Up is BAD, Down is GOOD!

This picture was taken from the Patio of our hotel room! It was a beautiful dessert setting.

So I finished and you can cheat and look at my race time to the right. Yes, it is a new PR and I'm totally happy about that. I was looking for a bit better of a time but for me it was a rough race! Since I've been running really consistently now for about a year and a half I thought my time would shoot up a bit more, so I was shooting for 2:10 which is just under a 10 minute mile. I'm trying not to dwell on the fact that I didn't hit my personal goal since I did set a personal record. Yeah!

Here are the gory details for those who are interested (it's LONG.)

We drove to Tucson on Saturday afternoon. Getting to the packet pickup (no expo) at around 3:30. We got our race bibs, chips and shirts which are really nice. The shirts are a white technical tee from Mizuno. They weren't really friendly or helpful at the packet pickup. We wanted a map to the start of the course or at least directions. They handed us a lousy course map and kind of pointed in the direction of the start a few miles away. I asked what time they suggested being there, wondering what parking would be like and the volunteer said, "well the race starts at 7:00 so you better be there before that." DUH? Lindy had read me an excerpt from Runners World on Saturday about what a great race this was, but I was starting to wonder. More on that later.

Scott and I used his iphone to find the course and drove the entire course. I had an elevation map with me that I had printed out on their website. It was SOOOOO off! I think they must have just taken an altitude measurement at each mile marker and plotted it on the map, but I'm not sure if it was even that accurate. A lot of hills can come and go over the course of a mile. As we drove I started getting a knot in my stomach. By the end I was downright sick! I train on completely flat terrain and the two hill runs I did had totally kicked my butt. Scott was trying to talk it up, how he was excited and that it would be an adventure. I know he was only saying that to try and calm me down because I was seriously wondering what I had gotten ourselves in to. He drove me over to a movie theater and the movie did take my mind off my troubles for a little while. We checked into our hotel and had a nice pasta dinner. We set our alarm clock for 5:30 and I actually slept pretty well. Because of a comment a friend made to me on Friday I did have a dream that I wore heelies on the race and popped in my wheels on the downs - wheeeeee!

Race Morning - I put on my new sports bra (see comment under Race Day Gear about this) my new race tee shirt, my old trusty shorts and add my vest and sweatshirt. I should have worn my lucky socks, but they were dirty. I'm still wondering if I'll run in my vest as it's cold out this morning. We drive to the course, parking is well marked and plentiful. The parking area is right next to the start line. As we walk to the course I see a line a mile long for the porta potties which is bad, because I definitely want to go to the bathroom one more time. I find another porta pottie with a shorter line but the wait is still about 10 minutes. Some people in line are commenting that there seems to be less toilets and more people than last year. You would think someone would have done the math, hmmm.... Scott goes to find the gear check and comes back to let me know there is a gear check, but no bags. So after the porta potty we wrap our jackets and my vest and car key up in a sweatshirt and attach our gear check tag. When we ask why there aren't bags they tell us they are trying to be green. Scott and I think that's fine, but it would have been nice to know that we needed to bring a bag. Maybe they could have at least had some used grocery bags.

We're off to the starting line and get there just in time! We kiss goodbye and Scott leaves me in the dust. The crowd thins out quickly and we're heading uphill, but not for long. We have a half mile down hill before our first long hill. I get a great time on my first mile and even with the hill on mile two I'm happy with my pace. The next several miles are more of the same, up, down, up, down. Even with my slow uphills I'm still really happy with my time at the halfway point, even beating my best 10k time and feeling good. It's an out and back course so I know what I'm in for for the rest of the race. I see Scott at the turn around, he looks good and I feel good. Half way done!

I leapfrogged the whole race with three noteworthy groups/individuals. The first is an old man in a yellow shirt. I called him Old Man Yellow Shirt (say this with an American Indian accent.) He was doing awesome. I passed him once around mile 8 but he passed me again on the next uphill and I never caught up to him again, even though I saw him walk a few times. I found out later that he is 75 years old! He won in his age group (of two people.) I was a little humbled that I couldn't get past him, as I knew I was almost half his age. The second group of note were two girls in cute matching purple tanks, I called them the matchy matchy girls. I enjoyed watching them for a few reasons. The first is that they reminded me of what Lindy and I look like running together. If Lindy and I got matching tank tops we would have looked like them. One girl was tiny and trotting along like it was a walk in the park. The other girl was taller and like me was,"a heavy runner" but she looked fit (I hope I look like that too.) She was clearly the weaker link in the duo but doing great. Anyways, they were having fun, chatting occasionally and they had a great support crew following them and taking lots of pictures. They were just ahead or behind me for the first 5 miles. The other reason I liked them is because I passed them around mile 5 and didn't see them again (that's the competitive spirit in me.) The last group of note were the run/walk girls. They would run for a few minutes and then walk for a few minutes. For miles about 5 - 9.5 we leapfrogged. I would pass them on their walks and they would pass me on their runs. They were making good time and I was jealous of their walks. They were chatting and having fun and obviously keeping a good pace. I did pass them on one of their walks on a hill and never saw them again, so I guess they must have faded. I wouldn't mind looking into the run/walk strategy for a marathon but that's a different story.

A note about music. I had spent some time arranging a playlist for the race. I chose some favorite tried and true, fun songs, and then on a tip from Amy and Brian I looked into some techno beat mixes you can download for free. They are basically synthesizer music, no words, and they are set to a bpm that is supposed to correlate with your desired pace. I ended up listening to that almost the whole time. I started off with a few favorites songs and then this started and went for an hour. It was so great. I found that it was just a beat to move to but no words to distract me and I had a lot to think about as you can see from this LOOOOONG post. After it ended I skipped through a few more songs but none of them were working for me so I went back to this. I think I listened to it for all but three songs. So thanks to Amy and Brian for that!

At the half way point I was thinking I might really beat my goal, but that realization faded around mile 9 and I realized around mile 11 that I probably wasn't even going to meet my goal. That was frustrating.

Miles 9.5 to 10.88 are uphill and that's what killed me. I hit a wall around mile 10. In my head I was expecting to go down hill or at least flat at mile 10. That's what the elevation map showed and that had seemed about right when we drove it, but we didn't set our odometer. Around mile 10.25 I was really fading. I looked at my watch and my pace was slower than 12 minutes. I'm sure I slowed even more but I was really trying to push through it. Pretty soon my arms, legs and neck started to get cold and tingly. I was thinking how strange that was when the feeling spread to my cheeks and the top of my head and I realized I was totally light headed. I stopped and walked for a few seconds and it went away. I forced myself to walk to the next light pole and then started my slow climb again. Pretty soon that down I was expecting finally showed up! I cruised down mile 11 - my second fasted mile during the race. I was hoping to make up some time I lost on that uphill. My strategy was working until the last uphill (again, this wasn't on the map.) I couldn't believe that I had to stop and walk AGAIN with only about a third of a mile to go. A guy ran by and said, "only a quarter mile to go." I know he was trying to be encouraging but I'm thinking - "Do you think I don't know that? Do you think I WANT to be walking?" I worked through the dizziness and my first side stitch of the race - STUPID- I guess that fast last mile might have been too fast? I finished strong, but almost 2 minutes over my goal!

The finish line was great. They called out your name as you crossed handed you your medal and shuttled you into an area with drinks, bagels, fruit etc. After some passing nausea I felt pretty good but a little sick to my stomach. I met up with Scott and he told me his time, which was under his goal. We exchanged a few race tidbits as we snacked and I recovered. I was really frustrated with myself for a few minutes, and jealous that Scott had beat his goal, but I quickly got more positive, especially since I really think I gave it my all. There were a few vendor booths but we pretty much just collected our stuff and headed for our hotel and the shower!

The ball of my left foot had bothered me a little the second half of the race, but I was really surprised to take off my shoe and see a monster blister. I had a smaller one on my right foot too. I'm not sure what caused this because I haven't really had blister problems before. Maybe the hills, or the fact that the road sloped a lot, especially on the second half of the race. Also, my left hip has been a little sore for a few days, so maybe my stride was off. I don't think this slowed me much, if at all, and it's kind of like a badge of honor, right?

I had heard this race billed as a John Bingham (frequent contributer to Runner's World) racing event but the ONLY sign of that I saw was the mile markers had a penguin and John Bingham racing printed on them. I don't think there was any other involvement from him. So I think another group must have taken over in recent years. The race itself was fine, but I think they've got some room for improvement.

Overall it was a great race. I plan to make a half marathon an annual tradition for at least the next few years. I guess I left some room for improvement. I'll be looking for a flatter course next year, or at least preparing more if I repeat this race.

Thanks to all of you for your support! It was fun to have your supportive posts, texts and phone calls in the days leading up the race and of course right after. It's so sweet that you care!

So ladies, how far are we running Tuesday?

Bathroom Support

Before I talk about my long run yesterday, I have to say Congratulations to Cynthia!!! Ill let her give you her own details, but it was definitely a PR!

This year our church doesnt start until 10:30, so its the one morning of the week that I dont bother setting my alarm clock. (I LOVE taking this option once a week!!!). So this morning I opened my eyes at 8:00, and immediately thought "Cynthia is one hour into her race!" I couldnt function very well until my phone finally buzzed with her results. (o;

Now, if you dont like to hear about other's bowel troubles, you may not want to proceed. Youve been warned!

During my long run Saturday, I really enjoyed the first bunch of miles. I kept thinking about wonderful things to base this blog on. I was alone for this run, so I was really getting philosophical. You know, really noticing the details of my run.

But mile 11 trouble hit me BIG TIME. The poo that I couldnt produce before my run, was ready to enter this world. And warned me that I hadnt much time to figure out how to make this happen in a tactful and clean way. Luckily I was by a major road. I had been running east along the canal, and had gotten to Gilbert road. I hoped to turn around and run back west, along the canal, all the way home. Another 3 miles. I sat on a short cement wall for a few minutes, until the feeling subsided, and then thought Id try to carry out my plans. 3 steps- Nope. Not gonna work. Luckily I had my cell phone in tow, and my husband is my Knight in Shining Armor. I called him, he took me to Walgreens, waited until things were okay, and then took me back to Gilbert Road and left me.

I finished my run. My longest training run for SLC Half. Hopefully this run was not a foreshadowing of the way the race might go. Because neither Noah, nor Walgreens, will be anywhere around.

Race Day Gear

I'm leaving in an hour to drive to Tucson for my half marathon tomorrow. I can't believe what a hard time I'm having deciding what to wear! My husband thinks it's hilarious, he doesn't understand why I don't just throw in any old shorts and a tee shirt. I don't know why he doesn't realize how many factors there are to consider...what if it's warm, what if it's cold, will I have chafing, did I shave my legs, do I need a pocket for my energy gel, does my ipod clip work with these shorts, do these socks bunch up, do these panties give me a wedgie and the all important how will I look in the race day pics? I think I've finally chosen my old stand-bys; my favorite loose shorts with the elastic coming out of the waist (good thing for the draw string) and a short sleeve VERY faded black technical tee shirt. If it's cold I'll add my fleece vest. I guess I obviously decided I don't care how I will look in the race pictures. :) Do any of the rest of you have these problems, or is just me wasting time on all this?

Entertainment

You are all such regular, dedicated runners that you no doubt have ways to keep your minds occupied during runs. Never having listened to music while running as it kills my pace, I've only recently taken up listening to audiobooks while circling the nearby park in the early morning. It has really become a treat, even a retreat to get up insanely early to go running. With two kids, I don't get much chance to read at home during the day. I find myself greatly anticipating time alone with my book on running days. It's not the same as curling up with an old favorite under a fluffy blanket, sipping a cup of hot chocolate or munching a few bon bons, yet it's so refreshing to wake up my mind and senses outdoors with an envigorating run and read.

I will sheepishly admit to being so engrossed by Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn that I was almost unaware of the pelting rain mixed with snow yesterday morning. (Yes, it is the fourth in the series. Yes, I've read them all. Sigh.) It's actually a good book to run with as it is fast enough paced that I don't get bored of it, cheesy as it is. I love classic literature, but Jane Austen novels do not necessarily make good running company. They much better fit the rainy day, under-the-blanket atmosphere. So, as I am now just over half-way through the last of the vampire-teenage love saga, I need to start thinking about what's next. I will most likely have to reserve them at the library now. I'm trying to make up a good long list, especially since the runs will only get longer and longer as summer and then October approach. Are there any books you recommend as running companions?

The Debut of my Running Skirt

I saw a running skirt on clearance a while back, the only running skirt on the rack that had been marked half off! So I decided to try it. Ive been holding onto it, waiting for the weather to be a little warmer. This morning we didnt start our long run until 7:00. It was light outside and its been a warm week. So I decided it was time.

Cynthia tried to de-pants me within moments of seeing me. Is this what happens when you wear a skirt to run? People want to pull it down? Nobody ever tried to de-pants me in my long Nike warm-up pants.

Cynthia said she was just fixing it- because apparently the back was all tucked up into the top or something...so I guess she wasnt really trying to find out if I have new workout underwear.

My running skirt is a 2 panel thing- with the panels overlapping each other.

My desire to try the skirt, is that Ive never been brave enough to wear short spandex shorts. My thighs are not skinny. Sure short tight spandex shorts would be more comfortable to run in at times, but was the world ready for that? The skirt seemed to me to give more coverage. To hide more. To hide my problem areas.

I liked the flowy feeling. The skirt flapping in the breeze as I ran. It made me feel sexy, girly, confidant. Until I got home and realized that at some point, the back panel of the skirt had again become tucked up into the top. And Cynthia only had to do 6 of my 11 miles today. So she wasnt there to tell me when this happened again. It may have happened at any point during those last 5 miles. So Im sorry if any of you drove past me today and saw me in tight short black spandex shorts. Because once the panel is up, thats whats left.

Ill have to experiment. Perhaps it was the water belt I was wearing that was grabbing up my skirt panel.

I highly recommend you all try a skirt. It's fun to run in. But I would recommend the one without panels. One that just goes all the way around. Perhaps that was why my skirt was the only one on the rack on clearance.

Id like to hear any feedback, if any of you have tried the running skirt. How your experience has been...

What are you guys doing Feb 2010?

Im just thinking. Bridge has gotten me all fired up about doing a Ragnar Relay. Maybe next year, the Arizona one? I dont particularly want to be the captain, if anyone else wants that responsibility. But if no one else will do it, and I do it- you must, of course, all call me captain at all times until the race is over. (o:

So im just throwing this out there to see how much interest there is. Any takers?

And if I do have to be captain- Bridge I need your experience to help me organize this. Maybe co-captains?

Give me some input you guys. Either way...

Here is a link to the Ragnar Arizona Relay. http://www.ragnarrelay.com/delsol/index.php

A New Brace

Just had to share my excitement about my new knee brace that I got from my doctor on Monday. My current braces are neoprene and as of late I've been breaking out into hives (and I mean the terribly itchy type that lasts several days, ugh) when I wear them. Could have been the detergent I wash them in, but All Free & Clear sounds like no allergies to me and my clothes don’t do this! Never had this problem in the past year and 1/2, so it may be a new allergy or it may just be since it is getting hotter. Anyways, I had heard from a friend that’s a runner and a physician’s assistant about some new cloth brace she recommends. I was just thinking it would cost a lot that I didn’t want to spend so I didn’t look into it. Also I was thinking…no velcro to tighten? Can’t be as good.

Well, on Monday my doctor just happened to give me the exact same brace that my friend was talking about and it went through my insurance! I LOVE it and it is so much more comfortable and less restrictive. Seems to work great. Last night's run I was able to run faster than I have been running since I started back up in January - with less pain! I went and got one for my right side today at lunch. Can't wait to see how much better it feels on my knees wearing both and how much it will improve my overall performance! :)

If anyone is interested it is a Bauerfeind Genutrain. Here is a little blurb about it.

http://www.painreliever.com/bauerfeind_genutrain.html

Look Down

On my run this morning and this past Saturday, I did something that I don't think I've ever done before. I fell down. Hard. I'm running, running, lose my footing, thud, on the ground. Bruised knees. Scraped hands. Quickly jump up. Hope no one saw.

So if ever you and I are running together and you don't see me beside you - look down. I've probably fallen to the ground.

The Ragnar Drug

Caution: Novel Ahead. Read if you dare, or if you happen to have some extra time. :)

First just a quick intro to a Ragnar Relay for those that are unfamiliar. It is close to 200 miles more or less depending on location, 36 legs of the race, 12 runners with 3 legs of the race each of varying distances, 2 vans, maybe a couple drivers, maybe an ounce of sleep, and a good deal of fun. Van 1 runs 6 legs then hands off to Van 2 and this process keeps going through leg 36 when everyone meets at the finish line.

I just finished my 2nd Ragnar Relay Del Sol in Arizona the last weekend in February. This year was 13 miles longer than last year - 202.1 miles from Prescott to Mesa. Van 1 had to be on the road by 4:30am since they live in Mesa to pick up Suzanne and I from the west side around 5:00am, then on to Prescott! As soon as we arrived we all got out into the cold and decorated the van with window markers and donkeys. Our team name was Draggin' Ass, so the donkeys were fitting and quite cute! Fun pun at that. 8:00am start time and Runner 1, Jamie was off! After cheering him on along the side of the start line we had to hurry back down the hill to get back in the van to get Runner 2 to the 1st exchange point. Jamie's leg was only a little more than a 5K so there was no time to spare! The handoff from Jamie to Sarah was the first of 36 exchanges over the course of 34 hours and 33 minutes.

I was runner 5 and my first run was 5.3 miles into Skull Valley, AZ! Me being quite the Halloween fanatic I thought this was perfect for me. I wore a skull bandanna around my hat, a glowing skull ring and 2 mini plastic skull flags criss-crossed through my pony tail. The flags whipped through the wind as I was running - a reminder of the fun we're creating during this race! About 3 miles in I found my team van along the side of the road in front of the Skull Valley Cemetery waiting with gatorade, orange slices and a camera with the backdrop of the cemetery gates. Kind of silly, but a cool pic! Quick photo/drink break and back to the road. I continued my run into the town so tiny and quaint that I thought I was running through Mayberry in 1950 for about 10 minutes - see the pictures. My exchange to Suzanne was on a dirt road in the middle of town just past the town museum which was only about the size of my garage at home! Bracelet slap and she was on her way. 1 of 3 legs complete for me! Such a great feeling!

When Suzanne finished her first leg in a town called Kirkland around 1:15pm we had about 5 hours or so to go try to get some rest. We drove down to Wickenburg where went to grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant right outta the 60's and to get some rest. We were lucky enough to have a motel room donated to the team to rest and shower (an extreme luxury although it was a very old Best Western!). After lunch we all tried to get a little rest back at the room but all of us were too excited to sleep. The time flew by and we were back on the road headed up to Congress, AZ where Jamie started his 2nd leg around 8:00pm.

Jamie's leg was mostly on a trail and the van could only get to him once along his 6.3 mile route. Good thing, because his headlamp had just about gone out and little did he know how much he would need another light. He definitely won the prize for completing the worst leg of the race (unfortunately it was horribly set up by Ragnar...new to the course this year and hopefully not a part of next year's). We saw many runners come out with bloody scratches and VERY upset from falling into washes, getting lost off the poorly and mostly unlit trail, and even running into barbed wire and cactus! This was the only "treacherous" leg that caused some blood...don't let this dissuade you from running a Ragnar race. The runners all made it through eventually including Jamie. He passed the slap bracelet on to Sarah and we all continued on through the cold darkness lit only by our MANY glow bracelets, necklaces and vehicle headlights as they passed.

My second leg didn't start until about 11:45pm and was about 7.5 miles long heading out of Wickenburg with a .4 mile pickup along the way from the van to get past construction. An interesting twist to start getting warmed up and at 3/4 mi in you have to jump in a van to get shuttled around the road work and then quickly hop out and get going again. A couple miles in I was getting so tired and also getting a little creeped out being out there so late in that darkness. I ran by this weird white bicycle that lit up by the light of my headlamp and thought I may have been hallucinating until another runner came by and noticed it too (see the link below about the ghost bike). We both said at the same time, "Weird..." After about 50 minutes I saw my van and my team along the road. I was really hoping to have seen them earlier. Where they met me they thought it was only 3 miles in making me freak that 50 minutes had gone by and I had only gone 3 miles! They unintentionally messed with my mind. After that I picked up the pace through my sleepiness and knee pain (left knee was no good by about mile 5). They told me they would go ahead 2 miles and stop again. At that point (2 mi ahead of their last stop), there was the 1 Mile Left marker! I couldn't have been happier at that point! That meant 6.5 down when I was thinking it was only 5 miles! They set the trip mileage wrong in the van...I REALLY wanted a Garmin at that point, still do! I came around a corner and was running to the exchange with 2 other runners...they, like me, were commenting about how it felt like there was so much more uphill than we had expected! As soon as I came within 50 feet of the exchange I tripped over a high spot in the road at full speed and almost fell on my face! Then as soon as I handed off to Suzanne my knees just gave out as if to say "I'm done!" and my hands skidded through the gravel. Slightly embarrassing, but I got up a little dizzy and stunned looking around for someone I knew and yelled amongst the 25 people or so standing around, "Where's my team?????............Draggin' Ass?????" (It is all kind of funny thinking about it now.) Just then I saw Sarah coming over from the van which, had I really just looked RIGHT in front of me, was...you guessed it, RIGHT in front of me! She helped me get my braces and shoes off and get myself snapped out of the daze. Then it was off to meet Suzanne along her short, 3.3 mile leg. About 35 minutes later we started to worry that we hadn't seen her, but just then the other van called to tell us, "Hey, where are you guys!? Your runner is here!" We'd missed her entirely - she was too fast for the van! :) We went to get her and went back up the road 10 miles to Wickenburg back to the motel to get our showers in and a couple of hours of much needed sleep (only a couple!). I remember texting my husband right before I crawled into my sleeping bag to tell him to remind me NOT to sign up for this again next year. I was so tired and sore that I couldn't believe I had forgotten this feeling from last year. I think it was just the tired talking though as you will see at the end of this novel. ;)

By about 6:00am we were on the road to get to Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek. Jamie started running at about and it was already getting HOT. By the time runner 3, Heather, got to mile 6 of her leg around noon, she just couldn't keep going. It had to be about 88 degrees by then. She was definitely suffering from the heat and her face was beet red. Jamie met her at the road and she gave him the bracelet to finish out her leg. Heather had been amazing though - she had completed more mileage than any other runner on the team at 20.2 miles. A true warrior. We got her off the road and got her somewhat comfortable and tried to cool her down. Meanwhile, Jamie is out there running her last mile after celebrating the finish of his 3rd leg with a couple of beers! Jamie not only got the prize for running the worst leg the night before, but also the prize for running under the influence. ;)

I was lucky that my last leg was only 3.4 miles, but it was all uphill (good for my knees, but not the best when it's that hot). I pushed through it with plenty of support from the team coming out to drench me in cold water. I was just excited to finish the leg so I did awesome on the hills! Pass off to Suzanne and I was DONE! YAY! Suzanne, however, had 6.4 miles to go and it was only getting hotter. We stopped many times to support her and other runners. She even had another van put ice in her hat, which she described as a livesaver! She finished with the company of another runner, pushing each other to finish, and handed off to runner 7 in Fountain Hills at the LDS church. Van 1 was all done! We couldn't be happier and the church had plenty of lush grass to stretch out and just relax for a bit.

After some relaxation we went on to Riverview Park in Mesa where the finish line was. We had a nice lunch at Chili's (yay for real food - pb&j was really getting old...) and we waited for Van 2 to get to the finish. Van 2 met up with us and we waited for our last runner to get close and when she was in sight we all ran with her to cross the finish line as a team! When we all crossed the finish line around 6:30pm we were handed our medals. They were huge! Then we found out that they also double as a bottle opener...a useful medal! :) My husband, Tim, and Suzanne's husband came to meet us at the finish and Tim took some pictures of the entire team for us.

Now it was time to get the vans cleared out and get home to shower and go to bed. I think I slept the entire day away on Sunday. It was long enough to forget the pain after leg 2 and the absolute fatigue I felt at 4:00am. I know that I have forgotten it because on Monday the emails flew back and forth amongst the team. Brandi, on of the girls I had just met mentioned wanting to do another one in another state. I emailed her and Suzanne to see if they would be interested in doing the Los Angeles Ragnar. Brandi responded with a big yes, and before Suzanne could even check on the dates I had found us a team! Turned out Suzanne couldn't do the dates so Brandi called Caitlyn, another member of our Del Sol team, and she was in!

The 3 of us are headed to LA at the end of April for a new 178 mile relay. 178? Bah! That's nothin' when you've done 202! ;)

Ah, yes...an addiction...it must be a drug.


LINKS: The weird ghost bike; Some of our pictures (not for the easily offended!)

In search of hills

It was harder to get my running in this week. I was scheduled extra cycle classes at the gym. It is Spring Break, and those of us who are in town have to pitch in and help out those lucky instructors who are on vacation.

I managed to get 3 good quality runs in. Cynthia and I went for another weekend field trip early Saturday. We went to run in Las Sendas. We were searching for hills to practice on. We ran around the neighborhoods close to Red Mountain. We saw lots of other runners and bikers in the area. It seems to be a popular area for athletic endeavors. We passed one group of bikers, all men, wearing matching plaid shorts! It was so cute! And a group of bird watchers with their binoculars. They were pretty cute too. It was wonderful weather and there was a really nice smell in the air- Cynthia said "Like the desert after rain". I have a hard time identifying smells, but I liked whatever it was.

We got the hills we were hoping for. The kind of hills that dont look so much like hills when you are driving on them, but are definitely hills when you are running on them!

We lost our map very early in the run, but eventually found the really great loop that we wanted. We ended close to our car, with the 12 miles that we had planned to achieve. Cynthia gets to taper now- 2 weeks til her race- Yay!!!

Helpful Information?

So, now that I'm officially crazy to want to try a marathon, I decided that I need serious help. I found this website last night that I found very informative, especially for a first-time marathon runner. I don't know if the information is too basic for you tried and true, race-to-Boston marathoners, but I thought I'd add the link just in case. Reading over it made me feel like I may be able to do this and not die.

http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/marathon.html

Salt Lake City, here I come!

I am now officially registered for the SLC Half Marathon. April 18th. This will be the final of my running season, unless we get picked for St George, and then it will just be the beginning!

I dont want to pull anyone away from Pat's Run that weekend- a 4 mile race that my friend Karen is trying to recruit friends for. HOWEVER, if any of you want to run the SLC Half, that's where Marcie and I will be that weekend. Feel free to join us! (o:

An added note: Because the Ogden Marathon & half in May is full, I suspect that the SLC could possibly fill up fast, so if you are thinking about it, think fast!!!

Dedicated to running friends

Hannah, Im so excited to see you on the blog- Ive been waiting! Welcome.

I have to tell you that I was so jealous of you when 1. You got my best friend for your roommate, and then 2. You guys started running together! My running friend was stepping out to run with someone new!

She'd say "Yeah, we are running 3 miles every day now". Id be like "Hmm. Sounds dangerous. You'll probably wear out your knees...."

I loved Sara Corbett's article in Runnersworld magazine Jan. 2009. "Someone to Run With".
She talks about the same situation- her college running friend Sue, and then her later running friend Clare, and then moving and Clare finding a new running friend to replace her (Sara was jealous, too, just like me), and then in the end of the article she meets a new running friend, Lily. The whole thing had me in tears, and so appreciative of my running friends- old and new.
As Sara said "Any Friendship that is based on running is, in essence, about accrual- of time, of miles, of intimacy built over a lot of small steps forward."

I took a maturity pill and decided to be happy for Marcie- that she had a good running friend. And now thanks to Marcie's blog- running is connecting all of us, all over again.

So here's to our running friends- old and new- and the sport that connects us all!

And if any of you want to have a sentimental feeling about your running friends, Ive included the link so you can read Sara's article. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-369-374--12992-0,00.html

What does the map say now?

Im so excited to have experienced my first real trail run! I mean, I run the "Provo River Trail" every time I visit Utah, but it is paved and GORGEOUS, but still not what I consider a "trail run". Today's trail definitely qualified as trail!

Cynthia planned a field trip. I was the only one she could convince that a "hilly field trip" would be any fun. So the two of us got in the car at 6:15 for a road trip out to the mountains. Our local mountains are pretty in a deserty, cactusy kind of way. It was really very pretty and nice out.

We had to carry a map on us, and consult it regularly as we kept coming to forks in the trail. Cynthia was the map expert. Id look at the map and shake my head, agreeing thoughtfully. But really not very confidant in my own powers of direction.

We experienced hills. Small rolling hills, and sandy stretches that challenged our ankles.

It was so fun to think more about the terrain, and the new scenery, then my usual mile markers and the pace on my watch.

Very fun!!!

Saturday, 5 a.m.

Because my husband had to be at the church at 8 a.m. this morning, my long run started (way too) early. My alarm was set for 5 a.m. and I managed to crawl out of bed at 5:11. On the trail at 5:30. Amazingly, there was a biker that passed me just as I started running. Crazy man, I thought to myself. Doesn't he have anything better to do at 5:30 a.m. than ride his bike in the freezing cold? He probably was thinking the same thing about me.

I had my ipod on but the thoughts in my head held my attention more. When I was the YW president in our ward, there was a sweet girl in the Laurels that was friendly and outgoing. I could always count on her for a smart, thoughtful answer. She is getting married today. I thought about her and all the wonderful experiences she has before her. Then because I read Scott's blog last night about him, Kristin Armstrong and her friend Paige running the Boston Marathon together, I thought about them, their friendship and wondered if I could ever challenge myself enough to Boston qualify. Hmmmm, not sure. But this I know for sure: One hour and 45 minutes of running, thinking and wondering is a great way to start the day.

Scott Dunlap, A Trail Runner's Blog

Cant remember how I came across Scott Dunlap's blog, but I enjoyed reading his recap of running the Boston Marathon with Kristin Armstrong, and her friend Paige. I really like the way he writes- he and other's have been inspiring a desire within me to try out trail running- someday. You can check out his blog at http://runtrails.blogspot.com/2006/04/having-fun-at-2006-boston-marathon.html

No Laughing

My name is Hannah. Marcie and I were roommates too many years ago, and I believe that is when we both discovered our love of running. Four of us roomies would get up before dawn to hit the pavement. I think we were lucky to make it one mile the first day. (Please feel free to correct my less-than-perfect memory, Marcie.) I remember feeling like a champion when we were able to make three miles by the end of week one. So we continued -- three miles a day at least three days a week. That summer I stayed in the small college town while many friends and most roommates went back home. I was such a loser and had no social life that it wasn't unusual for me to run morning and evening. Running was my release. Running was my escape. Running was my entertainment. Running was my sanity. Running was my friend.

Unfortunately, I have not stayed as true to the sport as I wish I had. I have a whopping three races under my belt: Moab 5 Mile 45: and something (03.94) , some 5K in Salt Lake City ('94), and Provo River 1/2 Marathon 2:04 (08.09.08). You women inspire me, though. I don't ever expect to run a full marathon. I was so sore after the 1/2 that I don't know that I would ever recover from a full. But I can keep running. If Lindy is pushing her stroller for intervals and Marcie can fit in such intense workouts with three boys (two of them twins!) and Bridge finishes a 202.1 mile relay, I can definitely run three miles a day, at least three times a week. I can reconnect with my old friend. I can be constant. Isn't that how relationships and friendships are forged: through consistancy, dedication, effort, and time?

So, no laughing as I log my petty 1/2 marathons every once in a while. Thanks to you all for getting me back out there.

The end of my Season?

This fall/winter I have really enjoyed my training and racing. More so than ever. After recovering from PF Chang's, I started to think about what I should do next. I contemplated running a halfie in Tucson with Cynthia. I thought about it until I got really excited about it. But a couple of days ago, Noah made me aware of a schedule conflict. I cant go without the whole team- allot of the fun is in the family event. We were going to stay at a fun resort and have a family weekend.

So yesterday and today I have been panicking. Is this the end of this season for me? I started searching the internet for other possibilities, before it gets too hot. Isnt there anything else in March or April here? Is it really all over?

Im looking for a half marathon, or a 10k would do. Something in March or April. Early May would be okay. Something close, or that would work for a family weekend vacation.

Maybe Ill just live vicariously through Cynthia on March 29. A friend with a good race and lots of details is almost as good as your own race.

Speedy Shoes

I'm sure you are all glad to know that my new shoes came yesterday. I've been complaining about my old ones for a few weeks now, and blaming all my running problems on them. So this morning I was like a little kid with my new "fast shoes."

I always put off getting new shoes until too late, so I'm hoping that by writing this I'll remember next time what an incredible difference it made. I noticed a significant improvement with each step. Maybe it's only such an improvement for a "heavy runner" with high arches like me - but the gear really makes a difference. My knees are still a little sore today, but I figure they'll need a few weeks to recover from running with no support. But I really did feel faster, and by the end of the run I didn't feel like I was running in moccasins like I've felt the last few weeks (how do those barefoot runners do it?) If you're wondering, they're Saucony Progrid Triumphs (my second pair of this same shoe) and I LOVE them.

Finished 202.1!!!

Just a quick post to let you all know that my team, Draggin' Ass (appropriate team name for the way we felt), finished the Ragnar Relay Del Sol this weekend! 202.1 miles total divided amongst 12 runners. I personally made it through my 16.2 total miles on about 2 hours of sleep over the 34 hours that it took the team to complete the race plus a few more hours of prep, drive, loading and unloading time. I feel surprisingly good after the whole experience, but I must admit I'm pretty exhausted today and I've been lounging the majority of the day. Off to bed in a few minutes after I get some pictures uploaded. I'll be posting a couple more blog entries this week with the details when I've got my mind back in order!