I've been streaking!

Have any of you been participating in the Runner's World Streak Challenge?  The challenge began on Thanksgiving day and runs through New Year's Day.  Runner's world has challenged everyone to run at least 1 mile every day.  This year, thanks to my friend Dani G., I have joined in the fun!

I have changed things a bit for me, though.  I don't run every day because my body would give out on me, so I have pledged to run, bike, or walk at least one mile every day.  I love it!  It has gotten me in a better habit with biking and I have remembered how good it feels.

So far, since I started the streak, I have traveled over 101 miles!  I love seeing the little black line everyday on my Garmin Connect calendar. 

Confession:  I missed one Sunday.  I went to bed after 1AM after working on a Christmas present for my in-laws and realized I didn't get my mile in.  Rather than quit, I brushed it off and continued with my goal.  Sometimes I feel like if we don't hit our training goals 100%, we decide to quit and say we'll maybe do it again "next year," or "next training cycle."  I know I do this!  The run streak has helped me realize that sometimes it's the mindset that matters.  I can still do my best!

Know what else the run streak has helped me with?  Not wimping out on the snow runs!

Happy streaking, everyone!

Nooooo!!! {And how to do a hard reset on your Garmin}

I got up this morning at 5:45 to meet my running partner, Jami, for a run.  I got dressed, laced up the shoes, strapped on my Garmin, pushed power, and....  NOTHING.

Nooooo!!!!

If I can't track it, it's like the run never even happened!  Right?!  At least it feels that way.  Thank goodness for Strava.

So today I did a hard reset of my watch to get it back to normal.  If you are ever having trouble with your Garmin turning on, locating satellites, or you are unable to pair up devices such as foot pod or heart rate monitor- usually a hard reset will correct the problem.

To do a hard reset you:

• Make sure the device is off.
• Hold "Power" and "Mode" at the same time.
• When the device powers on it will ask, "Do you really want to erase all user data?" select YES.

Keep your workouts backed up on Garmin Connect to be sure you don't lose any of your hard work!

I ran without my watch, used, Strava, and enjoyed an awesome hill and beautiful sunrise this morning.  Next time I hope to remember how to reset my watch so I can do it right away!

Strava

I have a problem.  I am very competitive.

Sometimes this is a good thing because I will push myself harder.  Sometimes it's a bad thing because I have no business being competitive when I'm really just a mom and being a runner doesn't matter.  I say this because sometimes how fast or slow I am can be tied to my self esteem.

Sad, but true.

So there's the honesty in the post for the day!

My friend Breona introduced me to an app called Strava.  Have you heard of this?  I at first had no interest because I still love my computer I strap to my arm (AKA my Garmin 305), but then she told me about segments.

A segment is a stretch of road that keeps track of other Strava users times and pits them against each other.  One person will have a course record, and then it will number the rest 2nd through 10th place.

This is bad for me!  The competition!!!

But it's oh so fun.  Last night Bre and I went out to run a specific segment.  And guess what!

 It is also fun to use to cheer your friends on because you know exactly what course they are running out there!

So check it out, find me, and let's run together!

PS- I spy my other favorite fitness app, Nike Training Club.  What's your favorite fitness app?

Get Up and Run

Ever since I started training again after I had Paige, it has been extremely difficult for me to get up in the morning. I say this, and my baby sleeps really well compared to a lot of others!

If you are tired and feel like you'd rather die than wake up for an early morning run, then you are not alone. I am recommitting myself to early morning runs! Here's how I plan to do it. 

1- Make a plan. Schedule it in! Set an alarm on my phone- multiple if I have to. 

2- Contact a running partner so I have a face to greet me in the cold, dark morning. 

3- Lay out my gear the night before. 

4- GO TO BED. I have a tendancy to stay up until midnight. From now on, the TV is off at ten and I will head to bed. 

What helps you get up in the morning?

Play it safe- and that one time when I got really freaked out on a run...

I am a road runner.

Besides worrying about my pace, I also have to worry about cars.  I've had a couple of close encounters- both of which occurred at night.  Running on the road means you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times.  Here are a couple of rules I follow:

1. At night, always wear a reflective vest, blinking LED tail light, and a head lamp.  You need to see where you are going, and cars need to see you.
2. If you listen to music, keep it down.  It's a good idea to leave one ear bud out, and keep the volume low enough that you can hear cars (or people, or dogs) that may be coming up on you.
3. Run facing traffic.  This typically means the left side of the road.  If you are facing the cars, you can make eye contact with the drivers- do it!  You can also see if you may need to bail off the road at the last minute for some reason.

Besides worrying about cars, you also need to worry about people.  Not far from where I live there is a trail where several women have been attacked while out running.  I feel pretty safe in my little town, but there are still times where I have been afraid.

A couple of weeks ago I was running with my friend Audra.  We were way out in the country, and there was no moon so it was really dark. We were running up the road and a car was coming towards us.  All of a sudden it stops- in the middle of the road- turns off, and then the driver turns off their lights.  Audra and I immediately stopped and started booking it in the other direction.

The driver started the car, drove closer to us, and then did it again.  Next thing we hear is someone saying, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!"

I screamed back, "WELL, YOU DID!!!!!!"

I was so glad that I wasn't alone, and that I had my mace.  My biggest regret was that neither of us brought our phone!  We were so freaked out that we cut our run short and headed home.

When running I would always be sure to protect yourself by:

1. Bringing a phone.  You never know if you may need help- from a sprained ankle to a more serious threat.
2. Carrying mace.  Heck!  If nothing else you may need it for a dog!
3. When possible, run with a partner.  There is always strength in numbers.
4. Always tell someone your route and when to expect you home.

RRR Park City

This past Saturday I got the chance to run a relay race that started and ended in my happy mountain valley:  Red Rock Relay Park City!

This was my first relay race since Wasatch Back 2012, and I was stoked to be running it.  With a nursing baby, a one day relay was just what the doctor ordered.  The specs were as follows-

70 miles

1 van

6 runners

2 legs each

S-C-E-N-I-C

Our team came together pretty randomly, so it was fun to get to know some new friends along our 12 hour journey.

Runner 1 was Leslee- She started us off at 6:10 AM at a balmy 28*. Runner 1 ran a total of 10.4 miles.

She handed off to me- runner 2!  My first leg was 3.85 miles through town.  It was slightly uphill with a total elevation gain of 227 feet.  After my frozen legs thawed, I was able to pick up the pace a bit finishing with a 7:41 average.

My second leg was a toughie.  Suffice it to say that I was humbled, my legs were trashed, and I gained a new found respect for trail runners after running 10.2 miles on a trail around Jordanelle Reservoir. Every time I started to really struggle, I would remind myself to LOOK UP.  I was so lucky to run this beautiful stretch- with three little kids I don't often get alone time, and I was so blessed to be able to do what I loved and enjoy some peace.

I finished the leg with a 9:46 average.  With 1600 feet in gain and nearly 1500 feet in elevation loss, Red Rock gave out medallions to the runners that completed this leg- it was an awesome surprise and well earned!

Runner 3 was my favorite Mindy- she is sooo little and sooo cute :)!  Mindy ran a total of 14.95 miles.

Runner 4 was a new friend!  Amy had recently had surgery, but was a total trooper and ran 8.5 miles including a killer stretch halfway up a mountain in Park City.  How in the world I didn't end up with a solo picture of her baffles me!  Sorry, Amy!

Runner 5 was another new face- Holly.  She was incredible to have on the team!  #1 Cheerleader for sure!  Holly ran a total of 8.7 miles and finished the challenging top climb to Guardsman's Pass.

Breona- the one and only Coach Carter- wrapped up our crew as she rocked it up and down mountainous climbs.

We all loved the relaxed atmosphere, the camaraderie of all the teams, and the challenging course that Red Rock Relay Park City brought for us.

RRR sold the race saying, "Have you been dreaming of a relay that will push your athleticism, pump you full of team spirit, and still allow you to get a normal night of sleep? Well, THIS IS IT, BABY! Red Rock Relay is bringing the chill running party style you know and love to Park City, Utah!"  It was 100% accurate.

This is a race that I will definitely be doing again!

Team "Desperate for a Party!"

Breona, Amy, Holly, Leslee, Mindy, Amylee

Run Through Your Pregnancy

When I first became pregnant I knew I wanted to run through my pregnancy, but I was scared!  Will it hurt the baby?  Will it hurt me?  How hard will it be?

I'm here to tell you that as long as you are smart, it will definitely not hurt the baby, and you will be better off as well!  My delivery went so well and I recovered even more quickly after my third baby than my other two; I am convinced it was because I stayed active.  Running through pregnancy is a different kind of marathon- hard and long, but worth every step.

Consult with your doctor, of course, but if you have a green light, here are some tips that will help you on your way.

1. BE CONSISTENT.  Your body is changing and growing on a daily basis.  If you want to keep running throughout your pregnancy, then you need to be consistent with your workouts.  It needs to adapt to the extra stress more than ever.  If you miss runs, you will be able to tell exponentially more than you would normally- we're talking in areas like your abdomen, pelvic floor, and hips.  I ran three times a week, three miles each time, and it was perfect for me.
2. TAKE IT EASY.  Right now is when you get to run for the fun of it!  Don't push the pace.  Don't push the miles.  Just enjoy yourself and be in awe of what your incredible body is doing.
3. STRETCH.  You will feel aches in places you've never experienced before.  Take the time to stretch- especially your hips- before and after you run.  Not only does it feel good, but it's so good for your ever expanding body as well.  I never felt like I needed a support belt- stretching did the trick for me.
4. FUEL.  It is important to get proper nutrition and calories while you are pregnant.  Now is not the time to diet!  Be sure to replace those calories with healthy foods (or Oreos if you're me).  I used the app "My Fitness Pal" on my iPod to help me track my calories to be sure I was getting enough each day.
5. TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.  There were many, many times that I had the thought, "I think this might be my last run."  Rather than give up, I always gave it one more shot, and you know what?  It was almost always better the next time!  I fought painful varicose veins and sciatic nerve pain this pregnancy, but each day was different.  If you just keep trying one day at a time, before you know it you'll be 40 weeks and ready for delivery!

How NOT to Train for a Half Marathon

Soooo.....
Since I last saw you I got pregnant, ran through my pregnancy, birthed a child without pain medication, and started running again.

Getting back has been hard.  Much harder than I thought it would be.

Enter the blog.

You get to hear from me again {if you choose to}!

I now present my first post in over a year...

How NOT to Train for a Half Marathon

1. Sign up for a big race (like a half marathon) when you are completely out of shape, but feeling extra motivated and excited about being in excellent shape.  (For example, when you are 7 months pregnant and hyped up on sugar during Christmas break).
2. Do not pick out or write up a training plan.
3. Try your best to always choose sleep (or sitting on the couch) when you should be completing your workouts.
4. Only run 1-2 times a week... or just whenever you feel like it.
5. Fuel entirely on processed white carbs, marshmallows, and the occasional fruit.

In spite of doing my worst at training, I didn't run my slowest half marathon ever.  I ran the Timp Half Marathon in 1:48:41 with an 8:15 average pace.

Here's hoping I can get back on track and set a healthier example for my kids of fit living.

I guess this is goodbye.

Over a month ago a friend of mine suffered (and is still suffering) a terrible tragedy.  I talked about it on the blog before.  Although I haven't mentioned it much since, it has really affected me.  It's affected so many little things that I can't even name them.  I think the best way to explain it is by sharing this quote:

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."

This quote is from the Prophet of my Church, President Thomas S. Monson.  I actually came across this talk when I was searching for peace just after the loss of Val, Kathy and Quincy.  While this tragedy is not my own, it has helped me to more fully distinguish those things that are important, and those things that aren't.

I've realized that this blog takes time away from what is most important to me in this world- my children.

Don't get me wrong- I have loved it.  It has been a great blessing to me to form friendships with people that share my passion.  I've loved connecting with so many people, and I feel truly blessed for the relationships that have formed here.

But it is time to say goodbye.

I've thought about just not updating, but I hate it when a blogger just disappears without a proper farewell.  So, here it is- the final post of Run My Guts Out.

Crazy.

Thanks for supporting me in my successes, and most of all my failures.  Thanks for inspiring me.  Thanks for making me laugh.  Thanks for being a friend!

Much Love,
Amylee

5 Ragnar Commandments

I just completed my 5th Ragnar!  How nuts is that?!  Just two years ago the Wasatch Back was my first race EVER.  My how times have changed!  For me, I feel like the Wasatch Back is the most challenging race that I participate in.  I love the hills, I love the difficulty of running in the elements, and I love doing it with great friends by my side.

Since this is my 5th Ragnar, I will share my 5 Ragnar Commandments:

1.  Thou Shalt Pack Light!  I sleep in my running clothes, and I take advantage of Ziploc bags.  However, you shouldn't follow my example of forgetting to pack a jacket.

2.  Thou Shalt Run Happy!  Smiles are contagious.  Feeling tired?  Smile.  Feeling sore?  Smile.  Feeling excited out of your mind?  SMILE!

3.  Thou Shalt Run Hard.  It's probably going to be hot on your longest leg with the biggest hill you've ever had to climb, so run hard.  You'll be proud of yourself if you do.

4.  Thou Shalt Get Out of the Car!  Everyone is tired, everyone would prefer to sit in the car and relax, but everyone loves a good cheerleader.  Everyone NEEDS a good cheerleader.  My own personal rule is that every time we stop to support a runner, I always get out of the van.  Always!  This is my favorite of all the commandments.  It makes you the best teammate, and your legs will thank you for allowing them to stretch and move.

5.  Thou Shalt Rock the Night Leg.  I didn't get any night pictures this time, but the night legs are always the best.  Every time!  Maybe it's because it's finally cool out?  Rather than dread running at an obscene hour of the night, anticipate it!  I guarantee it will be your favorite run of the race.

 My team was T.H.E.  B.E.S.T.  So proud of each and every one of them.  We finished in 33:53:32, and we had fun in every single one of those seconds.

I pushed myself harder than usual on this Ragnar, and it was great fun.  I'm way sore today- my quads and calves are both shredded.  I'm so happy with how I was able to run, and I can't wait to do one of these crazy relays all over again!


 What are your personal Ragnar Commandments?

Socks are packed!!!

Wasatch Back, here we come!

Lately...

Not much blogging, but....

I did a three-a-day last Saturday- 3.1 in the AM, 4.5 in the noonish, and 6.7 in the evening.  The best part was that my mid-day run was this:

Dirty Dash with the husband and Piglet Plunge with the piglet.

I checked out Guardsman for the first time this year.  It was gorgeous and every bit as challenging as I remember.  I only ran a mile and a half up and gained 1,085 feet- for a road runner, that's a lot!  And I was able to keep a 10:52 pace.

We had a team 10K for my Ragnar team- Stoked on Socks.  Wasatch Back is 8 days away and I'm, well, STOKED.

On Monday I ran leg #27 of the Wasatch Back with Darcy.  She's runner #3 and this will be her final leg of the race.  It's a route I've wanted to run for a couple of years and it was fun to actually do it!

I also ran leg #28 with my sister, Cami, last weekend.  We NEVER get time to ourselves, so to run for over an hour and being able to talk uninterrupted was blissful.

Can you tell I'm excited for Wasatch Back?  I'm E.X.C.I.T.E.D.

What are you looking forward to these days?

How I ran a 3:29 Marathon

When I showed up to the expo with my friend Kalie before the Ogden Marathon, my stomach dropped.

There was no 3:30 pacer.  3:35- yes.  3:25- yes!  NO 3:30.

Considering the fact that I owed my last goal hitting marathon to the 3:40 pacers, I was devastated.  I had only run 1 other marathon, and I was nervous thinking that if I wanted to hit my 3:30 goal, that I would have to do it on. my. own.

I grabbed a 3:25 pace band just in case I decided I was feeling fast that day.

I *attempted* to eat healthy that day (and in the week leading up to the race).  I had a 12" turkey sub from Subway for lunch and a 6" turkey sub and banana for dinner.  Subway is the recipe for success, I tell you!

I kept debating about what shoes to wear for the marathon.  Nike Trainers?  New Balance Minimus?  I wore the minimus shoes for my last marathon, but I hadn't been training as much with them this time around.  Ultimately my husband made the decision for me and I set out my Nikes- best not to change what you practiced.

At about 10:30 PM is when I started panicking about the pacer all over again.  I just didn't feel like it was smart to try to do a 3:25 when I hadn't been training for it, so I madly created my own pace band using the splits that Billy created for me and finished at 11PM- just in time for Pepto and bed.

I slept okay- thanks to taking a melatonin- but woke at 3:15AM and just waited for my alarm at 3:45AM to get out of bed.  I've learned over the last 2 1/2 years that lack of sleep doesn't affect race performance.  I began my early morning race routine- bath, Pepto again, granola bar and banana for breakfast, lots of water, more than one prayer on my knees, and I was out the door.

I took a Gu with caffeine about 30 minutes before the race started.  Let's talk a bit about Gu- it's positively GAGGY.  However, it is the only thing I've found that doesn't give me GI issues during the run.  The trick is getting it down.  I've found that if I swallow it with a swig of water that I do better, but I'll be honest, every time I took one during the race I thought I wasn't going to get it down, and that that was going to be the one that finally made me puke.  I never did, but that feels like a miracle.  I hope to find something one day that is good on my stomach as well as easy to swallow.

I ran this race one mile at a time.  I looked at my pace band and did my best to match my mile pace to the pace that was listed.  I was completely focused on this- so focused that I didn't even see my family until I literally ran right into them.  It was so great for me to have a little goal to look at and wrap my head around for each mile.

I drank 1-2 cups of liquid at every water stop along the course.  If I was taking a Gu, then I took water, and if I wasn't then I chose Powerade.  I wanted to be sure I was well hydrated throughout, and I feel like I was.  I never felt thirsty.  I took a Gu at miles 5, 12, 18, and 22.  Gu was my only fuel for this race.

Here's the mile breakdown compared with Billy's splits:

My splits:                                   Pace Band:
1- 7:36                                        7:37
2- 7:48                                        8:22
3- 7:39                                        7:59
4- 7:41                                        7:59
5- 7:44                                        7:54
6- 7:43                                        7:46
7- 7:42                                        7:49
8- 7:48                                        7:51
9-8:03                                         8:08
10- 8:01                                      8:06
11- 8:13                                      8:08
12- 7:58                                      8:01
13-7:59                                       8:08
14- 7:54                                      7:54
15- 8:26                                      8:27
16- 7:57                                      8:08
17- 8:00                                      8:21
18- 7:34                                      8:07
19- 7:59                                      7:49
20- 8:22                                      8:36
21-7:56                                       7:56
22- 7:45                                      7:49
23- 7:22                                      7:43
24- 8:09                                      7:47
25- 8:13                                      8:01
26- 8:30                                      8:03
.4- 2:58                                       .16- 1:18

Garmin time:  26.39 miles, 3:29:00, 7:55 pace
Official time:  26.2 miles, 3:29:00, 7:59 pace

Sure wish I could figure out how to pace myself according to miles rather than using my Garmin.  Seems like the distance is always off in races, but I just don't know how to do it without my watch!  I still feel like I ran a marathon with a 7:55 pace.

Taking into account that this was only my second marathon ever and that I was able to pace myself to my goal of a sub 3:30 on my own, I am very proud of myself!  I love that I can say that I truly ran my own successful race.  It still amazes me!

I was so glad I didn't wear my Minimus shoes.  Last time my calves were cramping so bad during the last 12 miles and this time I didn't have any cramping at all!  I was able to walk around and even run the kids race with Annie that afternoon.  I felt fatigued, and had a bit of hamstring pain and IT Band pain that I had been fighting over the last couple of months, but nothing that I felt negatively affected my performance.

As I look back on race day, the only mistake I feel like I made was signing Annie up for the kids race.  I finished my marathon at 10:30, and Annie's race didn't start until 12:30.  I ended up getting really sick that afternoon and I think it was because I didn't get food- or enough water- in me fast enough; we didn't get lunch until 1:30 and by that time I was feeling SICK.  It's important to take care of yourself after you put such a huge demand on your body like this!

My biggest mistake in all of training was running 20 miles on a treadmill.  I never train on a treadmill and running on one for such a huge run screwed up my body.  I did that treadmill run almost 2 months ago, and I'm still fighting off the injuries from it.  I will never do that again.

I trained using the FIRST method from Run Less, Run Faster.  I missed an entire month of training within my training cycle, and I really believe that if I hadn't been following this program, I wouldn't have made it to the start line.  I'm a convert!  I would love to run more frequently than I do, but because I'm prone to injury, it's just not in the cards.  This program keeps me healthy AND helped me achieve my goal of a 3:30 marathon.

Running for the Drapers 5K

This Saturday, May 26th, is a community wide fundraiser for the Draper/Johnson/Finlayson families that have endured so much tragedy in the last few weeks.  At the Wasatch County Rec. Center there will be not only a 5k, but a raffle, silent auction, breakfast (included in race entry!), yard sale, and bake sale.

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, come up to the Heber Valley and help these families!

5K begins at 9AM- registration starts at 7AM for $20.  You can also register online HERE.

Raffle Tickets will be sold at the event for $10.00 a piece

 The Yard Sale begins at 7 AM with all proceeds going to the families.

I'm in charge of the Bake Sale- if you want something you better get there early before I buy it all! 

Donations will be accepted from 10AM to 7PM today at the Wasatch County Rec. Center- you may drop off your gently used items and bake sale goodies during these times.

I love this family!  Even though money will not take the pain away that they are experiencing, I know it will help lessen the financial burden that has been placed on them at this time.

If you can't make it, you can call the Utah Community Credit Union and make a donation for Brady and Angie Draper, or Kassidy Johnson's funds with a debit or credit card.  The number is 435-654-2464.

Thank you everyone for your love and support!

Birthday Girl

I only wanted one thing for my birthday- (well, besides a 3:29 marathon)- these babies!

I've been running in a pair of the New Balance Minimus 10 Road Shoe for a year now and I loooooove them.  Every time I slip them on my feet, I get really excited.  Just like Benny in The Sandlot, they make me run faster and jump higher.  I'm certain.  They help me immensely with my form- the fact that I've had them for A YEAR is evidence of that; normal trainers only last me about 4 months if I'm lucky.

The only problem I have with these is that I can't run the long distances (13.1 and above) without my calves starting to cramp.  It could be user error though because I typically only wear them for about 10 or so miles, and then I run a marathon in them.

If you are looking for some great minimalist shoes, I would check them out!

Ogden Marathon 2012

We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies-

Marathons are full of factors that are beyond your control- weather, injuries, sickness, sleep, cramping.  You train for months and when you toe the start line you have to stand there knowing that you did the best you could with what you were given.  At miles 6, 13, 20, 23, you are still evaluating hoping that your body will respond in the best way possible, and it's not until you reach the finish line that you realize and can even fully comprehend what you have accomplished.

I ran the Ogden Marathon one mile at a time; checking my splits, putting in the effort, and hoping for the best.  The only screen visible on my Garmin had my current mile pace, distance, and total average pace- I didn't know my total run time until this moment, and in that moment, I let every remaining piece of energy I had left escape.

This was, hands down, one of the most freeing moments of my life.

Know what propelled me across this finish line?  People.

I was surprised by multiple friends and family members across the course:

•  Darcy and her baby Andi at mile 8.
• Dallas, Will, Annie, Seth and Sierra at the half.
• Old High School friends and neighbors that were having their own race experience- Grant Keaton, Linda Callor, and Katie Storbo.
• My girls- Whitney and Erin at mile 17.
• My sweet friend Ashley- who started running at the same time as I did- at mile 23.
• Nothing pushes you across the finish like family waiting:  Cami, Ty, Lauren, Alex, Leslee, Clayton, and Kenny.

These people all mean something to me, and their support and encouragement kept me going.

I had several friends that were running this race, and thinking of them kept me working hard, too.  I wanted them to hit their goals!  With every step I ran, I knew that they would be passing those same points, hitting some of the same lows, and enjoying the grandeur of the valleys and the canyons that I was.  Ashley, Pam, Holly, Kristen, and my best friend Kalie (read her recap!  It's incredible)- you kept me pushing.  Thank you.

And YOU.  All of you "invisible friends"- your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement were felt on Saturday.

As I was running the course I thought so much of the bigger picture.  I had the thought that what if we could see those family and friends that are on the other side; what if we had a glimpse of them and could see how many loved ones are cheering us on without our knowledge- imagine the boost that would give us!  We could get through anything!  Although we can't see them, we can lean on our faith that we know they are there, and they are rooting for us.

I thought often of my friend Dustin whom we lost to overdose 5 years before- I dedicated this race to him.  I thought of his family and of the pain they have had to endure because of his absence.  I thought so much of my friend Angie.  My heart is still broken for her and the loss of her daughter Quincy.  How could I not endure the momentary pain of a marathon when there was so much other real suffering going on so close to me?

The last three miles of a marathon are so difficult- the fatigue really set in for me and I quit looking at my watch and I just focused on keeping my legs running.  I call these miles the prayer miles because I'm in a constant state of prayer by this point- it's 25 minutes of gratitude for the many blessings and opportunities that I'm given on a daily basis.  Running can be an intensely spiritual experience, and the Ogden Marathon was definitely that for me.  I am so very, very blessed.

The last half mile of the marathon I ran to the sides and just started giving high fives to everyone I could.  I needed their energy and enthusiasm!  I don't know if it was just a final kick, or a tail wind, or angels, but I felt my body speeding up even though I truly felt like I had nothing left to give.  It was a feeling I don't think I will ever forget.

At this race, and this moment in my life, all of those marathon variables lined up and I was able to achieve my goal- 3:29:00.  I still can't believe it.  When I got to the expo and realized that I was going to have to pace myself to a sub 3:30 on my own, I kind of panicked!  I didn't know if I could do it.  I don't have a lot of marathon experience, but thanks to some very smart splits on a pace band, smart running and fueling, prayer, and a belief in myself, I was able to achieve something that I would have thought impossible a year ago.  I beat every one of my splits but 4.  My fastest mile of the race, a 7:22 mile, was mile 23, and I beat my projected goal time by 58 seconds.

With hard work, people, and faith, you can do anything.

In case you were wondering...

This is what a 3:29:00 looks like!

Look for a full recap some time on Monday.

Onward to Ogden

"[Running] is what gets inside you. It's what lights you up, you can't deny that. It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard...is what makes it great."

-Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own

 

My thoughts have been all over the place this week.

I'm running a marathon this weekend.

To quote my 3 year old neighbor boy, "What the?!"

I feel calm.  I feel ready, and finally I feel excited!  Of course I have goals for myself, but the real thing for me is that I get to run this weekend.  After all the training, all the set backs- I made it to the start line, and I know I will make it to that finish.

May 19, 2007, we lost a very dear friend of ours.  Dustin Ryan Morris- one of my husband's very best friends- died from a drug overdose.  Losing Dustin was heartbreaking for all of us, and losing him the way we did just ripped us up.  Drugs became very real to us at that point.  The danger and the heartbreak they cause are not worth it. Drugs affect so much more than just the person who's taking them.

This Saturday, May 19, 2012, on the 5 year anniversary of his death, I will be running for Dustin.  For all of the things he missed.  I will be running to set an example for my kids about what a healthy addiction looks like; there are healthy outlets for stress, insecurity, and pain.

This one's for you Dusdee....

Happy:  Run a marthon

Happier:  BQ

Happiest:  Break under 3:30

Thank you to family, friends, and the best blogging community around for your support in getting me to the start line.  And thanks to Erin and Breona for the perfect quotes to sum up how I've been feeling.  Love to you all!

Coming to see me?  Look for me in a green Nike top, black shorts and black compression socks, and bright pink Nike shoes.  Looking to finish by 10:30 AM :)

Two Week RUNdown

Although I haven't posted much, I have been able to get workouts done.  My left leg is still not feeling 100%, but I have no doubt that I'll be able to complete Ogden this coming Saturday.  Just being able to say that feels like a miracle considering what this training cycle has been like!

Monday: Cycling, 6 miles in 45 minutes (8 mph).  I pulled both kids in the bike trailer for fun.  Breona ran beside me, so it was much more of a workout for her than it was for me, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave my kids behind :)

Tuesday:  5.06 miles at 9:29 pace.  After my really great long run the weekend before, I was pretty sore.  I thought I had essentially trashed my IT Band and wouldn't be able to run another step before the marathon.  Being able to get out and run so quickly was a blessing to me.

Wednesday:  Cycling, 12.4 miles in 45 min. (16.4 mph)

Thursday:  6.2 miles, 8:06 average pace.  I ran 3 tempo miles in this run with a goal of 7:14.  Splits were 7:19, 7:05, 7:08.  It felt good to run fast, but my leg was bugging me towards the end pretty bad.

Saturday:  13.12 miles at 7:56 pace.  This was my shortest long run that I had had in months!  It still felt pretty hard, and I was wincing on any downhill from the leg.

Tuesday:  5 miles at 8:59 pace.  I hadn't been taking care of myself while dealing with my friends' tragedy.  I got a terrible side ache, each step felt hard, and I nearly fainted during this run.  I was thankful for Jami who kept me from eating pavement.  It's important to eat and drink if you plan on running.

Wednesday:  5 miles at 8:50 average pace.  I went to Memorial Hill and ran 2 good tempo miles up hill and recovered very slowly on the way down so I didn't aggravate my knee and leg problems.  Tempo miles for the mile up hill were 8:02 and 7:49- with a total of 566 feet of gain in those 2 miles, it was a good workout.

Thursday:  Cycling, 12.6 miles in 45 minutes (16.8 mph)

Friday:  Cycling, 12 miles in 45 minutes (16 mph)

Saturday:  10 miles at 7:57 pace.  I ran this after the funerals of my three friends.  It was good to get out and just hit the road.  I felt like I was able to focus and able to deal with the grief.  I was reminded, yet again,of how running is the best kind of therapy for me.  This run was beautiful as I watched the sun set on a peaceful valley.

If you've been keeping track, you may have noticed that I was supposed to be running Red Rock Relay in Moab last Saturday.  Unfortunately I was unable to run because of the funerals.  Thankfully, Red Rock proved- once again- that they are the best and transferred our fees over so we could run the Zion race in September.  Most races won't ever do something so kind and we were so thankful that they were so kind and understanding to us!

Phew!!!  That was a lot of workout journaling!  The Ogden Marathon is only 5 short days away.  Amazing!  If you are going to run a marathon, then can I suggest to you to run 2?  This time has been so much less stress.  I haven't had any kind of nerves yet (although I'm sure even those will show up some time this week).  This training cycle I have missed nearly an entire MONTH of training, but I never panicked once!  One day at a time, one step at a time, and I'm trained and prepped for a PR race this Saturday.  I'm feeling very blessed and thankful for the opportunity.

I will write more about my goals in another post, but just know that I'm totally pumped for what is sure to be an awesome race!

Anyone racing Ogden?

Have you ever run a marathon?  Were your nerves significantly better the second time around?

There is HOPE

This past week has been so hard.  Last Sunday some friends of ours were in a terrible car accident.  Four people died, and it has left our entire community reeling with grief.  In the midst of a tragic loss, we have been able to see an outpouring of love for this family.  From meals, flowers, and small acts of service, to a giant fundraiser that will be taking place on May 26th, everyone is pulling together to do all we can to help lessen the burden that has been placed on this family.  It makes me grateful to live where I do.

My thoughts have continued to turn to our Savior this week.  Although we don't understand why tragic things like this have to happen, through Him we can be lifted, strengthened, and filled with love.  He understands our pain.  He has been there.  I know that in the midst of our darkest grief, there is light in Him.

Just this last month we celebrated Easter.  To have this tragic accident follow so closely after this holiday has been a tender mercy.  What Jesus Christ did for us- suffering for our sins and bearing our burdens and afflictions, His crucifixion, and ultimately His resurrection- is fresh on our minds.  Sometimes when we are in the midst of all this fear and turmoil, we need to remember our Faith.  This life is only a short time.  Our friend's daughter that passed away in the accident may have only been on this Earth for 21 short months, but her life is much bigger than that.  I believe her parents will be able to hold her again.  I believe that they will be able to raise their daughter and experience all of the joys that this Earth life has to offer, plus many many others.

There is a plan for us.  I know this.  With every fiber of my being.

If you would like to read more about the accident, click here.

If you would like to open your heart to help this family, then you may call and make a donation at Utah Community Credit Union under Brady and Angie Draper's name at 435-654-2464.  There is also a fund set up for their niece Kassidy Johnson- the sole survivor in their family's car- at the same number.  Kassidy has suffered many serious injuries and is being treated at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake.  She has a very long road ahead for recovery, but they are optimistic, and Kassidy is a fighter like you've never seen.

There is a 5K/raffle/silent auction/yard sale/bake sale/breakfast fundraiser called Running for the Drapers and Johnson's 5K that will be taking place on Saturday, May 26th, at the Wasatch County Rec. Center.  Entry for the 5K is $20 and can be paid the same day.  They will begin registering runners at 7AM and the race begins at 9AM.  Your race entry will also include breakfast.

Our prayers and thoughts continue to be with the Draper, Johnson, and Finlayson families who were all so tragically affected in this accident.  I pray their lives are filled with peace and love.