Running in the 30's

Today is one day shy of May and this is what it looked like outside for my group run. Boo. We ran 6 miles. Still far from 26.2, but we will get there. I love having a group to help keep me accountable. I definitely wouldn't have run today if I was on my own.

NOLA

Last weekend we hit the humid streets of New Orleans. One of our college/med school friends was getting married and we decided we could use an escape from the cold. The bonus of the trip was that we got to see some of our old friends.

Eating with Steve and Julie.

Beignets and chicory coffee at the famous Cafe Du Monde.

Beautiful square surrounded by local artists and musicians.

Mississippi River.

And there are daiquiris on ever corner. My kinda town.

Ready for the outdoor wedding.

Ben and Liz. Isn't her dress amazing?

Breakfast with Matt and Andrea. I had some truffle grits that changed my life.

Boys being patient while the girls shopped.

This last video is of a band that was playing on Bourbon Street. They are called Tuba Skinny, http://www.tubaskinny.tk/. They play old school blues and jazz from the 20's and 30's. We could have listened to them play all day.

Then we returned to more snow back in SLC. Glad to get away for a bit. Now back to the grind.

OKAPs Stink

Grant survived another year of taking the OKAP exam. This is basically his Ophthalmology board exam that he takes each year to prep for the real thing. It is important to score well so he can get his preferred fellowship spot next year.

So after studying for months, the test is finally over. The residents had a party to celebrate. Here is the cake that someone brought. And I have to agree, OKAPs really do stink.

To celebrate being done with the test, we went skiing on Sunday. Yes, there is still snow here!

Coffee and skiing.

Grant using his goggles as sunglasses. Having a great ski day!

How do you like to spend your Monday?

How about having your car towed to the dealer? The Honda is under the weather. Please send get well cards care of Grant. Bill was quite concerned as you call tell from the image below.

Tow truck man pushing the car while Bill watches in awe.

Bill, MD

Turns out Bill knows a lot of ophthalmology. Also turns out he doesn't speak any English. So his knowledge is useless to me.

Tear that paper

This morning was a big moment in Grant's career as a resident. He finished his last weekend day on first call. What does that mean you ask? He never has to be the first person to be called on the weekend. From here on out he will be on second call for a week at a time. That means he is only called in if the first call resident can't handle the case alone or if surgery needs to be performed...meaning that he will rarely get called in now, even when he is "on call."

Grant has been looking forward to this day for a long time. He has had a count-down sheet on the fridge for months. And today he tore off the last sheet.

Here is the big moment caught on film.

October 1

10-01-11 is the date that I will be running my first full marathon down in St. George, UT. I was worried about doing the training alone, and then I happened upon the Jeff Galloway running group. Jeff Galloway is a running guru that has developed a running method with the goal of injury free racing.

Cities around the country have running groups with leaders that use Jeff Galloway's technique. And today was my first run with the group. It was in the low 30's and snowing, but I did it.

Here is the group! We happened to be running in a park with a race, so we took our photo at the finish line.

Bro

Last week, my younger brother Alex came out for a visit. We haven't had much time together as adults and it was so nice to reconnect.

Here is our trip told in pictures.

Hike up to the "Living Room"

Lounging on the rock couches at the end of the hike.

Waiting for breakfast at Ruth's.

Anna preaching to Alex. Not really sure what I was doing here.

A cool head sculpture in the main library.

What is a vacation without an eye exam?

Contemplating life on Mars.

Outside the doors of the LDS Temple.

Rocking out with some Rock Band.

It was a great trip that flex by. Who is next to come out to visit?