Riverton Half-Marathon 2011

Despite loving to run, and doing it off and on for nearly 10 years, I have never ran a half-marathon. Until now.

Last Saturday, we plucked sleeping babies out of beds, loaded them in car seats and headed to the valley. It's quite an event to go anywhere with the babies. There's loading of bags and preparation of breakfast, lunch, snack, car snack, sippy cups, changes of clothes, etcetera. Then I still need to get stuff ready for the babies! (bu dum ching.)

I ran the race with my friend Steph who is such a wonderful person and always has a smile, a happy attitude, and also does my run/walk/run style. She's a fabulous race partner. Her husband Steve (future ironman in training) and two daughters, Amber and Heather were outstanding hosts to my kids and husband while we scampered off to the starting line.

Our smiles are frozen on at this point.

Utah had a lovely spring snow (read: booooo on you snow!) the day before so race day morning was frigid. We huddled around standing heaters before we lined up and I jumped in placed to get blood flowing to my digits. Stephanie thought she had a rock in her shoe the first 1/2 mile. Turned out it was just a numb foot.

Steve took this road side shot of us galloping girls.

We definitely warmed up and were shedding layers mid-race. The course was beautiful. We ran through a neighborhood, a 55+ community, and the majority of the race was along the Jordan River park trail. It got a little interesting in some places. The snow, warm weather, snow syndrome that happens here caused the trail to be flooded in some spots, so we jogged through a little mud trail and under a bridge at one point. We also skirted a golf course which made me giddy in anticipation of swinging a club a few times this year. Last year's baby-palooza kind of halted any golfing. I think we can squeeze in a few rounds this year. I hope.

There were a few hills. One killer one around mile 10. I don't know if I have a problem. I don't know if I should seek help, but I love em. I love the uphills. No joke. I heave and huff and puff and need a serious slow jog recovery after. But I love dem hills.

The cooler weather turned out to be perfect for trotting 13.1 miles. Probably the best part of the day was the new PR Stephanie crushed. She ran this race last year and showed me her card. She finished 2010 at 2:40 and some change. We crossed the finish line at 2:28:03. Amazing!

There it is! Steph crossing the finish line and her new PR.

It was a near perfect first half-marathon experience one could have. (I think anyway, I don't have a lot to compare it to.)

Don't we look post-race outstanding?

Great friends, beautiful course, smiling volunteers, it was a great day. But the thing that most made my heart beat a little happier was the tall, handsome guy pushing the triple stroller at the finish line. Chris has been such a champion to my running habit and makes sure I have plenty of time on the weekends for my long runs. He surprised me with a treadmill this last Christmas because the cold weather mixed with being mom times three to one year olds makes it tricky to get in those weekday runs. He is my biggest fan. I loved that it wasn't a question whether or not he was going to be there. He wanted to!

My sweet babies had red noses, despite being bundled, so the post race festivities didn't last too long. We headed back to the Galleys. It involved a little foam rolling, taking turns showering, a couple of recovery shakes, and a little bit laying on the living room floor. :)

Great day.

Babies having a little lunch while mom foam rolled.

Super Dale 5K

Although the winds blustered and blew us around, (at one point, I think I was actually running in a diagonal slant) good times were had at the Super Dale 5K! There really is nothing like running FOR someone. I only live in the same community as Dale. I've never met him. But it was sensational to come together with your family, friends, neighbors to do something fun for a purpose. It was touching to see a few athletes there with disabilities gearing up their racing chairs in support of Dale.

Often I think how thankful I am for my body and abilities after I go running. I feel so good as my lungs work at full capacity and blood pumps to my limbs, brain, heart, fueling my desire. On this day I felt especially grateful. I hope Dale and his family are finding peace with this sudden curve ball life has thrown at them.

Finishing the last (extra) 1/4 mile together! Left to right: Michael, Ben, Sheryl, me, Shauna, Jenna.

Yes, we wore matching shirts. Deal with it. Chris skeedaddled home right after to rescue our neighbors from their kind act of triplet-sitting.

Other BEST parts of the day? All the people that raced with me! Chris ran with me which was stupendous. I paced us the first half, then he decided he could go faster. I kept up with him (it was fast!) but I knew he couldn't hold it. How rude does that sound? Nothing worse than an arrogant runner. He eventually slowed down, admitted he was tired and we finished together. The race was actually .25 mile longer than a 5K. Our average pace 9:24.

Almost the entire race day crew. Back row: Dane, Michael, Mindy. Middle row: me, Jenna, Shauna, Sheryl, Amelia, Rich, Kim. Front row: Alex, Ben

My sister Shauna, her husband Rich and their 7 year old, Alex also ran. My brother Michael, his wife Mindy, Mindy's sister Kim and her husband Matt joined the racing fray. Michael did a ridiculous 6 something pace. He finished in 24 minutes and change.

My mom raced. My mom raced! Why two sentences to announce this? Because it was her first ever organized race! We were all tremendously proud of her. My mom started her current career in her nearly empty nest years. Also, at 50+ decided that she was going to take up races. (She's also a future Ragnar finisher.) She is inspiring. Most would say, "eh, maybe if I was younger..." Most think that things you have done in your life, at a certain point, are what define you. The End. No more new adventures. She inspires me to always keep hold of new dreams and go after adventures not yet experienced.

Big hoopda hoop to Jenna for watching everyone's kids in the back of Shauna's Pilot while the adults pranced around. Cute picture here. Big hoopda hoop to my great neighbors who came over to our house at the last minute to watch mine. (Did I mention there were gale force winds blowing?)

Hooray, the finish line is up ahead!

Post race we feasted on an early lunch. Lunch was much less windy since we ate indoors. It was also delicious.

They were a little bummed they missed the big race, but said the pasta salad I made for lunch helped make up for it.

Chris, some weirdo who was trying to look like a turtle for some reason and Shauna

I have another worthwhile 5K to promote! Stay tuned...

Music and Gear For the Long Run

No frozen hams today. Today's long run was so much better than my last one. I learned from my mistakes and layered up today. An extra layer of skin underoos and extra pants over my tights. MUCH better. Much warmer. Although I think I look like a complete nerd in all my gear (hydration belt, little pack for a gel, big hat, there's a picture below) I had everything I needed for a fantastic nine miler.

Music is an essential part of my running regimen. Every once in a while I will go sans tunes because I think it's right to be one with where you are. There is something almost sacred about your feet hitting the earth while you hear the birds talk, see the leaves blow, smell the cows and notice the melting snow.

But today was a music run. Just for fun, here is a rundown of who kept me company during my one hour, forty one minute jog fest. Eclectic is the word of the day.

Sounds So Good - Ashton Shepherd
Coldplay - various, always from Viva la Vida!
Battle Hymn of the Republic - MoTab (you better believe it)
Rihanna - stood under her umbrella, ella, ella, ella
Forever - Chris Brown (WHY do I love this song so much?)
Alicia Keys - she's my girl
Shinedown - Second Chance
Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun
Nickleback - Chris and I share an ipod. Normally, not my thing. (I mean BLAH!) But for some reason on a run, they get me going.
Kings of Leon - DEFINITELY my thing. Love em.
Sting - All This Time Album
Popular from Wicked (...ler...lar!)
Justin Timberlake - at about mile 5 we BOTH brought sexy back.
Mos Def - Quiet Dog
Mana, Shakira and Locos por Jauna - My heart is 1/16 Latina. It's got to be fed.
Metallica - my running guilty pleasure band. Where is that crown King Nothing?
The Way I Are - Timbaland (Another favorite I don't know why I like so much.)
Counting Crows - 1995 called, they want their playlist back
Alien Ant Farm - Seriously, Annie, are you ok?

There is a sample of my playlist of songs whilst prancing through my back country valley looking like this:

(I had Chris snap this picture when I got back. What a nerd! Me, not Chris.)

9 miles. 1:41:39. 11:17 min/mile.

What is on your running playlist? What songs get you going mid run?

Do This 5K/10K

As promised, I have a worthwhile 5K to promote.

Dale Lawrence is a local high school student in Heber Valley. He was injured a few months ago during wrestling practice.

From the school's website:

On Tuesday, January 4, 2011, Wasatch High School senior Dale Lawrence suffered a serious neck injury in wrestling practice. "Super Dale", as he is known to Wasatch High School students, is currently rehabilitating at University of Utah Medical Center. While Dale is still unable to move his arms and legs, he has regained some sensation in his limbs. Dale is in the thoughts and prayers of the entire Wasatch community.

On Saturday, March 19, there will be a 5K/10K race with all proceeds going to his family. I'm all about running FOR something. It's super easy to sign up. Only a $10 minimum, but I'm sure we can all give a few extra bucks. Click here for the link.

Happy running! Spring is close. I can smell it. (Even though my phone says it is nine degrees outside right now, I'm looking at the sunshine and pretending it's 50.)