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...

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.)

Run or Freeze aka SoJo 5K

I officially kicked of the 2011 racing season with a sweet little 5K in South Jordan.

Running with my friend Steph was a definite highlight. The cute Wickify shirts with a cupid on them in honor of Valentine's Day was another outstanding highlight. Not to mention the pink bag our swag stuff came in.

But the cold! Good gravy, the freezing wind. I checked the weather that morning and saw pleasant little numbers like 48. But the wind was making it closer to 12. Agghh!

Good thing we were there to run, otherwise, what a stupid day to go to the park! It was the least amount of time I've ever spent at a finish line.

After being shuttled through the line of ropes most races put you through, there was a table full of fruit and water. Then, at the very end of the table, there was a big bag full of medals. The girl in front of me got one, so silly me, I thought they were handing out participation medals. As I stood with a goofy grin on my face, hand outstretched, waiting for my medal, the guy asked to see my time card. After a quick glance at it, he reached in a bag that had no medals in it and handed me a $5 card to Village Inn. Yea. No participation medals after all. Age group winners got those. Oh well. My goal was not to win my age group.

Goals for most recent 5K: Have fun. Run with a friend.

Mission accomplished.

There is a whole lot of year left for time goals and the like.

Also, I am officially endorsing two great 5K races coming up soon. Both for meaningful causes. Stay tuned. (Because I'm such an important person, my endorsements really matter. Ha.)

The darling racers after the run, in a house, away from the cold. Sorry no pictures at the race. I couldn't think about much except for moving to keep my eyelids and lips from freezing together.

Also, PS - my ever supportive husband and three babies came! Of course they were in the car the entire time. (Did I mention it was soo cold?) But cute Chris got out of the van and cheered us on for the 10 seconds it took to run by his little parking space.

24th of July 5K

It was a perfect day to start racing again. Now when I say 'racing' I'm actually not trying to beat anyone or break any Charleston Town 5k records. But I won't deny that you run a titch faster when you come up behind someone who seems to be going your pace. Just enough to pass them and make sure they don't catch you again. I guess in that sense I was racing. Kind of. It does kind of hurt when the guy pushing the double stroller with toddlers in it passes you.

The best part was racing with my super fast sister! I think I probably would have averaged a 20 minute mile if she didn't run with me. 60 minutes to run 3.1 miles? The free pancake breakfast would have been all gone if I actually did that! So I'm glad she ran with me. Not only to make sure I got pancakes, but she is, well, amazing. For a lot of reasons. We averaged about 9 minute miles and finished just over 27 minutes.

The other best parts are the people who show up to these events. The guy in the hot pink tank top who decided to full out sprint at the starting line. Then later took a couple of minutes to sit on the side of the road and rest. Then sprinted again. Then stood under the spray of an irrigation sprinkler and tried to catch water in his mouth. Then coming in the finish line like he was going to die if he ran another yard. I'm glad he wore the hot pink tank top. Otherwise I might have missed ALL of his shenanigans.

So yippee for holiday races. Yippee for getting this part of my life back. Yippee for my husband holding the fort down all by his handsome self for two hours. Yipppee!