Looking back

WOW.... I was just thinking that 8 months ago I was beginning to get the itch to start running and Today Looking back I have come a long way.... I never ever thought that this could be a possibility or even reality. I have found that through running, not only do I relieve stress but I am also granted a feeling of accomplishment. Over the past two weeks, i have completed 2 half marathons on two very different courses. Each had their challenges, but in the end, I crossed both finish lines under 3 hours.... I have come to love the distance and challenges of a Half Marathon. I find the rush to be simple amazing and indescribable. I just love to run. Starting in OCT, as my work schedule is about to change, I will have more free to time to set myself up on a more solid training and running schedule. I have a few new goals that I would like to accomplish in the next several months. It has been hard to get in each of my training runs while trying to juggle life flight, work, family church etc.... To this point, I have made some very lofty goals, and hopefully I wont be on this journey by myself..... In the next three months, I still have 2 half marathons, 2 10K, and a 5k charity run. My goal or tentative plan for the 2011 year is to run a FULL MARATHON, yup all 26.2 miles..... I am hoping by running a half marathon monthly that I will be ready to run a full when I'm ready. I am most likely going to run ST George, but may reconsider for another..... We shall see. Now this is in no way a Guarantee, just a goal for me to work towards. I feel that I need something that seems almost impossible to push me and guide me. I have already set myself up into next year with several really fun runs.... Jan- Painters Half Marathon, March- Spectrum 10K, April- SLC Half Marathon, May-Ogden Half Marathon, June- Utah Valley Half Marathon and July Bryce Canyon Half Marathon. All but Bryce I am already signed up to run..... It is looking to be an awesome running season. I know that If I can get some good training in, not only am I gonna lose some weight, but I am going to get in better running condition, which should help improve my speed and times..... Overall through this experience, I have found that I have grown as a person, I have made some of the coolest friendships and have found a true love for running and racing...... In the words of my good friend Cory Reese, who by the way is a manchild running 7 marathons this year, echo's my joys of running....

"Here's my problem: I LOVE RACES. I love them. I love the pit in my stomach I feel for weeks leading up to the marathon. I love the butterflies in my stomach. I love the anxiousness the night before the race when I'm so excited that I can't sleep. I love the nervousness of wondering how the race will go. I love standing on the starting line with thousands of other crazy people who will all be sharing this experience together. I love the feeling at the finish line knowing that I accomplished something that was really hard. I LOVE RACES"

I am looking forward to what lies ahead of me.... Knowing that with each step I make, a journey I am on.....

Cedar Canyon Half Marathon

As I was getting ready to leave for the park to catch the shuttle at 5:30 in the morning, I forgot to grab my camera that I had laid out next to all my other clothes. I didn't notice this till I was half way up Cedar Canyon.... I at least had my phone, but unfortunately, this is the only pic that I got from it..... SO needless to say.... This is the only Picture I have from the Cedar Canyon Half Marathon.

On Friday night, I meet up with Dan and Janie Earl, and Tige Hazelton for the free Pizza Factory pasta and bread sticks.... It was so yummy and a good way to carb load before the race. It was fun to hang out with these guys. My family had to stay home due to soccer games, so I was running this one all by myself....
We meet at the park at 6am to catch the shuttle up to woods ranch. It was nice and cool at the main st park. I was so thankful that I had packed a long sleeve shirt and sweatshirt... When we hit woods ranch it was a blistering 40's and cold. It was cold..... Thanks goodness there were fire pits and fire in them..... AT 0700 we were off to RUN THE CANYON.... When I prepared for Disneyland, I ran mostly flat courses, well Cedar canyon has a 1-8% downhill grade in the first 7 or so miles.... I ran really well while trying to watch my speed coming off those hills. I was pacing about a 9-10 min mile most of the way. When the course started to flatten out, I could feel the pain in my Quads. I had started to brew a nice hug blister on my right foot. The next 5 miles, I had more of a run/walk style in it... I held my own well till mile 12, where we exited Canyon park and started to run the foothills of Cedar city. I was worn out, hurting and sore from the blister. The temp was in the high 70's and boy did it feel HOT.... Thank goodness i made the last 1.1 miles and made it across the finish at 2:48:01. I shaved 10 min off my first half marathon, but was on pace for a 2:30 if i hadn't had all the troubles in the last few miles.... Overall I had a blast... It was such an awesome run. I have now ran 2 Half Marathons in 13 days. I wonder if that is as close as I am going to be to running 26.2 miles...... Good times. Now time for recover since I cant walk...... :)

The Happiest Race on Earth

Oh boy... What a week we had in Disneyland, and then Sunday came around. I had felt some nerves all week leading up to the race, but nothing like Sat night. I knew that I had 2 long runs of 12 + miles under my belt, but the feeling of the unknown loomed. I had many thoughts about the race, but Literally had to stop myself from allowing my mind to take over. I had to tell myself over and over, I have run several races, and have trained as good as I could for this half marathon. Now running with 14,000 runners, is a first for me, and let me tell you, there was TONS of people..... but I never felt crowded out, so way cool.... Ok lets roll with my race report.

My good friend Michelle Peterson, the only person I knew running the race. Gotta love a 5 am pic before the race. We look like we just woke up, Wait WE did....LOl :)

This pic still doesn't give any justice to how many people ran this race. There was a total of 14,000 runners, almost double than the ST George Marathon. In the far distance you can see the lights of the starting line. They had different waves. I was in the front of Corral D. Corrals went all the way to G, so there was Thousands behind me as well. It was a 5 min difference from the start time for each wave. We didn't get our gun to start running till 06:18am.

Runners, Set...........GO, BOOYAH, Finally all my training, nerves, excitement are all pushed aside as we take off to run 13.1 miles in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Mickey and Minnie greeted us as we passed the start line.

We first made a loop down magic way out to Katella then up to Harbor Blvd, and made the turn into the parking toll loop. Mid way down the road, we made a turn into the back lot of Disney's California. We made a loop around Paradise Pier where we ran into Mike from Monster Inc, passed the New Little Mermaid ride,and then out past Grizzly run.

Lightening McQueen and Mater were there to greet us as we exited out of California before we hit Soarin Cali. I didn't stop to get my pic taken, I really wanted to break 3 hours, so I just snapped pics.

We ran across into Disneyland where we were greeted by Mary Poppins and cast. They had entertainment and characters everywhere. It totally rocked....

As we made the turn into Frontier land, we ran past the Princess and the Frog. They had several characters on the Mark Twain boat as well.

Coming out of Fantasy Land we ran through the Castle. Malificent was on top to greet us. Oh how sweet of her.....lol

Once through the castle, we ran past all of the Princesses. Look, a small line to see the Princess, Now that Never happens....LOl

Following running through Tomorrow land and then into the back lots behind Its a Small World and Toon Town, we exited out onto Disneyland Dr, then made the turn onto Ball rd to run up and over the bridge to Harbor Blvd. Here is another shot at the number of people running around me. Btw the weather was AWESOME. it was in the 60's and had an overcast of humidity hanging around us. Never let up till after I had finished. SO happy..... PS this was Mile 4.

Over the next four miles, we zig-zagged our way around Anaheim. They had dance groups, and cheer squads all along the race. It was awesome to get that extra bump or push. This is mile 8.5 as we make the turn past the Honda center where the Anaheim Ducks play. I really felt Well at this point. I was surprised to see how GOOD I was feeling. I felt like the time had gone fast.

Mile 9.3 we came up onto the Angels Stadium. I was happy with my 15K time of 2 hours even. Seeing the stadium I knew that It was all down hill from here, even though there were no down hills, but the hard part was over. Bring on the Stadium. I was so pumped to see the field and to run through it.

Angels Stadium... Yes I am on the infield running track..... SO SO excited..... This was way awesome.... It was filled with tons of boy scouts, and they were really rocking the place.

A look at the infield.

Mile 11.5..... I was starting to hurt about this point. Getting tired, and then I looked up and knew that hitting Disneyland meant I was at 12 mile, nothing like a much needed pick me up. Btw I love the Tower of Terror.

As I hit mile 13, I started to cramp..... I was hoping that I wouldn't have to crawl over the finish line, but Lucky for me, I made it. As I crossed the finish, Minny and Mickey on the Right side, and Donald and Daisey were there to greet us as we crossed the line. I looked down at my watch and saw that I had posted a Sub 3 Half.... My chip time was 2:57:59.... The OVERWHELMING rush that came over me was Wicked Awesome. I felt like I could have run forever, but my Body was yelling No way..... What a Sweet race... I totally Loved it....

Post Race Medal pic.

This is by far THE BEST MEDAL EVER..... It was so worth running 13.1 miles for. What an awesome event. The day has come, and I completed my First ever Half Marathon. I have already signed up to run Cedar Mountain Half marathon in less than two weeks from now. I Just love to run and love the motivation it gives me in my life. I truly couldn't have run this without alot of support, encouragement, and advice from many of you. You guys Rock..... Thanks for helping me on my Adventure one step at a time....

Its A Finial Countdown.... T minus 6 and counting

Strange to think that this time next week, I will either be passed out cold in a medical tent, or have crossed the finish line to complete my first ever half marathon. I am praying for the latter for sure. I have worked so hard to get to this point but I still have alot of butterflies about this race. But Im hoping the excitement will take over and carry me through the race. I have decided to sign up for the new Cedar Mountain half marathon on Sept 18th. I figure that I have trained for my half, might as well have the opportunity to run 2 for the pain of one training. Well fingers are crossed, and I will see yall at the Finish Line.... Wish Me Luck!!!!!!!

Running to the End

If pictures are worth a thousand words, I sure wonder what I looked like as I finished my last Long run this morning. This is HOW I FELT...... Beat, but not Beaten.... The last two miles of my 12 mile run, seemed like an Eternity.... Will power and pure determination to finish the run was the only thing that kept me going. My feet ached so bad that I wasn't sure that I was actually gonna make it back to my car... I was sure praying that I wouldn't have to crawl back, Now talk about a picture......LOL :) I decided this run to remove my super green orthodics..... ummm Big mistake. They are going right back in for my next run. Wont make that mistake twice. Overall. It was a really sweet day to go out for a run. I saw many runners and cyclers out and about that you never felt alone. I picked a slightly harder course than the last one, in large parts, that there is a hill in my half marathon that I haven't trained for. SO off to Washington Fields I went. I just cant believe how far I have come. This sat will be my Taper run in preparations for my first ever Half Marathon. I am so excited and Nervous all at the same time... Today I kept repeating in my mind.... NO GUTS, NO GLORY....... Bring it On!!!!! :)

There is nothing quite like the feeling of waking up at 4am, in order to get your long run in while it is still cool (80 degrees) outside. I have actually found the experience to be very refreshing. I love the solitude and how peaceful things feel in the middle of the night. No one is awake, it is just you and the open road. Yesterday, being my only day off this week, I headed out on a new route that I have only driven to run. I parked my car at Summit AC, and started out on my journey, if completed, would be the longest run of my entire life. I ran from the summit, turn towards Washington Fields and then out on old Washington Fields road towards Warner Valley. It was a fairly nice out and back, but in the end, I gps myself to be 12.01 miles. I did this is 2 hours 41 min. Not bad in my book. 13.1 miles is just around the corner. I am starting to get way excited to think and see the progression I am making. Now I realize that I am way slow, but my goal for now is to finish the race. I will work on gaining speed as time goes on. Looking back on 8 months of running, I have gone from the couch to running 12 miles. Not bad. I am so excited for Disney... Gonna be a blast. SO my next long run will be on Monday again and not Sat due to my work schedule, followed my my taper run on that following sat of 5 miles.... Then it will be time to lace up the shoes for the happiest race on the Earth.... Gotta love it....

Training, oh the Joys!!!!

It has been a busy work week this week, and I haven't got around to posting yet. Last SAT, while up in Spanish Fork, I went for a sweet run around Salem. I ran next to the canal, into woodland hills and through the river bottoms for a Astounding 10.1 miles in 2 hours 15 min. I was so surprised and shocked that I was NOT only alive and living when I finished, but that I also felt great, and a little sore.... It made me look at 13.1 as something I know that I can achieve. This week, my goal is to run 11 or 12 miles. Due to changes in my Life Flight schedule, I have to postpone my long run until Monday. I have planed a sweet 14 mile run, but plan to run between 6 and 6.5 miles out and back on Monday. Hopefully I can pull it off. Disneyland Half marathon is right around the corner. I have had several smaller runs this week, but am really looking forward to knocking out the Longest run of my Entire life. I love this picture. No matter what comes our way, If we are willing to stand tall, and believe in all that we have given, No storm or trial can take us down unless we allow it ourselves. Always believe you can be successful in whatever you put your mind to... Its working for me.... :)

"When people ask why I run, I tell them, there's not really a reason, it's just the adrenalin when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line, and know that you are a winner no matter what place you got."
~ Courtney Parsons

Time for Training

WOW I can't BELIEVE that it is already August.... Im am just a little over 30 days away from running my First EVER Half Marathon. I remember when I was in High School and in P.E., we had too run the MILE.... a mile, holy cow that is like forever. I ran a sweet mile in high school around 6 min, but I never found any joy in running. I ran because it was required for school, wrestling, and football. I never found any fun in running 4 times around a track. I just ran as fast as I could to get it over with. To me running seemed impossible. I never thought that I would ever run a 5k and a 10k wasn't an option. I remember when I first woke up early on a cold morning in Jan out of the blue and had a desire to go for a jog. ummmm Random I know. That started my running adventures. Looking at a 5k and knowing I had to run 3.1 miles felt like I had a huge obstacle of climbing Mt Everest. Not only did I run a 5K, BUT I was alive when I crossed the finish line. I found that As I continued to run, I felt this excitement, a rush of energy, a love for putting one foot in front of another, overpowering the thought of distance at hand. Down went the 5k, and then the 10k. A dozen races later, I am now facing the steepest climb of my running adventures,the Undaunting 13.1 miles. NEVER EVER in my life did I ever think that this would or could be a possibility. I may not be the fastest runner, or even a middle of the pack runner, But no one can take away the joy of accomplishment as you cross the finish line. What great satisfaction there is to see the challenge in front of ya, to over come both physical and mental obstacles, and to hobble across that finish line and know that you gave it your all. If you ask if I am sacred to death of a Half marathon, I would say YES.... 13.1 miles is an eternity, but looking back on high school, so was the mile. Training isn't easy. It is alot of work, but I LOVE IT!!!!!!! On Sat, I woke up at 0400 to get my long run in. This past week, the mornings have been warmer than normal and very humid. I had my goal of running 8 miles, but was only able to knock out 7.25 miles in 1:35. I felt good, but several times felt a little overheated. I have been running with a hydration pack, which i love and helps for my long runs because I can carry everything on my back and I don't have to prearrange any water drop off locations. I am looking forward to august for a whole month of solid training in preparation for my half marathon. I know that what seem like a impossibilities if broken down into pieces, can be very possible. Well Wish me luck and I will continue to post my weekly trainings leading up to my first ever 13.1 miles. Man I love being a Pavement Pounder.... Let the GOOD TIMES Roll......

"Cause when push comes to shove, you taste what you're made of. You might bend 'til you break, cause it's all you can take. On your knees you look up, decide you've had enough. You get mad, you get STRONG. Wipe your hands, shake it off and you STAND!!!"

Speedy Spaniard 10K

SORRY That it has taken me forever to finally post my race report of my running of the Speedy Spaniard 10k in Spanish Fork on July 24th....

Overall, I was pretty happy with my results. I wanted to run this race with mike, who used to run like crazy. He hasn't been running much as a late but I talked him into running with me. I haven't been running so well myself while I was caring for and taking care of my Daughter 2nd degree burn to her hand. I was only able to run Bryce 5k and once before this race :( But overall I was supper excited to post one of my better 10k times at 1:18:53. It was quite the rolling course for the first 3 miles and then a gradual down hill for the last three. The first three miles, Mike and I continually had to keep encouraging one another to keep it going.... The last three went well. I love a gradual down hill course. I feel that I could have shaved a couple more minutes off my time, but considering all that has taken place in the month of July, I was STOCKED with my time. This is my last race before I really take the plunge off the of the deep end to run my first ever Half Marathon. 13.1 miles, man it sure is gonna be a challenge but also a thrill.....

Bryce Canyon Half Marathon & 5K

Brtyce Canyon ROCKED!!!!! What A RUN. It was a good run and a much needed high. The past 2 weeks I have been fighting everything that comes with a 2 year old who suffered 2nd to 3rd degree burns to her hand following an accident with the stove. It has been Impossible to train these past two weeks, but I was going to run Bryce no matter what. SO glad that I did. I had a ball and loved running through the beautiful red rock country of the Bryce Valley. I actually ran better than I thought I was going to. I did stop for a bit to help a lady who threw her back out during the run until medical could get to her. Overall I am not ashamed with a 40:31 5K. It felt so so so so GOOD to get back to running. As I watch all those amazing athletes who ran the Half marathon, I reflected on my goals of running a half, and even started to question if I could ever get there. Well Six weeks from Today I run the Disneyland Half Marathon. I am so Excited and Scared all in the same sentence. I restart my training for my half next week. I know that I am behind but My kids come first..... I will make It. I am gonna train hard and work even harder to be as possible ready as I can. It was awesome to see alot of my friends from St George run Bryce. You guys rock.... Looking forward to running the Speedy Spaniard 10K next weekend.