marathon #13.... and other stuff

Why yes, I am a blog slacker.

I had a fabulous trip to Utah.... of course. It couldn't be anything but fabulous. I was able to see plenty of family and friends. My cup (heart) was running over with joy by the time I went home.

Just a few things we did... bullet point version.

* Sisters retreat. (I have 6 sisters, 2 sister in laws and a wonderful mother, and 1 niece that made it this year for our 10Th annual retreat in southern Utah.)

* Hiked Angels Landing at Zion National

* Saw "Tarzan" at the outdoor theater (H.O.T)

* met up with this amazing lady (Stacy).... most of you know her as Runner Girl. Check her out. She is amazing. We were able to have dinner, chat it up and she came with us to see "Tarzan"

* Swim with lots of cousins

* Lunch out with family members

* Do plenty of hair cuts

* Play Bunco with my twin sisters group of lady friends

* Run my 13Th marathon with my older sister, Maria. It was fabulous. We had such a great time. I loved every minute of this marathon. OK, the last mile was torture for me. Hot, and I was hitting the wall fast.

* girls night out.... miss my peeps

* date night with my hubby and his family members.... I was missing him after a week and a half

* My hubby's sister is a photographer and she took our family pictures. They turned out great....

Here are some pictures of the Deseret News marathon (in Salt Lake City) I ran with my sister. It was an early start, very DOWNhill, It got super hot toward the end of the race, but all in all, I loved it. Of course this may have something to do with the fact that my hubby, twin sister and niece met us along the course at 3 different spots and gave us ICE cold water, Gatorade and salty treats. Between the two of us, we ended up stopping 7 times along the course. We were not in any kind of a hurry to get to the finish line. We enjoyed being together and running a race TOGETHER for the first time. We still managed to finish in 4:08. I was pretty pleased with our time. Here I am catching ICE that my sister was throwing at us as we approached. YUM-

Here we are at the finish line. Hot and very sweaty.... and very happy to have crossed the finish line together.

Des News marathon

In 2 weeks I am running the Deseret News marathon in Salt Lake City. That's right folks..... a July 24Th marathon in Utah. What the heck was I thinking? Oh that's right. Vacation+Sister+marathon= awesomeness. Can you tell I am super stoked about running #13 with my super cool older sister?!?! She is only older by 16 months, but she is still older. This is Maria while running her last 50 miler.... yes, that is snow behind her.

She is amazing. Maria just recently ran her 4Th 50 mile Ultra marathon. She inspires me everyday to be a better mother, sister, wife, friend and runner. If you have been reading my previous posts, you will wonder what happened to the twin sister, who was also suppose to be running this marathon with us, as her first 26.2..... well, let's just say ITB... ya, sucks.

This marathon takes place on one of the hottest days of the year for Utah. It also happens to be on a state Holiday, so the last few miles are run down a huge parade route. The race starts up the canyon, so it will be about 50 degrees to start, but will warm up quickly. It is a fairly small marathon. I think I read somewhere that it only has about 500 runners each year. Needless to say, I am still very excited and feel ready. Well, after tomorrow's 22 miler, I will feel ready. Hope the humidity stays low. Good luck to all you runners racing this weekend.

question

Any of you other runners who are suffering through this awful humidity.... I have a question for y'all. Does the humidity slooooow you down? I have felt as though I have slowed down my average speed so much in the past 6 weeks or so. The only thing I can think of is the humidity. Growing up in Utah and living there until just 2 years ago, I am just not use to it. I hate it. It makes for a loooong and hard run. I find I lose my energy faster. I feel as though it is sucking the life out of me. Any of you other runners feel this way?

B.L.A.H.

HUMIDITY + LONG RUN + POURING RAIN = BLAH

It has been so humid here the past couple weeks. I know other parts of the country get it a lot worse the Ky, but where I grew up in Utah and then moving to Ky 2 years ago, it is still a shock to my system. BLAH. I got up at 5:30 to run and still was slapped in the face with humidity and rain. Blah.

It has been over a month since my last post. You may be wondering what I have been up to. Hmmmm, nothing. Running and trying to keep my kids busy and keep them from whining. I love/hate summer break. I fly to Utah in a month and I will be running marathon #13 in Salt Lake City with at least one of my sisters. My twin sister was training for it, (her first) and then her ITband went wacky. I suffered from ITband about 8 years ago, and went through a month of PT. She can't run at all right now and so she most likely wont be able to run with us on July 24Th.

My hubby has started running since my last post. He started out slow at about an 11 min pace an now he is between a 9:30- 10:00 min pace. In a month. He is up to 4 miles, but he is suffering from shin splints, so he has backed down. We are picking him up some new shoes next week. Should help. He was also having some trouble breathing and I kept telling him to be patient, it would get better. Well, he started to have tightness in his chest and talked to one of the doctors he works closely with, and they decided it was exercise induced asthma. So he is using an inhaler and it has helped tremendously. YAY! How great it will be to get him trained and doing a 10k and then maybe eventually a half/full.

Hitting the wall, from a kid's point of view...

I have the most wonderful friend who I can count on. She is so kind and always willing to take both my girls when I ask her too. So when I asked her to take my girls while I was in Cincinnati for the marathon, she of course was happy to help me out. They had a great time and of course played till they were worn out. They also attended a Derby party, where the kids all picked the horse of choice and also hit a pinata shaped as a horse. So cute. Anywho.... When we picked up the girls, and as we were driving home, Greg and I were chatting about my race and I said something about HITTING THE WALL..... well my hilarious little 4 year old asked....

"Mom, you hit the wall? Is that why you have a bruise on your elbow?" lol ~

I didn't even have a bruise. She just assumed I had really run into a brick wall. Kids say the funniest things. I did how ever feel as though I had truly run into a brick wall..... all week. This was my 12th marathon and also the hardest recovery. I have been so sick, and my legs have been toast. More then usual. UGH.... No wonder I didn't BQ.... something is up with my body right now. I have qualified before (twice) and I know I will again... hopefully sooner then later.

On a happy note... we are running in a 5K tomorrow morning. It is going to be my 9 year old's first, and my husbands. I will post all about it on Monday. We just need to figure out what we are going to do with the 4 year old while we are running... maybe my trusty friend can come watch her for me... ha ha

Flying Pig race report.

This wont be a long post. Short and simple.
It rained and it poured and there was even thunder and lightning at the start. We were soaked before the race even started. I started with the 3:40 pace group. Lost them at 6, when we started with the hills. From 6-8 it is almost constant hills. At about mile 8 the hilliest part of the course was over. But there were still more little hills to come. I caught up to the 3:40 group at mile 12. Stayed with them till 16.5ish... and by mile 17 I was having a hard time keeping up. I knew I had to slow my pace. I was so mad. I was fighting with anger, and doubts and frustration. By mile 18.5 I told myself it was OK to not BQ. Once I agreed with myself... I was fine. I settled into a new pace, and felt happy. I did slow down a touch more as the miles went on. My left hip was killing me, I couldn't stop and walk through the water stations anymore because it was to hard to get running again. At mile 24 the 3:50 pace group passed me and I thought I could keep up with them... nope. So I slowed back down to my 9:30 pace and just finished.

3:51:06... avg of an 8:50 pace... not my best, but not my worst.

I am a little bummed I didn't BQ, but considering I had been sick all week, the hilly course, and the rain and really my lack or training... I am happy with my time and I am even happier that I am able to run. I am so lucky and blessed to be a runner and to love it. I am amazed each time I cross the finish line that I am able to push myself for 26.2 miles. (garmin said 26.5)

So whats next you ask? Marathon #13 will be in Utah with 2 of my sisters. Frances, my twin, will be doing her first full. We are running the Deseret news marathon on July 24Th in Salt Lake City. I am so excited about this one. No pressure at all. Just 3 sisters running together and crossing the finish line together... no matter what. I will have to wait to BQ in Sept or Oct, and I will find a much flatter/faster course. Greg was standing above me on an over pass thingy, and so the pictures are from a distance. Here are a couple. He took them with the super fast shutter speed option... so I have about 30 shots of me running. It's fun to scroll through them fast on the camera and watch myself run.

Crossing the Finish SwineWalking back to the hotel, I made him take one of me with my medal.

Bring on the Flying Pigs

Everyday for the last month I have been receiving an email notification, informing me how many days till the FLYING PIG MARATHON. Today it says 2 days till race day. (More like 2 days and 17 hours) Am I ready??? Maybe.

I want to feel ready. I didn't REALLY train for this marathon, as far as time. I trained for a half marathon which was at the end of March and after that race, I realized it was time to register for the Pig. I was also very behind on my long runs. So basically my training for this marathon was one 20 miler, then a 10, then a 23 miler. Ya... not the best idea. I am still holding out for a decent time.

Also, this week I have been fighting a little head cold. I seem to always come down with something during taper. What is up with that? My last few runs have kind of sucked rocks, and my 25 min swim yesterday was not to much fun either.

The weather is also showing Scattered thunderstorms. hmmm, could be fun.

Aunt flow will be visiting that day as well. Lucky me.

So my plan for race day is to stick with the 3:40 pace group until I just can't hang on any longer. I really hope I come in under 3:40:59.... BQ baby. If I don't, no biggie.

Did I mention this is marathon #12? This is also the Pigs 12th annual marathon. How great.

Good luck to all my other fellow racers this weekend. Make it a good one.