Race #3: YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon

The mental picture of me passing the finish line and getting one of these medals was what kept me going those last 3 miles!

  I can finally, and happily say that I am a half marathoner. And I LOVE it! As all of you know, Mark and I have been training, on and off for a year, to run our first half marathon. After injuries and other health problems prevented me from running the Rock n' Roll Half in Vegas last December, I thought our goal would never be reached. But thanks to our dear friend Jay for finding us a race by all our family, and our running friends Josh and Ryan for their support and wisdom, we can now say that we are half marathoners. And we couldn't have picked a better first race.
  We had to travel to Boise, Idaho for the race, and there is no better reason to travel than going to a race. We left Thursday night and stayed with my parents in Twin Falls, Idaho so that could break up the drive for Addison and get a little longer in Twin to go see Isabel before the race. Friday we traveled to Boise where we found where we needed to be the next day, picked up our race packets, and stayed with Mark's Aunt Patty, Uncle Dirk, and Cousin Joey. Joey, being 13, enjoyed having a friend in Addison, and we enjoyed being around them. After getting us carb loaded and Addison bedded down in Joey's room, slumber party style, Mark and I headed for bed just after 10PM.
   We got up Saturday at 4:40AM to head to the race. I have never been so nervous in my life, and I did speech and debate tournaments in high school and college! I prayed and prayed while I rolled out my foot that I wouldn't make a fool of myself, that I could finish, and that I wouldn't get hurt. I prayed for Mark. I prayed for the race's safety. I prayed for my brother and niece that were running the 5k that day. Then, I got ready, tummy churning the whole time. I have found that I have better runs when I talk myself up while I get ready. So I told myself that I was going to do awesome. That my legs were feeling great. That I was going to run better than I have ever run. I just was starting to feel calmer, then I was forced to eat. I gagged down half a bagel and took my banana to the start line hoping to feel better at some point.
   Then something strange happened on the shuttle bus. I did start feeling better. And I was feeling pretty good waiting for the race to start. Adrenaline is a magical drug that makes even the worst nerves calmer. I was even able to eat my banana. A warm up walk and some stretching later, we were ready to line up. But Mark and I still had not found Jay, our friend from our days at the College of Southern Idaho. And we couldn't call him, we had no cell service up in the canyon. We were hoping that we could spot him at some point after the race, still I was disappointed. We should have called him while we were getting on the shuttles. Still, by the time the start gun went off, we were ready to run.
   The race for both the marathon and half marathon started at Lucky Peak State Park. There were 1,582 runners all trying to get in a good position for their running pace. The first 3 miles or so were on the road to Lucky Peak. Then we moved onto the Greenbelt, a running path that runs through Boise and several parks. We mostly followed it back to the finish line. I was told on the shuttle up there that the first watering station was at 2 miles. I gauge my walking to running ratios (yes, I still can't run 13.1 straight) based on miles. Unless I am running a short run or 5k, I usually can run 1, then I need to take a drink and walk while I do that. Then another mile, another drink. At around 4 miles, the walks are slightly longer. I usually end up walking about a mile or so of a long run (8 or more miles), but I still get there, and that is all that matters. So I am running and running and thinking "Although I don't need a drink, this has been a freaking long mile!" Imagine my happiness when I discovered shortly after those thoughts I had ran 2 miles! Of course, my speed demon husband was so far ahead of me by this point, I couldn't see him anymore, but there are so many runners, you never feel alone while running. Everyone is now an instant friend.
   The first watering station was actually at around mile 3. I was still going pretty strong and felt awesome. I couldn't believe how much easier those first 3 miles felt compared to a 5k. I had never felt that good running. So I kept going strong. Of course, I am pretty slow at running. My fast pace is 11 minute miles. Because I don't run with a timer, I had no clue how fast I was going, but fast for me is still slow for most runners, so being passed is nothing new to me. Still, at around mile 4, the person passing me took me by surprise. It was JAY! Apparently, he was waiting at the porta potties for his friend so they could start together. But, unbeknownst to him, she started while he was still in one, so he was the very last person to start the race, by like 15 minutes! After a quick hug, he too was off like a bullet from a gun.
  At some point I could hear a rattle snake. But I never saw one and just assumed that little devils were terrified of all the runners that came before me and were staying away. I am glad that I didn't see the (hopefully!) dead snakes my husband did or else I would have sprinted to the nearest watering station, climbed up the tallest person, and begged to be taken indoors and tranquilized. Where there are dead snakes, there are probably some live ones... AUGH!!!!!!! No one wants a DNF because of snakes.
   The miles were coming fast. At some point I stating thinking "I have never ran this far without stopping. Maybe I should walk so I don't over-tire myself." But I also wanted to see what I was really made of, so I kept going. Mile 5 passed. Mile 6 passed. By the time we entered a part at Mile 7, I was thinking that I felt so good I could go the whole race this way! We entered a ritzy subdivision around mile 8 and there was some great joy in making a couple of snobby people in their Range Rovers wait for me to cross the road. I considered walking to just really make their day. Hey, when you have been running 2 hours, you start thinking evil thoughts.
  At mile 9 I met a lady that told me she had been pacing me the whole race. We ran together for a mile and talked about our running pasts. But, by mile 10, I was starting to feel the run. I took an energy fruit snack at the watering station hoping it would give me what I needed to finish. The gel I had at mile 6.5 was helping, but I was starting to feel nasty. I knew I just had to dig deep and keep going. By mile 11, I was getting tummy cramps. I knew I was in the home stretch and I could make it. But I was also starting to panic about the fact that I was in a park and I couldn't see a bathroom anywhere. I met another runner at this time who helped push me to the end. Still, my tummy was getting worse and I was forced to walk, even more than my legs wanted too. I wanted to finish strong. I wanted to break 3 hours. But, my tummy was saying no.
  Then it happened. I ran into some race officials going over the bridge into the finishing line park that assured me the finish line was near. I was running when I met them and they yelled that I was almost done. At the other end of the bridge was my sister-in-law waiting for her own husband and daughter to pass by. She yelled for me and I was able to run a little faster. Then I saw the last turn that leads to the finish line and started sprinting, because the sooner I got there, the sooner I could go to the bathroom. Then I saw it: the race clock. It was at 2:56! I could make it under 3 hours! I really took off then. I then saw all my family waiting for me and yelling and I couldn't help but scream as I passed the finish line "I BROKE 3 HOURS!!!!!"
  My yelling amused everyone around. I got my medal and stumbled out of the race corrals into Mark's waiting arms where I started sobbing. I had done it. I was a half marathoner! Nothing other than the birth of my children had felt better. Mark, completely shocked at my reaction, worried I had gone nuts. I still haven't trained him that sometimes girls cry when they are happy too.
  My official time was 2:56:30. Mark's was 2:08:51. We are both extremely happy at those times. We are also so very thankful for all our family that came to the race. We had quite the group there with my parents, Mark's mom, Mark's aunt and uncle, Addison, and my brother's family. It is so nice to know we have so many people who love and support us. I am also so thankful to all the wonderful people who supported me through Facebook and texts. Josh was the first to see how we did. He was running the Ogden Half, but based on the crappy weather he had, I know that he wanted even more to have been with us. I love each and every one of you. Thank you all!

Showing Isabel our medal. The little duck is just like the one we buried her with and we call it Isaduck. It ran with me in my pouch so I would have that reminder that Isabel was with me. 

   On our way back home yesterday, we were able to visit our daughter again. This time, I was able to lay my medal down on her headstone with Isaduck. I run for her, but I run for me too. I could feel her there my whole run. Every time the running got hard, my music would change to a her song or another encouraging song. I know she was there, pushing me forward, keeping the snakes away. I couldn't have asked for a better run.
  For more pictures of our awesome running adventure, you are going to have to go here.

Conversations With The Fat Girl

  Whenever I feel gloomy, or am bored, or I just need a good laugh, I turn to my favorite book, Conversations with the Fat Girl by Liza Palmer. Reading this book has always made me feel like maybe Liza (yes, I call her by her first name, we are BFFs like that) followed me around and commented on my life.  I completely identify with the main character, Maggie, and her inability to take herself seriously despite accomplishing huge things like getting a masters degree, being uncomfortable with doing nothing to change the things in her life that she dislikes, and being unable to give up on people that don't care about her. I read it and learn something new about myself every time.
   Lately I have been thinking a lot about my favorite novel. I think about it during all my recent bad runs and wonder why I give up on myself so easily. If, like Maggie, I am not happy with who I am now, why am I not pushing to change who I am? Two weeks of bad runs create a lot of time to beat up on one's self.
   Then, as if bad runs were enough to make me feel like a giant loser, Mike Jeffries had to go and open his big mouth. Admittedly, I have always hated Abercrombie & Fitch. I'm not into the half naked model thing. Or the store's smell. And their clothes are the same thing you can get at any other store in the mall, usually for half the price.  But as I read his 2006 Salon interview, my inner middle school girl crumbled a little inside. It was like he was calling ME out, right now. After a few days of calming down about it, I thought about something Maggie said:

"I have never stood up for myself. I've never made myself visible. My enemy has always had the ultimate weapon: They might call me fat. Or so I thought. I thought if I fought back the insults would multiply, and so would the insulters. But no one is laughing at me. No one gives the girl at the window high fives for calling a spade a spade. Instead, I said what I had to say. If I'd known this earlier, maybe I would have lived by another code. 

But I know it now." (p. 176)

   While I am not going to attack Mr. Jeffries for saying what he said, I am also not going to let what he said define me. Sure, I can't fit into A&F clothing, but I have never wanted to wear their clothing before, so why be sad I can't now? I am freaking amazing now. I have given birth to two beautiful daughters. Even though I have pretty complicated pregnancies, my body gave me the wonderful gift of motherhood. I don't need clothes to feel good about my body. I just need to look at my daughters.

   I am also running my first half marathon on Saturday. How many people can say that? I realized just recently that I don't take myself very seriously. I never treated myself like the athlete I am. There is no way you can train this much and not be an athlete. Still, I failed to see that. But I know it now.

   I may not be an A&F size 10 or smaller. I may not be able to model in a bikini to sale jeans to some kid that is using clothing to gain self esteem. But I am pretty damn good the way I am, and that is enough. 

The Last Long Run

   Well, we finally reached the last long run Mark and I needed to do until our taper weeks for our half marathon. Honestly, when my friend Jay convinced us to do the half in February, I never thought we would actually get to this point in our training. Me? Run 10 miles? A half marathon? I don't think so.
   But we did run our 10 miles on Saturday. And it was pretty great, actually. Luckily for us, my parents were able to come take care of our newly potty trained Addison so we could run potty break free. This is better for Mark, since he pushes her in the stroller. And after Thursday's pee pee accident while we were running, her staying closer to a bathroom was necessary.  So we are grateful to my parents for all of their support and help in watching her twice so we could get in a long run stroller, and cranky toddler free.
  As for the run, we started running right before a trail  relay race took off a mile behind us. We were less than a fourth mile into our run before the first runner zoomed passed us. I am used to people running past me at, what seems to me, great speeds, but this was new for Mark. I could tell by the shock on his face as he turned back to look at me that the person in first, did in fact, run like the wind. By the time I got to the first road, a half mile in, 4 runners had passed me. By the next half mile, the first women runners started passing me.
   There was something about running with the racers that made my running much easier. It was like I was one of them and we were all in this together. At about 2.5 miles, a runner passed me and said "It's only 6 and a half miles. We are going to crush this!" I thought, to bad I only have 3.5 miles more to go after that. But still, I ran further than I ever had until I had to take my first walking/drinking break. In fact, that was my whole run, I was able to run longer than I ever had before and take fewer breaks further apart. Soon the turn around point came and I was able to eat a little snack of fruit snacks to get me back home. I was then passing the last few racers and give them each encouragement as they were ending the end of their run.
  There is something about other runners acknowledging you as you run that makes your run easier. I think of it as Running Karma. You say "Morning" or "Hey" or "Keep Going" to another runner and you have a good morning and can keep going. By the 6 mile mark, all the trail runners were past me and I was forced to keep going without the race feeling in my running. But I was feeling great. My legs weren't that tired yet and I was in a pretty good mood still. I soon made it all the way back to our car, meeting Mark who had ran 11 miles in just under 2 hours. Sometimes his speed and athleticism makes me so green with envy, I can't even see straight.
   My time was 2:10. I didn't break the 2 hour mark like I wanted to, but I was forced to wait at two stoplights and several intersections, which I am pretty sure hurt my time. It is hard to get back into pace when you had to stand at a street corner for a couple of minutes. But I don't care. I was so happy that I made it! And I felt awesome. I can't wait for May 18. It isn't coming fast enough for me.

  For those of you (me!me!) who need motivation, here is the best I have found... Thanks Josh for pointing this out to me.  

Why My Feet Hurt

   I ran 9 miles for the first time Saturday.  The run was rough. We do an out and back run. All the way out is on an incline. Usually the first half of our run is terrible for me. The incline is really rough on my calves, and I usually have to walk a little bit each half mile just to regain leg strength. Well, for that and to get a drink. I still can't drink and run. But this run wasn't like that. I was making pretty good time and my legs felt great. Then the physical wall hit.
   I was at about 4 miles and was almost to Mark and out of nowhere I started dry heaving and seriously thought I was going to throw up. Then I got stomach cramps, which makes running easier. I met up with Mark and ate some fruit roll up for the return trip. I felt a little better, but I wasn't back to comfortable running until around mile 6. That really was a time suck because I was forced to walk way more than I would have liked.
   Then I hit about mile 6 and was able to run for the next 1 1/2 miles. It was pretty much amazing. I also learned some things about my body. For instance, my toes go numb when running that far. I have to flex them every .25 miles. I also learned that I shrug my shoulders to my ears when the going gets tough. The problem is, the going is all rough when you are running that far for me. So I had to keep telling myself to relax the top half of my body. And when I would, my running was easier. So those are all good lessons to have learned.
   Then I hit my worst mental wall I have ever hit as I completed 7.5 miles. I was tired. My feet were KILLING me (thank you plantar fasciitis, a recently sprained ankle, and running that far). My back started cramping. My stomach problems came back. And then I was mentally exhausted. I wanted to cry. I wanted to call Mark to come get me (he was finished running by then), but didn't have my phone to do it. All I could do was continue on or I couldn't go home. I could no longer run. I was miserable. I started really regretting paying for the half marathon that is now less than 3 weeks away. How could I ever run 13.1? I hate running! I never want to do it ever again.
   This was the lowest I have ever been when running. I have hit mental walls before. It has always just been about that run, meaning mad I couldn't keep going or that I wasn't faster or that I was tired before I even began running. I have never thought that I should quite running before or that the next run wouldn't be better. That was all new to me. I totally understand what the running world means by running being a mental game now. With only a half mile left and after Mark caught up to me, I decided this was the end of my pity party. I ran again. I ran past the hip pain, past the sore and tired feet and legs. I ran past the stomach cramps. I ran past the pulsing in my lower body making me want to faint and throw up. I just ran. And I finished in 2:15. Was it a good time? No. Am I happy with the time? No. Did I learn anything during this run? YES!
   I pretty much was in pain all weekend. It turns out my hip was out, thus the hip pain. My feet still hurt. Still, I am determined to do better this weekend on my 10 mile run. I really would like to finish at about 2 hours, so I am going to learn the lesson of this run to help make that happen, I hope.

Race #2: The Salt Lake City Marathon

   There was a lot of talk last week, post Boston Marathon, about the Salt Lake City Marathon. Could Salt Lake keep the runners safe? How can the race honor Boston on such short notice? How can the racers honor Boston? Thanks to social media, racers organized to wear green for the race. The race organizers got a large banner that all the racers could sign that was sent to Boston. And the race was as secure as could be. In fact, the race was so awesome, even BuzzFeed had to cover it. Seriously, the article is so worth the read. Even Josh got a picture mention.

   The race was amazing, even in the cold and pouring rain. Mark, Addison, and I were decked out in green and ready to race, but wasn't as ready for the weather. However, by the time we stared lining up for the race (5k again for us), the excitement from all the other racers and the general feeling of running this one for Boston took over. The race started for us 5k runners with the opening to the song "Sweet Caroline," a race opener for Boston. We were running by the end of the first verse and, despite the race promising we would all sing along, I was the only one singing. I am sure I cheered up all the old ladies watching the race. I got several thumbs up for knowing the words. 

  As soon as I was out of earshot of the music, I put in my earphones and began dodging and weaving all the slower racers. Although they told us to line up based on speed, some people didn't get the memo. And because we ran with Addison in tow, us parents with strollers had to start in the back. It took Mark and I almost a mile to pass all the people that SHOULD have been behind us. Of course, Mark took off like a shot from a gun, so by the half mile mark, I couldn't see him anymore. Either he was way ahead of me by then OR the pouring rain, that I was now running right into, blocked my view of him. By the mile mark, the clock said I was 12:25 into the race. This was not a good pace if I wanted to break the 35 minute 5k (I was really hoping for a sub-30 race, but knew that wasn't going to happen), so I picked up the pace. Just then Isabel's song came on and I knew she was there with me, pushing me on. Which worked really well. The clock read 22:31 when I ran past it at the 2 mile mark. And I knew I wasn't going to make it under the 30 minute mark, but I could be close, so I speed up a little heading to the long stretch back to Liberty park. Then, it happened. The last mile was all uphill! Half way up I started feeling that pulsing throughout my lower body that means I am going to quit whether I want to or not. I kept pushing and I talking to Isabel telling her how I want to finish this strong for her and for Boston. Just as I was pleading my hardest, two things happened. First, a great song came on that makes you forget how hard running can be. Then I was passed by a woman that was cheering everyone on she encountered. We ran with each other a bit, cheering and screaming. By the time we entered the park I knew I was going to finish this strong, maybe even before the 35 minute mark as I had hoped. The last turn came and I focused as hard as I could on the finish line and clock running faster and faster. Still, despite all my efforts, I came in at just over 36 minutes. Yes, I took 5 minutes off my first race, but didn't hit the mark I wanted. Still, I wasn't disappointed. I just ran as hard as I could in the pouring rain and cold. I was drenched and cold. And I did it with ALL of my family. How could you not be happy with that?

  After getting our pictures taken and collecting all the food we could possibly take, we headed for our car to dry off and get warm. Remember how we ran with Addison? She was cold and started to let us know about it. But after stripping her down to her dry clothes and giving her a banana and bag of pretzels, she cheered right back up to her normal self, excited about her morning adventures. Mark said she had a great time during their run. 

  When fueled up and dried off, we headed back out to get a massage and watch Josh finish the half. However, our awesome massage therapist took extra time on us because, in her words, we needed a lot of attention, and we missed Josh completely. But while Mark was getting his massage, I was watching all the half runners, completely green with envy. I never thought I would think this, but we were ready for a half. We probably should have ran it, but May 18th is marching up pretty fast. 

   Despite the weather, the race was awesome. And, by the way, my official race time was 34:55! I forgot to take off the minute whatever off my finish time because, being the last of the pack, we didn't cross the start line as soon as the clocks all started. Mark finished in 29:23. How could you not be happy with that?

The Race in Pictures

 Staying warm before heading out to the start line.

Addison decked out in green with her green piggy ribbons. 

 Waiting for the starting gun.

 The crowd filling in to start running

The 5k start and all the races finish line. 

My handsome man ready to run. 

Let's GO! 

 Running through the streets of SLC.

 Running in the rain.

 The last uphill until the park finish. It was almost a mile.

Drying off and refueling post race. 

 My first race bib.

 Addison had a great time going from the back seat to the front seat. Which is good. IT took us an hour to warm back up and dry off our jackets. She is such a ham.

   Cuddle Time!

Running For Boston

  Since the events in Boston on Monday, the running world has been going crazy.  First of all, the next big marathon in the US will be held in Salt Lake City, and I happen to be running the 5k. So of course, everyone is trying to figure out a way to honor Boston AND step up security for the race. Enter my friend Josh who happened to mention that we runners should wear green to show support for the whole town of Boston. His suggestion not only inspired all the runners who like the Salt Lake City Marathon on Facebook, but got national attention from Huffington Post yesterday. This article then got him mass attention here in Utah and he then got interviewed for the 10 PM news by 2 local channels, KSL and KUTV. At least I get to say that I knew this thoughtful guy before he made it big.

If you are going to be at or run in this race, please wear green to show your support of Boston.

 Then, nationally speaking, runners were asked to run a run for Boston yesterday. I did my 3 mile training run thinking about the guy that fell down when the blast went off by the finish line. Every time I see that, I feel horrible for him. For some reason, that image of him falling epitomizes what happened in Boston has a whole. So I ran with him, and the whole town in mind.  I hope all of you either ran yesterday, or will go out and run for Bean Town.

  Then, there was this last night... http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/vp/51564543/#51564543 Please take the time to watch Rachel Maddow completely describe the running culture and talk about how marathons can be safer. As a runner, I loved every moment of this segment. Oh, and if you haven't read the article she discusses with Amby Burfoot, you should. It is amazing.
 

Praying For Boston

   I watched the Boston Marathon today in utter dismay at how FAST they all are. The winners ran the full marathon in a goal time of mine for a half marathon. And I cried, because that is what I do when I see such superior athleticism in any sport. Then, just a couple of hours later, the 2 explosions happened. I watched in dismay all over again. I think the only thing I can really say about it is summed up in this picture.