It's mind Blogging!!!

I often think about the things I want to blog about while I run but when I sit down I have already blogged them away in my mind. Some times someone will say something and I will remember I wanted to blog about that!
So here are a few of the things I thought about while I ran on Saturday through the beautiful land God has blessed us with!
I usually don't put my music on during the first bit of a long race. I love to listen. As I started down the canyon I listened to everyone's feet. I blocked out the talking and just listened, you know what the pitter patter of 100+ feet sound like? Rain!! Yes! I imagined myself out in the mountains by myself sitting in my camping trailer listening to the rain. It was so beautiful to see the river roaring down the mountain and listening to the rain drop feet. If you have never listened to that gosh ya gotta!! It really is so amazing!!

I have been saying I don't want to do Ogden again but after running it again I think I want to again!! It really is such a gorgeous run!! You just don't get the full impact of the beauty in a car. It all goes by soo fast!!! We ran down toward Pineview Reservoir and the steam off the lake caused some pretty spectacular clouds!!

As we came around I saw some magnificent horses!! They were running through the field!! I felt like I was in a Harry Potter postcard, ya know cuz pictures in the movie move. The mountains behind them the rolling fields! They looked bigger than life!! It was so amazing I just took it in! Beautiful horses!!

I looked out across the lake as we came into the final canyon, and although I really wanted to enjoy the lake I saw so many people standing along the dam cheering their family and friends on I love that they put names on bibs because I loved to hear my name called out. It is so helpful!

While running down the last main canyon into the city there are so many signs! I would just add my name and take the other out. You Can do it Aunt Sheri! We love you Mom! It made me think of all my family who were cheering me on somewhere else!
The last three miles are a struggle. I didn't have the downhill helping me pull I was all on my own. we came around under the road and dozens of people stood cheering me on assuring me there was just a little bit more! and even more signs here! I read everyone one of them with me name. We run along the path and people pull out the sidewalk chalk and write encouraging things along it! Some made me laugh some made me think some made me want to cry, Like the one that said there is only 10 minutes left when I actually had 2 miles which would take me twice as long! One that made me laugh-"Chuck Norris never ran a marathon" or "Chuck Norris runs on a treadmill". One that made me think and want to cry cuz it truly is inspiring was "No half times, no time outs, no substitutions. It must be the only true sport." Those silly things help pass my time! but I am so thankful for the sweet hands that write those to keep us going a couple steps more!
Most of all I am so thankful for my strong legs and body that carried my on for 26.2 miles! (my watch said 26.47!) I feel like I can do anything!

and now for a few pictures I spaced! Start line with my friend MCat and the last one is of my shirt/bib/medal!

And JaNae! I can't believe I didn't get a pic of us!! :,(

Ogden Marathon!!!

WOOHOOO!!!!! Is it ok to start with that??

Well when I ran Salt Lake I really wanted to finish in 4:30 but with the leg cramps and all it just wasn't possible so I set out on that goal again today...I did it!!

I didn't have a good long run between the races till last week and I hoped it wasn't too close to the actual race. I ran good this week, hydrated and carb loaded, um ya who doesn't love carb's!! they are my absolute fave!! Was gonna have someone pick up our packets (mine and Don's) but the opportunity rose for me to hitch a ride with someone so I took it! We headed up last night to pick them up and then came right back and I really wanted to go to bed at that point but I decided to take Cora and her friend to get a movie and candy. I went and laid down on my bed but heard Don a calling so I went out and helped him work on his engine for his '56 Ford. Finally came in the house around 9:30 and took a shower and laid in bed till he came in and lights were out at 10:30. Surprisingly I slept good again.. I woke up about 10 minutes before the alarm was set to go off. We got up-when it went off and after a snooze... and headed over to get Melissa, stopped to get gas-my bad, and headed to get my sister Wendy. Melissa and I were dropped off to meet up with some friends but got the wrong ones ;) we headed over to the buses and met up with JaNae and I also saw my neighbor Yvonne and her sis Yvette. I honestly didn't even feel nervous this morning! I thought it was weird!!

OK so on the bus as soon as we get moving I thought the bus driver was falling asleep because he was rolling his head but We are pretty sure he had turrets or something cause he twitched and moved the whole way up there. It was scary some times.. but we survived the ride and got to the start line! Met up with Yvonne and Yvette again and then headed to the start after a potty break.

I promised myself I wouldn't ruin it by starting off too fast like last year so I took it easy and ran with the 4:30 pacer. I love when a pacer encourages walking and drinking at the water stops. SL they ran right through!! I did end up getting ahead of the pacer at one of the water stops and didn't see them again till later in the race. Even though I tried to take it easy I still worried I was going too fast but kept at the pace because it was comfortable. I walked through all of the water stops and because I ran the course last year I knew the parts that would be easy and the ones that would be hard. I did walk a little bit up the big hill but I was a few minutes ahead my pace chart I knew it would be ok for a breather. When we got to the top there was a water stop with sponges to I wet my neck and kept plugging along (mile 14). Finally we were over the hill climbs and I kicked it back into a comfy pace and took teh down hill with ease. I knew it would be mostly downhill till mile 23. I took advantage of the gravity and let it guide me down. Mile 23 I just wanted to be done, my legs were starting to hurt and I was so tired. I walked a little bit and the pacer caught me. About the same place I was caught last year by the pacer. This time I wasn't gonna let the pacer over take me. I got a gu and some water put on a great song and went for it. I didn't see them again (except when I looked back)!
I was starting to struggle again and had texted Don hoping eh would come help me. I saw a guy in a black tank top and thought gosh what is Don wearing!! I remembered and looked up and saw him far off in the distance running toward me, I was sooo happy to see him. I needed him to get me through those last 2 miles! Sadly he had to listen to me grunt and cry under my breath. It is so painful when you are soo close but so tired and exhausted, not to mention in pain. The toll a marathon takes on a body is so hard! Finally we came around and he said there it is the Finish. WAY DOWN the street I could see a little glimmer of white that was a tent. I tried so hard but had to stop and walk again. I turned around to see how close 4:30 was he was about 200 yards behind me so I walked for a bit and we talked to the guy next to us then I said we gotta go and I ran oh I tried to run, I did. Finally I could read the finish I scanned for the clock. Don got out of the corral cause they won't let him finish with me. the cheers of the crowd get to you, you know. I finally saw the clock and it said 4:29:?? and I almost cried!!! I was gonna do it!!! I was gonna make my goal!! Oh My Gosh! I can't believe I made it!!

I was finally done!!! I could still walk! I got my beautiful medal! I could still walk! I was feeling good! The other marathons I had done I just wanted to go home I was miserable. I walked through the runners area and got a water, bread, little veggie smoothie, chocolate milk. gosh I could have used a bag!! I ate the bread and drank some water, had some of the smoothie, drank down my choc milk. Don hopped the fence and came into the runners area and we sat down and took a couple pictures and talked. I looked at my phone and noticed a missed call from Yvonne, I was like what the heck? so I called her back. She had been taken off the course because she got sick, low on oxygen. :( I wanted to cry with her!!

We sat for a while and then went and met up with Wendy and headed home. I was walking on clouds with my time! Honestly this time last year I didn't think this was possible!!

So now in 3 weeks I will run Utah Valley, I will go in again with a happy positive attitude. Running 3 marathons in 60 days=Marathon Maniac.. I am just planning to run it easy and in less than 5 hours nothing huge like this one. but maybe if I am feeling good I will go for it.. I just don't know!

Las Vegas Ragnar! 2010

Vegas BABY!!!

A week after The Wasatch Back I was on that runners high thinking I could do ANYTHING! My friend from high school, Emily and I chatted back and forth on Facebook she said she thought the relay sounded soo fun she would love to do it one day! well I didn't tell her I had already looked thru the rest and had an eye on Vegas. But I soon told her and we talked about going. I quickly talked with Don about it and his usual sure whatever pushed me over the edge! I immediately wrote her told her I was in. I soon got a message back and I went right the the Ragnar home page and posted in their forum we needed a team! I would go back every day and see how many people had looked at my post cuz I came right out and said we wouldn't be any help if you actually wanted to win. pretty much who wants to slow old women on your team :) well a couple weeks later I got an email! I was sooo excited and posted to Emily to call me as soon as she could! I was heading up to Park City to drop my son off for summer camp but she called on my way there and we chatted and we both were excited. ! I then thought I wonder if Don really is gonna let me do this! I got home before I emailed the captain back and talked to Don. He was for it! With in a day or two of getting on teh team I got another email saying they were looking for more runners so I called JaNae, My BRF (best running friend), and she talked to Tom (her husband) and she was on The Unknown's! I got him the check and then it was the waiting game. Soon time passed quickly and here we are it is all over and I am now blogging it!!
Emily flew in Thursday morning, I picked her up. WOW I haven't seen Emily probably since graduation (ok within a few months of graduating!) which was more years ago than I'd like to remember! She wanted to visit with her gramma so I took her there. I had a bunch to do so I had to be on the ball! Around 2 Don got off work and he came home finished packing his stuff we loaded everything up and headed to the school to pick up the kids, took them to Gramma's, went and picked up Emily and then headed to Tom and JaNae's we all drove down together. Finally on the road about 4:30. Sweet Laura across the street from JaNae brought over a big bag of peanut M&M's. We pulled into Mesquite late Thursday night and checked in then got some food. Us girls all got Spaghetti. As we were eating I got a text from our team captain saying he was checking in. I said should we go meet our team? We had never met any on them. So we went and met almost everyone!
We had talked over the months about changing the name but never did and it is funny cuz by the time we got to Vegas I think there were only a few people who actually knew anyone. Van one: Dan, Michelle (those two are married), Ronn, Mitch, Jason and Doug. Van 2: Nilo, Matt, Alan, JaNae, Emily and me.
We went back to the rooms after dinner. Everyone was pretty tired but we, Anna my sister also came down with us, Don and I went to the casino. Don won $500 in the slots which was awesome!
Tom was sad the next morning when he found out we had gone out with out him. crazy me another 3 hours of sleep that night. arg...
We met our team at 11am to head to our exchange! NIlo was our first runner from our van so as Jason came in Nilo went off. We headed to our next exchange. this really felt different from The Wasatch Back. I think I was really nervous for WB. This time I knew what to expect for the most part. but I was really tired! JaNae ran next, then Matt, Emily and then me. Like I said I was tired! I had only slept maybe 3 hours that night and the night before that I hadn't slept much either. My run was 2.5 miles (the smallest run of the whole race) and marked as easy. I was expecting to do it rather quickly. I did Not do it quickly in fact it wasn't easy at all it was almost all uphill!! 2.5 miles in 26 minutes. I handed off to Alan who was runner 12 so we would soon meet up with our van 2. I was seriously disappointed in myself. In fact I really wanted to cry. I was really tired I climbed in the back totally sad. but everyone was so encouraging and lifted my spirits. We were already 20 minutes ahead of our projected finishing time.
After we handed off We drove to our next stop where we told the husbands to come meet us cuz my phone charger was forgotten. we met them at our stop and they game me the charger and we talked for a while (we really should have been sleeping). as soon as we went up to where everyone else was sleeping we laid down just to get that dreaded phone call that van 1 was getting close so we packed up our stuff and went to meet them. I grabbed the back of the van so I could lay down. I stuck my head phones in and slept till it was my turn to run. good thing I did! this next leg was listed as hard and it was 7.2 miles. I was really worried about this one. it had been a few weeks since I had gone that distance. it turns out this leg was actually the easiest of the three. 7.2 in 1 hour 6 minutes! I have never ran that average pace before! I was soo happy! it was a good boost I needed! after we handed off to Van 2 we cruised to the next major exchange and got to sleep again. However it was soo cold (seriously isn't this Las Vegas??) that we all slept in the van. I stuck my head phone sin my ears and tried to get comfy. I guess there was someone snoring (not me) but they never bothered me. I think I was smart to stick the music in my ears. I still didn't sleep great because it is hard to get comfortable sitting up. once the sun had risen I needed to go to the bathroom and stretch! I didn't want to get back in the van yet so I walked around and decided to head up to the exchange and watch. Oh the smell!!! PANCAKES!! I wasn't passing those up! At the exchanges they have food you can buy and the money goes to something local. this money went to the local school. They were soo delicious and a bonus for something hot in my stomach! I walked around after and decided they had to be getting close so I went back to the van (don't worry I texted them letting them know there were yummy pancakes they didn't want any?!) and everyone was up and starting to get ready. they had worked it out that the next runner would be around a certain time. In my head I thought he'd be about 10 minutes faster so without sharing my opinion I encouraged tehm to get to the exchange quicker but they didn't budge and by the time we got there Jason was waiting :(. Well Nilo took off and we were at it again for our last legs... how did this happen so fast!! We waited soo long and now it was almost over!! well when my leg was up I was ready it was so cold and the wind was howling :( before I even started I had a side ache :(

Taper Tantrum!!

So I have had one bad run after another.. my legs feel heavy and tired, I am NOT eating right, which does what to me? P-A-N-I-C!!
I even texted my cousin yesterday told her I was pretty sure I was gonna die on Saturday. She called and talked me down. I started to think when did this happen. When did I start feeling this way? I think it might have been when I exposed my goal. The one you keep in your head and when ya don't you immediately regret saying anything and don't feel prepared for it. I should be prepared, I could have done it three weeks ago if I wouldn't have gotten those leg cramps. So guess what... From this moment on I will no longer think horrible things happening to me. I will think of that finish line and the clock saying something like 4:29:55 or something. I will eat good the rest of the week, and drink water like CRAZY!!!! It is gonna be perfect weather again!! How can I ask for something better!! I'm gonna go over the course in my head and think about where I had trouble last year and blast through it! I'm not gonna let my negative attitude ruin my goal! and tonight when I go for my last run I'm gonna take it easy and think about how awesome I am!

I'm GONNA DO THIS!! I'm gonna achieve my goal!! OH YES I CAN!


ps

I came across this funny blog on Daily mile. oh yes I have been doing a few of these. I refused to take any responsibility last night for this weekend because of the marathon, I am totally having a taper tantrum.
http://www.healthontherun.net/running/marathon-training/tapering-for-dummies/

#3 you don't have me!

1 week to go

Oh baby! We have one week till Marathon #3. Weather looks good! I have had a busy crazy last few weeks and wasn't able to get a long run in till today!! BOO!!! I was able to get out to run 14 this morning, it felt good but my legs were so tired afterward it makes me a little nervous cuz I am going for it!! I am gonna try to make a goal to finish in under 4:30, ya I'm putting it out there!! I want it bad! I just keep telling myself if I wouldn't have had those leg cramps I could have done it at Salt Lake! It is eating at me!! ARG... I put in to do St George I had my reservations but I did it. life is good! I am excited to run next week!! So this morning on my run, Don ran with me and we met up and ran 4 with Hayley. We started a game called "I've got that shirt!" If ya see a runner with a shirt you have at home you yell I've got that shirt!!! haha! it was fun!! ok I am babbling on... updated both blogs today give myself a pat on the back ;)

Salt Lake Marathon

I DID IT!!! #2 is in the bag! I have been training for so long. It is so hard to get up knowing you have to run 20 miles, and it is just training! I have been using the smartcoach app on my phone and about a week and a half ago I looked at what my marathon time should be and about dropped to the floor! I didn't think it was possible for me to finish in 4.23. No way No how!! I missed a bunch of speed work was my number one concern. I noticed the marathon offered pacers so I started toying with the idea of running with the 4.30 pacer. then I thought maybe i should just go with the 4.45 pacer. I went to the race Saturday morning still not knowing what to do.

I ended up starting with the 4.45 pacer. It felt a little slow to me. So I ran at a comfortable pace which was a bit faster than them. I felt really good. we started at the Legacy Bridge at the UofU and ran down foothill for a little ways and cut down into the neighborhood in Olympus and ran down to Sugarhouse park. As I say Sugarhouse park I was a little confused and saw a ton of half marathoners running toward me so I looked for people I knew but didn't see anyone. As I was doing this I glanced over and noticed a sign telling marathoners to go a different way so I had to cross over and get going the right way. We ran down in and though Sugarhouse park. We made a turn and ran back against the other marathoners so I could see where 4.30 was ahead of me and 4:45 was behind me. As we came back out we met up with the halfers and I was now on the other side running against other runners so I looked for my sisters and right before iIturned off the street I saw Wendy. Anna wasn't with her so I asked if she was in front of or behind her and she said in front. I was feeling tired from the hills in Sugarhouse and had seen a water station ahead so I hurried and took a gu and kept on running. I finally caught a glimpse of the bright green jersey that was the 4:30 pacer. I adventually caught up and ran with them for a few then passed them. They didn't stop at water stops and I walked through them so they caught me many times. Don found me about this time and told me about his bike tour and that he had seen anna and wendy. He rode for a little while with me then decided to go on. I told him to come back in about an hour and a half.

I loved running through streets I had only drove on and many brought back great memories of my past. We ran down a road my cousin had lived on when the kids were little and we had a big Easter egg hunt in her yard! I loved running through Holladay and down one of my favorite streets. I don't know the name of it but I love to go down it because it is so green and beautiful! It was an extra special treat to run it!
We came out on to Van Winkle which is a big cross street here and I could feel the temps heating up. I couldn't find the sunblock in the morning so I went with no protection. I had decided the first first aid tent I saw I would stop and get sunblock on. I saw the mile 15 marker ahead! I couldn't believe I felt so great physically and was this far! I had kept an easy sub 10 min the whole race so far! But this street there wasn't much shade and I was getting hot. I knew Don would be meeting up with me soon. well at least I hoped! I just kept going mile 17 I started feeling really hungry and it was hot! but I kept trudging along keeping 4:30 in my sight. We were still going back and forth but because I was walking through water stops they advanced in front of me. We turned down onto 500 East and I was plotting the finish figuring out which way we would go and Don finally came back again! I was exhausted and hitting my mental wall. He stayed with me a while. In mile 20 my calf got a cramp so I stopped and walked and then ran again feeling fine, then it knotted again and almost had me on the ground. I rubbed it out and then stretched it. Then told Don to go find me some icey hot. He seemed like we was gone for soo long but I ran when I could a stretched and rubbed when I couldn't.

One thing I REALLY love about this race is teh spectators I felt like I was in a parade! The streets were lined with people cheering everyone on!! I love to read the signs and tear up when I see one that says mommy or daddy cuz it make me think of my kids. I kept wishing people would have a hose to spray me and finally I found someone who did! It was so warm I would walk through the water stops get a cup pour it on my head then get two to drink.

Finally Don came back I was still cramping and he said he had to go buy a bottle of it so we sprayed it on my legs and I was able to run again for a while. He told me the way of the rest of the course and I could finally see Liberty park, but I was done, I wanted to stop it was soooo much further (2 miles?). They came back. I walked a lot. He was off talking to another runner and I looked down and I could see the big divots in my leg that were the cramps. I didn't know what to do I just stopped and rubbed them wanting to scream because they hurt so bad. I told my legs just a little bit longer we can do this! I rubbed them more and Don was back.We sprayed more on and I kept going. I was now onto State Street. less than 2 to go.. then less than one and a hill was staring me in the face. I hurt so bad but I knew it was up the slight incline (that looked like a mountain) and around the corner. I had taken a wrong turn that morning and saw the finish line so I knew EXACTLY where I had to go. I walked up that hill. When I got to the top the volunteer/cop at the top said 4 blocks! You are almost there!! I tried to run but the cramps had a hold of me again I walked/hobbled/limped as much as i could until I could get a trot going on! I just wanted to stop and cry! I could see it that big red sign F-I-N-I-S-H. I didn't know if I could make it, but the little voice inside me said oh yes you can, the pain was horrible but with Don by my side and hundreds of people yelling I glanced at my watch and saw 4:44 on my time and I ran as hard as my cramped legs would let me. I eventually made my way over the mats and thought I was going to collapse. But I had made my goal! well one of them my mid goal. :) I am soo grateful for my active body! I am thankful I can run and be able to run 26.2 miles!!!
My official time was 4:44:46! PR by over 15 minutes!

here is a glimpse of my splits
1-10:26
2-10:34
3-9:55
4-9:40
5-9:47
6-9:54
7-9:49
8-9:53
9-10:08
10-9:51
11-9:39
12-9:48
13-10:18
14-10:23
15-9:56
16-9:48
17-10:32
18-11:29
19-11:03
20-12:25
21-11:57
22-12:42
23-11:52
24-13:13
25-14:09
26-12:44
27-9:18

quick update!

It has been a couple weeks! With spring break last week I kind of forgot to update :) So I ended up not being able to finish the Ironman because of a toothache which turned into a root canal. took three days from my life! SO move forward to Riverton Half. I was able to be a pacer for this run! It was really fun! After my failed attempt at the Shamrock Half getting sick and everything I was about to NOT run Riverton at all. I made a comment on Dailymile and one of the other pacers sent me a message telling me she would be willing to switch spots with me so I could run a slower pace. I am so happy I did! I paced the 2:30 and was able to take it easy and also run the extra 7 miles home and give me my last 20 miler in prep for Salt Lake Marathon. It put me nicely into my taper!!
In case you are wondering what a pacer does they run a certain pace so if someone has a goal to finish in a certain amount of time they run with a pacer and they help them make that goal.
I missed one run last week but plan to stick with it this week and next. I can't believe we are less than two weeks from the marathon!! I am really excited this time and trying to decide how I want to run this because I will have another a month later. Do I want to make a good PR goal or just take it easy so I can make it to the next one. Either way, I feel strong and ready!!