Dogtown Half Marathon

I was supper excited to run Dogtown Half Marathon. The weeks leading up to the race, I was feeling really well. I had be cleared to run by my Doc, been spinning and running well, and had even ran the race course and was feeling really good about the race. I even had thoughts that I just might set a PR on this course. About a week before the race, the course changed due to portions of the trail being washed out from the flood hadn't been repaired in time. I was able to get a run in on that course. A few days before the race, the weather predicted that it was going to be Cold, Rainy, and Wet.... The course was once again changed 2 days before the race, making what was an all downhill course into a much harder course, including the hill climb of Washington Dam Rd.

Before the race. Michelle Peterson, Kellie Whittekiend, and Scott Monson. It was SO cold. Even though the temp said 40, it felt more like 32. With the wind and light rain, it was a cold start. Even though we was soaking wet by the finish, it was still a pretty sweet race.

I really struggled to get it going for some reason. The first couple miles I felt really tight in my calf's. I just couldn't get them loose. I have had several runs where I have run without my compression soaks, and several with, I am finding that I feel not as tight without them. This sat I'm runnning lake to lake relay so I will find out exactly how I feel running a race without them. Here is a pic at the corner of Washington Fields rd and Washington Dam rd. I loved this pole that I had to have a pic.

I HATE THAT DAM ROAD..... with the course changing, instead of running down Dam rd, we got to climb it. It is a gradual but long uphill climb. I gotta tell ya, I was Dying. I battled myself this whole race. I really don't know why either. This area, besides dam road is where I like to do a lot of my Long run training. I have had several races where I felt that i had hurdles to climb but this run was by far the Most Challenging run I have ever done. Not only did I have to fight the elements, but I had to fight myself physically and well as mentally. I had to keep telling myself that I can DO IT!!!!!! I think the hardest part was that as a slower runner, this was a race that most was way ahead and I only really came across others as they passed me, being that it was an out and back course. It was a lot harder to stay focused when you don't have others by ya to keep ya going. I do have to say, that I have some of the COOLEST friends ever. Even though I wasn't running with the pack, All my friends would give me a high five, and give me words of support. What made things easier was that I could see how BAD they were all hurting as well. This race was for sure one that I learned a lot about myself and my will to not give up. I had to grind where I didn't think I could grind anymore. Then a car pulled over to the side of the road, and it was another one of my friends, who told me to find my balance to keep my elbows in and ride it to the finish. Thanks Renee, I really need that A LOT. A block from the finish, I was really struggling to keep my legs moving, I saw one of my friends running towards me, and gave the that last boost to get me across the line.

I didn't have My best time, I didn't set a PR, but I did FINISH my 7Th half marathon. I crossed at 2:54:45. I was super stoked to have been greeted by all my family, Michelle and Micah Peterson, Kellie Whittekiend, and most of the Washington Community rec staff, and to Colleen Rue for basically catching me and for the delicious chocolate milk. I have never been happier to have crossed a finish, well except for probably my first half of course. :) Next Week Lake to Lake relay. Oh yea....

Help Me Fight Cancer

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." Author unknown

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be apart of such an amazing cause. I have seen the works of this horrendous disease and want to help take a stand against it. Everyday it seems we are face with another friend or family member who has been diagnoised with cancer. I am only ONE but I want to do something about it so here I go...

So as a member of the American Cancer Society DetermiNation endurance event program, I am dedicating my training and race participation to help the American Cancer save lives. The miles and months of my training will be tough, but being a part of the DetermiNation program will give me the support and strength I need to endure. And, every mile I conquer will be more meaningful because I’m doing this for something greater – for a cause I truly believe in. And I’m hoping you’ll support me in my efforts.

Most of us have been touched by cancer in some way. This is my way of fighting back against a disease that has taken too much. When I cross that finish line, I will be doing it for you and for all the people we know who’ve been touched by this disease. I am hoping that I can cross the finish line twice, once to finish the Ragnar relay and another for the fight of cancer. I have made a pledge to raise $400.00. I know that times are tight, but even the smallest amout will make a huge difference. Please help me in this fight. Please click the link below to donate. It is a Tax write off. :)

Once again Thanks.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY10GreatWest?px=19069277&pg=personal&fr_id=34234

It's About Time Update

OK OK I know that I have slack off from my blog the past couple weeks and have a lot to update. But first OFF, Happy Valentines day tomorrow. I know that without all the LOVE and Support from my personal Cheerleader and Wife, I would not be where I am today. I love ya Sweetheart. Hope we all take the time to thank and cherish those closest to us.

Now to the running. For the past three weeks, while being limited on my running per doctors orders, I struggled with the fact that I couldn't run. I started to attend spin classes at the Washington Community Recreation Center. Never in a million years, did I think that I would find any Joy in sitting on a bike. LET ME TELL YA NOW, I'm a total believer and I love it. I have been going 3-4 times a week and doing limited running on the track following the spin workout. I know i wasn't supposed to do tons a running but i kept it to 2-3 miles at a time. Well last week, Dr Stewart cleared me for running following a second injection of cortisone to my foot. I have had to wear an air cast which has an air pocket that sits in the arch of the heel, taking pressure off the planter fascia. There is absolutely no fun in getting a shot to the foot, but so far it is working well. Now that I have been given the total green light from light workout, I have planned to run the Dogtown Half Marathon in 2 weeks followed by my first ever relay as I run lake to lake relay. So far things are looking really well. Yesterday, I took to the course of the upcoming half marathon and was able to knock out 11 miles without a lot of stress to my foot. I felt awesome. the first time in almost 5 months. I swear that spin has made a huge difference. from this point on, I am going to be a spin addict along with running. Oh yea..... Good times.


OK to the WAY AWESOME NEWS: I am going to be running the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay in June from Logan to Park City. It is a relay that runs day, night and then day and cover 200 miles. It is made up of a 12 person team each covering 3 legs roughly 12-18 miles in total distance. I Cant wait. I have made some changes to my racing schedule. Take a look, the new additions are in Red. Should be a great running season. Thanks again for everyone support. It means a lot to me.

St George Half Marathon and 5K

Before the race, we meet up with the gang. Cory and Melanie Reese, Alex and Cherie Santiago, Shane and Kerri Nielson and Melissa and I. What a good looking group.

The rest of the gang before the start of the race.

I was a little disappointed with the weekend. Over the past four months, I have been running with and treating my planter fasciitis. On Mon, less than a week before the St George Half Marathon, I went out to complete my long run of 8 miles. I was sore like i have normally been sore following a long run, but nothing more. later that day I started to tighten up, still thought nothing of it. I had taken my sleeping pill that night and was off in LA LA LAND, when I was woken out of my sleep by a KILLER pain. I have never hurt that bad in my whole entire life. I was dying. My left foot was literally curled up in a ball, and i was thrashing in pain. I woke Melissa up and asked her if i could have a saw to cut my foot off.... She was worried, especially knowing that I had my Ambien on board, if I was really going to follow through. Needless to say I didn't sleep that much the remainder of the night, and nothing from ice, heat or Ibuprofen could help out. On Thursday, just days before the race, I went and saw the Podiatrist, who is an avid runner, to have my foot checked out. I told him how i have fought through my races and what the other Doc had told me to do, and that was to keep stretching it and to keep running. He skipped the Xray and went straight to the Ultrasound. Needless to say, my planter fascia was almost triple the size it should be. He wanted to inject it again with cortisone. I had a shot in late OCT, it hurt but it was nothing like this one. The Doc ultrasound guided the needle deep into my inflamed Fascia and injected several locations. I think that the shot hurt worse than my foot did on Monday night. I was literally coming off the bed. Following the shot, I was placed in an air cast wrap for my heel. I was told that I COULD NOT run the Half Marathon, but was given the green light to run the 5k if i felt up to it. OF course I wanted to run and Melissa was going to be running the5k, her second ever. Come Race day, I really had the urge to just run the half, but wasn't willing to put myself in a position to where I would injure myself any worse that I already was, so the 5k it was. After meeting up with some of the coolest people ever, we was off. Melissa and I had discuss that we didn't care about our time but that we just wanted to go out and keep it nice and easy for me and my foot. We had a pretty sweet run with no pain, or issues. At this point I was loving the shot. The first time my foot didn't hurt during a run in month. It was awesome. In keeping to a nice and easy pace, we crossed the finish line just under 39 minutes. I felt awesome. The hardest part is by feeling so good and seeing all the half marathoners out on the course really made me crave to be out there with them. I'm sure 10 more miles would have probably done me in. So overall great races with my own disappointments.

I go back to see the doc again on Feb 1st to see how my foot has responded to the injection. He gave me a good chance that I will end up in a walking boot after needle decopression of the fascia. I am hoping for the easy route to keep running. All I want to do is run. Well, I guess I am limbo till Tuesday. Untill then. :}

ONE YEAR BABY!!!!!!

One year ago, I had my very own Forrest Gump Moment, where I woke up early in the morning and decided I wanted to go for a run..... A year later, here I stand. Looking back, I NEVER thought in a million years that I would have come so far and accomplish so much. Ever since that cold early morning last Jan, I have pounded out 528 miles and run 19 races. The grand total for 2010 was 6 5K's, 1 9K, 6 10K's, and 6 Half Marathons. Even though I have faught through some injuries, I feel 2011 is gonna be a rockin year. I have many awesome races in store. I just cant wait for the challenges that await me this upcoming year. THANKS to all who have given me support and love. It truely keeps me going. Bring on the open road. I will restart training this week following three complete weeks off to help me recover. Next up the St George Half Marathon. Can't wait.

Hostess Half Marathon

SO what exactly is the Hostess Half Marathon? I have been asked on numerous accounts, how could Hostess, a delicious but unhealthy snack product actually sponsor a Half Marathon.... Well the story goes...... They Didn't. I have a good friend, who is a Hostess addict who also loves to run. Being that December is one of the only months in our area where there isn't a Half Marathon Scheduled, Cory decided to create his own, combining his two favorite things. SO Folks that is how we got to the Hostess Half Marathon. They only had four simple rules.


1) Run 13.1 miles.
2) Eat a Hostess product at each aid station spaced 2 miles apart.
3) Use every ounce of will power available to not vomit Twinkies at mile 11.
4) Everyone Wins their Age division and Medals as long as they eat a Hostess product at each station and finishes the race.
That my Friends is the Hostess Half Marathon.

In comparison with my last race, this time I didn't have to race 18,000 other runners, There was just 40 of us. A nice small running group from the surrounding Hurricane area. I had alot of my good friends run in the race, which made it even more exciting and fun. To set the picture of the day, as you can tell from our attire, it was raining and wet. But of course, rain will never stop any of us from running, or eating our hostess donuts on the run.

The Hostess Half Marathon was something I had LOOKED forward to ever since I signed up. I thought that the challenge of running and eating Twinkies sounded fun but also like a huge challenge as well. I have found a true love for running over the past year. I look back and see where I have come, and find myself finding JOY in my journey. For the record, for the past two to three months i have bee fighting a nagging Plantar Fasciitis in my Left foot. To make matters worse, I also sustained a right quad injury on my Las Vegas Half Marathon. I had been sick with a cold a week prior to Las Vegas, but still had some lingering effects on race day. Melissa, my wife, told me that running this race had nothing to prove. She didn't want me to get sick, or reinjure myself, especially in the rain. I knew that I was going to be slower than I have been on previous races, but I really really wanted to finish this last race of my 2010 season. So of course I went, which I DON'T REGRET. I had a totally blast. For being a small race, we really see the separation of the elite fast and the really slow.... but being friends, everyone was more than supportive and made for a huge cheer section.
As the race started, I really struggled in the first 2-3 miles to get loose. The main group took off like Lightening and there was only about five of us for a small period of time. Five turned into three, which turned into just me. I had troubles in the rain keeping my shoes tied. I swear I tied them like 50 times.... LOl OK maybe 3 or 4. I felt my previous injury start to rear its head about mile three. By this time, I was having a hard time keeping pace with the 2 Mels. I had fallen back about a quarter mile. I was able to talk with and meet two awesome and inspiring runner. Carol and Mendy. Simply amazing. Both of their stories inspired me to keep going. Of course, I am a very competitive person but realize my limitations, but there is No way I was going to be last as we traded back and forth for the first 4 miles who was running in last position. When I made it to the second aid station just above the LDS fruit farm by the airport in Hurricane, I had finally taken a lead from the final pairing. The visibility was hard to see anyone after about a quarter mile or so. I made the turn toward Sand Hollow and half way down the road, I see the leaders screaming towards me. OH NO I said. I wasn't running well, but I had to grin and bear through it. To my surprise, both Tom and Ty gave me a high five and said several words of praise and then they was out of sight. I was really struggling to keep going. I was hurting, My quad and foot both on fire and had won the first round. But after running past them, here came the middle of the pact. Each and everyone of them, either gave a high five, two thumbs up, words of praise and support. What a pick me up. There was several I didn't even know who gave me the motivation to keep my shoulder to the wheel and press along. Man I really needed that, for after i passed them ad they all became out of site, I had to keep telling myself, I can do ti, just keep putting one foot in front of another and I will make it. Finally I made it to the hill, which we had to climb to make the turn around. Once on top I reached the third aid station. For me eating the hostess product was a piece of cake. LOL or donut. I always picked up a glass of Gatorade and one powdered donut and was off, it held me well, Never did I feel sick or bloated or anything. Lucky me... No puking Twinkies on this run. As I ran down the hill and made it a quarter mile, I passed the last group. I knew that they was hurting as bad as I was. I ran over to them and Told the how proud I was of them, and to keep their heads high and then I was off into the fog and rain. I couldn't see anyone in front of me or behind me. I was almost a nice feeling of solitude. Just me and the cows on a nice wet rainy day in the middle of nowhere... But by this time I had a decent run going, partially because I knew I was on my way back to the finish being that is was an out and back course. I made the turn off 3000 on to 700 back into Hurricane. By the time I made the Intermediate school. I was hurting and sore. I had to keep going. I made the turn onto 400 and half way down the road I see a runner coming towards me. As he got closer I realize that Cory had come back for me. It was the much needed pick me up I needed at this point. He ran with me all the way to the finish. Cory, once again, your the man... Thanks so much for coming and running with me. YOU ROCK. I crossed the finish at 3:05:43. the same posting I placed in Las Vegas. I have never hurt as bad as I did as I crossed that line, but having the medal placed around my neck, and knowing what I overcame during that run, it feel like one of my top accomplishments of the year so far. This was a sweet race and I actually had a blast running it.

****Since Nov 1, I have officially ran 4 half marathons in two months. I know I am a little worn down and battered so I plan to take some time off to heal so that I can be ready for an awesome 2011 season. I have many awesome runs planned with a goal of running a half marathon every month and hopefully running the 2011 STG marathon. Fingers crossed.

Quote of the day

"The first principle of distance running is consistency. You have to be willing to commit to running every day. There will be times when you have other commitments (family, church, school, vacation, etc) and you will be unable to run, but on the days you can run, you should be running. If you want to improve and if you want to reach your potential with running, it has to be part of who you are." --Corbin Talley

Rock and Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

I have been looking forward to Rock and Roll Las Vegas ever since I had signed up in the spring. Just the idea of running the whole strip, having rock bands every other mile, and cheer squads all over, sounded like a great course and event. Well leading up to the race. A week prior, I was down and out with a nasty head cold. I was extremely worried that I wouldn't be running. During that time, I wasn't able to get even a single training run in. I haven't ran since the Mesquite Half Marathon two weeks ago. But this is Rock and Roll Las Vegas, A must do race, and I wasn't gonna let anything slow me down from running..... Oh and I am so GLAD that I didn't. Holy Cow, What a blast.... Disneyland Half Marathon is by far my all time favorite race to date, but Rock and Roll Las Vegas is a Close Second.... Absolutely LOVED IT!!!!

In my starting Corral. I was assigned Corral 23. Yup that meant we waited for 22 other corrals to go before we hit the start line. It was approximately 35 mins or so. Thank goodness I wasn't further behind, because there was like 20 more behind me. When I ran Disneyland, I ran with 14,000 runners. Rock and roll Las Vegas had 30,000 runners. 12,000 full marathoners and 18,000 Half Marathoners. There was tons of people, but I never felt crammed due to the wave starts..... It was nice to find my groove and ride it without bumping into everybody. A definite Plus in my book.

Booyah, The start line. Rock band and all on the top of the start. It was AWESOME.

They closed down the WHOLE Las Vegas Strip for 4 hours. Yes we OWNED the strip both side. I loved it. Coming upon Tropicana and MGM Grand

Planet Hollywood and Paris. They had their aid stations spaced out very nice. A total of 8. My kind of race :)

Looking over at Mirage. Yes we got the complete show while we ran.

ELVIS was Sighted by the hundreds in las vegas. Had to catch a pic as we left the new strip and headed into old downtown las vegas.

Entering Fremont street. We didn't get to run under the Fremont lights, but still was alot of fun downtown. It really started to get warm. We started the race out at 39 degrees, it was almost 60 by this point.

One of the many rock band throughout the course. It was totally fun to listen to them JAM



Yea, we finally made the turn back onto Las Vegas Blvd and heading back up the strip. Stratospehere in the distance.

Are we Rockin it? YUP so far I'm holding my own. This is how I rocked the strip.

Back to Mid Strip. Almost there. Here is where I ran out of gas. I was wondering when my sickness would catch up to me and it did at mile 11. But I wouldn't let it get me down. I kept pushing on.

AHHHH, Almost back to Mandalay Bay... I can almost see the finish, but Yet It Seemed So Far away, funny huh?

One last band before we finished. This guys rocked the drums. Holy Cow, I could have stayed just to watch them perform.

My most favorite pic of the day. Only 0.1 miles left Booyah

Following being processed through the finish line with medals, pics, and food, it was then time for the FREE rock concert with Brett Michaels from Poision as the headliner. Let me just say, It was AWESOME....... We loved it. That guy can rock. What a sweet way to finish a run.

Another shot of Brett Michaels

The Medal rocked. It was way Thick and Heavy. I love it... Overall I was very happy with the experience. I still had a naggin run on my plantar fasciitis, but as the good doc said, just keep running and that it is going to be a long recovery process. I was warned that I will see some slower times but to keep it going nice and easy..... which I did. I was very happy with my 3:03 posting. I wanted a Sub 3 so bad, but will settle with the finish. That truly is my ultimate goal. Rock and Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon make for my 5Th half marathon this year. I have one more half marathon scheduled in two weeks. It will be my last official run of the year making the Hostess Half Marathon my 6Th half marathon for the year. I am coming to accept the fact that I am going to be slower but I will never let myself down. What a Journey I am on. I love it. I can Now say that I have Rocked the Rock in Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon. Booyah!!!!!

Mesquite Marathon

Im a little late in posting this race report due to work and the holidays and not feeling well, so here I go. I accidentally deleted my mesquite pics while trying to down load them so I borrowed some AMAZING picture from my friend Cory Reese, who ran the full marathon and is just an amazing guy!!!!! I hope you enjoy his pics as much as I do....

I was only going to run the 10k coming off of running Snow Canyon half marathon. I decided that it would be fun to run with my good friend Melanie Reese. SO I signed up for the Half Marathon knowing that i was going to DOOM myself with all the hills. I have been fighting an nagging Plantar Fasciitis for over a month now with little or nor resolve. Come race morning we all loaded up the buses and was dropped out in the middle of the dessert. WHAT an awesome feeling to know that I am in the middle of NOWHERE and the only way home is to run 13.1 miles..... To make matters worst it was cool, overcast and VERY WINDY.

I was so fortunate that MEL said she would run beside me no matter how slow I was. We tried the Galloway run for 5 min and then walk for 1 min. It worked well for the first three miles but the WIND was a whole other story. It was Hauling at 35-40 miles an hour the whole race, with gust up to over 50 mph. You could barely hold yourself upright rather than keep up your pace. Know that we had several massive hills ahead of us..... UGHHHH I hate hills. I love to run down them, not up them.

One of the MANY HILLS. Mel and I saved our energy and walked up all the hills. Wind and Hills, NOT MY FAVORITE!!!!!! Over all I would have to say that this was by far THE HARDEST RACE I HAVE EVER RAN.... 50 mile per hour winds and several massive hills made it for a slower run, but I was Blessed to have a running partner in Melanie who suffered as much as I did and stayed by my side even though she could have probable kicked my butt from the beginning. It amazes me how fast time flies when we have a friend to talk to. Thanks Mel for putting up your worst, and my worst time, but oh the good times we had. :)


The medal was sweet. Overall had a great time in Mesquite just not my best race. This weekend I head off to Rock and Roll Las Vegas. Should be fun. Hopefully I survive. I haven't gotten my training in over the holidays and being down and out the past couple days = no training. oh well I must go on. Bring on the open road.

The next 6 weeks

Nov 20th Mesquite Half Marathon

Dec 5th Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Dec 18th Hostess Half Marathon.

Nov 6th I ran Snow Canyon Half Marathon, over the next 6 weeks, I run a Half Marathon every other weekend. This Making 4 Half Marathons in 2 months. I am so pumped and excited for my upcoming race schedule but I just hope that I SURVIVE..... Not to ention I hope my foot holds up. I ran 5.5 miles today and so far so good. Keep posted to some upcoming race reports. Bring on the Open Road. BOOYAH

Snow Canyon Half Marathon

Leading up to the Snow Canyon Half Marathon, I had already made up my mind that I wasn't going to be running. I have been fighting a very common running injury that has made it very hard and painful to run. Plantar Fasciitis isn't something I would wish on anyone. I Had been to my Doc, and had my foot shot up. Awe what a great feeling to finally find some relief to the pain, even if it was only temporary. Training for anything has been a complete struggle. Looking back, since I ran Cedar Canyon Half Marathon in mid Sept, I have only had 17 miles of training runs with 2 5K races in there which I struggled to run. SO what in the World would ever cause me to think that I was EVEN close to being ready or prepared to run 13.1 miles. I was invited by my friend Liz Dansie to come over to Hurricane High School track on the Thursday leading up to the race to train. I was ITCHING so bad to get a run in. It is so surprising how much you crave a good run. I hadn't had that feeling in almost a month. SO off to Hurricane High I went. To my Surprise, I got to run with Many of my Friends. Cory and Melanie Reese, Liz and Tom Dansie, Cherie Santagio, Logan, Wendy and a couple others. I HAD A TOTAL BLAST, and get this, I was able to run 6 miles that night. I felt good, my foot held up, and it made me second guess myself on Snow. I do have to give total props to Cherie for giving me that extra push to run Snow. So glad I did. I got to run with many of my friends. Tricia, Josh, Karrie, Shane, Alex, Cherie and Jill. Ok off to the Race Report.

This really was a sweet course. WE had the opportunity to run 4 miles on the St George Marathon course above Diamond Valley. It was a really fast and almost all downhill course. I was surprised how good I felt as I started to race. It was one of the most Scenic races I have ever ran.

I just love Snow Canyon State Park. Had to get the camera out for some pics. This would be around mile 8. Overall I felt Great and was holding a 9:30 min/mile pace at this point.

A turn around shoot looking back towards Tuacahn. I love the Red Mountains. This is about mile 11. I ran extremely well, and was surprised at how GOOD I felt. Now I knew that my foot was hurting but it had held up well till this point. Well I don't know what happened but right at mile 11, I hit the Torture wall. The last two miles were a fight and almost unbearable. I really struggled to keep it going. My paced dropped back to a 13-14 min/mile pace. I was just hurting really bad. My foot and leg continued to cramp up the last two miles. I refused to run this far and give up. I knew that I was on pace to run a 2:30, but the last 2 miles took everything I had mentally and physically to get across the finish line.

Once we hit Snow Canyon High School, we had to run the last 0.2 miles around the track. My foot was almost curled up on itself and so crampy. I crossed @ 2:47 a NEW Personal Record by almost two minutes. Running has taught me so much about myself. I got into running to loose weight, which I am, but I believe I am a student of life and all the Life's Lessons it teaches me while I run. To believe in oneself, to push through the pain, to fight on, and to stand back up once you fall, are ALL lessons we can apply in our own lives. I want to give a huge shout out to all my friends who also set their own PR at this race. To each of you, Thank You for all your support and Friendship. I love to run, I love to race, AND I wont let anything slow me down. Off to Mesquite in two weeks, then Rock and Roll Las Vegas next month. Gotta love it, I DO!!!!!!