Along the canals -12 miles- March 26, 2011

Nothing too exciting, just a nice run along the canals with a little trail at the turning point where we were able to refuel our bodies (thanks to Power Bar gels) and refill our waters. Sheryl had her awesome iphone on hand so we even managed to get a picture.

Sheryl and Rhonda Rhonda and Marla (looking mighty funny I might add).

Usually when we run, we eventually put our earbuds in when we've grown too tired to talk and just need music to keep us going. But none of us put our headphones in this day and the conversation rarely stopped. Running with your friends builds special bonds and wonderful friendships. So while this was just a regular Saturday run it made me thankful once again to have amazing friends to run with, laugh with, learn from and celebrate the fact that we can get out and push ourselves together. During the course of this run, we chose the marathon that we wanted to sign up for. There are many to choose from but we all agreed that we want to try the Utah Valley Marathon in June. We had not planned to run a marathon this soon so now we are stepping up our miles faster than we originally intended to. Today we texted one by one to say we actually signed up, it's official, we are doing a marathon. This will be a second for both Sheryl and Marla but it will be my first. I am so excited about the race and the many training runs we have before the race. Hopefully many of them in the mountains.

Pemberton Trail - 15.3 mile loop - March 19, 2011

I've decided I want to try and do a marathon. It's something I said I wouldn't do because I've injured my hip, I've had a stress fracture in my foot, my knees are feeling the wear and tear from all this running and my hamstring (behind) hurts most all of the time. I figured if I tried to pack more miles on this aging body that I was going to pay for it. However, I really really want to try and do a marathon so I'm going to try to slowly add the miles and hopefully avoid injuries. And if I'm going to train for a marathon, I'm going to enjoy the training as much as the race. I'm always on the hunt for fun trails and scenic places to run because I don't want to get bored with running along the canals close to home. So this past weekend was kind of training day #1. After looking for mountain trails around here, I came across the Pemberton Trail which is 15.3 miles. I read that it had hills but gradual and not straight up like the last run, dirt paths which are easier on the legs but not overly rocky like we've run in Usery Pass. Sounded like the perfect run to try with my awesome trail running partners. I couldn't wait for Saturday morning to get out to that mountain and attempt over 15 miles of trail running. We packed our waters and gels and headed out at 6am.

Here we are at the trailhead ready to start our run as the sun was just coming up.

Rhonda, Sheryl, Marla Marla

Rhonda

Sheryl

As luck would have it, there happened to be a breast cancer walk at Pemberton trail the very day we decided to run out there. So we were not alone in the desert but had all kinds of fun people around cheering us on when we weren't even part of their race. They even had mile markers, aid stations, people biking the loop to make sure that everyone was ok and a finish line .

Made the 15+ miles with a avg pace of 9:48. My goal was to keep it under a 10 minute mile not knowing how hilly it would be. The first 9 miles were a constant gradual climb and the last 6 were mostly flat and down. It was a beautiful run and another awesome day. I can't wait to see where we go next.

Aravapai Trail Series - Mesquite Canyon Half Marathon - March 12, 2011

This was a completely different half-marathon race than the first two I ran. There were many miles going up switchbacks mountains and I had to realize I wasn't going for a best time in this race but a great adventure instead. Once I started running up the switchbacks and looked up and noticed that every runner I could see was walking, I made peace with the fact that I wasn't going to be able to run the entire thing. I've run lots of hills but was not prepared for the steep climb on this one and it didn't look like anyone was. So I ran when I could, watched my footing so I didn't fall off a cliff and had the time of my life. I love the comradery between runners at these events but especially this one when it wasn't so much of a race but enduring to the end. Running down the mountain was a rush like no other (why would anyone do drugs?). The desert isn't the most gorgeous place on earth but it has a special beauty and I saw plenty of it this day.

Lana, Sheryl, Rhonda

I ran the race with a bad shoulder, it got a bit hot and the climb was tough but I had an amazing time. I was happy to check the White Tank Mountains off my list of trails I've run. Total time ended up being 2hours: 24 minutes so I still beat my goal of 2.5 hours. Avg pace: 10:55 - Not good for a race but not bad for walking up the switchbacks.

Ragnar Relay - Del Sol - Feb 25-26, 2011

Ragnar Relay - I had heard of it but I didn't know if I wanted to try it. Running during the night, no sleep, running 3 times in 24 hours, getting stiff, eating weird, porta potties. Hmm, was it something I wanted to do? I heard it was a good time and quite the adventure so I decided that yes, I definately wanted to give it a try. Life is short and I'm not getting any younger. There is no time like the present to get on with this fun stuff. I wasted too many years! Here I am with half of our team. We were in van 1 and this is just before we headed out for our 2nd leg of the race.

Rhonda, Kori, Tyler, Dana, Mike, Benji Here we are after having a little dinner in the trailer.

This is when we first met up with our team from van 2.

Scott, Brandon, Sam, Tyler (from van 1), Kelly, Brandon and Marty

We had to wear reflective vests at night.

Tyler and Sam

Here we are waiting for van 2 to meet us at the finish line. We were done with all 3 of our legs and feeling pretty stiff and tired.

Found some friends from another team while waiting for van 2.

Cheri (above) and Marci (below) from team Running 4 Nie.

When our last runner was nearing the finish line, we all joined him in crossing the line. I could barely move at that point and running those 50 yards was pretty painful but so worth it.

Benji, Tyler, Rhonda, Kori, Sam, Rusty, Scott, Dana, Brandon, Kelly, Marty, Mike

We were team Yoggers which came from the movie "Anchor Man". It was so worth the loss of sleep and porta potties. I had a fabulous time and I can't wait to do it again.

My total miles were 19.2

Ethan's Run - 10k - Feb 12, 2011

After doing 2 half-marathons, I thought I would try a shorter run and do a 10k (6.1 miles). The course was hills so going up was tough but coming down the hill was great. I think I prefer endurance events though because I felt better doing London's Run which was more than double the milage but I paced myself much better. I felt like I was trying to sprint (a sprint for me) for 6 miles and it just wasn't as fun. But just as before, doing the race with friends made it such a fun experience and I still enjoyed the whole event.

Marla, Rhonda, Andrea It was uphill at the end so sprinting to the end felt impossible.

I've got these pictures out of order but the above picture is the beginning of the race.

Andrea, Rhonda, Rusty

I didn't really know what to expect my time to be for this race but I was happy with my results.

My average pace was 8:21, I was 2nd in my age division out of 19 women and I came in 29th out of 225 people.

London's Run - Half Marathon - Jan 29, 2011

We only got this one picture at London's Run but we sure had a blast. These two girls are my constant running companions and dear friends. The course was a little more exciting than my first half and I surpassed my goal time. I hoped to beat my first half pace of 9:31 per mile and my average ended up being 8:58 per mile (according to my Garmin). I learned a few things after my first half and I felt much better this time around. I made sure to have a Gu at mile 6 instead of waiting until mile 10 when I was running on empty. I had another at mile 11 and felt like I could keep going when I finished the 13.10 miles. We all 3 got our best personal times so it was a great morning for all.

Sheryl, Rhonda, Marla

Shun The Sun - Half Marathon - Nov 13, 2010

After months of running along the canals and paths at home, I attempted my first half-marathon. It was a beautiful November day but the course was a little boring. Good for a starter half though and I had a blast.

Kori, Rhonda, Karis, Brandon (above). Tyler (left of us in the background) ran the race too. Had a super time with these amazing friends and awesome runners. I was almost in tears of joy when I crossed the finish line. I finished my first half and surpassed my goal time, it was exhilarating. I wanted to be under a 10 minute pace per mile but I finished with a pace of 9:31 per mile (chip time, not the above clock time).

Running

I ran track in high school and although I was about the slowest on the team, I did love to run. I found I was better with endurance than speed but five miles was about the most I ever did back in the day when my legs were young and fresh. I did get talked into a 10 mile race (the Bobby Crim) when I was 18 and that was the furthest I had ever run until this year at the age of 43. I love to run and I love to watch good runners run. When I haven't been in any kind of running shape and I would see runners go by, I would feel such pains of jealousy and a desire to be able to get my big behind back out there and run. I have run off and on over the years but mostly for the purpose of trying to lose weight and never for the sheer joy of running. And now although running helps me stay healthy, I do it because I love to run. Saturdays have become a time for me to run through mountains and trails and when one run is over, I'm ready to plan the next. I'm blessed with some great running friends and I love that they share the passion with me. I'm grateful for legs that go, a strong heart, good lungs and for the natural beauty all around me to see while I run in new places.

My Journey

Oct 2010

Down 60 pounds

Sept 2010 Down 57 pounds

Aug 2010 Down 55 pounds

July 2010

Down about 52 pounds

May 2010

Down 45

May 2010

Down about 43 pounds

March 2010

Down 25 pounds

March 2010

Down 25 pounds

Feb 2010

I was down about 15 pounds here.

Spent the day hiking with my kids and sister and I could already feel the difference of having less weight to drag up the hill.

Aug 2009 Me at my worst. It was rare for me to even be in a picture but I guess I figured the first day of school was a good reason to suck up my embarrassment and try to smile for the camera.