Best. Birthday. EVER!!!!!

I ran into a friend at Costco today after the marathon (we were getting pizza with the family).  He asked me "how did you do today?"  I Paused.... I was slow.  really really really slow.  I have no race time bragging rights.

"I did... (I paused)... I did fun."



This journey to finally running the 40th birthday marathon was a  LOOOONG one for me.

I used to live in the townhomes that sit exactly where the St. George marathon finish line points to. For many years, I would spend the day of the marathon just watching everyone cross the line ALL DAY LONG!  I would cheer on perfect strangers and I would cry as people toward the back of the pack came across the finish line struggling for every last step.

I had been a runner/athlete before I was married and had let myself go after my 3rd child.  I had started training for a marathon a couple of times before I had kids and once again before I had my 3rd kid and finally gave up on the idea of a marathon.  From ages 28-36 ish, I let myself go and gave up on health in general.  At age 35 I was in the worst shape of my life.  I was nearly 200 pounds and passed out on a walk half a block from my home.   I wanted ME back.  I wanted the athletic Michelle that could play soccer and basketball and go hiking and run and dance.  She was missing.  I needed her back.
  I began my journey in 2008 walking for just 60 seconds at a time and taking a sitting break until I could work jogging into it.

 My journey has been an amazing transformation, not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, mentally.  I finally love who I am once again.  it's taken a while, but I feel like I haven't JUST got Michelle back, but I am better than I have ever been.

This year it was my 40th birthday just  a few days before the St. George Marathon.  My husband and friends all knew this was my plan for quite some time.  To celebrate life by running 26.2 miles with thousands of other people.


I registered for the 2013 St. George Marathon around the first day registration was open.  I paid my $90 and was all geared up for it.  I received an e-mail that said my name was NOT selected in the lottery.  WHAT???  I was pretty upset.  I thought that was crazy.  I had been planning and waiting and preparing and excited about finally doing a marathon for a LOOOOOOOONG time.  .

So when I was told no cigar on the registration/lottery (even though they should have taken every resident I found out later) I was pretty upset and wouldn't accept it.  I am lucky to have amazing friends.
Offers of free registrations came in from several businesses and friends.  People reached out to me when they saw how much this race meant to me.
I emailed in my free race registration in early August.
I never received a confirmation e-mail.
So I called a week later or so.
"no problem, we got your registration, you are good!"
Awesome.  no more worries - right?
I was IN!  And so, more training getting my knees ready to take on that killer race.

Still no confirmation... anything.

I was a little worried, but I never did a marathon before and had no idea what to expect.

I started to get worried when the race was a few weeks away, but I was swamped with work stress and kids and just didn't take the time to follow up and make sure it was all 'still good".

The race was coming up.
I saw a link posted to get your bib number.  I tried on Tuesday October 2nd.  My birthday.  the race was going to be on the 5th.  I can't get my number from the site.  I am mildly concerned and just think I must have typed something in wrong.  I try again Wednesday.  No luck. SO I email ... "nope sorry, you are not registered and this late we cannot do anything for you."

I nearly break down in tears.  I feel like someone just smashed my pretty princess party hat.
all that training (Okay so it wasn't the BEST training, but still, I tried to train good).  All that hype of me telling everyone what my plan was.  I was GOING to RUN THIS RACE!  The organizers could either help me figure it out, Or I would figure it out on my own.
THIS WAS MY 40th BIRTHDAY PARTY!

PLUS, it was also a very special run that a bunch of buddies were running to dedicate to our common friend Braydon Nielson that was killed riding his bike training for a triathlon about a month or so before.  I couldn't miss this.

I expressed my frustration again on facebook and multiple friends offered solutions to my dilemna and were there to make sure I could do this.  Many of them have been a part of my journey or clients that have joined me in my journey back to health.

I was again touched at how many people cared about my ability to do this race and it's significance in my life.

The race organizers finally emailed me Friday morning - the day before the race - and gave me my bib number.  8572.  cool.  I was in!

Friday was a busy day at work.  I was done working around 1;30pm and planned on going to the expo around 2pm to get what I needed together.  I had never done a race like this.  I had not prepared for it with supplies.  I had a LONG to do list and plan of what I had to get done and when and I wanted to be in bed by 8pm so I could be well rested.   yeah....
That didn't happen.  After trying to get things done back at work with Bill... we finally headed to the expo at 6:00pm.  I was hungry and cranky and stressed out.  I forgot to get my "booyah" shirt, I didn't eat yet and the dinner at the expo seemed a little overpriced.

I get to race packet pickup and guess what....?  guess, no guess.  Guess. Guess!

NO BIB FOR ME!!!!

Seriously????
Can I just break down and cry right here right now?  (It didn't help that Aunt Flow decided to come visit that day as well - if you know what I mean...)  I was an emotional stressed out basketcase.  I was sent back and forth between tables to try and get my situation figured out.  I kept showing everyone I talked to the last communication with my bib number and the person's name.  No one could find it.  FINALLY....  the woman that sent me the email was standing next to one individual (after many others had tried) that was trying to figure out what had happened.  She looked at my phone with the email on it and said "Oh, yeah, that was me. "  Then she looked too.... Nope.... no bib for me.

Finally they decided to get me a new number 8573.  I was more tired, hungry and moody then ever by this point.  I just wanted to go eat and go home and sleep.
While my husband was dealing with some clients in the parking lot, I decided to go get my joints taped at the Strength tape booth.  The line was long, but I knew in the end, it would be worth it.

I was glad to have my bib.
and new head band...

Jimmy Johns drive-thru for dinner after 8pm and then home to get final details together before going to bed.  I decided that half of my to-do list had to be deleted.  including laundry.

I hadn't done laundry all week so my favorite running clothes were ...  well... I have no idea which dirty pile they were in.  I am not a great housekeeper.  The big secret is out.  If it was ever a secret.

I find a Zumba tank, mediocre bra, mediocre running clothes.  At least I had some really cool running socks that Jared at Classic Sports told me I would need to save my toes.  (Glad I listened - no blisters).  No Booyah shirt.  :(  I took a bath and went to bed with wet hair around 10:00pm

3:30 am Saturday October 5th - my alarm goes off and I am thinking... "WHAT WAS I THINKING?"

4:00am - drive to the buses.  I realize I have no idea where to meet my friends since I was so preoccupied with just making sure I could even be in the race in the first place.  I text Polli and she gets me straight.

4:30am - Bill drops me off, I kiss him goodbye and keep my eyes open for someone I know while getting into line for the bus.  I decide that today is a good day to make new friends.

I sit next to a guy named Mike.  He's from Ogden Utah.  55 - He started running just a few years ago.  He let's me know details about the race I missed out on... a little too late.

Lessons I learned
Mike Lesson #1 - the bib is NOT self adhesive.  I didn't have pins.  I thought the bib must be self adhesive.  It isn't, by the way.  Mike gave me one of his 4 pins. In the stress of making sure I even had a bib, the organizers neglected to give me pins.  I was just clueless.  I was feeling pretty blonde at this point.

Mike  Lesson #2 - Mike tells me not to think about how long the drive out there is.  Well I wasn't until he mentioned it.  Crap... that's a long drive.  And I am going to run it?

Mike Lesson #3 - there will be a trailer to gather your items you do not want to run with.  I should have brought that big blanket and winter coat after all.  :(

I'm learning a LOT!

At the starting line we meet up with friends at the northern most fire...  um... I think I must be really early. I can't find anyone I know...  So I find random strangers to sit with and chat.
More lessons to learn...
Lesson #4 - A pillow... good idea!
Lesson #5 - Chairs??? Sitting on the ground was hurting my butt.
Lesson #6 -  bring your breakfast with you.

 Meeting new people is fun and educational.

 I find Cathy Ford and step over Corey Reese, who had just run the course backward and was joining us at the start to do the course again... weirdo.  Who does that?  Oh,  him.  They are hanging out at the fire pit with the purgatory guys.

Lesson #6 - is from Cathy - the guys from Purgatory correctional facility keep a good fire.  the best.  always hang out at their fire.

We finally find most of the "friends of Braydon" and head to the start around 6:45am.
it's cold by the way.  really really really cold.

I meet a new friends.  Tige is a friend of Cathy's and the three of us and Turd'l miller share a blankie to stay warm.

So many awesome people I know are at the start to run together.  We meet toward the back to keep a pace with June Anderson and help her out like Braydon was planning to do for her.  There are loads of us!  I feel like Romper Room lady saying this...
I see: Cory and Melanie and Michelle and Hellen and William, and Stirling, and  ... well the list goes on.  So many great people planning on running together in memory of Braydon.  This is the best birthday party EVER!!!!


Cathy and Tige and I stay in the blanket and start a 3/3 split (3 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking).  Cathy is usually really fast but has decided to take it easy and run slow with me.  YAY!  I never get to run with her.  She is usually toward the front of the pack, so this is a rare opportunity to spend time with someone I never get to see anymore.

There are so many people.  we lose sight of many of our friends.  Some are ahead with the 5hour 30 minute pacer balloons and some are behine toward the 6hour mark (no official pacer).  I knew my friend June Anderson was in good hands with all those friends around her.  She would have great support.  I thought.

I have absolutely NO expectations for this race.  I have not run further than 11 miles straight.  I did the red rock relay and got about 15 miles 3-5 miles at a time over 2 days.  I wasn't ready to run 26.2 miles.  My only goals were
1 - finish with a smile
2 - NO INJURIES!

We Had so much fun!
Nice easy pace. lots of walking breaks.
The weather is perfect.
The aid stations are awesome!  I get a mini coke bottle from Kari.  I get Red vines and a twix candy bar at another aid station. this is junk I usually avoid, but this is a party.
One aid station even has Hot dogs at Mile 24.  Dude... Stoked.

Signs along the way make me laugh:

Cathy, Tige and I are laughing, talking and really enjoying the race Braydon style.  Smiling and enjoying the journey.  Don't get me wrong, we are working.  I am starting to feel my knee give me problems about mile 6.

 Bugger.  This makes me really nervous.  Can I do this and not be injured after all?

Veyo...  we decide at Veyo pies to see if we can get a pie.
No pie, But Cathy scores us a filled croissant and we split it 3 ways.  I can only eat a couple of bites.  totally yummy but very very sweet.  :)  YUM!  I will have to go back another day and get some when I am not running.

My brother Robert Proffit and his wife Peggy and their kids are there with a happy birthday sign.

It's good to see them right there.  Robert says he will run with me if I want.  I get distracted by a croissant and eat it and forget to have my brother run with me.  I don't even think about it until about a mile later.

We walked Veyo hill.  :)  yeah, we could have pushed.  But we didn't.  and it was fine and fun to just walk it and enjoy it.

At some point we realize we won't be able to keep our pace and finish with team Booyah.  We finally realize we must be way out in front of our group of buddies.  a couple of guys in the group are running back and forth - up and down the course looking for June Anderson and can't find her.  I wonder how many miles they are getting in.

Our little trio decides our aging aching and untrained muscles probably can only handle about 16 miles or so of this running pace and we will walk the last 10 totally on track to finish with team Booyah in plenty of time.

I figure out my knee pain is probably from poor running form since I have been pretty lazy.  I fix my form, do a few butt kickers and change things up and my knee pain goes away.  YAY for good form!  funny how much of a difference it makes.

I can keep going.  YAY!

We share old high school dating stories and laugh.  I like "racing" this way.
Mile 16... my running legs are shot!  I am glad to be done with running.  This is longer than any straight run I have done yet.  I am happy that I made it that far running off and on.

Aaaaannnnnd.... we're walking.  The last 10 miles.
It seems like a short distance in my mind.    I am glad I am not alone.  This was the best way to do my first marathon.  FUN, slow and happy!

We had agreed to stop at mile 23 and wait to meet up with Melissa Nielsen (Braydon's wife) the rest of the way in with all the rest of the Booyah tribe.  Cathy and Tige are ahead of me since I stopped to stretch at some point.  I see they don't stop and just keep going past Melissa  I stop to say hi and figure out what the plan is.  Do I wait?  Do I try and catch up to my other friends?  Or do I just go on my own?  I go on and see if I can catch Tige and Cathy.  I am hoping the slow down, but they don't.  So... I just decide to go even slower and see if everyone else catches up.  I mean, I really don't want to spend my birthday party alone and cross the finish line without the party people.  That was not my party plan.  I stop at mile 24 aid station and eat a hot dog.  Why not?  I have time to kill.
BY THE WAY....
about mile 20 my feet are killing me!!!  Holy cow.  This is when I develop serious respect to ANYONE that finished a marathon. period.  No matter how fast. Walking or running.  It hurts!  I had pains in places I never felt pain during a run before.
the bottoms of my feet, my hips, backs of my knees.... yeah.... I was pretty much done.
just a few more miles....
I was glad I was walking without pressure to beat some crazy time I was thinking about setting for myself.

I find Tige.  Cathy ditched him.  We decide to finish together and then go back and find everyone else.

As we get close to the finish, we find more Booyah shirts. We finish together.  It was fun to see Lyle Anderson as the announcer.  I didn't know he was up there,  He did a great job announcing.

Looking at these pictures as I write this blog is the first time I realized how really slow we really did finish.  It's slow.  But it's happy.  That was my goal.

Now we wait for June and the others to come in.  They are with the "sweeper" barely in front of the cut off vehicle.  we all run across the finish together.  It's emotional.  Melissa has tears.  I have tears.  So many of us are feeling Braydon's presence with us as we cross together as a team.

BOOYAH!
We finish with cheers of BOOYAH - the term Braydon was most known for, and a group hug.
I punched William Shake in the arm for being emotional.  Then I feel guilty for doing it.  Sorry dude.  My bad.  Real Men get tears too.

It was the best Birthday party ever. Thanks Braydon for making my party awesome.  Sure most of these people had no idea they were throwing me a birthday party.  that's fine.  I am also convinced this was the best way to do a first marathon.  I had SO much fun, I was MOSTLY pain free - or at least injury free.  and I laughed and enjoyed friends the whole time.

Will I ever do a marathon again?  I told my hubby this was going to be my one and only.  But... duude... I had SOOOO much fun!  I would do one again, BUT - Only if I can do it this way.  Trust me, it was challenging enough for me.  6 hours of run/walking 26.2 miles is tough!

Braydon's passing kind of changed my focus from making this about my birthday to more about celebrating him and what he was all about - supporting friends.

I have come to terms with the idea that I do not have to try and keep up with anyone else.  I can do this for me, I can do this for someone else and I can do both at the same time.  I loved being with other people.  In Braydon spirit, I would do this again if I was helping someone else to do it.  (or part of a party)

I haven't really called myself a "serious runner".  I think I am finally figuring it out...

I am a social runner.  I need other people in my world to keep me going.  Thank you Booyah clan!  I love all of you!
Booyah!

Getting ready for the marathon

I am getting nervous about getting the distance in for the St George marathon in October.  My big struggle is - i LOVE doing EVERYTHING!!!!

Tyann Clark does Spartan Obstacle course training on saturday mornings and I don't want to miss that.  Plus I love Zumba and teach it 4 times a week.  Plus I want to do other fitness classes I love.  Trying to fit it all in is tough.

I have decided to count extra miles when I do the Spartan training.  it really wipes me out.  I think I could count it as a mile or two more that it actually is for my marathon training?  maybe not?  I am just trying to be hopeful.

I am going to post my training schedule for the next several months right here so I can refer easily to it or if anyone feel like supporting me and joining me in this.  I found out that I am a social runner/ workout person.  if no one is there - i tend to skip it altogether.  I work harder, I follow through and I push myself when someone is doing it with me.  Otherwise, I tend to be a big wimpy flake.

I am a LOT of talk.  I pretend to be tough.  truth of the matter is - I spend most of my time telling other people what to do, how to workout and how to push.  I can get people to push faster, lift more and do more.  but I don't get the opportunity for others to do that for me very often.  it's one of the reasons why I NEED Tyann's trainings on Saturdays.  it's an opportunity to be pushed to do more.  I like that.

SO... I am also counting teaching a regular Zumba class the same as running a 5k.  Is that fair?  truth is, when I go teach a tough Zumba class or go to Tyann's class, It is harder for me than running a 5K. one hour of Zumba or less than 30 minutes of running?  yeah.... Zumba counts.  Plus I think I will add in Turbokick two times on Wednesdays as well.

I think if I do those classes that are offered at my gym - I really can just go for the long runs on Saturdays and work up the mileage that way.

PLUS - Oh yeah - there is that triathlon I keep forgetting to train for in about a month - crap.  I need to add biking and swimming in to the mix.

SO...

Mondays: Tyann's Zumba class at 8:00am during the summer schedule = 3.2 miles

Tuesday : Aimee's strength class at 8:00am (just to build strength) PLUS TEACH Zumba at 8:00pm = 3.2 miles

Wednesday: Turbokick at 8:00am with Heather Stout (I have not really done this class much, But I am guessing it is tougher than a 5K as well)  Pilates at 9:30am and Turbo kick at 8:00pm with Melissa Burton = 6 miles?  ish??? for the entire day? But it would also be 3 hours of working out.

Thursday: Do the Phazes Circuit for strength. Bike at 8:00am?  Teach Zumba at 8:00pm = 3.2 miles

Friday: Teach Zumba at 8:00am then go to Yoga at 9:30am

Saturday: 5:30am - fit in a longer run   8:00am Spartan training.  Go swimming at the lake and then finish with Stand up paddling and Yoga.

I am not sure where to add in the bike ride.  this is craziness.  what am i thinking?

So on saturdays from here on out here is my plan (I am following a training program I got offline from coolrunning.com)

Start my runs at 5:30am to get it done before the heat.

Saturday June 15 - 6 miles Then do Spartan training (sp)

June 22 - I will be at Girls camp.  trail run 12 miles (I am sure this will be part walk)  i wonder if I can get any YW or leaders to do that with me at 5:30 in the morning before anyone else is up and going?

June 29th - 3 miles +sp

July 6th - I have a triathlon - my first solo - I am counting it!

July 13 - 4 miles + sp

July 20th - 14 miles + sp (this is going to kill me! I see lots of walking!)

July 27th - 6 miles +sp

August 3 - 16 miles +sp

August 10 - 10 miles - No Spartan anymore til the race is over.  Just need to focus on mileage here on out I think?

August 17 - 22 miles 

August 24 - 10 miiles

August 31 - 24 miles

September7 - 10 miiles

 September 14 - Red rock relay... ugh... I am counting it and may have to volunteer for the longer runs.  20-26 miles?

September 21 - 12 miles

september 28 - 12 miles

October 5 - RACE DAY  26.2 miles!

This is seriously scary for me.  I need a buddy to do this with me.  I am not the fastest runner in the world I imagine my pace will not be fast.  my goal is to finish without injuries.  

The Marathon is my 40th birthday party and I am excited to do my first ever.  for my running buddies - some have done a dozen or more of these I are telling me I can do this no problem.  than there are my clients that are just getting into exercise for the first time that think it's crazy and wonder why push that hard in the first place.  I started to train for a marathon so many times before.  But pregnancies and life have stopped me so many times.  Or just the fact that running is hard!  I get to about 7 or 8 miles I feel done.  there is a wall.  I have done a few half marathons now.  I feel more capable than ever.  I know I can do this.  But I need it to be out in the open so I follow through, stick with it, do it!  who wants to join me saturdays at 5:30am - I chose this time because it's before my body and mind have time to talk me out of it.  Maybe I will go to the lake after and get on an SUP and do some Yoga on my board.  this could be the most amazing Summer of my life.

me, treasa, Tyann, Jim, Hobie call,... and... I forgot the guy's name on the end - sorry dude.

I put this photo of the post Hobie Challenge to remind me I am capable to doing HARD THINGS!  That was a tough  challenge Hobie Call set up for us.  I am reminded that Tyann's trainings push me.  I am reminded that I am stronger than I know.  I can do this!

take deep breaths.  don't freak out.

I love helping other people meet their goals that I often forget to take care of my own goals and push me to my limits.  It's time!

It was a cold windy March morning...

Friday night Bill was looking forward to date night.  I looked at the clock and realized "Bill, I have a race tomorrow."
He groaned.
I started planning my costume.  There would be a contest for shortest shorts.  But how short do I dare go?  And how cold will it be?
Clover tights, a green lucky theme  -   BUT WHAT WILL I WEAR?
I tried and several pairs of really short shorts and various forms of undies and did the squatting tests.  I really didn't want to show off my "parts is parts".  But I had to find something that would work and put me in the running for shortest shorts.  This would be more important than actually running a good race.

5:15am my alarm goes off and I post on facebook that all I really want to do it sleep in one weekend.  This is a normal wake up time for me Monday-Friday.  It seems so much earlier to me on a Saturday for some reason.

Get dressed in 3 layers of clothes
It's early March and still chilly out in the mornings especially.  Gloves, snow hat, scarf, warm up pants... extra socks... 2 pairs of running shoes...
Oh yeah don't forget the fun part
 - Green makeup and nail polish
- Hair Glue
 - and Food - Jerky, Trail Mix, gatorade, various fruits and nuts and some peanut butter treats.
My ride shows up at 5:45 amand we are off to pick up the other runners on our team.

Katie Demille and her Nursing baby are in the back seat.
Jessica Hickman and Nikki Richins are 2 people I just met for this race - new friends.
 The driver and Team Captain - Wendy Smart - long time friend and client of mine.
This will be a great adventure!
Jessica keeps grumbling "it's early."  I laugh.

We arrive at Gunlock resevoir around 7am and decorate the van, paint our nails, put on green make-up and try and keep warm until start time.  I get out of the van with Wendy and we join in with some guys with ugly wigs playing LMFAO music and get a little rowdy and warm while dancing up a spastic dance storm.  I just can't help myself , It's how I roll.

Katie quickly feeds her baby and starts leg one of this 52 mile relay.  The relay is a 52 mile race with teams of 5people that take turns running specific "legs" of the race.  We started at Gunlock resevoir and finish at Sand Hollow Resevoir.

I get Leg 2.  It's still chilly at 9am.  I realize just then that I would be running right by my friend Kim Mower's house and My Brother Robert Proffit's as well since my leg finishes in Ivins.  I text them to let them know right before I start my leg of the race.  5.8 miles of rolling hills.

This was my first race where I purposefully left the electronic devices behind to just connect my mind and body without distraction.  I wanted to run how I felt without music telling me to go fast or a device telling me my pace.  It felt good to just run how my body told me it wanted to run.  My competitive nature kicked in.  every time I saw someone in front of me, my goal was to catch them and pass them (kills)  I had 4 kills and no one killed me.  My brother and his wife Peggy were about .5 miles (or less) from the finish line cheering me on - AWESOME!  Robert joined me and helped me push it in for the final stretch.  I loved opening up and pulling out what was left in me for the finish.  My team wasn't expecting me for another 10-15 minutes.  apparently I had given them a poor estimate of my running pace.  ooops.  Jessica was "taking care of business".  :)

Then Jessica was off after she found out I was waiting for her at the finish line.  SORRY JESSICA!
Oh well...

I ran 8.6 minute miles average on that leg for almost 6 miles.  I've never done that.
My knees felt amazing.  I think my knees feel better when I run faster.  when I plug along slower and keep a pace I "feel capable of"  my knees get more of a plodding and pounding. 

I decided that this is how I will race from now on.  Plus I figured out solutions for all the world problems at the same time as I had only my thoughts during the run.  :)

I stretched for a few minutes - said Hello To my friend Cherie (I still need a copy of the picture she took of me right then. I am sure I looked "amazing"), said goodbye and thank you to my brother and his wife and then we were off again to meet up for leg 4.
Wendy had Leg 4.  Our team was doing better than we expected.  How fun!  I saw my friend Cathy Ford and her team.  These relays really are just a big party  I tell ya.

Wendy finished strong and looking good and then Nikki gets a tough climbing hill for her run on leg 5.  We are keeping pace with a team in fluffy skirts "Off like a Prom Dress" is their team name.  so much fun!  I love all the crazy wigs, costumes and crazies out there.  Nikki KILLS IT!  She did amazing!  Lots of "kills" and beats her estimated running time.  we keep on this way for each leg of the race.  Wendy got leg 8 - a killer of a hill and a long run for her. 

I felt tired and ready for a nap but needed to get ready to run leg 9, 4.4 miles of trail running and hills.  It's a tough run after a long day and it's now pretty warm outside.  I take a shot of a drink called "Zenergy" for a boost of energy.  I hate those energy drinks.  I had bought it just in case I needed a pick me up.  ugh....  my brain was a mess.  It was like I was having a weird anxiety attack of some sort.  I was trying to prep for my next run and my brain was a mess.

We had been joking about how awesome we were that we were beating my friend Cherie's team and how cool that makes us.  LOL.
I was shocked and happy to see their car drive up to this transition point of the race. I adore Cherie and she told me her team's story I forgave her bad cheating  of needing to hop in the car as a team and skip a portion of they race since they race directors had given them a call to find out where they were.  They only had 4 people on their team and Cherie had already run 13 miles or so. She was tired and worn out.  I was happy that she was planning on running this leg of the race and was going to wait with me for Wendy to come in so she could run with me.  It helped me to calm down a little and I really looked forward to this run.

There were people yelling at Cherie as we took off.  If only they knew her story.  I was glad I had that time to think about how much I had criticized other teams we had caught "cheating".  I had no idea if there were injuries or if the race committee had been on their case because they were taking down barricades before they got to transition points.  So I became a nicer person and less judgmental right then.  
Cherie was in pain.  I felt great.  She told me to not wait for her - no worries - love you Cherie, But I'm feeling good and I parted ways with her.  It was such a gorgeous day.  I shook off the earlier brain fry I had and found my mind body connection I was looking for.  I loved passing people on this leg.  Each Hill was just an obstacle to put one foot in front of the other - 4 kills!  and even one of those other cheating teams that cheated to pass my team a long time back  I killed them!  LOL!  that always feels good. 

I was running past cows and horses and there was no one around that I could see at this point. I started talking to the cows  when I heard a breathe behind me.  Crap!  where did this chick come from?  I was just enjoying my jog...  "You're not passing me."  I tell her.  She looked annoyed.  I picked up my pace and kept with her as a pacing partner.  I still felt great.  I see my team ahead with my water bottle held out for me.  "run with me and the water - I can't let this chick pass me."  She looks even more annoyed.  "how much further?"  "one more mile!"  "Great!"  The woman I was pacing with groan out "another mile?  aaarrrgghhh..." poor girl.  she was tired.  I felt good.  I leave her behind....

2 more kills and a hill in front of me and then I am done.  One final push up this crazy hill...
AWESOME!  I actually love hills.  I chose this leg for the hills and short run.  So as people are walking the last stretch up this hill I am running past them.  I feel awesome!

Nikki takes the final leg of the race and I stretch and wait for my friend Cherie while I cheer on the other runners I had passed.  and of course I dance to other team's music they play loudly.  I can't help it.  It's how I roll.

My knees still feel good.
I have no idea what my pace was still today as I write this.  I am curious, but it doesn't matter.  I did great.  I ran hard and faster than I would have normally and I have no idea how fast it was.  I just like feeling good and passing people.
 Cherie comes in a little later - sweaty hugs... ugh...

Time to meet up at the finish. 
We head off to Sand Hollow and wait for our runner to finish up the race for us.
As we meet for Nikki at the finish we cheer on the ultra runners that ran the race solo (no teams - just them and 50 miles - cool!)  and we cheer on other teams.  we dance some more and we meet other people.

Nikki comes in strong and we cross the finish line together.  The race director is at the finish line and takes a look at my shorts "those just might win the shortest shorts contest.  But there are some guys out there that have some really short shorts.  We may just have to see who really has the shortest shorts."
  hmmmmm.... I think I need to wear these to the awards dinner just in case I have a case to prove.  

My husband Bill is on the lake with his SUP.  I was glad he came for the final part of the race - even if he didn't see us finish or take any pictures of us...  I was glad he got on the water and enjoyed himself for awhile.

We went home and got ready for the awards dinner.  What to wear?  My sweaty shorts again?  Really?  Yup.  I took a shower and put the sweaty shorts and tights back on (clean undies though - LOL)  and then put on some loose purple sweats on top.  Just in case...

Bill and I sat at a table with Wendy and her husband, Shelly and Darin Thomas (track coach and amazing runners) and... Oh dear... I forgot the other person's name - on Shelly's team... and her hubby.  Saw my friend Ben Ford and waived "hi" and chatted for a while.  It was nice to finally see some familar faces I had no idea were even in the race.  There is Heather Stout... Liz and Tom Dansie...  Strong runners and great people...

The awards... Ben and his buddy took first in the 2 man team category - awesome!  They just happened to also set a new record for the race.  way cool! 

I was looking for Cherie - couldn't see her.  She must be home cuddling her kids I assume.
The awards were given out to all the faster teams that won for being fast.

Then the important awards started... Costumes and ridiculousness...
best costumes - Supermoms
best decorated car... I think it was Heather's team and their Tipi on top...  that was cool.  I liked that Cowboys and Indian theme they had going on...
others... the ridiculous wigs... the crazies...
and then...
Shortest Shorts - some guys team was mentioned... and then he said "and a woman on team 44.."
"Hey that's me!  I won!  I won!  I won!"  I scream and pull my sweats down and run up for my award with my sweats around my ankles showing off my lucky tights and short blue shorts.  My mother would be proud  (or not - can't be certain).
I got a $20 gift certificate for a pair of shorts from Saint George running center. I'm stoked.  but I'm even more stoked about the really cool picture of the 70's man in short running shorts and cheesiness of the whole scrapbookable certificate.  I told Bill I was going to just scrapbook the thing. He told me to just scan it and use the certificate.  He's so smart.

There are some great things about these relay types of races.
 - I love that you get to know other people.  It's not just a start and finish - it's a party the whole way there as you cheer on your team and other teams.  You talk to people as you wait for your team to come in.
 - I love dressing like an idiot.  It's a great way to make friends.  People you normally would never talk to come up to you and comment on your outfit and a new friend is made.
 - I love connecting with the crazies of the world.  It's always good to know you are in a safe place as a fellow crazy.

All in all - it was an awesome experience.  can't wait for the next one!  I think I am signing up for a Ragnar Relay in California in April or May my big brother Robert tells me.  Can't wait.  What will I wear?
Definately not using anything electronic to tell me how fast or slow to run.  That was a first for me and it was awesome!

Running really is a team sport. no really it is...

They say running is an individual sport....  I beg to differ...
Saturday I ran the 10mile Dam to Dam Sand Hollow race.

Part of me is really disappointed in myself for coming in so much toward the last.   I had told my hubby before the race that I would average 11 minute miles with stretching breaks and that he would see my in almost 2 hours. so I should feel great about my results of about 9:43 minute miles.

I have to keep reminding myself that 4 years ago I could NOT WALK AROUND MY BLOCK! One year ago I was injured from not training for a half marathon I decided to do on a whim and I couldn't run at all for several months after. So really -   I should be flippin thrilled!
Why the disappointment in my results?  I have some serious issues...

 I struggle with the balance between my competitive nature and just focusing on my own personal journey.
I placed 11th in my division (women 35-40) and like 21st overall in the Women.  yup.  I was last in my division.  :)  ahhhh well.   there were only 26 women doing the 10 mile race. BUT if I were in ANY OTHER division - I would have placed!  LOL!   In fact the woman I ran with toward the end and then passed at the finish (Diane) - she finished in first place in her division and I was last in my division.

I started out with a decent pace and kept toward the front half of the pack.  I was running with a man named Tony from Apple Valley area -   A really TALL man with a great stride and I decided to pace with him.  I felt awesome. We talked about his running life.  Many Many years ago he qualified for the Boston Marathon and never went and did it.  He had brain surgery a year ago.  coming out of that he decided he would get back to that place and do it!  I love that people I meet doing these events.  THIS IS WHY I LOVE RACES! The people I meet always impress me.
 About mile 5 I asked him what our pace was he told me just under 9 minute miles.  I was like - "crap... I can't keep this pace the whole time.  I'm only half way through and I've never done 10 miles before."  So I slowed down and he pushed on without me.

 I wish I had never known our pace.

 About mile 7 my knee started bugging me and I stopped to stretch out.  tons of people ran right past me.  it bothered me.  ugh!  seriously bugged me.  so I got back into the run and stopped to stretch again.  my knee was really bothering me.  About this time a man in his 70's caught up to me and said "Don't let me beat you! You had a great pace keep going!"  so I did.  This man had passed me and I was determined to catch up to him and not let him beat me.  no way in hell was I going to let an old man beat the pants off me.  LOL - seriously?  I have some issues.

SO I ran with a 76 year old man that would yell at me everytime I stopped to stretch "Don't you dare!  Keep moving!  Concentrate on your turn over and not on your knees! You can't finish after me!"
um..... ok....  I am a sheep - I am a good follower.
I was torn - walk and stretch like I planned and let this old guy beat me?  Or Keep going and push through it and make sure some 76 year old man finishes after me.  UGH....
So I ran harder and faster than I thought I should and I kept up with the old man until the finish line was close.  and like a good little runner I kicked it in and pushed hard to as much of a sprint as this tired body could do with a limp as I crossed the finish.

My thoughts as I crossed:  "what have I just done?  will I be injured?  will I go through another year of not being able to run because of this?  crap.  why?"
So I stretched and stretched and stretched and stretched.  guess what?  NO PAIN the next day (well not in my knees anyway and that was the biggest worry)

So I am thanking that man.  I assume he MUST be a genius runner of some sort.  I keep making up stories in my mind about who he is and what he must have accomplished in his lifetime so that I feel more awesome about finishing barely in front of a 76 year old man.  I do thank him for pushing me to my limits.  I love finding out that I am capable of more than I thought I was.

Would you like to know the Story I made up about the old guy that pushed me?  I think his name is Jim Way.  I Don't know anything else about him other than the information I got off runner card.  His name, age and city of residence.  So my story about him is something like...  um.... he was a track coach and ultra marathoner.  and he must have some amazing race stories about who he's ran with and all his races.  He probably does a few marathons or more every year.... and.... He runs 10 miles a day just for fun.  sure... why the heck not?  I wonder how close to the truth I am?

anyway, thanks Jim for pushing me.
thanks to Tony from Apple Valley for pacing me and sharing his story.
and thanks to Diane Patrick for being my buddy toward the end and pacing with me there.


They say running is an individual sport.  But I have found it isn't.  any success I have in any race usually is because I have been pushed or supported by another runner.

finally I won!

hero worship is a dangerous thing. By that, I mean putting anyone here on this earth in a place of higher importance than yourself. Celebrities, political leaders, religious leaders, business icons... etc.... they are all human. I have see it at conventions for network marketing companies - someone has made a financial success of themselves and suddenly they are surrounded with admirers that think so highly of them and want to take photos with them and put them on this weird pedestal of creating an idol of that individual. Celebrities that have been in a few successful movies are suddenly worshipped for their ability to act and become our role models? Religious leaders are held on a pedestal and expected to be perfect and flawless? Business leaders become experts on everything? I remember talking with someone at one of these business conventions that many had placed on this crazy pedestal and she gave me some great advice. I was what was called a "unit Leader" in a company, Creative Memories and was attending a National Convention where all those amazing leaders are recognized on stage and guest speakers and performers come and there is all this great hype to get you excited to drive forward in your business. During a lunch break at one of these conventions I challenged myself to find a table with someone I respected or looked like they were a success and join their table. So I found this woman, Vickie Morgan, she was one of those women that was at the very forefront of the company's growth. She was making more money in a month than I did in a year combined with my husband. She was someone I wanted to pick her brain and get all the secrets from. I learned one amazing secret - she was a human being just like me. I was so nervous to talk to her and stumbled over my questions to her. she sensed my weird nervousness and told me that she was no different than me, just older and had been working hard at it longer than me. and she cautioned me about idolizing anyone. she said" when you put someone else on a pedestal, you are putting yourself below them." That has always stayed with me. I had an experience with a Bishop in my church back when I was 21 yrs old that I felt made a wrong decision that directly affected me. I was so thrown by what I beleived to be his bad call that I let it affect my belief that God wanted him as a bishop for that ward. It effected me so greatly at the time that I considered leaving the church I knew to be true. Later I came to the realization that although called of God - these men of God are also just men doing their best and my job was to handle my grievances better than I did then. To put them on a pedestal of someone incapable of mistakes is to allow yourself to be thrown completely for a loop when something isn't as you think it should be. I have often admired experts - especially female leaders: Oprah Winfrey, Tosca Reno, Suzie Orman and Jillian Micheals. I admire their drive, leadership, business sense, expertise in their fields, etc... and for a while I made a mistake of holding them as role models. BUT ALL of these women are missing something ciritcal that I have - a family with a devoted husband and children. so... are these the women I want as my idols in life? no.... I can respect them for the work they do. but to put them on a pedestal above me is to believe that I am lower than any of them. we are equals. although I am not on TV or in books (yet), I have had a different life I have chosen. That also does not make me better. just different. What about your neighbor with the perfect family? You have no idea what they struggle with. To hold that other mom up on a pedestal is to say that she is better than you. She isn't. I admire a certain blogger/friend of mine that has this amazing ability to create beautiful art, crafts, and delicious dinners. She has a great talent at home decor, she always dresses amazing and her make-up is always perfect. She and I are different. while she spends time on those things, I spend time on other areas of life. I am not better than her or she better than me. To believe she is better than me is to believe that my talents are less important. My hope is that I can encourage everyone to live up to the talents God gave them, never to feel like they are less than anyone else. Hold your head up and look at everyone in the eye as an equal. recognize that everyone is capable of mistakes, sorrows, and struggles no matter the outward appearance. Your feelings of self worth directly affect your ability to accomplish your goals in life. and your feelings of self worth are directly affected by whether or not you compare your talents and abilities to everyone else around you. You are just as capable as the next person. even if you haven't accomplished what you hope to just yet, You are CAPABLE AND WORTHY OF IT! Just my soapbox for the day. thanks for letting me get my thoughts out of my head.

If it's not one thing, it's another...

My arm started hurting last week. ugh. really?? like my life can take me falling apart..
The toughest part about recovering and starting over is knowing what you used to be able to do and not pushing to that place when you shouldn't.
I think I hurt my elbow screwing around attempting some stunt I should not have tried. It's a pattern in my life. I can't accept that I am not 15 anymore.
SO, now I get to let my arm heal.

My knees? They feel great!
I have been taking it easy and letting them heal and retraining my stride.
I love running in my vibram 5 finger shoes!
Today I only did 2.16 miles and ran with Trisha and Wendy and others that showed up for Couch to 5K running.
I took about 30 minutes to do that run so it was a slow 15 min/mile pace. I need Thursdays as a recovery day from my intense fitness day on wednesday.
yesterday I taught FOUR Zumba classes. OUCH! I hurt so bad last night and am pretty sore from all that dancing. So just doing a slow pace with lots of walking was ok by me. I focused on my footfall and kept pretty good form.

So now... I heal my arm.

My knees... They are fine! YAY - and after a full day of high impact Zumba? yes, I am happy right now.

my first knee massage

I had Amber Smith come over and give me a knee massage yesterday.
HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
apparently I have a lot of scar tissue surrounding my knee I never knew about. Lots of past injuries that I ignored or something I guess.

But anyway the massage was heaven. at times it was so painful I thought I would cry (But I didn't)

SO... I am going to do it again. She really did an amazing job.

Here's Amber's plug:
She lives in LaVerkin and works at Massage Envy in Washington.
She can work you in her home or yours. She came to my living room - set up her table and went to work while my 3 year old watched Rolie Polie Olie movies.

Give her a call!
435-770-4678
Her name is AMBER