Pennies From Heaven

I document my runs on Strava. It is quite convenient since my Garmin VivoActive links right up to it. I am going to reference this particular run from 4/15 https://www.strava.com/activities/280582306. it seems like forever ago. This morning I had a big reminder of this run. I found a penny today, I thought about my grandpa and this run we shared. I actually have been thinking about my grandparents the last few weeks. My last living grandparent probably won't last much longer as she is sick and not doing well. I cried a little thinking I won't have grandparents on earth. Even though my Maternal grandmother lives in Canada and I haven't seen her in years it is still comforting to know she is out there. I found that penny today and thought about my paternal grandfather Harold. He was so sweet. I loved him with all my heart. He kept me on the straight and narrow. Out of my three grandparents that have past I feel him the most. And as you can see he gives me gifts. Today I found that penny and thought about him and that run and wondered if I would find a quarter again. Not long after that I Was running on a sidewalk then a neighborhood trails (I never find coins on those) As soon as I was on the street I found a quarter, then another penny then again another quarter. I was so touched by it. I know my Grandpa still looks after me.

January freeze

Today i am sitting on my couch wishing for days past.  Like 3 days ago when it was above freezing but i still didn't go to run because the wind was crazy!! I should have sucked it up and went.  Now here i sit in 8° weather, wanting to run but knowing my body is not conditioned for this frozen ice land. The past few days I've been trying to make the hardcore decision on whether or not i want to run a 50 mile race.  Is this the year i conquer an ultra? Should I ? Shouldn't I? My April marathon would be a training run.  Weird to think Huh? Do i have the time to devote to all those runs? Hmmmm. Knocking on doors asking for answers.  Only i know the answer but I really don't....

Yellowstone Half

Found this sitting in my drafts: 6/2015

Some days opportunities knock.  Last January I saw a post on Facebook from a race director needing some help with a race. It was called the Grand Teton Half. I thought it sounded fun and I love being on both sides of a race!  I had a phone 'interview' and he said he would love me on the team!  Fast forward to last weekend!  It was the Teton Half. First I have run one race with Vacation Races,  it was Zion  2014 and I loved it!
This race is also through Vacation Races and I felt honored to be apart of it.  It was a long two days and as I drive out of Jackson Hole I realized I really wanted to come back and run Yellowstone Half the following week.
By Tuesday I decided I really couldn't afford it and didn't have a spot on the pacing team so I wasn't gonna go.  Thursday morning I got a message saying some spots opened and within a couple minutes I had a ride, a spot and a place to stay! So excited!
We pulled into West Yellowstone and went right to packet pickup and got our bibs.  Then headed to the hotel to check in.  I haven't berm to Yellowstone since I was a young child so everything was new to me. As we were getting ready to leave another van pulled up that had a few more pacers, we ended up getting in their van and heading out to sight see. I really wanted to see animals we saw some elk, buffalo and cranes.  And a beautiful sunset.

Pacer bio

Hi! I'm Sheri Sorensen! I ran in high school but stopped after I graduated. I started running again in 2009 to loose a little weight and relieve some stress. I fell in love with it again! I have ran 6 marathons, over 25 half marathons, many 5k's and 10ks. I also learned how to swim and began triathlons in 2014. My favorite distance is the half. I have paced over 15 halfs! I am a busy mom of 4 active kids and have a husband that also runs and cycles! We think having fun while being active is a great thing for our kids to see. We love to plan weekend getaways around races!
My favorite thing about pacing is seeing others accomplish something they didn't think they could. I also love feedback! I am excited to help you achieve your goals! Happy running!

Six months of running adventures

Today I ran a 5k. It has been a long time since I have ran a 5k-not associated with a tri. I had a lot of thoughts during this run.  Let me see if I can find the words that ran through my mind. 

I started the year recovering from the flu but ran a half, it was freezing cold.  A week or two later I was in St George running another half.  A week or two later I ran 12+ miles across a frozen lake. A week or two later a ran a Ragnar Relay in Phoenix AZ. No it isn't the hot/cold thing I was thinking about it is the variety of the runs. A couple weeks ago I ran a 2-woman relay and the transport was a boat down/up the river!  In 3 weeks I get to ride a train to the start!!  How cool is my running adventures just this year! 
I had my temple to temple run, Salt Lake Marathon and today was the sprinkles-hoping for the cherry in a few weeks.

Today I ran for someone,  no not in their memory, but because he can't run.  This sweet 10yo boy is confined to a wheel chair, so I was his legs and I pushed him while he was in a big stroller. It was so amazing.

I thought about why I ran.  It used to always be about me but lately it hasn't.  I just love to pace and help other runners.  I loved pushing Reese today.  It was an incredible day!  I was filled with emotion as I crossed the finish line and everyone cheered for him!  In 3 more weeks I get the honor of pushing him again for a half marathon, the cherry,  but maybe not.  Maybe it is just another layer because we are only 6 months into the year!

First ride since the turkey tri!

I am a huge Nervous Nellie when it comes to cycling!  It goes to a new level when I hear about accidents too.  There was a pretty bad accident a month or two ago where two cyclists were killed.  I was terrified to go out.  Well I really am to the point I have no choice,  I need to go out and get some saddle time. I am doing Woman of Steel and it is next week!  I have not been on my bike since November! 
I so grateful for spin class to keep my muscles together and strong.  The ride was so smooth and I felt really fabulous!  I pushed hard and wanted to go further but was on a time restraint. I did a tour with the progressively harder hills.  The last hill I have attempted 4 times and today was the second time I made it! Although my legs were screaming I pushed and pushed!  I love the feeling of something hard! 

Expect more cycling posts! Cuz today is one of those "I love cycling!!" days!

it's like riding a bike.

it has been exactly 4 months since i have dipped my foot in the pool. This happens to be a bad thing when you are less than 3 weeks from a triathlon. It also has been 5 months since i have been on my bike, however I have been spinning off and on so at least I have that going for me. As for my running... well we shall see today. I plan to go out this afternoon and give it a go.

ok swimming, I forgot I love it! It all came back and I swam just fine! I am less nervous than I was! I imagined being in the pool during the tri, I thought about last year and just focused on my strokes. I loved it. I wish I was faster! There isn't much hope for that but I am happy I can do it!

I am gonna try to go to the pool as much as I can and just keep it going!

Bling Blong

I will post my Salt Lake Marathon experience, but first I wanted to share this funny thing that happened.

I hung my marathon medal on my board, turned around and the board fell!! Can you believe it? 

You remember this?  I think I had posted it when I made it so many years ago?  Well the bracket on the back couldn't take it any longer! 

I posted it on a Facebook group as a 'runner's problem' and started a small frenzy of people talking about how they display, or don't display,  their medals. I decided since they are down I would lay them out and look at them!  

Half's, relays, 5k's and marathons

I need to do a recount of my half marathons.  I have 20 medals,  I thought my count was 20 and I know there was 1-2 that I didn't receive medals.

Anyway!  Don wanted to lay his with mine and after we had them all laid out he asked me to calculate the cost of it all.  Blah.  I am happy I am able to pace and get a free entries! 

Staring Ms Marathon in the face

After that rotten marathon 18 months ago I really didnt think I would domanother one but here we are, the eve of a marathon. Salt Lake again, a new course that looks like a beautiful course and we are going through one of my favorite pkaces to run, Bonneville Rd and Memory Grove!
My packet is picked up, done lots of carb loading, not nearly as well trained as I had hoped. But ready or not in 12 hours I will be sitting at the start line ready to go.
I thought I had mentioned why I chose to run SL last but couldn't find it so I will write it now.

I had been told SL Marathon was pretty miserable and one of the worst out there so it had always been out of my mind.
One afternoon I was watching The Spirit of the Marathon (if you havent seen it, go watch it) for, well I've seen it a few times. Anyway,  they interview the mayor of Chicago,  he said something like "we close the roads of the city down and you get to run the streets of your home town, who wouldn't enjoy that?" My thought was, that sounds awesome! So I pretty much signed right up!

Looking back two years ago when I last attempted this one I think about running through some areas I live that I woukd never have the chance to run. Sooo many memories of my beautiful home town. I am soo excited to run snd really enjoy this marathon! I cant wait to feel the love from the city! Although I am questioning my sanity! 

See you in 26.2!

Temple to Temple Half

I feel so lucky to live in the valley I do. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I have the privilege to live within 20 miles or so of 4 temples! For the longest time I have wanted to run from the Draper Temple to the Oquirrh Temple. During the first weekend in April our church has it's semi annual general conference where we get to hear the words of our church leaders giving us encouragement and keep us on the straight and narrow path. On Facebook in one of my many running groups we were talking about where we should run. Almost everyone is training for a marathon. Some, like me, are in a taper and the others are in a low miles week. I suggested that we run from temple to temple. It was 13.3 miles which pretty much fit into everyones needed miles for the day.
When the group said yes and we were planning it I posted on my wall and in another group. We ended up having almost 50 people come! It was pretty cool to be able to put on the run and I joked when I live my dream of becoming a race director this will be one of my races.
One of our members who couldnt run with us that mornungncame out to support and take pictures.  So we have pictures of us out running.

I loved running. My eyes always looking toward the temple, isn't that how life should be, our eyes continually on our ultimate goal. Of course many times the song "I love to see the temple" came to mind. And when we ran that final hill to our goal Don took my hand and we finished together at the temple hand in hand. I loved finishing seeing all the happy people! Most everyone brought food so we even had a breakfast, if you can call cookies, cake and bread breakfast food!

I haven't had a runners high like the one I had for quite a while and I think a lot of it was the spirit of this run. It still warms my heart when I think about it. I love the support from everyone and ther appeciation. It will definitely become a tradition. I fact in October we are running from Draper to Timpanogus! that is up and over a mountain!

Utah Lake

I really wish I could keep my blog active! I need to take the time for it but I just don't so you get two posts today! I wrote the previous one a week or so again but didn't post it..



Ok So last year a bunch of runners ran across Utah Lake-like ACROSS the lake, cause it is frozen! It looked pretty amazing so marked it in my head to definitely do it the following year. Which I did! And it was pretty amazing! AND people think I am pretty crazy! HA!

The night before the planned run I got a message in my Facebook inbox, it was from a fellow runner, he went to high school with my sister and I went to high school with his brother, my small Utah world! ANYWAY! He had a newspaper reporter who wanted to come out and do some interviews and take pictures and he asked if I would be the contact for it so I was! The article was posted yesterday so I wanted to post it here so I can reference it later! YAY! (I am feelin cool!)



I had a really fun time! We met really early in the morning, there was 23 of us that took off out but only about 18 actually went the full distance. I warmed up and was able to shed my jacket. We started on the West side and ran East-toward the sunrise. When we made it across the lake (6 miles) the snow was pretty hard to run in because you would step and go down another inch. it was like running in soft sand. Also there was open water on the East side too! There was a lot more slush heading back, the sun was up and warming quickly.

My friend Charles Stoddard. I hadn't seen or ran with him a a LONG time! He said he is recovering from being fat!

about 2.5 miles in there is a big fault across the lake. It was scary to cross it but it was solid. the big shards of ICE poking up were a bit daunting!

SELFIE!! Havin a blast!

You can never go wrong with a picture of the sunrise!! A new day!!

Running friends across the lake!

one last gorgeous picture! My view for an hour!



I was in the back end of the group but guess what? I don't mind, I am a slower runner but I get out and I enjoy it!

So in total it was a 12+ mile run! I backed so far off my running last year I couldn't just go out and run this mileage. I am so excited to be to this point again!

Oh another funny thing-cuz I never blog-I came down with the flu on Dec 22nd. :( I recovered so quickly! I ran a half marathon on Jan 4, 15 miles on the 11 and another half on January 18. I went in to the dr office (I did a research medication so I was at the dr a ton) and I was telling them I had already ran 3 half marathons THIS year they couldn't believe it. They said I should be the poster child for the flu! lol.

Pacing, it is worth it

Two years ago my cousin JaNae signed me up to run the St George marathon, remember that?  Well, anyway we signed up for the runners series for St George to get an automatic entry into the marathon , we had to run two races put on by St George. Well, the first race we picked was the STG half, it is in January, I didn't have a way down but had just started at the gym, there was another lady going down so I reached out of my comfort zone and asked if she wanted a buddy for the road.  She said sure so off we went.
I loved the course it was beautiful! It rained crazy but I knew I wanted to eventually do it again. Well this gal was a pacer. She said I should join the group to pace. My ears heard free race entries! Lol. I have been pacing ever since, however my attitude changed quickly. I was really helping people. I LOVED it. I had wanted to do STG half again so as soon as the race was posted I signed up! I also signed up Don to come with me and pace. We were picked to my hearts delight! We have been to hell and back in the past three months and I thought many times about dropping out. I stayed steadfast and we made it to STG and ran. We started out,  lots of people saying they would run with us.  We had one lady actually start with us and stay,  about mile 2 I knew we had another because I had listened to his footsteps and breathing for those two miles.  I dropped back a couple feet and started chatting.  It ended up being another awesome race.  And today I saw this post on Facebook:


Forwarded from the St. George Half Marathon Director:

Hi,

Not sure who to address this with, but It was my first attempt at the 1/2 marathon, and it was a great success and experience. The best thing was the pacers. I was hoping to break 3 hours with a possible 2:45. I LOVED the pacer idea and decided to try and stay with the 2:30 pacers as long as I could. It was a husband and wife team, and they were awesome. Every time we hit a hill, and I started to drop back, the wife or husband would drop back a bit and encourage me, concentrate on the pace. I wanted to thank the organization for such a fun race, and the 2:30 pacers for all of their help. I finally dropped back a bit over the last mile, but was able to finish in 2:31:43. The two pacers waited at the finish line to see how I was.

Anyway, thank you, and please thank the pacers. It made my experience the best ever.

Ron Mortensen

It seriously makes it all worth it!  I love pacing! It makes my runs more meaningful!

the piece's are coming back

If you follow me on Dailymile you will know I have been in a huge slump lately. My mojo has been gone, I have been a huge whiner. Last night I felt it start to come back. My favorite people I love to run with have slacked off and haven't ran since well, umm since probably January. When we did the Revolution Run! I stopped scrolling through DM because I didn't ever see them posting. This past week I decided to scroll down a share some love to some other peeps I follow and low and behold I saw my BIL had run!! I went to his page and he had also ran last week too!! Ok just twice but still!!!! HE RAN!!!! I was soo happy I gave him some big LOVES and told him how happy I was for him and I couldn't wait to run with him-he's half way around the world in Afghanistan. He comes home every 3 months. Yesterday I got on to log my run (I was selected to pace The Haunted Half YAY!!!) and what did I see my SISTER had ran!!!! I almost started to cry I was sooooo happy!! Then about 10 minutes later she called me. She had just gotten home from her second run since January and was feeling sooo good! We actually set up a couple races to run together next year and I felt my blood bubble and my heart yearn for a good run with the people I love so much. ps Don even ran last night his first time in well over a month!! Everything is falling back into place. I can't wait to train and run with my family again!

resolution

It seems like lately I have been really struggling to keep myself moving. A lot of that has to do with major stress and a 15 lb weight gain.
I have been wondering why it is so hard for me to get out and run lately then one day I was listening to the radio or watching (listening) to the TV and they talked about how they went to a park and handed out 10 lb bags and had people carry them around. Then told them that is what it is like when you carry and extra 10 lbs of weight. LIGHTBULB! I have put on 15 lbs!!! AGH no wonder it is so hard. I stepped on the scale last night.... why would I step on it at night? WTH!!!! I should NOT have done that. I almost cried. I got up this morning, I was soo tired I decided to go back to bed. I fought off my inner runner and climbed in bed. then I thought about our PTO meeting tomorrow and decided to work on stuff for that. an hour and a half later and Sadie asked if I would make her poached eggs it sounded good so I made me ONE and a piece of toast and a grapefruit. I decided to log my food I hate logging food but I gotta lose these pounds. I downloaded a diary on my phone and it had an exercise input so I decided I would indeed go for a run. I did, I ran, I pushed it hard! I was a little sore from yesterdays kickboxing class and my knee hurt (new shoes are in my future). guess what it felt GREAT!!! I made a goal to loose 15 pounds by Oct 15-I am hoping to go to Tuscon that weekend to watch my oldest son play Goalball . I know I can do this! I have to. I want to be an active happy person!!

I am a "Woman of Steel"!

I had an AMAZING experience this morning!! Got up early and picked up a couple friends, then we headed down to American Fork for the Woman of Steel Triathlon. It was raining hard while we drove down. going past the point the sky was a lot more broken up than it was in Salt Lake. It stopped raining! We got to the race and fixed up our transition areas then walked around met up with a bunch of our TTT girls and then made our way to the swimming. This by far is my biggest fear! 18 months ago i swam my first pool length! I have gone my whole life with a fear of water.  I didn't know what was going to happen I was just hoping to finish this part!!
Lined up in our times. (You line up according to what you can swim 300 meters in)I decided to start close to the back of the 7 minute while my friends lined up at the front of the 7's. I talked to the ladies around and then Don showed up! He helped calm my nerves and after a few minutes the race started!! We watched the swimmers and slowly started to move. I decided to go talk to Jessica and Stacey. the line kept moving and it started to sprinkle again. Stacey said she saw lightening. And I didn't want to get my swim canceled so I just decided to jump in after them. Finally it was time, Stacey jumped in, then Jessica, then it was my turn. I jumped in and just went for it, telling myself over and over again to just relax and enjoy it. First 100 the lady behind me caught me and passed me. I started to doubt myself feeling bad that I got in way before my time. But I just kept going. Each turn someone was there to cheer me on, Don was on one side of the pool and Blaine and Rykker (Jessica's husband and son) were on the other side. They all kept me going. I didn't backstroke once! I kept in my form and as I turned my last time I saw the lady behind me right on me. I pushed hard she started to pass. Right at the end as we finished the swim I jumped out in front of her and was feeling AWESOME!! I finished my toughest part!!!
I ran right past Jessica with a pat on the butt and right to my bike. it was windy and rainy, threw my shoes on, helmet and was off on the bike! As I came around the corner I saw and ambulance and behind the ambulance they were working on a girl strapping her to aboard checking her head :( this was downhill with a sharp turn at the bottom. As soon as I got around the corner I took off. right into a mild hill then the big hill. I passed Stacey about here. My quads were on fire but I just kept pedaling. It stopped raining, I felt so tired. As I came upon the Alpine Highway I saw Blaine he started cheering me on and I captured his energy, he said Don was right ahead. I mashed the pedals and took off. I got going about 25 mph by the time I got to Don. I kept going, it was slightly downhill and I just kept going. I think my top speed was 35.5mph. Down the hill I went and around the corner to repeat the course again. Ambulance was gone, quads still burned but not as bad. Came upon the Alpine Highway again, Blaine was gone but as I turned and saw Don again he was there with Blaine. I mashed the pedals and took off!!! It started raining. I didn't go as fast this time because the rain was soooooo bad It was POURING!!! Top speed this round was probably 25-27. Don, Blaine and Ryker drove by and I heard them cheer again! down the hill around the corner, around the other corner slight incline back to the transition. Jumped off my bike and about fell over. My legs felt like jello!
I walked a bit till I got my legs back then ran to my area pulled off my shoes, helmet, grabbed my visor and put my running shoes on quickly and was on my way-with my legs that felt like bricks! I was pretty happy to still see bikers on my run. We were pretty far back so I didn't think there would be so many I walk ran till I got my running legs back. I passed a couple girls walking their bikes up the hill. One more tiny walk break and then I didn't stop. Just kept going. Happy I grabbed my watch so I could see how far I had come. As I round the last corner I started watching for the cemetery. Finally it was in sight! I knew the finish line was just passed the cemetery. A lady and I passed each other back and forth, her kids started running along her right in front of me. I thought it was cute. As we turned passed the cemetery I took off right passed her. Wondering if I would puke cuz I had ran so hard. The last mile I was sub 9 minutes which is so good for me. Then i crossed! I did it! I made it across the finish line into Don's arms! I wanted to cry I felt so good!!! I did it!!!! I did it!!! I did soo much better than I ever imagined!!! 1:32:25. I had a headache most of the time but fought through it!! The BEST part!!! Are you ready for this??? I came in 136th!! I am not positive the number of people but it was alphabetical and I was bib 705!!!!!! AAAAHH!!!!
still anxiously awaiting the posting of results!

Toe Deep~

I should be one week into my triathlon training (toe deep in tri training lol). I didn't swim at all this week. In fact I started to work a coupe weeks ago, it is very sporadic but it is exhausting when I do work! I have been substituting at my kids school!

SWIM:

Two weeks ago I wanted to see my swim time improve so I timed a 300 meter/yard swim. This is the distance for the sprint tri I am doing. It was 10 minutes. LOTS of room to improve. I plan to time myself every couple weeks to make sure I am in fact becoming faster!

BIKE:

The new year has brought the challenges of trying to work and trying to still get up at 5:30 am to work out. Some days I will say I am gonna go hit the later class and end up subbing so honestly I need to pull myself out of bed to get to the class, I have been successful 2 out of 4 weeks. I will keep getting stronger and am working up my mind to get back outside on the street once it warms up! I even have a couple rides planned!

RUN:

So ever since the fall I have had one painful run after another. This morning I joined a girl's running group at a local running store and ran 7 miles, about 5 of which were painful. As I thought back to why I might be having these pains I realized the culprit is probably my shoes!! I got new shoes back then and the heal had a 2mm drop. that has got to be it!! It is really frustrating because it has completely slowed me down! I have GOT to get new shoes asap!!

A New Year, A New Challenge!

I am excited to report I have started to put together a race calendar and a training schedule! WOO!!! In 16 days I can sign up for my first Triathlon! I can't believe I am ready for this!!!! Isn't it exciting?? Now I just need to kick this cold, my training was supposed to start this week but my chest is heavy and tight and my nose is stuffy. I am not signing up for much this year. What I am signing up for is events I really want to do!! This year will be awesome for me!!

so should I or shouldn't I? Marathon..... Do I want to??? I suppose if I am questioning I shouldn't?? I really don't know. I would love to do Salt Lake but my window is closing quickly! I need to get training if I am doing it.

umm I forgot to mention...

I ran the Haunted Half, I was a pacer. I love pacing however I have really only paced a few people in. Hopefully this next year I can pace more people in. It feels so rewarding to do that!! I got to about mile 4 and my knee started hurting (this was two weeks after STG). I ended up bailing on LV Ragnar-which was really hard.

Since then I have started running a little bit. I am finding the joy in it again. I am getting really excited for next year and my goals!

last thing I finally did it!!

I'm a Marathon Maniac! # 6194

Goal for the New Year

My decided goal in the summer was to get over the funk I have been in and go for it! I was planning on doing the Buffalo Run, a 50 miler across the beautiful Antelope Island. Where the buffalo, antelope and all the cute furry animals call home. After St George I decided there is no way I can do it. I just don't know if I could get back to it in time to train for 50 miles in March. I still dreamed deep down of doing it. It is now sold out. Perhaps I won't over do it and get in to run it in 2014.
As the Ogden Marathon lottery process started it was hard not to put in for it. But my bigger goal took hold of me and I was able to survive the whole thing. I have done Ogden for the past two years and really would love to do it again. I have decided 2013 is my Tri year. I am planning on doing the Woman of Steel Triathlon on the same day that they run Ogden. If it goes well and I am feeling ambitious I will then sign up for the Bear Lake Brawl (which is also a triathlon).
I had decided to not plan on a marathon this year but Salt Lake is taunting me. I am trying to win an entry but I think deep down I will end up just paying the big bucks for it. I really want to do it. I am also signed up for the Wicked Witch. the bike ride I relayed in a few months ago. so yes I need to make Charlotte Sometimes (my bike) my best friend this coming spring and summer.
Once the new year comes upon us I will step it up. I feel so much better when I am eating good and exercising. I am still active at the gym, but swimming has slacked. they added a full hour of spin and I sure enjoy it! They also added a Yoga class which is just marvelous!
Life may get in the way but my biggest goal for 2013 is the Triathlon. I am so scared and excited so I know it is the thing to do!

St George Marathon

okay last year my cousin JaNae did STG and loved it soo much she wanted me to do so I hesitantly signed up for the runners series, I went to St George in January and did the St George half then in March we went down and did the Lake to Lake relay. got my guaranteed entry into the hard sought after St George marathon. Still not really wanting to do it, and waiting till the VERY last day I finally signed up. finished of all my spring runs and went into a runners hibernation state. mid July I tried to start my training with no avail. I decided to sign up for a couple of halfs to hopefully kick start my training. It didn't work, I went into STG with a couple halfs run and no more than that since June.
I wasn't nervous just worried since I knew I hadn't trained. Don and I made it to st george just in time to meet up with some friends for dinner, not thinking there was room for us at the table we slipped outside and sat in the fresh air. We ended up speaking with an older couple about running and cycling and triathlons. It was a nice dinner even though we missed our friends.
headed to the expo got my bib, shirt, ect, and saw Tom and JaNae. Made quick arrangements and headed back to the hotel to sleep.
We got up at 3:15 to leave. Melissa drove and Kimberly joined us. We got on the 2nd bus heading up. it was windy and cool at the start, we found an unlit fire and sat around it and someone came and started it. we talked and waited. Finally the start. My hope was to finish-then to finish in under 5 hours. I started with a friend Christine, she was doing a 5 minute walk and a 1 minute run. It was a little faster pace than I wanted so once we hit the hill-Veyo. I dropped back to my own pace.
I was feeling sore, knowing it was because I was so under trained, at mile 14ish my ankle started to hurt a little and it promptly started to bother the back of my knee, mile 16-17 it wrapped around to the front of my knee. I would tell myself to run through the song I was listening to on my ipod, then I could walk. I did that for a while but then I just couldn't any more. it was too much pain. I saw many a sag wagon pass, I even saw a couple people get in. :( That was NOT gonna be me. I had put too much into this race and even though I didn't want to be there I was NOT giving up. I cried for a bit, wished Don was there. it took so long to get to the mile markers. I thought I would be out there all day. I talked to a couple people but they always started running and I could never keep up. The pain came up to my hip. It was really bad and I was actually a little worried I wouldn't make it at this point. And it hurt to run down hill and that was mostly what was left. long sloping hills that you can really pick up pace and get done quick, I had to walk down. I saw a sign that said Liberty blvd. it seemed like eternity until I finally made it to that street!!! There was a bike trail a long side of the road we were on and I kept hoping Don was gonna come but he didn't I texted him letting him know my condition. I hoped to finish in under 5:30 at this point.
We were finally into town, as I turned into town there was a sprinkler thing to run through it felt good, I walked over to the water station and they had candy . I figured I had 3 miles left, I was gonna eat some candy, I got a red vine and a kit kat and ate them up had some water and was on my way. wondering how I was gonna do this. by now I could run for maybe 20 seconds before I was in too much pain. The pain was no longer in my hip. I ran/walked as far as I could. Not long after the candy station Don did come by on his bike and helped me finish, probably a little stronger than I would of if he hadn't. The finish line couldn't get to me quick enough. I was determined to run through it. I walked quickly through the finishers area, grabbed ice cream, chocolate milk, a piece of bread and a plate of food. found Don and we sat on the grass for a while then he went and got my drop bag and we left. Yes I finished. I was pretty miserable, but I have never been so happy to be done!! That was soo long! My watch gives me a moving time of 5:37. :(

happy things-
I found another pair of my FAVORITE shorts at the Nordictrack booth at the expo!! I haven't seen them at their booths since I first got them and this time they were in the clearance bin (only one pair though).
I got to spend time in St George and see God's beautiful creations-Snow Canyon, We gotta bring the kids here!!! I remember being there as a kid!
All along the course I was reminded, by signs, I am pacing The Haunted Half in two weeks and it is gonna be a blast cuz I have a friend running it with me!
my phone is being replaced for free (see sad things),
I finished marathon #5.

sad things-
my knee still is sore and I have a really bad sunburn!
I ran with my phone in my bra and my sweat shorted out my battery charging area so I can't post my pictures.



so that's it. I'm gonna take it easy on the running. I hope I haven't completely burned myself out, I really had planned to do the buffalo run in March-50 miler but I think I'm gonna have to wait. I am gonna spend some time in the pool and on my bike. I really hope I am gonna be ok to run in 2 weeks, and at ragnar LV in a month.