep, warm water pool was miserable to me (I also discovered public pool access in Minnesota is surprisingly limited). I had difficulty sleeping at night because I let working out fall to the wayside, and even when I did workout I wasn't able to push myself as hard as I wanted to.

I spent the summer feeling sorry for myself. I was gaining weight, I wasn't able to spend time enjoying the most beautiful time of year outside in Minnesota (during our last couple months there), despite my diligence in taking calcium and vitamin D supplements and wearing my boot everywhere I went, my ankle was taking abnormally long to heal, and I was mad. When I was finally able to start running again, I tried to take everything they told me in physical therapy and apply it all at once, with the expectation of perfect form right off the bat. Needless to say that wasn't the best idea, so even after I got back into running I was mad about the fitness I had lost and all the work I still had ahead of me, along with the fact that I was missing my trails back in MN (seriously, I was SO spoiled out there).

Finally, the other night, I don't know what hit me, but I decided was fed up with my pouting. Feeling sorry for myself was not only getting me nowhere, it was moving me backwards from where I wanted to be, and I had wasted 4 whole months doing it. So, I grabbed my headphones and my shoes, and pounded out all my frustrations in the longest run I've done in months. It was exactly what I needed to realize why I do this. I love to run, and workout in general, because there is nothing in the world that boosts my self esteem more. Second, it makes me appreciate my body instead of being hypercritical of it, third (and this mainly relates to running) it lets me get out and see the world in a way that I just wouldn't otherwise. Exploring new places by foot is the best way to do it in my opinion. I could obviously go on about all the benefits of exercise, but thats what drives me, and I guess I lost sight of that for a while, and that makes me a little disappointed, but I'm glad to be back! I don't know when my next race will be, though I miss training for a race something fierce, but I've got some other things I want to focus on strength-wise for a little bit to help fix my goofy form. You know when you hear yourself on a video recording and think...

Yeah, that's how it was when I saw myself run

But I'm back! And glad to be here! And if you made it through this whole post you are a superstar!

Photo dump and life update

Well, it certainly has been a while since I've posted an update around these parts. So, lets take a journey through the last couple months with the Henrie's, shall we?

First, I finished my internship in March! After 9 months of work as a dietetic intern all throughout the twin cities I wrapped things up. I am so glad that I was lucky enough to get an internship. Working at all of my rotations here in Minnesota has been such a fun experience. In celebration of completing another big hurdle towards earning my RD, Scott and I celebrated the best way that we know how, going out to eat, obviously.

Also that meal was extreeeeeemely delish

And oh yeah, I guess I'm like, a bonafide runner now. In March, I ran my second Half-Marathon, the Get Lucky Half in St. Paul. I trained through the winter for it, which is probably one of the more badass things I've done (so no, I'm not very badass). My first half-marathon was the week before my wedding. Me and Scott "trained" for it "together". And by "trained", I mean maybe hitting 3 runs a week, and by "together" I mean Scott decided he hates distance running about halfway through the training cycle. Needless to say, it was a pretty painful 13.1, and afterward I pretty much vowed that would never happen again. Fast forward a year and a half and I did it again. Well, the racing part, not the horrible training part. My only goal for the race was to just run comfortable and feel good at the end, which panned out really well for me! Obviously training consistently made all the difference, but I finished with a 9 minute PR and way under my goal time. It was a good day. Next big race is Grandma's Half up in Duluth in June. This is one of the biggest races in Minnesota and is supposed to be a beautiful course (it runs right along Lake Superior). I am so excited I get to run it!

In April I went to visit Ali in Texas for one last hurrah before little Figglet was born. It was my first time ever to Texas and having a solid week of one-on-one time with my BFF was the best. We cooked all the things that our husbands don't like to eat that we love, shopped (HI, did you know Lululemon outlets EXIST?!) binge listened to Serial, went to a drive-thru Safari (most hilarious and entertaining thing ever), did the Alamo, and visited the Riverwalk in San Antonio (which, for the record, is every bit as cool as people say it is). Since her baby arrived only 2 weeks later, it really could not have been timed more perfectly.

just hanging out with Lil' Sebastian at the Safari

After Texas I finally decided to buckle down and start studying for my RD exam. It is the most terrifying monster that they prep you for all throughout your undergrad and internship. Studying for it was overwhelming. Fortunately, Libby and I scheduled our exam for the same day because we are soul mates, and for the last couple weeks leading up to the exam we had daily face time study sessions. Those sessions SAVED ME. After Libby and I both postponed the exam and then unintentionally rescheduled it for the same day AGAIN, we took it on Wednesday and PASSED! For the record, basically everything that people say about the test is totally true. It was crazy hard, I walked out legitimately thinking that I had failed, and was fully prepared when they printed out my results to hit the books for another 6 weeks. I was so excited when I looked at my paper and saw "Congratulations!" that it took a few tries to open my locker because I was shaking so bad and couldn't get the key in the hole! I almost started crying I was so happy and relieved that I was able to pass on the first try (I am notorious for letting multiple choice exams get the best of me) and finally accomplish what I have been working toward over the last 6 years. Just call me Dietitian Allie (okay, but really don't).

A few weeks ago, Scott and I took a quick trip up to the Brule River in Wisconsin for a little camping adventure. Scott had been up there fishing before with some friends of his and had fallen in love. The Brule River is on the south shore of Lake Superior, and both Scott and I really just love going up there. For me, it's not a bad substitute for an ocean, and it is getting so crazy green out here, there are heart eye emojis running rampant. I rarely get quality time with Scott where he isn't getting ready for bed. These little mini-vacations that we do are one of my favorite things.

Right now, Minnesota is full of little baby goslings and ducks. We fall asleep to the sound of the frogs croaking in the little pond out back at night. The humidity hasn't hit us yet and the warm days are in the 70s. Every time I go anywhere I am amazed at how green everything is here. These are the months that people out here LIVE for. Everyone (and their dog, because everyone has one) is outside any chance they get. The world is literally coming back to life after a long and stupid-cold winter. I want everyone to come out to Minnesota right now and visit and see how great it is and fall in love with it like I have. So if you're reading this, consider yourself invited for a week in Minnesota with us.

That was tonight's sunset off the back porch. NO FILTER. The proof is in the pudding people! Now come visit!  We've got access to a boat ;)

29 things I hope I never forget about my wedding day

I can't even count how many people told us that our wedding day was going to fly by and that we wouldn't remember half of it. I remember trying to solidify every little moment in my brain so I would be able to constantly return to that feeling of delirious happiness. Inspired by this post and in honor of Valentines Day, I thought I'd share some things I hope that I never forget about my wedding day.

1. Seeing Ali for the first time in 2 months and getting the most excited, sincere, best friend hug you could ever imagine. She had just gotten married only 2 months before and was living in Georgia at the time. She had flew out of for back to back weddings that weekend, mine first, and her sisters the next day. It meant to world to me to have her there to celebrate such an important day.

2. Having some of my moms closest friends, and my old young women leaders completely take over a cake disaster. They took it to the kitchen, worked their magic (both in the catering business) and wouldn't let me see it until all was back in tact. I didn't even have a chance to panic about it. It was just one of those moments when you realize your mom friends are now your friends, too, and I'm not the obnoxious teenager we know caused them too many headaches once upon a time

3. Seeing Becky at our luncheon and being welcomed with the biggest hug and greeting, "my new sister!!!!"

4. My brother Mike, sharing at our luncheon the connection we've had as siblings ever since high school, and how I've always been one of his best friends. I still tear up thinking about it.

5. Scott's oldest brother Jason tearing up as he imagined his own daughter one day getting married, and then expressing that he thought Scott had finally found "the one"

6. My Dad, sharing how loyal and tenacious he thinks I am, and how those qualities will serve me well in marriage. He reflected back on the highlights of my swimming years, where those qualities really became ingrained in me. I remember how much his support meant to me during that time, and then seeing it transfer into the more important things in life (college, work, dating) has been one of the most meaningful things.

7. Scott's grandma coming up after seeing our wedding formals in a slideshow and asking if they were pictures from a ball we had attended, we really threw her for a loop with our non-traditional ways!

8. Accidentally blasting the speakers with our slide show and sending our little niece Rachel into hysterics.

9. Sitting with Scott right beforehand holding hands, both of us itching with anticipation and excitement

10. Walking into the sealing room and making eye contact with Ali, who immediately started crying tears of joy.

11. Staring at Scott  from across the alter and and feeling like I was going to burst with laughter from happiness and excitement. I remember thinking "this is the coolest thing ever!". I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

12. Afterward, getting a hug from Jayme, the only kind of hug someone who has been your friend for 13+ years can give. Who has been through every awkward phase and teenage drama with you and loved you though it all. There were instant tears at that point as well.

13. Taking a final moment alone with my mom in the Brides room before leaving the temple. It was like everything was in slow motion as I let her tie my sash, and make sure everything was straightened and in perfect order. I remember wanting to savour every tiny detail of that moment.

14. Sitting at the vanity in the Brides room at the temple putting final touches on my makeup, it's easily one of the most feminine memories I have of myself.

15. Being able to take the traditional picture with my closest high school girlfriends. Each of us has this picture of all of us together on each of our wedding days. It's still one of my favorite photos from that day.

16. After pictures at the temple, driving away in Scotts truck and saying to each other over and over "we're married!!"

17. Stopping at the gas station, him in his suit and me in my dress, just so Scott could get a coke.

18. Sitting at our reception center before everyone else arrived. My family had run to grab some peaches, Scotts family had run home to relax, and my friends had ran to grab lunch. I so cherish those moments I was able to share alone with Scott on our wedding day. It really set the tone for the rest of the evening and let us relax and be happy. I know so many people don't get that time with their spouse on their wedding day and we both knew how lucky we were to get it.

19. About halfway through our first dance, Scott and I saying to each other, "I never thought this song was so long!"

20. Having Matt there to support Scott as his best man, and being grateful for good friends for both of us.

21. Watching Scotts mom dance with my new nieces and nephews around the dance floor

22. After nobody catching my bouquet, watching Korry's daughter Brooklyn slowly creep up and claim it as hers.

23. Being showered with confetti as we left for the night, and trying hard as I could to capture the joy and love I felt in that final moment with the people I most loved on the happiest day of my life.

24. Stopping at Scotts parents house before getting on the road to clean our car off all the unmentionables that our dear friends had gifted us with.

25. Jamming to Ke$ha, per Scott's request (obviously) the whole ride to our hotel. There was probably some Beyoncè thrown in there somewhere as well.

26. Getting the most sincere and kind text from Karlie, congratulating us on our wedding, expressing how beautiful our day was, and how she hoped to find love like ours one day. It was one of the nicest things anyone ever said about my wedding.

27. Opening our "honeymoon basket" from Jayme, full of inside jokes from high school

28. Checking into our hotel only to find they had upgraded us to a private suite, as a special wedding gift

29. And then, checking into our room and running around like kids in a candy store, counting fireplaces and TVs, inspecting every cool feature just because that's what poor college newlyweds are entitled to do, right?

the very first formal picture we ever took together

Happy Valentines Day Scott! I'm sure glad I married you.

what i've learned from Minnesota so far...10 things

Before my parents moved to Minnesota a couple years ago, the midwest was not even on my radar. Besides a brief two years in Virginia when I was really young, and my Freshman year of college at Missouri State, I have been a west coast dweller for most of my life. I had come out here a couple times before to visit my parents with my family, but it wasn't until Scott and I moved here last June that we really began to get a feel for midwest living in all of its glory (and it is glorious!) I have seriously loved being out here, despite some bone chilling days, and much more humidity than I am used to. But being out here has also exposed me to a thing or two you just don't really get until you live here. This is my list of things that I've learned since moving to Minnesota (with a few random photos placed throughout because what is a blog post without photos.)

1. The accents are no joke- I first noticed this when I was setting up my internship and would get phone calls asking for AY-lee instead of aaaaa-llie (short A). It is hilarious! All the ya, you betchas, dotcha knows, it is real folks, it is so real. Also, totally acceptable to pronounce bagel (BAY-gull) like BAG-ull or BAY-jel. I still laugh at it.

2. Cold takes on a whole new meaning here- Being an Alaska girl and going to college in Utah, I'm not a stranger to snow and ice and long winters, but you get to -20 out here and people don't even bat an eye. Just make sure you're armed with gobs of heavy duty lotion, and invest in a good pair of boots and winter coat (preferably knee length) and you can take on the world. Fashion goes out the window come January and all the matters is staying warm by whatever means possible. Try dressing for church when it's -30 out without looking amish. It isn't possible.

3. That being said, when we get a 20 or 30 degree front (which has been going on the last couple of weeks) it feels like paradise!!- Everyone talks about how warm it is, and you think that if it felt this way all year you would be totally okay with it.  It's funny how your body gets used to different climates.

4. St. Paul and Minneapolis are NOT. THE. SAME. THING.- I remember before moving out here just grouping the twin cities into one city. Like, yeah they're St. Paul and Minneapolis "technically" but really they're just the twin cities. Mistake. I quickly learned that people here have very strong preferences toward one city or the other, and they definitely have their own unique vibe. In case you're wondering, Minneapolis is more metro, fast paced, city vibe, and St. Paul is the low key, trendy, slightly high maintenence vibe. Jury is still out on which one I prefer.

5. Car washes are everything- When I told my preceptor about 3 weeks ago that (confession) I didn't think I had washed my car since before we moved out here (it hides dirt well...!) she was in literal shock. I have washed it since then, okay. But her disbelief was reasonably founded. When they salt here in the winter time they mean business. And it is totally normal to have to wait 20 minutes to get a car wash. You should see the lines on the weekends, like 10 cars lined up. And I timed it, a car wash takes 7 minutes. You do the math.

6. Casseroles aren't casseroles, they're "hot dish"- and they are the life blood of people here, the foundation of their food pyramid, if you will. (i'll have to share the recipe for the "hot dish" pictured above, it passes my health test and husbands taste test)

7. Dinner and supper are not interchangeable- You learn this one quick when you're a dietetic intern and your first rotation is in a weight loss clinic. And for all my west coast friends, our dinner is their supper. People would get confused when I asked what they had for dinner..."don't you mean supper?"...uhh yep, supper. I still haven't gotten used to this one.

8. It doesn't matter where you live in the metro area, you can get to where you need to be in 35 minutes or less- The only caveat to this is during rush hour, of course. This strange phenomenon is both a blessing and a curse. It has become a fun game for me and Scott every time we go somewhere new, we guess how long it is going to take us to get there. It doesn't matter if its in the center of St. Paul or the far west end of Minneapolis, it is between the 25-35 minute window 95% of the time.

9. Confrontation doesn't happen- If you watched How I Met Your Mother you know that Marshall joked about this a few times, and yeah, it's true. People hate and will avoid having a confrontation even if it means going home from work early to do so. But this is probably only because of number 10...

10. People here are really really super nice- I noticed it my first time ever visiting, and especially now living out here. People are friendly, inviting, and so geniune. Midwest hospitality is not a joke.

We have loved learning the culture of this new city and feel like we fit in well with everyone, even if we don't talk like them (yet!). I totally get it when people say that this place sucks you in because it is definitely doing it to me. I'm so glad this unexpected place popped up on our radar.

Christmas in Utah!

A couple weeks ago I took a break from my internship and Scott was lucky enough to get time off of his work during the holidays and we made it back to Utah for Christmas!

We were only in Utah for 9 days including travel days so everything was a whirlwhind from touch down to take off. There was more than one quick 10 minute stop to say hi on our way from one place to another, sometimes that was the best we could do! We had such a great time seeing everyone though. It was really good to spend time with our families again and see all of our nieces and nephews who (i'm going to be a super clichè aunt right now) have grown SO much in so little time! We love having so many nieces and nephews and being the cool aunt and uncle right now.

We arrived on Saturday and had a big family party with the Henrie family that night. After all the kidlets exchanged gifts all us siblings got together and played cards, which is one of my favorite Henrie traditions. We play cards and bet with nickels, so we all have our little (okay, maybe they aren't that little...) jars of nickels that we bring and bet with. It's fun and a guilt free way to "gamble". We had a couple really excellent card game sessions over the week, and I have to say thanks to my mother-in-law for providing our nickel bowl because forgot to bring ours out!

We celebrated Christmas with my family on the 23rd since my brother and his wife were spending Christmas up in Rexburg. This year, my family decided to take on a project to bring the focus of the season back toward Christ and service. On Monday night, we all went to Old Navy and bought a bunch of warm clothes & coats and then on Tuesday we went to a women's shelter to make the delivery. It was so rewarding to know that we were helping people who really needed it, that is what the holidays are truly about! While we were dropping off clothes at the shelter, there was a homeless man outside who was asking people for money. Scott offered to buy the guy a meal at a bakery next door, and the guy just had a heyday, he was so excited! Scott told him he could get whatever he wanted, and he was a little timid at first, but ended up getting a sandwich fully loaded with all the toppings, a cinnamon roll, and a drink. The owners of the bakery saw what Scott did and gave both Scott and the homeless man a bag of rolls for free. I just know Scott must have made that guys day #proudwife. It's times like those where you realize you definitely married the right man (insert heart eye emoji here.)

We also went to temple square with my family, always a "must do" if you're in Utah.

^^^ The nativities are my favorite part of the lights on Temple Square! They are so cool to look at & it's WAY less crowded over there. They are a hidden gem :)^^^

Christmas this year was honestly the most perfect you could imagine. We went to bed on Christmas eve with not a flake of snow on the ground, and while we were sleeping, Utah pulled out all the stops and we woke up to this (see below)

hello white Christmas! It was perfect.

I surprised Scott (major) by getting him a fly rod he has been DYING for, and he surprised me with an absolutely killer new running jacket that has already made my winter runs so much more enjoyable. I love seeing the look on his face opening up surprises, it'll never get old. Later that morning my sister-in-law and I went on a run. One of my favorite things about my sisters-in-law is that they love to work out as much as I do! It's so nice when we go on family trips together to have workout/running buddies, they keep me in line and I love them for it ;)

The rest of the break we spent connecting with friends. I was able to see my bff Ali and we sat in Kneaders for something like 3 hours talking about life and planning for her future bebe (!!!!!!) and we were able to get together with my old study buddies and their husbands for a night of Contention (seriously most entertaining card game ever, no gambling involved ;).

We were so grateful that we were able to make it out for the holiday and connect with so many people that we haven't seen in a while. It was nice to have time with each other as well without the distraction of work & my internship. Now we're back in this icebox that is Minnesota right now and dreaming of our next vacation. Hawaii?! Belize?! Brazil?! Take me somewhere exotic and warm...

2014 was such an amazing year for us. I graduated college, we were able to travel to Vegas, California, and Jackson, WY. We moved to Minnesota, I started my internship, Scott was able to take a fishing trip with his brothers and Dad, we celebrated our first anniversary, went to our first NFL game together and were treated like kings at a Twins game. We have been so lucky and so spoiled this year and we try not to forget it! We are so excited for what 2015 has in store, cheers to a new year!

Anniversary Photo Shoot

Forewarning: It's posts like these that make me realize how completely self-indulgent blogging can be at times. You've just got to embrace this, though.

A couple months ago Scott and I had pictures done for our anniversary/Christmas cards. One of the things I always wished was that my parents had more picture from before they had kids. So, I have made a point to document mine and Scott's lives right now. If ever Scott gets sick of all the photo shoots and pictures I make him endure, I just assure him that it is all in the name of posterity :)

Amanda Nippoldt did our photos this year and I could not be happier with how they turned out. She shot exclusively with film, and the images turned out so beautifully. The girl is pure magic because I am not photogenic in the least bit and somehow she made me look good without shooting trillions of pictures. I especially enjoyed the evening with Amanda, because she gave us her own little mini-tour of St. Paul, and as a fellow foodie, let us in on all the best restaurants we needed to try. It was nice to see the city from the perspective of someone else who is in the same stage of life as me and Scott. SO, here are a few of my favorites from our shoot with Amanda. If you're ever looking for a photographer in the Twin Cities, go to her!!

the light in this one seriously gets me

the more I look at this one the more I love it

Thanks again Amanda for being so boss at photography. And thank you Scott for being so attractive. 

happy holidays!

You can't send a Christmas card to the whole world, unfortunately, but you can post it on the internet. Which, lets be honest, is basically the same thing. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

**We did our photos this year with Amanda Nippoldt who I cannot speak highly enough about (she shot film, drooool, I will have to share some of my favorites at another time), and we did our cards through Minted this year and they did a fabulous job! The printed addresses on our envelopes was the icing on the cake!**